Responsible Tourism

Destiantion Himalaya Cultural Tour

» For more information, reviews and availability, click here «

Highlights of this tour.

- four wonderful days in the magical environs of Lhasa
- natural splendor of the sacred lakes of Nam-tso and Yamdrok-tso
- join with Tibetan pilgrims as they ritually circumambulate the Barkhor and Jokhang koras
- visit Tibet's holiest temple, the sacred Jokhang

Example of the itinerary.

Day 1: DEPART USA

Day 2: ARRIVE CHENGDU

Day 3: TO TSEDANG - In the morning, we fly to Gongkar Airport in Tibet. Upon arrival we will meet our local Tibetan guide and then drive to our hotel at Tsedang. Tonight we will get together for a very special Welcome Dinner.

Day 4: YARLUNG VALLEY & SAMYE MONASTERY - We begin our day by crossing the Yarlung Tsangpo as we head towards the important monastery of Samye, Tibet's first monastic institution founded in the 8th Century CE by King Trisong Detsen.

Day 5: TO LHASA - Today we head to Tibet's capital, the "forbidden city" of Lhasa, where we will settle in for a five-day visit in this historic city. In the afternoon we will take a guided walk through the labyrinthine streets of the Barkhor, the lively marketplace in old Lhasa.

Day 6: EXPLORING LHASA - Our day begins with a visit to two of Tibet's most pre-eminent monasteries, Drepung and Nechung. In the afternoon, we will return to the Barkhor area and visit the Jokhang, the religious heart and soul of Tibetan Buddhism.

Day 7: EXPLORING LHASA - Today we penetrate the defenses of the mystical Potala Palace, once the home of the Dalai Lamas and now a museum. Following our visit to the Potala, we will explore another important monastery, Sera, where monks argue the finer points of Buddhist philosophy in their daily debating sessions.

Day 8: EXCURSION TO GANDEN MONASTERY- Day excursion to Ganden monastery, the most important institution for the Gelukpa monastic order; we will have the remainder of the day in Lhasa free to explore, wander or relax.

Day 9: EXCURSION TO NAM-TSO - A day excursion to the sacred waters of Nam-tso, a high-altitude salt-water lake, is the highlight of the day. We will have a picnic lunch by the shores of this holy site, and take an afternoon hike before returning to Lhasa.

Day 10: TO GYANTSE - We set out on the road to Gyantse, crossing 17,000' mountain passes, driving alongside Yamdrok-tso, one of Tibet's four great sacred lakes. We will arrive in Gyantse late afternoon.
Day 11: EXPLORING GYANTSE - In Gyantse we will visit the monastery of Pelkor Chöde, home to one of Tibet's most indelible sites, the Kumbum (the Temple of the Hundred Thousand Buddhas).

Day 12: TO SHIGATSE - Today's drive from Gyantse to Shigatse is quite lovely, where fields of green stand in contrast to the rugged, earthen hills of Central Tibet. After arriving in Shigatse, Tibet's second largest city, we will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, home to the Panchen Lamas.

Day 13: DAY HIKE TO NGOR MONASTERY - Today's main activity will be a hike in the environs of Ngor Monastery, in the hills outside of Shigatse. The rest of the day will be free to explore the markets and bazaars in Shigatse.

Day 14: TO LHASA - After breakfast, we will take the road back to Lhasa, where we will convene with our new friends and travel companions for a delicious Farewell Dinner.

Day 15: TO CHENGDU - In the morning, we transfer to Gongkar for our flight to Chengdu. We will have time for some afternoon sightseeing in Chengdu

Day 16: DEPART CHENGDU & ARRIVE USA

Essential Tibet is a tour aimed at promoting understanding of Tibetan cultural heritage. Our role as a tour operator in Tibet is to help keep cultural practices relevant and useful in the Tibetans peoples lives by supporting arts, religious, and conservation efforts.

» For more information, reviews and availability, click here «