4 Days Classic Lhasa Group Tour

Lhasa

Traveler Reviews

Tour Code: TCT-Lhasa-03

Tour Type: Group Tour

Tour Highlights:

  Well-designed Tibet small group tour
  Cover the must-see sites in Lhasa
  Suitable for who like to seek the culture and history of Tibet with new friends
  Deeply impressed by the mysterious culture and highland natural view of Lhasa

Best Travel Time:

From $ 490

Free Inquiry

Day 1Arrival Lhasa
Transfer service to hotel(sharing basis)

Meals: No Meals
Hotel: The Tibet Gang-gyan Lhasa Hotel(or similar)

Take domestic flight or train to Lhasa, you are warmly welcome to Tibet by saying Tashi Delek at the Train station/airport by our professional local tour guide and you are sent to the reserved hotel in Lhasa by taking the shuttle bus with only driver service. Then have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude in the afternoon.

Note: The free airport transfer from airport to hotel and fixed departure time: 10:00, 13:30, 16:00, 18:30.
Good to know: For the first timer to Tibet, either by flight or train, a good rest is a must for quick acclimation to the high altitude in Lhasa. Never rush to tour the street or attractions on your own. Walk slower and do not exert yourself like running or jumping. If you have any discomfort, do tell it to your guide, and he will help you out.

City View of Lhasa
City View of Lhasa

Day 2Lhasa
Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery Debating

Meals: Breakfast, Welcome Dinner
Hotel: The Tibet Gang-gyan Lhasa Hotel(or other similar)

After breakfast, enjoy your sightseeing tour today that starts with a visit to Drepung Monastery--was known for the high standards of its academic study, and was called the Nalanda of Tibet, a reference to the great Buddhist monastic university of India. 

In the afternoon, we will drive to the edge of the town to explore Sera Monastery, another one of the ‘Great Three’ Gelug monasteries in Tibet. If we are very lucky, we may come across Sera Monastery's Monks debating which was held in the courtyard at around 3:00-5:30 in the afternoon. The famous debate sessions of the monks in Sera monastery was created in 1419 and has been an important Buddhist seminary. After tour, you will be dropped off at hotel.
 

In the evening, the guide will accompany the group to a traditional Tibetan restaurant for a welcome dinner, marking the beginning of your journey in Tibet. 

Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery

Day 3Lhasa
Potala Palace, Johkang Monastery, Barkor Kora

Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: The Tibet Gang-gyan Lhasa Hotel(or other similar)

The experience native tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and then we will start a city exploration tour in Lhasa by visiting the most famous site in Lhasa ---  Potala Palace at first, exploring the grandest of the myriad chapels. The Tibetans proudly claim it to be the prime miracle since the creation of this world.

In the afternoon we will visit the holiest temple in Tibet. That is Jokhang Monastery, which is regarded as the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers. Therefore, you will find innumerable pilgrims come for worship every day there. After that, walk around at Barkor Kora, a bustling local market, where you can buy some Tibetan traditional or religious things. Exploring the Barkor Street, you can also see many locals prostrate around the Jokhang Temple for worship. The guide will also accompany you to a local Tibetan teahouse, offering insight into the social culture. 

Good to know: Taking photos is forbidden in the monastery. If you want to take photos of Tibetan pilgrims, a gentle ask for permission would be appreciated. Swimming and fishing are not allowed in holy lakes in Tibet; Do not talk about sensitive topics like politics; International tourists are not allowed to travel alone in Tibet according to the policy; Walk clockwise around Barkhor Street; Never venture into the unknown trails. If you are uncertain about something, it’s advisable to ask your guide before you do it at will.

Jokhang Monastery
Jokhang Monastery

Day 4Departure Lhasa
Transfer to airport or railway station (sharing basis)

Meals: Breakfast

Your tour guide will inform you when and where to get on our shuttle bus to Lhasa airport or train station in advance. Then you can choose to suitable time to get on the shuttle bus according to your flight or train departure time. Your Lhasa experience tour ends by group transferring to airport or railway station for departure.

Note: The free airport transfer with driver service only and fixed departure time: 06:30 a.m. , 08:00 a.m. , 12:00p.m.

Service Ends

Tailor-made Free Inquiry

Tour Price (US$ per person)

Travel Dates Economy Hotel Comfortable Hotel
Double Occupancy Sole Occupancy Double Occupancy Sole Occupancy
Nov 01 - Feb 28, 2024 US$490 US$560 US$525 US$620
Mar 01 - Jun 20
Oct 11 - Oct 31
US$520 US$595 US$556 US$672
Jun 21 -Jul 09
Aug 21 - Sep 19
US$568 US$649 US$615 US$766
Jul 10 - Aug 20
Sep 20 - Oct 10
US$612 US$698 US$659 US$836

 

Price includes                     

  • Tibet Travel Permit                       
  • Transfer service between the airport/railway station and hotel on sharing basis                          
  • Transfer service during the tour                         
  • Experienced English-speaking guide                         
  • Local bottled water                       
  • A Tibetan style welcome dinner                          
  • Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast  (hotels depend on travel agency's arrangement, which can not be specified)            

        Hotels used for reference (depends on the final arrangement by TCT)                 
        Lhasa
       Economy hotel:
Tibet Gang-gyan Lhasa Hotel, Xueyu Tiantang International Hotel, Shangbala Hotel or similar
       Comfortable hotel: Thangka Hotel, Holiday Inn Express or similar      
                         

Price excludes                           

  • Separate transfer between airport/railway station and hotel                          
  • Meals not mentioned ( lunches & dinners)                       
  • Gratuities to guide and driver                     
  • Transportation to and from Tibet                       
  • Personal Expenses                        
  • China Visa                      
  • Any tours or optional activities not mentioned.                        
  • Comprehensive travel insurance                        

                           

NOTICE                      

  1. 1 traveler departure guarantee.
  2. The travel documents e.g. valid passport, China visa and any other certificate for those with no-tourist visa will be requested at least 15 days before the departure date for the Tibet Travel Permit.                          
  3. Any tourists who request a separte airport/railway station -hotel transfer service or any who are not willing to wait for the free transfer service, can pay surcharge for a separte service.                        
  4. If the tourists can not meet the free airport transfer service due to the flight delay, tourist will bear the separate transfer fee.                       
  5. TCT has the right to change the visiting order during the tour, but ensure the spots in the itinerary will be visited, except for the situation caused by bad weather, force majeure, government affairs, epidemic, etc.    
  6.  Child below 3 years old will be free of charge; Child aged 4-6 without bed will be charged 50% of the adult rate; Child aged 7-11 with an extra bed in parents' room will be charged 70% of the adult rate; Child over 11 years old will be charged at the adult rate.                

Traveler Reviews Feedbacks & Photos >>Feedbacks

5.0

PunkNelson

5.0

Great Hotel stay Very Nice Tour guides Convenient planned daily trips Average selection of restaurant for food though
Kiwimac53

5.0

We were looking for a tour in SW China while in the area for work and found this one. While we wouldn't normally get a private tour but surprisingly it was actually cheaper than most of the group tours in the area and was great value. While I would usually rather keep one guide for the whole tour, as you get to know each other and they get to know what you are interested in, we changed guides 5 times during this trip (fortunately we had the same guide in Kunming at the start and end of the tour which was a real bonus as Murphy, our Kunming based guide, was excellent.) In this case changing guides had the advantage of local knowledge at each site so compensated for the change. Of the 4 guides we had 3 excellent and 1 very good with each of them working hard to look after us and make sure we enjoyed our trip. Vicky, our Dali based guide was also extremely good making our time there a highlight. The tour gives you 2 days at each base ie travel in the morning, have the afternoon and the next day touring the area then drive to the next base. We chose the driving tour as we feel it gives you a better experience of the area and you get to see the locals in action. All the drivers we had were great - they went out of their way to look after us and were very safe, which is saying something for driving in China. While all of the guides were very fluent in English none of the drivers could speak English which was a slight disadvantage as you didn't have the guides with you when traveling between bases but the friendliness and helpfulness of the drivers more than made up for this. The tour was very well organised and we knew what we were doing from the time we met our guide on arrival at the Kunming railway station to when we walked through security at the airport on our way out. The tour comes with 4,5 and 6 star accommodation choices and we went for the cheapest 4 star option. While the English at the hotels was limited the guides made sure we were checked in and out and took care of any issues (which were minimal). The 4 star option is largely "Chinese style" hotels ie designed for Chinese visitors with breakfast consisting of what many westeners would consider dinner style food but there was always eggs and toast for the less adventurous. The hotels were all clean and comfortable and generally very well located. The Hotel in Kunming (Jin Jang Inn) was a bonus as it seemed higher than 4 star and we stayed there both on our way in and out. As well as breakfast, lunch came with the tour which was enjoyable as the guides choose the restaurants so we got a variety. I got the feeling that most of the restaurants were owned by friends or family or there was some arrangement with the guide, but as you get to formally review each guide and the meals at the end of each stop they work hard to make sure you enjoy the meal and there was always an abundance of food. We tried a range of local cuisine and there was only one meal we didn't think was up to par. You get your own dinner which also suited us as there is invariably a range of restaurants or for the more adventurous there is the street vendors and you can choose what you want. The vehicles we were driven in were all very good- plenty of space and very comfortable. Being a private tour, while there was a set itinerary, which was diverse and very interesting with something for most people, the guides could tweak it to suit individual interests eg more time at one site and less at another. It is easy to get a bit templed out but overall the itinerary was a good mic of nature and culture. I would thoroughly recommend the tour and the company and we will be looking to the company if/when we go back - Guilin is next on the list as the guides were very happy to discus what they thought we would and wouldn't enjoy based on working with us on this tour,
N2265ZIinfo

5.0

Excellent guides, flexible and knowledgeable travel agent. They speak good English. Our trip was very well organized. We are 100% happy and I can recommend Top China Travel to everybody.
Wesley O

5.0

I contacted Top China travel for a 13 day China vacation (Beijing/Xian/Yangtze River cruise/Shanghai) and right from the start Bonnie provided me with great choices and package options. Throughout the entire planning and even during the trip Bonnie was there for us following up and making sure everything was perfect. Thank you Bonnie for making our China vacation unforgettable.
Johnf8958

5.0

From the minute I contacted Vicky at Top China Travel to book our holiday, to the time we were taken to Pudong airport for our flight home, the experience was perfect. My wife and I visited Beijing, Xian and Shanghai and all of our tour guides were fluent in English, very knowledgeable and very friendly. Thank you Vicky and all at TCT and I will definitely be in contact when I return to China.
lakazdi

5.0

I went on a Top China Travel group tour. Everything was so well organised that I never had to worry about anything. I really liked that the group was small and it felt like we were a big group of old-friends all travelling together, not just a passenger on the bus. Every hotel, guide, driver and restaurant was very well picked. I was very happy with how well-informed each guide was, how flexible they were to ensure we all had a great time, and their English was all very good. At every step of the way, guides had us fill in a Top China Travel feedback form which I am certain the company take very seriously since their service was so good. I will be passing on their details to all my friends and family who want to travel in China.
DEBORAH O

5.0

Thanks to Ms Raylene He we had a wonderful and well organised trip to 5 destinations which all went off without a hitch including being met by guides and drivers in each city and looked after very well. This all included several domestic flights a train trip and permits. I have no qualms in recommending this company to other travellers.
EBTraveler

5.0

With forty years of travel to the far corners of our world we have encountered many guides. Like most travelers some have not been very good, some decent and the rare few that are outstanding. During our three weeks in China last month we encountered just such a rare individual. Our guide in Guilin was a young women named Ping (I'll provide her email later). Ping demonstrated knowledge and command of the history, stories and culture all along the way. Beyond that, Ping exuded infectious enthusiasm not only for our touring, but for us personally as well. We had a serious medical issue occur suddenly, in fact one of us went into diabetic shock. It was four in the morning but no matter, after calling Ping she took command and arranged for the hotel to send us, with a car, driver, and assistant to a hospital. Upon our arrival there was Ping who obviously thru on some clothes, got on her motorbike and rushed to meet us. There she not only served as translator but as though a family member, she became invested in our proper care and recovery. Truly remarkable to have such a person supporting you. In small ways she flavored her guiding with a sense of our interests and preferences, like the day we mentioned our love of pomegranates and the next morning there she is smiling and with samples for us as a treat. When we left a jacket behind, once again was on it as Ping arranged for its shipment to out next stop and tracked it until it was in our hands. Beyond that, Ping was in frequent contact to make certain of our full medical recovery and to offer her help where or whenever it might be needed while in China. Amazing! Ping can be contacted at bellakanas@163.com Sheila Hertz, Howard Entin
ourview_11

5.0

From the first email to Top China Travel with Joyce to our wonderful Tour Guide Linda and our driver I can not say more happily what a wonderful trip we have had. Linda was very Kind and very informative with all your tours. The vehicle used was at very high standard and the Driver very safe. We had a private Tour for myself and my Husband we would totally recommend this company.
Geonannie

5.0

Top China Travel is the the tops! I booked an 21 day tour of China for my husband and I and from the very first contact with Lily Lui I was totally impressed. We communicated via e-mail and Lily was very quick and helpful with her responses. Because this was not our first trip to China, I wanted an itinerary that was different from the norm. Lily's recommendations were top notch. The hotels she used were top shelf as we requested. Our guides and drivers were fantastic. What impressed me the most was that when we were in China, Lily called to speak to me and make sure everything was going well. When I ran into some issues due to altitude sickness, I contacted her and she had the itinerary changes done and finalized within an hour. This was a private tour with guide and driver and I honestly can say there was not one thing I wished we had done differently. Thanks to Top China Travel and Lily our trip to China was perfect. I will definitely be contacting Lily when we return to China for yet another visit.
Allessandr0

5.0

I am a tour leader from Italy and this was my first cooperation with Janet and how lucky we met her!! We followed the trip with her to remote areas in China including some ethnic group area in Guizhou province and Sanjiang, Longsheng and Guilin, we enjoyed completely throughout the whole trip and some arrangement even out of our surprise, like we went to Janet’s home to learn how to pack Chinese Ravioli, she invited a Taichi teacher and we had a 1 hour Taichi class inside her home community. Everything was fine and our group members are all like her very much. We strongly recommend Janet Chan (janet@topchinatravel.com) as your China trip consultant! She is so considerate and carefully planned each detail of our trip. Guizhou is a very interesting and primitive place for visiting, you should include in your China trip as well! Thank you Janet! You are very professional!!
Salim A

5.0

When I planning our private trip to china I have read many trip adviser reviews and I have noticed Janet Chan’s name came up a number of times so i sent her an e-mail asked for the best two weeks private tour in China for 6 persons , whiten two days she replied me recommending 5 cities ( Zhangjiajie, hangzhuo , shanghai, Beijing , Guilin ) we went through the program which she sent to us it was excellent so we asked her to go ahead to arrange our journey . it was a great choice we made, The tour guides were knowledgeable and helpful. The hotels which reserved for us by TCT were excellent We can only say thanks for TCT and especially Janet Chan
Karan J

5.0

From the 1st point of contact till the end Joyce was great and helped plan a perfect trip which I was for a short time in Beijing. I was traveling alone and was recommended to join a small group of fellow travelers which was perfect. Great tour guide with a clean bus. Pick up on time and overall a great experience.
Ms Masha B

5.0

My husband and I booked a two week private tour of China with Top China Travel. It was an excellent experience. Vicky, a tour consultant, offered us a very good program visiting Beijing, Xian, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai and Nanjing. We really enjoyed every location. The tour guides were knowledgeable and helpful. In Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing me made our own hotel reservation and in Xian an Zhangjiajie TCT made the reservations for us. Lunch was included in the tour and the selection of the restaurants was excellent in most locations (except Xian). Overall great tour!
Chris W

5.0

When planning our China trip we read many trip advisor reviews and noticed Janet Chan’s name came up a number of times so we asked for her to arrange our journey across this fascinating land. What a great choice we made, she listened and responded to our questions and arranged all our trip that went off without any problems. We didn’t want shopping nor group travel and she responded brilliantly. Two days hiking on the wall with fabulous guide Miko, in fact all our guides and drivers were just excellent. High speed train meant we saw lots of China’s varied countryside and went to some out of the way places. We can only say great things about TCT and especially Janet Chan if you are planning a trip. Thank you Janet for an exciting and memorable trip! Chris n Jools Winstanley
Raghavan A

5.0

We signed up with TCT after reading reviews of Tibet tour agencies. Our trip included 4 days in Lhasa, two in Shigatse and one at the base camp. TCT made all the arrangements including the Tibet permit, hotels, tour guide, car and the driver for the entire trip. The arrangements were superb. The guide and the driver were very accommodating to our needs and made the entire trip very convenient. At the base camp, the guide even arranged for extra oxygen in case we need it. She was also very helpful in advising us as how to get acclimated to the altitude. The entire trip was smooth and enjoyable and we would highly recommend TCT for travel to Tibet.
karenilena

5.0

wonderful visit and wonderful guide Li. Li showed us all the charms of this great city together with our Li river tour. We fell in love with this place and Yangshou. Great place to visit and it was a favourite city in all the cities we visited. great guide
Natasha J

5.0

I can't recommend this company enough!! I started talking to Yocky via the chat system on their website, as we wanted to do a 2.5 week trip around China. Our itinerary was: Shenzhen-Beijing-Xian-Kunming-Dongchuan-Chengdu-Guilin-Sanya Here's how things went: 1) She was instant in her replies and responded to subsequent emails within the hour (and trust me, I sent A LOT of emails). She was always so thorough and efficient. 2) She made us a tailor made trip that covered everything we wanted, including some slightly more off the beaten track attractions. 3) She helped us keep to our budget and suggested reasonable things we could cut out when things were too expensive (not something many companies would do as they are trying to make a quick buck). 4) She listened to all of our requests for things such as early morning flights, vegetarian food, and readjusting itineraries. 5) All our drivers and guides were EXCELLENT; they were prompt, kind, spoke excellent English and had a wealth of knowledge about all the sites we saw. All the cars on our private tours were nice and comfortable and had water. 6) Despite asking for 3* hotels, all 7 hotels we stayed in seemed like 4* to us and all included breakfast. 7) With such a large and complicated trip there were bound to be a few hiccups (e.g. there was a marathon in Xian one day which meant a lot of roads were closed, so we couldn't access sites). Yocky was in touch with us the entire time and helped us rearrange our plans quickly and ordered complimentary tickets to a show to make up for the inconvenience. We were so nervous about our first trip to China as we speak no mandarin and are strict vegetarian but honestly this was one of the best trips of our life; this company made it so easy for us and I really can't imagine having been able to do it myself any better!
JrnyJunkie

5.0

The views are stunning and the boat that we were on had VIP seating for just our group with a private balcony to view the river.
Candi S

5.0

Raylene did a wonderful job organizing our tour to meet our time constraints. She answered all questions very efficiently. Our tour guide Rocco met us at the airport and the Driver was waiting near by. I have specific dietary restrictions and the guide was extremely helpful communicating that with the restaurants. The trip was so easy and we always felt safe. My husband and I are looking forward to booking a more extended trip in the future. There is so much to see and the food is wonderful!
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