Travel Days: – Day tour
Altitude Range: Lhasa 3659m → Ganden 3850m → Drakyerpa 4400m (Lunch) → Back to Lhasa
Total round distance: approx 133 km
This is a classic full-day round trip excursion starting and ending in Lhasa, perfectly blending profound Tibetan religious culture and serene highland natural scenery. The journey covers a total driving distance of 133 kilometres with around 3 hours of overall travel time, passing smoothly between two sacred spiritual sites with short, comfortable road segments throughout. Travelling from Lhasa at 3650m altitude, the route first heads 57km and one hour to Ganden Monastery sitting at 3850m, one of Tibet’s most important Gelugpa foundations established by Tsongkhapa, home to his revered sacred stupa, ornate traditional assembly halls, ancient wall murals and a peaceful pilgrim kora path offering breathtaking panoramic valley and mountain views. Continuing 40km and one hour further reaches Drakyerpa at 4400m, a legendary ancient meditation retreat renowned for its cliffside grottos once inhabited by Guru Rinpoche, King Songtsen Gampo and eminent Tibetan saints, alongside unique temples carved into rocky cliffs and a quiet, secluded highland wilderness ambiance. After exploring both sites, the tour drives 36km and one hour back to central Lhasa. The gradual rise in altitude makes acclimatisation gentle and easy for visitors, with authentic simple Tibetan lunch available at local teahouses and roadside stops en route. The tour delivers genuine cultural immersion into local pilgrimage life and monastic traditions, with flexible transport choices for private or shared travel, while modest dress code and proper monastery etiquette are respected throughout the visit.
Baisic Route
Lhasa 3659m → Ganden 3850m → Drakyerpa 4400m (Lunch) → Back to Lhasa
Depart Lhasa in the morning, drive 57 km / 1 hr to Ganden Monastery, one of Tibet’s great three Gelugpa monasteries and the original seat of Tsongkhapa. Wander the temple complex, visit the main assembly hall, the sacred tomb of Tsongkhapa, and walk the kora route with panoramic mountain and valley views surrounded by prayer flags.
Drive 40 km / 1 hr from Ganden to Drakyerpa (Drak Yerpa), famed for its ancient cliffside meditation caves and hermitage temples. Explore the historic retreat caves associated with Guru Rinpoche, King Songtsen Gampo and eminent Tibetan masters, admire the unique rock-face monasteries and quiet spiritual atmosphere.
Simple local lunch available en route at monastery teahouse or nearby roadside restaurant.
After finishing both sites, drive 36 km / 1 hr back to Lhasa, end the day tour with return drop-off in Lhasa city.
Tour Notes
•Dress modestly, no shorts or sleeveless clothes inside monasteries.
•Follow clockwise circumambulation for all kora and temple circuits.
•No photography allowed inside main prayer halls.
•Higher altitude at Drakyerpa, take it slow, avoid heavy physical exertion; bring warm layers, sun protection and water.
Yes, all international visitors require a valid Tibet Travel Permit, which we will arrange for you fully.
Absolutely. This gentle 3-day Lhasa tour is designed for all age groups with slow altitude adaptation.
All accommodation, private guide, driver, transportation, entrance tickets and permit services are fully included.
Beautiful spiritual journey, perfectly planned gentle Lhasa tour with incredible local guide service. Very smooth experience for first-time Tibet travelers.
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