Itinerary Details

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  Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa (100km)

  Attractions: No
  Meals: No
  Hotel: 4★ hotel in Lhasa

  Welcome to Lhasa! Upon your arrival at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport or Lhasa Railway Station, your tour guide and driver will meet you in the hall on time, holding a sign with your name.

  Then you’ll be transferred to your hotel downtown by the experienced driver. It only takes less than an hour through the Airport Expressway and takes about half an hour from the Railway Station to your hotel.

  After arriving at hotel, tour guide will help you check in. You can take a rest and get acclimatized to high altitude. Stay overnight in Lhasa

  Tips:
  1. For first-time visitors, it is common to get symptoms of altitude sickness like fatigue, headache, and vomiting.
  2. To adapt to the high altitude (over 3,600m), you are recommended to have a good rest in the hotel and avoid strenuous activities like running. Do not smoke or drink. Avoid showers for the first one or two days.
  3. Please drink sufficient water and eat more vegetables, fruits, meat, and eggs for sufficient energy intake.
  4. Don’t hesitate to ask your guide or hotel staff for help if you feel unwell or need help.

  

  Pick-up at Lhasa Gonggar Airportr

  

  Pick-up at Lhasa Railway Station
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  Day 2: Lhasa City Tour

  Attractions: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
  Meals: Breakfast
  Hotel: 4★ hotel in Lhasa

  After your breakfast at the hotel, you will head to the famous landmark Potala Palace.

  Potala Palace
  1. The Viewing Platform of Jag Pori: a popular photo spot where you may appreciate the splendid sunrise.
  2. Treasure Hall of Potala: offering you an insight into Tibetan history and culture with precious artworks and cultural relics.
  3. Mountain Path to the Palace: climbing up along the zigzag mountain path with over 900 steps gives you a sense of fulfillment.
  4. White Palace: climbing up along the zigzag mountain path with over 900 steps gives you a sense of fulfillment.
  5. Red Palace: the chapel housing stupas, tombs, and relics of Dalai Lamas where you can experience the sanctity and solemnity of religion.

  In the afternoon you will head to the oldest temple in Tibet.

  Jokhang Temple
  1. Main Hall: the central hall serves as the main point for worship and houses the precious statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. You can appreciate its typical Tibetan architectural style integrating with Nepali, Indian and Tang Dynasty elements.
  2. Golden Roof: an ideal site to overlook Jokhang Temple Square and Potala Palace. After viewing the holiest temple, you can visit Barkhor Street encircling it.

  Barkhor Street
  1. The Circumambulation Road: an essential pilgrim route where you can join pilgrims to do a kora around the Temple.
  2. Shops and Restaurants: you can eat local food and buy handcrafts like prayer beads, prayer wheels, and thangkas in this old market.

  After experiencing the charm of the City of Sunlight, back to your hotel and stay overnight in Lhasa.

  

  Potala Palace

  

  Barkhor Street
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  Day 3: Lhasa city Tour

  Attractions: Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery
  Meals: Breakfast
  Hotel: 4★ hotel in Shigatse

  In the early morning, your guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel. You’ll head to Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet, to witness the grand ceremony of Buddha unfolding.

  Drepung Monastery
  1. Buddha Unfolding Ceremony: At about 8 am, as the first ray of sun illuminated Drepung Monastery, accompanied by the solemn sound of the Tibetan horn, a huge 500-square-meter Thangka of Sakyamuni woven with colorful silk slowly unfolded in front of everyone's eyes. The believers will present the Hadas to the Thangka and worship. You will feel their devout faith and be deeply affected.
  2. Coqen Hall: the main assembly hall, located in the center of the monastery, where you can find a fine statue of Usnisa-sitapatra, a huge statue of Maitreya (Qamba Budda) and a mass collection of Buddhist sutras.
  3. Loseling College: the biggest one of the four colleges of Drepung Monastery, offering you an insight into the monks’ practices and studies.

  In the afternoon, you’ll continue your trip to visit another famous monastery.

  Sera Monastery
  1. Coqen Hall: the main assembly hall where you can see the statue of Shvakya-ye-shes, the founder of this monastery.
  2. Sera Je College: the largest college in Sera Monastery where you can visit the chapel of Hayagriva and pray for blessings.
  3. Tibetan Monks Debates: the debates among monks (15:00-17:00, from Monday to Friday) offer you a chance to see how they gain a better comprehension of Buddhist philosophy in this process.

  After your visit, back to the hotel for a good rest. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

  

  Buddha Unfolding at Drepung Monastery

  

  Monks Debate at Sera Monastery
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  Day 4: Lhasa-Yamdrok Lake-Gyantse-Shigatse (380km)

  Attractions: Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Simila Mountain Pass, Pelkor Chode Monastery
  Meals: Breakfast
  Hotel: guestroom bed at EBC

  Set off to Yamdrok Lake in the early morning. You’ll first drive over the Gampala pass (4,900 m) to catch a glimpse of Yamdrok and then continue towards the highest freshwater lake.

  Yamdrok Lake: a sacred lake nestled in the heart of Tibet blending with natural splendor and spiritual significance. The turquoise blue water is ringed by snowy mountain peaks, forming a breathtaking scene. You can immerse in the surreal beauty by boat or yak and can take perfect photos.

  Enjoy your lunch at Nagartse hosted by a local Tibetan family, where you can savor the local flavors and engage in conversation with the locals. Then, continue your trip to Gyantse.

  Karola Glacier: the largest glacier in Tibet for you to enjoy at a distance on the vehicle.

  Simila Mountain Pass: a stop where you can hang prayer flags.

  Upon your arrival in Gyantse, you can stroll down the streets and take some photos. You can also visit the town’s main attraction Pelkor Chode Monastery.

  Pelkor Chode Monastery: a unique monastery that houses three schools of Tibetan Buddhism. You can see the majestic Kumbum Stupa, the tallest of its kind in Tibet. Its nine-layer white body is trimmed with decorative stripes and crowned with a golden dome.

  From Gyantse to Shigatse, you will pass by green Tibetan barley fields in summer and golden ones in autumn, along with countless farms.

  You will reach Shigatse before nightfall. Check in at the hotel and have a good rest. Stay overnight in Shigatse.

  

  Yamdrok Lake

  

  Pelkor Chode Monastery
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  Day 5: Shigatse-Everest Base Camp (350km)

  Attractions: Gyawu La Pass, Rongbuk Monastery, Mt. Everest Base Camp
  Meals: No
  Hotel: 4★ hotel in Shigatse

  After your breakfast, you will head to Mount Everest.

  Gyawu La Pass (5,250m): the best scenic spot providing you the first glimpse of Mt. Everest.

  Then, you will continue your journey towards Everest Base Camp along the winding road with the grand Everest drawing nearer. You’ll visit the world’s highest monastery.

  Rongbuk Monastery (5,009m): the highest-elevation monastery on the north side of Mt. Everest. Its Observation Deck is a perfect site to view the towering mountain. You can also see a bronze statue of Qamba Buddha of 28 meters high.

  Everest Base Camp (5200m)
  1. Sunset View from EBC: a breathtaking spectacle that captivates your senses as you witness the sun descend toward the horizon, casting its golden hues on the towering peak.
  2. Milky Way: being situated at a high altitude, EBC has clear and unobstructed views of the night sky. You can enjoy a luminous band of stars, weaving its way through the darkness above the snow-white peak.
  3. 5200 Monument: a monument typically marks the elevation of Everest Base Camp itself where you can take a photo to commemorate your trip to EBC.
  4. 8848 Monument: a monument represents the elevation of Mount Everest about 500m from the tent area and the closest viewing spot to Mt. Everest. You can take photos here with the monument and the majestic Everest.

  Stay overnight at Everest Base Camp or in the local village near EBC.

  

  Rongbuk Monastery

  

  Tent at EBC
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  Day 6: Everest Base Camp-Shigatse (350km)

  Attractions: Sunrise of Mt. Everest, Jia Tsuo La Viewpoint, Tashilunpo Monastery
  Meals: Breakfast
  Hotel: 4★ hotel in Shigatse

  Weather permitting, you may appreciate the sunrise of Mt. Everest, seeing the sunlight casting its golden glow on the towering peak.

  Ascending to the view platform of Jia Tsuo La Pass, you can have a panoramic view of the grand Himalayan peaks. Beyond the towering Mount Everest (8,848m), you’ll see myriads of snow-capped summits, including Lhakpa Ri (7,367m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Lhotse (8,516m), and Makalu (8,463m).

  After fully appreciating the grandeur of the Himalayas, you’ll follow the winding road back to Shigatse. You will first visit the home of Panchen Lama in Shigatse.

  Tashilunpo Monastery
  1. Qamba Buddha Hall: a grand hall houses the tallest and largest bronze Qamba Buddha statue where you can appreciate Buddhist art.

  Stay overnight in Shigatse.

  

  Majestic Mt. Everest

  

  Tashilunpo Monastery
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  Day 7: Shigatse-Lhasa

  Attractions: Lhasa-Shigatse Railway
  Meals: Breakfast
  Hotel: 4★ hotel in Lhasa

  After your breakfast, you will head back to Lhasa by train. Two bullet trains depart from Shigatse to Lhasa every day, namely, C886 and C888. The whole ride takes about 2h20min.

  Lhasa-Shigatse Railway: a high-elevation railway that connects Lhasa to Shigatse extending 253km. It’s an extension of the Qingzang (Qinghai-Tibet) Railway. Taking the Tibet train from Shigatse to Lhasa, you can view the stunning Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley. The river cascades down the valley, rushing the rocks and cliffs. Riverside fields with rich vegetation resources change their color with the seasons, offering colorful and picturesque scenes. You can also see continuous snowy mountains and Tibetan villages along the railway.

  After reaching Lhasa Railway Station, our driver will transfer you to the hotel. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

  

  Tibet Train from Shigatse to Lhasa

  

  Yarlung Tsangpo River
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  Day 8: Lhasa-Namtso-Lhasa (500km)

  Attractions: Namtso Lake
  Meals: Breakfast
  Hotel: 4★ hotel in Lhasa

  In the morning, you’ll go to visit Namtso Lake, also known as “Heavenly Lake”.

  Namtso Lake (4,718m)
  1. Breathtaking Scenery: Namtso Lake is renowned for its stunning beauty, with crystal-clear turquoise waters surrounded by snow-capped mountains. You can take perfect photos there.
  2. Tashi Dor Island: an island in the middle of Namtso Lake is a sacred site for Tibetan Buddhists. You can visit meditation caves on this island to explore and learn about Tibetan spirituality.

  After appreciating such a breathtaking sight, you’ll return to Lhasa with the sun westering behind the snowy mountains. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

  

  Namtso Lake

  

  Huge Stone at Namtso
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  Day 9: Departure from Lhasa

  Activity: See off to Lhasa Airport or Railway Station
  Meals: Breakfast
  Hotel: No

  Your guide and driver will take you to the airport or train station and help you get on board. Please verify your travel information and let your guide know.

  Thank you for choosing Tibet Horizon for your Tibet tour. We are always here to extend a warm welcome for your return to Tibet!

  

  Send-off at Lhasa Gonggar Airport

  

  Send-off at Lhasa Railway Station