Full day guided sightseeing tour in LHASA including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Bazaar, AM: Visit Potala Palace. It is one of the most famous architectural works of Tibet and stands on the top of the Red Hill in Lhasa. The term Potala comes from Sanskrit. In the 7th century, it was built for meditational purpose. It was the Dalai Lama’s winter palace. Its white part used to be for the administrative purpose and the red part for the religious purpose. PM: Visit Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Bazaar Jokhang Temple is situated at the centre of the old part of Lhasa called Barkhor. It was built in the mid-7th century and was later extended by the successive rulers. It is a four storied temple with splendid golden roofs. It has a combination of architecture of Tang Dynasty & Nepalese Buddhist temples. It is just like the central Buddhist cathedral. Barkhor Bazaar is the downtown market area just outside and around Jokhang Temple. It is the main Tibetan bazaar which has been able to sustain Tibetan culture & heritage until today. This bazaar is good for shopping and eating out and also mixing with the local Tibetan people.

AM: Visit Drepung Monastery. It is situated five km away to the western suburb of Lhasa city at the foot of Mt Ganpoi Uze. It was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choje, a disciple of Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelugpa sect in Tibet. The monastery occupying 250,000 square meter with a one time 7,700 monks is the biggest one in Tibet. It maintains plentiful of historical relics, Buddhist scriptures, arts and crafts. PM: Visit Sera Monastery. Sera is one of the Gelugpa’s six great monasteries in Tibet. It was founded in 1419. The complex today, a veritable monastic city, occupies a site of nearly 12 hectre. Sera, like Ganden & Drepung Monasterie, was a vital center of religious activity that drew students from the far corners of Tibet. In its heyday, it boasted over 5,000 monks and novices. In fact, Sera is one of the best preserved monasteries in Tibet. The debating monks are the worth seeing sight organized everyday in the afternoon in the garden of Sera Monastery.

Scenic drive to Xigatse, the west of Lhasa through the northern route. The drive is scenic as the road drives along the picturesque valley and gorges made by the Brahmaputra river (Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibetan). Overnight at hotel.

Morning sightseeing to the Panchen Lama’s Tashilhumpu Monastery. It is the most beautiful monastery in Tibet, it is believed. It was founded in 1417. The most amazing in this monastery is the giant statue of the Maitreya (the future Buddha)(26 metre in height and 275 Kg pure gold with many more invaluable jewels) erected by the 9th Panchen Lama in 1914 and took 4 years for its completion. Fourth Panchen Lama’s funeral stupa was also built inside the monastery in 1662 which is one of the major attractions in the monastery. Afternoon, scenic drive to Gyantse (1½ hrs) through the beautiful mustard farmland and visit to the Kumbum Stupa & Phalkor Monastery. Overnight at hotel. The famous Kumbum Stupa, a combination of pagoda and stupa arts, stands with nine floors with its 108 doors and 77 chapels containing clay sculptures and various murals. The pagoda is said to have 100,000 images of the Buddha either sculptured or painted. Phalkor monastery is the next door monument to the Kumbum Stupa. It was founded in 1418. Its role is unique on the Buddhism in Tibet as it represents all the three sects of Tibetan Buddhism: Gelugpa, Sakkyapa and Bhuton.

Full day picturesque drive crossing over Karo La (pass of 5,010 m), Kamba La (pass of 4,794 m), colorful Yamdroke Lake (lake with turquoise colour water) and continue scenic drive along the Tibetan lifeline river Brahma Putra on to Tsedang – Overnight at hotel.

Morning drive to Samye by crossing the bridge over the Brahmaputra River. Explore Samye Monastery and drive back to Tsedang. Late afternoon, visit Yumbulakhang & also Thandruk Monastery (Time permitting) – Overnight at hotel. Samye Monastery is the first 8th century Buddhist monastery built in Tibet. It was founded by the King Trisiong Detsen with Padmasambhava (Guru from India) and belongs to the Nyingmapa and Sakyapa sects. The construction consists of three styles, namely the Han, the Tibetan and the Indian. It has been constructed in the madala https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala shape in an isolated part of Tibet across the Brahmaputra river. Yumbulakhnag is said to be the first palace in Tibetan history and built in the 2nd century. Statues of the three periods of the Buddha and Tibetan kings are enshrined in the palace. The view of the Tsedang valley from the top of the Lakhang is magnificent. Thandruk Monastery was built in the 7th century as a small copy of Jokhang in Lhasa. Together with Jokhang and Samye, it was one of Trisong Detsen’s three royal temples, as well as one of the 12 monasteries built by Songtsen Gampo. It is one of the principal shrines in the Yarlung Valley.

After breakfast, scenic drive (2 hrs) to Gongaar airport for departure flight to Kathmandu or towards your onward destination.