Mystical Tibet

Would like you to experience Tibet's most beautiful and sacred in easy and sweet way in about 9 days? Then consider taking Mystical Tibet trip to Central Tibet that includes Lhasa, Namtso, Samye and Yumbu Lhakang. Mystical Tibet itinerary takes you places that are beautiful and sacred; experience the living and breathing culture of Tibet; and build friendships with warm and genuine Tibetans who you will remember for many years to come.

Highlights

- Journey to Lhasa and visit bustling Barkhor Square, and the sacred Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Sera Monastery
- Visit Namtso Lake, the world’s highest salt lake and Tibet’s most sacred and beautiful place.
- Explore the Samye and Yumbu Lhakhang Yarlung Valleys where Tibetan civilization began

Itinerary

Days 1-3 Lhasa While acclimatizing, explore Lhasa’s wonders, including: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Square, and Sera Monastery; meet Tibetan masters of painting, Tibetan medicine, wood curving and handcrafts, etc. and receive rare sacred blessings from Rinpoches.

Days 4-5 Namtso/Tashi Dhor Namtso is approximately 240km northwest of Lhasa at an elevation of 4,720 meters. The lake is stunningly beautiful, and is considered very sacred to Tibetans. Although Namtso can be easily reached from Lhasa, the one-way journey takes about four hours by car. Once we arrive, the high altitude will make you want to rest one night in a guesthouse. When rested and refreshed we will visit Tashi Dhor Monastery, where it is common to walk with pilgrims, mediate in sacred coves or simply mingle with nomads.

Days 6-8: Yarlung Valley/Samye/Yumbu Lhakang After a few hours of drive from Lhasa, we will visit a village and mingle with local Tibetans. In the afternoon, you will be taken directly to a hotel in Tsedang, a southern Tibetan town located in the heart of the Yarlung valley, the cradle of Tibetan civilization. Here we will explore the 8th century Samye Monastery. It is Tibet’s first Buddhist monastery built in the shape of a mandala. We’ll also visit Yumbu Lhakang, Tibet’s first palace, and Traduk Monastery built in 541 A.D.

Days 9-10 Ganden Monastery/Lhasa Ganden is one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Tibet, located on a hilltop near Lhasa. You can take a day trip there to experience the beauty and see remains from the Cultural Revolution. Raising prayer flags there will be a good way to honor those who left us and to accumulate good merits for your loved ones. You will have enough time to rest, purchase some gifts to take home and have a farewell dinner in Lhasa before heading back to Chengdu.

Arrival: You have option of coming into Lhasa from Nepal or Mainland China. Once you are accepted to the program, you’ll receive our Trip Logistics Guide. It will include all the essential information you’ll need to obtain a Chinese visa and make other necessary preparations for the trip. The guide includes suggested travel gear, a recommended reading list, a day-to-day itinerary, health and safety information, and other key information to make your trip successful and safe. You will receive your Tibet Permit from us in any cities in Mainland China.