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Festival |
DAYS |
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Holiday Overview
Holiday Overview
Highlights
- Potala Palace: Winter palace of the Dalai Lama
- Tibetan opera performance: exciting horse race with the presentation of traditional horsemanship
- Thousand Buddha images carving with bike tour
- Tashilunpo Monastery: the seat of Tibet's second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama
- Mt. Everest: The highest mountain in the world
Map & Itinerary
Map & Itinerary
Shoton Festival is one of the grandest traditional festivals for all Tibetan people. It is a celebration to mark the end of the monks 'Yarné, their hundred day summer retreat. This festival starts on the last day of the sixth month in Tibetan Calendar and lasts for a few days. "Shoton" in Tibetan means sour milk banquet. As Tibetan operas are performed and Buddha paintings are exhibited at this time, it is also called "Tibetan Opera Festival" or "Buddha Exhibition Festival".
In this trip we also can visit the world heritage sites of the Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace as well as the great monasteries in and around Lhasa. No matter if you travel independently or in a group, we take care of every aspect of your journey.
Holiday Itinerary
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ARRIVE IN LHASA
After arriving in Lhasa, local tour guide will welcome you at the airport/train station, then transfer the guests to the hotel. Acclimatize the high altitude in the hotel.
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Accommodation Shangri-la Hotel
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LHASA
Morning, visit Drepung monastery was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Cheojee a disciple of Tsong-khapa. It was one of six great monasteries of Gelukpa sect and possibly the largest monastery in the world. First day of the Shoton Festival in Lhasa. Shoton means yogurt banquet. It is also called The Tibetan Opera Festival as well as the Buddha Exhibition Festival. Thousands of Tibetan people gather at Drepung and Sera monastery. They come up, well dressed in their ethnic costume to see the famous Buddha Thangkas or “Mandalas” which depicts Buddhist deity scenes showing the life of the Buddha. As you visit Lhasa during the Festival, here are some of the unique experiences you will see. Lamas and monks carrying the giant Jampa Thangka and hanging on foothills. The sound of sutra bugle reverberating through the valley. Giant hanged Jampa thangka at Drepung and Sera monastery. Tibetans throwing White Khada on the giant Thangka
Afternoon, visit Sera Monastery: one of the three great monasteries of Gelukpa sect in Lhasa-Ganden, Drepung and Sera. Sera monastery means merciful hail's-the origin of the name is thought to derive from the fact that Sera was in constant competition with Drepung ('rice heap monastery') and that the 'hail' of Sera destroyed the 'rice' of Drepung. It was founded in 1419 by Shamchen chejee-a disciple of Tsongkhapa. One of the highlights of a visit to Sera is the debating session from 3pm to 5pm attended by most of the monks. The noise and fervor is exciting even if you can't understand a word they are saying.
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Accommodation Shangri-la Hotel
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Meals B
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LHASA
Visit Norbulingka means a lovely garden in Tibetan. Located in the western suburbs of Lhasa, it has been a palace for the Dalai Lamas to stay to escape the summer heat. It was built in the 1740s and covers an area of 360,000 square meters. It was once a place of bathing and recuperation of the seventh Dalai Lama. Later after the eighth, 13th and 14th Dalai lamas built their own palaces here too. On festivals and holidays, the local people in their splendid attires come here with food and tents to sing and dance.
Tibetan opera performance at Norbulingka Palace. Exciting horse race with the presentation of traditional horsemanship. Wonderful and unique yak racing. Men or women, young or old, dress in their gorgeous clothes. Colorful tents setting up everywhere. Tibetan foods and drinks served on their carpet in front of the tents. Lively dancing and singing by these fascinating people.
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Accommodation Shangri-la Hotel
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Meals B
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LHASA
Morning, visit to the world heritage site of Jokhang Temple and explore the bustling bazaar along the Barkhor Street. The Jokhang Temple is the first temple in Tibet and built by King Sontsen Gampo’s wife princess Bhrikuti in the 7th century when he moved his capital to Lhasa. Unlike most temples, the Jokhang is not identified with a particular sect because it houses the holiest statue of Sakyamuni when he was 12 years old and consecrated by Buddha himself.
Afternoon visit the Potala Palace. The original construction dates back to the 7th century, and was built by King Songtsen Gampo. Later in the 17th century the 5th Dalai Lama rebuilt the Potala Palace to its present size with 1500 artisans and 5000 workers. The maze-like structure contains over a thousand rooms and is thought to house 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues. The massive structure contains a small world with a 13-storey castle rising over 117m high.
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Accommodation Shangri-la Hotel
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Meals B
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LHASA HIKING TOUR
Morning visit Papungka monastery and start your hike to Sera through Meditation retreat center with a wonderful view of the holy Lhasa city and especially palace. Palace is the most symbolized figure of Tibet by standing over the Marpo Ri hill, 130 meters above the Lhasa valley, the large building consist of 1000 rooms, with chapels, residences and tombs of successive Dalai Lamas made it as a self-contained world.
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Accommodation Shangri-la Hotel
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Meals B
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LHASA HALF DAY BIKE TOUR
After breakfast start a half day bike tour, comprises indispensable spiritual and cultural experiences by visiting countryside with bustling local streets, and holy Lhasa city gradually heads up to the east and pass through some villages of Tselgongthan. On the way back visit a thousand Buddha images carving on the mountain side and golden yak statue.
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Accommodation Shangri-la Hotel
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Meals B
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LHASA TO GYANTSE
Morning drive up to Kambala pass (4794m), you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-yutso and a wonderful view of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. Yamdrok-yutso is one of the four holy lakes in Tibet {the oathers are Lhamo latso, Namtso and Manasarover} and seat of wrathful deities. After a unforgettable and fantastic views reach Nangartse for lunch. Then along the Friendship Southern Hwy drive to Gyantse, visit Pelkor monastery and the famous stupa; Gyantse Kumbum built in 1427 by Gyantse King. The 35m-high Stupa with its white layers trimmed with decorative stripes and its crown-like golden dome makes it a stunning architectural wonder in Tibet.
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Accommodation Gyantse hotel
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Meals B
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GYANTSE TO SAKYA
Morning drive to Sakya (4 hours) and visit Sakya monastery, the head of Sakya sect. The southern monastery was established in 1268 and is designed defensively, with watch towers on each of the corners of its high walls. The northern monastery is located on north side of Trum Chu and was built in 1073 by Kon Konchog Gyelpo, a member of the influential Kon family.
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Accommodation Sakya hotel
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Meals B
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SAKYA TO ROMBUK
Early morning, drive to Rombuk, the highest monastery in the world. If the weather is good in late afternoon hike to EBC and enjoy the view of Mt, Everest. Next morning, visit Rombuk monastery; it’s the main Buddhist centre in the valley which was established in 1902 by a Nyingmapa Lama.
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Accommodation Rombuk Guesthouse
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Meals B
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ROMBUK TO SHIGATSE
Earlier drive back to Shigatse and evening visit Tashilumpo Monastery which was founded in 1447 by Gendun Drup, the First Dalai Lama. Later, Lobsang Chökyi Gyalsten, the Fourth Panchen Lama, made major expansions to the monastery. Tashilumpo Monastery is a historic and culturally important monastery in Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. The monastery is the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, the second highest ranking tulku lineage in the Gelukpa tradition.
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Accommodation Qomo Langzong Hotel
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Meals B
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SHIGATSE TO LHASA
Drive back to Lhasa, which is 280km from Shigatse and it takes 5/6 hours driving along the Yarlung Tsangpo river with beautiful views of countryside along the way.
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Accommodation Shangri-la Hotel
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Meals B
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LHASA DEPARTURE
In the morning, transfer to the airport or train station, see off.
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Meals B
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Price Policy
Tour Price Policy
Additional details
1. Before you pay deposit to book the tour, we haven’t made any reservation yet. The train, flight tickets and the hotel may different from the itinerary listed.
2. The visiting order of the scenic spots in the itinerary may change according to the traffic condition and other unforeseen things.
3. Tourist insurance is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.
The price includes
1. Entrance Fees: to scenic spots as listed in the itinerary
2. All the activities fee mentioned in the itinerary: Hutong rickshaw in Beijing; Sichuan Opera show in Chengdu;
3. Private Transfers: Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing during the trip by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver.
4. Meals: All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), include Peking duck dinner in Beijing; Hot pot dinner in Chengdu.
5. Guide: As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city, who will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available
6. Hotel: hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with king-size bed. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast
7. Internal flights
** Day 11/ Flight from Yichang to Shanghai (based on economy class);
8. Trains
** Day 04/ High speed train from Beijing to Xi’an (based on 2nd class);
** Day 06/ High speed train from Xi’an to Chengdu (based on 2nd class)
** Day 06/ High speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing (based on 2nd class)
9. Arrangements: the tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges
10. Travel Agency Liability insurance
The price does not include
1. International airfare or train tickets to enter or leave China
2. China entry visa fees
3. Excess baggage charges
4. The medicine for the sickness or accident while on the way
5. Personal expenses: expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary
6. Meals: any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary
7. Single room supplement
8. Please notice that the price will be much higher during the festival of Labors’ Day, National Day, spring festival
9. Tips to tour guide and driver (recommended USD10-15/guest/day).
10. Tourist accident insurance. NB - you are strongly suggested to buy travel and health insurance before you start out from your home country.
Payment conditions
To confirm your reservation, you must pay a deposit of 30% of the total amount due via the payment link that your local agent will share. The balance is due 30 days prior to departure. The quoted exchange rate is valid for the next 7 days – if the deposit is not paid within this time, the quote will be re-calculated.
Terms and conditions for cancelation
i. Cancellation of the Tour by CAT (local agent):
CAT reserve the right to cancel the postpone tour at any time up to the date final payment is due under the following condition: in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. And in this case, all money paid by the participants will be refunded. If the tour is postponed, CAT will offer all those who have signed up the opportunity to have the same tour for a later time, but the price may be changed according to the season. We will notify you of any change, and give you a reasonable period
of time to make your decision. Consumers may, but are under no obligation to, take the tour under these new terms. After final payment has been made, we may cancel the tour only if, in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. Since cancellation in this case involves factors which may arise suddenly and are entirely outside our control, including but not limited to natural disasters, civil unrest and epidemic disease, we cannot guarantee a full refund in this case. This is because payment will already have been made to finalize the arrangements and reservation.
ii. Cancellation of the Tour by Consumer:
Any cancellation must be made by sending an email to the local agent. The cancellation fee varies according to how many days prior to departure the cancellation is made:
· More than 30 days prior to departure: 5% of the total holiday cost
· Between 30 and 22 days prior to departure : 25% of the total holiday cost
· Between 21 and 8 days prior to departure : 50% of the total holiday cost
· Between 7 and 3 days prior to departure : 75% of the total holiday cost
· Less than 3 days prior to departure and after the departure date: 100% of the total holiday cost
All cancellations must be in writing and will be effective upon receipt by CAT. No refund will be made to those participants who break the journey regardless of the portions of the package unused. If, owing to serious illness or injury, the participant withdraws from the tour, a refund will be subject to the consent of the local travel agent.
No refund will be made to those participants who have failed to secure valid travel documents such as passport or visas.
