Monasteries and palaces of Tibet
Tour the ’Land of Snows’, experience some of the world’s most spiritual places and visit to the base camp of Everest, the highest mountain on earth.
Take in the best sights from the ‘Roof of the World’ in Tibet, one of the most remote places on earth. Visit the spiritual city of Lhasa, meaning ‘Ground of the Gods’ and see the magnificent Potala Palace, once home to the Dalai Lama. Tour Tsedang, the cradle of Tibetan civilisation and see ancient palaces and monasteries, including some of the earliest in Tibet. Drive through stunning scenery around Yamdrok Lake and visit Shigatse, Tibet’s second city and an important spiritual centre. Finish off your tour with an awe-inspiring trip to Everest Base Camp and see the mighty mountain up close.
Days 1-2: Tsedang
Depart for your flight to Lhasa airport. Arrive in the morning, where you will be met by your guide and transferred to Tsedang, the cradle of Tibetan civilisation. The rest of the day will be free for acclimatisation. The next day, start with a visit to Trandruk Temple, one of the first Buddhist Temples built in Tibet. See the Yumbulakhang Palace, the first palace in Tibet. This castle-like building stands on the spur of a hill, commanding an impressive view of the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley.
Days 3-5: Lhasa
In the morning you will be driven to Lhasa, with a stop on the way to visit Samye Monastery, located about 40km to the west of Tsedang across the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Here, take a stunning ferry ride across the river. The next morning your tour of Lhasa, the "Sacred Place of Buddha", begins. Start with the golden-roofed Jokhang Monastery, where you will see prostrating pilgrims. Then visit Barkor Street, an astonishing Tibetan-style stock exchange and hive of market activity. In the afternoon visit the magnificent Potala Palace, standing on top of Red Mountain, with its 1000 rooms and roofs gilded with copper and gold. Once the centre of the Tibetan government, it was home of the Dalai Lamas. The next day enjoy a full day tour of Norbulingka, which used to be the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama, and visit the Drepung Monastery, the largest in the world, and which still has 700 monks in residence. Also visit the Sera Monastery, built in the 15th century.
Days 6-7: Shigatse
Drive to Gyangtse, and enjoy stunning views of Yamdrok Lake with its pretty islands, inlets and yaks grazing on the shores. Spend the night at Gyangtse and continue to Shigatse, Tibet’s second city and an important spiritual centre. Visit the Phalkor Monastery and Tashilunpo Monastery, with its golden roofs and jewel-studded chortens.
Days 8-9: Xegar
Drive to Xegar and stop en route to visit the Sakya Monastery. Spend the night in Xegar. In the morning drive to Rongbuk and visit the Rongbuk Monastery, the highest in the world. Afterwards, visit Everest Base Camp, the place from which most mountaineers start their assault on the summit. Marvel at the awe-inspiring view of the world’s tallest mountain. Drive back to Xegar for the night.
Days 10-11: Lhasa
After breakfast, you will take a slightly different route back to Lhasa. The following day you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight.
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Prices from
Prices from: £2,620 to £3005 per person, twin share
Valid for Travel: 01 August 2011 to 21 August 2012.
Package includes: Return international economy flights with KLM from London, 11 days tailormade touring as specified.
Terms & Conditions: Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and change; normal booking conditions apply.
Please note that surcharges may apply at peak times including Christmas and New Year.
To book, call 0845 643 6561
To book this travel offer, call one of our tailor-made travel experts now, quoting reference WEX102294.
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