Lhasa City Tour

A short, unhurried introduction to Lhasa, the holy city of Tibet, with time to acclimatize at 3650 m. You visit the Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, rising thirteen storeys above the city; the Jokhang Temple, Tibet's most sacred shrine, and the pilgrim circuit of the Barkhor around it. You also see Sera Monastery, where monks debate in the courtyard most afternoons, Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in the world, and the Norbulingka summer palace with its gardens. Tours can start with a flight from Kathmandu or by train or flight from mainland China. All foreigners need a Tibet Travel Permit arranged through a licensed Tibetan agency, plus a Chinese visa or visa-free eligibility; areas outside Lhasa need extra permits and a guide is compulsory. Tibet can close to foreign visitors at short notice, typically around February-March.

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   Day 1Arrive in Lhasa (3650 m)

   Meet your guide at the airport or railway station and transfer to your hotel. Rest to acclimatize.