Day 01 Flight to Gonggar Airport of Lhasa and transfer to Tsedang (3,100m/10,168 ft)

Flight to Gonggar airport of Lhasa .Upon arrival, we will be met and greeted by our Tibetan guide and then we drive to Tsedang (120km/7.5miles, 1.5 hrs)- gateway town to the Yarlung Valley. Yarlung Valley is considered the cradle of Tibetan civilization and it was from Yarlung that early Tibetan kings unified Tibet in the 7th century. Upon arrival, we check in hotel and take rest for the acclimatization. Accommodation in a mid range hotel.

Day 02 Explore Yarlung Valley.

Today, we explore the historical and cultural sights of Yarlung Valley. We visit the ancient Trandruk Temple (7 km, 4.5 miles) which is one of the earliest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, contemporary to Jorkhang and Ramoche of Lhasa. At Tradruk, we will visit the courtyard area, ringed by cloisters, the principal chapel with statues of Tara or Drolma and 5 Dhyani Buddhas and a famous Thangka painting of Drolma in the chapel upstairs.

From Trandruk, we head south to Yumbulgang Palace (6km, 1.8 miles) which is a fine, tapering finger of a structure that pops up from a rocky ridge overlooking the patchwork of fields of the Yarlung Valley. We will visit the ground floor chapel consecrated to the ancient kings of Tibet and upper floor chapel with an image of Chenresig (Avalokityaswora) and we will also see some excellent murals depicting descent of Nyentri Tsenpo from heaven to Yumbulagang. We will walk up along the ridge above the building to enjoy fabulous views of Yarlung Valley.

Today, our next destination is Chongye Valley (approx 11 miles from Yumbulagang). At Chongye Valley, we visit the tombs of ancient Tibetan kings that give evidence of pre-Buddhist culture of Tibet assimilating with Buddhism. The most revered and the largest of the burial mounds is the Tomb of King Songtsen Gampo and it has a small Nyingmapa temple. Late afternoon, we retrace drive to Tsedang and time permitting, we can take chance to stop by Tangboche and Rechung-puk monasteries. Overnight hotel in Tsedang.

Day 03 Tsedang-Lhasa (Alt. 3,658m/12,193ft, 183km/122miles, 4 hrs)

After breakfast, we check out hotel and head out to Lhasa. About 27 miles from Tsedang, we stop and take ferry ride across the Yarlungdzangpo River and hitch hike to Samye Monastery-the first Buddhist Monastery in Tibet. Samye is famous for its sacred Mandala design: the central temple symbolizes the legendary Mount Meru, center of the universe. It is a popular pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Buddhists, some of whom travel on foot for weeks to reach this holy shrine.

We arrive Lhasa late afternoon. We check in hotel and after some rest, we can take self guided walk tour to Barkhor Street and Jorkhang Square. In the evening, we enjoy Tibetan folk dance program. Accommodation in a mid range hotel in Barkhor Area

Day 04 Shoton Festival celebration in Drepung Monastery and Lhasa sightseeing.

Today is the first day of the Shoton Festival and so we leave hotel early morning for Drepung Monastery to secure the best spot for watching festival. A giant Buddha Thangka will be displayed amidst an exciting atmosphere. We watch the festival activities for some time and as the festival activities move towards the center of the town, we will also follow them.

We will visit old Tibetan part of Lhasa and visit the The Jokhang Temple and Bakhor Street. Jorkhang is the most revered religious shrine in Tibet. In front of the entrance, we can see crowds of Tibetan pilgrims in prostrations. The temple houses the images and chapels of various Buddhist deities and gurus, including Tsongkhapa, eight Medicine Buddhas, Chenresig (Avalokiyataswara), Jamapa, Sakyamuni, King Songsten Gampo etc. We will take stroll around Barkhor, Lhasa’s most interesting kora (pilgrimage circuit), that encircles Jorkhang Temple. Barkhor is both the spiritual heart of the Holy City and the commercial hub for Tibetans. Accommodation in a mid range hotel in Barkhor Area

Day 05 Shoton Festival Celebration in Norbulingkha Palace and Lhasa sightseeing.

After breakfast, we head to Norbulingkha Garden to watch Tibetan opera performances and picnic with local Tibetans. We will also visit current (14th) Dalai Lama's summer palace, which is the most interesting of the Norbulingkha palaces. We will visit Dalai Lama’s audience chamber, private quarters and assembly halls. Later, we head to Sera Monastery-which is about 3 miles from central Lhasa. At Sera, we will visit the main assembly hall, its printing press and colleges of instructions. We will also take chance to attend the debating ceremony of monks. Accommodation in a mid range hotel in Barkhor Area

Day 06 Namtso Lake Excursion.

We leave Lhasa after an early morning breakfast. 58 miles from Lhasa, we stop briefly at Yangpachen hot spring. As we continue the trip to Namtso Lake (98 miles), we will be overwhelmed by the beauty of Qiang grassland and the views of Nyacheng Tanglha range. Namtso Lake is literally a heavenly lake, which is the second biggest salt lake in China as well as one of the highest lake in the world (15,573 ft).The lake is miraculous shade of turquoise and there are magnificent views of Nyenchen Tanghlha, with peaks more than 7000m(22,960ft), towering over to the lake. We will also see wide open grasslands with dotted with tents of local nomads. We return drive to Lhasa late afternoon. Accommodation in a mid range hotel in Barkhor Area

Day 07 Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse (13467ft, 160miles, 6 ½ hrs)

Today, we will drive on the roadways of high Tibetan plateau and head westwards Gyantse. As we cross Tsangpo Bridge, the road climbs to Kamba La pass(15, 700ft) from where we will enjoy the magnificent views of the Himalayas and also the dazzling views of Yamdrok Lake. Yamdrok Tso Lake is one of the four holy lakes of Tibet; legend has it that if the lake ever disappears, it will mark the end of Tibet. The road descends and follows the shores of the lake for more than 40 miles, making it the most scenic drive ever and again climbs up to Karo La pass (16, 500ft) before descending to Gyantse Valley. We will enjoy splendid views of the Himalayas and vast Tibetan plateau all along the way to Gyantse. Gyantse town, unlike Lhasa and Shigatse, still maintains its Tibetan characteristics. We check in hotel and take rest for the day. Accommodation in Gyantse or similar hotel.

Day 08 Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse (12,785ft, 57miles, 2 ½ hrs)

After breakfast, we will visit the Pelkor Chode and Kumbum Monastery which are the highlights of Gyantse City. Kumbum Stupa is the landmark of Gyantse and can be spotted from far away. If you are hiking enthusiast, you may also attempt to hike the historical fortress of Gyantse that fought war against British troops. View from the fortress over to the city just superb. From Gyantse, its less than 2 hrs drive to Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet. About 20 km before Shigatse, we take 4 km side trip of Shalu Monastery-the first of the major monasteries t o be built by noble families of the Tsang Dynasty during Tibet's great revival of Buddhism, and was an important center of the Sakya tradition. Upon arrival in Shigatse, we check in hotel and later take a relaxing walk through the Shigatse's Flea market which is a nice place for Tibetan souvenir bargain. Accommodation in Shigatse Manasarovara Hotel.

Day 09 Return drive to Lhasa (186miles, 7 hrs) (B)

After breakfast, we check out hotel. We visit the famous Tashilunbo Monastery before we hit the highway for journey back to Lhasa. Tashilunbo Monastery is the principal seat of Panchen Lama-the second most venerated religious leader of Tibet and one of the 6 major Gelugpa Monasteries of Tibet. For the return journey, we take the southern friendship highway that runs along the Yarlung Tsambo River. The road is rough and rehabilitation work is going on. If time permits and if you are not already templed out, we will stop by Yundrungling Monastery in Tradruk. Upon arrival in Lhasa, we check in hote and take rest for the day. Accommodation in mid range hotel in Barkhor area.

Day 10 Lhasa-Departure.

Transfer to Gonggar airport for flight to next destination.