Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure to Asia
Your journey to Asia kicks off today as you head out for Lijiang, China. Get to the airport and depart, ready for what's ahead over the next couple of weeks exploring some incredible terrain.
- Day 2
Lijiang
You'll arrive in Lijiang, a UNESCO heritage site sitting at 2,400 meters in Yunnan Province. The old town is home to 23 ethnic groups including the Naxi people, and it's where you'll find the only surviving Dongba pictogram script. After settling into your hotel in the heart of the old town, you'll either explore a bit depending on when you land, then gather for a welcome dinner with your guide to get oriented.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner with tour guide
- Short exploration tour of Lijiang (depending on arrival time)
Landmarks Lijiang Old Town - Day 3
Lijiang
Start from Löwenberg to catch views over the old town rooftops before heading to Black Dragon Park at the foot of Elephant Hill, where the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5,596m) dominates the landscape. The rest of the day is open for you. If interested, check out the Naxi orchestra with regional instruments, or take a short trip to Baisha village to see Dr. Ho's former clinic and medicine collection. By evening, walk through the old town when it's lit up nicely.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Black Dragon Park visit and exploration
Optional Activities
- Naxi orchestra performance
- Excursion to Baisha village and Dr. Ho's clinic
Landmarks Black Dragon Park Elephant Hill Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Baisha Village - Day 4
Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge
Leave Lijiang early and travel through the Eastern Himalayas toward Qiaotou, where you start a 1.5-day hike through Tiger Leaping Gorge. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5,596m) and Haba Mountain (5,000m+) frame the gorge as you hike the full day. You'll reach a guesthouse by evening with incredible views waiting for you there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike through Tiger Leaping Gorge (approximately 8 hours)
Landmarks Tiger Leaping Gorge Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Haba Mountain - Day 5
Tiger Leaping Gorge to Shangri-La
Set out at dawn and work your way down for breakfast with the Jade Dragon as your backdrop. If you want the challenge, continue down a steep path to the Yangtze River, the world's third-longest river. The elevation swing to snow-covered peaks reaches 3,900m, making this one of the deepest gorges around. After hiking back up, you'll drive through mountain landscape and stop at the white-water terraces of Baishuitai before heading into Shangri-La (formerly Zhongdian). Check in at your hotel near the Buddhist Songzanlin monastery at 3,000+ meters.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike in Tiger Leaping Gorge and to Baishuitai white-water terraces
- Visit to sacred Baishuitai terraces
Optional Activities
- Challenging descent to the Yangtse river (optional scenic path)
Landmarks Baishuitai Songzanlin Monastery Yangtse River - Day 6
Shangri-La
Explore the 300-year-old Songzanlin Monastery in the morning, watching Tibetan monks go about their daily routines. In the afternoon, catch the local bus into Shangri-La's old town and wander the market, then walk to the giant prayer wheel that's said to spread Buddhism as it turns. The evening is yours to explore the old town, watch the square dancers, and join in if you're feeling up for it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Songzanlin Monastery with insight into Tibetan monks' life
- Visit to Shangri-La old town
- Local market visit
- Walk to giant prayer wheel
Optional Activities
- Evening dance participation in market square
Landmarks Songzanlin Monastery Shangri-La Old Town - Day 7
Shangri-La to Lhasa
You'll fly over the eastern Himalayas, white peaks, and glaciers, crossing the Yarlung Valley where Tibetan culture began. Land at Gongkar Airport near the Brahmaputra river and head to Lhasa at 3,600 meters, the roof of the world. After settling in your old town hotel, walk clockwise around the Jokhang Temple on the Barkhor Road to experience Tibetan believers in prayer and spirituality. Later, have a meal at a Tibetan restaurant trying momos or thenthuk.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Tibetan restaurant dinner with momos (dumplings) or thenthuk (hearty soup with noodles, vegetables and yak meat))
Included Activities
- Scenic flight over eastern Himalayas
- Guided pilgrimage around Jokhang Temple on Barkhor Road
- Tibetan restaurant dinner with momos or thenthuk
Landmarks Jokhang Temple Barkhor Road Gongkar Airport Yarlung Valley Brahmaputra River - Day 8
Lhasa
Walk through narrow alleyways past countless pilgrims performing rituals and prostrations. Visit the Jokhang to see Tibet's holiest Buddha statue, learning about Buddhist faith from your Tibetan guide. Then head to the Potala Palace, one of the world's great architectural sites rising from the red mountain. Climb the steps inside to see magnificent mandalas, murals, and Buddhist shrines. Later, relax at a park behind the palace in a Tibetan teahouse trying butter tea, taking it slow at this altitude.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Jokhang Temple interior with Buddhist faith explanation
- Guided tour of Potala Palace with guide insights on Tibetan thought
- Pilgrimage path walk around Potala Palace
- Visit to Tibetan teahouse near Potala Palace
Optional Activities
- Prayer wheel turning at pilgrimage path
Landmarks Jokhang Temple Potala Palace Marpo Ri (Red Mountain) - Day 9
Lhasa
Travel east to Drak Yerpa monastery, a quieter spot away from the main tourist routes. Follow locals to small caves where important Tibetan Buddhist figures meditated for years. You'll reach around 4,400 meters during this trip, experiencing a new altitude. The rest of the day is free to rest, prepare, or explore more of Lhasa on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Drak Yerpa monastery and meditation caves
Landmarks Drak Yerpa Monastery - Day 10
Lhasa to Karo La
Climb hairpin bends up to Khamba La pass (4,794m) for incredible views down to the turquoise Yamdrok Tso lake. The Noijin Kangsang massif (7,206m) rises in the background. Spend time here and later on the shore, then continue toward Karo La pass with a stop to set up camp. Take a short hike with glacier and lake views, then have dinner at camp around 4,700 meters.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stop at Khamba La pass (4,794m) with Yamdrok Tso views
- Short guided hike with glacier and lake views near Karo La
Landmarks Khamba La Pass Yamdrok Tso (Scorpion Lake) Noijin Kangsang Karo La Pass - Day 11
Karo La to Shigatse
After breakfast at camp, drive up to Karo La pass (just over 5,000m), passing massive glaciers of Noijin Kangsang. See the icy glacier masses and take in the mountain air. Continue south on the Friendship Highway toward Gyantse, once Tibet's third-largest city. Explore Pelkhor monastery and the Kumbum, then travel through fertile valleys to Shigatse (3,850m) where you can join a kora around the monastery or rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Pelkhor monastery and Kumbum in Gyantse
- Optional town tour of Shigatse and local monastery kora with prayer wheel turning
Optional Activities
- Kora (pilgrimage) around Shigatse monastery
Landmarks Karo La Pass Gyantse Fortress Pelkhor Monastery Kumbum Shigatse - Day 12
Shigatse to Mount Everest Base Camp
Start at the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, exploring halls filled with Buddhist art. Cross Gyatso La pass (5,220m) for glimpses of the world's highest mountain. Wind up to Pang La in late afternoon for a panoramic view of six of the world's fourteen 8,000-meter peaks lined up from east to west. Stop for dinner at a cozy inn in Tashi Dzom at 4,200 meters.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tashilhunpo Monastery
- Stop at Pang La pass with panoramic eight-thousand-meter mountain views
- Guided photography setup at Pang La
Landmarks Tashilhunpo Monastery Gyatso La Pass Pang La Mount Everest Kanchenjunga Makalu Lhotse Cho Oyu Shishapangma - Day 13
Mount Everest Base Camp
After breakfast, drive to Mount Everest, already visible from Rongbuk Monastery. You'll spend substantial time here looking at the mighty North Face of Earth's highest mountain. Stay the night in a communal tent at the large camp near Rongbuk at 5,000 meters, and in the evening swap travel stories around a warm stove with other travelers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Rongbuk Monastery area
- Mount Everest North Face viewing
Landmarks Mount Everest Rongbuk Monastery - Day 14
Mount Everest to Sakya
Leave your tent at sunrise to catch the morning light on Everest's northern flank. Return to the Friendship Highway with a stop at Pang La for views again. After passing through Lhatse, take a detour to Sakya, home to one of Tibetan Buddhism's major monasteries. Your guide will offer an optional walk through the northern part of Sakya Monastery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sunrise Mount Everest North Face viewing
- Stop at Pang La pass
Optional Activities
- Guided walk through northern part of Sakya Monastery
Landmarks Mount Everest Pang La Sakya Monastery - Day 15
Sakya to Shigatse
Explore further into the 'Flower Sect', another mainstream of Tibetan Buddhism. The main monastery here holds over 84,000 documents in its library, earning the nickname 'Second Dunhuang'. Originally built as a fortress against the Mongols over six hundred years ago, it's filled with cultural treasures. After a guided tour, enjoy free time walking the monastery walls and browsing small pilgrim shops. Head back to Shigatse for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sakya Monastery with library and cultural assets
Optional Activities
- Walk along monastery walls
- Shopping in pilgrim stores
Landmarks Sakya Monastery - Day 16
Shigatse to Trans-Himalayan Grasslands
After a short section on the northern Friendship Highway along the Yarlung Tsangpo, turn into a side valley and head into the Tibetan hinterland, a region fewer tourists see. Travel through small villages sometimes along rivers in idyllic landscape, making stops as you want. Set up camp for the second time and settle in. Spend the rest of the day as you wish with tea, walks, or working on your travel diary while dinner gets prepared.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Tibetan hinterland villages and valleys
Optional Activities
- Optional walks around campsite
- Optional tea and rest time
Landmarks Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) - Day 17
Grasslands to Namtso Lake
After crossing Dongula La pass (4,834m), reach the foot of Qungmoganze (7,048m), sacred to Tibetans and a special insider spot. Continue over Shogu La Pass (5,259m) to the sacred Namtso Lake. Walk on the Tashi Dor peninsula with views across the lake to the Tanggula mountain range. Head toward Lhasa and spend the night near Yangpachen, known for hot springs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Walk on Tashi Dor peninsula with Namtso Lake views
- Pass through Dongula La (4,834m)
- Stop at Shogu La Pass (5,259m)
Landmarks Dongula La Pass Qungmoganze Shogu La Pass Namtso Lake Tashi Dor Tanggula Mountain Range - Day 18
Yangpachen to Lhasa
After breakfast, get back to Lhasa and check into your hotel in the old town for your final night. Until the farewell dinner this evening, take another walk around the Jokhang on the Barkhor with believers or hang out at your favorite spot watching the activity. Shop for souvenirs to say goodbye to Tibet, then gather for a leisurely farewell dinner with your group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Return to Lhasa
- Farewell dinner in Lhasa
Optional Activities
- Walk around Jokhang on Barkhor Road
- Souvenir shopping
Landmarks Jokhang Temple Barkhor Road - Day 19
Lhasa to Home
After a final restful night in the heart of Tibet, make your way back home. Drive to Gongkar Airport, crossing the wide riverbed of the Yarlung Tsangpo one last time. Shortly after takeoff, enjoy views of the Himalayas from the plane as you head home via Beijing or Chengdu.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Gongkar Airport Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) - Day 20
Arrival Home
You'll arrive home carrying unforgettable impressions from your Tibet adventure, with memories and experiences that'll stick with you for a long time.
