- Upon arriving at Gonggar Airport, your WildChina guide will meet you in the arrival hall with your chauffeur and private vehicle ready to take you to your hotel for check-in

- Spend the day at your leisure acclimatizing to the high elevations (3,200m to be exact) or depending on energy levels, follow along the Barkhor pilgrimage route to see prayer wheels being spun, pilgrims prostrating, and hear sutras being chanted

- Visit the gilded Jokhang Temple, which attracts a large number of pilgrims due to it being considered the most sacred temple in Tibet

- Learn about Tibetan medicine, an ancient form of medicine based on Buddha’s teachings, by stopping by an old Tibetan pharmacy

- Visit a lively nunnery in Barkhor- Make your way along the Barkhor Street pilgrimage route- Explore Potala Palace, Tibet’s defining religious landmark, a grand masterpiece of white, crimson

and gold famed for being the former residence of the Dalai Lama

- Be greeted by the phrase “om mani padme hum” as you visit the lesser-known Pabongka Monastery - Hike downhill to Chupsang Nunnery, surrounded by green fields and home to 80 red-robed nuns

- Explore Sera Monastery, one of Tibet’s top university monasteries- Depending on availability, make your own prayer flag at Sera’s printing center and witness monks animatedly debate Buddhist philosophy in the courtyard

- If interested, learn about thangka painting or visit local NGOs

- Drive to Gyantse (270km), following the shores of the holy Yamdrok Lake (4,488m), surrounded on all sides by snowy peaks

- Pass through high passes (above 5,000m) in the Nyochen Kansang Mountains

- Arrive in Gyantse (3,950m)

- Visit Palkhor Monastery and the famous Kumbum Stupa, built over eight levels housing 75 chapels adorned with murals revered by art scholars around the world

- Afterwards, drive to Shigatse  (90km)

- Admire the massive complex of golden roofed buildings and traditional white walls that is Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama (the second highest ranked Lama)

- If time permits, walk along the pilgrimage route

- Spend the morning at your own leisure and visit local markets- Your WildChina team will take you back to Lhasa- Upon arriving at Lhasa, check into your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at your own

leisure

- Your WildChina guide and chauffeur will escort you to Gonggar Airport in your private vehicle and see you on your flight

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO EVEREST BASE CAMP

DAY 6

Shigatse - Sagya Monastery – Shegar

- Continue your journey west

- Visit Sagya Monastery, the chief seat of Sagya Tibetan Buddhism

- Transfer to Shegar

DAY 7

Shegar - Everest Base Camp – Shegar

- Early in the morning, drive to Rongbuk Monastery and enjoy a panoramic view of the Himalayas- Hike to the Everest Base Camp, directly below the shadow of the legendary Mount Everest- After your hike, rest during your drive back to Shegar (New Tingri)

(Special excursion day with 7 hours driving)(For the more adventurous, stay overnight at Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse)

DAY 8

Shegar – Shigatse - Lhasa

- Make your way back to Lhasa where your WildChina Guide will help you catch your departure flight.