5 days Splendid Lhasa Tour with Ganden Monastery

B=breakfast

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 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 continues acclimatize for rest of the day or your can walk around the Barkhor street. Overnight at Lhasa.

Today you will be arranged to visit Drepung in the morning and Sera monasteries 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, the clapping sound and aggressive expression of the monks are well worth to see. Overnight at Lhasa.

Morning drive about 60 km eastward to Ganden Monastery, which ranks the first among the six largest monasteries of Gelugpa (Yellow hat sect). In addition to its magnificent architecture and religious importance, there is a extremely fabulous view on top of the Ganden Wangpo Hill, and Kichu valley is behind Ganden monastery, it is strongly suggested to hiking around the monastery and take a bird's-eye view of the valley. Afternoon drive back to Lhasa, you have time to shop souvenirs to your family and friends. Overnight at Lhasa.

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