All Around Tour of Tibet - 8 Days

Today arrive at Gonggar Airport (3500m), greeted by the local tour guide, transfer 70km (paved road, about 1 hour’s drive ) to the city, drive along the Yalutsangpo River and Lhasa River, enjoy the Tibetan style villages and Nyetang Giant Buhhda ,check in hotel in Lhasa  (3658m), and rest for acclimatization.

Tour starts from the religious Potala Palace (3700 m )built in the 7th century by the famous Tibetan king-Songtzen Gampo. The present one was built by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. It became known as the "Winter Palace" by the 1750, when the 7th Dalai Lama built the Norbulingka Park as his summer residence. After lunch, you will visit Jokhang Temple, situated in the old section of Lhasa. King Songtzen Gampo built this temple in the mid-7th century A.D. Now it is the most sacred place in Tibet. Pilgrims come here to pay homage from all over Tibet. Visit Barkhore Street in the evening.

Early in the morning transferred to Namtso Lake. Drive along Nyanchen Tangula Mountain Ranges,via Yampachen Hot Spring , altitude getting higher, we will enjoy the real nothern Tibetan landscape,  then we will arrive at a mountain pass called Ngagenla ,which is 5190m above sea level(equal to the sea level of Base camp of Mt Everest) Sometimes on the way ,we will see the pilgrims ,making the long prostration. And usually we will see the train passing by. And finally the heaven lake, which is the highest and largest holy lake will be in our eyes! It is about 1920 square kilometers, 4780 m above sea level, huge enough to be described by Tibetans as Tengri Sea. 30km wide、70km long. Each year in September since two years ago, there is an international trekking festival! Lots of people were attracted to the activity. And each year especially in the sheep year many Tibetans come to the lake for pilgrimage. It is said the Goddess (the lake was born in a sheep year). The Tibetans would like to walk around or make the long prostrations around the lake. We would like to describe the lake as the best landscape around Lhasa, the huge holy blue lake, the green grassland beyond your view, totally blue sky, and flocks of sheep and yaks on the grass, the snow-capped mountain across the lake. Paying a short visit to a nomad tent is worthwhile.
Luckily, you will find a special little rock nearby the lake as a gift to your friends!
Some unbelievable stories about the lake will be from the guide!
If you feel fine and strong, have another hour of trekking along the lake is a good choice. Another challenge is climbing to the top of the hill nearby the lake.
The whole trip to the lake will take us more than ten hours and lots of pictures will be in your camera. And you will be excited to challenge the altitude. The whole trip is about 500km (round way)

Drive to Bayi Town, the capital of Lynchi Area. Along NO 318 High Way; Cross over Milha Mountain Pass ( 5013m),drive along Nyiyang River, till we reach the red-hat-sect holly lake-Basumtso Lake; Continue till Bayi Town, 490km, paved road, about 9 hours’ drive.

Drive to Gyantse via Yamdroyumtso Lake, which can be seen from Kanbala Pass (4780m) .It is one of the hree holy lakes in Tibet and an important destination for pilgrim-age. Cross over the mountain pass where Karola Glacier can be seen. Have a walk around the old part of Gyantse. 280km, paved road, and about 6 hours’ drive.
Gyantse-Shigatse, after visiting Palkhor Monastery, and Kumbun Chorten, which was build at the end of 14th century, three different buddism sects in Tibet lived here peacefully. See Tzong Hill from afar, or climb up the hill. driving 90 km through Gyantse Plains to Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet.

Shigatse-Lhasa: visit to Tashihunpo Monastery, which is still the seat of Banchen Lama and the biggest monastery in Shigatse, and inside kept the former Banchen Lamas’ tombs  and  the biggest bronze future buddha statue. Drive back to Lhasa along Yalutsangpu River Valley, 280km, paved road, about 5-hour drive , take a good rest after the long hard trip ; Live in Lhasa.

Hotel to airport Transfer (Lhasa)