DAY 01. ARRIVAL IN LHASA BY AIR OR TRAIN
Attraction: First sight of the Giant Potala Palace and Holy Lhasa city.
Your arrival at the Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Train Station, you will be greeted by our Tibetan guide and driver and transferred to your hotel in Lhasa. From the airport, it is about 65 km to Lhasa through the recently built airport highway and it takes only 50 minutes by drive. From the train station, it is only 25 km and takes less than half an hour to your hotel. Check in at the hotel and take it easy for the rest of the day to acclimatize and alleviate jet lag. Overnight in Lhasa.
DAY 02. LHASA ESCORTED TOUR
Attractions: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.
Today we will visit Drepung Monastery in the morning, once the world’s largest monastery that housed more than 10,000 monks. It was the residence of the Dalai Lama prior to the Potala Palace. Although several destructions took place over time, you still have many things to see. Walking through the narrow and twisted lanes of the monks’ apartments is thrilling. The amazing day will end with a visit to Sera Monastery, built in the fifteenth century by Jamchen Choji Sakya Yeshi, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. The monastery houses several hundred monks from different parts of Tibet. The famous Buddhist philosophical debates among monks take place every afternoon except Sunday. Continue acclimatization and rest for the day. Overnight in Lhasa.
DAY 03. LHASA ESCORTED TOUR
Attractions: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and bustling Barkhor Street.
Today is your first full day on the high plateau, and some travelers may experience mild headaches, which is common at high altitude. Drinking enough water and keeping activities light is recommended. In the morning, visit Jokhang Temple in the center of Old Lhasa. It is one of the most sacred temples in Tibet and is always bustling with pilgrims. Afterward, walk around Barkhor Street, a devotional circuit and lively market area. In the afternoon, visit the famous Potala Palace, the landmark of Tibet and a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. First built by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and later rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century, it served as the home of the Dalai Lama and his government. Climbing the steps is challenging but rewarding. Overnight in Lhasa.
DAY 04. LHASA – GYANTSE – SHIGATSE (370 km)
Attractions: Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, and Kumbum Monastery.
Today we leave Lhasa and head toward western Tibet. Driving through zigzag roads over Gampa La Pass (4900 m), you will get your first glimpse of the stunning Yamdrok Lake. Continue along the lake and stop at Karo La Pass for a close view of the Nyenchen Khangsar Glacier. Then drive to Gyantse, a historic town, and visit the famous Kumbum Stupa and Palkhor Choede Monastery. The stupa is well known for its murals and unique architecture. Then continue 90 km to Shigatse. Overnight in Shigatse.
DAY 05. SHIGATSE – SAKYA – LHATSE – SHEGAR (300 km)
Attractions: Tashilhunpo Monastery and Sakya Monastery.
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery in the morning, one of the largest functioning monasteries in western Tibet with over 600 years of history. Then drive toward Lhatse and detour to Sakya Monastery, known for its unique architecture and historical importance. It was once a major center of learning in the 13th century under Sakya Pandita. Continue to Shegar. Overnight in Shegar. Note: Your guide will obtain the Alien’s Travel Permit (ATP) required for further travel.
DAY 06. SHEGAR – EVEREST BASE CAMP (350 km)
Attractions: Rongbuk Monastery and Mt. Everest Base Camp.
Drive to Everest Base Camp via Gyatso La Pass (5400 m) and Gawu La Pass (5250 m), offering breathtaking Himalayan views including Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Shishapangma. Visit Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world. Optional short trek to EBC or take a shuttle. Overnight in tent guesthouse or monastery lodge.
DAY 07. EBC – OLD TINGRI – SAGA (400 km)
Attractions: Mt. Shishapangma and Peikutso Lake.
Drive back to the main road, stop at Old Tingri, and continue toward Saga through scenic Himalayan landscapes. Overnight in Saga.
DAY 08. SAGA – MANASAROVAR LAKE
Attractions: Sand dunes, Chiu Monastery, and Manasarovar Lake.
Travel across vast plains with views of the Himalayas and reach the sacred Manasarovar Lake, one of the holiest lakes in Tibet. Overnight at lakeside guesthouse.
DAY 09. MANASAROVAR – DARCHEN (80 km)
Attractions: Mt. Kailash.
Drive to Darchen, the base for Kailash trekking. Prepare for the trek and arrange porters/yaks. Overnight in guesthouse.
DAY 10. TREKKING DAY 1 – DARCHEN TO DIRAPUK (20 km)
Attractions: Valley views and Mt. Kailash north face.
Begin trekking around Mt. Kailash. Pass pilgrims and scenic landscapes. Reach Dirapuk Monastery. Overnight stay.
DAY 11. TREKKING DAY 2 – DIRAPUK TO ZULTUL PUK (18 km)
Attractions: Dolma La Pass (5600 m).
Cross the highest and most challenging pass and descend to Zultul Puk Monastery. Overnight stay.
DAY 12. TREKKING END – DRIVE TO GUGE (282 km)
Attractions: Ancient Guge Kingdom.
Drive to Zanda and explore ruins of the ancient Guge Kingdom. Overnight in Zanda.
DAY 13. EXPLORATION AROUND THOLING
Explore Tholing Monastery and surrounding areas. Overnight in Zanda.
DAY 14. ZANDA – ALI (280 km)
Attractions: Earth forest formations.
Drive through Sutlej Valley crossing high passes with stunning landscapes. Overnight in Ali.
DAY 15. ALI – GEGYE
Attractions: Eroded cliffs and landscapes.
Continue through scenic valleys and landscapes. Overnight in Gegye.
DAY 16. GEGYE – GERTSE (368 km)
Attractions: Lakes and colorful mountains.
Drive through lakes and vibrant mountain scenery. Overnight in Gertse.
DAY 17. GERTSE – TSOCHEN
Attractions: Wildlife and Tibetan gazelles.
Explore wildlife and lakes en route. Overnight in Tsochen.
DAY 18. TSOCHEN – SAGA
Drive back to Saga. Overnight in Saga.
DAY 19. SAGA – KYIRONG
Attractions: Himalayan views and Kyirong Valley.
Drive toward the Nepal border. Overnight in Kyirong.
DAY 20. KYIRONG – SABRUBESI (NEPAL)
Attractions: Friendship Bridge and Langtang National Park.
Cross the border into Nepal, complete immigration, and continue toward Kathmandu. Tour ends.
