Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Lhasa
A local Tibetan guide meets you at Lhasa airport or train station with a traditional hada scarf greeting. The drive to your central Lhasa hotel takes you along the Lhasa River with views toward the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra). You'll spend the afternoon settling in and adjusting to the high altitude, then later your guide gives an evening briefing covering cultural tips and introduces the group.
Landmarks/POIs Lhasa River Yarlung Tsangpo River - Day 2
Lhasa
This morning you head to Drepung Monastery, historically the world's largest with over 10,000 monks. You'll walk through the grand Coqen Hall and check out monastic colleges like Loseling to learn about Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and daily monastic life. In the afternoon, you make your way to Sera Monastery, known for its monk debate tradition that happens in the courtyard from 3:00-5:00 pm. That lively academic practice gives you a real sense of how monks engage with their studies.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Drepung Monastery including Coqen Hall and Loseling College
- Visit Sera Monastery including monk debate viewing
Landmarks/POIs Drepung Monastery Coqen Hall Loseling College Sera Monastery - Day 3
Lhasa
Start with Potala Palace, the historic winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. You explore sacred chapels, golden stupas, and meditation chambers, then head to the rooftop for sweeping views across Lhasa. After that, stroll through Longwangtan Park where locals gather beneath the palace. The afternoon takes you to Jokhang Temple, Tibet's most sacred temple with its life-sized statue of Buddha Shakyamuni at age 12. You'll see pilgrims performing full-body prostrations outside, then walk Barkhor Street, the lively marketplace and kora route circling the temple. Wrap up your day at a traditional Tibetan tea house sipping sweet milk tea with locals.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Potala Palace including sacred chapels, golden stupas, and rooftop views
- Stroll through Longwangtan Park
- Visit Jokhang Temple and witness pilgrim prostrations
- Circle Barkhor Street
Optional Activities
- Visit Tibetan tea house
Landmarks/POIs Potala Palace Longwangtan Park Jokhang Temple Barkhor Street - Day 4
Lhasa to Shigatse
Your overland journey from Lhasa to Shigatse covers scenic terrain with multiple stops along the way. The road climbs over Gampala Pass where turquoise Yamdrok Lake comes into view, and you'll get chances to stop at viewpoints and potentially visit a local village for lunch with a Tibetan family. Later you reach Karola Glacier, Tibet's largest roadside glacier with towering ice cliffs visible from the highway. At Simila Pass, you hang prayer flags and take in panoramic views. By evening, you drive through Gyantse and the barley fields and rural villages beyond it, arriving in Shigatse.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive over Gampala Pass with Yamdrok Lake views
- Visit Karola Glacier
- Stop at Simila Pass for prayer flag hanging and panoramic views
Optional Activities
- Lunch with a Tibetan family in a village near Yamdrok Lake
Landmarks/POIs Gampala Pass Yamdrok Lake Karola Glacier Simila Pass Gyantse Fortress Palcho Monastery - Day 5
Mount Everest
This drive takes you to Mount Everest through Gyatsola Pass into Mount Everest National Nature Reserve. You get your first full view of Everest at Gawula Pass with panoramic vistas of five Himalayan peaks. The road descends dramatically with zigzags leading toward Everest Base Camp. As you near base camp, Everest's white pyramid keeps appearing with each turn. You arrive in time to watch golden sunset light on Everest's north face, then after dark the star-filled sky frames the mighty peak in silhouette.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Gyatsola Pass and Mount Everest National Nature Reserve
- Stop at Gawula Pass for Himalayan peaks viewing
- Visit Everest Base Camp with sunset viewing
Landmarks/POIs Gyatsola Pass Mount Everest National Nature Reserve Gawula Pass Mount Everest Everest Base Camp - Day 6
Everest Region to Shigatse
Before leaving the Everest area, you visit Rongbuk Monastery at 5,154 meters, the world's highest monastery where monks and nuns live together peacefully. Your return route goes through Dinggye County with a stop at Xilin Viewpoint offering another angle of Everest and views of Mount Lhotse, the fourth-highest peak. You spend time in the unique wetland landscape at the base of the Himalayas. Then you continue to Sakya, a historic town known for ancient monasteries and Mongolian-style architecture. You stroll through traditional streets before heading to Shigatse. That evening celebrates your Everest journey with a Tibetan cultural show and dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Tibetan cultural show and dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Rongbuk Monastery
- Stop at Xilin Viewpoint for Everest and Mount Lhotse views
- Visit historic town of Sakya
- Tibetan cultural show and dinner
Landmarks/POIs Rongbuk Monastery Xilin Viewpoint Mount Lhotse Sakya - Day 7
Shigatse to Lhasa
This morning takes you to Tashilhunpo Monastery, the spiritual seat of the Panchen Lama. You explore impressive halls, intricate murals, and the largest Maitreya Buddha statue. From there, you drive back to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River's banks, with views of rural life, river valleys, and distant peaks stretching across the landscape. Once back in Lhasa, you have free time to walk Barkhor Street, do some last-minute shopping, or just relax at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery including halls, murals, and Maitreya Buddha statue
Optional Activities
- Explore Barkhor Street
- Last-minute shopping
Landmarks/POIs Tashilhunpo Monastery Maitreya Buddha Yarlung Tsangpo River Barkhor Street - Day 8
Departure from Lhasa
Your Tibet journey concludes this morning. After breakfast, your guide helps arrange your transfer to Lhasa's airport or train station. You depart with memories of snow-capped peaks, ancient monasteries, and the spiritual traditions of the Tibetan Plateau.
- Meals
- Breakfast
