5 Days Journey to Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake

Day1 Lhasa Arrival

Arrival in Lhasa by train or airfare, rest for altitude in Lhasa [with altitude of 3650m]
Upon arrival in Lhasa railway or airport, you will meet our guide and be transfered to hotel in downtown Lhasa. After checking in hotel, you’d better rest well for high altitude acclimatization. Travel tips: you are suggested to prepare some altitude medicine such as "Diamox" before arrival, or buy some necessary high altitude medicine after arrival to help get well acclimatized. However if you feel quite good, you may walk little bit in Barkhor Streets area or Potala Square to have first impression of Lhasa. You can spend the afternoon wandering around the Barkhor, Tibet’s ancient market area that surrounds Jokhang Temple. Each day thousands of Buddhist pilgrims make their way around this sacred temple.

Accommodation in Downtown (to be reconfirmed by consultant): House of Shambhala or Shambhala Palace/Tashi Nota Khangsang Hotel or Ganggyan Hotel or Yak Hotel.

Day2 Lhasa: Jokhang Temple, Barkhor streets, Sera Monastery 

You will explore the Jokhang Temple, the holiest Buddhist temple in the Himalaya's. Founded in the 7th centrary, Jokhang Temple houses the most sacred statue of Buddha. You will work your way through this fascinating temple alongside Buddhist pilgrims from the faraway regions of Tibet. The sound of pilgrims chanting mantras fills the air as does the smell of yak butter candle offerings. In the afternoon, you will go to the 600 year old Sera, one of Tibet's largest Buddhist monasteries. Each weekday afternoon starting at 3pm, Tibetan monks engage in Buddhist philosophy debates and this is really fun to take photos or videos.
Accommodation in Downtown (the same as above, to be reconfirmed by Tibet tour consultant)

Day3 Lhasa: Potala Palace, Norbulinka Palace (Winter and summer palace of Dalai Lamas)

You will start the day by exploring the Potala Palace, Tibet's most iconic building. Towering above Lhasa with more than 1000 rooms, the Potala Palace served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas for hundreds of years. Another visit is to Norbulinka.
Norbulinka which means "treasure garden" in Tibetan language, is located in the west side of Lhasa, a short distance from the southwest of Potala Palace. It is marked as the world’s highest, largest and best-preserved ancient artificial historical and cultural garden. As part of the ‘Historic Ensemble of Potala Palace’, it is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the Potala Palace is known as the winter palace of Dalai Lamas, the Norbulingka Palace is known as the summer palace. Situated at an elevation of 3650 meters above sea level, Norbulingka palace holds 374 rooms. It contains a large collection of Italian chandeliers, Ajanta frescoes, Tibetan carpets, and many other artifacts. Besides, it is also a natural garden with kinds of flowers, trees, animals and even herbs and some rare plants. 

Accommodation in Downtown (the same as above, to be reconfirmed by Tibet tour consultant)

Day4 Lhasa-Lake Yamdrok-Lhasa (260 kms beautiful landscape journey)

Yamdrok Lake, also called Yamdrok Yumtso, is a lake with two long arms of water, making it look like a scorpion from the sky. This shape means you can never see its shape from around it. From Gyantse, you can see one arm, and follow it until it disappears around a bend in the shore which makes it difficult to estimate the size of the lake.

Day5 Final departure

Scheduled shuttle bus transfer to the airport or train station. If your flight or train is in the afternoon, enjoy the free time in the morning! You can walk around the ancient Barkhor Streets; do some necessary easy shopping for your family and/or friends and/or love before being transported to the airport or station.