Our Journey to Enchanting Tibet
Published: 21st Aug, 2019
We recently completed Best of Nepal and Tibet tour package through Yakky Tours. The duration of this tour package was 11 days. The tour included 5 days in Tibet and 6 days in Nepal. These 6 days spent in Tibet, where the greatest hypnotizing experience for us. Being a regular traveler, no other destination was so enchanting as compared to Tibet.
In this blog, I am going to discuss about our experience during Tibet Trip
Day 1: Our flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa
Our trip started from Kathmandu. We spent four days in Kathmandu as it takes 2 full working days to receive the Tibet visa. On the evening of the third day we finally received our Tibet visa. On the morning of the fourth day, we flew to Lhasa via Air China. Upon our arrival in Tibet, we met our representative and drove to Lhasa and spent our first night there.
Day 2: Our Visit to Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple
The next morning, we started our Tibet tour with a visit to Potala Palace. It was an unimaginable fabulous site. We then strolled around the park surrounded by Tibetan people in their traditional dress coming from every corner, before heading into Old Lhasa for a tasty lunch at Lhasa Kitchen.
Our evening stop was the Jokhang Temple, one of the most consecrated places in Tibet. Our guide explained that this temple was most venerated temples of Tibetans and stood at the center of twelve other temples. Among them 4 located in central Tibet, four located in borders and rest four between them. Moreover, it was interesting to know that it took over nine centuries to develop Jokhang Temple and we were standing right beside it. After spending exciting time in Jokhang we took a walk around the café. After checking inside the hotel, we enjoyed a delicious dinner with the other family, traveling, then off to bed, ready for the next exciting day.
Day 3: Our Visit to Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery
On the third day, after breakfast we visited Sera Monastery. Here the monks were debating in an open gathering. As per our guide, debating Tibetan philosophy is an important part of monk’s education. Furthermore, the monks ability to debate marks their progress. I found this interesting. Furthermore, the highlight of the Sera Monastery was debating monks.
After our visit to Sera monastery, we enjoyed one of the best lunches in Tibet. After lunch, we visited the Drepung Monastery. The enormous grounds were stunning. Furthermore to my surprise while visiting all the important buildings, I saw three colleges. Visiting such spiritual place I feel blessed.
Day 4: We drove to Shigatse visiting Yamdrok-Tso lake en route, passed through two highest passes, and visited the Palkor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa
On the fourth day of ours Tibet tour, we started our drive from Lhasa to Shigatse spending 6 hours driving. The scenery, traditional towns, lakes and, people kept me gazing outside the window. En route we came across a scorpion shaped Yamdrok – Tso Lake.
It was a sunny day, hence, we were lucky to see clear blue sky with the turquoise water of the lake beneath. We stopped at many places to take the pictures of this beautiful lake. After the quick stop, we drove over two of the highest passes in Tibet, Kambala Pass at 4,794m and Karola Pass at 5,010m above sea level.
We then arrived Gyantse and visited the Palkor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. It was the only monastery in Tibet, where we could take pictures inside the building and take pictures of everything. One of the best highlights for us.
Day 5: We visited the Tashi Lhumpo Monastery and drove back to Lhasa
We made a lunch stop in the evening, we were free to eat where we pleased, choosing between Indian, Chinese, Tibetan dishes. The lodge in Shigatse was okay, nothing as compared to that in Lhasa. The next morning breakfast was okay with few selected menus. The highlight of today’s trip was a Panchen Lama’s monastery, the Tashi Lhumpo Monastery at Shigatse. in Shigatse.
To begin with, the monastery is very impressive and one of the most beautiful during our journey through Tibet. Moreover, the atmosphere was amazing, the antiquities were amazing. We made our way through, up and down, in and out, the incense-filled rooms where monks chant and copper and polished wood gleams. This was the highlight of Shigatse before we drove back to Lhasa again retracing the same highway.
Our Last Evening in Tibet
Our Tibet visit finished with a last celebratory yak sizzler and a stroll around Old Lhasa-it’s so wonderful during the evening. As constantly nearby individuals gazed, grinned and invited us. All the consideration was really overpowering for our little fair young lady so in case you’re taking little adorable children, be prepared for that.
Departure from Lhasa
The following morning we were ready for our departure transfer. None of us wanting to go. Furthermore, blue skies gave us ideal perspectives on Everest and the entire of the Himalayan range as we flew back to Kathmandu. The flight was great, the Lhasa air terminal was present day, this arrival flight was easy.
To summarize, we would recommend Best of Nepal and Tibet to all those who read our travel experience. You get a chance to experience the Tibetan plateau like never before. Indeed, this tour is an experience of a life time.