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Lhasa City Essential Group Tour

Duration:
4 Days
Price:
From USD490
Route:
Lhasa
Season:
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Tour Type:
Group Tour
Group Size:
Max 12
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Overview

The 4-day Lhasa highlights tour is a short Tibet tour, which is suitable for those who have limited time but still want to have a high-quality travel experience. Despite being a very popular destination for travelers, you will have the local Tibetan English-speaking guide to take you through the best parts of the holy city Lhasa and get the most out of every minute to appreciate its prominent historical architecture of Potala Palace, the mystical Jokhang temple, sprawling Drepung monastery and Dalai Lama's royal garden Norbulingka. In addition, you can gain an in-depth understanding of the history of Lhasa, experience the life of the local Tibetan people, and wander leisurely in the old quarter of Lhasa city.

DayRouteAttractions & Activities AccommodationMeals
1 Arrival in Lhasa (3650m) Pick up and transfer to the hotel Lhasa, 3★/4★
2 Lhasa Sightseeing Drepung Monastery, Tibet Museum, Norbulingka Lhasa, 3★/4★ B
3 Lhasa Sightseeing Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street Lhasa, 3★/4★ B
4 Lhasa Departure Send off to the airport/train station B

Daily Itinerary

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When you arrive in Lhasa, our staff will pick you up at Lhasa Airport/ Railway Station and transfer you to the hotel. From the airport, it takes about 1 hour. From the train station, it only takes 20 minutes. Afterward, it's better to relax and take it easy on the first day to get acclimatized to high altitude and alleviate the jet lag. You might go to the local market and wander around the city on your own but try not to overtax yourself.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

After breakfast in the hotel, the tour guide will take you to Drepung Monastery, the biggest Tibetan monastery that housed more than 10,000 monks in the past. Drepung means Rice Heap in the Tibetan language. The entire monastery is large in scale and the white buildings cluster and covers the hillsides. It's the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect.

In the afternoon you will first visit the Tibet Museum. Here you can see life scenes, exquisite clothing, house architecture, and festival customs, etc. to explore the special and mysterious Tibetan customs. Then you will visit Norbulingka, which is a typical Tibetan-style royal garden, the summer resort of the Dalai Lama.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

  • Meals:
  • Breakfast

On your third day, you will be feeling much more acclimatized to Lhasa’s high elevation. It is an excellent idea to spend the day exploring the Potala Palace, which is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet. It's best to explore the inside of the Potala in the morning for 2-3 hours. Afterward, you may walk the pilgrimage route around the Potala Palace.

In the afternoon, you will head to the Jokhang Temple, which is well known as the center of Tibetan Buddhism and features Buddhist prayer wheels, reclining deer, and golden sutra streamers, etc. Also, you can see many pilgrims praying in front of the temple and doing kora.

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

Stay overnight in Lhasa

  • Meals:
  • Breakfast
Your tour ends today. After breakfast, you will be free in the morning. Our staff will transfer you to Lhasa Airport/Railway Station.
  • Meals:
  • Breakfast

Cost & Calendar

All prices are in US Dollar / Person

Economic Class (3-Star Hotels)

2024-03-01 ~ 2024-05-31 2024-06-01 ~ 2024-06-30 2024-07-01 ~ 2024-10-10 2024-10-11 ~ 2024-10-31 2024-11-01 ~ 2024-12-31
USD520 USD570 USD590 USD520 USD490

Comfortable Class (4-Star Hotels)

2024-03-01 ~ 2024-05-31 2024-06-01 ~ 2024-06-30 2024-07-01 ~ 2024-10-10 2024-10-11 ~ 2024-10-31 2024-11-01 ~ 2024-12-31
USD560 USD610 USD640 USD560 USD530

Schedule

Starting DatePrice FromBookedBook Now
2024-04-01 USD520 6 Book
2024-04-04 USD520 3 Book
2024-04-05 USD520 open for booking Book
2024-04-07 USD520 3 Book
2024-04-08 USD520 open for booking Book
2024-04-09 USD520 3 Book
2024-04-12 USD520 4 Book
2024-04-15 USD520 4 Book
2024-04-17 USD520 6 Book
2024-04-19 USD520 open for booking Book
2024-04-22 USD520 open for booking Book
2024-04-26 USD520 open for booking Book
2024-04-27 USD520 7 Book
2024-04-29 USD520 2 Book
2024-05-03 USD520 2 Book
2024-05-06 USD520 open for booking Book
2024-05-10 USD520 3 Book
2024-05-13 USD520 2 Book
2024-05-16 USD520 10 Book
2024-05-17 USD520 open for booking Book
2024-05-20 USD520 3 Book
2024-05-21 USD520 2 Book
2024-05-23 USD520 7 Book
2024-05-24 USD520 open for booking Book
2024-05-26 USD520 2 Book
2024-05-27 USD520 open for booking Book
2024-05-28 USD520 2 Book
2024-05-31 USD520 open for booking Book
2024-06-03 USD570 open for booking Book
2024-06-07 USD570 open for booking Book
2024-06-10 USD570 open for booking Book
2024-06-14 USD570 open for booking Book
2024-06-16 USD570 9 Book
2024-06-17 USD570 open for booking Book
2024-06-21 USD570 open for booking Book
2024-06-24 USD570 open for booking Book
2024-06-28 USD570 open for booking Book
2024-07-01 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-07-05 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-07-08 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-07-12 USD590 2 Book
2024-07-15 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-07-19 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-07-22 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-07-26 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-07-29 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-08-02 USD590 2 Book
2024-08-05 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-08-08 USD590 1 Book
2024-08-09 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-08-12 USD590 3 Book
2024-08-15 USD590 1 Book
2024-08-16 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-08-19 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-08-23 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-08-26 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-08-30 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-09-02 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-09-04 USD590 2 Book
2024-09-06 USD590 2 Book
2024-09-09 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-09-13 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-09-16 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-09-20 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-09-23 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-09-27 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-09-30 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-10-04 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-10-07 USD590 open for booking Book
2024-10-11 USD520 2 Book
2024-10-14 USD520 open for booking Book
2024-10-18 USD520 3 Book
2024-10-21 USD520 1 Book
2024-10-25 USD520 open for booking Book
2024-10-28 USD520 open for booking Book
2024-11-01 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-11-04 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-11-08 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-11-11 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-11-15 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-11-18 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-11-19 USD490 2 Book
2024-11-22 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-11-25 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-11-29 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-12-02 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-12-06 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-12-09 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-12-13 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-12-16 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-12-20 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-12-23 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-12-27 USD490 open for booking Book
2024-12-30 USD490 open for booking Book
2025-06-24 USD 1 Book

No desired date of departure? Please send us an inquiry and we will try to arrange your tour according to your plan.

Discount Policy

You may only enjoy one of the advantageous policy, not both.

Option A:3 or More to Join the Same Group$15 Off / person
Option B:Tour in Apr~Oct
  • To book 6-month prior tour starts 5% Off / person
  • To book 3-month prior tour starts 3% Off / person

Our Service

INCLUSIONS

* Lodgings: 3 Nights, twin room en suite in 3★/4★;

* Meal: 3 Breakfasts;

* Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;

* Lhasa Railway Station transfer at all times on first & last day;

* Pick-up from Lhasa Gonggar Airport to your hotel at 9:30 am, 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm on the first day;

* Drop-off from your hotel to Lhasa Gonggar Airport at 8:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm on the last day;

* Guide: experienced local English-speaking tour guide;

* Attractions: all entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary;

* Permit: Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit;

* Travel Agency Liability insurance;

* Government Tax;

* Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);

* Food & lodgings for guide & driver;

* Oxygen tank for emergency use;

* Two bottles of mineral water per person per day;

EXCLUSIONS

* International flight to and out of China;

* Domestic flight/train to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)

* If you miss the free transfer schedule due to flight delay or cancelation, then you are required to pay a private transfer from USD 80/vehicle/time.

* Lunch & Dinner are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 3-10 USD per person for each meal.

* While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. You are suggested to tip each of them 5-10 USD/day in total;

* All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payment. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);

* Personal expenses;

* Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.

Note

* Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit (TTB) usually takes about 12-working-day to apply. If you couldn’t provide the required docs & info on time, an extra handling fee will be charged. Please consult your travel consultant for details;

* We reserve the right to change the itinerary order and attractions in Lhasa;

* If you prefer to book your own hotels over those included in our group tour, please meet the rest of the group at their daily hotel on time. We don’t include the transfers to your own hotels;

* We need to pick up and drop off all  members of the group on the first & last day from Lhasa Airport/Railway, thus there may not always have a guide presence but a driver;

* Due to the special nature of Tibet travel, any unforeseeable and unavoidable objective circumstances, including but not limited to natural disasters, war, terrorism, riot, civil commotion, strikes, public health emergencies, government action, major traffic jams, delay or cancellation of flight/train, attractions temporarily closed. etc., resulting in a change of itinerary, the increased cost will be paid by travelers; if any attraction visits have to be canceled due to the same reasons above, GTT won't be held responsible for the refund except for certain attraction entrance fees which will be solely decided by GTT;

* Single Supplement: our quote is based on twin rooms. For single travelers, a single supplement is required at the time of booking. If later we manage to match you with another traveler to share the twin room, the single supplement will be refunded.

* All members of the same group must be with the same tour guide during the whole trip. So all members must follow the same itinerary and visit the same attractions. If anyone requests to change the scheduled arrangement for own reasons, you need to get permission from other members and accept the possible payment change if any.

Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients

Asked by Tho ***

I'm a solo traveller looking for a group to join. I will be traveling from Kathmandu. I would like to do this trip and wanted to learn more about visa/permit process as well. How would I book train/flight tickets? Thanks

Jennie
Answered by Jennie

Dear Tho****,

We can arrange the 4-day Lhasa City Essential Group Tour for you. Currently, we have a confirmed group departure on 10 May, would you consider joining?

You can apply for a China Visa at your nearby Chinese embassy. We will help you apply for the Tibet Travel Permit along with a scan of your China Visa and passport.

According to the policy of the authority, all international tourists entering Tibet directly from Nepal need to apply for a China group visa at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. It's difficult to apply for a China Group Visa because it requires at least 4 travelers on the same itinerary together and all applicants from one list must come to the Visa Center for application. If some of them will not come then the application will not be accepted.

To make it applicable, I suggest you apply for a China visa at your nearby Chinese Embassy. And we can provide you with supporting documents after you book with us. Then you can fly to Lhasa via other cities in China. 

Asked by Penn***

I am 61 so I was looking for a not to strenuous trip

Merry
Answered by Merry

Dear Penn***, 

For 4 days Lhasa City Essential group tour, it's not a strenuous trip and you can join it. We can open it on 6 September for you.

 

Asked by Bart***

Hello, I'm thinking of visiting Tibet in the second part of April as a part of my trip to China. I'd like to ask you a few questions.
(1) Most tour operators have this standard 4-day trip to Tibet (Lhasa, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery). But I'm also interested to visit Ganden Monastery and do the Ganden Kora hike. Is it possible?

(2) I'm a foreigner and I'll be travelling with a Chinese person. I know that I, as a foreigner, need to have a special permission done by you, but what about a Chinese person, does she need also to have a kind of permission to visit Tibet or she can fly with me withourt any permissions?

(3) I read that it's not possible to move around Tibet without a tour guide, but what is the situation in Lhasa city? Can I have some spare time in Lhasa, that I can just go on my own and visit shops, places and restaurants in Lhasa alone (without tour guide)? Is it allowed? Is in your itinerary time for this? (If yes, mostly in the afternoon/evening I guess).

(4) I'm thiniking of adding an extra day just to have a free roam in Lhasa city, is that possible? I'm thinking also of having some kind of Tibetan food cooking lessons, is that possible?

Merry
Answered by Merry

Dear Bart****, 

I'll answer your questions one by one.

#1. Since you want to visit Ganden Monastery, we can add one-day private tour with Ganden trek for you.

#2. As a Chinses citizen, your friend doesn't need a Tibet permit to board the train or flight.

#3. Yes, foreign guests are not allowed to be alone in Tibet. But if you just walk around the street, shopping or have meals, it's OK. Let your guide be able to contact you at any time. If you join the Lhasa city group tour, you have leisure time in late afternoons and evenings.

#4. We can add a free day for you but we are required to arrange a tour guide for you. You can travel with your tour guide or just go by yourself around Barkhor Street. The cooking lesson is based on 2 pax and costs USD55 p.p. from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM every day.

#5. If you travel with your Chinese friend, we can open 4 days Lhasa city group tour on 15 April for you and add 2 days private tour. If you agree, I can quote you in the next email. Let me know your preferred hotel class. Thanks.

Asked by Mico***

Hello, My partner and I would like to visit Tibet on your 4 day essential tour right after Chinese new year in February. Would that be possible? Can we organize it?

Merry
Answered by Merry

Dear Mico***,

I'm afraid we can't arrange 4 days Lhasa Essential group tour on 19 February 2024 for you. Usually, Tibet won't open in February or March because of the Tibetan New Year. Will you consider the tour in January? Or if Tibet is open in February, I'll let you know. However, you'd better book the tour in advance.

Asked by Joe ***

Hi,

I am wondering if there is availability based on my days expected to be in Lhasa.

I will have my Chinese visa by 11/15.

Here is my proposed itinerary:
11/25 - Sat - Dubai to Tibet (with 3 hour layover in Chengdu).  Arriving in Tibet on Sunday 11/26 at 6 pm.

11/30 - Thurs - Depart at 12 PM in Tibet to Phuket, Thailand

If more time is needed for a tour, I can move the departure from Tibet to 12/1.  

Also because it is only a layover in Chengdu, is there a way to attain the Tibet Permit at the airport in Chengdu during my 3 hour layover or would I need to stay in Chengdu overnight?

Merry
Answered by Merry

Dear Joe****, 

For 4 days Lhasa City Essential group tour, we don't have a confirmed departure date on 26 Nov. As the tour date is very close, we can't open one for you now. I suggest you postpone your tour to 8 Dec. We have 8 days group tour departing on that day and you can join the first 4 days plus a private send-off. Are you joining? Or we can arrange a private tour on 26 Nov. for you only. What's your idea?

As you take a plane to Lhasa, you have to take the original Tibet Permit. I suggest you stay one night in Chengdu to pick up your Tibet Permit. We usually send the permit to the guest's hotel by Express.

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What Our Customers Say
Photographed on the back wall of the Potala Palace

I really enjoyed my time in Tibet and I appreciate all of your hard work which made everything go smoothly. It was excellent being greeted at the hotel by one of your associates who already had the receipt to give me for paying the final sum in cash. I was pleasantly surprised that only one other pe ....

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