As one of Tibet’s three holiest and most photogenic lakes, the turquoise Yamdrok Lake offers you a refreshing escape from the monastic tour in holy Lhasa city. Besides, the proximity to Lhasa makes Yamdrok Lake a perfect day-tour destination for photography, meditation, birding or simply unwinding along the serene lakeshore.

In this travel guide, we offer you the top 10 practical local tips to help you travel to holy Yamdrok Lake like a local and enjoy a mesmerizing experience there.

Yamdrok Lake Is 2hrs Drive from Lhasa, But You Need 3-4 Days to Acclimate First

Situated to the southeast of Lhasa City, the holy Yamdrok Lake is around 108km or 2 hrs drive from downtown Lhasa via the G4218 Expressway and winding G349 National Highway. Straddling a vast area of 678 km² between Nagarze and Gonggar County, the turquoise Yamdrok Lake sits at an altitude of 4,441m and is revered as one of the top 3 holy lakes in Tibet, next to Namtso Lake and Lake Manasarovar.

The winding roads across the high mountain pass to Yamdrok Lake.

Though Yamdrok Lake is only a 2-hour drive from Lhasa, please don’t rush to visit it shortly after you arrive in Lhasa (3,656m) since the journey involves passing multiple high mountain passes, including the famous Gampala pass (4,998m). The steep ascent in such a short time can trigger acute altitude sickness. So, we suggest that you spend around 3 days exploring Lhasa’s landmarks and acclimatizing properly before heading to Yamdrok Lake.

An In-depth Yamdrok Lake Tour Requires at Least a Full Day

As one of the top highlights in the classic 8-day Lhasa to Tibet EBC tour via Shigatse, the Yamdrok Lake visit is normally arranged on day four of your Tibet tour. So, you can fully acclimatize to the high altitude in Lhasa while covering the iconic attractions like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barhor Street, and more before leaving for Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake in Nagarze County.

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

The classic 8-day Lhasa to Tibet EBC small group tour is one of your best choices for Yamdrok Lake visits.

However, most travelers only had a fleeting glimpse of the Yamdrok Lake on the iconic viewing platforms including the Gampala pass (4,998m) on the way to Nagarze County. If you prefer to enjoy the panorama of Yamdrok Lake and do birding along the lakeshore, discover the hidden Buddhist monasteries, and explore local Tibetan villages, you need an in-depth tour of Yamdrok Lake that takes at least a full day. And we have such an in-depth Yamdrok tour, please read on.

The hovering brown-headed gulls around Yamdrok Lake.

There’s No Accommodation near Yamdrok Lake, Need to Head to Shigatse or back to Lhasa

As the Yamdrok Lake sits at an altitude of 4,441m in mountainous regions with much higher altitudes, no decent hotels are built here to accommodate tourists for overnighting here may put you at a higher risk of altitude sickness.

Instead, most travelers will keep traveling from Nagarze County to Gyantse and Shigatse City where extensive 4 to 5-star luxury hotels are available, or head back to Lhasa for a sound sleep and call it a day. Learn about top luxury hotels across Tibet. No worries! We offer you extensive local hotels for choice and can help you match your needs.

The spacious, clean, and western-style rooms of Hilton Shigatse in Shigatse.

Yamdrok Lake Is Stunning Year-Round, Though Bad Weather Can Sometimes Affect Visits

Yamdrok Lake is an all-year-round destination for visits and its stunning lake view takes on different colors in four seasons.

March to May marks the springtime of Yamdrok Lake. The icy lake's surface begins to thaw and wildflowers start blooming in the meadows, adding vibrant colors to turquoise water and surrounding barren mountains.

The temperature stays between 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F). It’s ideal to capture the serene Yamdrok Lake with snow-capped peaks or combine your visit with the Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival if you travel between mid-March to early April.

10 Days Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival Small Group Tour with Everest Base Camp in 2025

Tour Route: Nyingchi - Bomi - Basom tso Lake - Lhasa - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD1729 p.p

Combining Nyingchi peach blossom festival with Yamdrok Lake tour and further to Tibet EBC is a fantastic choice in Spring.

Summer (June to August) is the warmest season at Yamdrok Lake, with pleasant daytime temperatures between 10°C to 22°C (50°F to 72°F), which is perfect for all outdoor activities. The lake appears most vibrant, with its turquoise hue under the bright summer sun. The surrounding grasslands are lush and green, dotted with grazing yaks and sheep. Occasional rain showers create dramatic skies for amazing shots.

Our guests had a great time visiting Yamdrok Lake in the summer.

Autumn (September to November) is another prime season for touring Yamdrok Lake. The temperature stays at 8°C to 18°C (46°F to 64°F) with crisp air and clear sky and high visibility for panoramic views. Snow start to appear on higher peaks, adding a prelude to Tibet’s winter charm.

Winter (December to February) sees a peaceful Yamdrok Lake with fewer travelers. The lake color takes on an incredibly deep blue color and contrasts beautifully with the snow-covered and rugged surrounding mountains. Don’t forget to bundle up for a sudden gust of freezing wind at high passes.

The peaceful and serene Yamdrok Lake with deep blue color in winter.

One thing to mention is that in all four seasons, chances are that you may be caught by a chilly overcast day that enshrouds the true beauty of Yamdrok Lake, which is pretty common for unpredictable weather on the harsh Tibetan Plateau. Be sure to double-check the weather forecast before your visit.

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

This exhilarating 10-day Lhasa to Tibet EBC tour with visits to Yamdrok Lake and heavenly Namtso Lake tour on one trip.

Yamdrok Lake Tour Can Be Windy Year-Round, with High UV Intensity

Since Yamdrok Lake lies at an elevation of 4,441m and the road from Lhasa to it passes many high mountain passes well above 4,900m, you do expect to experience sudden gusts of strong wind as you enjoy Yamdrok Lake at high passes, let’s say Gampala pass (4,998m).

Meanwhile, the bright turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake and surrounding snow-capped peaks act like mirrors, reflecting powerful sunlight onto your face, further intensifying UV exposure.

So, make sure that you wear a windproof fleece jacket with a hood, or bring your beenies and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your body and head from exposure. Additionally, apply sunblock (50+ SPF) and wear sunglasses to shield yourself from strong UV light. You may also drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

There’s a Fee to Get Close to the Tibetan Mastiffs around Yamdrok Lake

Another highlight for animal lovers visiting Yamdrok Lake is that at the viewing platforms and along the shores of Yamdrok Lake, local Tibetan herders will offer you photo chances to cuddle well-adorned lambs and pet lovely Tibetan mastiffs or ride on decorated Tibetan yaks. The cost ranges from 2 to 5 USD.

Our guests ride on well-adorned Tibetan Yaks near Yamdrok Lake.

Top 3 Spots to Capture Yamdrok Lakes, But Expect to Wait in Line During Peak Season

If you wish to capture epic shots of Yamdrok Lake to wow your friends on Instagram, the Gampala Pass Viewing Platform (4,998m), Langbuqi Viewing Platform (4,677m), and less touristy and photographer’s favorite Lurila Viewing Platform (4,960m) are where you should be.

View small islands and Rutog Monastery in Yamdrok Lake from Lurila Viewing Platform.

To reach the first two viewing platforms, you can join any of our Tibet small group tours en route to turquoise Yamdrok Lake. However, for the commanding view of all the Yamdrok small islands and remote Rutog Monastery vista seen from the Lurila Viewing Platform, our tailor-made 5-day Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake tour is best suited for you.

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

Our expertly-crafted 5-day Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake in-depth tour offers you a chance to admire Yamdrok Lake from the best viewing platforms with immersive local experiences.

Kind Reminder: During the high season of the Tibet tour, please patiently wait in line at different viewing platforms to photograph Yamdrok Lake. Our local experts will show you their secret places to capture picturesque Yamdrok Lake from different perspectives.

Be Sure to Visit a Local Herder Family during Your Yamdrok Lake Tour

Tibetans living around Yamdrok Lake are mostly nomadic herders and small-scale farmers. Their peaceful life centers around herding livestock, including yaks, sheep, and goats. These animals provide essential daily necessiities, such as milk, yak butter, meat, wool, and even fuel (yak dung) for them. Meanwhile, local Tibetans sell the furs of Yaks and sheep as a way of living. Some local farmers living around more fertile areas of Yamdrok Lake also grow crops, such as highland barley for making Tsampa and potatoes for their staple food.

Visiting a local herder’s family offers you a precious chance to meet welcoming local Tibetans, sip their hand-made Tibetan butter tea, or feast on their homemade Tibetan cuisines. You may also explore traditional Tibetan décor, learn to milk the yak and herd the lamb, or enjoy a cup of coffee while unwinding next to the stunning Yamdrok Lake, and much more.

Our guests enjoy traditional Tibetan cuisines at local herder family around Yamdrok Lake.

All of our Tibet tours to Yamdrok Lake provide you with a perfect chance for an immersive experience with the local Tibetan herders’ family. And we promise you that it’s gonna be refreshing and authentic Tibetan expereince you’ve never seen before in metropolitan cities in the West.

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

This 6-day classic Lhasa to Shigatse cultural tour offers you a perfect chance to explore Lhasa and Shigatse, two of biggest Tibetan cities with enchanting Yamdrok Lake views.

Last Year, Our 360° Yamdrok Lake Tour and Visit to the World’s Loneliest Temple Were Our Guests' Favorites

In 2024, our expertly crafted 5-day Lhasa to Yamdrok small group tour is among our guests’ top picks for visiting holy lakes around Lhasa.

This in-depth Yamdrok tour not only brings you enjoy a 360° view of Yamdrok Lake from the top three viewing platforms, including Lurila Viewing Platform, Gampala Pass, and Langbuqi Viewing Platform, but also takes you to explore less-visited Rutog Monastery, believed to be the loneliest temple with one monk at the shore of Yamdrok Lake.

What’s more, you can enjoy an immersive experience in a local Tibetan family restaurant and treat yourself to homemade Tibetan cuisine, and meditate along Lakeshore to regain your inner peace. Highly recommended!

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

Don't miss out on the chance for an in-depth tour around Yamdrok Lake from different perspectives.

For a Truly Unforgettable Yamdrok Lake Tour, Early Departure Is a Must

Last but not least, to enjoy a truly mesmerizing Yamdrok Lake tour, you need to have an early rise to make it to Yamdrok Lake to avoid the traffic jams on the winding G349 National Highway, esp. during the high season. If you have signed up for our 8-day Lhasa to EBC tour, there is no need to get up too early, the tour bus starts at 09:00.

Our local experts will brief you on the itinerary in advance, including the meet-up time and location to board the tour vehicle to Yamdrok Lake and handle all the travel documents in Lhasa before leaving for Yamdrok Lake and our experienced and versatile local drivers will ensure you an exhilarating and smooth ride.

Besides, since the long ride is pretty common for Tibe travel, you may prepare some medications for motion sickness or download your favorite podcasts and music to your iPhone to enjoy during the long ride.

Our helpful and reliable driver in your Yamdrok Tour.

Conclusion

With incredible turquoise water framed by a rolling mountainous range in Nagarze County, Yamdrok Lake is undoubtedly one of the most popular holy lakes worth your visit from Lhasa. Whether you travel from Lhasa to Shigatse or want to enjoy an in-depth day tour of Yamdrok Lake, we promise you the best travel experience, local experts, and professional support needed. If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to email us for a free and expert travel solution. Tashi Delek!