Yamdrok – Gyantse – Shigatse – Namtso Lake to Lhasa

Itinerary & Daily Schedule

Lhasa is the cultural and religious heart of Tibet. Lhasa is home to Tibet’s most famous and holiest temples. Each day, thousands of pilgrims prostrate around Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most important temple. Along with the famous monasteries of Sera and Drepung, Lhasa is a must see for anyone interested in Tibet! This itinerary will allow you to spend 3 full days exploring every part of the city. Afterwards, you will travel out of the city to the turquoise lake of Yamdrok, one of Tibet’s most beautiful lakes. From there, you will continue on to Gyantse and explore the Pelkhor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum Stupa, the largest stupa in Tibet. The next day you will go to Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city, and wander around the massive monastery of Tashi Lhunpo. The next morning, you will return to Lhasa.

This itinerary is just a suggestion and can be modified in any way.

Best time to travel: April to February

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Day 1

Arrival in Lhasa

Welcome to Lhasa! Your guide and driver will meet you at the train station or airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Day 2

Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor Circuit

Lhasa, elevation 3650m, is the holiest city in Tibet and each day pilgrims from across the Tibetan Plateau arrive in the city to worship at one of the many temples found there. You will spend 2 full days exploring the city. The first day you will visit Jokhang Temple, the most famous temple in Tibet. From the rooftop you will see religious pilgrims prostrating in front to the Jowo Buddha statue inside the monastery. Afterwards, you will explore the endless maze of markets and restaurants that line the ancient Barkhor circuit. While exploring the Barkhor circuit, you will rub elbows with Tibetan pilgrims who are prostrating their way around the Tibetan Quarter. and Drepung Monastery :Drepung was formerly the largest monastery in the world and is still one of the 3 most important monasteries in Tibet.

Over night in Shambhala Palace.

Day 3

Potala Palace and Sera Monastery

In the morning, you will visit the Potala Palace, the most recognizable structure in Tibet. Built in the year 637, the Potala Palace rises 13 stories and has more than 1000 rooms. In the afternoon, you will visit the great monastery of Sera, where monk debates take place each day. If you are interested in hiking, there is a pilgrimage circuit around the monastery that takes about an hour to complete.

Day 4

Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Gyantse - Shigatse

You will travel from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s holiest and most beautiful lakes. Yamdrok Lake sits at 4450m and is an amazing turquoise color. The 7191m Mt. Nojin Kangtsang can be seen in the distance. After visiting the lake, you will drive to the mid-sized town of Gyantse. Gyantse, elevation 3950m, is famous for its massive hilltop military fort and for the Pelkor Chode Monastery, which has the tallest Tibetan Buddhist stupa in Tibet. you will depart Gyantse for Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city.

Shigatse, elevation 3840m, is home to the Tashilhunpo Monastery. Along with exploring the monastery, you can also hike the ancient pilgrim circuit along with hundreds of Tibetan worshippers.

350kms, 6.5 hours

Day 5

Shigatse - Namtso Lake

Drive through friendship highway and turn from Tadruka Village and cross bridge and drive through Beautiful valley into the Shug la pass (5300m) and to Yangpachen hot spring and Namtso Lake.

7 hours

Overnight in Sheep Guesthouse.
Basic room only available, no bathroom inside.

Day 6

Namtso Lake - Lhasa

This day you will see the sun rise at the lake and spend lots of time at the lake. You can walk towards the monastery near the lake. Tashidor monastery and then drive back to Damxung until Yangpachen and then turn south to Lhasa.

4-5 hours

Day 7

Depart from Lhasa

Transfer to train station or Airport

Tour Details

  • All Tibet Travel permits
  • English speaking Tibetan tour guide
  • Pick up and drop off by airport bus
  • All administrative fees
  • All meals and accommodations for your guide
  • All lodging listed in the itinerary.
  • Breakfast each morning
  • Entrance fees for the places listed in the Itinerary
  • One time welcome meal for the group
  • One box of mineral water plus shared Oxygen tank in car.
  • Transportation costs to and from Tibet
  • Chinese visa fees and passport fees
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Personal expenses (laundry, photography fees, souvenirs etc)
  • Tips to the driver and guide
  • Single supplement: 50$