Biking on the Roof of the World

Day 1

Place & Transport: Arrive in Lhasa, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Airport Transfer (Lhasa)
Detailed Itinerary: On arrival your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to Tsetang, the third largest town in Tibet. It is known as "the cradle of Tibet Civilization".

Day 2

Place & Transport: Lhasa
Today's Activities: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace
Meals: Chinese Lunch at Tibet Steak House
Detailed Itinerary: Spend today visiting some marvelous historical sites in this mysterious city. Your first stop will be The Potala Palace which is the greatest monumental structure in Tibet. Later, a visit to the most celebrated temple, The Jokhang Temple and the afternoon, enjoy some leisure time in Barkhor Street for shopping and to look at some of the local crafts.
--Barkhor Street: The Barkhor is the oldest street in Lhasa as well as the center of old Lhasa and remains very traditional. It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts are assembled.
--The Jokhang Temple: Located in the centre of old Lhasa city“No one will go to Tibet without visiting the Jokhang Monastery.” The famous Lama Nimaciren of the Johkang Monastery said，and each tourist will agree with his remarks.
--The Potala Palace: The Potala Palace, which is now on the list of Chinese national key protected cultural relics, is the most valuable storehouse in Tibet. It is a huge treasure house for materials and articles of Tibetan history, religion, culture and arts. The Palace is widely known for the precious sculptures, murals, scripture, Buddha figures, murals, antiques, and religious jewelry treasured up, they are of great cultural and artistic value. In 1994, the Potala Palace was declared the United Nations World Cultural Heritage site.
Perched upon the Marpo Ri Hill, 130 meters above the Lhasa valley, it is the greatest monumental structure in Tibet.
Note: The Tibet Tourism Bureau recently announced plans to protect the highland's pure environment and rich cultural heritage. One of the significant measures is the policy to restrict number of visitors to the Potala Palace. The maximum number of visitors to the Potala Palace will not be allowed to exceed 2000 daily.

Day 3

Place & Transport: Lhasa
Today's Activities: Norbulingka, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: Today's highlights will include visiting Norbulingka, Trupeng Monastery, Sera Monastery. These important monasteries were constructed as a summer palaces for the Dalai Lama and later served the whole governmental administration. We suggest cycling in the city or between the attractions to experience Tibetan life.
--Norbulingka: Norbulingka means "Jeweled Garden". It was constructed as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama and later served the whole governmental administration.
--Drepung Monastery: Drepung Monastery lies in west of Lhasa under Mt. Gambo Utse, clustered round by the black mountain, its white grand buildings shining under the sunlight. Built in 1416, it is considered as one of the largest monasteries in the six principle monasteries of Gelu Sect in China. Drepung Monastery used to be the living palace of Dalai Lamas before the reconstruction of Potala palace(after the 5th Dalai Lamas was bestowed by Qing emperor Qianlong).
--Sera Monastery: It is known as one of the three greatest monasteries of Tibet. As one of the three main monasteries of Lhasa, it is here that the monks"famous daily debates"take place.

Day 4

Place & Transport: Lhasa to Shigatse
Today's Activities: The Palgor Chorten, Yomdrok Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: After breakfast, you will head out for Shigatse. You will drop into the Palgor Chorten on the way. If weather permits, you can challenge yourself by cycling part of the way to Jiangzi.
--The Palgor Chorten : Pelkhor Choede(Kumbum), also named Palcho Monastery, is very different from other monasteries. Built as a Tibetan monastery, its structural style is very unique, reputed as the lord of Tibetan stupas. In addition, it is famous for the architecture, sculpture, and mural painting art. It lies about 230 kilometers (143 miles) south of Lhasa and 100 (62 miles) east of Shigatse at the foot of Dzong Hill.

Day 5

Place & Transport: Shigatse to Dingri
Today's Activities: Tashilunpo Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: Road from Shigatse to Dingri is about 300 klms. We suggest one or two hours riding along the way to enjoy the magnificent landscape. On arrival, visit Tashilunpo Kloster.
--Tashilunpo Kloster: Painted in red and white, the buildings in the kloster stand closely together in terraced rows, offering a grand and majestic view.Tashilunpo Kloster represents the Tibetan super architecture art in the Last Tibetan spirit. The Kloster attracts thousands of Buddhists and tourists from domestic and abroad to travel and worship every year.

Day 6

Place & Transport: Dingri to Shigatse
Today's Activities: Rongbuk Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: You will move to the gateway to Everest North Base Camp. We will check in at the Dingri Zhufeng Hotel, which is 100 km from the base camp of the world famous Quomolangma (Everest) Peak. The rest of the day is free to explore or relax. You will also visit the Rongbuk Monastery.
--With an altitude is 5,100 meters (16728 feet), the monastery is the highest on earth. From there you will get a great view of Mt Everest.

Day 7

Place & Transport: Shigatse to Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: Transfer back to Lhasa.

Day 8

Place & Transport: Depart Lhasa
Detailed Itinerary: Be met and transfer to airport.