Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Lhasa
You'll arrive in Lhasa by flight or train, and your local Tibetan guide will meet you for the transfer to your hotel (about an hour from the airport, 20 minutes from the station). Spend the rest of the day on your own, moving slowly around the city while you adjust to the high altitude. Focus on staying hydrated, eating light meals, and getting good rest. Try to skip showering if you can manage it.
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Lhasa city at your own pace
- Day 2
Lhasa
Start by heading to Drepung Monastery, which once held over 10,000 monks and served as home to the Dalai Lama. After lunch, walk through the Tibet Museum to see displays about local life, traditional clothing, architecture, and festival traditions. Later that afternoon, check out Norbulingka Palace, a beautiful royal garden and the Dalai Lama's summer residence.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Drepung Monastery
- Visit Tibet Museum
- Visit Norbulingka Palace
Landmarks/POIs Drepung Monastery Tibet Museum Norbulingka Palace - Day 3
Lhasa
This morning you'll visit Potala Palace, the iconic landmark and UNESCO site originally built in the 7th century and rebuilt in the 1600s. It's a masterpiece of Tibetan design and now functions as a museum. In the afternoon, head to Jokhang Temple, one of the holiest temples in Tibet, where you'll see local pilgrims throughout the day. From there, take a walk around Barkhor Street, the ancient pilgrimage route and market area surrounding the temple.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Potala Palace
- Visit Jokhang Temple
- Walk around Barkhor Street
Landmarks/POIs Potala Palace Jokhang Temple Barkhor Street - Day 4
Lhasa to Shigatse
You're traveling from Lhasa toward Shigatse, crossing Kampala Pass along the way. Stop at Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's three largest sacred lakes, which stretches about 70km and sits surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Later, view Karola Glacier from the roadside (about 300 meters from the highway). Then stop at Pelkor Chode Monastery in Gyantse town before continuing to Shigatse, Tibet's second-largest city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Yamdrok Lake
- View Karola Glacier
- Visit Pelkor Chode Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Kampala Pass Yamdrok Lake Karola Glacier Pelkor Chode Monastery - Day 5
Shigatse to Everest Base Camp
Leaving Shigatse early, you'll drive 150km to Lhatse and grab lunch at a local restaurant. After resting, continue toward Tingri, crossing Tsola Pass and Gyatsola Pass. By late afternoon you'll enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve and reach Gawula Pass for views across the Himalayas. Then it's along the zigzag road down to Everest Base Camp at 5200m for the night. If the weather cooperates, you'll catch the golden sunset on Everest Peak.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Gawula Pass
- Arrive at Everest Base Camp
Optional Activities
- View sunrise of Everest Peak (weather dependent)
Landmarks/POIs Tsola Pass Gyatsola Pass Gawula Pass Everest Base Camp - Day 6
Everest Base Camp to Shigatse
Get up early to see the sunrise at Everest Peak from your lodging (weather depending). Then visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world's highest monastery and a sacred place at Everest's base. After exploring the area, you'll drive back to Shigatse with great views the whole way.
Included Activities
- Visit Rongbuk Monastery
Optional Activities
- View sunrise of Everest Peak from lodging area (weather dependent)
Landmarks/POIs Rongbuk Monastery - Day 7
Shigatse to Lhasa
In Shigatse, you'll visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, home to the Panchen Lama and founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama. The monastery sits on the city's central hill, and its Tibetan name translates to 'heap of glory'. After exploring, head back to Lhasa via the Friendship Highway's northern route, taking in views of the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley along the drive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Tashilhunpo Monastery Yarlung Tsangpo Valley - Day 8
Departure from Lhasa
Your guide and driver will take you to the airport or railway station for your next journey. Before you go, spend a few minutes completing a feedback form about your tour experience, or send your comments by email once you're home. Your tour wraps up here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
