15-Day Lhasa Neykor (Spiritual Pilgrimage)

• Fly from Paro International Airport to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
• Tip: Sit on the right side of the plane for spectacular eye-level Himalayan views.
• Meet your tour representative and transfer to your hotel near the Boudha area. Submit your original passport to your guide for processing your Chinese Visa/Group Visa.

• Visit the Chinese Visa Application Center for mandatory biometric data collection.
• Spend the afternoon doing a mini-Neykor at the sacred Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) to receive blessings for your journey

• Drive to Pharping, an incredibly sacred site for Bhutanese pilgrims.
• Explore Asura Cave and Yanglesho Cave, where Guru Rinpoche attained high states of realization. View the self-arisen Tara image and the Guru's handprint in the rock face.

• Take the spectacular direct flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa Gonggar Airport.
• Your local Tibetan guide will meet you with your physical Tibet Travel Permit.
• Transfer to your hotel in Lhasa (3,650m). Rest completely for the remainder of the day and drink plenty of warm water to acclimatize.

• Visit Jokhang Temple, the absolute spiritual center of Tibet, housing the Jowo Sakyamuni statue.
• Join local pilgrims on the Barkhor Street circumambulation circuit.
• In the evening, participate in the historical Lingkor Kora, the 3-hour outer circumambulation path that encompasses the city's ancient temples.

• Explore the iconic Potala Palace, winter residence of the Dalai Lamas.
• In the afternoon, head to Sera Monastery to watch the energetic, traditional philosophical debating sessions held by the monks in the courtyard.

• Morning visit to Drepung Monastery, which once stood as the largest monastery in the world.
• Afternoon drive to Drak Yerpa Hermitage, a breathtaking cliffside monastery complex where Guru Rinpoche and King Songtsen Gampo meditated in sacred caves.

• Drive to the cradle of Tibetan civilization, Tsedang.
• Cross the Tsangpo River to visit Samye Monastery, the very first Buddhist monastery built in Tibet, designed as a 3D mandala. It holds deep historical links to Guru Rinpoche and Shantarakshita.

• Drive through dramatic mountain passes to Yamdrok Tsho Lake, one of Tibet’s three holiest turquoise lakes.
• Continue driving past the Karo La Glacier to Gyantse. Visit the Palcho Monastery and its famous multi-tiered Kumbum Stupa.

• Take a short drive to Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city.
• Explore the vast Tashilhunpo Monastery, the historic seat of the Panchen Lamas, which houses a massive 26-meter-high statue of the Future Buddha (Maitreya).

• Drive back to Lhasa along the scenic Yalong Valley highway.
• Enjoy a relaxed final evening in the Barkhor market area for souvenir shopping and final prayers.

• Transfer to Lhasa Airport for your return flight back to Kathmandu.
• Check back into your hotel in Kathmandu and pick up any luggage left behind.

A buffer day in case of flight delays. Use this time for optional sightseeing at Pashupatinath or shopping for religious items in the Boudha markets.

Fly back to Paro International Airport, bringing your sacred Neykor journey to a close.