4 Days Lhasa and its surrounding Winter Birding Tour

Overview

Embark on a breathtaking adventure with our Lhasa, and surrounding Winter Birding Tour, a mesmerizing journey that also combines the wonders of Lhasa’s cultural heritage with the extraordinary beauty of winter birding. This extraordinary trip also offers a perfect blend of nature, spirituality, and wildlife exploration, making it an experience of a lifetime.

Generally, As the tour transitions into the realm of nature, prepare to be enchanted by the awe-inspiring landscapes that surround Lhasa. Venture into the mesmerizing valleys and serene lakes, where a plethora of bird species thrive in their winter habitats. Equipped with binoculars and a knowledgeable birding guide, you’ll also have the opportunity to spot and identify a wide array of avian treasures, from elegant black-necked cranes and majestic Tibetan snowcocks to vibrant rosefinches and elusive golden eagles.

Traverse through the stunning Yamdrok Lake, also marveling at its turquoise waters framed by snow-capped mountains. Enjoy the sight of flocks of migratory birds taking refuge in this breathtaking setting. Continue your expedition to the serene Namtso Lake, one of the highest saltwater lakes in the world, where you’ll also witness an incredible variety of waterfowl and shorebirds amidst the pristine beauty of the surroundings.

Our Lhasa and surrounding Winter Birding Tour also offers an immersive and unique experience, combining the cultural splendor of Lhasa with the thrill of birding in a winter wonderland. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a nature enthusiast, this journey promises unforgettable encounters with rare and beautiful avian species, all while exploring the spiritual heartland of Tibet. Prepare to be captivated by the magic of Lhasa and the awe-inspiring world of winter birding.

Tour Type:

Escorted by private guide and vehicle; available in late Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan

Trip Level:

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

Season:

Spring春
Summer夏
Autumn秋
Winter冬

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa (3650m)

Tashi Delek! Welcome to Lhasa, the modern utopia as well as the spiritual heart of Tibet; Your hospitable Tibetan guide and friendly drivers have already been expecting you at the designated places at the Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station.

As you receive our auspicious white Hada, simply leave everything to our staff to take care of and enjoy the scenic ride to your hotel in Lhasa City. Our helpful Tibetan guide will also help you check in and inform you of the travel plan for the next day. Then you can have a good rest at the hotel, ready for tomorrow’s exciting tour.

Meal: No Meal is included today

Day 2: Lhasa Tour: Potala Palace, Zongjiao Lukang Park, And Norbulingka Palace

The day starts with a trip to the amazing Potala Palace, sitting high on the Red Hill above the city, where you will be able to explore both the Red palace and the White palace of this iconic monument to Tibetan architecture. The view from the palace looking out over the city and the distant Lhasa River is one of the best in the world. The Palace is also the home of the famous Sandalwood Statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, a gilded wooden statue thought to have come from Nepal in the 7th century.

After coming back down from the palace, we will take a pleasant stroll around the kore route that encircles the foot of the Potala Palace hill. Then it is on to the Zongjiao Lukang Park for the first bird watching session of the trip. It’s also a favorite place for locals to get their daily exercise, the park becomes the home of thousands of black-headed gulls and plenty of Ruddy Shelducks, Bar Headed Geese, etc. from November to around the middle of March every year, and the scene of the gulls hunting for food or just lazing on the waters of the small lakes with the Potala behind is an amazing shot.

If you are so inclined, the Norbulingka is one of the favored tourist spots for having your photo taken in traditional Tibetan clothes. Local photographers with a wide range of Tibetan outfits can take your picture in front of the palace or in the park, with the Potala Palace in the background as a momentous souvenir of your trip. You may also take a leisurely stroll and find lively birds in the woods inside the Norbulingka.

Meal: breakfast

Day 3: Lhasa Tour: Jokhang Temple and Birding at Lhünzhub County, Lhasa River and Shugsheb Nunnery

In the morning, we will also take on the famous kora route around the Jokhang Temple, which follows the five roads of Barkhor Street around the temple. One of the most popular pilgrimages in the region, the route is walked clockwise, and there are prayer wheels for those that are performing the kora around the temple. Inside, you can also visit the life-size statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of 12, one of the oldest gilded statues of Buddha in the world, brought to Tibet in the 7th century and believed to have been blessed by Buddha himself.

After departing from the Sacred Jokhang Temple, we will head out of the city to Lhünzhub County, to the northeast of the city on the banks of the Lhasa River. One of the most popular places in Tibet for the migratory black-necked cranes, a rare and endangered species of crane that winters on the marshes and rivers of the area, this is also a great place to view and study these unique birds in their natural habitats. The driver will also bring us a pleasant drive along the Lhasa River, where you will have a brief stop to enjoy the Lhasa valley while photographing the birds nearby.

Our next stop is the off-the-beaten-path Shugsheb Nunnery, which lies around 65 kilometers to the south of Lhasa, is the largest nunnery in Tibet, and is a great place for birdwatching. A 45-minute hike from the road up to the nunnery, with its cave and shrine, this unique nunnery has amazing views down over the valley and is home to a huge number of indigenous birds, such as beautiful Tibetan Eared Pheasants, Tibetan snow cocks and pink Himalayan Rosefinches, etc. After spending the afternoon at the nunnery, we will drive back

Meal: breakfast

Day 4: Depart from Lhasa

Your guide will transfer you to the airport or train station for the next onward flight or journey.

Meal: 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 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 help you with the Chinese visa application, like providing the invitation letter, presenting the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies, etc that you may need. )
  • Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary. (We can 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.