Tibet Opera Festival 8 Days

Shoton Festival, also known as Tibetan Opera Festival, is one of the major festivals in Tibet. The founder of the Gelugpa (Yellow Sect of Buddhism), Tsongkhapa set the rule that Buddhists can cultivate themselves only indoor in summer, to avoid killing other creatures carelessly. Because creatures are most active in summer.This rule must be carried out till the seventh lunar month. Then Buddhists go outdoors, accept yoghurt served by local people, and have fun. Since the middle of 17th century, the Fifth Dalai Lama added opera performance to this festival. Famous Tibetan opera troupes perform in Norbulingka (Dalai Lama’s summer palace).

Itinerary:

Day 1

Place & Transport: Chengdu to Lhasa, Flight No. TBA
Today’s Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer
Meals: D
Detailed Itinerary: Take flight into Tibet. Upon your arrival, local guide will meet you and transfer you to Lhasa. On the way, you can enjoy the heart-beating highland view along the Yarlong Tsangpo river (the longest river in Tibet). The rest time is free for relax and more oxygen.

Day 2

Place & Transport: Lhasa
Today’s Activities: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor street
Meals: B,L,D
Detailed Itinerary: The first day of sightseeing starts from Lhasa’s cardinal landmark- Potala Palace, a structure of massive portions. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. It takes at least a good 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels.
In the afternoon we will drop a visit of the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Everyday, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek a long distance to the temple. The temple is the product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural techniques. Then we will visit Barkhor, the oldest street in a very traditional city in Tibet.

Day 3

Place & Transport: Lhasa/Yamdroktso/Shigatse
Today’s Activities: Yamdroktso
Meals: B,L,D
Detailed Itinerary: Today, you’ll explore outside of Lhasa. After breakfast, drive 110km to visit Yamdroktso – one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. It’s winding road all up to the mountain, bumpy and somewhat thrilling. After pass over the Kambala pass of 5030m, the lake finally appears. Seen from the summit of Kambala pass, the lake is a fabulous shade of deep turquoise. After down from the mountain, there’s about 30km road along lakeside, with barley fields on the other side of the road. A nice walk by the lakeside can be a great joy. LeavingYamdroktso is as spectacular as arriving, since you’ll cross the 5045m Karola, with its awesome roadside views of the Nojin Kangtsang Glacier. In the afternoon, proceed to Gyantse, visit Kumbum Monastery. After that you’ll drive about two hours (100km) to Shigatse.

Day 4

Place & Transport: Shigatse/Lhasa
Today’s Activities: Tashilunpo Monastery
Meals: B,L,D
Detailed Itinerary: In the morning, you’ll drive to visit the residence of Panchen Lama- Tashilunpo Monastery. After visiting this magnificent monastery, continue your coach journey back to Lhasa along the Yarlong Tseangpo River, enjoying the great landscape en route.

Day 5

Place & Transport: Lhasa Shoton Festival
Today’s Activities: Shoton Festival, Tibetan opera show
Meals: B,L,D
Detailed Itinerary: You’ll have another day to explore more monasteries: In the early morning, we will drive to see the giant Buddha show which is the opening ceremony of Shoton Festival. Next, visit Drepung Monastery which used to be world’s largest monastery with a population of around 10,000 monks. Then go to Norbulingka – Dalai Lama’s Summer Palace, an easy visit, during the Shoton Festival, local people will go to the park for picnic and Tibetan opera show. After this, drive to Damshung for overnight and get ready for the horse racing festival on 11 Aug.

Day 6

Place & Transport: Damshung/Naqju
Today’s Activities: Horse Racing Festival
Meals: B,L,D
Detailed Itinerary: Visit the Horse Racing Festival in Naqju grassland, in the morning watch Horse Race activities, get to known the nomads life.you will have enough time to take photos on the vast typical green-carpet-like Tibetan Grassland. After that you’ll drive back to Damshung, overnight in Damshung.

Day 7

Place & Transport: Damshung/Lhasa
Today’s Activities: Lake Namtso, Yambajan
Meals: B,L,D
Detailed Itinerary: Drive to Namtso Lake; enjoy the highest salt lake in the world. It is the one of the holiest lakes among 3 holiest lakes in Tibet. You may have some time for ride the yaks (cost excluded) and taking pictures. Around 2:00pm drive back to Lhasa. En route, visit the Yambajan which is famous for geothermal hot spring. You may have the chance to enjoy the hot spring (excluded cost).6:30pm around you will arrive Lhasa.

Day 8

Morning breakfast drive to airport and fly out.