Itinerary
- Day 1
Lhasa
You'll arrive in Lhasa by train or flight and connect with your guide. The drive to your hotel takes you past the Yarlung Tsangpo River and Lhasa River, so there's plenty to see from the start. Once you check in, spend the rest of the day settling in and letting your body adjust to the altitude. If you're feeling good and not too tired, head over to Potala Square in the evening to photograph the Potala Palace and catch the colorful fountain displays.
Included Activities
- Hotel transfer from train or flight arrival
- Viewing Yarlung Tsangpo River/Brahmaputra River
- Viewing Lhasa River
- Visit Potala Square (optional exploration)
Optional Activities
- Explore Potala Square and surroundings
Landmarks Potala Palace Potala Square Yarlung Tsangpo River Lhasa River 
- Day 2
Lhasa
Start with the Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama with its gilded burial stupas and meditation chambers. After grabbing lunch, you'll walk over to Jokhang Temple to see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni inside. From there, spend time on Barkhor Street where local pilgrims walk the kora, and you can browse through shops for souvenirs and local crafts.
Included Activities
- Potala Palace entrance and guided tour
- Jokhang Temple entrance and visit
- Barkhor Street exploration and kora (circumambulation)
Optional Activities
- Purchase souvenirs around Barkhor Street
Landmarks Potala Palace Jokhang Temple Barkhor Street - Day 3
Lhasa
Your morning takes you to Drepung Monastery, one of Tibet's three major Gelug monasteries that was founded back in 1416. You'll see the Ganden Palace, which served as a residence for the Dalai Lama. In the afternoon, head to Sera Monastery where monks typically gather between 3 and 5 pm for their debates, which is really one of the highlights of visiting this important Gelug site.
Included Activities
- Drepung Monastery entrance and guided tour
- Ganden Palace viewing
- Sera Monastery entrance and visit
- Monks debate viewing (approximately 3-5 pm)
Landmarks Drepung Monastery Ganden Palace Sera Monastery - Day 4
Lhasa to Gyantse to Shigatse
Today you'll drive from Lhasa toward Gyantse, crossing Gampala Pass at 4790 meters with views of Yamdrok-tso lake and Mount Nyenchen Khangsar along the way. In Gyantse, you'll visit Pelkor Monastery and the Gyantse Kumbum. After that, continue driving for about an hour and a half to reach Shigatse, where you'll check out Tashilunpo Monastery, home to the Panchen Lama.
Included Activities
- Gampala Pass crossing and viewing
- Yamdrok-tso Lake viewing
- Mount Nyenchen Khangsar viewing
- Pelkor Monastery entrance and visit
- Gyantse Kumbum entrance and visit
- Tashilunpo Monastery entrance and visit
Landmarks Gampala Pass Yamdrok-tso Lake Mount Nyenchen Khangsar Pelkor Monastery Gyantse Kumbum Tashilunpo Monastery - Day 5
Shigatse to Rongbuk
You'll leave Shigatse after getting your Alien's travel permit sorted and head to Lhatse for lunch. The drive continues to Shegar where you might catch views of Mount Everest if the weather cooperates. After crossing Pang La Pass at 5050 meters with sights of five of the world's highest peaks, you'll arrive at Rongbuk Monastery. The whole drive takes between 4 and 6 hours.
Included Activities
- Alien's travel permit acquisition
- Pang La Pass crossing (5050m)
- Five highest peaks viewing from Pang La Pass
- Mount Everest viewing (if weather permits)
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Lhatse
Landmarks Pang La Pass Mount Everest Rongbuk Monastery - Day 6
Rongbuk
Wake early to watch the sun rise over Mount Everest from the Rongpuk vantage point. You can either trek the 4 kilometers one way to Base Camp or hop on a local bus if you prefer. Stop by Rongphu Monastery, which sits at 5000 meters and holds the title of world's highest monastery. Head back to Shigatse in the afternoon.
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing over Mount Everest
- Mount Everest Base Camp visit
- Rongphu Monastery entrance and visit
Optional Activities
- Trek from tent to Base Camp (approximately 4km one way)
- Local bus to Base Camp
Landmarks Mount Everest Mount Everest Base Camp Rongpuh Monastery - Day 7
Shigatse to Lhasa
You'll drive back to Lhasa today following the Friendship Highway, a journey of roughly 280 kilometers that takes about 6 hours. The route follows the Yarlung Tsangpo River, also known as the Brahmaputra River, which is the longest and largest river running through Tibet.
Included Activities
- Yarlung Tsangpo River/Brahmaputra River viewing during drive
Landmarks Yarlung Tsangpo River - Day 8
Lhasa Departure
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll head to Lhasa Airport for your departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Hotel transfer to Lhasa Airport
Landmarks Lhasa Airport
