5 days Lhasa Tour with Drak Yerpa Meditation Caves

Upon your arrival at Lhasa airport or train station, you will be greeted by your Tibetan guide, from airport to Lhasa city is 68km, around an hour drive will take you to the holy city Lhasa. Driving along the 

Brahmaputra river and Lhasa river, you will not only amazed by the spectacular plateau scenery but also have a chance to see flocks of black-necked crane, wild duck and many other kind of wild birds, if you are not tired, stop at Nethang Giant Buhhda caving on the way. If you take the train to Lhasa, normally you will arrive in the late afternoon or evening, 20 minutes drive will take you to your hotel in Lhasa city. Check into hotel, have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude. Overnight at Lhasa.

Today is your first day of sightseeing on the high plateau, so we have purposely arranged only Drepung monastery in the morning and Sera Monastery in the afternoon.  Both Drepung and Sera 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 10,000 monks hailed from different monasteries all over Tibet. Sera monastery is famous for its Buddhism philosophical debate practice (Not available on Sunday), the clapping sound and aggressive expression of the monks are well worth to see. Overnight at Lhasa.

After one and half day day acclimatization of the high altitude in Lhasa city,  today you will be arranged to visit Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace. Jokhang temple is Tibet's most scared shrine built in 7th century, located at the heart of old town of Lhasa and the circuit around it called Barkhor street. 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 entire Tibetan world, multitudinous pilgrims are circumambulating and prostrating in their strong faith. After the sightseeing your guide will take you to drink the Tibetan sweet tea at once sweet tea shop near Barkhor, afterwards you can freely walk around the Barkhor street. Overnight at Lhasa.

Today you will make an excursion tour to visit Drak Yerpa Caves, it is a sacred cave complex located on the hillside of a mountain near Lhasa. It holds deep historical and religious importance as it is believed that renowned Tibetan spiritual figures like Guru Rinpoche and Yeshe Tsogyal meditated in these caves. Considered one of the holiest cave retreats in the region, Drak Yerpa attracts pilgrims and visitors who seek its serene atmosphere and breathtaking views of the surrounding valley. Even today, you can still find monks and nuns engaged in meditation practices within these caves. During the winter season, Drak Yerpa Caves become a significant pilgrimage destination for local devotees in Lhasa.

In the afternoon, you will return to Lhasa, where you will have the privilege to visit a local Tibetan family, gaining insight into their way of life and experiencing their warm hospitality. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Your guide and driver will see you off at the airport or train station, end of the trip.