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Pioneer of Tibet Tourism for Overseas Travelers since 1984!
I visited Tibet from December 24, 2025, to January 5, 2026, over Christmas and New Year. I did a Tibet private tour, just me, my guide James (Jayan), and our driver. The van had individual bucket-style seats, which made the long drives surprisingly comfy. Having the tour to myself meant we could go at whatever pace I wanted. If I needed to stop to pee, take photos, or just stretch, we did.
I’ve wanted a Tibet tour for a long time because I’ve always been interested in Tibetan Buddhism. Going in winter turned out better than I expected. The skies were bright blue almost every day, and the air felt clear and calm. It was definitely cold, but daytime walking was fine, and the hotels were warm and comfortable in the evenings.
Join our 6 days central Tibet culture tour to uncover the Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and landscapes.
A Peaceful Winter Tour of Lhasa: Exploring Monasteries, Potala Palace, and More
Enjoying a Tibet winter tour and visiting places like Potala Palace is a massive win because there were hardly any crowds. My visit there took about two hours, but I’m told in peak season it can easily take 4-6 hours with all the waiting.
Day 2 we started our Lhasa tour with Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. Drepung was bigger than I expected, lots of buildings and monks going about their day. James explained the history and the way things work there, which was helpful. A few people noticed I was a foreigner and asked for photos, which kind of kept happening through the trip in different towns.
On Day 3, we visited Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street market. Potala was impressive, huge and sitting right above the city and the inside tour gave a sense of how it was used back in the day.
Jokhang Temple was full of pilgrims walking the kora and doing full-body prostrations. We met a group of pilgrims that had walked thousands of kilometers to get there. Later in the tour we would see similar groups walking down the road. Barkhor Street was buzzing, people everywhere, friendly and curious.
Day 4 we went a bit out of the city to Ganden Monastery and Drak Yerpa. Ganden was cool to walk around, and the views up there were great. Drak Yerpa is tucked into the hills and has caves and small temples. It was quiet and calm compared with central Lhasa.
Inside the Tibetan monastery, the beautiful carvings and paintings are breathtaking.
Winter is also a great time to explore Tibet with mild temperature and clear mountain views.Exploring Tibet’s Hidden Gems: From Nyingchi’s Scenic Views to the Sacred Samye Monastery
On Day 5, we left Lhasa and headed toward Nyingchi, stopping at Basom Tso Lake on the way. The lake was beautiful in the clear winter air. The next day, Day 6, we did the Nyingchi tour, the Huge Cypress Nature Reserve and the Sejila Mountain Pass lookout, and a stop at Lulang Forest viewpoint to take in the forest scenery from above.
I would have really like to have walked through the forest at some point but for whatever reason that is not part of the tour. The views were amazing, with mountains and forest stretching out as far as you could see. That same day at lunch we had a local stone pot hot pot meal with chicken and ‘caterpillar fungus’ which is only found in high altitude meadows of Tibet and Nepal.
Day 7 we drove from Nyingchi to Tsedang. The landscape changed again - long valleys and winding roads with mountains always in sight. Day 8 in Tsedang we visited Yumbulakhang and Tradruk Temple. In the morning, we got to be present in the main hall of one of the monasteries while the monks were doing their prayers and chanting which was amazing.
Day 9 was Samye Monastery. We were again able to be in the main hall in the morning during the chanting. At one of the halls they had drums and these massive Tibetan horns that filled the space with sound. Walking the grounds and seeing the oldest monastery in Tibet up close was really special.
The stunning Karola glacier on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse, the most accessible glacier in Tibet.
Ganden Monastery, not far from Lhasa, is a great spot for a short trek just outside the city.From Gyantse to Shigatse: A Journey Through Tibet’s Spiritual Heart and Scenic Landscapes
Day 10 we headed toward Gyantse, stopping at Yamdrok Lake along the way. The lake was incredibly blue with mountains behind it. Gyantse itself is a smaller town but felt relaxed. In the afternoon after our arrival I had time to climb up to the old fort in the centre of town (Gyantse Dzong) and get views of the town and surrounding valley.
Day 11 we went to Shigatse and visited Tashilhunpo Monastery. It felt calm and spread out, and locals were friendly and curious. Winter seems to be when lots of Tibetans travel for religious reasons, so the monastery had a steady flow of pilgrims.
On Day 12, we made our way back to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The valleys and snowy peaks along the way were beautiful.
I had an extra day in Lhasa before my flight (as the days didn’t align with the available flights) which was really nice as I got to have a relaxing walk around the town without any specific goals. I ended up doing a kora around Potala palace, which we didn’t have time for earlier and went for another visit to Barkhor street and Jokhang temple.
Along the way, we met many local pilgrims following tradition and performing full-body prostrations in Tibetan Buddhism.
We also met lots of Tibetan monks dressed in red robes, moving gracefully through the monastery.Reflecting on My Tibet Journey: Culture, Scenery, and the Peaceful Winter Experience
Overall the trip went very smoothly. The altitude was noticeable at first, but I got used to it quickly. Having a private tour made things super relaxed, no waiting for other people or feeling rushed. The hotels were warm and clean, which made evenings easy.
Even though it was very cold outside, especially in the morning, walking around during the day was fine with the sun. James, our Tibetan tour guide, was a great and I’d happily do another tour with him should I come back to Tibet in the future.
The trip felt like a good mix of culture, scenery, and everyday life. I had time to absorb the monasteries, watch pilgrim activity, take in the wide landscapes, and listen to James’s explanations that tied everything together. Winter one of the best time to visit Tibet, small crowds, clear skies, and a calm, meaningful atmosphere at the temples.
You do miss out on the greenery of later months though which had me wishing for a summer trip at some point in the future. I’m glad that I finally made it to Tibet. The trip gave me a deeper appreciation for Tibetan culture and Buddhism, and it ended up being one of the most memorable journeys I’ve taken.
Join our 6 days central Tibet culture tour to uncover the Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and landscapes.
"A Winter Journey Through Tibet: Exploring the Heart of Tibetan Culture and Buddhism During Christmas"