Tibet Tour during Tsurpu Prayer Festival in Summer 2026

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Day01 05.04.2026 Arrive in Lhasa

Welcome in Tibet – the roof of the world

Today arrive in Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet, transfer to hotel. Stay at the hotel for adapting to the high altitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water.

Overnight at Thangka Hotel

Pilgrim on Barkhor Street

DAY
2

Day02 06.04.2026 Lhasa

Potala Palace – landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang and Barkhor Street

Full-day visits: Potala in the morning and Jokhang in the afternoon.
In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship every day. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Overnight at Thangka Hotel

Breakfast

Potala Palace

DAY
3

Day03 07.04.2026 Lhasa

Panoramic view over Potala, Norbulingka, Debate in Sera

In the morning visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain, was built in the 7th century. It is 22m high and from here you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala palace. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Sera Monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. It is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelugpa. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. You have the opportunity to experience the famous monks' "Buddhism scriptures debates". Public religious debates are part of the education of monks.

Overnight at Thangka Hotel

Breakfast

Debate in Sera Monastery

DAY
4

Day04 08.04.2026 Lhasa – Tsurpu Monastery - Lhasa

Summer Prayer Festival in Tsurpu Monastery. Erecting prayer flag mast in Tsurpu Monastery

On the first day of the traditional summer prayer festival in Tsurpu Monastery (4300 m), you will go there to experience the majestic ritual about putting up the prayer flag pole. On every 8th April of Tibetan calendar, a Tibetan Buddhist ritual about erecting prayer flag pole is held at Tsurpu Monastery, and the worshipers who come here for pilgrimage reaches 80 thousands. The prayer flag is considered as a landmark of Tibetan Buddhism. Every year, there is a conventional ceremony about replacing the prayer flag and erecting prayer flag pole for longevity and health, carrying forward Buddha dharma, good fortune of whole year. Besides, you’ll visit the Tsurpu Monastery, which is the main monastery of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Tsurpu was established in 1189 by Duesum Khyenpa, a pupil of Gampopa and the first Karmapa. He introduced the principle of reincarnation into Tibet. He told his disciples that he would reincarnate and pointed out the location of the second Karmapas reborn. In contrast to Yellow Caps (Gelug) the Karmapa Kagye are regarded as the Black Hat. If time is available, hike on the pilgrim's way around the monastery (about 1 hour).

120 km
3 hours
Overnight at Thangka Hotel

Breakfast

Summer Prayer Festival in Tsurpu Monastery

DAY
5

Day05 09.04.2026 Lhasa – Gandan – Drak Yerpa - Lhasa

Gandan monastery with pilgrimage, Drak Yerpa

Today there is no special program in Tsurpu Monastery, you take a day trip to Gandan Monastery. Morning drive to the Gardan monastery. It was built in 1409 by Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelukpa of Tibetan Buddhism. Gandan, Drepung and Sera are among the three largest monasteries in Lhasa. And Gandan is the place where Tsongkapa passed away. Therefore, it has the highest reputation in all the temples of the Gelugpa. If you are interested, you can walk along the pilgrimage way to the left and right hillsides of Gandan Monastery to visit Tsongkhapa’s meditation cave and enjoy the panorama of Gandan Monastery and magnificent scenery of Lhasa River valley. Continue driving to the Drak Yerpa monastery. Drak Yerpa is a rock monastery dating back to the 7th century. The caves of the monastery are located near the village of Yerpa at the foot of the Yerpa Mountains. It is considered one of the holiest caves in the region. Many famous people have stayed here - including Songtsen Gampo of the Yarlung dynasty and Padmasambhava – who has contributed to the holiness of the place. Walk to the meditation caves of Drak Yerpa. Afterwards drive back to Lhasa.

144 km
3 hours 50 minutes
Overnight at Thangka Hotel

Breakfast

Gandan Monastery

DAY
6

Day06 10.04.2026 Lhasa – Tsurpu - Lhasa

Summer Prayer Festival in Tsurpu Monastery. Mask dance (Cham) in Tsurpu Monastery

The second program of the traditional summer prayer festival of Tsurpu Monastery is the varied mask dances on every April 10th of the Tibetan calendar. The dance ritual, one of the traditional religious dances, is called "Cham" in Tibetan. The dance ritual is highly respected by Tsurpu Monastery and is performed well, which thanks to their attention and inheritance as well as generations of Karmapa' efforts - Karmapa would set an example to learn it and perform it in important holidays. Today will be a lifetime unforgettable experience for you.

120 km
3 hours
Overnight at Thangka Hotel

Breakfast

Mask dance (Cham) in Tsurpu Monastery

DAY
7

Day07 11.04.2026 Lhasa – Tsurpu - Lhasa

Summer Prayer Festival in Tsurpu Monastery. Exhibition of thangka in Tsurpu Monastery

Exhibition of huge Thangka with Buddha image is held on 11th April of Tibetan calendar. On that day, believers from all over Tibet gather at the Tsurpu Monastery, 60 km away from west of Lhasa. With a solemn sound of trumpet, a huge Thangka was carried to the booth by the monks of Tsurpu Monastery. The 38m high and 35m wide embroidery with image of Padmasambhava or Sakyamuni is displayed in front of pilgrims for blessing. Actually, the Padmasambhava embroidery and Sakyamuni embroidery are displayed in turn every year. In addition, exhibition of Buddha image also provides a good opportunity for skillful craftsmen to show their professional craftsmanship. This ritual in Tsurpu Monastery has the longest history among the Tibetan Buddhist ritual that carry out exhibition of Buddha image. Till now, it is more than 500 years history.

120 km
3 hours
Overnight at Thangka Hotel

Breakfast

Exhibition of Thangka in Tsurpu Monastery

DAY
8

Day08 12.04.2026 Leave Tibet

Travel to next destination

Today transfer to airport or railway station, leave Tibet.

Breakfast

Barkhor Street

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This trip can also be tailor-made, please let us know your travel idea: travel date, duration, number of travelers, child (2 - 12 years old), baby (0 - 2 years old), other travel destinations, meals, accommodation category, boutique hotel, special interest ...

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