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Example Itinerary

Unlocking Tibetan Spiritual Secrets: A Journey to Nam Tso Lake and Tidrum

Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Spirituality, Heritage
Destinations
Tibet

Those who wish to take a closer look at Tibetan spirituality will love this itinerary, designed to satisfy such curiosities. Starting in what is known as the center of Tibetan Buddhism, Lhasa, the journey will take you from the city’s great spiritual sites, including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and more, to the holy waters of Namtso Lake. You’ll continue onwards to Tidrum, stopping in important monasteries and nunneries along the way. You’ll wind up your journey once again in Lhasa, where you can spend a final night at the luxurious St. Regis hotel.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Namtso Lake: The "Heavenly Lake" is known for its pure blue water as much as the local legends, which claim the saltwater pool is home to dragons.
  • Spirituality: Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, and Drepung Monastery are just a few of the significant spiritual sites travelers will visit in Tibet.
  • Medicinal Hot Springs: The steaming waters of Tidrum Valley are said to cure ailments such as arthritis, stomach ulcers, sores, and scabies, among many other health problems.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Map ▲

Lhasa »

Arrive in Tibet’s capital, Lhasa, where you’ll be greeted and driven to your luxurious hotel. Along the way, you’ll enjoy your first view of Potala Palace - an important religious site for Tibetans. Once you’re all checked in to your room, you may enjoy spending the rest of the day at your leisure to acclimatize to the altitude. 

Hotel Options

Day 2

Map ▲

Lhasa »

Wake up this morning and enjoy a pleasant breakfast at your hotel. Next, you’ll head out into the city, where you’ll start your sightseeing tour with Potala Palace, the one-time home of the Dalai Lama. Continue onwards to Barkhor Square, a bustling pilgrimage site made up of busy, cobbled lanes. Finish off your tour with Jokhang Temple, considered by many Tibetans to be their country’s most important and sacred temple. 

Lhasa
Lhasa

Day 3

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Lhasa »

For your final day of touring in Lhasa, you’ll visit the magnificent Sera Monastery, home to hundreds of monks from all over Tibet. Continue your spiritual exploration to Drepung Monastery, which was once the mother temple of Dalai Lamas. If you like, we can also arrange a visit to a local Tibetan family’s house. Alternatively, you may choose to receive sacred blessings from high Lamas.

Day 4

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Namtso Lake »

Now that you’re acclimatized to the altitude of the plateau, you’ll take a journey over the northern nomadic grassland, driving along the Qinghai-Tibet highway, where you’ll merge into the Changthang-Northern nomadic plain. From here, you’ll cross the Legan La Pass, 5,190 meters above sea-level. Now you’ll get your first sighting of Namtso Lake, believed by local families to house dragons. If you feel up to it, take a walk around the pilgrimage trail around the hill, fringed by mani-stone walls and mystical caves. Spend the night at a simple but comfortable local guesthouse.

Hotel Options
Namtso Lake
Namtso Lake

Day 5

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Mt. Gangi Rarwa Base

Today you’ll embark on a journey off-the-beaten-path, deep into the alpine valleys. You’ll pass isolated villages and nomadic tents, before arriving at Reting Monastery. This historically-important monastery is nestled amongst juniper trees, at the base of Mt Gangi Rarwa. Spend another night at a simple guesthouse.

Hotel Options

Day 6

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Tidrum Valley

Hit the road again today, tracing the Reting river. You’ll pass Kampa stupas along the way, with beautiful scenes as their backdrop. The Tidrum valley is replete with prayer flags, and famous for its medicinal hot springs. Pay a visit to the nunnery, before checking in to a local guesthouse and resting your head for the night.

Hotel Options
Tidrum Valley
Tidrum Valley

Day 7

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Lhasa »

You’ll head to Drigung monastery today, perched on a cliff 4,150 meters above sea-level, towering over the valley below. You’ll also see Gandan Monastery, also perched high in the sky - this one, at the top of Wangbur Mountain. You’ll then journey back to Lhasa today, where you can check in to your hotel once again, ahead of tomorrow’s departure.

Hotel Options
Lhasa
Lhasa

Day 8

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Departure

Today you’ll check out and be transported by your guide and driver to the airport in time for your departure flight to your onward destination. 

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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