A trip to the "Roof of the World" guarantees to be an amazing experience. The majestic moonlike landscape and the stunning cultures make this one of the world' s most alluring destinations. The 5-day tour covers the main highlights of Tibet, which are easy to access to visitors.

Lhasa, in the southeast part of Tibet, surrounded by colossal mountain ranges to the north and south, is the heart and soul of Tibet, its center of politics, economy, religion and culture. Not only the world famous symbol of the enigmatic power of politics and religion, the Potala Palace, is a great and breath-taking site of this city. Also for example the Jokhang Temple is an UNESCO site, the spiritual center and the holiest shrine of Tibet.

The beautiful highland region of Shigatse is located where the Yarlong Tsangpo River joins the Lichu river, in the southwest of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Its population consist of 16 nationalities which mainly inhabit the Brahmaputra valley with a few in the pastoral area of the west.

Southwest of Lhasa, southeast of Shigatse, lies Gyantse. It is the third largest town in Tibet and most famous for its stunning KumBum, a place of great religious and artistic importance.

We will stay in Lhasa at 3,658 meters above sea level, then in Shigatse at 4040 and in Gyantse at 4044 meters above sea level.
People respond to an increase in altitude differently, with responses including general discomfort, breathlessness, poor sleeping patterns or limited capacity for physical exertion. Please consult with your local travel clinic or physician for specifics about altitude sickness and your personal health.

Travel is possible at all times of year. Peak season runs from May to mid-October, when there is adequate oxygen and less headache. Summers are warm, but not really hot, though the sun can be very strong due to the altitude.

Tibet Entry Permit Notice

Travel into Tibet requires a special permit prior to arrival to the Autonomous Region. Previously, a permit required a minimum of five travelers of the same nationality.  However, the situation has recently changed, and the minimum number of people now allowed entry on a Tibet travel permit has been lowered to one.  Diplomats, journalists and norwegians are not allowed to visit Tibet at the moment. It is unknown right now if this current policy is only temporary or will remain in effect long-term.  It is possible that it may be changed or revoked at any time.  We will keep you updated and let you know immediately if the situation changes.

CCC needs to arrange the Tibet entry permit at least 15--20 days in advance. Please make your plans and book your trip early. To settle the entry permit to Tibet, we need from you a photocopy of your passport and Chinese visa, or your China residence permit with a letter from your place of work as proof of employment. 

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly in Lhasa

• Beijing -- Lhasa by air about 09:15--15:05. Shanghai -- Lhasa 08:10--15:00.
  
• Other locales: we welcome those to join us from other locales and meet us in Lhasa.
  
• Take the morning flight to the holy city of Lhasa, the home of the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple(Dazhao Si), Sera Monastery, and the Barkhor. Located at 3700 meters above sea level, Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world. You will have free time in the afternoon and at night to adjust to the altitude, after checking into the hotel. 

Day 2: Lhasa 

• In the morning we will visit the Potala Palace, the symbolic landmark of Lhasa, and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994. As the winter residence of the successive Dalai Lamas, the Potala formerly served as the center of local Tibetan theocratic rule, hosting major religious and political ceremonies since the reign of Dalai Lama V (1617-1682). It also houses the relics of those eight past Dalai Lamas. Dominating the Lhasa skyline, the Potala is the highest building within the city. We will climb to the top of the Palace, from which you will be able to see the entire layout of the city. 
• After lunch, we will then visit the Jokhang Temple, another UNESCO site, and the spiritual center and the holiest shrine of Tibet, the destination of thousands of Tibetan pilgrims from all over the plateau every year. The Jokhang was built in the seventh century by Songtsen Gampo, the King who unified the Tibetan Plateau, and his two wives: the Tang Princess Wencheng and the Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti. It houses the statue of Jowo - Sakyamuni at 12 years of age - which Princess Wencheng brought from Chang'an 1,300 years ago.
• We will also go to Sera monastery, one of the three major monasteries of the Gelugpa (Yellow) sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Lhasa (the other two are Ganden and Drepung). You will witness monks carrying out philosophical debate in the courtyard. 
• You will then be free to take a stroll along the Barkhor. Barkhor means "intermediate circuit" in Tibetan. At the center of old Lhasa, the Barkhor is the middle circumambulation pathway for pilgrims around the Jokhang. The other two circumambulation pathways are the Nangkor (“inner circuit”) inside the Jokhang and the Lingkor (“the outer circuit”) around the old city. Buddhist pilgrims from all over the Tibetan plateau walk or progress by body-lengths prostrations along the Barkhor clockwise every day deep into the night. This sacred pilgrim path is also a marketplace where shaggy nomads, traders, robed monks and chanting pilgrims join together. Clustered shops and stalls sell printed scriptures, prayer flags and other religious vessels, jewelry, Tibetan knives, ancient coins and more.
• Stay another night in Lhasa.
  (Breakfast,  Lunch)

Day 3: Yamdrok Yutso Lake/ Tsetang 

• On the third day we will travel to the Tsetang, the capital of the Lhoka (Shannan) district, which is considered the cradle of Tibetan civilization. 
• We will drive to visit dazzling Yamdrok Yutso (4441m), one of the three biggest lakes in Tibet. We will have lunch by the lake. In clear weather, the lake is a fabulous shade of deep turquoise. We will also stop by a village that makes Tibetan incense. 
• Visit the villages along the way and chat with the local people.
• Stay overnight in Tsetang.
  (Breakfast,  Lunch)

Day 4: Tsetang / Samye 

• Today we will visit the Samye Monastery, the first monastery in Tibet. The magnificent and unique Central Hall is three stories high. The first floor is in Tibetan architectural style, the second in Han Chinese style and the third in Indian style. 
• Hike up the Holy Heburi Mountain, it is one of the four holy mountains in Tibet, 60 meters, enjoy the beautiful view of the bird eye view of the Brahmaputra River or Yarlung Zangbo and the Samye Monastery in the afternoon. 
  (Breakfast,  Lunch)

Day 5: Tsetang / Fly out 

• Visit Yumbulagang, the first palace in Tibetan history. Magnificently perched on top of a hill, it overlooks the first field and first village of Tibet. You can either hike up to the palace entrance, or go up on a yak or horse. It was said that the palace was built in the second century B.C. by the first Tibetan king Nyatri Tsanpo, who descended from heaven, accordingly to legend. 
•  After lunch, we will drive to the airport and take the afternoon direct flight to Beijing / Shanghai. 
• Lhasa - Beijing CA4111 16:05 - 21:35 Lhasa - Shanghai MU2336 15:50 - 22:10 
  (Breakfast,  Lunch)
  
• Please note that the flights or timing of flights mentioned in the above itinerary may change subject to ticket availability and airline scheduling. Alternative hotels of similar standards will be used if any of the hotels mentioned in the itinerary is unable to provide enough accommodation.