8 days Tibet Nagchu Horse Racing Festival tour

Upon arrival at Lhasa airport or train station, to be met and transferred to your hotel in Lhasa. Then have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude. Overnight at Lhasa. B=breakfast

Today you will visit Jokhang temple and Potala Palace. Jokhang temple is the most sacred shrine in Tibet which was built in the 7th century and located at the heart of old town in Lhasa, the circuit around it called Barkhor street, which is a good place to purchase souvenirs. Potala Palace is the worldwide known cardinal landmark of Tibet. The massive structure itself contains a small world within it. Mostly it is renowned as residence of the Dalai Lama lineages (Avalokiteshvara). Both of them are the focal points of pilgrims from the entire Tibetan world, multitudinous pilgrims are circumambulating and prostrating in their strong faith. Overnight at Lhasa.

Today we will visit Drepung monastery in the morning and Sera monastery in the afternoon. Both monasteries are Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect monastic colleges. Drepung monastery was the seat of the Government prior to Potala, it was once the world largest monastery in the history with 7,700 monks hailed from different monasteries all over Tibet. Sera monastery is famous for its Buddhism philosophical debate practice, the clapping sound and aggressive expression of the monks are well worth to see. Overnight at Lhasa.

Today you will have about 3-4 hours pleasant drive to Namtso Lake, the driving will be in the vast northern Tibetan grassland, with magnificent views of the Nyenchen Thanglha snow mountain ranges. Pass by Damxung town, you will cross the high pass Largen-la [5190m], where you will have the first view of Namtso lake. It is one of the highest and spectacularly beautiful lakes in Tibet. It is also the highest altitude saltwater lake in the world. The water here is crystal-clear blue. In Tibetan, Namtso means 'Heavenly Lake', considered one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Upon arrival, you will have time to freely explore the lake and enjoy the glory of the sunset over the lake. Overnight at Namtso Lake local guesthouse.

Enjoy the sunrise over the lake if the weather permits, free walk around to enjoy the peaceful moment before the flood tourists arrive. Afternoon head to Nagchu by driving in the vast Qiangtang grassland. Nagchu is the political and cultural center of the Northern Tibet, the annual Horse race festival is an important folk festival here. Overnight at Nagchu local hotel or guesthouse. 

Today you will attend the Horse Racing Festival. The festival, held in August, the best time of the year, is attended by tens of thousands of herders coming on horseback from as far as hundreds of kilometers away. Dressing themselves and their finest horse, thousands of herdsmen participate in the thrilling horse race, archery, and horsemanship contest. Other folk activities and commodity fairs are also held. Overnight at Nagchu local guest house or tent guest house.

Morning attends the Horse Racing Festival, afternoon drive back to Lhasa. Overnight at Lhasa.

Morning Lhasa airport or train station dropping off, end the trip.