A Photo Cultural Tour featuring the Shoton Festival

On the Roof of the World. Locked away for centuries, Tibet has always held a unique place in the human imagination, conjuring an unearthly realm beyond our reach. We begin our photography journey of Tibet in the lovely Yarlung Valley, through which flow the rushing waters of the great Tsangpo. While experiencing the scenic wonders of the Yarlung Valley, we will pay an enlightening visit to the Nyingmapa monastery at Samye. We will then be blessed with four wonderful days in the magical environs of Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, its skyline dominated by the majestic ramparts of the Potala Palace. While in Lhasa, we will visit Tibet’s holiest temple, the sacred Jokhang. We will wander the adjoining Barkhor, the maze of shops and stalls that encircles the Jokhang, and join with Tibetan pilgrims as they ritually circumambulate the Barkhor and Jokhang koras. In the cities of Shigatse and Gyantse, discover the monastery at Tashilhunpo (home of the Panchen Lamas) and the amazing chörten of the Kumbum.

One of the highlights of this trip is the Shoton Festival, a Tibetan Buddhist festival that includes multiple days of Buddhist Masked dancing and display of a giant thangka. A colorful bazaar springs to life as locals set up their booths and stalls outside the monastery courtyards. Hundreds of people, clad in their traditional best, come from every corner of the country to pay homage to the deities and participate in these annual gatherings.

Outline Itinerary

Days 1 & 2: USA to Chengdu. Crowne Plaza Hotel

Day 3: Fly from Chengdu to Gongkar Airport in Tibet. On arrival we are met by our Tibetan staff and we head off to Tsedang. Tsedang Hotel

Day 4: Exploring Yarlung Valley. Excursion to Samye Monastery. Tsedang Hotel

Day 5: Today we drive up the Tsangpo River before crossing it to reach Lhasa. Visit the Barkhor Bazaar. Kyi Chu Hotel

Days 6 & 7: We have two full days to explore and photograph this historic town. Visit the Potala Palace, Sera and Nechung MOnasteries and the Jokhang. Kyi Chu Hotel

Days 8 & 9: These two days are spent partaking in and photographing the festivities surrounding the Shoton Festival. Kyi Chu Hotel

Day 10: Take a day excursion to visit the holy Namsto Lake with its turquoise waters. This is also the summer grazing grounds for many a nomad. Kyi Chu Hotel

Days 11 & 12: Drive via the photogenic Yamdruk Lake to Gyantse. Photograph the Kumbum and the villages around Gyantse. Gyantse Hotel

Days 13 & 14: In Shigatse exploring and photographing the Tashilhunpo, home of the Panchen Lama. Shigatse Hotel

Day 15: Drive to Gongkar Airport and fly to Chengdu. Crowne Plaza Hotel

Day 16: Departing Chengdu in the morning, crossing the international dateline, we arrive USA later the same day.

Please visit our slide show page to see a sample of Jeff Davis's work and images from Rajasthan.

Call us toll free at 1-800 MY INDIA (1-800-694-6342) or email us to request a detailed day-to-day itinerary.