Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa [3658m]
Welcome to Lhasa! Transfer to your hotel and get settled.
Day 2: Lhasa sightseeing
Visit Drepung, one of the three most famous monasteries in Lhasa. Drepung is located just outside Lhasa on Gambo Utse Mountain. Once home to as many as 10,000 monks, the enormous monastic complex is the site of many prayer halls, dormitories, and temples. Just below the monastery is the Nechung temple, the former home of the state oracle. Afterward, visit Sera monastery, where you can watch monks debate in the courtyard. If you enjoy hiking, walk the hour-long circumambulation path around the monastery complex.
Day 3: Lhasa sightseeing
In the morning, visit the Potala Palace, the greatest monumental structure in all of Tibet. The Potala is 13 stories high and holds countless treasures in its many rooms. Built in 637 AD, the Potala has been home to the Dalai Lama lineage for more than a thousand years. Also visit the Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in all of Tibet. From the rooftop, you will see pilgrims from all over Tibet prostrating in front of the Jowo Buddha statue inside the monastery. Afterwards, walk through the Barkhor, a famous shopping street filled with goods and souvenirs from Tibet, Nepal, and India. Spend some time drinking sweet tea in a traditional tea house located on a rooftop overlooking the bustling Barkhor.
Day 4: Lhasa – Yarlung Tsangpo / Brahmaputra River – Shigatse (3836m). 280km, 5 hours
Beginning your adventure in the Himalayas, drive to Shigatse, Along the way cross Yarlung Tsangpo River and some local villages. Once we arrive Shigatse, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery which is famous for not only being the biggest Monastery in Shigatse Prefecture, but also it is the seat of incarnations of Panchen Lama, the second highest lama after His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Afterward, you can follow local pilgrims to do outer Linkor (circumambulation road around the Monastery) where you can see Shigatse Dzong and entire Shigatse town in the view. If time allows, take a walk along the old street where you can see many Tibetan traditional shops sell family and monastery necessities. You may find some interesting souvenirs in this old market.
Day 5: Shigatse – Gyatso-la Pass (5250m) – Rongbuk Monastery(5000m) 350km, 8 hours
In the morning drive further west to the Himalayas. Along the way, we will drive through Tso-La pass (4500m) and Gyatso-La pass (5252m) where you will have a great view of Mt. Everest and other mountains of the Himalayan mountain range. After passing through scenic valleys and driving over rocky mountains, we will reach Rongbuk (Rongphu) Monastery, where we will have a fabulous view of Mt. Everest. Rongbuk monastery is the highest monastery in the World. It is worth to do a small kora (circumambulation) around the monastery, making amazing photos of Mt. Everest. Spend the night near Rongbuk monastery (or in Shegar depending on availability).
Day 6: Rongbuk or Shegar – Shigatse [3836m], 350km, 8 hours
Drive over two high mountain passes with great views of the Himalayas. You will see several world’s highest mountains on these routes. On the way, if time allows, make an excursion to visit Sakya Monastery (4280m).
Day 7: Shigatse – Gyantse – Karo-la Glacier – Yamdrok Lake – Lhasa. 350km, 8 hours.
Continuing your adventure in the Himalayas, drive 90km southeast to Gyantse. In Gyantse, visit Pelkor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa (100 Thousand Buddha Pagoda), both of which were built in the 15th century and are located on the northwestern edge of town. From Kumbum Stupa, you have a great view of Gyantse Dzong on the other side of the town. Afterwards, we will pass Simi-la artificial lake and Karo la Glacier. Then we will reach one of the highlights of the trip – Yamdrok Lake, it is a holy turquoise-colored lake with stunning scenery. If weather permits, you will have a stunning view of Mount Nojin Kangsang as background of this holy lake. Stop right next to the lake and take a small walk around the lake. After that, we will ascend to the Kamba-la pass (4794) where we stop again to see the overview of Yamdrok lake and Mt. Nojin Kangsang and descend down to Yarlung valley and finally to Lhasa. Once back in Lhasa, spend some time strolling through the alleys of the old Tibetan quarter and peeking into any workshops or stores that interest you. Take the opportunity to dine on local cuisine, revisit a favorite restaurant, or scout out a delicious place to have supper.
Day 8: Depart Lhasa
Say goodbye to Tibet!
Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice
