Tsurphu to Yangpachen 9 Days Trekking Tour

Day 1: Lhasa arrival

Upon arrival, our guide will be waiting for you at the airport/train station and welcome you and take you back to Lhasa city for check-in. You will see the Yarlung Tsangpo River and Lhasa River on the way back. After you arrive the hotel, the rest day is for you to rest and get acclimatized. If you feel well, it's OK to walk around or nearby but it's suggested to take good rest so you can be prepared for the sightseeing next day.

Day 2: Lhasa city tour

Today we will visit the famous Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery.

Drepung Monastery is the largest of all Tibetan monasteries that housed for more than 10,000 monks. It was the residence of the Dalai Lamas until the Great Fifth Dalai Lama constructed the Potala. It was known for the high standards of its academic study, and was called the Nalanda of Tibet. And then you also can visit the biggest monastery kitchen in the monastery and enjoy Buddhist sculpture carving workshop near Drepung.

Sera Monastery is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. We will watch the Monks Debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour  the Tibetan religious scripture printing house and see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha inside the Monastery.

Optional: If you want to, we can arrange the Wencheng Pincess Show at night. Price starting from 60 USD.

Day 3: Lhasa city tour

Today we will visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.

Potala Palace is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

Jokhang Temple is known as the center of the Tibetan Buddhism, features Buddhist prayer wheels, reclining deer, golden sutra streamers. Around the temple, you can see a great many of pilgrims praying in front of the temple. If you want to, we can do kora with local pilgrims.

We will stroll in the old alleys of Barkhor Street where you can drink the sweet tea, chat with locals and even bargain with the street vendors to understand the real life in Lhasa.

Day 4: Lhasa-Tsurphu Monastery (4500m, 79km, 2-3hrs drive)

We will drive from Lhasa to Tsurphu Monastery in the morning, which takes about 2-3 hours. It is the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in 1187 by Dusum Khyenpa, some 40 years after he established the Karmapa order in Kham, his birthplace, it was the 3rd Karmapa monastery and after the death of the 1st Karmapa, it became the head monastery for the order. The rest time is for you to get acclimatized and ready for the trekking tomorrow.

Day 5: Tsurphu Monastery-Leten (trekking 4-5 hours, 11km)

Today we will trek from Tsurphu Monastery to Lete, which takes about 4-5 hours for around 11km. Today we may see many Tibetan animals like mountain goats and yaks. Several small nomadic communities camp here for the summer herding months. Today we will find a flat place to camp after we enjoy the marvellous Tibetan scenery.

Day 6: Leten-Bartso (trekking 5-6 hours, 15km)

Today we will trek from Leten to Bartso, which takes about 5-6 hours for around 15km. During the trekking, we will pass the highest spot Lasar La (5400m), Damchen-la(5200m), Yangpachen Valley and finally descend to Bartso. Tonight we will camp near Bartso, a nomad village which produces juniper used for incense all over the Tibetan world.

Day 7: Bartso-Dorje Ling Nunnery (trekking 4 hours, 15km)

Today we will leave Bartso and head to Dorje Ling Nunnery, which takes about 4 hours for around 15km. During the trekking, we will be rewarded with views of Nyenchen Tanghlha (7111 m), the holiest mountain in central Tibet. Afterwards we will pass Tajung Village, where local nomadic people raise their yaks and sheep. We will reach our destination Dorje Ling Nunnery in the afternoon, where we will camp tonight.

Day 8: Dorje Ling Nunnery-Yangpachen Monastery-Lhasa (trekking 4 hours, 14km)

Today we will trek from Dorje Ling Nunnery to Yangpachen Monastery, historically the second seat of Shamarpas of Karma Kagyu from the time of the 4th Shamarpa (1453-1524) through the time of the 10th Shamarpa (1742-1792), and drive back to Lhasa. The trekking will take about 4 hours for around 14km. Driving back to Lhasa directly is also an option if you don't want to continue the trekking.

Day 9: Tibet departure

Our guide will drop you to the airport/train station based on your departure time. Tour ends.