4 Days Lhasa Impression Tour
Tour Type: Private/ Small Group
Many people are afraid of the high altitude and thin air in Tibet and fear that travel in Tibet is not easy. This tour will change your mind! What we do is to make your tour as easy and comfortable as in any other place. Free suggestions for domestic transportation help you to connect Tibet with other destinations in China!
On this 4-day tour you will visit the most spectacular sites in Lhasa, such as Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and Jokhang Temple, and enjoy our professional service such as comfort oxygen-supplying hotel room, fresh fruit, unlimited bottled water, oxygen bottles…
- Sufficient oxygen whenever you want – oxygen-supplying hotel room and oxygen bottles arranged
- Immerse yourself in the exquisite chambers in the Potala Palace
- Join local people’s kora (circle for religion) on the Barkhor Street
- Make a wish and pray to the holiest golden statue of Sakyamuni in the Jokhang Temple
- Watch the monks debate at Sera Monastery
Inclusions
- Our 1-to-1 expert China consultancy with unlimited itinerary changes
- Booking of China internal flights, trains, and cruises, per your preferences
- Your own China-Highlights-trained, versatile and knowledgeable tour guide
- Your own chauffeured and comfortable vehicle, chosen for ample space
- Hand-picking of hotels for your requirements
- Hotel breakfasts arranged, and local restaurant lunches ordered, to suit you
- Entry to all attractions on your itinerary, with queues avoided wherever possible
- Our 24-7 helpline for while you are travelling
1. Tibet Travel Permit
You will need a Tibet Entry Permit. Its cost is included in the tour quotation. Send your passport and China visa copies to us 20 days in advance, and we will apply for your permit once you book a Tibetan tour with us.
In our experience, we can virtually guarantee to get your permit during times when Tibet is open to foreign travelers.
2. Altitude Sickness
Before your trip, ask your doctor for any suggestions in relation to altitude sickness and take some medicine with you, just in case. The most popular altitude medicine among foreigners is Acetazolamide/Diamox.
We recommend that during the first 2 days after arriving in Tibet, you should keep warm, avoid taking a bath, and refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol.
Drink plenty of water (more than 4 liters per day) before you go out and when you have reached a higher altitude, and eat lots of vegetables and carbohydrates. Slow down, even if you feel energetic. Moving slowly is the best way to avoid altitude sickness.
If you don’t feel well after entering Tibet, go and see a doctor as soon as possible. There are doctors in major hotels in Lhasa, and you can call your tour guide for help at any time. We offer a free oxygen bag in the car.
Guiding
Our English-speaking guides are natives of Tibet with good knowledge of Tibetan culture, history, and Buddhism. They are trained to offer a Western standard of service.
Customizing the Tour — According to Your Needs
This tour is very flexible. You can alter the itinerary, extending or shortening it to suit your price, interests, and schedule.
Day 1 - Arrive in Lhasa (elevation 3,650 m)
Morning flights to Lhasa are reliable and likely to be on time. We suggest you take a morning flight as then you can rest in the afternoon. Your local private driver and guide will be ready and waiting for you at Lhasa airport/train station. You will be transferred directly to your hotel in a comfortable, non-smoking business van. Enjoy some fresh fruit and relax in your oxygen-supplying room, get ready for tomorrow’s culture feast.
Good to know
To preempt altitude sickness, we suggest you have a good rest and do not get too excited. We have not arranged any activity for this first day of your trip, in order to give you time to acclimatize.
Day 2 - Lhasa: Norbulingka, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the beautiful hotel restaurant, which is surrounded by green plants and flowers, enchanting sunshine and birds singing.
Start your Lhasa tour at Norbulingka, which has plenty of plants and is full of oxygen. Here you can appreciate the beautiful gardens and see some local people going about their daily lives.
Enjoy a visit to Drepung Monastery. The huge Shoton Festival is held here at the beginning of August every year.
In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery, comprising a great sutra-chanting hall, a college and 32 sections. Watch the monks’ debate and enjoy their special “dance”.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
Note: Cameras are not allowed in the temples or in the debate field, but taking photos with a cell phone is ok. When entering a temple, please take off your hat and sunglasses to show respect, your shoulders should be covered, and you should not wear shorts. Walk clockwise when visiting Barkhor Street.
Day 3 - Lhasa: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
After the pleasant breakfast at the hotel, your guide and driver will be waiting at the lobby.
You will visit Jokhang Temple first. Watch religious pilgrims prostrating themselves at the front gate. Join local people’s kora (circle for religion) and stroll around Barkhor Street.
Explore Ani Tsankhung Nunnery — a quiet but active convent, where females study Buddhism. Have a chat with the nuns to find out more about their lives.
Have lunch at a local restaurant, which is famous for its Tibetan and Nepalese food.
In the afternoon, you will journey up to Tibet’s most famous landmark — Potala Palace. Enter the palace and see exquisite murals, decorated statues, and antiques. The red and white palace buildings under the pure blue sky constitute the most iconic picture of Tibet.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4 - Leave Lhasa
As your Lhasa trip comes to an end, your tour guide, driver and car will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport/train station for your next destination. Your guide will assist you with luggage and check-in, and see you off at the security check-point.
Meals included: Breakfast
Prices Start From
Service Includes
- 1-1 consultancy from an experienced travel expert
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling