12 Days Tibet Retreat Tour

Day 1: Arrival

After arriving at Gongkar Airport, you drive to Lhasa to check-in into the hotel. On your way, you’ll be visiting Nyethang Stone Crave Buddha.

Day 2: Lhasa Visit Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple

After your breakfast, you’ll be visiting Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple today. Jokhang Temple was built in the 7th century and is located just in front of your hotel. After that visit, the Barkor street and then Potala Palace - a winter palace of the Dalai Lama, built in the 7th century and is thirteen stories high with more than 100 rooms.

Day 3: Lhasa/Sightseeing, Drepung and Sera Monasteries

Today you visit Drepung and Sera Monasteries. Drepung Monastery is the largest in Tibet and was built in the 15th century. It is located on a hill offering an amazing view from the top. This monastery has four main colleges with several small and house chapels known as Khangtsen in the Tibetan language. Sera Monastery was founded in the 15th century and is the second largest in Tibet. There are three big colleges with small chapels and house chapels. The highlight of this monastery is to witness the debating monks, which takes place from 3-5 pm every day apart from Sunday.

Day 4: Lhasa/Ganden Monastery

The day starts with a drive to Gaden Monastery, which is the first monastery of the yellow hat sect founded in the 14th century. It is located up in a hill, offering you a view of quaint Tibetan villages on the way from Lhasa to the monastery. Once you’re done with the sightseeing, drive down to the campsite.

Day 5: Ganden Monastery/Drigungthil Monastery

After breakfast, drive to Digung Thil monastery that is known as the mother monastery of Dhigung Kagyupa sec and is has more than 600 years of history. After the sightseeing, you’ll drive to Tirdom nunnery, where there is a hot spring. Enjoy bath at this natural hot spring and then return to the campsite.

Day 6: Drigungthil- Ruthok-Olka

After breakfast, drive back to MedroGongkarcounty, and from there, you follow the main road to Nyingtri. Once you reach Ruthong hot spring, take a direct road to Olka. On the way, you witness this beautiful site of herds of sheep and yaks. Reach the campsite, have a tea break, and then visit OlkaCholung monastery. The monastery is founded in the 14th century and is the original Gelukpa hermitage. Further, you visit the most cared cave of Ozerpuk used by Tsongkapa for a long period of meditation. Walk back to the campsite, rest, relax, and enjoy the beautiful valley of Olka.

Day 7: Olka-Zangri Kangmar Monastery- Tsetang- SamyeMonastery, Yulong Hotel

Today you drive down in the Olka Valley, and during the journey, you stop for a visit to ZangriKangmar Monastery. The place was the residence of Yogini Machik Labdron in the 11th century. Continue your journey to Tsetang, have lunch after reaching there, and then visit Yumbu Lhakang and Tradruk Temple. After the sightseeing, you drive to Samye along the Brahmaputra River and reach Samye Monastery. Explore the region, and then drive back to the campsite.

Day 8: Samye-Mindroling- Dupud Chokor Monastery- Yamdrok Lake-Kangru Monastery

Wake up early in the morning, and participate in the monks' ceremony followed by a meditation session as you visit Samye Monastery. It is the first monastery in Tibet built in the 8th century. Then you start a hike to Hepori cave that offers a panoramic view of Samye Village and the monastery.

Continue your journey by driving along the Brahmaputra River and Darang County and reach Mindrolling Monastery. It is the second biggest Nyingmapa monastery in central Tibet. Next, you visit Dupu Chokor Monastery, and during the drive, you pass through small villages witnessing an amazing view of Yamdroklake and Kurla Gangotri. Drive down to the lakeshore, and after crossing Drangda Village, set a camp.

Day 9: Yamdrok Lake- Phurma Yumtso- Taglung- Ralung

After breakfast, drive along the Yamdroklake and enjoy the sight of beautiful villages. The journey takes you to Taglung, and then you cross a small pass to visit Phurma Yumtso Lake. Drive back to Taglung and visit Taglung Monastery, and then to Ralung Monastery. Ralung is a beautifully located Kagyupa Monastry and also offers a wonderful campsite in the summertime.

Day 10: Ralung- Gyangtse- Shigatse

Today you start your tour around 8:30 am from the campsite and drive to Gyangste. You reach there by afternoon, and after having lunch, visit Palchoe Monastery and Kubum Pagoda Stupa. Now continue your journey to Shigatse, passing one of the biggest farmland in Tibet. Later in the day, visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and the old market of Shigatse.

Day 11: Drive from Shigatse to Lhasa

Start your drive from Shigatse to Lhasa, where you stay in the hotel for a relaxing evening.

Day 12: Drive from Lhasa to Lhasa Gongkar Airport

The day is the last day of your Tibetan Retreat Tour. After breakfast, you leave for the airport for your flight back home.

• Accommodation as per itinerary during the trip
• Breakfast in hotel and full board meals during the trek
• Different kinds of snack/refreshments- biscuits, cheese, dried fruits, chocolates, etc.
• Monastery and Camp stay for an exclusive experience
• Transportation by minivan
• Entry fee to the sites and monasteries
• All required permits
• Local and experienced English speaking guide
• Cook and assistants with cooking essentials
• Yamdrol Lake conservation fee
• Karola Glacier conservation fee
• All Camping fee
• All Camping equipment except sleeping bag
• Oxygen in the car in case of emergency

• Airfare
• Visa Fee
• Sleeping Bag
• Lunch and Dinner during Hotel Stay
• Service of Nepal and Mainland China Side
• Travel or Medical Insurance
• Personal Expenses
• Tips
• Any extra expense in the case of landslides, etc.

• Reservation can be done as far as six months in advance
• They also offer the best possible customized itinerary
• Travel Insurance is necessary
• Best time to visit: All year