Covering the best highlights of Lhasa tour, with an exhilarating journey to sacred lakes Yamdrok and Namtso, this 7-day luxury tour brings you the utmost comfort with quintessential Tibetan experience and unbeatable alpine lake sightseeing.
We pool our bountiful tour resources and offer you the best hotel options. Only the most celebrated Tibetan guides will guide you and they are about to show you the door to the history and culture of Tibetan Buddhism. The diverse culinary delights and engaging tour activities and plenty of attentive services will surely bring you a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa (3650m)
Tashi Delek! Welcome to Lhasa, the modern utopia and the spiritual heart of Tibet; Your hospitable Tibetan guide and friendly drivers have already been expecting you at the designated places at the Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station.
As you receive our auspicious white Hada and a refreshing drink from the guide, a brief welcome ceremony will be held for you in the most traditional way. Simply leave your hassle to our staff to take care and enjoy the scenic ride to your hotel in Lhasa city. Our handful Tibetan guide will help you check in and inform you of the travel plan the next day. Then enjoy the comfy stay at the most luxury hotels in Lhasa for tomorrow’s exciting tour.
Day 2: Lhasa City Tour
Visit – Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Welcome Banquet.
Basking in eye-blinding sunshine, Lhasa is teeming with magnificent Buddhist temples and monasteries, devoted Tibetan pilgrims and historical backstreets, pleasing culinary discovery.
Follow the footsteps of your guide to hike the long stairs of impressive Potala Palace for the commanding view of Lhasa city; the UNESCO heritage site perched on the Red hill used to be the winter palace of the generations of Dalai Lama. Now, it is the most iconic building of Tibet. You will have a chance to explore the residence of Dalai Lama in White Palace and religious chambers in the Red Palace and gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas, etc.
After lunch, we will head to Jokhang Temple, the holiest Buddhist site in Lhasa. Traveling in the dimly-lit rooms, you can hear the constant mumbling of Buddhist chanting and see local Tibetans adding butter oil to the oil lamps. Never miss the chance to worship the life-size statue of 12-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni.
Outside the Jokhang Temple, follow the prostrating Tibetan pilgrims for the famous Barkhor kora nearby. You may also look for the delicately-made souvenirs in the boutiques that flank the Barkhor Street.
When you head starts to spin, delve into the quiet backstreet of Barkhor and treat yourself with a couple of tasty sweet tea and local delicacy and fully immerse yourself in the distinct vibes of a local teahouse.
At the light starts to fall, the welcome banquet is waiting for your presence. Bottoms up with your friends, accompanied by animated traditional Tibetan dancing and singing; treat your taste buds with unique Tibetan delicacies. The charming night of Lhasa will alter your mindset towards Tibet and hold you spellbound.
Day 3: Lhasa City Tour
Visiti – Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Wencheng Musical.
Start the day with a visit to prestigious Drepung Monastery. This largest Gelugpa monastery, located to the west of central Lhasa (8km), offers a scenic hike to stretch your legs. You will see the gigantic religious painting on the huge rock and explore huge monk kitchen and witness monastic life and enjoy the sweeping view of Lhasa valley. Feel tired? Taste the spring gushing from the mountain to refresh yourself. If you happen to come during the Shoton festival, you hit the jackpot. The gigantic Thangka unveiling ceremony will leave you in awe.
After lunch, make it to the prominent Sera Monastery; the second biggest Gelugpa monastery in Lhasa now is the major stage for the “monk debate”. Find a spot in the boisterous debate courtyard to enjoy this dramatic “monastic defense”. Though you may not understand what they say, the slapping of hands, yelling and jumping and rolling of Buddhist mala give you a vivid display of long-held tradition of Buddhist study. Besides, you may also enjoy exquisite sand mandala and Buddhist scripture printing press and visit the main assembly hall in this Buddhist academy.
After the dinner, we are about to enjoy the epic Tibetan drama unfolds–the Princess Wencheng Real-scene Musical. Sitting in the massive open-air theater, you will trace the development of legendary intermarriage between Songtsen Gampo, Tibetan King and princess Wencheng from Tang Dynasty and learn more of Tibetan culture and traditions.
Day 4: Tibetan Cooking Class and Linka (Picnic) at Yamdrok Lake
Spice up your Tibet tour with a cooking class: follow our local guide to explore the Tromsikhang market, the age-old farm produce market, close to Barkhor Street; sample and discover the distinctive highland ingredients for cooking; then watch how the seasoned chef masterfully transform the raw ingredient into finger-licking dishes. And give it a go yourself. It may leave a great legacy for your Tibet journey.
In the afternoon, travel southwest by enjoying 2hrs’ ride from Lhasa to turquoise Yamdrok Lake, one of the top three holy lakes in Tibet; Enjoy the traditional Linka (or picnic) beside the serene Yamdrok Lake. Feel free to meditate or doing yoga beside the sacred Lake. Later, after traveling amid winding roads, we reach Gampala pass (4790 m) for the amazing panoramic view of Yamdrok Lake against the backdrop of snowy Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m).
Don’ miss the chance to take selfies with tamed Tibetan mastiffs and well-adorned Tibetan yaks. Finally, we drive back to Lhasa for the gourmet dinner.
Day 5: Journey to Heavenly Namtso Lake (around 350km, 6-7hrs)
Have an early rise and pack your camera gears for the exhilarating ride to Namtso Lake(4718m), the world’s highest saline lake; the winding roads take you past enchanting villages around Lhasa Valley; keep heading north, you will be travelling along parts of Tibet train railway. If lucky, you may find yourself traveling abreast with a Tibet train dashing on Tibetan Plateau.
As we approach Damxung, aim your camera for the packs of grazing Tibetan yaks and Tibetan yak tents scattered around the hillside and valley. Before we descend to the shore of Namtso Lake, you may take a glimpse of pristine Namtso from lofty Lagenla Pass(5190m).
At the Namtso Lake, stroll the heavenly lake, while hearing the cry of gulls (esp. in summer) and marveling at the picture-postcard Namtso Lake against snow-tipped Mt. Nyenchen Thanglha. It’s utterly a surreal experience.
Besides, never miss the photo opportunities with lovely white Yaks or follow your guide to explore Tashi Dor Island nearby, or quietly admire the devoted prostrating Tibetan pilgrims. Cherish the moments for the incredible sunset at Namsto; finally we feel reluctant to say goodbye to Namtso Lake and head to Damxung.
Day 6: Damxung -Yangpachen & Chimelong Nunnery- Lhasa (190km, 6-7hrs)
Travel back to Lhasa via Yangpachen and Chimelong Nunnery.
The long drive must be tiring. To soothe your nerves, let’s stop by the most famous Yangpachen hot spring on the way back to Lhasa. Soak yourself in the refreshing and mineral-rich hot spring surrounded by lofty peaks. It feels like in heaven.
After the hot spring joy, our journey continues to Chimelong Nunnery (Phyirmil Lung Nunnery).Roam over the peaceful small nunnery and get an idea of different Buddhist study in Tibet; you may also spot a sky burial site (Tibetan funeral site) in the distance.
Day 7: Depart from Lhasa
Departure transfer to Lhasa airport for flight to onward destination.
| Place | Night (s) | 5* Hotels |
| Lhasa | 04 | Shangri La |
| Damxung | 01 | Damxung Baima Hotel |
| Lhasa | 01 | Shangri La |
– Traditional welcome.
– Meet assist at the airport and hotels.
– travel permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet.
– 06 nights accommodation as per the program.
– All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary.
– Daily Breakfast, Lunch and Dinners.
– All transfers, sightseeing and excursions by private vehicle. .
– Most celebrated Tibetan guide and most experienced driver.
– Luxurious 5-star hotels in Lhasa and Shigatse; best local lodging available in counties and remote regions across Tibet.
– Local English / French / German / Italian / Spanish / Chinese / Russian speaking guide.
– Tibet Handy Map and other travel kits.
– Ample oxygen supply and pulse oximeter device.
– Designated customer service manager and 24/7 call service.
– All taxes.
– Tips
– International Air Fare
– Visa Fees
– Travel Insurance
– Personal expenses and drinks.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.