China – Tibet Tours and Travel

The following is an example of one of our Tibet tour programs, and can be adapted, or combined with other places to suit your needs.

Day 1 – Lhasa

• Fly from Xi’an Airport by the check-in counter for our Lhasa bound flight on Tibetan Airlines.
• Arrive into Lhasa – the largest city of the region and receive a traditional Hada welcoming ceremony from our local Tibetan guide.
• Drive and check-in to our hotel located in the heart of old town of Lhasa city – Benak Shol Hotel.
• Enjoy a leisurely afternoon to acclimatise to Lhasa’s stunning altitude of 3,800 meters. Explore the enchanting old town on foot, where ancient streets are lined with charming markets displaying Tibetan culture. This free time invites you to slowly arrive and enjoy the charm and beauty of Lhasa.
• Group regathers for our first feast in Lhasa and get your first taste of Tibetan Yak, the most common meat in these parts.
• Overnight in Lhasa at Benak Shol Hotel.

Day 2 – Lhasa 

• Discover Drepung Monastery, the largest in Tibet, established in 1416 and once the home to up to 10,000 monks. Nestled at the base of a mountain, this stunning monastery offers breath-taking views of West Lhasa, creating a serene backdrop for your exploration.
• We’ll have lunch nearby at a local restaurant.
• Explore Norbulingka, also known as the Summer Palace of Dalai Lamas – serving as a traditional summer residence of the former Dalai Lamas from the 1780s and onwards.
• Visit Sera Monastery – here we’ll watch student monks partake in public debates within the courtyard of the monastery where one monk stands making clapping actions asking questions and the other sits and answers.
• Dinner at a local Tibetan restaurant.
• Overnight in Lhasa at Benak Shol Hotel.

Day 3 – Lhasa

• Discover the iconic Potala Palace, once home to the 14th Dalai Lama and the seat of Tibetan governance for centuries. As you climb to the top, explore sacred prayer rooms and the grand golden tombs of previous Dalai Lamas. The breath-taking panoramic views from the summit will leave you in awe, making this a must-see landmark rich in history and spirituality.
• We’ll make our way all the way down joining the pilgrims on the Pilgrim Path to the viewing platform of the Potala Palace from the famous view that’s also seen on the Chinese 50RMB note.
• Walk to the Square of the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet and explore Liberation Square located in front of the palace. The square is a popular gathering place, often hosting cultural events and celebrations with huge portraits of the leaders of the CPC.
• Local lunch of Tibetan noodles, discover the difference between it and the Chinese noodles.
• Visit Jokhang Temple – this temple is actually considered the most important of Lhasa’s temples by Tibetans and was built for the Nepalese Princess of the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.
• Group regathers for joint dinner – Meat dishes are likely to be yak, goat, or mutton, often dried, or cooked into a spicy stew with potatoes.
• Overnight in Lhasa at Benak Shol Hotel.

Day 4 – Lhasa – Namtso Lake – Lhasa

• Wake up early and begin our four-hour drive to Namtso Lake – the highest and largest lake in Tibet at 4718m. Drive by stunning plateau scenery and pass the Lhakenla viewpoint that tops 5190m, incredible for photo opportunities.
• Once arriving at Namtso Lake you can make your way down to the water for reflective views and have a further understanding why this lake is known as ‘Heavenly Lake’ to the locals.
• Arrive back in Lhasa for dinner
• Overnight in Lhasa at Benak Shol Hotel.

Day 5 – Namba Tibetan Village – Lhasa

• After breakfast, we’ll head to the Tibet Museum, an enormous and exceptionally well-curated museum where we’ll spend the morning exploring its extensive exhibits. During our guided visit, we’ll focus on the exhibitions covering the serfdom system in pre-1950 Tibet and learn more about Tibet’s history from the perspective presented by the museum.
• Visit a local Tibetan family and enjoy a hearty, home cooked traditional Tibetan meal prepared by our hosts. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience Tibetan hospitality and gain a glimpse into everyday local life.
• We’ll also have the opportunity to chat with our hosts about their lives in modern Tibet, learn about their traditions and daily routines, and take a stroll through the village for a glimpse into contemporary Tibetan life.
• We’ll also have the opportunity to chat with our hosts about their lives in modern Tibet, learn about their traditions and daily routines, and take a stroll through the village for a glimpse into contemporary Tibetan life.
• Drive to the Yerpa Monastery – one of Tibet’s four great meditation retreats, with a history of over 1300 years. As the Tibetan saying goes, “A visit to Lhasa without Yerpa is like making a new robe without a collar.” Famous for its ancient meditation caves once used by renowned Buddhist masters, it offers a peaceful atmosphere and panoramic valley views.
• We’ll then return to the city for dinner before heading out to explore the city’s lively Tibetan bar scene, a great opportunity to experience the local nightlife alongside Tibetans and your fellow group members.
• Overnight in Lhasa at Benak Shol Hotel.

Day 6 – Lhasa – Shigatse 

• Early wake up and check out of the hotel. The majority of today will be spent on the road as we will make our way to Shigatse city located halfway between Lhasa and Mt. Everest Base Camp. During our drive you’ll pass along the Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra) – the longest river in Tibet stretching over 2800km long.
• Continue making our way up to the top of a snow-capped mountain 5000m high with an unrealistic view of Yamdrok Lake from below – one of three sacred lakes in Tibet. Locals have their Tibetan Mastiffs on display for photos, the world’s most formidable dogs on display at the peak.
• Lunch at Nagarzê County, the border town near Bhutan.
• Ascend to the vantage point for stunning views of the Karola Glacier, perched at an impressive 5,560 meters. This extraordinary location offers a unique photography opportunity, capturing the glacier’s mesmerizing beauty and the surrounding alpine landscape. Prepare to be awed by nature’s grandeur!
• Head through Nyangchu Valley and briefly stop at Gyantse city – the third largest city in Tibet that holds Gyantse Dzong Fortress which comfortably sits overlooking the city. The fortress went through a few rough patches after being invaded by both the British and Chinese during the Cultural Revolution.
• Explore Palcho Monastery – most famous for having a tower several floors high with 108 different chapels located inside, and survived the Cultural Revolution.
• Arrive in Shigatse – the second largest city in Tibet with population of over 80,000.
• Check-in to our Gesar Hotel and dinner at a nearby restaurant.
• Overnight in Shigatse at Gesar Hotel.

Day 7 – Shigatse – Mt. Everest Base Camp

• Wake up early and check out – we can leave larger luggage behind at the hotel to make our trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp a lot easier.
• Embark on an exhilarating drive to Mt. Everest Base Camp along Highway 318, renowned as China’s longest highway. Pause for an iconic photo at the 5,000 km marker, celebrating your journey that stretches all the way from the bustling Shanghai People’s Square. This scenic route promises stunning vistas and a sense of adventure as you approach the majestic heights of Everest!
• We’ll pass over another peak this time going as high as 5248m.
• As we’re about to enter Mt. Everest Nature Reserve or Qomolongma as it is known to the locals as we’ll have lunch before swapping to an EV to take us 20km to Mt. Everest Base Camp.
• Arrive at Mt. Everest Base Camp, where the all-overshadowing peak of Everest, towering at 8,848 meters, awaits you—weather permitting. Feel the thrill as you stand in the shadow of the highest mountain in the world, a truly unforgettable experience!
• Visit the Rongbuk Monastery, the highest temple in the world, just inside the base camp.
• Have the afternoon free to walk around the base camp for photos of this mighty mountain and to understand its significance for Tibetan spirituality as well as global mountaineering.
• Dinner and overnight in EBC tented lodges.

Day 8 – Mt. Everest Base Camp – Shigatse

• Set off early to drive down the mountain and head back to Shigatse.
• On the way back stop for lunch.
• Arrive at the 5,000-meter marker on Highway 318 in Lhatse, and arrive into Shigatse in the afternoon.
• Exploring the largest monastery in western Tibet, the Tashilunpo Monastery. It is the palace of the Panchen Lamas and it is an extremely important site for Tibetan Buddhism as the temple is the seat of the current Panchen Lama and the tomb of the previous Panchen Lamas. Also, the monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha – the biggest gilded copper statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in the world.
• Dinner at a local Tibetan restaurant.
• Overnight in Shigatse at Gesar Hotel.

Day 9 – Shigatse – Lhasa

• Drive to Lhasa by a different route via Rinbu, on the way, we can enjoy the beautiful mountain and river valley view.
• Lunch at a Nepalese restaurant in Lhasa.
• Arrival in Lhasa and transit to Lhasa airport or Lhasa train station according to your preference.