Cultural & Spiritual Odysseys

Tibet Cultural Tour

  • Trip Duration6 Day
  • Trip GradeEasy
  • Max. Altitude3900 M
  • Cost Starting FromContact Us
  • Destination: Tibet
  • Max. Altitude: 3900 M
  • Min. Group Size: Min 2 to Max 14 Persons
  • Meal : Bed and Breakfast
  • Transportation : Flight + private vehicles
  • Accommodation: Local Mountain Lodge

Highlights

  • Experience "the roof of the world",
  • Experience fascinating high altitude lakes,
  • Experience traditionally and religiously steeped people of Tibet.
  • Experience  Tibetan Buddhism

Tibet is vast and the Tibetan culture is vaster and diverse. The Buddhism is the soul of Tibetan culture, and appears at almost every aspects of people's life. Our Tibet culture tours take you to discover local's living, trace the origination of Tibetan civilization, explore the greatest Buddhist temples in tibet.

Tibet Cultural Tour starts from the holy Lhasa city by appreciating its prominent and world heritage Potala Palace, sacred Jokahng temple, sprawling Sera and Drepung monastery, your arrival to the holy city will be greeted by the lovely blue sky and impressive glimpse of gigantic Potala palace perched on the red hill, while during the couple of days acclimation and jet-lag alleviation, you will deeply overwhelmed by visiting numbers of world heritages and supernatural temples, bustling street around the Jokhang temple is one of the most devotional street known as Bakhor, it will also extend the way to Gyantse and Shigatse in the west, experience the distinct culture of western(Tsang) Tibet, by driving along the stunning turquoise color lake Yamdrok and blooming Nyenchen Kangsar glacier under the sunny plateau climate, you will never waste every single minute by discovering new experiences and wonders on the way to Gyantse and Shigatse. Most importantly you will get chance to know many new friends among the group and share beautiful stories that enrich your travel in Tibet. On your way from Shigatse, you may take the recently opened express train with adds different experiences for the group tour.

Tibet is home to some of the world's tallest mountains, several of them making it to the top ten lists. Furthermore, some of the major rivers of Asia have their source in the Tibetan plateau. With its vast grasslands, high mountains and alpine lakes, Tibet is surely a dream destination for tourists, climbers, trekkers and for adventure travelers.

Tibet cultural tour offers you probably the most striking scene on Earth and it is unique among many adventurous trips on high altitude for explorers on a limited time and budget. Hence, Tibet Cultural Tour with Mount Trails will be much more fruitful and appealing. It is because of the amazing package itinerary and the reasonalbe cost.

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival in Lhasa

A short flight to Tibet give you a panorama of the snowy Himalayan ranges along the route, Upon your arrival at the Gonggar airport or Lhasa Train Station, you will be greeted by our Tibetan guide and driver and transfer to your hotel in Lhasa city, from the airport it is about 70km to Lhasa and it takes 1:30 hrs, from the train station it is only 25 km and it takes about half hour, check in the hotel. Take it easy for the rest of the day to acclimatize and alleviate the jet lag. Overnight in Lhasa

Attractions: Potala palace, Jokhang temple and bustling Bakhor street.
Today is the first day on the high plateau and some of you may have little head ache which is very common for travelers by the high altitude, so drinking enough water and mild activity on the first few days is important. In the morning our guide will meet you at the hotel and take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the center of the Old Lhasa city. Jokhang temple is the most scared temple in all over Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims. After you visit inside the temple you have time to walk around the Bakhor street which is the one of the most devotional circuit as well as crowded central market of Lhasa since from long time, in the early days it is the most famous local market but now it is changed to tourist gift shopping center. Afternoon, we will visit the famous Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture, it was first built by 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in 7th century and later in 17th century rebuilt by 5th Dalai Lama, since then it was home to the Dalai Lama and his government. Continues acclimatize and alleviate jet lag rest of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.

Attractions; Drepung monastery and Sera monastery.
Today we will visit Drepung Monastery in the morning, once the world's largest monastery that housed for more than 10,000 monks, it was resident of the Dalai Lama prior to Potala Palace, destructions were taken place in different time but still you have lots things to see, walking through numbers of narrow and twisted lane through the monks apartments is more like a typical village. The amazing day will ended with a visit to the Sera Monastery, it is built in the fifteenth century by the Jamchen choji Sakya Yeshi who is disciple of Tsongka pa, few different monastic colleges in Sera is home to several hundred monks from different part of Tibet, the famous Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks are happening every day in the afternoon except Sunday. Overnight at hotel

Attractions; Yamdrok lake, Mt.Nyechen Kangsar glacier, Gyantse Kubum stupa and Pelkhor Choede monastery.
We start drive toward south west, through the zigzag road climb up the Kampa la pass (4700m), from there you will be amazed by the breathtaking glimpse of the holy Yamdrok lake with its turquoise color and snowcapped Mt.Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance, then continues drive along the lake for few kilometers get us to the lunch stop at Nagar tse. The rest of the day will be spent enjoying the many magnificent valleys and exquisite Tibetan villages that pass through; en route we will stop at Karo la (5150m) to see the holy mount Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. Arrival at Gyantse, we visit Kumbum stupa and Palkhor Choede monastery, this magnificent multi-door structure is the largest stupa in Tibet, it is not only well known for its architecture but also its old sculptures and paintings all around its inner walls, late afternoon drive to Shigatse which is only 90km. Overnight in Shigatse.

Attractions; Tashi Lhunpo monastery.
Today we will visit the Tashi Lhunpo monastery in the morning, Tashi Lhunpo monastery was built by the 1st Dalai Lhama - Gedun Drup in 1447 and later it became the seat of the Panchen Lama lineages, there you will see tombs of 7 passed Pachen Lamas lineages and it is a real pleasure to pass through the busy cobbled lanes twisting around the aged buildings that used as monks apartments. And then we will go for lunch together after the monastery and enjoy a short walk with our tour guide around the Shigatse markets. Overnight in Lhasa.

Today our guide and driver will send you to the airport or train station and it is time to say your good bye and depart to your next destination. we will pick us up from the airport. After bit of refreshment you can do shopping and take free time around thamel bazaar. Evening, you will be served excellent Nepalese typical food in Nepali restaurant

Trip Cost Details

Cost Include

  • Private Transportation  by Van

  • Tibet travel permit.

  • English speaking Tibetan guide.

  • Accommodation on twin sharing room basis.

  • Sightseeing and monastery entrance fees as per our itinerary.

  • Daily breakfast.

  • Hotel-airport-hotel transfer in Lhasa and Kathmandu.

Cost Exclude

  • Client and travel insurance.

  • Lunch and dinner.

  • Personal expenses such as a drink, tips& etc.

  • Nepal re- entry visa fee

Trip Map

Useful Info

Accommodation in Tibet

In most of the cities and towns, hotels and guest houses are available. Lhasa accommodation ranges from the simple guest houses to five star hotels. Shigatse, Gyantse and Tsedang offers up to three star hotels. Moreover, now few government alliance classical grand hotels are also being operated in the big cities. While in other smaller or remote areas, accommodation is available mainly in guest houses and they are very simple.

Transporation in Tibet 

In Lhasa, there are many options for getting around, such as taxis, busses, minibuses, pedicabs and jeeps. There are also cars and bikes for rent. In more remote areas, the road conditions are not very well developed, making traveling by taxi and bus difficult if not impossible. In such cases, minibuses and jeeps are the only option.

Currency in Tibet

The unit of currency is Chinese Yuan. The Bank of China can exchange all foreign currencies. The banks in Tibet/China are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Travelers Cheques and credit cards are very difficult to be cashed outside the banks especially outside Lhasa.

Safe Drinking water in Tibet

Drinking tap water is to put on a risk while you are travelling to any foreign location. There is a well said thought that “Precautions is better than cure”. Thus we need to follow this safety measures in Tibet also. So, you are recommended to go with bottle water (don’t forget to check the seal) and follow well established and authorized brands. Besides, if you wish to drink boiled water than remember to instruct the service -man to boil it for 15-20minutes.

Altitude sickness in Tibet

Known as the Roof of the World, Tibet is one of the highest places on earth. Due to Tibet's high altitudes, many visitors from low-altitude areas may suffer from altitude sickness. Most people suffer minor effects of altitude sickness only, which include headache, loss of appetite, and a tendency to have no energy until their bodies adjust to the high terrain. This adjustment can take anywhere from a few hours, and in rare cases, a few days. If visitors do some simple preparations before going to Tibet, most of the symptoms of altitude sickness can be avoided. Being healthy and in good shape before you arrive in Tibet will help greatly. It is also recommended that you talk to your local physician about AMS pills to help combat altitude sickness. Once arriving in Tibet, walk slowly and take deep breaths. Your tour guide will be there to offer help and suggestions.

Trip Note

Passport and Visa Information

Travelling to Tibet requires a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit which can both be obtained in Kathmandu with the help of a travel company (Tibet via Nepal). A valid visa for China is not the same as a Tibet Travel Permit. Those with a Chinese tourist visa will still need to apply for a Tibet travel permit. The permit is still required for foreign travelers travelling to Tibet from mainland China. To acquire the permit you need to book a guide for your entire trip and pre-arrange private transport for trips outside Lhasa. The trip outside Lhasa also requires additional permits which are arranged by the company you are travelling with.

Travel Insurance

Tibet is a remote location, and if you become seriously injured or very sick, you may need to be evacuated by air. Under these circumstances, you don’t want to be without adequate health insurance. Be sure your policy covers evacuation.

Flight to Lhasa

there are two direct flights between Lhasa and Kathmandu, run by Sichuan Airline and Air China. The best thing about flying to Tibet from Nepal is the stunning bird’s-eye view of the Himalayas including Mt. Everest, the world’s highest peak.