lhasa city tour - 6 Days

Highlights

• Explore some of the most sought-after historical and cultural destinations inside Tibet, including the UNESCO designated site of Potala Palace.
• The tour facilitates a visit to two of the most revered monastic sites in Lhasa, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.
• Visit the bustling Barkhor Street and explore the Jokhang Temple. It came into existence during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo.
• Indulge in a tour of some of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu, such as Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Boudhanath

• Duration6 Days
• Max. Altitude3656
• Trip GradeEasy
• Group Size1 - 10
• Meals Breakfast in kathmandu/Tibet
• Accommodation4-star Hotel in Kathmandu, And 3- hotel in Tibet

Overview

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

  The beautiful view of the mountains and lush forested hills will welcome you upon your arrival in Kathmandu! After touching down at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will meet a representative high Route Adventure. He will greet you and then drive you to your hotel. You will stay in one of the most elegant three-star rated hotel in Kathmandu. You will visit our office to discuss the tour. We will assess your documents to prepare VISA and permits. In the evening, you will go for a lavish welcome dinner in one of the Nepali restaurants in the city. Overnight in Kathmandu.

• Day 2: Kathmandu valley sightseeing and tour preparation

  It is a tour preparation day where we will prepare to get the VISA and other necessary documents for the tour on your behalf. You will embark on a beautiful sightseeing tour of Kathmandu City with an experienced tour guide. He will take you to some of the most popular and frequented tourist sites around the valley, such as Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Boudhanath. Also known as the “City of Temples,” Kathmandu is home to thousands of Hindu temples, some dating over 500 years. The guided tour will take you to different destinations. Overnight in Kathmandu.

• Day 3: Fly to Lhasa

  The tour of Lhasa kicks with a scenic trans-Himalayan flight from Kathmandu to Tibet. After enjoying your breakfast, you’ll drive to Tribhuvan International Airport. Embark on a scenic one and a half hour flight to Lhasa. Enjoy the aerial tour of the massive snowcapped peaks such as Langtang, Dorje Lakpa, Everest, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga en route to Tibet. Once in Tibet, you will witness the desert-like landscape sprawling for miles. Upon arrival in Lhasa, you will meet your tour guide who will take you to your hotel. Enjoy a delicious dinner in the market-square of the city. Overnight in Lhasa.

• Day 4: Exploration Day I Explore Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street (B, D)

  Before embarking on a tour of Lhasa, you will enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Your tour guide will accompany you throughout the tour and take you to some of the most important sites in the city. Potala Palace is a Dzong fortress located at the heart of Lhasa. The 5th Dalai Lama built it in the 16th Century over the Red Hill. It remained the winter house for the presiding Dalai Lamas until the 1950s. This magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site has thirteen stories of buildings and over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and about 200,000 statues. Although you won't get to explore each corner of the massive palace, you will visit a few of the famous places such as the Dalai Lama’s residence, office, library, and prayer rooms.
  The tour advances towards the market area, Barkhor Street. Here, you may witness many local pilgrims circumambulating on the street. Barkhor Street makes way towards Jokhang Temple, also known as Qoikang Monastery. The 6th Century building came into existence during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo. The locals highly revere it. You'll exit the temple and begin exploring the magnificent sight of Barkhor Street. After exploring the market and enjoying your lunch at one of the local diners, you'll start strolling and head back to your hotel.

• Day 5: Exploration Day II Drepung and Sera Monastery (B)

  Today, you will embark on a tour of two of the most revered and popular Buddhist sites in the city. After enjoying your breakfast, you’ll drive towards Drepung Monastery. Drepung is one of the ThreeGelug monasteries and also the largest monastery in the entire region. It lies precisely at the foot of Mount Gephel. The large monastery can house almost 10,000 monks at a time. Because of the dwindling numbers of monks lately, you may only find about 3,000 of them in the monastery. After witnessing the large prayer halls, garden space, magnificent architecture and statues of Buddha, you'll embark on a tour of Sera Monastery.

  Sera Monastery is also one of the three Gelug monasteries which lie in the Wangbur Mountains, almost 2.5km north of Lhasa. Founded in the 14th Century by Jamchen Chojey of Sakya Yeshe of Zel Gungtang, it remains home to the Great Assembly Hall and three colleges. It serves as the home to nineteen hermitages and four nunneries. The day ends with a delicious dinner.

• Day 6: Departure from Lhasa to your home country/Kathmandu

  On the last day of the tour, you can indulge in some souvenir shopping before heading towards the airport. A scenic trans-Himalayan flight will take you back to Kathmandu. Bid farewell to the magnificent sights of Potala Palace and pristine Tibetan plateau as you make your way over the mountains and into the lushly forested valleys of Nepal. You will check into the hotel and get ready to leave for the airport right in time of your flight back home.

Inclusion

Notes

The best time to visit Tibet

You can travel to Tibet at any time of the year. However, August and September are the best months to go to Tibet. Also, the beginning of April until November is a good time to travel to Tibet. The weather is pretty stable and is perfect for activities like hiking and trekking. You can get the best views of the beautiful landscape and enjoy your trip to the fullest.

FAQs of lhasa city tour

• How can I get Tibet Visa? Can I get my visa for Tibet from home?

  Authorized travel agencies in Lhasaare responsible for providing your Tibet Travel permit(Tibet visa). You should pre-arrange your trip itinerary through these travel agencies in Lhasa. The strict tourism policy of Tibet requires travelers to have the permit in hand to board the flight or drive overland to Tibet. If you are planning to travel to Tibet from Nepal, you should prepare for a Chinese Group Visa through legal travel agencies in Kathmandu.

• Can I organize a Tibet visa myself? Can I travel alone in Tibet? If No How do you organize Tibet Tour?

  No, you cannot organize a Tibet visa by yourselfand travel alone in Tibet. The Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) in Lhasa, and to obtain this permit, you will need to contact a legal travel agency in Lhasa. Only these registered agencies are permitted to apply for the TTP. So, you should provide the required documents to a trustable travel agency to process for your Tibet tour. You can choose to join a group or customize your private tour with the help of your travel agency.

• Where is Tibet? What is Tibet known for?

  Tibet is situated in the southwestern part of China, bordering Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Burma. Tibet is famously known as the "Roof of the World." The plateau landscape, vast Himalayan Mountains, colorful monasteries, trekking destinations, sacred lakes, and unique Tibetan culture makes this country stand out from the rest of the world.

• Do you have Airport pickup facilities? What kinds of vehicles are available for getting around Tibet?

  Yes, there are airport pickup facilities available for the tourists. In Lhasa, there are many options for vehicles to travel around, such as taxis, jeeps, and minibusses. Outside Lhasa, you can travel by van or a 4-wheeler. You can discuss the mode of transportation with your travel agency and local guide.

• What do you suggest including in the clothing list if we travel to Tibet?

  You should pack casual clothing and dress with layers as the daytime can be pretty warm, and the evenings can be chilly. You should pack cotton t-shirts, jackets, warm pants, and warmers. If you are traveling further from Lhasa to places like Shigatse and Mt. Kailash, you should pack gloves, sunblock cream, sunglasses, warm trousers, thermal wears, hats, sleeping bags, raincoat, and thick socks.

• What currency do I have to use in Tibet? Are there ATMs counters in Tibet?

  The currency used in Tibet is the Chinese Yuan. In Lhasa, you can exchange money in banks. Remember, the banks remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Also, some 5-star hotels can provide facilities for currency exchange services. Outside Lhasa, you can exchange money in Shigatse and Purang. Similarly, ATM facilities are available in Lhasa, Shigatse, and Gyantse. However, as the Chinese banking system is not linked to many international banks, it is best to have a UnionPay card for your stay in Tibet.

• What kind of weather (how cold does it get) can we expect while in Tibet?

  The winter season in Tibet occurs from November to March. The weather is quite cold; however, there is not much snowfall. The winter in Lhasa, located at 3685m, is dry, with temperatures ranging from around 16 degrees in April to 8 degrees in December. If you are traveling to Shigatse, at a slightly high altitude (3836m) than Lhasa during winter, be prepared to face harsh climatic conditions with the temperature dropping as low as minus 13 during nighttime in peak winter months of December and January.

• How bad is Altitude Sickness in Tibet, and what can I do to avoid or treat it?

  Tibet is one of the highest places on Earth. Many visitors traveling from lower altitude regions may suffer from altitude sickness. Generally, many visitors suffer only from minor symptoms of altitude sickness like headaches and loss of appetite. However, with time and rest, the body adjusts to the surrounding, and the symptoms go away. In any case, you should be prepared to tackle altitude sickness by packing necessary medicine and taking care of your body with enough rest and hydration. Your tour guide will be there to assist you too.

• What is the electricity supply in Tibet, and what plugs are used? Is there internet access in Tibet for the foreign traveler?

  The electricity supply in Tibet is 220V, 50HZ. You should pack master plug-ins to charge your electronic devices while in Tibet. You can access the internet in Tibet, but only in places like Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse, and Tsedang. Hotels and cafes in cities like Lhasa and Shigatse also offer internet facilities to foreign travelers.

• What type and standard of accommodation will I encounter? Is tap water safe to drink in Tibet?

  Accommodation in Lhasa ranges from basic guesthouses to 5-star hotels. Other cities like Shigatse and Gyantse also have some 3-star hotels for accommodation. However, in other remote regions, travelers will be accommodated in simple guesthouses.