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8 Days Private Tour Lhasa – Tsurpu – Damxung - Nam Tso – Damxung - Lhasa
In Lhasa - the capital city of Tibet - we have two days for the attractions: Potala, Jokhang, Norblinka and Sera. And from Parla Lupu Monastery we'll enjoy the magnificent view of Potala Palace. We could circle around the Tibetan holiest Monastery Jokhang with pilgrims, who come from all over Tibet and the Tibetan cultural areas of Kham-Amdo of the provinces of Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan. Many pious Tibetans measure the way on the Barkhor market with their body length.
Then drive from Lhasa to Damxung (Dangxiong), where we will stay two days to enjoy the fascinating horse racing festival. In the Tibetan language, Damgxung Horse Racing Festival is also called “Damg Jiren” Festival. “Damg” means Damgxung, “Jiren” means a ceremony of praying. Therefore, it is not just for horse racing and commodity exchanging, but it is also a religious activity for praying harvest. In the beginning, the Tibetans will pull out their horses to join the competition and purchase the stuff they want. Afterwards, the leader of the tribes invited Lamas to chant scripture and pray for the next year before holding the feast.
Finally it takes us to the Tibetan sacred lake Nam Tso to enjoy the nice soft hiking at Tashi Dorie peninsula.
Highlights
Tibet Tour during Horse Racing Festival in Damxung 2020
DAY
1

Arrive in Lhasa

Welcome in Tibet – the roof of the world

Today arrive in Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet, transfer to hotel. Stay at the hotel for adapting to the high altitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel
Pilgrims in front of Jokhang Monastery
Pilgrims in front of Jokhang Monastery
DAY
2

Lhasa

Potala Palace – landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang and Barkhor Street

In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel
Breakfast
Potala Palace
Potala Palace
DAY
3

Lhasa

Panoramic view over Potala, Norbulingka, Debate in Sera

In the morning visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain, was built in the 7th century. It is 22m high and from here you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala palace. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. The "Buddhism Scriptures Debate" in Sera is very famous.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel
Breakfast
Debate in Sera Monastery
Debate in Sera Monastery
DAY
4

Lhasa - Tsurpu - Damxung

Tsurpu Monastery, the main monastery of the Karma Kagyu sect

In the morning drive to Damxung (Dangxiong) along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. On the way detour to Tsurpu Monastery (4300 m), 60 km northwest of Lhasa on the upper reaches of the river Tsurpu. Tsurpu Monastery is the main monastery of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Tsurpu was established in 1189 by Duesum Khyenpa, a pupil of Gampopa and the first Karmapa. He introduced the principle of reincarnation into Tibet. He told his disciples that he would reincarnate and pointed out the location of the second Karmapas reborn. In contrast to Yellow Caps (Gelug) the Karmapa Kagye are regarded as the Black Hat. Visit the Tsurpu Monastery, if time is available, hike on the pilgrim's way around the monastery (about 1 hour).

210 km
4 hours 6 minutes
Overnight at 2*Baima Hotel
Breakfast
Tsurpu Monastery
Tsurpu Monastery
DAY
5

Horse Racing Festival in Damxung

Beginning of horse racing festival

The annual Damxung (Dangxiong) Horse Racing Festival held every August is quite an occasion to admire the natural landscape and folk customs of the grassland in northern Tibet. It starts on every July 10th of Tibetan calendar, lasts three days. In fact, the festival is done for the good harvest, the commodity fair and the entertainment. Gradually, Tibetan religious culture and politics permeate the festival.

Overnight at 2*Baima Hotel
Breakfast
Damxung Horse Racing Festival
Damxung Horse Racing Festival
DAY
6

Horse Racing Festival in Damxung

Horse Racing Festival

Today continue on the incredible passion of horse racing festival in Damxung, enjoy the exciting contest of horse racing, those young Tibetans (12 to 20) will show you their superb equestrian.

Overnight at 2*Baima Hotel
Breakfast
Damxung Horse Racing Festival
Damxung Horse Racing Festival
DAY
7

Damxung - Nam Tso Lake - Lhasa

Sunrise of Nam Tso and Nyenchentangla. Walking by Nam Tso

In the early morning drive from Damxung town and over the 5,150-meter Lhachen La to the Nam Tso (or Tengri Nor, heaven lake in Mongolian) at Tashi Dorie peninsula, enjoy the splendid sunrise of the holy lake Nam Tso and the holy mountain Nyenchentangla, if the weather is fine. Nam Tso, the biggest salty lake of Tibet, is 70 kilometers long from east to west and 30 kilometers wide from north to south, covering an area of 1,920 square kilometers with an altitude of 4,700 meters above sea level. It is said the holy lake and the holy mountain Nyenchentangla are a couple of lovers, who altogether guard the vast pasture and cattle. Explore the Tashi peninsula by walking around the holy hill, the cliffs of which have eroded over the centuries. On the way piles of mani stones stand. Also visit the nomads in yak hair tents who have been living on the pastures between the holy Nam Tso and Nyenchentangla. In the afternoon drive back to Lhasa.

289 km
5 hours 50 minutes
Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel
Breakfast
Nam Tso and Nyenchentangla
Nam Tso and Nyenchentangla
DAY
8

Leave Tibet

Travel to next destination

Today transfer to airport or railway station, leave Tibet.
Breakfast
Barkhor Street
Barkhor Street
Tailor-make this tour

This trip can also be tailor-made, please let us know your travel idea: travel date, duration, number of travelers, child (2 - 12 years old), baby (0 - 2 years old), other travel destinations, meals, accommodation category, boutique hotel, special interest ...

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Private travel, great experiences! Please contact us for your tailor-made travel offer.

With individual China Tibet travel, you can decide when, where and how you go on tour by yourself. What's more, you can choose the length of travel and whom you go with.

Information
Hotel, program and itinerary are subjected to change with prior notice.
We must point out that you counter a basic tourism infrastructure in this region. You stay overnight mostly at simple hotel/guesthouse. Long journeys on bad roads and on high altitude and delays require good physical fitness, resilience and flexibility of the participants. Program and route changes due to unforeseen events are expressly reserved. If you desire the unknown and have an understanding of contingency, this is the right trip for you.
More Impressions
Barkhor Street | Foto por Liu Bin
Barkhor Street | Foto por Liu Bin
Jokhang Temple | Foto por Liu Bin
Debate in Sera Monastery | Foto por Liu Bin
Norbulinka | Foto por Liu Bin
Potala Palace | Foto por Liu Bin
Tsurpu Monastery | Foto por Liu Bin
Tashi Monastery by Nam Tso | Foto por Liu Bin
Nam Tso and Nianqingtanggula Mountain | Foto por Liu Bin
Nam Tso | Foto por Liu Bin
Nam Tso | Foto por Liu Bin
Nam Tso | Foto por Liu Bin