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Literally meaning "place of the gods" Lhasa is arguably the most spiritual place in all of Tibet.
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The palace is an iconic symbol of Tibetan Buddhism. It housed a school for the religious training of monks as well as being a major pilgrimage destination for the tombs of past Dalai Lamas.
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James, Ampersand MD, taking a photo opportunity outside The Potala Palace.
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The Potala Palace’s hallways and corridors are still filled with the same chanting and scent of incense that they would have been centuries ago.
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Watch as the practicing monks of the Sera Monastery take part in their daily 'debates' on Buddhist teachings. This lively custom is almost as old as the monastery itself and it makes for an authentic and culturally invigorating experience to see the young novices poking fun and trying out whit one another.
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Horse and cart is still the only way to get around for may of the local people.
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James, Ampersand MD, taking a tour of Lhasa by horse and cart.
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A drive along some of Tibet's roads will reveal how truly remote this country is, passing nothing from the car or yak for miles on end.
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Tibetan Yak's make up nearly 80% of the worlds yak population. They are an integral part of Tibetan life: from milk to meat to carrying heavy loads and using their thick shaggy coat for wool. Despite often weighing in at over 500kg and their intimidating looking horns, these creatures are very docile and do not give passing travelers any trouble.
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The Qomolangma National Park is an area of extreme and unspoiled natural beauty.
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We will ensure you travel around Tibet in a sturdy 4x4 with one of our highly experienced and friendly guides - you will need both to travel through some of the more rural areas!
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The prayer flags are believed to be unique to Tibet and not found in any other denominations of Buddhism.
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Dating back many centuries, Tibetan prayer flags are often decorated using the traditional methods of woodblock printing.
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We recommend that you allow a day to acclimatize yourself to the thin air before exploring The Potala Palace. At 12,000 feet not only is it the highest monastery in the world: it is literally breath-taking!
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Tibet's answer to bunting: from rural passes to town centres, the region is covered with it. A perfect souvenir to take home to remember your trip!
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Wander the streets of the Himalayan town of Tingri and experience a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for decades.
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Try some traditional Tibetan 'chang': a rice based beer with a bit of a kick. It's something of an acquired taste!
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Rural areas are littered with these religious shrines covered in colourful Tibetan prayer flags. They are used to bless the surrounding countryside and protect travellers. If you circle them three times it is believed to be good luck!
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Located at an altitude of almost 12,000 feet Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world.
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Follow Robert Frost's advice (but not in his footsteps) and take the road less travelled, of which there are plenty in Tibet!
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Dating back to 1419 the Sera Monastery is one of the oldest still in existence. Even today it is still a fully functioning monastic university and is home to several hundred monks between the ages of 8 and 70.
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The five uninhabited islands of the Namtso Lake were traditionally used as a place of spiritual retreat for Buddhist monks. They would walk across the lakes frozen surface at the end of winter, carrying food with them, and spend the summer months on these isolated islands, in a state of deep meditation, unable to return to shore until the lake froze over the following winter.
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Cross the Namtso Lake by boat for an unforgettable journey to reach the Sera monastery.
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Often referred to as "Heavenly Lake" the Namtso Lake is one of the most peaceful places in Tibet.
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Far more than simply a tourist trap, you will encounter many locals en-route to Tibet’s oldest monasteries. Like this traditionally dressed local woman on her way to the Sera Monastery.
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For such a beautiful and culturally rich country, Tibet does not receive as many visitors as it should. So expect a warm welcome from the locals and your guides!
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