Itinerary
- Day 1
Lhasa
Your flight or train gets you into Lhasa where your local guide meets you at the station or airport. From there, you'll take a shared shuttle bus to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax and let your body adjust to the high altitude, which is important before you start exploring.
- Start point
- Lhasa Shi, Tibet Autonomous Region, China (The free airport transfer from airport to hotel and fixed departure time: 10:00, 13:30, 16:00, 18:30., 10:00 - 18:30)
- Day 2
Lhasa
After breakfast, you'll head to Drepung Monastery, one of Tibet's major centers for Buddhist education and practice. In the afternoon, it's off to Sera Monastery where you can watch monks having philosophical debates in the courtyard between 3:00 and 5:30 PM. Your guide takes you to a traditional Tibetan restaurant later for a welcome dinner to kick off the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome dinner at traditional Tibetan restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Drepung Monastery
- Explore Sera Monastery
- Welcome dinner at traditional Tibetan restaurant
Optional Activities
- Watch monks debating at Sera Monastery (if timing aligns with afternoon sessions)
Landmarks Drepung Monastery Sera Monastery - Day 3
Lhasa
This morning you start at Potala Palace, the most recognizable landmark in Lhasa. Later, you'll go to Jokhang Monastery, Tibet's holiest temple, where you'll see pilgrims gathered for worship. From there, wander around Barkor Street, the busy local market area, and stop at a traditional Tibetan teahouse to get a feel for how locals spend their time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Tea Break (Visit to local Tibetan teahouse)
Included Activities
- Visit Potala Palace
- Visit Jokhang Monastery
- Walk around Barkor Street
- Visit local Tibetan teahouse
Landmarks Potala Palace Jokhang Monastery Barkor Street - Day 4
Lhasa to Shigatse
You're in for a long drive today, about 7 to 8 hours covering 340 kilometers to reach Shigatse. Along the way, there are two notable stops. First is Yamdrok Lake where you'll drive about 20 kilometers along the shore and visit a small lakeside village, plus grab lunch at a farmhouse. After that, it's roughly an hour to Karola Glacier. You'll also pass through Lake Manla and the town of Gyantse before pulling into Shigatse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Farmhouse lunch at Yamdrok Lake village)
Included Activities
- Visit Yamdrok Lake
- Walk in lakeside farmer homes and explore households
- Visit Karola Glacier
- Farmhouse lunch at Yamdrok Lake village
Landmarks Yamdrok Lake Karola Glacier - Day 5
Shigatse to Everest Base Camp
Today brings a 6.5-hour drive toward Mount Everest, covering 330 kilometers through rural areas and farming villages. After about 4 hours, you'll get your first real look at Everest from the Dingri Viewpoint. Entering the scenic area around the mountain, you stop at Gawula Pass for views of the 7000 to 8000 meter peaks surrounding you. The road takes you right to Everest Base Camp where you'll arrive as the sun sets and see the mountain lit up like a massive pyramid.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- View Everest from Dingri Viewpoint
- View Himalayan range from Gawula Pass
Landmarks Everest Base Camp Gawula Pass 
- Day 6
Everest Base Camp to Shigatse
Early morning gives you time for a quiet walk around base camp. After breakfast, you head to Rongbuk Monastery, the highest-altitude monastery in the world and one of the best spots to see Everest. Then it's to Xilin Viewpoint where you can see the eastern face and Mt. Lhotse. You pass through the old town of Sakya and drive back to Shigatse. That evening, there's a traditional Tibetan dinner with folk music and dancing to celebrate your time in the mountains.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner with song and dance performance featuring traditional Tibetan cuisine and folk songs and dances of Shigatse)
Included Activities
- Visit Rongbuk Monastery
- View Everest and Mt. Lhotse from Xilin Viewpoint
- Farewell dinner with song and dance performance
Landmarks Rongbuk Monastery Xilin Viewpoint - Day 7
Shigatse to Lhasa
On the way back to Lhasa, you stop at Tashilhunpo Monastery, the largest one in western Tibet and historically important as a seat of the Panchen Lamas. You'll explore the impressive architecture, see the world's largest gilded bronze statue, visit the stupas, and look at the detailed Buddhist murals. From there, you travel back to Lhasa either by driving along the Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley or by train, depending on what works best.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery
Landmarks Tashilhunpo Monastery Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley - Day 8
Lhasa
Your guide lets you know what time and where the shuttle bus is leaving from. You'll pick a departure time that fits with your flight or train schedule, then hop on the shared shuttle heading to Lhasa airport or the railway station for your journey home.
- End point
- Lhasa Shi, Tibet Autonomous Region, China (The free airport transfer with driver service only and fixed departure time: 06:30, 08:00, 12:00, 06:30 - 12:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
