Trip Overview
Itinerary Details Day by Day
- Day 1 Lhasa Arrival
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Welcome to Tibet! You will be met at Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station by our professional employee, and sent to the reserved hotel in midtown Lhasa. Enjoy the rest of the day to acclimatize yourself to the high altitude.
- Day 2 Lhasa ( B )
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In case of special condition, such as weather, festival, etc, this morning's activity is subject to change. There are two other options for you: Drepung Monastery and Drak Yerpa. Drepung Monastery was ever the largest monastery with more than 10 thousand monks, and now is one of three great monasteries in Lhasa. Seen from the distant, its grand, white construction gives the appearance of a heap of rice. Drak Yerpa is the most holy meditation place. It is famous for a Tibetan monastery built on the cliff and a number of ancient meditation caves. Many great Buddhist meditated here, including the first King of Tibet - Songtsen Gampo, Buddhism master - Padmasambhava and Guru Atisha.
In the afternoon, visit another famous monastery - Sera Monastery, where you will get the chance to experience "Buddhism Scriptures Debating" which make Sera unique and famous. Enjoy the debates!
- Day 3 Lhasa ( B )
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After breakfast, pick you up from your hotel and drive to visit the overwhelming Potala Palace; the symbol of Tibet and the heart of Lhasa city. It was built in 641 AD and was the winter palace of Dalai Lama who is Tibet’s pope. Impressive Tibetan architecture, huge golden Buddha statues, red-robed lamas and devoted pilgrims all make it a must-visit.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Jokhang Temple; the spiritual center of Tibet. From earliest dawn to last dusk, daily worshippers and once-in-a-lifetime pilgrims circuit Jokhang for religious merit. Some prostrate outside of the temple. In the temple, there is a life-sized statue of the twelve year-old Sakyamuni brought by Songtsan Gampo's Chinese wife - Princess Wencheng.
- Day 4 Lhasa - Gyantse ( B )
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Highlights: Yamdrok Lake, Karo-la Glacier, Pelkhor Monastery
It takes you about 1.5 hrs to drive from Lhasa to Kambala Pass[4794m high], visit Yamdrok Lake there, which is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet.
Mt Nojin Kangsang stands tall with an elevation of 7,191 m (23,592 ft) between Gyantze County and Nagarzê County, with several snow-capped mountains over 6,000 m (19,685 ft) surrounding it. Mount Nojin Kangsang is the most accessible glacier site on the Tibetan Plateau. The famous Kharola Glacier (elevation 5,560 m or 18,241 ft) is below the south ridge of Nojin Kangsang.
Palkhor Monastery lies about 230 kilometers south of Lhasa and 100 kilometers east of the Shigatse Prefecture, at the foot of Dzong Hill. It is well-known for its Kumbum, which has 108 chapels in its four floors. The multi-storied Kumbum Stupa was crowned with a golden dome and umbrella, surrounded with more chapels filled with unique religious statues and murals.
Overnight in Gyantse.
- Day 5 Gyantse - Shigatse ( B )
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Highlights: Tashilunpo Monastery
Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse and visit Tashilunpo Monastery . It is one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat Sect) in Tibet. Also called the Heap of Glory, the monastery is located at the foot of Drolmari (Tara's Mountain), Shigatse. Founded by the First Dailai Lama in 1447, the monastery's structure was expanded by the Fourth and successive Panchen Lamas. It covers an area of nearly 300,000 square meters. The main structures found in the monastery are Maitreya Chapel, Panchen Lama's Palace and Kelsang Temple. Tashilhunpo is the seat of Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery, and there are now nearly 800 lamas.
Overnight in Shigatse.
- Day 6 Shigatse - Tingri - EBC ( B )
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Today visit the Tashilunpo Monastery; built firstly in 1447, the structure was repaired and expanded by the Fourth and successive Panchen Lama. There are now nearly 800 lams here.
Then drive 3.5 hours to Rongbuk monastery in the afternoon, which is the highest monastery in the world and explore it and enjoy the stunning sunset if the weather is good.
Overnight in nomad tent( or dorm bed ) of EBC.
- Day 7 EBC - Saga
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Early in the morning to see the sunrise from Rongpuk, then explore Mt. Everest. Get on the local bus and after half of an hour, arrive at Everest Base camp (or trek to the Base Camp around 2 hours one way as you like). At the top point, take pictures of the splendid- Mt. Everest. Drive to Saga in the afternoon.
- Day 8 Saga - Darchen
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The sprawling town of saga is the last of any size on the route and your last chance to ear a lavish meal.
A photogenic section of dunes, lake and mountains kicks in 60km from Zhongba. About 23km before Paryang you creast a pass and drop past more dunes to Paryang. Photos taken along this route can often fet steppe,streams,desert dunes and snowcapped mountains in the same shot.
Overnight in Darchen
- Day 9 Trek from Darchen - Dirapuk Monastery
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( 6hrs/ 20km/ 200m ascent )
Today, you will start your treck from the kora path, 4km later, the trail climbs up over the southwest end of the ridge to reach a cairn at 4730m. Along the train, you will enters the barren Lha-chu Valley, which is so open at this point you can see ahead to the tall Tarboche flag pole(4750m).
Then you reach a small bridge - Chuku bridge, which is less than an hour's walk to Dirapuk Monastery. From the bridge, it’s about 3hrs walk to Dirapuk Monastery. Take your time here as this stretch has some of the best scenery of the entire kora. Also, along the way, you ll find the 2nd prostration point with its prayer flags & clear view of the east side of Mt.Kailash.
- Day 10 Trek from Dirapuk Monastery - Zutulpuk Monastery
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(7~8hrs/ 18km/ 550m ascent/ 600m descent)
Today, we will head the east to ascent up the Drölma-chu valley. Less than 1 hour arrival at the meadow in Jarok Donkhang (5210m); Then treck the rocky expanse of Shivatsal (5330m). Here Pilgrims are supposed to undergo a symbolic death at this point, entering in the realm of the Lord of the Death, until they reach the top of the Drölma-la and are reborn again.
Soon after, Gauri Kund (5608m), Lake of Compassion, comes into view below. It takes approximately an hour to make the long and very steep 400m descent to the grassy banks of Lham-chu Khir. Treck towards south about 30 minutes, you will see a valley from the Khando Sanglam-la. The valley provides the only glimpse of Mt. Kailash's eastern or crystal face. An hour or so, you will reach Zutul-puk Monaster(4790m).
Camping near Zutulpuk Monastery
- Day 11 Zutulpuk Monastery - Darchen - Manasarovar
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(3~4hrs/ 14km/ 150m descent)
Today, you will trek from Zutulpuk Monastery for about 1 hour to enter the lovely Gold & Red Cliffs, a narrow canyon whose walls are stained purple, cobalt and rust. Then you will view Gurla Mandata in the distance. It is now an easy 1-hour walk back to Darchen along a dirt road.
Meet your driver at Darchen and drive to Manasarovar, which is the most venerated of all Tibet's many sacred lakes. It is especially sacred to Hindus, who have been walking round it for approaching 2,000 years.
Overnight in Manasarovar.
- Day 12 Manasarovar - Payang - Saga
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Today, you will be trasfered from Manasarover and pass through Payang to Saga. Overnight at Saga.
- Option Tour
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We have two options to end the tour in Lhasa or Zhangmu for the extra same price. More details, contact us by email.
Option A:
Day 13 Saga - Lhatse - Shigatse
Day 14 Shigatse - Lhasa
Day 15 Lhasa Depature
Option B:
Day 13 - 14 Saga – Zhangmu – China & Nepal Border
Most Recommended Add-ons / Optional Activities
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+ 2 more days to visit the world famous city everyone knows metropolis - Shanghai
Shanghai is one of the world famous city everyone knows!
This amazing metropolis is a historically and culturally rich city with plenty of tourism resources and your China tour is not complete without a Shanghai visit. Let's rock and roll the China's bustling financial center of Shanghai - the "Paris of the East."
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+ 3 more days to visit the historical and cultural city - Beijing
Beijing is the China's capital and the former imperial capital for over the past centuries. Nowadays, it is also the "must-visit" city for all tourist coming to China.
This historical and cultural city will focus on the classic of the classic - the noble Forbidden City (Palace Museum), the formidable Great Wall, the elegant Summer Palace and dignified Temple of Heaven. All highlights show you to the China's history and culture.
Available Dates (it means arrival dates in Lhasa) | Group Size |
Price /person |
Single Room Supplement | Book |
---|---|---|---|---|
May ( 15 ) | 2-12 | $1980 | $249 | Book |
Jun ( 16 ) | 2-12 | $1980 | $249 | Book |
Jul ( 17 ) | 2-12 | $2254 | $375 | Book |
Aug ( 18 ) | 2-12 | $2570 | $386 | Book |
Sep ( 15 ) | 2-12 | $2254 | $375 | Book |
Oct ( 16 ) | 2-12 | $2254 | $375 | Book |
Remarks:
Our quote is based on twin room at 3-star-class hotel. For single traveller, single supplement for lodging is required at the time of booking. If later, we manage to match you with another traveller to share the room, single supplement will be refunded.
Price Inclusions:
- Entrance fees to all scenic spots listed in the itinerary;
- Permits: Tibet Travel Bureau Permit, Alien's Travel Permit, Military Permit;
- Tibetan Breakfast indicated in the itinerary;
- Shared Tibet local English-speaking tour guide;
- Vehicle according to group size;
- Centrally located hotels in each destination;
- Railway station free pick-up & drop-off time: at any time;
- Ariport free fixed pick-up time: 15:00 ~ 15:20pm; fixed drop-off time: 12:00pm
Price Exclusions
- International Airfare or Train Tickets to enter or leave Tibet;
- China Entry Visa Fees;
- Additional days caused by unexpected natural disasters or you’ve chosen;
- Tips & gratitude to drivers and guides;
- Personal expenses;
Lunch, Coach & Tour Guide during a Small Group Tour
As you are traveling with a group from all over around the world, you will share the bus and tour guide with them, which helps you make friends with like-minded people, and share the same topic - Tibet. .
- Discover Your Own Lunch & Dinner
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Usually, we only provide breakfast for visitors in the hotel or guesthouse. Because the dietary habits in Tibet are different from the inland, so it maybe a little difficult for visitors to get used to the local food in Tibet. And the meals we arranged may not meet your tastes.
Thus, we recommended you to find food that you want to eat on the streets or in the restaurants for your own lunch and dinner guided by your tour guide. However, if you insist on arranging meals, we will provided lunch and dinner for you with extra charge.
- Shared Bus/Coach
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Due to the altitude of Tibet, the bus we provided are all formal and safe with professional local chauffeurs. Our buses are all mini buses with relatively clean and comfortable environment for you to travel from one place to another. However, tour in Tibet, the bus condition will not as luxury as those in inland. So, please be more generous to the buses in highland.
- Shared Tour Guide
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All the bus tour guides are registered English speaking tour guides with great passion to serve our distinguished guests. Our guides are carefully selected and trained.
We not only evaluate their language skills, their knowlege of sites but also their personality and ablility to be a kind host. They can help you to enjoy a wonderful trip without worries. And you can ask them questions whatever you want to know. They will try their best to answer your questions.
Why Book a Bus Tour with Us
1. No Forced Shopping
Although there are shopping stops during a bus tour, we never make our clients feel forced. You can just take a rest there and make yourself freshed up.
2. Lowest Price Guaranteed
For any one of bus tours we offered, we can ensure the lowest price and make up the extra money.
3. Flexible Payment and Easy Booking
For confirmation and booking, you can prepay us before the trip, and are also able to pay in cash in the morning when your tour guide pick you up.
4. Small Group within 10-12 People
We believe that the small the group is, the more comfortable the tourists will be. Any of our bus tour keeps within 10-12 people to serve you best.
Reviews of this Trip
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------- Original Message -------
From: Maria Katrina
Sent: 2019-11-06
Country: Maria Katrina
To: Maria Katrina - Very nice. I think we are the first Filipino who visited this place - The Glass Bridge of Tianyun Mountain around Beijing
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------- Original Message -------
From: Patrick
Sent: 2015-12-27
Country: USA
To: Trudy -
Good Day ma'am,
Many thanks for your great service - the train and airplane seats were great and I really appreciate you help with travel planning.
Very Respectfully,
Patrick
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------- Original Message -------
From: Daniel Agana
Sent: 2015-12-06
Country: USA
To: Sophia -
Dean Wudy was professional and an excellent tour guide! He was very helpful when we needed help with wheel chair issues. He helped us a lot through the entire trip, especially at the Great Wall. It is knowledge of Beijing history was great. We would recommend him and the driver Shed to anyone that comes to Beijing. We would like to have Dean and Shed for the next time we come to Beijing. This was a great trip. We love China.
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------- Original Message -------
From: John Pritchard
Sent: 2015-12-02
Country: USA
To: Sophia -
Wonderful time & Very helpful. Liked flexiblity language help & Lunch. Great Guys.
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------- Original Message -------
From: Chanlene Jacobs
Sent: 2015-11-22
Country: Canada
To: Sophia -
We are very pleased with Mike & Chen's customer service. They are polite,kind and very paitent.
We will recommend to our friends & family.
Chanlene Jacobs
Trip FAQs & Notes
What are included in a Tibet bus tour?
Our prices include entrance fees, coach or van, all the necessary permits, shopping stops and shared English speaking guide.
How do I reserve a Tibet bus tour?
You can reserve a bus tour with us by any of your convenient ways: via email, phone or come to our office.
What about the tour guide?
All the bus tour guides are registered English speaking tour guides with great passion to serve our valuable clients. They are helpful and resourceful.
How do I pay a Tibet bus tour?
For payment of our Tibet bus tour, you can only prepay for the different situation in Tibet, we need to make sure you will visit there, so we can arrange things for you.
How about the lunch?
We usually don’t prepare lunch for visitors in a Tibet Bus Tour. However, if you insist, we will arrange for you. We prefer you to find the food you want to eat as your lunch or dinner. You can find food on the streets and in the restaurants in Tibet.
What about the group size?
Each of group size in a Tibet bus tour is kept to be within 12 passengers in a comfortable And clean coach.Any tourist shops during a bus tour?
Yes, we do arrange one or two shop stops on a bus tour, because someone in your group may need to purchase some souvenirs for their family members or friends, as well as for the help to create more jobs for the local people. But all shopping is not compulsory; you are fine with a window shopping or take the chance to fresh up. One shop takes around 40 minutes.
When and where you will be picked up?
Every morning, our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel or guesthouse around 7:00am - 8:30am, and you will receive a call from your guide the night before the tour date for confirmation of pickup time.
When and where a bus tour finishes?
A bus tour usually finishes at around 18:00pm at your hotel or guesthouse.
How about the accomodations in a Tibet Bus Tour?
There are few hotels in Tibet, you need to be well-prepared for the guesthouses. But you have nothing to worry about for the guesthouses will be cleaner and more comfortable than you can imagine.
How to tip our tour guides and drivers?
Tipping is not compulsory, but tipping is much appreciated by the local guides and drivers if you feel they have done a good job.
Do you have group day tour conducted in Mandarin?
Sorry we don't have group day tour conducted in Mandarin. If you could accept private tours, we could arrange Mandarin speaking guide for you.
Do I pay for these tours in US Currency at the time we take the tour or in CHY?
If you book the Tibet Bus tour, you need to pay the deposit by credit card or PayPal in advance and pay the tour balance when you take the tour.
Is your tour available every day?
No, due to the unique climate and altitude in Tibet, we cannot make sure we can arrange the tour everyday. You can contact us to get more information about our tour dates.
What are special features in this small group bus tour?
Only English-speaking travelers in our coach. Well trained English Speaking tour guide. Keep within 12 travelers in each coach.