Drak Yerpa is one of the holiest retreats cave in Ü region. This is the must go for the believers and those who are interested in Tibetan Buddhism and Meditation. Many prominent figures of Tibetan Buddhist history and famous preachers have meditated here, from Songtsen Gampo to Guru Padmasambhava and Atisha.
After the first cave was established the Tibetan wife of Songtsen Gampo, he meditated here. Many followers of Padmasambhava and Atisha has been meditating here. Drak Yerpa offers a stunning view of the Tibetan landscape and is a great trip from Lhasa. You can do the tour to Drak Yerpa with Ganden Monastery for a day tour from Lhasa.
Caves of Drak Yerpa
The first caves are Rigsum Gompo cave and the Tendrel Drubpuk, there is the cave where Atisha has Meditate. There are small caves where pilgrims squeezed into and there is another cave where there sip water.
The upper cave is called Drubthub-Puk, recognizable with its black yak hair curtain. Continuing the east offers to the pagoda offers a great view of the valley.
The next Chapel surrounds the Lhalung-Puk. Lhalung Phaldor is a monk who assassinates the last king of Tubu dynasty Langdarma. legend has it that while he was meditating in Drak Yerpa, the Palden Lhamo appears in his vision and order him to kill the anti-Dharma king for the benefit of religion. It is also believed that Paldor has retreated to Drak Yerpa and spent his remaining life there.
The largest chapel is Dawa-puk. Dawa-puk is the cave where the Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for Seven years. look for the footprint of Padmasambhava.
Heading west, you will climb up to the Chogyal-puk, the cave of Songtsen Gampo The inner chapel has thousand arm Avalokitesvara. A small cave and the Statue of Songtsan Gampo.
Below the main cave to the east is called Neten Lhakang, this is the place where Atisha has tought his student about of practice in worshiping the 16 Arhats. Further east you can climb up to where phigrims put the prayer flags.
Affiliation of Drak Yerpa
The Drak Yerpa is also summer quarter for the monks from Gyuto monastery also known as Ramoche temple. Since the monk is pursuing a higher degree of Tantric practice. This solitude place of Yerpa serves as a place for them to meditate.
Tourist Guide to Drak Yerpa
The Day tour to Drak Yerpa can include in any Tibet tour packages which have Lhasa in the itinerary. Many day tours to Drak Yerpa also includes the majestic Ganden Monastery. For more Tibet travel information and for Tibet tour suggestion,
Tenzin Travel is the best Tibetan Travel agency in Tibet. Our agency is one of Tibet’s most experienced tour operators, with over 20 years in the industry. Founded by a local Tibetan family with decades of expertise as guides, managers, and route planners. We craft personalized itineraries for every traveler. Our agency is the highest-rated and most recommended Tibet travel agency on TripAdvisor, Google, and Lonely Planet.
We can make holistic arrangements for your trip to Tibet. Including a Tibet Travel Permit, a Tibetan tour guide, flight tickets, train tickets, vehicle arrangements, and hotel bookings in Tibet.
Our Lhasa office is just steps from Barkhor Square. All our Tibetan team ensures deep cultural, linguistic, and religious insights, setting us apart from other agencies.
Beyond tourism, we support Tibetan communities by donating a portion of each tour to local projects. Your travel to Tibet is about more than profit—it’s about the opportunity for us to give back.