Shoton Festival Shigatse Local Life Tasting 8-day Tour

Best time:  The Shoton Festival starts on the 30th day of the 6th month according to the Tibetan calendar and is held over the course of 5 days. In 2013, the festival will be begin on the 6th of August. Each of the 5 days has different events held on it. The price of this tour can be a bit expensive, as the festival is held during peak season, though the experience is well worth every penny! For futher details, please contact our trip advisors.

Day 1 Arrive in Lhasa

Meet the guide at Lhasa train station or airport, have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude in the afternoon. Have Tibetan dinner in the evening on your own. Overnight at Lhasa.

Day 2 Potala Palace/Jokhang Temple

Today you will visit the World Heritage Sites of  Potola Palace, Jokhang Temple and explore the bustling bazaar along the Barkhor Street. Overnight at Lhasa.

Day 3 Shoton Festival/ Drepung Monastery/Sera Monastery

Today is the first day of Shoton Festival, you will be arranged to see Big Thangka displaying in the early morning at Drepung Monastery, and afternoon at Sera Monastery. This ceremony shows that Shoton festival begins. Overnight at Lhasa.

Tips: While traveling to Drepung Monsatery to see the Buddha Thangka Painting Exhibition, you will need to get up in the early morning. Some sections of the road will be blocked during the festival in Lhasa city, so you might need to walk up to an hour in order to see the festival activities.

Day 4 Lhasa/ Namtso Lake/Lhasa
Day tour to Namtso Lake (4718m) via Yangpachen hot-spring. Namtso Lake is the sky lake which is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, also the highest salt lake. Drive back to Lhasa in the afternoon. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 5 Lhasa/Yamdrok lake /Pelkor Chode Monastery /Gyantse

Pass Gangbala Pass which is over 5000m, from there you will see Lake Yamdrok which is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet.then you will have a chance to enjoy the yoghurt in the nomad's tent. Overnight at Gyantse .

Day 6  Gyantse/Shigatse

After breakfast we will go to visit visit Pelkor Chode Monastery, then driver to Shigatse after lunch. Overnight in Shigatse .

Day 7  Shigatse / Lhasa

Visit the TashiLumpo Monastery which was Built in1447 by the first Dalai Lama , and also local tibetan market in the morning. After lunch , drive back to Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa city.

Day 8  Leave Lhasa

Transfer to the train station or airport. End the tour.