8-day tour of the sacred land of Tibet: the holy city of Lhasa and the secret land of eastern Tibet, visit ancient temples, pilgrimage to snow-capped mountains and glaciers

 

Core of the trip:

① Visit three relatively small Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and the guide will systematically sort out the history of politics and religion in Tibet and the development of Tibetan Buddhism from the 7 th to 20 th centuries.

② Search for the ancient practice caves at an altitude of 4,300 meters, observe the rare murals that retain the elements of Bon religion, and understand the deep meaning of the early Tibetan civilization, Buddhist instruments and mural symbols before the 7 th century.

③ Climb over the Sejila Pass and look at Nanga Bawa, the “Shameful Girl Peak” at an altitude of 7,782 meters.

④ Hike through villages and streams, and enjoy the scenery of snow-capped mountains and lakes; Stroll along the lake in the evening and watch the sunset light and shadow of the ancient glacier.

⑤ Walk through the virgin spruce forest, looking for mushrooms and pine cones in the forest; Explore the rare ocean-type valley glaciers in the middle of the Gangrigabu Mountains on foot.

⑥ Stay in Songzan series hotels (Lhasa/Bomi/Laiku) for 5 nights, of which 3 nights will be provided with diffuse oxygen supply rooms in high altitude areas to effectively alleviate plateau discomfort.

Daily itinerary

Itinerary

 

Arrive in Lhasa on the 1 st day

Arrive at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, and a special car will pick you up and check you into your hotel. The guest room is equipped with a diffuse oxygen supply system to help you smoothly adapt to the plateau environment. If the flight arrives before noon, you can arrange to visit Jokhang Temple or other temples and museums with fewer tourists in the afternoon.

Meals: Self-care

Hotel: Lhasa Songzan Linka Hotel or St. Regis Resort

Day 2 In-depth visit to Drepung Monastery and Zayeba Monastery

In the morning, visit drepung monastery, which has a history of 600 years and is one of the three major monasteries in Lhasa. It used to be the residence of the 2 nd to 5 th Dalai Lamas, and it was also one of the highest institutions of higher learning of the Gelug Sect. The guide will explain the historical evolution of Tibetan Buddhism from the 7 th to 11 th centuries, the main differences between Tibetan and Chinese Buddhism, the rise and fall of the Gelug Sect from the 15 th to 18 th centuries, and how to identify the statues of the main protectors.

In the afternoon, drive for about 1 hour to Zayeba Temple at an altitude of 4,300 meters. This cliff cave practice site was originally built by Tubo Zanpu Songtsan Gampo for his concubine. Up to now, there are more than 80 practice caves with magnificent natural scenery along the way. We will watch rare religious murals with elements of early Bon religion, and the guide will interpret the early religious civilization and political pattern of Tibetan society before the 7 th century.

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Hotel: Lhasa Songzan Linka Hotel or St. Regis Resort

 

On the 3 rd day, we visited Ganden Temple and went to Linzhi

Go to Ganden Monastery at an altitude of 3,800 meters. This monastery was personally built by Master Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelug Sect, in 1409. It is the ancestral court of Gelug Sect. The temple preserves the spiritual pagoda of Master Tsongkhapa and the seat of successive Ganden Chiba. The guide will give an in-depth explanation of the development of Gelug Sect from the 18 th to 20 th centuries, the monks’ system of studying scriptures, and the unique system of integration of politics and religion in Tibet. In the afternoon, drive for about 4 hours to Linzhi, the “south of the Yangtze River of Tibet”.

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Hotel: Nyingchi Yue Crown Hotel

 

Day 4: Crossing Sejila Mountain and arriving in Bomi

Climb over the Sejila Pass at an altitude of 4,700 meters. If the weather is fine, you will have the opportunity to look at Nanga Bawa, the “Shameful Girl Peak” at an altitude of 7,782 meters. Then visit the tranquil village of Zhaxigang and enjoy the idyllic scenery. In the afternoon, go eastward along the Palong Zangbo River and arrive in Bomi, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Check in at the hotel and enjoy the scenic view of the snow-capped mountains in your room or terrace.

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Hotel: Songzan Bomi Mountain Residence (Guaranteed Lake View Room)

 

Day 5 Go to Ranwu Lake and visit the Laigu Glacier

Drive about 4 hours to Ranwu Lake, which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. On the way, visit a Tibetan Buddhist temple with a history of more than 500 years, overlooking the surrounding snow-capped mountains and Tibetan villages. If you coincide, you can follow the friendly local villagers and feel the pious atmosphere of faith. The hotel is located in a village at an altitude of 4,200 meters. The guest rooms are equipped with diffuse oxygen supply and the terrace faces the snow-capped mountains. Walk along the lake shore in the evening, and enjoy the magnificent scene of the ice floes of ancient glaciers and snow-capped mountains in the setting sun.

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Hotel: Songzanlaigu Mountain Residence

 

On the 6 th day, Duosongcuo hiked and returned to Bomi

In the morning, hike through Tibetan villages, grazing meadows and streams and beaches, and go to Duosongcuo, a plateau lake surrounded by mountains (the whole journey takes about 4 hours, with medium and low difficulty). Drive back to Bomi for about 4 hours in the afternoon.

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Hotel: Songzan Bomi Mountain Residence (Guaranteed Lake View Room)

 

Day 7 Gang Spruce Forest or Glacier Explore and return to Linzhi

You can choose one of the following experiences in the morning:

Protocol A (Easy Level) Stroll through the virgin forest of Gang Spruce, and go to Caohu to enjoy the reflection of mountains and forests.

Protocol B (medium-low grade) Visit the rare ocean valley glacier (non-tourist attraction) in the middle of Gangrigabu Mountains on foot, and finally get close contact with the glacier.

Drive back to Linzhi for about 4 hours in the afternoon. On the way, we will cross the Sejila Pass again, looking forward to meeting Namcha Barwa again.

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Hotel: Nyingchi Yue Crown Hotel

On the 8 th day, Linzhi drop off at the airport, ending the journey

According to your flight time, take a special bus to Linzhi Milin Airport, ending this exploration tour of eastern Tibet, which combines deep humanities and beautiful scenery.

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Accommodation: On the return flight