Discover the Roots of Tibetan Culture, the Cradle of Civilization

Your guide will welcome you when you reach Lhasa, be it by plane or train. Along the way, you can view the Yarlung Tsangpo River (the longest and widest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River.

At Potala Square, you can capture mesmerizing photos of the area, with the fountains of several colors adding an extra charm to the spot. New visitors in Tibet are advised to take it easy and let their body adjust to the high altitude before exploring more of Lhasa City. A good rest in your hotel is surely recommended.
Accommodation: Ganggyen Hotel (4 Star)

This tour will first take you to the Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai lama since the 7th century. It houses invaluable collections such as gilded burial stupas and a meditation Cave.

Following lunch, visitors can explore Jokhang Temple which dates back to when it was constructed by the 33rd king of Tibet. Inside is a statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at twelve years old and outside pilgrims prostrate before it. Surrounding the temple one finds Barkhor street, where one can take part in kora with others, as well as an old market.
Accommodation: Ganggyen Hotel (4 Star)

In the morning, you'll be headed to Drepung Monastery, one of the "great three" Gelug monasteries located in Tibet, founded back in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. Besides visiting the largest kitchen inside the monastery, you'll get to experience Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.

A hot attraction at Sera Monastery is the Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. It is another of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. You can also visit the Tibetan religious scripture printing house, which has three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Paintings of Buddha inside the monastery.
Accommodation: Ganggyen Hotel (4 Star)

Today we will take a drive to the Ganden Monastery, located approximately 60 kilometers east of Lhasa. It is among the famous “Great Three” Gelugpa monasteries of Tibet popularly built by Great Tsongkhapa in 1409.

While you relish mesmerizing sights of the Kyichu River, you can also appreciate scenic view of Splendid monastery complex while driving up to Ganden on a serpentine mountain road. Later, visitors can explore chapels of Genden and pay homage at the tomb of Tsongkhapa, founder of Gelugpa Sect. We will also visit Tibetan famer's village later.

If possible and weather permitting, you can even choose to hike around Gaden Kora with guide, getting an overview of huge Kychi Valley from a close distance.
Accommodation: Ganggyen Hotel (4 Star)

It takes around four hours to Shan'nan (Tsedang) and along the way, we can take a stop by the Brahmaputra River. Once we have our permit in hand, we will check out Trandruk Monastery, which dates back to the 7th century and is exceptionally similar to Jokhang Temple. Inside, you'll find an ancient Tara embroidery made with 29,000 pearls.

Later on in the day, we can visit Yumbulakhang, the oldest existing building as well as first fort in Tibet- whose structure is unique for the region.
Accommodation: Hotel in Tsedang

We will visit the Samye monastery in the morning. It is the first monastery in Tibet. The complex has been designed in the shape of a mandala to resemble the universe's structure.

After visiting the monastery, we will go up the Hepo Ri Hill, where Padma Sambhava subdued the demons centuries ago and helped establish Buddhism in Tibet. There is a splendid view of Samye, the Brahmaputra river, and the surrounding valley from the hill.
Accommodation: Hotel in Tsedang

We are driving to the airport or to the train station today. Samye is approximately 3 hours away from the airport and 4 hours away from the train station.