Itinerary Day by Day
Day1 Arrive in Lhasa
When you arrive in Lhasa, your tour guide will hold a board with your name on it at the exit to welcome you. A private car will take you to the reserved hotel. You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/Bhamaputra River (the longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River on the way to Lhasa.
Tips: For the new visitors of Tibet, it is better to have a good rest in hotel because it helps you a lot to get acclimatized to the high altitude in Tibetan Plateau.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day2 Lhasa Sightseeing: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street (B)
Today, you’ll pay a visit to the famous Potala Palace, the world culture heritage. You can explore its audience halls, the jeweled and golden burial chortens (stupa tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.
Then tourists will head to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Songtsen Ganpo's reign by Princess Wencheng of Tang dynasty, 647 A.D. Here you can observe sincere pilgrims making prostration in front of the temple and see the holiest statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of 12. Around the temple is the famous Barkhor Street, where you can do the kora with pilgrims and locals. And then we’ll go to explore the old market and you may have chance to see the traditional jewelry trading between people from different parts of Tibet.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day3 Lhasa Sightseeing: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery (B)
Today, you will visit two important monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera. Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet, was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. Situated at the foot of Gebeiwoze Mountain, it was once home to more than 10,000 monks. Here you can see the biggest monastery kitchen inside and then pay a visit to the Buddhist Sculpture Carving Workshop near Drepung.
After having lunch, you’ll continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most interesting thing is to see monks debating in the courtyard at around 3-5 pm in the afternoon. Besides, you can also see the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha and the three sand Mandalas and then visit the Tibetan religious text printing house.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Optional: After the sightseeing, you may visit Tibetan Handicraft Art Center or Tibetan Traditional Medicine Center with your guide if time permits. Besides, you can enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD).
Day4 Lhasa - Shigatse via Gyantse (360km, B)
Today, we will drive from Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse. On the way, we’ll drive over the Gampala Pass (4,790m) to view Yamdrok Lake and Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar. Besides, you can also appreciate Korola Glacier on the roadside. At Manak Dam Lake, tourists can hang prayer flags at Simila Mountain Pass.
Then we’ll go to the heritage town Gyantse and explore its old street, Pelkor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. Here you can catch the far view of Gyantse Fortress.
Later, we’ll arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. And tourists can visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field in summer.
Stay overnight in Shigatse.
Day5 Shigatse - EBC (350km, B)
In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. It is largest monastery of the Gelug Sect in Rear Tibet, and the main stage where generations of Panchen Lamas carried out religious and political activities. After getting your Alien’s Travel Permit, we will leave Shigatse and then drive to Lhatse for lunch.
After that, we’ll drive over Tsola Pass (4,600m), and Gyatsola Pass (5,248m). At Gawula Pass (5,180m), tourists can view the panorama of Himalaya. Then we’ll drive along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp and get closer to Mt. Everest peak. You are lucky enough to catch the sunset of golden Everest peak if time and weather permits at the lodging area.
Stay overnight at tent guesthouse.
Day6 EBC - Saga (450km)
In the morning, you can enjoy the stunning sunrise of Everest peak at lodging area if weather permits. While we drive towards Saga, you can catch the view of the world’s 14th highest peak Mt. Shishapangma (8,012m) and the beautiful turquoise Lake Peikutso (4,590m). Chances are that you can see wild animals like wild donkey, wild antelope etc.
Stay overnight in Saga Xibuyizhan Hotel or Mu Linsen Hotel.
Day7 Saga to Darchen via Lake Manasarovar (450km)
In the morning, you can appreciate the stunning view of the Saga Valley between Gangdise Range and Himayala Range. Meanwhile, you can also view the beautiful grassland and local's villages along the way. While crossing the Mayomla Pass (5,112m), you can catch the far view of Mt. Naimonanyi (7,694M). Then we’ll pass by the holy Lake Manasarovar and finally arrive at the southern foot of Mt. Kailash, the holist mountain in Tibet.
Stay overnight in Darchen Chongqing Hotel.
Day8 Darchen - Drirapuk (driving 7km, trek 13km)
In the morning, tourists can take environment friendly bus from Darchen to Sarshung Valley. And you’ll meet yaks and porters at Sarshung Village (The cost of hiring yaks, horses, and porters are not included in the package).
After that, you can start the trek (around 13km) from Sarshung to Drirapuk Monastery (5,080m) along the Lachu Valley and rivers. Today, you can see both west and north face of Mount Kailash (6,638m). Finally, we’ll pay a visit to Drirapuk Monastery.
Stay overnight in guesthouse.
Day9 Drirapuk - Dzutrpuk (trek 18km)
Today, we’ll trek over Dromala Pass (5,648m), the highest pass of the Kora. On the way, you can have a break in a teahouse. Besides, you’ll meet the locals prostrating along the Kora path. When walking downhill, you can see beautiful Kadoe Lake (5,568m). Then we’ll visit Zutulpuk Monastery (4,835m).
Stay overnight in guesthouse.
Day10 Dzutripuk - Darchen (trek 7km, driving 5km)
Today, we’ll trek 7km to Zongto where you can take bus to Darchen. Along the Kora, you can see piles of Mani Stones. Finally, we’ll end the trek around noon and have a rest at the lodging place.
Stay overnight in guesthouse.
Optional: Take a bath in Lake Manasarovar and enjoy hot spring around it.
Day11 Day tour around Guge Kingdom
Today you will visit attractions around Guge Kingdom such as Tirthapuri Monastery, Tsaparang, Donkar and Piyang Grottoes, etc. Zanda County is the current name for the region of Guge Kingdom, and the county's capital is Tholing. Tholing Monastery, the oldest monastery in the Nagri Prefecture, was founded by Richen Zangpo in the 10th century. It was also the main religious center of Guge Kingdom after inviting the great Indian master ATISHA.
Stay overnight in Zanda.
Day12 Guge Kingdom to Lake Manasarovar
In the morning, you will take a car ride from Zanda County back to Lake Manasarovar, where you can visit the Chewu Cave near Lake Manasarovar.
Optional: You can taking bath in Lake Manasarova and enjoy hot spring at the price of 10 USD/person.
Stay overnight in guesthouse.
Day13 Darchen - Saga (450km)
Drive from Darchen to Saga via Lake Manasorovar.
Stay overnight in Saga Xibuyizhan Hotel or Mu Linsen hotel.
Day14 Saga - Sakya (350km)
Drive from Saga to Sakya.
Stay overnight in Sakya Yuan Fu Hotel.
Day15 Sakya - Shigatse (170km)
In the morning, we’ll pay a visit to ancient Sakya Town and Sakya Monastery with amazing murals and huge collection of scriptures and statues. Then we’ll drive from Sakya to Shigatse.
Stay overnight in Manasarovar Hotel.
Day16 Shigatse - Lhasa (B)
Today, we’ll follow Yarlung Valley back to Lhasa. Standing on the platform, you can view the vast Yarlung River bed. And then you can visit Water Mill making Tibetan incense material (in summer if time permits). Finally we’ll drop you off at hotel in Lhasa.
Stay overnight in Lhasa (3-Star Hotel).
Day17 Depart from Lhasa (B)
The driver will take you to airport or train station.
Service ends.
Route Map
Service Inclusion
- Tibet travel permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary;
- Personal knowledgeable English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide;
- Personal comfortable, clean and safe vehicle with reliable Tibetan local driver; vehicle ranging from 4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on your group size;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel or budget hostel, guesthouse or tent. Please tell us your accommodation preference when submitting the enquiry; we will arrange the best-value hotels for you.
- Domestic flight/train tickets listed in the itinerary;
- All meals listed in the above itinerary;
- Tourist accident/casualty insurance;
- First aid kit;
Service Exclusion
- International flight to and out of China;
- Chinese visa (Note: we could help you with the Chinese visa application, like providing the invitation letter, presenting the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies, etc that you may need. )
- Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary. (We can provide you the domestic flight/train ticket booking service at the BEST discount price; please contact us our travel experts for the details.)
- Meals not specified in the itinerary; usually it costs about USD3-15 per person for one meal in TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region).
- Tips and gratitude to tour guide and driver;
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks (please do the best to avoid the alcoholic beverages during your Tibet trip), optional tour activities, etc.
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