From Peaks to Sacred Lakes: Explore Everest and Namtso on an Unforgettable Tour
Latest Update: June,18 2024
If someone is looking for an itinerary that takes you to visit the almost all the highlights of Tibet, then no other itinerary is better than 10-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake tour. The ultimate tour brings you to the spiritual and economic heart of Tibet, i.e. Lhasa and then you move southwest to Shigatse Prefecture via spectacular Yamdrok Lake. You can gaze at the magnificent Himalayas in awe and closely watch the mind-blowing Mt. Everest at sunset. Finally, the tour would end with a tour in holy Namtso Lake, second largest saline lake in Tibet. Join the 32nd group tour in Sept. and share their unforgettable experience with Tibet Vista in Tibet.
Lifetime Experience Starts from Potala Palace
Everyone who arrives in Lhasa city will be deeply impressed by the grandeur of Potala Palace. Though the landmark of Tibet looks like a gigantic castle straight out of fairytale, it in fact used to be the residence, religious study and meeting room, even tombs for generations of Dalai Lamas. Tibetans from miles make pilgrimage to this holy palace and circle the perimeter many times while chanting the Buddhist mantra and spinning the small prayer wheels in hands. The panoramic view of Lhasa city on the rooftop of the palace is the biggest highlight besides precious murals, and Thangka and jewels, etc.
Enjoy the Traditional Tibetan Cuisine with Tour Members in Lhasa
Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, is peppered with a variety of restaurants and hotels. You can easily find traditional Tibetan, western, Nepali, and Indian and Sichuan restaurants. Do not miss the great chance to experience the unique Tibetan culture and local customs by enjoying tasty local snacks and delicacies such as Tibetan noodles, yak meat, Tibtetan momo, pancake, Tsampa, etc.
Hike in Drepung Monastery, the biggest Gelugpa Monastery in Lhasa
Drepung Monastery is one of the “Great Three Monasteries” in Lhasa. You need to climb through the long staircases to the hill to appreciate the beautiful landscape and skyline from a higher point. It’s a bit challenging to new-arrivals, so take it slowly. Besides, as you hike in the monastery, you can see big rock engraved with gigantic Buddhist mantra and religious paintings.
Travel from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake
As we left Lhasa for holy Yamdrok Lake, we happened to pass a tributary of Yarlung Tsangpo River. The driver pulled over the tour bus and we got off the bus and had a photo taken with our Tibetan guide.
Visit Turquoise Yamdrok Lake, One of the Top Three Holy Lakes in Tibet
Yamdrok Lake is the biggest highlight on the way from Lhasa to historic Gyantse County. The turquoise lake, embedded in deep valley, resembles a scorpion on the map, with snow-capped mountains on both sides. You can see Tibetan yaks and horses and other livestock grazing on the grassland beside the holy lake. It’s a perfect place for landscape photography. Gampa-la Pass (5030m) is the best place to photograph Yamdrok Lake.
Tour Palcho Monastery in Gyantse County
Kumbum Stupa inside the Palcho Monastery is the most iconic building in historic Gyantse County. Kumbum has 108 chapels in its four floors. Take time to explore the multi-storied Kumbum Stupa, with many chapels filled with unique religious statues and murals on each floor. The entire religious compound houses approximately 15 different monasteries, made up of three different sects (Gelugpa, Sakyapa, and Kahdampa) in a rare instance of tolerance amongst the Tibetan sects of Buddhism and it is the only monastery that housed monks from different sects in harmony.
Explore the Tsampa Mill in Shigatse
Tsampa, made of Tibetan highland barley, is the staple food for Tibetans. Tibetans eat Tsampa on a daily basis, and use it to expel ghost on religious occasions, and greet friends and relatives on festivals, etc. Tsampa is an integral part of Tibetan culture and local customs.
Made it to Everest Base Camp (5200m)
Close enjoyment of sublime view of Mt. Everest at Everest Base Camp is one of the biggest highlights of Tibet tour. Tourists can choose either take eco-van or trek to reach EBC, where the golden summit of Mt. Everest at sunset can easily take your breath away. Compared with the view of Mt. Everest in Nepal, on Tibet’s side the view of Mt. Everest is completely free of visual obstruction from neighboring mountains, definitely, a life-time experience.
Spend the night at EBC
Given the harsh environment, the accommodation facilities at EBC are extremely basic. There is no hotel at EBC. Mostly, what you can find is the guesthouse made of tents run by locals. Shabby as they look, the cozy tents offer a nice shelter and shield you from severe gale and bitter-cold temperature outside. Then furnace in the middle of tent serves for heating and the air inside the tent may smell not so pleasant because the fuel is the yak dung. But the tasty butter tea, yak meat, and harmonious atmosphere, etc. would be a great experience. If you love galaxy, never miss the chance to photograph stunning starry night at EBC.
Stroll along Holy Namtso Lake
Having finished visiting EBC, we headed back from Shigatse to visit another highlight, i.e. well-known Namtso Lake. The sacred lake is the second largest saline lake in Tibet and a hot pilgrimage destination. The best place and best time to photograph Namtso Lake is on the top of Tashi Island at daybreak and sunset. Due to the high altitude of the lake(4718m), it’s better to move slower. The accommodation around Namtso Lake is mostly makeshift tents.
Farewell to All Clients at Hotel in Lhasa
.jpg "Farewell to All Clients at Hotel")
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"From Peaks to Sacred Lakes: Explore Everest and Namtso on an Unforgettable Tour"