Shoton Festival Tour
Private Tour
Private escorted tour with guide & vehicle at your service exclusively and the itinerary can be tailor-made to your exact liking.Overview
This 4-day tour will show you to the grandest Tibetan festival - Shoton Festival. On the first day of the celebration, you will visit the two main monasteries in Lhasa - Drepung Monastery in the morning and Sera Monastery in the afternoon. Both monasteries display huge embroidered thangkas of Buddha images, which is the most sacred way to show respect for Buddhism and pray for blessing. Then you will go to Norbulingka to watch a Tibetan opera performance and enjoy a picnic. During the festival, you will also visit the magnificent Potala Palace and mysterious Jokhang Temple, experience Tibetan life, and have a happy time with Tibetans.Day 1 Arrival in Lhasa (3650m)
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
Day 2 Lhasa Sightseeing
Today, you will explore the Potala Palace, which is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. The most valuable collections here 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 a lot of 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
Day 3 Lhasa Sightseeing
Today's highlight is the annual Shoton Festival. First, you will watch Qamba Buddha Thangka unfolding at the Drepung Monastery by about 100 lamas. At that moment, horns resound and scripture chanting starts. Pilgrims offer Khada to the Thangka image and touch it by the forehead to show their devotion. Within two hours, the Thangka will be rolled up again and carried back. It only shows once every year. Later, you will head to Norbulingka to watch the various superb Tibetan operas, performed from about 11:00 am.
After having lunch and a short rest, you'll visit the Sera Monastery, which is another one of the 'Great Three' Gelug monasteries. It is famous for the Buddhist activities of "Monks Debate" held from 3 pm to 5 pm. Also, inside the monastery, the three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Paintings of Buddha are worth your appreciation.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Day 4 Lhasa Departure
Tour Price and Service
From US$970 p/p
Based on 3-star hotels for 2 people in low seasons. Price varies according to travel season, number of people and level of accommodation.
INCLUSIONS
- Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- All entrance tickets fee for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary;
- Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
- Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel, or guesthouse. Please tell us your preference;
- Breakfasts provided by hotels;
- Pick-up & Drop-off service from Airport/railway station;
- 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;
- Chinese Visa/China Group Visa; (Note: we could help you by providing the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies for your Chinese Visa or the invitation letter for your China Group Visa)
- 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.)
- Meals 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. Each of you is suggested to tip 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, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
- Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.
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