5-Day Cultural Discovery in Lhasa & Beyond
Customizable tour
Small Group Journeys
Suggested Length
5 days
€526 per person
Price From
Maximum group size - 15 people
What we love?
This journey is designed for first-time travelers to the Tibetan Plateau — an unforgettable introduction to the “Roof of the World.” In Lhasa, step into the grandeur of the Potala Palace, where history and faith converge in a thousand-year-old sanctuary. At Sera Monastery, feel the energy of monks debating in the courtyard, then roll up your sleeves to craft incense and woodblock prints, traditions that bring Tibetan culture vividly to life. At Jokhang Temple and along Barkhor Street, watch pilgrims prostrate with every step, a living testament to devotion etched into stone.
Beyond the city, the road leads you to the dazzling Yamdrok Lake. From the heights of Gampala Pass, the turquoise waters spread out like a sapphire against snow-capped mountains and endless sky, a view that takes your breath away. Nearby, Xiazhulin Monastery offers a quieter encounter with monastic life, framed by the stillness of nature.
A journey of first encounters, timeless landscapes, and the living soul of Tibet.
Witness the six-hundred-year flame of debate
at Sera Monastery.
Visit the world’s highest (3,700 m) and largest palace-fortress complex.
Set out for Yamdrok Lake, a sapphire closest to heaven and one of Tibet’s three great sacred lakes.
Barkhor Street, where pilgrims circle the Jokhang Temple and centuries of faith blend seamlessly with daily life.
Highlights of the Journey
Discover the Potala Palace, where centuries of devotion are etched into every stone.
Walk along Barkhor Street, where pilgrims circle the Jokhang Temple in endless devotion. Feel the rhythm of centuries as faith and daily life unfold side by side.
Step into the courtyard of Sera Monastery and watch monks clap, and counter-question with fiery intensity. Experience how this centuries-old practice keeps the flame of Buddhist philosophy alive.
Admire the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s three sacred lakes, set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
Map & Itinerary
DAY 1:
First Encounter with the Holy City-Lasha
In Tibetan, Lhasa means “Sacred Land” or “Land of the Buddha.” It is considered the spiritual heart of Tibet. The drive from the airport to the city center takes about one hour, offering a first glimpse of the stunning highland scenery.
Today’s main goal is to acclimatize to the altitude. There are no major activities scheduled.
If you have the energy, stroll into Barkhor Street, the vibrant heart of Lhasa, where pilgrims circle the Jokhang Temple and centuries of faith come alive before your eyes.
DAY 2:
Tibet in Motion: From Timeless Crafts to the Living Wisdom of Sera Monastery
Tibetan Cultural Experience
Step into the soul of Tibet through its timeless crafts. Learn how to make Tibetan incense, press blessings onto paper with centuries-old woodblocks, and let a master trace your name in flowing Tibetan script. Each piece you create carries not just tradition, but also a memory you’ll bring home from the plateau.
Sera Monastery
Visit Sera Monastery, a place of immense Buddhist significance — the crackling fire of wisdom echoed through debate, and the academic heart of the Gelugpa school. As the youngest of Lhasa’s three great monasteries, Sera is renowned for its centuries-old debating tradition.
Every afternoon at three, monks in crimson robes ignite the courtyard with questions and answers, their resounding claps sending white doves fluttering from the eaves. Here, profound philosophy transforms into living poetry. The debate ground is not just a stage of Buddhist scholarship, but a path of cultivating wisdom and compassion — every gesture is a physical annotation of Buddhist truth: the raised right hand symbolizes cutting through ignorance, while the lowered left hand gently turning prayer beads embodies mindfulness and continuity.
DAY 3:
Step into Tibetan Faith: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street
Potala Palace – A World Heritage Wonder
Towering above Lhasa, the Potala Palace is the world’s highest palace and one of Tibetan Buddhism’s most sacred sites. Built in the 7th century and expanded over time, it is divided into the White Palace and the Red Palace . Inside are priceless relics, including statues of Songtsen Gampo and Shakyamuni, intricate murals, and ancient scriptures.Jokhang Temple – The Spiritual Heart of Tibet
Founded in the 7th century, Jokhang Temple is the most revered shrine in Tibet, housing the life-sized statue of the 12-year-old Shakyamuni brought by Princess Wencheng.Barkhor Street – The Living Pilgrimage Circuit
Barkhor Street began as a path for pilgrims circumambulating Jokhang Temple. Today it remains a sacred kora while also serving as a vibrant district of culture and commerce. Pilgrims, traders, and locals converge here, making it the beating heart of Lhasa’s spiritual and daily life.
DAY 4:
Yamdrok Lake, is a dazzling blue jewel cradled in the embrace of snow-capped mountains.
Gambala Mountain (Kamba La Pass)
The best viewpoint for Yamdrok Lake — where the bluest skies meet the bluest waters. Yet many photographers remark: “No matter how many times you capture Yamdrok, its beauty can never truly be contained in a photo.”Yamdrok Lake
One of Tibet’s three great sacred lakes, Yamdrok is a freshwater lake as clear as jade and sweet enough to drink. Its deep turquoise waters merge seamlessly with distant snow-capped peaks, while colorful mountain ranges, distinctive Tibetan villages, and grazing herds of cattle and sheep line its shores — creating a landscape of pure serenity.Xiazhulin Temple
A peaceful monastery overlooking the Yaluzangbu River. It is renowned for the preserved body of a young goddess, believed to be the incarnation of Palden Lhamo, still enshrined and venerated today.
DAY 5:
The Last Glimpse of Lhasa, Tibet
Start your morning with one last cup of coffee bathed in sunshine beside the Potala Palace — a perfect farewell moment to Lhasa. As you sip and take in the golden glow over this sacred landmark, let the memory of Tibet’s warmth and beauty travel home with you.
Featured Stays
We’ve hand-selected a range of accommodations to suit different preferences, each offering a distinctive experience deeply connected to the local land and culture.
Lajari Xuelong Manor Resort
Rests by the tranquil Lhasa River, with the majestic Potala Palace rising nearby. Gentle waters flow past the gates, while the courtyard invites you to sit back with friends, watching clouds drift across the plateau sky and flowers quietly bloom and fade. Here, time slows down, and the noise of the world melts away, leaving only purity, serenity, and the simple joy of being.
What’s Included:
Transportation: Licensed tourist vehicle (7–23 seats), including city transfers in Lhasa
Accommodation: Twin-share standard rooms (fixed hotels)
Meals: 5 breakfasts + 2 featured meals (Tibetan/Nepali cuisine, Everest hotpot)
Guide: Chinese, English, or bilingual guide
Entrance Fees: First entrance ticket for all listed attractions
Permits: Tibet Entry Permit
Insurance: Travel accident insurance, seat insurance, agency liability insurance
Transfers: Fixed-date airport/railway station group transfers in Lhasa
Extras: 1 portable oxygen canister + 2 bottles of mineral water per person per day + emergency oxygen onboard
Service Fees: Agency service fees & Potala Palace ticket reservation
What’s Excluded:
Single Room Supplement： Hotels are based on twin-share (except dormitories). Guests requesting a single room must pay the additional single supplement.
Room Costs due to Changes： As hotel rooms are prepaid, any costs caused by itinerary changes during the trip are at the guest’s own expense.
Personal Expenses： Laundry, phone calls, faxes, pay TV, drinks, snacks, alcohol, cigarettes, and other personal consumption in hotels.
Force Majeure & Special Circumstances： In case of uncontrollable or non-agency-related reasons (natural disasters, war, strikes, epidemics, airline issues, or insufficient group size), the travel agency reserves the right to cancel or alter the itinerary. Additional costs will be borne by the guest.
Transportation to/from Tibet： Airfare or train tickets to and from Tibet are not included. If booking through the travel agency is required, costs will be charged separately.
Trip Costs:
Starting from €526 per person per day
Room upgrades
Add €90 per person for each upgrade level.
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