11 Days Chengdu – Lhasa – Gyangze – Shigatze – Base Camp – Lhasa – Chengdu

Day 1: Chengdu – Lhasa (D)

Be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. Arrive in Lhasa, have a good rest to acclimatize yourself to the high altitude. 

 

Day 2: Lhasa (B, L)

Visit Potala Palace, which was originally constructed in the first half of the 7th century for the marriage of the ruler Srongtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty and rebuilt in the 17th century as the winter palace for Dalai Lama; the over 1300 years old Jokhang Monastery, which enjoys a supreme status in Tibetan Buddhism; and Barkhor Bazaar, where there are pilgrims circling clockwise around Jokhang Monastery and many Tibetan souvenir shops. 

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Day 3: Lhasa (B, L)

Visit Norbulingka, a summer palace built in about 1740s for Dalai Lama to avoid heat and deal with affairs; Sera Monastery, one of “the three great monasteries of Lhasa”, where you have a chance to see monks’ debating about Buddha dharma. 

 

Day 4: Lhasa – Gyantze – Shigatze (B, L)

Drive from Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantze, visit Yamdrok Tso (literally “lake of jade” in Tibetan), one of the Three Holy Lakes of Tibet; Palgor Chorten (also called Palcho Monastery), famous for the architecture, sculpture, and mural painting art; and also the Gyantse Castle on the way.

 

Day 5: Shigatse (B, L)

Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, which was built in the 15th century and shares the fame of Four Great Monasteries of Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism together with the three ones in Lhasa. 

 

Day 6: Shigatse – Dingri (B, L)

Drive to Dingri County and enjoy the great highland scenery on the way. 

 

Day 7: Dingri (B, L)

Driver for about 90 kilometers to Rongbuk Monastery, upon arrival, change to horse carte to the monastery, which only about 8 kilometers away from the base camp of Mt. Everest and featuring a monastery for both monks and nuns. If your health allows, you can do some walking at the base camp. Overnight in Rongbuk Monastery or drive back to Dingri.

 

Day 8: Dingri – Shigazte (B, L)

Drive from Dingri to Shigatze. 

 

Day 9: Drive Shigatze – Lhasa (B, L)

Drive from Shigatse to Lhasa. 

 

Day 10: Lhasa (B, L)

Visit Tibetan hospital and local market to learn about the locals’ lifestyle.

 

Day 11: Lhasa – Chengdu (B)

Be transferred to the airport for your flight to Chengdu. Service ends.