Kathmandu to Lhasa Tour – 5 Days

Kathmandu to Lhasa Tour 5 days is the shortest and favorite destination among international travelers. The journey starts and finishes in the heart of Tibet, Lhasa, and includes famous landmarks such as Potala and Norbulingka Palaces of the Dalai Lama, Tibet Traditional Hospital and Barkhor Bazaar. We also visit many impressive Lhasa Tibetan monasteries including Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, and Jokhang Temple. They’re all beautiful monasteries with their own past and theological significance. This journey also brings us further to the outskirts of Lhasa, where we see the Ganden Monastery in the 15th century and discover the Drayerpa Cave, a meditative haven for Tibetan monks.

Also check the itinerary of Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour

Day 01: Arrival in Lhasa and Drive to hotel 

We arrive in Lhasa either directly from Nepal or via mainland China. If we want to travel from Nepal, we will admire a stunning trans-Himalayan flight over Everest (8,848 m), Kanchenjunga (8,536 m) and other Himalayan ranges and valleys. If we want to travel to Lhasa via mainland China, we can fly from any of the major Chinese cities or take the fastest train route to Lhasa. On arrival in Lhasa, Mountain Hike Nepal Team will accompany us from either the airport or train station to our appointed Lhasa hotel. We are recommended to relax for the balance of the day to prevent altitude sickness. Overnight stay in Lhasa

Day 02: Today Lhasa sightseeing: Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace and Tibet Traditional Hospital

After breakfast we start exploring Lhasa by exploring the magnificent Palaces of Potala and Norbulingka, better known as Winter Palace and Summer Palace. Designed in the 17th century, Potala Palace has stunning views of the whole country, and houses the Dalai Lama’s private quarters. Norbulingka Palace contains the biggest man-made Tibetan forest. Then we explore the Traditional Hospital of Tibet, which is the center for Tibetan medicine diagnosis, teaching, study and development. Overnight stay in Lhasa

Day 03: Ganden Monastery and Drayerpa Cave

We travel to Ganden Monastery in the morning, situated at the top of Wangbur Mountain (3,800 m) in County Lhatse, 57 km east of Lhasa. This is the oldest of the six Gelug Sect monasteries in Tibet, and one of the ‘big three.’ The Monastery of Ganden has very delicate and beautiful sculptures and murals. It also houses an armor suit adorned with crystals, worn by Emperor Qianlong and granted to the monastery as an offering to Tsong Khapa, founder of the Gelug Sect. We travel to Drayerpa Cave during the afternoon situated in a beautiful valley with a breathtaking landscape. For Lamas, there are more than 30 caves that choose to meditate in quiet surroundings. In the evening we drive back and spend the night in Lhasa

Day 04: Visit Lhasa: Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar

We visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Bazaar Barkhor after breakfast. Completed in the 14th century, the Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery in the world and estimated to have housed about 10,000 monks in the past, but as of now there has been quite a decline culminating in just a few hundred. The history, tradition, and religious beliefs of the Tibetan people in this magnificent monastery are highly condensed and focused.  Sera Monastery is a restored monastery with golden roofs and whitewashed walls.  The biggest attraction to enter this monastery is to see the debating monks that are held every day apart from Sundays from 3-5 pm. Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site that unfolds more deep-seated Tibetan Buddhist mysteries. Inside, the Buddha Sakyamuni statue can be seen when he was twelve years old.  We start to walk through (market) Barkhor Bazaar. It is the nerve center of Lhasa, with its open-air stalls, shops, and pilgrim crowds. Overnight stay in Lhasa

Day 05: Departure

Today our journey in the Himalayas is over! Our agent will bring us on our next journey to the airport or train station.