Tibet Shoton Festival Tour from Lhasa to EBC
Overview
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Notice:
1. Free pick up service is included all train arrivals and flight arrival time between 08:00am-22:00pm.2. As early morning departure is required to attend the Buddha Thangka Unveiling Ceremony at Drepung Monastery on Day 2, morning or early afternoon arrival today is highly suggested. You will have time to acclimatize the high altitude and take a good rest to conserve energy for the ceremony.
3. Altitude sickness：With its much higher elevation, some visitors may experience symptoms of altitude sickness. We recommend taking everything slowly, getting plenty of rest the first day and staying very well hydrated by drinking plenty of water to minimize the effects of the high altitude. Usually, you will be fine by the second day, but if you do experience severe and/or worsening symptoms, please contact your guide or a member of our staff immediately
Meal: no meal
Today is the first day of the Shoton Festival. The Buddha Thangka Unveiling Ceremony held in Drepung Monastery is the highlight of the festival. You will depart early from hotel to make sure not avoid any details of this festival.
Before dawn, devout pilgrims from far and wide monasteries all over Tibet with heartfelt devotion, spinning prayer wheels and reciting mantras as they journey toward the holy site. As the first light of dawn breaks, the air resonates with the melodious chanting of Buddhist hymns. Monks in crimson robes solemnly carry the enormous Thangka (a sacred Buddhist painting) of Sakyamuni Buddha from the monastery's treasure chamber. Exquisitely crafted over generations, the Thangka's vibrant colors remain undiminished by time, each brushstroke embodying the artisans' dedication and faith.
On command, monks synchronize their efforts to unfurl the Thangka along the steep cliffs of the monastery's rear mountain. People of all ages converge here through shared belief, collectively praying for harmonious weather, lasting blessings, and prosperous lives. More than a mere religious ritual, Drepung Monastery's Shoton Festival Buddha Thangka ceremony vividly embodies the transmission of Tibetan culture and the unity of national spirit, leaving an indelible impression on every participant.
In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery, which is famous for the monks’ debate. The debate is held in the courtyard almost every Monday to Saturday between 3:00pm and 5:30pm. Please note that in case of some special monastery activities such as the Dharma Meeting or the reception of VIPs, the monks’ debate may be canceled that day. After our visit to the monastery, feel free to stroll around the streets of Lhasa as you absorb the atmosphere and spirit of the devoted Tibetan people, or you may return to your hotel to rest and relax from this wonderful Tibetan cultural experience.
Meal: Breakfast
This morning, you will visit Jokhang Temple, the final destination of pilgrims for Tibetan Buddhists. A statue of the 12-year-old Sakyamuni, the creator of Buddhism, who lived in India in the fifth century BC, is collected in the monastery. This is the reason why Buddhists consider Lhasa a Sacred Land.
While learning about how the refreshing Tibetan incense is made, you can also participate in making it with your own hands, which is of quite different significance from the purchased Tibetan incense. Knowledgeable teachers will introduce to you the origin of the Tibetan language and help you write Tibetan blessings or your own Tibetan name. Meanwhile, you can also experience the traditional woodblock printing. The incense, printed words and Tibetan calligraphy can all be taken home as souvenirs.
Meal: Breakfast
Tibetan opera performance is another highlight of Shoton Festival. In the afternoon, you will head to Norbulingka, the summer palace and the place where the Dalai Lama conducted political affairs. It is not only the place where successive Dalai Lamas worked in summer and received Buddhist and secular officials, but also has rich historical, cultural and artistic values. During the Shoton Festival, the traditional eight Tibetan operas are performed in turn. The actors wear colorful masks to perform traditional classic Tibetan opera repertoires. Combined with the accompaniment of drums and cymbals and Tibetan songs and dances, it showcases the charm of intangible cultural heritage.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Meal: Breakfast
Notice:
Accommodation at Everest Base is Tibetan Tent or guesthouse, which is multi-beds room with 8-15 beds with public bathroom only. Due to cold weather, the tents might be evacuated from the Everest Base Camp. In this situation, travelers will stay in Basongcun/Tashizongcun guesthouse instead (multi-beds room with public bathroom)
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Weather condition permits, we will have chance to view sunrice at the Base Camp. After breakfast, you will say good-bye to Mt. Everest and drive back to Shigatse. You will cross the Gyatso La Pass, also known as the Dingri Boundary, at an altitude of 5248 meters.
Meal: Breakfast
In the morning, you will visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the seat of Tibet's second highest incarnation - the Panchen Lama. After the visit, transfer back to Lhasa.
Notice:
Please note we will arrange you to take train or tourist vehicle back to Lhasa from Shigatse according to conditions. No designation will be acceptable.
Meal: Breakfast
Notice:
Free drop-off service is included for all train departures and flight departure time between 08:30am-22:30pm only.
Meal: Breakfast
What's included
Included Services:
Tour Guide: English-speaking guide.
Transportation: Vehicle selection based on group size.
Accommodation: Standard twin/double room on twin sharing basis.
Entrance Fees: Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple, Lhasa Traditional Handicraft Center, Potala Palace, Norbulingka, Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Rongbuk Monastery, EBC&Eco-bus, Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.
Meals: 8 breakfasts & 2 dinners.
Permit: Travel Tibet Permit, Alien Travel Permit are included.
Insurance: Travel Accident Insurance, Vehicle Seat Insurance, Travel Agency Liability Insurance.
Excluded Services:
Transportation: Flight or train to/from Lhasa.
Meals: Other meals not included in the itinerary.
Single Room Supplement: Single supplement is required for single stay.
Gratuities: Tipping for the tour guide and driver is expected and should be based on your satisfaction with their services. We recommend a daily gratuity of USD9 per person for both the guide and driver.
