TTC-T-01: The hidden monasteries to the south of Lhasa

Highlights:

• --The traditional Chinese teahouse at People's park.
• --Potala Palace
• --Jokhang temple
• --Barkhor Bazar
• --Sera monastery
• --Drepung monastery
• --Nechung monastery
• --Cholung monastery
• --Dzinchi monastery
• --Gangkar chode
• --Samye monastery
• --Yamsang monastery
• --Kubum stupa
• --Pelkor Chode Monastery
• --Shalu Monastery
• --Tashilhunpo Monastery

Chengdu: 500m
Lhasa: 3650m
Gangkar: 3800m
Tsetang: 3670m
Kampa la pass: 5050m
Gyantse: 3950m
Shigartse: 3900m

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Detail program:

Day1: Arrive in Chengdu
After arrives in Chengdu airport, pickup and transfer to your hotel, assist to check in. Relax in the rest hours of this day by having visit to the traditional Chinese teahouse at People's park.

Altitude: Chengdu: 500m

Day2: Chengdu to Lhasa.
Fly to Lhasa, the guide will meet you at the airport, and transfer you to Lhasa city with about 1h30 driving (100 km). On the way, we will visit to Nie Tang Buddha, a Buddha image engraved in the mountain face. Afternoon an easy walking visit to Luophuk lingkar - the summer palace of Dalai Lama;

Altitude: Lhasa: 3650m

Day3: Lhasa
We visit Potala Palace, Jokhang temple and Barkhor Bazar.
Potala, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. Stunningly dominating the skyline of Lhassa atop the crest of Marpo Ri hill, the seventh-century Potala is considered Lhasa's most holy destination for a pilgrimage. Winding up the hill, a stone path leads to the 14-story, 1000-room. Each day, thousands of pilgrims give the prayer wheels lining the path a clockwise spin as they make their way up to the entrance.
The Jokhang Monastery is the home of the statutes of the revered Buddha, Shakyamuni. While all Buddhist statutes are magnificently robed in colorful brocade adorned with pearls, turquoise, coral, and silver, solid gold bowls of holy water rest before Shakyamuni as well as offerings of yuen (money) and khatas (scarves) left by pilgrims.

Altitude: Lhasa: 3650m

Day4: Lhasa
Visit Sera, Drepung, Nechung monasteries.
Sera, one of the three largest monasteries of Gelugpa, sits at the foot of Hill Tatipu. It is as prestigious as Drepung and Ganden, which had a longer history. Sera in Tibetan means Wild Rose Garden since opulent wild rose woods once grew around it.
Drepung monastery. Drepung once housed 10,000 monks, If we're lucky, we'll quietly ease into a dark columned hall to see and hear the lilting, booming chanting of the sutras, or perhaps sit under a willow tree and watch as the monks engage in theatrical debate.
Nechung Monastery the seat of Nechung, Tibet's State Oracle. Major decisions of the state are made in consultation with the Nechung Oracle.

Altitude: Lhasa: 3650m

Day5: Lhasa to Tsetang via Cholung monastery & Dzinchi monastery
Heading east for about 140km to reach one fork where turn to South to Dzinchi monastery, which situated in Dinchi that separated into two parts. This is the birthplace of 11th Dalai Lama. Dzinchi monastery was founded in 10th century, belongs to Gelukpa tradition. After visit to this monastery, continuingly heading south to Cholung monastery that was built by TsongKhapa, the founder of Gelukpa tradition. Cholung monastery located in a beautiful valley, and was one of the first to be rebuilt in central Tibet after being destroyed in 1960th last century. This monastery now houses about 30 monks around, and this is one of the mellowest stops along the pilgrimage.

Driving hours & distance: 290km on paved & dirt road, about 7 - 8 hours
Altitude: Tsetang: 3670m

Day6: Tsetang
In the morning, drive to visit Samye monastery, Located in the quiet piedmont area of the Tsetang region, it is the first temple to be built in Tibet and the first complete with the three Buddhist jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Samye monastery is built with the shape of a huge Mandala. Surrounded by a circular wall, it is a representation of cosmos. The different buildings are arranged according to a complex symbolism, around the Utse, the central hall, housing the hall of prayers. This monastery is sacred because of its magnificent architecture, long-term history, and special status within Tibetan Buddhism. Regarded as a shining pearl of Tibetan Buddhist architecture, it is a place many Buddhist believers long to visit.
In the afternoon, heading to Yamsang monastery, which was found in 1200, belongs to Kagyu tradition. The Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism traces its origin back to Buddha Shakyamuni. The lineage of the Kagyu emphasizes the continuity of oral instructions passed on from master to student, from whence the name "Kagyu" derives.

Altitude: Tsetang: 3670m,

Day7: Tsetang to Gyantse
Departure from Tsetang to reach Chushui, where we heading east along Brahmaputra River upstream Gangkar Chode, then to the west drive ascent to the pass of Kampa la pass at 5050m, where to appreciate the panorama view of Yamdrok Lake, which t is one of four holy lakes. The other 3 lakes are Lhamo La-tso, Namtso and Manasarovar. It is revered as a talisman and is said to be part of the life-spirit of the Tibetan nation. The largest lake in southern Tibet, it is said that if its waters dry, Tibet will no longer be habitable. After this lake passing through Karo la pass then to Gyantse

Driving hours & distance: 360km on paved road, about 7 - 8 hours
Altitude: Gyantse: 3950m

Day8: Gyantse to Shigartse
In the moring, visit to Gyantse, which was historically Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigartse). We are going to visit the Kubum stupa and the Pelkor Chode Monastery, and Kumbum, which is a large gold-domed stupa and its many chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. Then after drive to Shigartse, en route we will take one detour of Shalu monastery, which was built in 1,000 A.D. Its unique construction has mixed the style of Tibetan and Chinese building. The frescoes in Shalu Monastery are abundant and beautiful; they are invaluable art treasures of Tibet. After arrive at Shigartse, we will visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery, which is the seat of Panchen Lama - the second highest-ranking religious leader of the Buddhist religious order.

Driving hours & distance: 90km on paved road, about 2 - 3 hours
Altitude: Shigartse: 3900m

Day9: Shigartse to Chengdu
Drive from along Brahmaputra River, about 3 or 4 hours to reach at Lhasa Gangkar airport, by afternoon departure flight from Lhasa to Chengdu

Driving hours & distance: 200km on paved road, about 3 - 4 hours
Altitude: Chengdu: 500m

Day10: Chengdu to the airport for departure
After having breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to airport for your departure (transfer timings will depend on the flight schedule)