Fly to Lhasa crossing over the highest Himalayan ranges of the world (1hr). Transfer and check in to your hotel. Full rest for acclimatization.

Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region is located at the north bank of Kyichu River, a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, at an altitude of 3650 meters above sea level. Lhasa has a history of more than 1300 years and has been the center of politics, economy, culture and religion.

Full days sightseeing tour of Lhasa including Sera & Drepung Monasteries.

Sera, means “hailstone” in Tibetan. Set at the foot of the Wudu Hill to the north of Lhasa City, Sera is comprised of a great sutra chanting hall and a college. Sera Monastery was founded in 1419 by Jamchen Choje, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the founder of Gelugpa Sect.

Drepung Monastery, was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choje, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the founder of Gelugpa Sect. The monastery, occupying an area of 250,000 square meters with a fixed number of 7,700 monks, is the largest monastery in Tibet. The monastery keeps many historical relics, Buddhist scriptures, arts, and crafts.

Full days sightseeing tour of Lhasa including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar.

Potala Palace is one of most famous architectural works of Tibet and stands on the top of the Red Hill in Lhasa. The word Potala comes from Sanskrit. In the 7th century, it was built for meditational purpose. It was Dalai Lama’s winter palace. Its white part is used for administrative purpose and the red part for the religious purpose.

Jokhang Temple, situated in the center of the old section of Lhasa called Barkhor, was built in the mid-7th century A. D. It was later extended by successive rulers, and has now become a gigantic architecture complex. Located in the east, and facing the west, Jokhang is a four storied Temple with splendid golden roofs.

Barkhor Bazaar is a market complex just outside and around Jokhang Temple. It is the main Tibetan bazaar which has been able to sustain Tibetan culture & heritage until today. This bazaar is good for shopping and eating out and also mixing with the local Tibetan people.

Scenic drive to Shigatse along the valley and Gorge made by the Brahmaputra River (Yarlung Tsangpo).

Shigatse is situated in the southwest of the Tibet Autonomous Region where Nyangchu River joins the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Shigatse is the second biggest town in Tibet and it is the center of transportation and distribution of agriculture and husbandry products from the southeastern part of Tibet. “Shigatse” in Tibetan means the “Estate that fulfills one’s Wishes.”

The Brahmaputra River is one of the last largely free-flowing rivers emanating from the Tibetan Plateau. Originating as the Yarlung Tsangpo River, it flows across southern Tibet through the Himalayas and into India and Bangladesh before merging with the Ganges and emptying into the Bay of Bengal.

Morning sightseeing of the Panchen Lama’s Tashilhunpo Monastery.

Tashilhumpo monastery is believed to be the most beautiful monastery in Tibet, founded in 1417. The most amazing in this monastery is the giant statue of the Maitreya (Future Buddha) erected by the 9th Panchen Lama in 1914 and took 4 years for its establishment. Fourth Panchen Lama’s funeral stupa was also built in 1662 which is one of the major attraction in the monastery.

Full day picturesque drive crossing over Karola(5,010m/16,437ft), Kambala (4,794m/15,728ft), colorful Yamdrok Lake and continue drive along the Tibetan lifeline river Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo) on to Tsedang.

Tsedang, the capital of Lhokha Prefecture, is reputed as “the cradle of Tibetan Civilization”, and located at the middle and lower reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River. As the birthplace of earliest Tibetans, it enjoys a comparatively mild climate and vast fertile land. A field in the village near Tsedang Town is said to be the first farming field in Tibet.

Yamdrok Lake is one of the biggest and beautiful lakes in Tibet. We pass by this lake with about 2 hours drive along its bank. Yamdrok means turquoise in Tibetan language. In fact, the lake looks exactly as beautiful as turquoise blue during the good weather days.

Early morning scenic drive along the Brahmaputra River and reach Samye. Explore Samye Monastery and drive back to Tsedang. Later afternoon, visit Yungbulakang and Thandruk Monastery (Time permitting).

Samye Monastery, is the famous tourist sight in this area include the first monastery in Tibet. Facing south, Samye Moanstery was built according to the Mandala design in Tibetan Buddhist Culture, in the layout of the central temple symbolizes the legendary Mount Meru, center of the universe.

Yungbulakang is said to be the first palace in Tibetan history and built in the 2nd century. Statues of the three periods of Buddha and Tibetan kings are enshrined in the palace. The view of the Tsedang valley from the top of the Lakhang is magnificent.

Thandruk Monastery was built in the 7th century as a small copy of Jokhang in Lhasa. Together with Jokhang and Samye, it was one of Trisong Detsen’s three royal temples, as well as one of the 12 monasteries built by songtsen Gampo. It is one of the principal shrines in the Yarlung valley.

Early morning drive (2hr) to Gonggar airport for departure flight to Kathmandu or to your onward destination.