Central Tibet Cultural Tour

As one of the most unique cultures in the world, Tibetan culture always catches worldwide attentions. There are unique Tibetan Buddhism, devout pilgrims, distinct life style, countless historical legends and stories. All of them are deeply branded with Tibetan religion. In addition to palaces and monasteries, the stories behind are the most important parts of this religious culture tour.

Discover the source of Tibetan Buddhism and soak up the intriguing local Tibetan experiences. The central Tibet cultural tour offers you a cultural feast like no other. Led by our expert local leaders, you will delve into culturally-significant cities like Lhasa, Shigatse, and Tsedang. Our small group and private tours enable you to dine with locals in a teahouse, and take a closer look at the lives of Tibetan villagers and devoted monks, and marvel at the masterfully-painted fresco or walk with locals for a holy pilgrimage, etc.

Through the deep knowledge of our local experts, Tibetan culture and history would come alive before your eyes. You become fully immersed in the discovery of the most fascinating part of Tibetan culture with our attentive services.

Central Tibet Cultural Small Group Tours

The small group tours offer you a worry-free and budget-friendly way to join a small group of cultural explorers and discover Tibetan culture and history together. You will be traveling with 8 to 12 global travelers and share the tour cost. The hotel, transfer and dining, etc. will all be properly taken care of by your expert local leader. You can choose to visit Lhasa, Shigatse or Tsedang or even make it Mt. Kailash, western Tibet. Just get ready to enjoy some of the best local experiences Tibet has to offer.

5 Days Lhasa Small Group Tour with Three Major Monasteries
Tour Route: Lhasa - Drak Yerpa - Ganden - Lhasa

The 5 days tour features the major monasteries of Tibet, Drepung monastery,Sera monastery and Ganden Monastery, which are 3 main Yellow sect Monasteries in Lhasa. Through this tour, tourists may have a better understanding of the largest and mainstream leading sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

From USD 599p.p

View Details
6 Day Lhasa to Tsedang Tour
Tour Route: Lhasa - Tsedang - Lhasa

This itinerary involves the major attractions in Lhasa and a day tour to the oldest Samye monastery. Then, you can continue your exploration to the cultural root of Tibet in Tsedang.

From USD 760p.p

View Details
6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes.
Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse- Lhasa

The week-long Journey gives tourists a rare opportunity to taste the essence of Tibetan Culture in central Tibet. Besides, the must-see scenery like Yamdrok Lake and glaciers, vital monasteries are also covered in the itinerary.

From USD 799p.p

View Details
15 Days Kailash and Manasarovar Small Group Tour: A pilgrim’s final fantasy and the greatest overland trip in Tibet.
Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - E.B.C - Saga - Kailash Trek - Darchen - Lake Manasarovar - Saga - Gyirong - Tingri - Lhasa

This is truly a journey to feel, magnificent temples, mountain passes, snow-capped peaks, nomad camps, pilgrims of Tibet. Start the trip from exploring the heart of central Tibet.

From USD 2069p.p

View Details

View All 2024/2025 Small Group Tours Itineraries

Customized Central Tibet Cultural Tours

Having the most authentic Tibetan experiences means to travel beyond the normal tourist routes, often with your feet. Our customized Tibet cultural tours put you in touch with the simplicity of local Tibetan villager’s lives and allow you to discover legendary pilgrimage routes between monasteries or visit locally-favored monasteries that normal tourists can’t be able to reach and see. Check the following tour samples and work with our travel consultants to customize your cultural tour.

5 Days Lhasa Tour and Pilgrimage Trekking Path
Lhasa

The 5-day tour covers the historical sites like the Potala palace, Jokhang Temple and Bakor street and all the three biggest monasteries in Tibet, Drepung monastery, Sera monastery and Ganden Monastery. Then explore Drak Yerpa,one of the holiest sites.

View Details
6 Days Lhasa and Countryside Life Discovery Tour
Lhasa - Trubshi Village - Lhasa

6 days in Lhasa to experience the local life of Tibetan,to visit handicraft workrooms of Tibetan joss stick, Tibetan porcelain, Tangka and Tibetan Carpet,to go to Tibetan farmer's house in countryside.

View Details
6 Days Eastern Lhasa Discovery Tour
Lhasa - Tidrum - Lhasa

This trip takes in the main tourist sites in and surrouding Lhasa, like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, the three greatest monasteries in Lhasa (Drepung, Sera and Ganden), and the most famous sky-burial site at Drigung Til Monastery.

View Details
7 Days Lhasa Tour with Brahmaputra Cultural Relics Discovery
Lhasa - Tsedang

Tour to Lhasa for a feast of the mysterious Tibetan culture and Buddhism by visiting the world famed Potala Palace, holy Jokhang Temple, busy Barkhor street, then exploring "the cradle of Tibetan Civilization" - Tsedang.

View Details
7 Days Tibet New Year Festival Tour
Lhasa - Gyangtse - Shigatse - Lhasa

Travel to Tibet during Tibetan New Year, the most important festival for Tibetans, you will get a wonderful Tibetan culture experience and have a great time with local people. During the festival, people celebrate by some ancient ceremonies, dancing, and many local events.

View Details
9 Days Central Tibet Tour with Premium Cultural Destinations
Lhasa - Tsedang - Gyantse - Shigatse - Lhasa

It is a private tour package, and its price depends on the season, the number of participants and the specific service standard, so please contact our trip adviser to ask for a quote for your requirements.

View Details
9 Days Ganden to Samye Trek
Lhasa - Ganden Monastery - Trek to Samye Monastery - Lhasa

This ancient pilgrimage route has a total length of 70 kilometers, which is also one of the favorite routes for trekkers. It connects two most famous monasteries, namely Gandan monastery in Lhasa and Samye monastery in Tsetang.

View Details
12 Days Tibet Tour to the Historical Sites along the Brahmaputra River
Lhasa- Nyingchi - Tsedang- Shigatse- Lhasa

This trip starts from exploring the holy city Lhasa, then travel east to Nyingchi for a "Switzerland Land" experience, later to Tsedang to explore the "cradle of Tibetan civilization" and the first temple of Tibet.

View Details
10 Days Kailash Pilgrimage Tour from Kathmandu, via Gyirong Port
Kathmandu – Gyirong – Saga – Mt.Kailash – Lake Manasarovar – Darchen – Saga – Gyirong – Kathmandu

Uncover the divine wonders of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarova on a transformative journey starting in Kathmandu. Trek for three days around Mount Kailash, embracing its spiritual significance. You will witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Lake Manasarova and immerse yourself in a night of worship.

View Details

Central Tibet Cultural Tour Moments

Most Asked Questions about Central Tibet Cultural Tour

What is the best time to enjoy Tibetan cultural festivities?

Summer (Jun to Aug.) and winter (Nov to Feb.) are the best seasons to enjoy lively Tibetan festivities, particularly during the widely-celebrated Saga Dawa Festival, Shoton Festival or Tibetan New Year. You can explore many local customs that can only be seen during a festival celebration, such as gigantic Thankgka folding, Tibetan drama performance, etc. - Check for the Tibetan festival calendar.

Which Tibetan cities are a must-visit to cultural explorers?

Well, Tibet is so big (1,228,400 square km). You simply can’t cover all the cultural highlights in a single trip. However, to most cultural explorers, central Tibet, i.e. Lhasa, Shigatse and Shanan, should be the focus of your visit.

Lhasa, the spiritual heart of Tibet, is where your Tibet adventure begins. You can explore the winter and summer palace of generations of Dalai Lamas and soak up the vibes of the old district of Barkhor street and discover “Great Three Gelugpa Monasteries”,etc.

Then from Lhasa to Shigatse, you will pass historical Gyantse country, a crucial cultural hub between Tibet and Nepal and India. While in Shigatse, you roam freely in the old and narrow valleys of the prestigious Tashilhunpo Monastery or visit the traditional barley mill in summer.

In Shannan or around its capital Tsedang, you can tour the very first Tibetan monastery and hike to explore the first Tibetan royal palace or learn more of Tibetan King and his wife Princess Wencheng, etc.

Can you recommend some Tibetan-style hotels in Lhasa?

Indeed, staying in a Tibetan-style hotel does allow you to better appreciate Tibetan culture and history. In this case, our recommendations are House of Shambhala, Shambhala Palace Hotel. These two hotels are situated close to Barkhor Street, center of Lhasa. The hotels are furnished with clean and beautiful Tibetan-style rooms. While luxury Songtsam Choskyi Linka Lodge is for someone with a decent budget. Book hotels from us in Tibet.

Are their any Tibetan taboos you should avoid?

Well, there are some taboos to be careful with. For example, Tibetans avoid eating fish, dogs and horses, and even chicken. Though looking amazing, holy lakes in Tibet are not for swimming for it will enrage the gods. As you do the kora or pilgrimage around a Tibetan monastery, do it in the clockwise. Never touch strangers or kids’ heads. Outsiders should not attend Sky Burial Ceremony. No photos are allowed in a Tibetan monastery or temple, etc. So if you are not sure about thing, the safest way is to look for your local guide’s advice.

Where are the best places to experience authentic Tibetan culture in Lhasa?

Well, although both ways are acceptable, we do suggest that it’s better to visit Tibet first from cities like Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu, etc. then continue your journey by traveling overland from Lhasa to Kathmandu. It’s the most classic way for Tibet Nepal tour and is much easier for altitude acclimatization.

What can I see during the cultural tour?

Undoubtedly, the highlights of this itinerary are monasteries, such as the grandest and highest palace in the world, the holiest Jokhang Temple, four monasteries which play an important role in religion and history (Drepung monastery, Sera monastery, Tashilhunpo monastery and Samye monastery), and Palcho monastery, well-known for integrating multi religious sects with one and hundred thousand stupas. Furthermore, tourists may enjoy the stunning scenery of wide Yarlung Zangbo River and its valley, beautiful view of Yamdrok Lake, and lofty Karo La glacier are also the highlights of this tour.

Quick Inquiry

Scan the QR code to get 1-on-1 consultation with our travel expert on Wechat.

Or, leave your message below to get quick reply via email.

More Useful Information about Central Tibet Cultural Tour Planning

If you are planning to enjoy a central Tibet cultural tour, yet have no ideas of how to sort it out the details, no worries! We would like to hear your tour plan and offer free professional consultancy and viable solutions. Please feel free to contact us.

Tell Us Your Travel Plan