6 Days Lhasa to Shigatse Summer Escape: Authentic Tibetan Culture Experience with Yamdrok Lake

Welcome to Lhasa!

Upon your arrival in Lhasa, our Tibetan guide will welcome you at the airport or train station with a traditional white Hada.

Then, you'll be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa. After checking in, you can take some time to rest and allow your body to acclimate to the high altitude.  

In the evening, if time permits, your guide will take you on a leisurely walk around the Potala Palace, followed by dinner at a local restaurant with a stunning night view of the majestic palace.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Tibetan tour guide greets you at Lhasa Airport.
• Lhasa River

After breakfast, your first stop is the Potala Palace, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Lhasa Old Town. Discover the lives and stories of the Dalai Lamas through history within the palace, and the extraordinary treasures it holds. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

After exploring the Potala Palace, continue to Longwangtan Park at its foot, where lush greenery and colorful summer scenery create a peaceful atmosphere. This is a perfect place to enjoy a different perspective of the Potala Palace, while observing local Tibetans practicing traditional folk activities and enjoying their daily leisure time.

In the afternoon, you will head to the heart of Tibetan religion - the Jokhang Temple. Inside the temple, you will see the sacred statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve, while outside, you can witness devoted pilgrims performing prostrations in front of the temple. Around the Jokhang Temple, walk along Barkhor Street, join pilgrims and locals on a kora (a clockwise walk around a sacred site), and explore the lively old market filled with Tibetan handicrafts and local flavors.

Next, you will follow your guide to one of the city’s most popular Tibetan tea houses to experience the relaxed summer atmosphere of Lhasa. Sit with local Tibetans, enjoy a cup of traditional sweet tea, and learn about Tibetan social life, customs, and everyday conversations in this unique cultural setting.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Potala Palace, at the top of the hill in central Lhasa city, is always the No.1 attraction for travelers visiting Tibet.
• Johkang Temple - the holiest place in Lhasa

In the morning, you will visit Norbulingka, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. Known as the “Garden of Treasures,” Norbulingka is especially charming in summer, when its gardens are filled with blooming flowers, green trees, and a peaceful atmosphere. You can stroll through the traditional buildings and gardens, while experiencing local life in this beloved public park where Tibetans come to relax, chat, and enjoy their leisure time.

In the afternoon, you’ll head to Sera Monastery, another of the ‘great three’ Gelug monasteries of Tibet, to 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.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Stroll through the enchanting Norbulingka Palace.
• Monk debate in Sera monastery

After breakfast, you will start the overland journey from Lhasa to Shigatse through some of the most breathtaking summer landscapes in Tibet.

First, you will drive over the Gampala Pass (4,900m), where you will enjoy your first panoramic view of Yamdrok Lake (4,400m), one of the most beautiful sacred lakes in Tibet. In summer, the lake is surrounded by lush green hills, snow-capped mountains, and colorful wildflowers. Along the lakeshore, golden rapeseed flowers bloom against the turquoise-blue water and green mountains, creating one of the most beautiful summer scenes on the Tibetan Plateau.

Then, you will continue to explore Yamdrok Lake from different viewpoints and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this sacred landscape. At the lakeside village, you will have the opportunity to visit a local Tibetan family and have lunch with them.

After leaving Yamdrok Lake, you will continue your journey and stop at the magnificent Korola Glacier on the roadside. It is one of the largest glaciers in Tibet. As you see the glacier’s icy tongue stretching down the mountainside, you will feel the magical power of nature.

Then, continue your journey to Gyantse. On the way, you will 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. From Gyantse to Shigatse, you will pass by vast stretches of emerald-green barley fields covering the valley floor, dotted with traditional villages and farms.

Finally, you will arrive in Shigatse (3,900m), the second-largest city in Tibet. After checking in to the hotel, you can take some time to unwind and recharge.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

• Enjoy the stunning view of turquoise Yamdrok Lake
• Karola Glacier

In the morning, you will explore the Tashilhunpo Monatery - the home of the Panchen Lama. The grand and magnificent halls of this largest local monastery stretch across the hillside, creating an impressive sight. As the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism in Shigatse, the monastery houses the world’s largest statue of Maitreya Buddha. Inside, you will see monks wearing yellow hats and red robes, moving between the temple halls and carrying out their daily religious activities.

After lunch, you’ll visit the distinctive Samzhubze Old Market, where you can experience the daily life of local residents and discover the traditional atmosphere of Shigatse.

Then, you will return to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the mother river of the Tibetan people. During summer, the journey offers beautiful views of the green river valleys and traditional Tibetan villages along the way. The refreshing scenery and vibrant landscapes provide a wonderful glimpse into the natural beauty and rural life of the Tibetan Plateau.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Tashilhunpo Monastery, the home of Panchan Lama
• Yarlung Tsangpo River in autumn

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.

• 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.