Tibet is an exotic land with scenery that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. The lives of the people there are a kind of living history that continues to show the mix of cultural influences that have shaped the region. While exploring Tibet could easily span a lifetime, here are 10 recommended trip ideas to encapsulate the essence of this unique destination. Delve into the best things to do in Tibet for your Tibet tour in 2024/2025.

#1 Best Thing in Tibet: Marvel at Mt.Everest Real Close from 4 Different Platforms (8 Days)

In a land full of unforgettable sites, Mount Everest towers above them all. While traveling with us from Lhasa to the Everest Base Camp, you will not only stay overnight at Everest Base Camp but also witness the iconic mountain from four different vantage points.

First, on approach from Gyatsola Pass, catch the first glimpse of Mount Everest in Tibet. Next, you can enjoy the panoramic view from Gawula Pass after entering Mount Everest National Nature Reserve. Then, you will see the breathtaking sight of Everest at sunset and sunrise from Everest Base Camp. Finally, take in a view of the majestic eastern slope from the Dinggue Xilin Viewpoint.

This upgraded Everest Base Camp tour offers you more opportunities to see the Mount Everest. The best time for a clear view of Mount Everest is from April to early June and from September to October.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour: Marvel at Mt.Everest Real Close from 4 Different Viewing Platforms

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD949 p.p

#2 Best Thing in Tibet: Mt.Kailash - A Pilgrim’s Final Fantasy and Greatest Overland Trip in Tibet (15 Days)

The mysterious sacred Mount Kailash is a dream destination for spiritual pilgrims and trekkers seeking an adventurous outdoor experience. Undertake the greatest overland trip in Tibet with us, you can live out a pilgrim’s fantasy trekking around Mount Kailash and visiting holy Lake Manasarovar. The challenging 3-day trek around Mount Kailash passes through the impressive heights of Dolma La Pass at 5,630, After the Kailash Kora, you can get a chance for meditation or a dip in the sacred waters of Lake Mansarovar.

Mount Kailash Saga Dawa Festival.

The best time to visit Mount Kailash is from April to October. Winter in the Mount Kailash area is too cold, and the roads may be closed due to heavy snow.

For a more profound religious experience, it is highly recommended to visit Mount Kailash during the Saga Dawa Festival. Held on the 15th day of the 4th month of the Tibetan calendar, the Saga Dawa Festival is the most significant celebration in the Mount Kailash region. Local pilgrims gather in the square at the foot of Mount Kailash to install a new prayer pillar. You can join the locals in taking the kora around Mount Kailash and experience the great power of belief.

The general overland trip from Lhasa to Mount Kailash also includes a one-night stay at Everest Base Camp, allowing you to visit the two most important mountains in Tibet in one go.

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

Price from USD2069 p.p

#3 Best Thing in Tibet: Across the Best of the Himalayas from China Tibet to Nepal (7 Days)

Visiting Tibet and Nepal together is a fascinating way to experience the Himalayan region. The overland journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu via the Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway is praised as one of the most epic overland journeys in the world.

The one-week Tibet Nepal overland tour starts in Lhasa, where you can explore landmarks such as Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, and witness cultural icons like the monks’ debate at Sera Monastery.

Heading west from Lhasa, the route crosses Gampala Pass (4,790), offering breathtaking views of Yamdrok Lake, and includes a stop to explore the Ancient city of Gyantse. The biggest highlight of the trip is an overnight stay at Everest Base Camp in Tibet. The warm glow of Everest at sunset, followed by the Milky Way emerging in the night’s sky is an unforgettable sight.

As you descend to the Gyirong Border, the landscape transforms from towering mountains to lush forests and canyon vistas.

With a local office in Kathmandu, we ensure a hassle-free travel experience through the Himalayas. Upon crossing the Sino-Nepal border, our Nepali staff will meet you at the Nepal border, and you’ll be treated to the stunning landscapes of the southern foothills of the Himalayas as you transfer to Kathmandu.

7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Small Group Tour: Traverse from the North Side to the South Side of Mt.Everest for the Best of the Himalayas

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Gyirong - Kathmandu

Price from USD989 p.p

#4 Best Thing in Tibet: 360° Yamdrok Lake Tour and Visit the Loneliest Temple in the World (5 Days)

The holy Lake Yamdrok is not only a must-visit attraction on the way to Shigatse or Everest Base Camp, it also makes for a great destination for a 5-day short tour around Lhasa.

Located 100km away from Lhasa city, Yamdrok Lake offers tranquility in stark contrast to bustling Lhasa. The brand-new travel route around Yamdrok Lake travel route begins at Lurila Platform, where the towering Gulha Kangri Snow Mountain overlooks the turquoise waters. From Rutog Monastery on a small island in the center of the lake, you can enjoy broader views of the surroundings. Rutog Monastery is known as the loneliest monastery in the world, with only a single monk residing there.

Having lunch with a local village family can be a special experience. You can relax on the balcony of a local village house, gazing out at the turquoise lake just in front of you, and enjoying a cup of coffee or fresh Tibetan butter tea.

Visit Rutog Monastery on the small island in the center of the Yamdrok Lake.

Visiting a local Tibetan village family allows you to experience comfort and gain insights into the local way of life. Additionally, you have the opportunity to engage with local villagers, perhaps doing some farm work together or herding yaks, providing a genuine experience of life by the lake.

Yamdrok Lake is an ideal year-round destination. Whenever you visit Tibet, you can explore this holy lake with different scenes in different seasons.

5 Days Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake Small Group Tour: Take a 360° Tour and Visit the Loneliest Temple in the World

Tour Route: Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Lhasa

Price from USD689 p.p

#5 Best Thing in Tibet: Namtso Lake and Mt.Everest for Iconic Tibet (10 Days)

If you want to have a thrilling overland odyssey across the Tibetan Plateau, try our 10 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake Tour. Three days of exploring the holy city of Lhasa gives you time to adjust to the high altitude and be ready to set out for the Everest region. The journey there from Lhasa passes through glaciers, farmlands, villages, and monasteries before reaching the heart of the Himalayas. Mount Everest from Everest Base Camp is unlike anything else in the world. The view of the mountain at sunset and sunrise is truly breathtaking.

Tibet Namtso Lake.

Holy Lake Namtso is in the prairies of Damxung, 220 km north of Lhasa. Nomads lead their herds of yak and sheep through the grasslands against a backdrop of snowy mountains. Namtso Lake is one of the ‘Three Holy Lakes’ in Tibet. It is one of the highest saltwater lakes in the world, and an important pilgrimage destination. You can explore the meditation caves and see the magical stone pillars of Tashi Dor Island, where you class climb to the top of its small hill for panoramic views of the lake.

10 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake Small Group Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Shigatse - Lhasa - Namtso Lake - Damxung - Lhasa

Price from USD1299 p.p

#6 Best Thing in Tibet: Explore the Heart of Tibet and Mingle with the Locals (4 Days)

Lhasa has everything you need for a quintessential Tibet travel experience. With four days in Lhasa, you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. In the Potala Palace you will discover the stories of the lives of the Dalai Lamas throughout history, and see their gilded burial stupas. Inside the Jokhang Temple is the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at age twelve. Outside, you can do the Barkhor Kora, and explore the old market.

The capital city of Tibetan Autonomous Region is full of other cultural treasures. You can see the famous monks’ debate at Sera Monastery, and the renowned Loseling College to learn more about the lives of Tibetan monks. There will also be time to learn more about the local life sipping tea in a traditional Tibetan tea house.

4 Days Lhasa Impression Small Group Tour: Explore the Heart of Tibet and Mingle with the Locals

Tour Route: Lhasa

Price from USD509 p.p

#7 Best Thing in Tibet: Explore Tibet's Religion, Cultural Gems, and Captivating Landscapes (6 Days)

Central Tibet, represented by Shigatse, is home to many of the region’s cultural gems. To thoroughly explore Lhasa and Shigatse, two of the biggest cities in Tibet, you need to plan for at least a 6-day itinerary to uncover all their treasures.

A Lhasa city tour always includes the iconic sites of the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, and some other popular monasteries like the Sera Monastery. Shigatse is the home to the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the residence of Panchen Lama. It is a place of stunning Buddhist architecture and houses the largest statue of Maitreya Buddha.

The landscapes of from Lhasa to Shigatse are filled with wonders of the Tibetan Plateau. Along the journey, you can see the stunning Yamdrok Lake, the largest glacier in Tibet - Korola Glacier, and have the opportunity to hang prayer flags at Simila Mountain Pass. The return to Lhasa travels along the mother river of the Tibetan people, the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes.

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse- Lhasa

Price from USD799 p.p

#8 Best Thing in Tibet： Best Meditation Tour for Tibetan Buddhist Culture Enthusiasts (5 Days)

If you want to experience a meditation tour in Tibet, only 5 days is enough. The 5-day Lhasa to Drak Yerpa Monastery tour offers a profound immersion into Tibetan spiritual life.

Situated just 30km from Lhasa, Drak Yerpa Monastery served as the sacred practice site for Master Padmasambhava, Master Tsongkhapa, and King Songtsen Gampo. The ancient meditation caves of Drak Yerpa Monastery provide a rare moment of tranquility.

From the monastery built halfway up the mountain, you can appreciate the breathtaking views of the valley and snow-capped mountains in the distance.

In addition to the meditation experience in the ancient Drak Yerpa Monastery, the tour also includes visits to sacred and historic sites in Lhasa. You will learn about the traditional lives of Tibetan monks at Sera Monastery, see the lively, spiritual atmosphere of the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, and visit the majestic Potala Palace. It is a tour not just for the eyes, but also for the soul.

5 Days Lhasa to Drak Yerpa Small Group Tour: Best Meditation Tour for Tibetan Buddhist Culture Enthusiasts

Tour Route: Lhasa - Drak Yerpa - Ganden - Lhasa

Price from USD599 p.p

#9 Best Thing in Tibet: World-Class Overland Route - Chengdu to Lhasa via G318 National Highway (7 to 15 Days)

Taking an overland tour from Chengdu to Lhasa via the Sichuan-Tibet highway is a lifetime experience to take in the most scenic route to Tibet. The G318 National Highway spans 5,476 km, and the Chengdu to Tibet section passes through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

The journey from Chengdu begins by crossing the scenic Chengdu Plains en route to the historic Kangding city. Next, you'll pass through the Zheduo Mountains and reach the photography paradise of Xinduqiao, where idyllic scenes of tranquil villages and alpine meadows unfold. Continuing on, the route leads to the vast Maoya Prairie, where local wildlife such as antelopes, marmots, and yellow ducks can often be spotted.

Chengdu to Lhasa G318 overland tour.

As you approach Nyingchi, the towering Mount Namcha Barwa pierces the horizon like a white-tipped spear. The area's dense forests conceal hidden treasures like Guxiang Lake and contribute to the delectable cuisine of Lulang International Tourism Town.

The general overland trip from Chengdu to Lhasa typically takes 7 days. If you wish to extend your journey to central Tibet, plan for approximately 15 days to explore Shigatse and return to Lhasa.

7 Days Chengdu to Lhasa World-Class Overland Tour: Travel across the Top Scenic Road to Tibet from Chengdu via G318 National Highway

Tour Route: Chengdu - Xinduqiao - Litang - Batang - Zogang - Ranwu - Nyingchi - Lhasa

Price from USD1780 p.p

#10 Best Thing in Tibet：Best Everest Trekking from Tingri to Everest Base Camp （10 Days）

The best of Tibet has to include Lhasa and Everest, and one of the best ways to see Tibet is up close while trekking. A Tingri to Everest Base Camp trekking tour is one of the most popular trekking routes in Tibet, which is an intimate journey through the unique landscapes. Over four days you will pass through beautiful valley scenery, stop at small monasteries, and climb to the top of Lamna La Pass at 5,097 meters. On the last day of trekking, you’ll visit Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, before reaching Everest Base Camp to spend the night in view of the towering mountain.

The best time to trek from Tingri to Everest Base Camp is from April to October. During this period, the weather is pleasant for trekking, and the clear weather offers many opportunities to get a stunning view of the mountain peak.

10 Days Best Everest Trekking Small Group Tour from Tingri to Everest Base Camp

Tour Route: Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Shigatse - Old Tingri - Lungjiang - Lamna-la - Chaya Pass - Everest Base Camp - Tingri - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD1780 p.p

More Tips for Best Things to Do in Tibet

Tibet has more to offer than anyone could experience in a lifetime. Some other highlights include:

Take the Tibet train along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. The approximately 2000 km-long railway offers amazing views of the mountains, vast prairies, lakes, and wildlife of the plateau.

Discover Tibet on a bike or motorcycle. Riding through Tibet gives the chance to visit places off the beaten path, and have an up-close view of the region’s natural beauty.

Enjoy authentic Tibetan Food. Food and culture are intimately linked. At local eateries in Lhasa or other Tibetan towns you can try delicious local specialties like momo dumplings, thukpa noodle soup, or tsampa roasted barley flour.

Have a picnic at Norbulingka. The traditional summer residence of the Dalai Lamas has beautiful gardens where you can have a picnic of Tibetan snacks in a peaceful setting.

Join a Tibetan festival. Popular Tibetan festivals like the Shoton Festival, Saga Dawa Festival and the Horse Racing Festival are a great chance to participate in local traditions.

Conclusion

You will never run out of choices for things to do in Tibet. Whether you’re seeking a deep spiritual experience, a chance to appreciate the pristine natural beauty, or an adventurous journey through the landscape, there is something available for any traveler. Start with these 10 best things to do in Tibet for your Tibet tour in 2024, and contact us for more information on how to plan your dream tour.