Lhasa

In the morning we will visit the Potala Palace. Your English-speaking Tibetan guide will answer all your questions about the splendid world of Buddhism. The Potala Palace was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala, India after a failed uprising in 1959.

The site was used as a meditation retreat by King Songtsen Gampo, who in 637 built the first palace there, which was incorporated into later buildings. The construction of the present palace began in 1645 under the fifth Dalai Lama Lozang Gyatso. In 1648, the Potrang Karpo (White Palace) was completed, and the Potala was used as a winter palace by the Dalai Lama from that time. The Potrang Marpo (Red Palace) was added between 1690 and 1694.

In the afternoon, we will drive to the Sera Monastery, which is one of the "great three" Gelukpa university monasteries of Tibet. The other two are Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery. It was founded in 1414, by Jamchen Chojey (Sakya Yeshe), a disciple of Tsong Khapa. Visit the sutra printing room and watch the monks practice debating.

This evening your guide will help you to choose one of the many cozy restaurants in this fascinating town.