Arrive in Lhasa by air or train. Your guide will meet you at the airport or railway station with a traditional white silk scarf greeting and transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Rest and acclimatize to the altitude of 3,650 meters. Stay well hydrated with warm Tibetan tea and avoid strenuous activity on your first day in Tibet at high altitude.

Arrive in Lhasa by air or train. Your guide will meet you at the airport or railway station with a traditional white silk scarf and transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Rest and acclimatize to the altitude of 3,650 meters. Stay well hydrated with warm Tibetan tea and avoid strenuous activity on your first day in Tibet.

Full day exploring Lhasa's most iconic landmarks. In the morning climb the magnificent 13-story Potala Palace perched on Marpo Ri Red Hill, the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains over 1,000 rooms filled with precious Buddhist art, thangkas, and jeweled stupas. In the afternoon visit Jokhang Temple, the holiest shrine in Tibet built in 647 AD, housing the sacred Jowo Shakyamuni statue. Walk the Barkhor kora circuit.

Visit Drepung Monastery, once the world's largest monastery housing up to 10,000 monks at its peak. The whitewashed buildings cascade down the hillside like a giant white conch shell. In the afternoon visit Sera Monastery to witness the famous monks debating session from 3-5 PM, where maroon-robed monks debate Buddhist philosophy with animated gestures and dramatic hand clapping.

Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, the seat of the Panchen Lama, founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama. The monastery features the world's largest gilded statue of Maitreya Buddha standing 26 meters tall and cast from 115 tons of brass and gold. After the visit begin the return drive to Lhasa along the scenic Yarlung Tsangpo River valley with its dramatic cliffs and traditional farming villages. Arrive in Lhasa by late afternoon and check into your hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will transfer you to Lhasa Gonggar Airport for your departure flight. You have explored the cultural treasures of the Tibetan capital including the magnificent Potala Palace and the sacred Jokhang Temple, witnessed the stunning turquoise Yamdrok Lake, and visited the ancient Kumbum Stupa of Gyantse. Tashi Delek!