5 Days Gaden Ngachen Chenmo Festival Tour in Winter
Overview
The Gaden Ngachen Chenmo Festival Tour in Winter offers a captivating and spiritually enriching journey through the heart of Tibetan culture. This festival, also known as the Great Winter Debate, takes place in the magnificent monastic complex of Ganden Monastery, nestled amidst the snow-capped peaks of Tibet.
As you embark on this extraordinary trip, you will find yourself immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of the festival, which brings together monks from various monastic universities for a month-long intensive debate session. The monastery becomes a hub of intellectual discourse, as scholars engage in lively and passionate debates on Buddhist philosophy and doctrine.
The tour provides a unique opportunity to witness the profound knowledge and wisdom of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. You will have the privilege to observe the debates firsthand, marveling at the eloquence and depth of understanding displayed by the participating monks. The debates are not only intellectually stimulating but also serve as a means for deepening one’s spiritual practice.
Throughout the journey, you will be accompanied by experienced guides who will provide insights into Tibetan Buddhism, its traditions, and the significance of the Gaden Ngachen Chenmo Festival. They will ensure that you have a meaningful and memorable experience, fostering a deeper understanding of Tibetan culture and spirituality.
The Gaden Ngachen Chenmo Festival Tour in Winter is a remarkable pilgrimage for those seeking to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Tibetan Buddhism, witness intellectual debates, and witness the deep devotion of the Tibetan people. It promises to be a transformative journey that will leave a lasting impression on your heart and mind.
Tour Type:
Escorted by private guide and vehicle; leave 365 days a year!
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: Arrive in Lhasa
Upon your arrival at Lhasa airport or train station, you will get greetings by your Tibetan guide and escorted to your hotel in Lhasa. Then check in at the hotel, and have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 2: Lhasa Tour – Potola Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street (B)
In the morning, we are about to visit the famous Potala palace and explore the grandest of this myriad chapels, and you will experience its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.
In the afternoon, we will tour the holist temple in Tibet, the Johkang Temple, built during Songtsen Gonpo’s reign by princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty, 647 A.D, and its famous Barkhor Kora (circling around Jokhang temple and Barkhor street) and bargain with vendors for Tibetan souvenirs on Barkhor street.
At night (around 8:00pm), we will move to Jokhang temple to watch the celebration of Tsong Khapa Butter Lamp Festival. Tourists will witness how the Jokhang temple and Barkhor street have illuminated with numerous lamps and Tibetans would wear formal dress and prostrate themselves on Barkhor street while saying the prayer or burn incense to show their deepest respect and worship to Tsongkapa.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
potala palace Barkhor Street
Day 3: Lhasa Tour – Norbulingka and Ramoche (B)
Norbulingkha, referred to “treasure garden” in Tibetan language, lies at western suburbs of Lhasa and 2km from Potala palace. It is also listed as the world cultural heritage by the UNESCO. Built by the seventh Dalai lama in mid 18th century, Norbulingkha is also called summer palace and later the successive dalai lamas studied and stayed there during summer time.
Then in the afternoon, tourists will visit Ramoche Temple which lies about 500m to the north of the Jokhang monastery. The Ramoche monastery was built for sacred sculpture of Sakyamuni that was later moved into the Jokhang monastery.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
nobulinkaTibetan pilgrims and prayer wheels in Ramoche Temple
Day 4: Explore Drepung monastery and Sera monastery (B)
Situated at the foothill of a mountain, Drepung monastery was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. The monastery is divided into two different colleges, that is, Drepung loselling and Drepung Gomang college. The Ganden podrang is the most famous for its role of governmental centre during fifth Dalai lama. Later the government centre was moved to the famous Potala palace during fifth Dalai lama.
In the afternoon, we will explore the Sera monastery founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa’s disciple Jamchen Choeje. It is famous for its dramatic monk debate held in the debating courtyard mostly around 3 – 5 in the afternoon.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Spectacular Buddha display in Drepung MonasteryMonk Debate is a highlight of Sera Monastery
Day 5: Departure from Lhasa (B)
Your driver and tour guide will take you to the airport and see you off.
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 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.