As soon as you arrive in Lhasa, our guide and driver will be awaiting your arrival at either Lhasa Airport or Railway Station. It takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach the city center from the airport, while the railway station is just 20 minutes away. Our friendly staff will warmly welcome you and accompany you to your hotel. Take some time to rest and relax to acclimatize today. Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Our itinerary for today will start at the majestic Potala Palace, a colossal structure that towers over the Lhasa skyline. As you approach the palace, you'll be awed by its impressive size and remarkable beauty. Once inside, you'll have 1-2 hours to explore the palace's various rooms, halls, and chapels. Next, we'll make our way to the Jokhang Temple, which holds a special place in the hearts of Tibetans. It's known as the spiritual center of Tibet and attracts pilgrims from all corners of the region who come to offer prayers and pay their respects. The temple features a unique blend of Tibetan, Han, and Nepalese architecture, showcasing the diverse cultural heritage of the area. Finally, we'll take a leisurely stroll through Barkhor, the oldest street in Lhasa and a bustling center of traditional Tibetan life. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this remarkable city. Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Today's itinerary will take us to two of the most magnificent and historically significant monasteries in Lhasa. We'll begin with a visit to Drepung Monastery, which derives its name from the Tibetan word for "piles of rice", symbolizing good luck and prosperity. At its peak, Drepung Monastery was home to more than 10,000 monks, making it the largest monastery in the world. After enjoying a delicious lunch, we'll continue our adventure with a visit to Sera Monastery, famous for its incredible architecture and picturesque views. One of the highlights of Sera Monastery is the lively and engaging Buddhist scriptures debating session that takes place from 3 to 5 PM each afternoon, offering an authentic glimpse into the religious and intellectual culture of Tibet. Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Get ready for an exhilarating bike ride covering a distance of 155km from Lhasa to Damxung. The journey takes you along the scenic Tolung-chu and Qinghai-Lhasa Train Line, which boasts stunning views and landscapes. The road condition is decent, ensuring a smooth ride throughout. Damxung, which means "select pasture" in the Tibetan language, is a county with rugged topography, covering an area of 10,036 square kilometers. The area is long and narrow, measuring 185km from the northeast to southwest extremes and at most 65km across. The terrain is rugged, featuring the western Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, which includes the highest peak rising to 7,111 meters.
Today’s cycling covers a distance of 75km from Damxung to Namtso. The journey offers stunning views of the Nyenchen Thanglha snow mountain ranges that will leave you spellbound. The ride takes approximately 4 hours, and the most challenging part of the route is the cycling through the Mt. Nagenla Pass, which stands tall at 5190m. However, fear not as our support vehicle is always at hand, ready to assist you if the bike riding becomes too difficult. As you conquer Mt. Nagenla Pass, you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of vast green grasslands dotted with nomad's tents, sheep, and yaks. The final leg of the journey offers an awe-inspiring view of the turquoise Namtso Lake, which will take your breath away.
Get up early to witness the magnificent sunrise at Namtso Lake. Then, you can take a light trek to Tashi Dor Island, located at the lake shore, to explore its meditation caves. This is a great way to immerse yourself in the peaceful and spiritual surroundings of the lake. Afterwards, hop on your bike and get ready for a 7-hour ride to Yampachen, a small town located in the Yampachen Valley. Yampachen is rich in geothermal resources and is also renowned as a hot spring resort. As you approach Yampachen, you'll see the tents of nomads scattered across the lush green valley, with grazing yak and sheep populating the hillside.
Indulge in a luxurious bath at the Yampachen Hot Springs, surrounded by snow-capped mountains that provide a breathtaking view. After biking at the top of the world for three days, consider this a well-deserved reward that will rejuvenate your body and soul. Afterwards, head back to Lhasa. The return journey is a smooth and enjoyable one, and the 75 km cycling takes approximately four hours.
Today, you will be dropped off at the Lhasa airport or train station. This is where you'll say your farewells to your guide and driver. Service ends.
Potala Palace
Mt. Everest
Yamdrok Lake
Sera Monastery
Namtso Lake
Mt. Kailash
From Mr. Gerard AdrienHi Daniel. We are already on our way back to Shanghai. We would like to thank you for the great trip we had. Our guide Jampa and our driver did an excellent job. They are both very recommendable! We enjoyed the trip despite the altitude discomfort we experienced during the first 3 days. Thank you!
From Ms. Elena Maria ValisiI highly recommend this agency. I travelled with other 2 couples who booked through different agencies and they paid a lot more to have less assistance, same hotels/tour/guide/car, less flexibility and no travel insurance included.
