Shalu to Nartang Trek – 8 Days

Shalu to Nartang trek follows the ancient trade route between two great Buddhist monasteries, the Shalyu and the Nartang, while you trek through the route, you can feel the caravans laden with scriptures and treasures that once passed this way. The route passes through several villages as well as uninhabited dry canyons. It is also the shortest Tibet trekking route, just about 15 hours walking, you can divided into 2 or 3 days according to your personal physical condition. The optional walking season is from the beginning of April to the end of October.

At a Glance

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival-Lhasa (3650m)

Transfer to Lhasa downtown after arriving in the Lhasa Gongar airport or the Lhasa train station. Have a rest in Lhasa to acclimatize the high altitude.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Day 2: Lhasa Tour – Potala Palace, Johkang Temple, and Barkhor Street

 Today’s tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Besides, We can taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house; The welcome dinner will also be arranged accordingly

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Included Meals (Breakfast and dinner)

Day 3: Lhasa Tour – Drepung and Sera Monastery

In the morning ,you are going to visit Drepung monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.

In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour  the Tibetan religious scripture printing house; inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.

 Stay overnight in Lhasa

Included Meals (Breakfast)

Day 4: Lhasa／Gyantse／Shalu Monasgery, Camping

In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse .On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa .

Later, we will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside; At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass; Then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet’s third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse).In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the Far view of Gyangtse Fortress.

After one driving, we arrive in Shalu Monastery, Visit Shalu Monastery, the seat of Buton. Rinchendrub(1290-1346), who was the great master of the Tibetan translations of the Indian Buddhist. Near Shalu, is the beginning of our trekking tour. moving to the best camp site few kilomiters away from Shalu, we will have our first camping in here.

Included Meals (Breakfast and dinner)

Day 5: Shalu (3980m)/ upper Lungsang(4060m), Trekking 5 -6 hours, 12km, Camp

We start trekking after breakfast at the camp to Upper Lungsang which is 4060m above sea level. on the way, you will pass Ripu hermitage, flood plain, Phunup village, Showa-la pass. In this way, you will have experience the Tibetan farmer’s countryside life and see how local Tibetan in countryside practice their Buddhist life.

Stay overnight at upper Lungsang Camp

Included Meals (Breakfast. lunch and dinner)

Day 6: Upper Lungsang/Ngor Monastery/Nartang Monastery/Shigatse, (trekking 5 -6 hours, 14km)

Trek through the farming fields to the Ngor village. The Ngor monastery is renowned for its Sanskrit library and Newar-style (a tribe in Nepal) murals. There were once five assembly halls, 18 colleges and 400 monks. Cross the Char-la pass(4550m), there was once a trade link between Shalu and Sakya Monastery, but now has disappeared. Need to trek cross a steep slope of raw expanses of rock. Trek from Ngor to Nartang by passing several villages, saddles, and one electric utility. near the ending, we will drive to Shigatse City, which is the second biggest city of Tibet, also the seat of Pamcham Lama.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Included Meals (Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 7: Shigatse/Lhasa, visit Tashilunpo monastery

Drive back to Lhasa from Shigatse in 4 hours. On the way, visit the largest Monastery in west Tibet, the Tashilunpo monastery, as the last but famous historic sites for your Tibet tour. Tashilunpo monastery is one of the six great Gelukpa institutions and was founded in 1447 by a disciple of Tsongkapa, Genden drup who was the first dalai lama. Jamkhang Chenmo contains the world’s largest gilded copper image (26m high) of future god Jampa.

Drive along the Friendship Highway back to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Included Meals (Breakfast)

Day 8: Depart Lhasa

Transfer to the Lhasa airport/Train station to end the service.

Included Meals (Breakfast)