Through the previous years I made many journeys to China and every time I needed to go to Tibet. It was throughout my China journey along with my son in 2015 that lastly I visited Tibet. I began with him within the Yunnan province the place we spend 14 days after which we continued for 7 full days to Tibet. With a half day earlier than and after for arrival and departure making it 7 in complete for our Tibet itinerary. To go to Tibet there are some things to remember and on this article I offers you some sensible suggestions. I can even share with you my itinerary which doesn’t embrace the arrival and departure day. Benefit from the roof high of the world with me.
Tibet itinerary day 1: The Jokhang Temple
The Jokhang Temple is probably the most sacred place of the Tibetans and the middle of Buddhism in Tibet. Inside you will note a maze of corridors and small prayer rooms whereas butter candles are burning in every single place giving the air a really specific scent. It must be visited with a information as he can clarify all you wish to know. After the go to to the temple the information left us so we may go discover extra across the Jokhang Temple by ourselves. It’s a phenomenal space to look at the Tibetan pilgrims. A great begin of a Tibet itinerary and to get even higher used to the altitude.
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TIBET – My first expertise in Lhasa: a half day on the Jokhang Temple
Tibet itinerary day 2: Drepung and Sera monastery
Each the Drepung and the Sera monastery are situated on the outskirts of Lhasa. They kind an ideal day journey firstly of a Tibet itinerary because the altitude doesn’t improve to a lot. Within the morning it’s finest to begin on the Drepung Monastery as on the Sera Monastery within the afternoon the monks will debate. You shouldn’t miss that half! Each monasteries are one of many three important Gelukpa monasteries in Tibet. A go to to every lasts about 3 hours and the spotlight of the day is to see the monks debating on the Sera Monastery.
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TIBET – Drepung and Sera monastery in Lhasa with monks debating
Tibet itinerary day 3: Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier and Samding Monastery
The third day marked the primary journey outdoors of Lhasa which is not possible to do and not using a information and driver. The drive to Yamdrok lake is a really scenic drive by a protracted street of hairpins. It’s one of many three largest holy lakes in Tibet. The surroundings is in contrast to another I had seen earlier than. Snow-capped mountain tops at a distance and clear blue waters of the lake within the entrance. Simply handed the lake is the Karola Glacier at an altitude of over 4330 meters. I felt the air getting extra skinny there however it was bearable. After the glacier I visited the Samding Monastery which isn’t visited by many vacationer and offers a peak into the extra native lifetime of the monasteries. One tip: ask the information to take you to a neighborhood restaurant and never one of many vacationer locations. It was a protracted day however properly value it.
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TIBET – Yamdrok Lake tour from Lhasa and the Karola Glacier and Samding Monastery
Tibet itinerary day 4: Ganden Monastery and Drak Yerpa
The Ganden Monastery is the pinnacle of the Gelugpa motion inside Buddhism in Tibet. It’s situated at a excessive altitude over 4000 meters. If you’re as much as it, it’s doable to stroll across the mountain high however as I had additionally Drap Yerka and a neighborhood village as stops in the present day I couldn’t stroll it. The monastery accommodates the tomb of the founder which is roofed in gold. It was additionally fascinating to see the printing of Buddhist texts. Drak Yerpa predates the Tibetan Buddhist motion and is alleged to be the oldest meditation web site in Tibet. It consists of an unlimited quantity of meditation caves and never an enormous monastery like the opposite locations. After the go to I visited a neighborhood small Tibetan city simply down the street.
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TIBET – A day journey from Lhasa to Ganden Monastery and Drak Yerpa
Tibet itinerary day 5: Namtso Lake
Namtso Lake is among the different three giant holy lakes of Tibet. This 20-65-million-year previous lake is a 5 hour drive away from Lhasa. Sure; it’s value to go for a day journey as you want simply 2-3 hours on the web site. You possibly can’t stroll round it; you may take a look at it. Snow-capped mountains encompass the lake which really don’t look tall however you rapidly neglect you’re already standing at 4500 meters excessive. There are alternatives to remain in a single day there however until you journey additional into Tibet I recommend to make the day journey. The go simply earlier than the lake at 5190 meters’ excessive was the best level I visited throughout this journey. It’s fairly robust at such altitudes. The scenic drive is a phenomenal one already making it value to go.
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TIBET – A day journey to the holy Namtso lake from Lhasa
Tibet itinerary day 6: Potala Palace and minor temples
The Potala Palace is the icon of Tibet on the rooftop of the world and possibly recognized to most vacationers. Its development began within the 17th century on the highest of a 7th century previous basis. Guests are restricted and also you do must go by a information to see the Potala Palace. It’s a phenomenal a part of the Buddhist tradition in Tibet and along with the Jokhang Temple a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. It’s finest visited within the morning after which you’ll, alone or with information, discover another small temples scattered in Lhasa. Don’t neglect to drink buttermilk on the nunnery.
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TIBET – A day in Lhasa: Potala Palace & minor temples
Sensible suggestions for visiting Tibet
To go to Tibet there are some things to remember as a result of a go to isn’t like each different nation. In the event you comply with the next sensible suggestions I’m positive you should have an excellent keep.
Tibet and China Visa
A visa is required for China. In the event you arrive to Tibet from China and return to China afterwards this isn’t a second entry to China. Tibet is taken into account a part of China thus a single entry visa for China will do. You then want a journey allow to enter Tibet. For the itinerary above a TTB (Tibet Tourism Bureau) allow is enough however in case you make a tour by Tibet different permits is perhaps required. Don’t worry as you can’t journey alone (see beneath) and your tour operator will handle all permits.
Tour information & unbiased journey
Impartial journey in Tibet isn’t doable besides in case you would keep solely in Lhasa. Even for a go to to Lhasa you’d require to rearrange the journey by a tour company who can even prepare for you the allow to enter Tibet. You possibly can, nonetheless, completely prepare the lodge your self as I did. I booked the Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise with loyalty factors whereas it was on the promotional checklist of IHG Rewards Membership. To offer this a worth: I paid roughly 15-20USD per evening together with breakfast for one of the best 5-star property in Tibet. Inside Lhasa you possibly can completely wander round alone however to go to for instance the Potala Palace you would want the information to enter with you. For journeys outdoors of Lhasa you require a information who will accompany you and deal with all of the examine factors. On the scenic spots you may then wander round your self with out information in case you favor. The character spots I visited with out information however the temples he joined to additionally give background info.
Altitude illness
Altitude illness is usually a significant issue in Tibet in case you are not used to the heights. I recommend so as to add minimal 2 days earlier than the journey to acclimatize until you go to different locations earlier than. As I visited the Yunnan province for nearly two weeks I acquired used to an altitude of about 2600 meters already. With Lhasa at 3600 meters this closing adjustment was very simple with out issues. In the event you nonetheless arrive from sea degree, please be aware of altitude illness. In the event you really feel sick, headache or dizziness than seek the advice of a health care provider instantly. Most resorts have oxygen chambers to make use of as Tibet has simply 40% of oxygen in comparison with sea degree.
Clothes and native customs
Relying of the season you journey you must convey heat clothes. I’m all the time scorching so even within the sunshine at 10-15 levels I can put on shorts. The most effective factor is to take layers so you may gown and take off garments when it’s too scorching. Whenever you go to temples be sure to gown modest. Don’t discuss politics with locals. Respect the Tibetans, even in case you suppose your way of life is best. In the event you respect, then you definitely in all probability get much more smiles in return.
The above itinerary for Tibet is simply an instance however it does cowl every little thing you are able to do from Lhasa with out staying in a single day. I wish to return at some point to Tibet and do an overland tour to Nepal. Possibly subsequent 12 months as I’ve already flights booked to Nepal however I’d change this to a 2 week Jordan street journey. I hope with these sensible suggestions you may plan your journey to Tibet rigorously. I’m positive you’ll get pleasure from and if in case you have questions on visiting Tibet or China don’t hesitate to ask them within the feedback beneath.
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