Tibet Trekking from Tsurpu to Yangbajing

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Arrive in Lhasa

Welcome in Tibet – the roof of the world

Today arrive in Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet, transfer to hotel. Stay at the hotel for adapting to the high altitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Barkhor Street

DAY
2

Lhasa

Potala Palace – landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang and Barkhor Street

In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Potala Palace

DAY
3

Lhasa

Panoramic view over Potala, Norbulingka, Debate in Sera

In the morning visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain, was built in the 7th century. It is 22m high and from here you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala palace. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. The "Buddhism Scriptures Debate" in Sera is very famous.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Debate in Sera Monastery

DAY
4

Lhasa – Yamdrok – Gyantse – Shigatse

Karo La Pass and Glacier, holy lake Yamdrok, Palkhor with Pagoda Kumbum

Drive to Gyantse. On the Kamba La (4796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4,441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On arriving, visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the 15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. It is recorded 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameters contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. Afterwards drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang.

356 km
6 hours 41 minutes
Overnight at 4*Mulunlazong Hotel

Breakfast

Palkhor Monastery

DAY
5

Shigatse – Lhasa

Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse, traditional manufacture for Tibetan incense

In the morning visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. In the afternoon drive back to Lhasa. On the way visit a traditional manufacture for Tibetan incense in small town Tunba by the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

273 km
4 hours 58 minutes
Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Tahilunpo Monastery

DAY
6

Lhasa – Tsurpu

The main monastery of Karma Kagyu sect - Tsurpu Monastery and Pilgrimage

Drive to Tsurpu Monastery (4300 m), 60 km northwest of the city of Lhasa and on the upper reaches of the Tsurpu River. Tsurpu Monastery is the main monastery of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Tsurpu was established in 1189 by Duesum Khyenpa, a pupil of Gampopa and the first Karmapa. He introduced the principle of reincarnation into Tibet. He told his disciples that he would reincarnate and pointed out the location of the second Karmapas reborn. In contrast to Yellow Caps (Gelug) the Karmapa Kagye are regarded as the Black Hat. Visit the Tsurpu Monastery, and hike on the pilgrim's way around the monastery.

60 km
1 hour 30 minutes
Camping

Breakfast

Tsurpu Monastery

DAY
7

Trekking Tsurpu – Leten

Trekking starts. Linka village. Gorge.

Today the trekking starts. After about 2 hours walk you reach a village called Linka, Next, walk along the gorge for an hour, during which you will find that the river is becoming wider and the surrounding area is getting quieter.

Trekking 3 hours 30 minutes
Camping

Breakfast

Trekking to Yangbajing

DAY
8

Trekking Leten – Partso

Cross the 5300 m high pass Lasar-la

Hike through the long gorge, cross the 5300 m high pass Lasar-la, countless prayer flags blow in the wind.

Trekking 5 hours
Camping

Breakfast

Trekking to Yangbajing

DAY
9

Trekking Partso – Dorje Ling

The nunnery Dorje Ling

First crossing a high pass, then trekking in the borderless pastures on the southern border of northern Tibet until to the nunnery Dorje Ling.

Trekking 3 hours 30 minutes
Camping

Breakfast

Trekking to Yangbajing

DAY
10

Trekking Dorje Ling – Yangbajing Nunnery, Drive Yangbajing – Lhasa

Yangbajing Monastery (Yangpachen), Yangbajing Geothermal Energy

Trek on the pastures to the Yangbajing (Yangpachen) monastery that under the Kagyupa school. After the visit of the Yangbajing monastery then drive to the geothermal Yangbajing (15 km), drive back to Lhasa.

Trekking 3 hours 30 minutes
92 km
2 hours
Overnight at the 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Trekking to Yangbajing

DAY
11

Leave Tibet

Travel to next destination

Today transfer to airport or railway station, leave Tibet.

Breakfast

Barkhor Street

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This trip can also be tailor-made, please let us know your travel idea: travel date, duration, number of travelers, child (2 - 12 years old), baby (0 - 2 years old), other travel destinations, meals, accommodation category, boutique hotel, special interest ...

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