5 Days Journey of Taste Buds to Holy Lhasa


Overview

Discover the scrumptious Tibetan cuisines with your taste buds; the Journey of Taste Buds to Holy Lhasa also takes you to enjoy the most authentic dining experiences in some of the most popular teahouses and restaurants in Lhasa. Not only you can enjoy the succulent Tibetan dishes, but also pick up local ingredients yourself to make own Tibetan cuisine.

Meanwhile, Nepali and Indian and western cuisines and food for veggies offer you plenty of options. You can also relish the finger-licking food with the best view of Jokhang Temple and later picnic beside turquoise Lake Yamdrok; the culinary and cultural discovery in Lhasa will be any foodies’ fantasty.

The journey of taste buds to the holy city of Lhasa is an exploration of not only culinary delights but also a pilgrimage of the heart and soul. It is an opportunity to connect with the spiritual roots of Tibet, to experience the richness of its culture, and to create lasting memories that will stay with you long after you’ve left this magical place.

Tour Type:

Customized Private Tour

Group Size:

Max 9;

Trip Level:

Easy – suitable for all level of fitness, family with kids and senior groups.

Season:


Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Day to Day Itinerary for Journey of Taste Buds to Holy Lhasa

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa

Kindly accept our auspicious white Hada and simply leave your luggage to our driver to take care, then enjoy the scenic ride to your hotel in Lhasa city. Your handful Tibetan guide will help you check in and remind you of the tour plan the next day. Then enjoy the comfy stay at your hotels in Lhasa for a tasty beginning tomorrow.

Meals
Not Included. Yet, we recommend that you dine in the restaurant either in your hotel or around it.

Accommodation
Hotel in Lhasa

Insider Tips
No matter how desperate you are, never push yourself to visit Potala Palace or roam over streets for local food on the first day. For the newly-arrived travelers, it’s of great importance to adapt yourself to the thin air and high altitude in Lhasa (3856m). It’s highly recommended to have a good sleep in your hotel and drink more water. Besides, don’t have a shower to avoid catching a cold for the first night and never overeat as well.

Day 2: Lhasa Tour: Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Cooking Class at Tibetan Family Kitchen, Princess Wencheng Musical

After a delightful breakfast in the hotel, you will also be exploring the prestigious Jokhang Temple, the most sacred Buddhist site in Lhasa with our local leader. Walk past the prostrating Tibetan pilgrims and move in the dimly-lit rooms; you can also hear the constant mumbling of Buddhist chanting and see local Tibetans adding butter oil to the oil lamps. Never miss the chance to worship the life-size statue of 12-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni.

Then, you will also walk clockwise along the most renowned Barkhor pilgrimage circuit and discover the bustling Barkhor Street that mirrors the past and present of Tibet. Find yourself ravenous? No worries. Let’s delve into the quiet alleys to the teahouse of Tsamkhung Nunnery, a peaceful spiritual haven where great local cuisines are found.

Sit beside a beloved Tibetan granny on a bench chair and enjoy the authentic local sweet tea and Tibetan momos and yak noodle soups, pickled radish, etc; you find yourself getting one step closer to the lives of local Tibetans.

After enjoying the laidback hours at the teahouse, you will enjoy a fabulous cooking class at popular Tibetan Family Kitchen. Choose a specific local dish you find interesting with, then follow your cook to Tromsikhang Market to pick up the ingredients. And get back to Family Kitchen and learn to transform the chosen ingredients into a savory masterpiece.

The highlights would also be enjoying a variety of mouth-watering local cuisines for dinner at the rooftop terrace of the Family Kitchen overlooking the Jokhang Temple. Then, get transferred to the epic outdoor musical – Princess Wencheng, a grand feast to eyes. The romance between princess Wencheng and Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo and many Tibetan customs will come alive via the dramatic modern choreography.

Day 3: Lhasa Tour: Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Local Bar at Ice Chili

Today, it’s time to tick off your bucket list by having a selfie with magnificent Potala Palace as the backdrop; the follow the footsteps of your guide to hike the long stairs of impressive Potala Palace for the commanding view of Lhasa city; the UNESCO heritage site perched on the Red hill used to be the winter palace of the generations of Dalai Lama. You will explore the residence of Dalai Lama in White Palace and religious chambers in the Red Palace and gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas, etc.

At lunchtime, your taste buds will also get another treat. Stop by one of the best-known restaurants, also offering finger-licking Nepali and Indian cuisines. Enjoy the yak curry with garlic naan, Tandoori chicken, and chicken tikka and palak paneer and Ginger tea, butter chicken, vegetable momos, and multiple vegan options, etc. You will also use your tongue to explore the culinary link between Tibet and its neighbors – Nepal and India.

Missing the typical European cuisines? For dinner, let’s dine at a popular western restaurant – “Dunya”, a great restaurant run by welcoming Dutch couple. Enjoy the succulent yak steak, yak burger, pasta, pizza, or Dhal Bhat chicken curry, vegetable dumplings, Bolognaise, with Lhasa beer or cocktail, etc. The appetizing dish, plus the pleasing atmosphere, will have you fight for the last dollop.

The night is still young. Next, join your guide to the fantastic local bar – Ice Chili, order bottles of refreshing Lhasa beers or cocktail and bar snacks while enjoying solo Jazz or locals’ dancing, the night of Lhasa would be much charming than what you expected.

Day 4: Enjoy Linka (Picnic) at Turquoise Lake Yamdrok, Back to Lhasa

Unlike the previously quieter teahouse of Tsamkhung Nunnery, Guang Ming Teahouse is another must-visit place to enjoy breakfast and mingle with locals. Just get a sweet tea glass and sit beside the long tea with some cash, the “tea lady” in white clothes will collect the money and fills your glass with tasty sweet tea. You gotta try the yak soup noodles and Shabalep, Tibetan yogurt and soak up the lively atmosphere there.

Then, travel southwest by enjoying a 2hrs’ ride from Lhasa to turquoise Yamdrok Lake, one of the top three holy lakes in Tibet; your guide will also prepare authentic dried yak meat, Chang ( traditional barley wine)fruits and light snack or invite you for a barbecue for the traditional Linka(or picnic) beside the serene Yamdrok Lake.

Feel free to meditate or doing yoga beside the sacred Lake. Later, after traveling amid winding roads, you will reach Gampala pass (4790 m) for the amazing panoramic view of Yamdrok Lake against the backdrop of snowy Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m).

Don’ miss the chance to take selfies with tamed Tibetan mastiffs and well-adorned Tibetan yaks. Finally, we drive back to Lhasa. You may have shop around for some Tibetan souvenirs.

Meals
Picnic around Lake Yamdrok

Accommodation
Hotel in Lhasa

Day 5: Departure from Lhasa

After a refreshing breakfast, your guide and the driver will also be waiting for you for the friendly transfer to the airport or train station for the next onward flight or journey. The tour ends.

Meals
Breakfast

 Included:

  • Tibet travel permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
  • All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary;
  • Personal knowledgeable English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide;
  • Personal comfortable, clean and safe vehicle with reliable Tibetan local driver; vehicle ranging from 4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on your group size;
  • All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel or budget hostel, guesthouse or tent. Please tell us your accommodation preference when submitting the enquiry; we will arrange the best-value hotels for you.
  • Domestic flight/train tickets also listed in the itinerary;
  • All meals also listed in the above itinerary;
  • Tourist accident/casualty insurance;
  • First aid kit;

Excluded:

  • International flight to and out of China;
  • Chinese visa (Note: we could also help you with the Chinese visa application, like providing the invitation letter, presenting the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies, etc that you may also need. )
  • Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary. (We can also provide you the domestic flight/train ticket booking service at the BEST discount price; please contact us our travel experts for the details.)
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary; usually it costs about USD3-15 per person for one meal in TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region).
  • Tips and gratitude to tour guide and driver;
    Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks (please do the best to avoid the alcoholic beverages during your Tibet trip), optional tour activities, etc.