Welcome to Lhasa!

Upon your arrival, our friendly Tibetan tour guide will greet you at Lhasa airport/Lhasa Railway Station, offering you a pristine white Khata to express our warm blessings.

It is your first day in Tibet, please have a good rest for today as you need to adapt to the altitude of the highest plateau in the world.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Overnight in Lhasa

• Tibetan tour guide greets you at Lhasa Airport.

• Lhasa River

Today is the day for a Monastery trip in Lhasa! You’ll explore the largest monastery in Tibet, witness the Tibetan monks debate, and immerse yourself in the daily life of Tibetan monks.

After breakfast, you’ll collect your rental vehicle and drive to Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet that is 10 kilometers away from downtown Lhasa. It was once the home to over 10,000 monks in Tibet. Upon arrival, you will follow the route to visit the Coqen Hall and the Loseling College (or an equivalent) to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism and get a glimpse into the study and daily life of Tibetan monks.

After lunch, you’ll drive about 30 to 40 minutes to Sera Monastery, another of the ‘Great Three’ Gelug monasteries of Tibet. You will witness the famous Tibetan Monks Debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). Your guide will intricately explain how Tibetan monks engage in these debates to acquire knowledge and advance in their academic degrees.

After today’s tour, enjoy a welcome dinner in a local restaurant.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Overnight in Lhasa

Breakfast | Welcome Dinner

• Drepung Monastery, one of the Great Three Gelug monasteries of Tibet

• Monk Debate is a highlight of Sera Monastery

Today’s Highlight is a visit to UNESCO World Heritage Sites Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, providing a glimpse into the daily beliefs and lives of the people of Lhasa.

In the morning, your first stop is the Potala Palace at the center of Lhasa city. Here, you can see extraordinary cultural and religious treasures and relics of Tibet. The most valuable collections of the Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

After touring the Potala Palace, you will visit the Longwangtan Park at the foot of the Potala Palace. You’ll appreciate the majestic Potala Palace from a different t perspective and engage in local Tibetan folk activities.

In the afternoon, you will head to the Jokhang Temple, the heart of Tibetan religion. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple.

Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Next, follow your guide to one of the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea houses in Lhasa. Sip traditional Tibetan sweet tea alongside local Tibetans as your guide shares insights into Tibetan social dynamics and daily life.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Overnight in Lhasa

Breakfast

• Potala Palace is always the No.1 attraction for travelers visiting Tibet.

• A Tibetan pilgrim is worshipping Jokhang Temple

Today, you will complete a 356 km overland journey from Lhasa to Shigatse to visit the stunning Yamdrok Lake, witness the gorgeous Karola Glacier, and explore the local Tibetan villages.

After breakfast, you’ll drive along the well-paved road from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake. You can catch a breathtaking view of the lake from Gampala Pass (4,790 m). The turquoise Yamdrok Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7,191 m), the highest mountain near Lhasa.

Continue your drive to explore the lakeshore from various viewpoints, and at the end of the lake, you could visit a local family in the village and have lunch with the locals.

Next, you will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside. It is the largest glacier in Tibet. As you see the ice tongue of the glacier climb the entire hillside, you will feel the magical power of nature.

Then, continue your drive to Gyantse. On the way, you can stop at Simila Mountain Pass, where you can hang prayer flags to pray for world peace and the health of your family. After arriving in Gyantse, you can spend some time taking photos of the ancient city of Gyantse.

While driving from Gyantse to Shigatse, you will pass by green (in summer) and golden (in autumn) Tibetan barley fields and countless farms.

Finally, you’ll arrive in Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. After checking in to the hotel, you can take a good rest and prepare for the next day’s trip to Mount Everest.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Overnight in Shigatse

Breakfast | Lunch

• Yamdrok Lake at Gampala Pass, where you can get a marvelous bird's-eye view of the lake.

• The Karola Glacier is so close that you will appreciate a spectacular view of the white glacier contrasted with blue sky.

This is the day for an unforgettable driving experience along the winding road to Everest Base Camp. You’ll admire the stunning Himalayan mountain ranges at your own pace.

After breakfast, you’ll start your lifetime self-drive to Mount Everest.

First, you will drive past Gyatsola Pass (5,280 m), where you can get your first glimpse of Mount Everest. Hidden behind the mountain range, the Everest resembles a budding lotus flower, a captivating sight along the roadside.

Shortly after you enter Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, you will enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass (5,198 m). At this viewpoint, you will marvel at the majestic lineup of the five highest peaks in the Himalayas, including Everest at the forefront. This is your second glimpse of Everest.

Then, you’ll drive along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp (5,200 m). As you get close to the base camp, the majestic Everest gradually unfolds before you, drawing nearer with each winding turn.

Upon reaching Everest Base Camp, the colossal white pyramid peak of Mount Everest stands towering before you. As the day transitions to dusk, witness the golden hues of the sun casting a warm glow on Everest's northern face.

Stay overnight at the Base Camp or in the local village near EBC.

Insider Tips:

1. As you ascend to altitudes over 5,000 meters today, if you experience any discomfort, please don’t hesitate to inform your guide immediately.

2. The visibility of Everest is subject to weather conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

3. During the winter season, typically from November to March, the tent hotels at Everest Base Camp close. Therefore, if you’re traveling in winter, your accommodation options are limited to the village near EBC.

Overnight at EBC or in the village near EBC

Breakfast

• Drive along the zigzag road to Everest Base Camp

• Enjoy your group tour to Everest Base Camp

Today, you will retrace the road trip along the Himalayas and return to Shigatse via Sakya. A 390-km journey is awaited!

In the morning, before departing from the base camp, you will visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest monastery, where nuns and monks live together at 5,154 meters above sea level.

Then, you'll drive back to Shigatse via Sakya. You can make a brief stop in the ancient town of Sakya to stroll around Sakya Ancient Town.

Finally, you’ll arrive in Shigatse. Have a good rest at your hotel after today’s long drive.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Overnight in Shigatse

• Mount Everest as seen from the Rongbuk Monastery - the highest monastery in the world

• The Mongolian architecture of Sakya Monastery is quite different from that of temples in Lhasa and Yarlung.

Visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the largest monastery in central Tibet, and continue your self-drive tour through the northern Tibet grassland.

After breakfast, you will visit the Tashilunpo Monastery, the home of Panchen Lama. The grand and magnificent halls of the largest local monastery occupy the entire hillside. This is the spiritual home of the Tibetan people in Shigatse, housing the world's largest statue of Maitreya Buddha. Inside, you will see monks adorned with yellow hats and red robes, moving about the temple.

Then, you’ll drive about 325 kilometers to Damxung in northern Tibet. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to see herds of yaks and sheep tended by local Tibetan nomads.

Finally, you will arrive in Damxung and spend the night at a local hotel.

Overnight in Shigatse

Breakfast

• Tashilhunpo Monastery, the home of Panchan Lama

• Road to Nagqu through the vast grassland

This is the day of holy Lake Namtso!

After breakfast, you’ll drive around 1 hour from Damxung to Namtso Lake. En route, you will drive across the snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain ranges, and pause at the renowned Lagenla Pass (5,190 m) to marvel at the stunning vista of holy Namtso Lake from a distance. Descend the road to reach today’s destination, Namtso Lake, one of the ‘Three Holy Lakes’ in Tibet.

Upon reaching the lake, you can enjoy your time doing a leisurely trek around Tashi Dor Island and along the lakeshore. For a panoramic view of Namtso Lake, climb to the top of the hill on Tashi Dor Island, where the circular lake resembles a boundless blue sea surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

Marvel at the magical stone pillars and peaks, and explore meditation caves and Buddhist holy sites on the island with your travel guide.

After visiting Namtso Lake, you will drive around 186 kilometers back to Lhasa via the well-paved road.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Insider Tips:

Some sections of the mountain road leading to Namtso Lake may be closed due to heavy snow in winter.

Overnight in Damxung

Breakfast

• The majestic Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain Range

• Shooting the splendid Namtso Lake at the mountain on Tashi Island.

Today marks the end of your Tibet tour.

Please make sure to verify your departure flight/train details with our guide in advance. And your guide will take you to the airport or train station.

Thank you for choosing Tibet Vista, and we extend a warm welcome for your return to Tibet in the future.

Breakfast

• Big farewell to Lhasa, and may you have a safe and pleasant journey back home!

• Your guide will escort you to Lhasa Railway Station if you depart Tibet by train.