10 Days Buddhism Tour in Tibet: A Spiritual Journey to Tibet

Once arrive, you will meet your private guide holding your name sign at arrival hall. Settle into your centrally located hotel in Lhasa with the help of the guide. Take rest of the time to adjust to jet lag or to explore the city on your own.

Meals: No meal, advice freely available

• Hotels: The St. Regis Lhasa Resort, Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa

Lhasa

After your breakfast, we’ll start the day with a visit to the historic Sera Monastery. It is one of the great Tibetan universities famous for its open debates among monks. You’ll listen to the hot debates among those monks on the Buddhist doctrines. Later, drive to Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet. This monastery was the residence of Dalai lamas before Potala Palace was constructed. Then, tour Norbulingka, a surrounding park of Lhasa and former summer resort of Dalai Lama. Those buildings in Norbulingka reflect a strong sense of Tibetan culture and have remained spiritually relevant even through Tibet’s turbulent history. From here, return to your hotel, dine and explore the city on your own.

Feature Dinner option: Tibetan Family Kitchen, Phin Tsok Ge Don Restaurant

Notes:

• Slow down your movement, even if you feel energetic. Moving slowly is the best way to avoid mountain sickness.
• The first two days arriving in Tibet, we suggest visitors keep warm, not take a bath, smokers smoke as little as possible, and do not drink alcohol. 

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

debating in Sera Monastery

Greeted by your local guide in the hotel lobby after breakfast, you will be escorted to Potala Palace, regarded as landmark and the symbol of Tibet. After lunch, you will visit Jokhang Temple, the spiritual centre of Tibet, which will deeply impress you with its magnificence and sincere pilgrims. Later, tour Barkhor Street where you’ll spot monasteries, prayer wheels locals in traditional Tibetan costume. At the end of the day, try your hand at making Tibetan incense in traditional way, which is an important part of Tibetan culture.

Note: 

• Follow all the taboos of Tibetan Buddhism when visiting Potala Palace, such as not wearing a hat, not taking pictures inside.
• There are 1080 steps to the Potala Palace. It may be a little tiring, so you can stop for some rest from time to time.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Potala Palace

57 kilometres away from the city centre of Lhasa, Ganden Monastery is one of the earliest and largest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. Visiting the Ganden Monastery will not only be a tour for you to get to know the religion and culture of the Tibetans, but also a tour for you to enjoy the gorgeous scenery along the trip and around the monastery.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Ganden Monastery

This morning, we’ll hit the road early and head southeast from Lhasa to Samye Monastery. Samye Monastery is the first monastery in Tibet, founded in 775AD, and where Tibetan Buddhism was established. Follow your guide to study its unique mandala design and its pivotal history. Spend the day here and meditate in Chimpu Hermitage meditation cave on a mountain slope near Chimpu Hermitage. These caves and cells have been used by practitioners and monks for centuries for their meditation retreats. On your way up the mountain, you can spot some monks staying for long meditation.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Ngagzha Business Hotel

Samye Monastery

After breakfast, drive to Tsetang. Start the sightseeing from Yumbu Lakang, which was said to be the first palace in Tibetan history. From the palace, you will also enjoy a bird's eye view of the beautiful Yarlung Valley.

Then move to the winter palace of the King and Princess Wencheng in Tsedang, Tradruk Monastery. The most important treasure of Tradruk is a Tangka embroidered with thousands of pearls, which is said to have been made by princess Wen Cheng herself. End the whole day tour with a visit of Tombs of Tibetan Kings, which is the tomb group of Tibetan Zampu (governors), ministers and princesses from the 29th to the 40th (last) dynasties of the Tang Dynasty (7th-9th century).

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Tsedang Hotel, Yalong River Hotel

Yumbu Lakang

Be ready for the long drive from Tsetang to Gyantse. On the way, you will pay a visit to Mindroling Monastery. It is believed to be the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in the Utsang region. Continue your journey and visit Yamdrok Lake. Embraced by the uninterrupted snow-capped mountains and lying under the clear blue sky, the Yamdrok Yumtso Lake appears very holy and evokes solemnity.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Gyantse Hotel, Yeti Hotel Gyantse

Yamdrok Lake

Head to Shigatse today by private transfer. The first stop of today’s tour is Palkhor Monastery. It is a monastery having the characteristics of Han, Tibetan and Nepali architecture. Do not miss the various murals in the monastery. Afterwards, continue your drive to Shalu Monastery, a holy site for many worshipers. The four treasures (the printing board of Tibetan Buddhist scripture, a holy jar made of brass, a stone tablet inscribed with six characters and a huge stone like a basin) in it enhance the charm of Shalu Monastery.

After lunch, continue to appreciate plenty of treasured sutra and cultural relics at Tashilunpo Monastery. It is one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat Sect) in China and the biggest Tibetan Gelugpa Buddhism monastery in back Tibet area.

At last, wander in the local market to get a closer view of the local Tibetan life. Here you could find souvenirs, daily supplies and local specialties.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Qomo Langzong Hotel, Tashi Choeta Hotel

Palkhor Monastery

After a night in Shigatse, you will go back to Lhasa. On the way back, you will see Brahmaputra River, pass by Nyemo County and have a far view of Himayala Mountain Range.

Spend one more night in Lhasa before your departure.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: The St. Regis Lhasa Resort, Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa

Brahmaputra River

Today is the end of your Tibet Buddhism tour. Hope you get a better understanding of Tibetan Buddhism, culture and history after the visit. Meet the guide at the set time and head to the airport for your departure flight.

• Meals: Breakfast,

Lhasa