7-Day Tibetan Monastery Tour of Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse

Arrive in the holy city of Lhasa, capital of the mystical Buddhist Kingdom of Tibet. This is also the site of 3 out of the 6 most important Tibetan monasteries. Meet your tour guide at the airport, who will assist you with all formalities. Transfer to the first-class Lhasa Gangjian Hotel for an overnight stay.

Start the tour after breakfast with a spiritually cleansing visit to the Potala Palace, built in the 7th century by the famous Tibetan king Songtzen Gampo and rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Explore the elaborate artwork and frescos that adorn the rooms within and gain insight into the religious subjects and traditions of the Tibetan people.

Enjoy a hearty lunch and set off for a visit to Jokhang Temple, situated in the old section of Lhasa and known as the most sacred place in all of Tibet.

Visit Barkhor Street, a must-see cultural center in Lhasa. Transfer back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Begin this full-day sightseeing tour with a visit to Drepung Monastery. Drepung in Tibetan means "Hill of Rice," which is what this beautiful monastery resembles. Walk through the sprawling corridors within the holy premises, which occupy an area of 150,000 square meters and once housed 7,700 lamas, making Drepung the largest monastery in Asia.

Set off for a visit to Norbulingka Park. In 1752, the 7th Dalai Lama built the first palace here for successive Dalai Lamas to carry out their political and religious activities during the summer season. Today, it serves as a public park, perfect for picnicking, relaxing, and entertaining.

The next stop is Sera Monastery, which is one of the three great monasteries in Lhasa and one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Buddhism in Tibet.

Transfer back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Start the day with a visit to the magnificent Drigung Monastery, famous as the site for the performance of sky burials. Named after its location in a valley about 150 kilometres east of Lhasa, it is the mother monastery of the Drigung Kagyu tradition.

Visit Drak Yerpa Monastery in the afternoon, which is known as the "life tree" or spiritual axis of Lhasa. Explore the hillside with more than 80 meditation caves and walk in the footsteps of important figures in Buddhism such as Songsten Gampo, Padmasambhava, Yeshe Tsoygel, Padampa Sanggye, and Asisha.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast and start the day with a picturesque drive to Gyantse, the once fortified city at the junction of two major caravan routes: one to India and the other to Nepal. Pass the giant Yamdrok Yamtso Lake, the beautiful lake considered holy by the Tibetan people.

Enjoy a visit with a local Tibetan family and partake in the tea and hospitality offered by friendly natives in the area.

Continue your trip to Gyantse. Upon arrival, visit the famous Palkhor Monastery and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda, two of the most iconic sites in the region.

Travel to Shigatse by coach. Check into the Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel, known as the best hotel in the region.

After breakfast, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery. This is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the second holiest man in Tibet.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at a popular local restaurant.

Relax on your drive back to Lhasa and arrive by late afternoon. Unwind on an overnight stay at the Lhasa Gangjian Hotel.

Enjoy your last breakfast in Lhasa before setting off for your final departure. Your tour guide will transfer you to the airport or train station for a hassle-free departure.