1/Day: Arrive at Lhasa Gongkar Airport and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy free time for the rest of the day to acclimate to the altitude.

2/Day: Explore Lhasa city, including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Old Street Market. Begin the morning with a visit to the Potala Palace, a significant Tibetan structure with over 1400 years of history, featuring the red palace symbolizing religion and the white palace symbolizing politics. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Temple, the oldest temple in Tibet, built in 642 BC during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo. Jokhang, meaning “House of the Buddha,” is the most sacred temple in Tibet. Afterwards, explore the traditional Barkhor Market surrounding Jokhang Temple, where you can find many Tibetan handicrafts and souvenirs. Spend the rest of the day at Barkhor Street Market.

3/Day: Visit two of the three largest Gelugpa Yellow Hat monasteries in Lhasa: Drepung and Sera Monasteries. In the morning, explore Drepung Monastery, located 8 km west of Lhasa at the base of Gyalpen Wutse Mountain. Built in 1416 by Jamyang Choeje Tashi Palden, a disciple of Master Tsongkhapa, it once housed 7700 monks and features four main colleges: Loseling, Gomang, Deyang, and Ngagpa. The main shrine is Maitreya, the future Buddha, believed to relieve suffering upon sight. In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery, 5 km north of Lhasa at the base of Sera Utse Mountain. Built in 1419 by Jamchen Choeje Shakya Yeshi, another disciple of Master Tsongkhapa, it once housed 5500 monks. Sera, meaning “hail storm” in Tibetan, was named after a storm during its construction. It features three main colleges: Sera Je, Sera Me, and Sera Ngagpa. The most sacred shrine is Hayagriva, the horse-necked deity. The monastery’s philosophy debates attract many visitors and pilgrims. Return to the hotel and relax.

4/Day: Drive 160 km, approximately 2 hours, to Tsedang, the main city of Lhoka Prefecture and the third largest city in Tibet. Also known as Yarlung, it is the cradle of Tibetan culture, home to the first king and palace. Visit Samye Monastery, the first monastery in Tibet, built in the 8th century during the reign of King Trisong Detsen. He invited Master Padmasambhava and Abbot Shantarakshita from India. Samye is the first Buddhist institute in Tibet, where many scriptures were translated from Sanskrit to Tibetan. After Samye, return to Tsedang and visit Yumbulagang Palace, the first palace in Tibet, built in the 2nd century BC for the first king, Nyatri Tsanpo. Yumbu Lagang is located on Tashi Tsering Mountain, requiring a half-hour walk or a camel or horse ride. Though there is not much to see, it is worth visiting. Return to the hotel and relax for the rest of the day.

5/Day: In the morning, visit the renowned and sacred Tranduk Temple, built in the 7th century alongside Jokhang. Legend says a five-headed dragon landed here during its construction. The temple houses the sacred Speaking Tara and Pearl Thangka of Avalokitesvara. After visiting the temple, drive back to Lhasa, approximately two hours along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, and relax for the rest of the day.

6/Day: Transfer to Lhasa Airport, concluding a memorable six-day tour in Tibet, and return home.

• In-vehicle air conditioning

• Bicycle use

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.