Lhasa Cultural Tour

o start the tour to Lhasa, travelers first must get to Kathmandu. Boundless Adventure's members will be at the airport with your and our company's name upon your arrival. Once you meet our representative, he’ll greet you and take you on a private vehicle to drop you off at your Hotel. As you arrive at the Hotel, you will check in and go to your room. In the evening, we'll meet you at your Hotel to debrief the tour, or if you are okay with visiting our office, you are heartily welcome. Your overnight stay is at the Kathmandu Hotel.

Good morning! Day two is your sightseeing trip to the Kathmandu Valley. Get ready with your breakfast. Our representative will be in a private vehicle outside your Hotel for your day's visit. The drive from your Hotel is towards Kathmandu Durbar Square. If you stay in Thamel's Hotel, it will take 10-15 minutes to get to Kathmandu Durbar Square, depending on traffic conditions. Our guide will briefly explain each monument and the historical significance of Kathmandu Durbar Square as you begin your visit.

The drive to Swayambhunath departs from Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is a 10-15 minute drive from Kathmandu Durbar Square to reach Sawambhunath. At Swayambhunath, travelers can enjoy a 360-degree view of the Kathmandu Valley and feel the temple's spiritual ambiance.

The drive takes Boudhanath from Swayambhunath. It takes 25-30 minutes to get to the Boudhanath stupa from the Sawambhunath temple. You will find the same atmosphere and practices at Boudhanath as at Swayambhu, as both are prominent Buddhist religious sites. Visitors can participate in stupa Circumambulation by spinning prayer wheels at Boudhanath and can appreciate the view of the Stupa while having a delicious meal at the rooftop restaurant.

Your day ends with a visit to Pashupatinath temple, a sacred Hindu site. As you arrive at Pashupatinath in the evening, you can witness one of the prominent religious practices: the night flamework “Sandhya Aarati.” You can also explore the temple and learn about numerous legends and facts through our guide.

After a full day of exploration, we will drop you off at the Hotel, where you will spend the night.

The journey towards Lhasa begins with a flight from Kathmandu International Airport to Gonggar Airport. It is an hour's aerial flight from Tribhuvan International Airport to Gonggar Airport. The flight offers a bird’s-eye view of Nepal's iconic mountain peaks, including Mount Everest, Mt. Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, and Mt. Kanchenjunga.

As you land at the Gonggar Airport, our guide will pick you up and take you to your Hotel. It is about a one-hour drive from Gonggar Airport to Lhasa, covering 93km. After arriving at the Hotel, check in, rest, and take time to adjust to the change in temperature and altitude. Your overnight stay and dinner will be at the Lhasa Hotel.

Good morning in Lhasa! From today, travelers visit the cultural sites and some popular areas of Lhasa. Your day begins with a warm breakfast at your Hotel. After breakfast, we will pick you up from your Hotel and take you to the Potala Palace. The Palace was the residence of the Dalai Lamas from 1649 to 1959, but it is now a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Palace is 117 m high, with 13 stories, more than 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and about 200,000 statues.

After the visit to Potala Palace, the drive moves towards Norbulingka Palace. The Palace lies in a tranquil and stunning garden in western Lhasa, southwest of the Potala Palace. The Norbulingka Palace is famous as the Dalai Lama's summer residence. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that serves as an administrative and religious center. Visitors to Norbulingka Palace can see the cars the 13th Dalai Lama imported to Tibet.

From Norbulingka Palace, the drive moves towards the day's final destination: the Tibet Museum. The museum houses many artifacts and exhibits from Tibet's ancient times.

After a visit to three stunning ancient monuments in Lhasa, we will drop you off at your Hotel. You will stay overnight and have dinner at the Lhasa Hotel.

After your morning meal, another day of exploration and sightseeing in Lhasa begins. Sera Monastery is the first sightseeing site of the day. The monastery is one of the prominent sites of Lhasa and also a university of Buddhism. During the visit to Sera Monastery, travelers can appreciate the Main Assembly Hall (Tsokchen Hall), the Debating Courtyard, the College Halls, the Statues and Stupas, and witness religious practices.

The drive moves towards Drepung Monastery, one of the three pillars of the Tibetan state. Built in 1416, the Drepung monastery was the largest monastery in Tibet and a prominent site for the Gelupa sect of Buddhism. The monastery's setting, with its vast courtyards and dense forests, makes it one of the most peaceful sites to visit in Lhasa. During the visit, travelers can participate in a 90-minute circumambulation.

Jokhang Temple is another sightseeing destination after Drepung Monastery. Built in 647 AD, it is one of the most sacred temples in Lhasa. The temple is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site inside Barkhor Square. The Jowo Shakyamuni statue is the main attraction of the Jokhang temple, and visitors can catch a glimpse of it.

The day ends with a visit to Barkhor Bazaar, the oldest street in Lhasa, with a history of over 1,300 years. The Bazaar is well-known for its shopping. The Jhokang Temple, which lies on the Barkhor Bazaar street, adds significance to the Bazaar. Dorje, Saffron, Tibetan Jewelry Boxes, Tibetan Wooden Bowls, Snuff Bottles, Prayer Wheels (Mani), Diamond Knots, and Millettia bracelets are the prominent Souvenirs found in Barkhor Bazaar.

After a pleasant day exploring Lhasa's numerous areas and historical sites, we will drop you off at the Hotel, where you will have a meal and spend the night.

On the sixth day, the journey moves from Lhasa to Xigatse (Shigatse). After breakfast at Lhasa's Hotel, you will drive to Xigatse, the day's destination. The journey follows the China National Highway 318, a well-maintained road with a smooth drive. The drive from Lhasa to Xigatse passes through some of Tibet's stunning scenery. The drive passes provide a panorama of Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse Town, and Shalu Monastery.

It takes 6-7 hours to reach Xigatse (Shigatse) at 3900m from Lhasa, covering 280km. As you reach Xigatse, you can visit the nearby areas. Your overnight and dinner are at the Hotel Hotelgatse (Shigatse).

You will visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Xigatse early in the morning, then drive to Gyantse after breakfast. The drive offers you a glimpse into the stunning landscapes of Tibet. You'll pass through beautiful countryside landscapes with incredible sights of rolling hills and traditional Tibetan villages. Also, the drive offers a spectacular panorama of Karola Glacier. After 2-3 hours of driving covering a distance of 90km, you will reach the day's destination, Gyantse, at 3950m.

Upon reaching Gyantse, you will rest and then visit Gyantse Dzong. On the hilltop, Gyantse Dzong is a historic fortress; from there, you can appreciate the surrounding valley's beauty. You will end your day with a visit to Pelkor Chode Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. Your overnight and dinner are at Gyantse’s Hotel.

Day eight takes you to Tsedang at 3400m above sea level. After having a morning meal at Gyantse's tea house, you will drive towards the day's destination. The initial phase of the drive passes through a picturesque landscape with traditional Tibetan houses, terraced barley fields, and grazing yaks. It takes 5-6 hours to drive from Gyantse to Tsedang, with a scenic route. The day's night stay and dinner are at Tsedang's Hotel.

The ninth day is the second and last day of your journey on the Lhasa cultural tour to Samye Tsedang (3100m). After breakfast at Tsedang's Hotel, you will drive towards Samye in the early morning. The route to Samye Tsedang follows a winding path along the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The drive provides stunning views of the valley and the surrounding landscapes.

After covering approximately 65km and driving for 2-3 hours, you will reach Samye. You will visit the first Buddhist monastery built in Tibet, Samye Monastery. You can appreciate the monastery's architectural beauty and experience a spiritual moment there. After exploring the monastery, you will get to your Hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day ten is the final day in Lhasa. Early in the morning, after breakfast, you will drive to Lhasa's Gonggar Airport to return to Kathmandu. It is a 2 2-hour drive from Samye Tsedang to Gonggar Airport. You will check in for Kathmandu's flight at the airport. An hour of aerial flight, with a bird's-eye view of the stunning landscape of Tibet and Nepal, takes you to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Upon landing, we will pick you up and drop you off at your Hotel. Your dinner and night stay are at the Kathmandu Hotel.

The eleventh day marks the final day of your journey to Nepal. On this day, you will fly back to your homeland. We will pick you up from your Hotel and drop you off at the airport for your flight. However, you can stay and participate in other adventures if you have more time. If you don't have time, we must say goodbye with a heavy heart. Have a safe flight!