8 Days Adventure Tour of Lhasa-Gyantse-Shigatse-Mt. Everest

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Lhasa Arrival ( No meal )

   Upon your arrival at Lhasa airport or train station, our local English-speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name, and transfer you to a downtown hotel for check-in.

   The rest of the day is free for you to either take a rest at the hotel or stroll around to acclimate to the high altitude and weather of Lhasa.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa

2. Day 2: Lhasa Day Tour (B)
   Delve into the Profound Tibetan Buddhism

   After breakfast, we will go to one of the most significant monasteries in Tibet - Drepung Monastery. Many devout Tibetan people come to pray here, making the monastery full of the aroma of incense. Wandering around, you can not only immerse in its profound Buddhist culture but also take great pictures of typical Tibetan architecture.

   At noon, you will have lunch at a local restaurant on your own. Your guide is happy to provide you with some suggestions.

   

   After lunch, continue our Buddhism trip to Sera Monastery, which is the second-largest monastery in Tibet. Here, you can admire ancient Buddhist murals and tens of thousands of Buddha statues inside. We will not miss the chance to see the debate about Buddhism. You will see hundreds of monks debating in pairs with exaggerated gestures, which could really be a unique experience.

   Your guide will transfer you back to your hotel at the end of the day.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa

   

3. Day 3: Lhasa Highlight Tour (B)
   Admire Magnificent Palace on the Roof of the World

   Meet your guide at the hotel lobby and then start today’s exploration with the world-famous Potala Palace. The whole complex is considered the symbol of Tibet, consisting of White Palace and Red Palace. The Red Palace is an important place to hold religious rituals, while the White Palace is where Dalai Lamas lived and handled political affairs. Your private Lhasa guide will share a wealth of information with you to help you understand its history and Tibetan Buddhism.

   

   After having lunch on your own, you will be led to explore the 1,300-year-old Jokhang Temple. The temple houses a life-sized statue of the 12-year-old Shakyamuni, making it the holy place in local people's minds.

   At last, we will finish the day with Barkhor Street, where you can join the pilgrims to spin the prayer wheels. There are also many shops selling Tibetan clothing, handicrafts, and jewels. You can pick some as souvenirs.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa

   

4. Day 4: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse by Private Car (B)
   Embrace Spectacular Landscape at High Altitudes

   After breakfast, we will take a private drive to further our Tibet tour. Our first stop is Yamdroktso Lake, which looks like a giant piece of sapphire embedded among the rolling mountains. After taking pictures there, you will have lunch at a nearby restaurant on your own.

   Then continue the trip to Karola Glacier. Get off the car and the magnificent glacier jumps into your eyes with its shining body soaked in the gentle sunshine. We will also have a short stay at Manla Reservoir to view the emerald water reflecting the surrounding mountains.

   Upon arrival in Gyantse, we will pay a visit to Pelkor Chode Monastery, built around 600 years ago. The 9-tier Pelkor Chode Pagoda is the highlight of the temple, housing hundreds of thousands of Buddha images and over 1,000 Buddha statues.

   Then, we will drive for another 2 hours to Shigatse and check in a local hotel to stay overnight.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Shigatse

   

5. Day 5: Shigatse to Tingri by Private Car (B)
   Take an Adventure to the Top of the World

   After breakfast, we will set off for our adventure to the amazing Mt. Everest! First, we will drive around 150km to Lhatse, where you can have lunch in a local restaurant on your own. Then, we will move on to Tingri via Tsola Pass (4,600m) and Gyatso la Pass (5,248m).

   We will finally enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve in the afternoon. You can enjoy the most breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains at Gawu la Pass (5,198m). Later, we will drive to Rongpuk for an overnight stay.

   If weather permits, you can enjoy the spectacular sunset at Mt. Everest, when the surrounding snowcapped peaks are all tinged with bright gold, showcasing their most dazzling beauty the whole day.

   Tips: Please note that the condition of the Rongpuk guesthouse is limited with only dorm beds available and no breakfast provided.

   Accommodation: Dorm bed in Rongbuk guesthouse

   

6. Day 6: EBC - Shigatse by Private Car
   Take in Spectacular Scenery at the Foot of Mt. Everest

   If the weather is good, we will get up early to enjoy the gorgeous sunrise over Mt. Everest at the Rongbuk guesthouse.

   Later, we will drive along the zigzag road to Rongbu Monastery and then take a hike to the Everest Base Camp (EBC) located 5,200m above sea level. You will have enough time to take in the solemn scenery of the surrounding snow mountains and capture wonderful pictures. This stunning scenery will definitely be an unforgettable memory during this Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse – Mt. Everest tour.

   

   At noon, you can have lunch at a nearby restaurant on your own. Then, we will drive back to Shigatse to check in at a local hotel. You will not get bored during the 7-hour drive with picturesque scenery along the way.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Shigatse

7. Day 7: Shigatse to Lhasa by Private Car (B)
   Take an Exploration into Tibetan Gelug Sect

   After having breakfast at the hotel, please follow your guide to explore Tashilhunpo Monastery. Located at the foot of a hill, it is the largest temple in Shigatse, titled as one of the “Four Greatest Monasteries of Tibetan Gelug Sect” together with Gandan Monastery, Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery. Your guide will accompany you to walk around to view grand halls with sparkling golden roofs and red walls and precious Buddhist articles.

   

   After having lunch on your own, we will take a private drive back to Lhasa. The whole journey takes around 5 hours during which you can enjoy the scenes of the rushing Yarlung Tsangpo River.

   Upon arrival, your guide will help you check in at a hotel in Lhasa.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa

   

8. Day 8: Lhasa Departure (B)

   You are free to either take a rest at hotel or go out with your friends to create more memories for the trip before your guide and driver come to pick you up. Meet your guide at the hotel lobby and you will be transferred to Lhasa airport/train station for your departure train/flight. Your 8 days Tibet tour of Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse – Mt. Everest ends here. Wish you a pleasant journey!