Day 1: Lhasa Arrival
Day 2: Lhasa City Tour
Day 3: Lhasa—Shigatse
Day 4: Shigatse—Saga
Day 5: Saga—Darchen (Manasarovar Lake, Mt. Kailash)
Day 6: Darchen Tour
Day 7: Darchen—Saga
Day 8: Everest Base Camp
Day 9: EBC—Shigatse
Day 10: Shigatse—Lhasa
Day 11: Drop-off in Lhasa
If you’d like to add an additional day for the Namtso Lake, you can extend the itinerary at your own expense. For further information, please consult customer service.
You arrive at the Lhasa Gonggar Airport or the train station. The airport is 62 km/ 39 miles away from the city, and it takes approximately one hour to get to the hotel from there. On the way to Lhasa, you will enjoy beautiful views of mountains. The train station is located in Lhasa, and you will only need a short transfer to the hotel.
Depending on the time of your arrival, you might have some free time to spend in Lhasa. Our guides will be happy to advise you on what you can do with your time in Lhasa. After you check in the hotel, you are welcome to explore the city, visit nearby temples, do some shopping, try delicious Tibetan food in one of the local restaurants, or just take a rest.
Walking around Barkhor Street can be an excellent choice for your first day in Lhasa. You will join crowds of pilgrims, local Tibetans, and monks circumambulating the Jokhang Temple.
Most importantly, on your first day in Tibet, be sure to relax, enjoy your day and allow some time for acclimatizing.
This tour visits the two most important religious sites in Tibet.
The Potala Palace was the seat of the Dalai Lamas since the 17th century. We will then go inside and spend approximately 1.5 – 2 hours from the entrance gate to the exit. While there, you will see many of its most famous artifacts.
There will be free time for lunch after visiting the Potala Palace.
Time permitting, you can walk around the Potala Palace and join many of the local Tibetans.
Next, we will walk towards the Jokhang Temple. It was built in the 7th century to display the Jowo Shakyamuni Statue – the statue of the 12-year-old Buddha before his enlightenment. The statue was created at the time when the historical Buddha lived. It is elaborately decorated with gold, jewels, and precious stones.
After visiting the temple, we recommend taking a walk around Barkhor Street.
In the morning, depart from Lhasa and cross the 4990-meter-high Gangbala Pass. Along the old route, head to Yamdrok Lake, known as "Turquoise Lake" in Tibetan, which is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet and renowned as a heavenly lake. The lake, with its crystal-clear and sweet water resembling mutton fat, is drinkable. It served as the filming location for the movie "Red River Valley". The azure lake water merges seamlessly with distant snow-capped mountains. Coupled with colorful mountain ranges, distinctive Tibetan villages, and scattered herds of cattle and sheep, the journey is truly refreshing.
Visit the historic town of Gyantse to explore the renowned Pelkor Chode Monastery, which uniquely combines the three major Tibetan sects and is famous for its exquisite murals and carvings (at your own expense). Also, visit the Zongshan Anti-British Fort. Upon arrival in Shigatse, you may have the chance to witness Buddhist pilgrims prostrating every three steps, devoutly kowtowing on the snowy plateau measuring their pilgrimage route with their flesh and blood, enduring the hardships on their way to their sacred destination.
After enjoying breakfast, embark on a journey to Lazi and Sangsang Grassland by car. Along the way, you'll be treated to magnificent views of snow-capped mountains and vast grasslands illuminated by brilliant sunlight. The endless expanse of grassland dotted with herds of cattle and sheep will surely delight you.
Later, cross the 4915-meter-high Chelamu Pass. Approximately 125 kilometers along the valley of the Dzong Chu River lies the fork where the 22nd bend marks the junction between the southern and northern routes of Ngari . The northern route is quite challenging, but the breathtaking scenery along the way makes you forget the fatigue.
On the route, pass through areas dotted with hot springs and misty hot spring areas. Alongside the road, witness the ever-changing colors of the lakes - blue, green, purple, gray, and yellow waters peacefully coexist, enticing you to linger and admire. The fault lakes and saltwater lakes reflect the azure sky. Wild protected animals such as wild donkeys, Tibetan antelopes, wild yaks, yellow sheep, wild rabbits, and yellow ducks gallop across the grasslands, resembling a vivid classical ink painting. In the evening, stay overnight in Saga.
At 8:30 in the morning, depart from Saga and head towards the sacred mountain and lake, with the Ghost Lake en route. Along the way, you'll catch a distant glimpse of the Lhakpa Ri Peak, towering at an altitude of 7095 meters. Passing through Zhongba, you'll reach Paryang, where you'll first visit the sacred lake, Lake Manasarovar. Lake Manasarovar is a freshwater lake, while Lake Rakshastal is a saltwater lake. It is said that Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal are connected underwater, with one side being the sacred lake of freshwater and the other side being the ghost lake of saltwater. Lake Rakshastal is also a captivating sight to behold.
Around 12:30 in the afternoon, have lunch at Paryang Hotel. After lunch, pass through the border inspection station at Mayum Bridge and head to the town of Tarqing, located below the sacred mountain, Mount Kailash. The main peak of Mount Kailash, Gang Rinpoche, stands at an elevation of 6638 meters. In Sanskrit, it is called "Meru," meaning "the abode of Shiva," while in Tibetan, it means "the mountain of gods." Mount Kailash resembles a pyramid, with symmetrical walls on all four sides. Mount Kailash is universally recognized as a sacred mountain and is designated as the center of the world by Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, the indigenous religion of Tibet, Bon, as well as Jainism. Stay overnight in Darchen.
Departing from Darchen at 8 o'clock in the morning, you'll witness the morning glow between Mount Kailash and Mount Naimona Nyi. Passing through the earth forest, head to Zanda to visit the ruins of the ancient Guge Kingdom. The road conditions may be challenging, with some sections undergoing repairs. Upon arrival in Zanda, have lunch before proceeding to the magnificent Guge Palace (Guge Dynasty). After completing the tour, return to Zanda County along the same route. Visit the over 900-year-old Tholing Monastery in Zanda, which serves as a significant historical site.
From Zanda County, embark on a journey to the Zanda Earth Forest. Located within the Zanda County of Ngri, the Zanda Earth Forest is formed over millions of years by the geological changes of ancient lakes and river beds. The area covering several hundred square kilometers is filled with "forests" of various heights and shapes, along with early human cave ruins. The Zanda Earth Forest, with its vast expanse, represents a river-lake landform in geological terms and embodies the unique charm of the western region. Return to Darchen in the evening for accommodation.
Departing from Darchen at 8 o'clock in the morning, head towards the sacred lakes of Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal, situated between Mount Kailash and Mount Naimona Nyi, under the morning glow. Lake Manasarovar is renowned as the "Mother of World Rivers", while adjacent to it lies Lake Rakshastal, also known as "Lhagang Lake" in Tibetan, meaning "poisonous black lake". Lake Rakshastal is a saltwater lake and is often referred to as the "Ghost Lake". Despite its stunning beauty, Lake Rakshastal is unfortunately associated with negative connotations and is sometimes avoided by travelers due to its reputation. However, the scenery here is exceptionally beautiful, with dark red hills along the lakeside and pebble beaches resembling a bright silver ribbon. There is also a small island in the lake, tinged with dark red hues. Then, proceed to observe Gongjue Lake from a distance before heading to Saga for accommodation.
After breakfast, drive to the most captivating glacier group in the Himalayas, the Shishapangma Glacier Group. Mount Shishapangma, with an elevation of 8012 meters, ranks fourteenth among the fourteen peaks above 8000 meters in the world. It is the only peak entirely located within China's territory. The most enchanting part of the journey is the ice tower area between 5000 to 5800 meters above sea level, which appears like a tranquil and beautiful ice garden. Mount Shishapangma, covered in gleaming snow under the sunlight, is truly magnificent.
Next, drive to Peikutso, the largest lake in the Shigatse area, where you can find various unique Tibetan plateau species along the lakeshore. Then, proceed by car to the base camp of Mount Everest, capturing the scenery of the folded mountains of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau along the way and taking photos of the continuous snow-capped peaks of Mount Everest from the observation deck. Later, visit Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, situated at an altitude of 4980 meters. Rongbuk Monastery offers the best vantage point to admire Mount Everest. You may have the fortune to witness the spectacular Everest flag cloud fluttering like the flame of life.
In the evening, stay overnight at Everest Base Camp in tents, guesthouses, or lodges.
In the morning, explore the magnificent natural scenery of the Everest Nature Reserve, the highest natural reserve in the world. Experience the grandeur of nature in the Everest Scenic Area, where you may have the privilege to witness the spectacular Everest flag cloud fluttering like the flame of life. Capture the majestic sight of Mount Everest and the renowned Rongbuk Glacier and glacier tongues.
Departing from Tingri, you will pass through Lhatse on the way to Shigatse. Lhatse, meaning "the golden peak first illuminated by light" in Tibetan, is the original birthplace of Tibetan knives, where you can purchase the finest Tibetan knives. Here, you may also find some marine fossil specimens collected by Tibetan children. Then, retrace your steps back to Shigatse. Upon arrival, explore the capital of Tibet, Shigatse.
Taking photos in some temples may cost extra charges.
In the morning we will visit Tashilumpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lamas. This monastery was founded by the first Dalai Lama, and it is one of the most important monasteries in Tibet. Taking photos in some temples may cost extra charges.
We will take the Friendship Highway on the way back to Lhasa. It is the most direct route and usually takes around six hours to reach the capital. We will make several stops on the way in order to enjoy the views of the Brahmaputra River. In the afternoon, you might have some free time to prepare for your departure the next day.
Please prepare in advance for your departure. It takes approximately one hour to drive to the airport and around thirty minutes to reach the train station.
We will arrive at the airport three hours before your flight if you are traveling to Nepal and two hours before any domestic flight.
Since 2005 More than ten years of hard work in Tibet tourism
More than 20,000 tourists have chosen Yulong to travel
The praise rate is nearly 100%
