Day 02, Sun: Lhasa
Today will be spent exploring palaces. First on the list is the world famous Potala Palace. The palace of the Dalai Lama, a treasure of the Tibetan culture, was the seat of both religion and politics in Tibet until 1965 and is the single most important building in all Tibet. It was built in the seventh century by Tsongtsen Gampo as a fort and renovated to its present specifications in the seventeenth century by the fifth Dalai Lama. Our next stop is Norbulingkha, the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama construction of which was finished in the 18th century. Norbulingkha was the Summer Palace of successive Dalai Lamas since the 7th century. On display here are many personal possessions of 14th Dalai Lama. (B, D)

Day 03, Mon: Lhasa
Today we visit the Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in the world, which once housed 10,000 monks and nuns. It was built in 1419 and the 2nd - 4th Dalai Lamas lived and were entombed here. Our next stop is the Jokhang Temple. Jokhang Temple was built in 647 AD and remains the spiritual and Holy Center for all Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. It is the holiest shrine in Tibet and houses a golden statue of the Buddha that was brought to Tibet by the Chinese princess "Wen Chen". We then stop off at Barkhor Bazaar outside the Jokhang Temple. Barkhor, the oldest street in Lhasa, encircles the Jokhang Temple and reflects the typical Tibetan life-magical, full of mystery and wonder. This is a bustling flea market and is, generally, the place to buy souvenirs and meet other tourists. (B, D)

Day 04, Tue: Lhasa / Gyangtse (drive 260 kms / 157 mi)
We enjoy the interesting landscape as we drive to Gyangtse via Yamdrok Tso which literally means, "Turquoise Lake", crossing Karola Pass.
In the afternoon we arrive to Gyangtse and then proceed to our hotel. After a short rest in the hotel, we visit the Palkhor Monastery, the only monastery that houses monks from different orders (Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Kahdampa) in harmony. Palkhor also features its Bodhi stupa, or Kumbum, which consists of hundreds of chapels in layers, housing about a hundred thousand images of Buddha. After our visits we take a stroll through Gyangtse Old Street.
Overnight: Hotel Gyangtse (1 night) (B, D)

Day 05, Wed: Gyangtse / Shigatse (drive 90 kms / 55 mi)
Morning, we proceed to Shigatse to see Shalu Monastery and the famous Tashilunpo Monastery. This is the official seat of the Panchen Lama who is second in importance only to the Dalai Lama. The monastery itself was built in 1447 by Gendun Drup and once housed upward of 3400 monks. Of particular interest in the monastery is the 2.75 meter / 9 foot statue of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future.
Overnight: Hotel Shigatse in Shigatse (1 night) (B, D)

Day 06, Thu: Shigatse / Tingri (drive 260 kms / 160 mi)
Today we are continuing our tour thru Tibet and driving to Tingri. We visit Xedar Dzong Monastery and stop at Lalung La pass. On the way, visit 'Second Dunhuang', the Sakya Monastery, which holds plenty of murals and statues of Yuan Dynasty and has the largest collection of Buddhist sutras in Tibet. Arrive in Tingri and stay in the best hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Chomologma in Tingri (1 night) (B, D)

Day 07, Fri: Tingri / Dzhangmu (drive 230 kms / 140 mi)
After leaving New Tingri there are great views of Mt. Everest. This is a beautiful scenic drive as the road cuts trough the Himalayas and we see the dramatic changes in the vegetation and landscape, truly amazing.
Overnight: Hotel Dzhangmu (1 night) (B, D)

Day 08, Sat: Dzhangmu / Kathmandu (drive 123 kms / 75 mi)
We cross border between China and Nepal over the Friendship Bridge and bid farewell to Tibet after our magnificent and enchanting journey.
Cross the Bridge on foot to Kodari and after immigration, a scenic drive leads us to Kathmandu.
Overnight: Hotel Annapurna in Kathmandu (1 night) (B, D)

Day 09, Sun: Kathmandu
After breakfast we are transferred to the airport for our flight home. (B)

This tour combines perfectly with our Himalayan Sanctuaries tour.