9 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Everest Namtso Group Tour

Our guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel in the early morning and then drive to visit the Drepung Monastery which is located at the foot of the Mountain Gambo Utse, 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the western suburb of Lhasa, the Drepung Monastery is known as the most important monastery of Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of Tsongkhapa’s main disciples.

AIn the afternoon you will first visit the Tibet Museum. Here you can see life scenes, exquisite clothing, house architecture, and festival customs, etc. to explore the special and mysterious Tibetan customs. Then you will visit Norbulingka Palace, which is a typical Tibetan-style royal garden and the summer resort of the Dalai Lama. 

Today's tour will visit the famous world heritage Potala Palace. It’s situated on the Red Hill of central Lhasa. Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace in the world, reaching 3,767.19m (12,359.55ft) at the topmost point. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

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In the afternoon, you will pay a visit to Jokhang Temple in the center of the Old Lhasa city. Jokhang temple is the most sacred temple in all over Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims. After you visit the temple you have time to walk around the Barkhor Street, which is the one of the most devotional circuit around Jokhang Temple. In the early days it is the most famous local market but now it is changed to the tourist gift shopping center.

From Lhasa to Gyantse is about 264km, en route you will pass by Khamba-la Pass (4794m), from there you will be amazed by the breathtaking glimpse of the holy Yamdrok Lake with its turquoise color and snowcapped Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. About two hours away from Yamdrok Lake is Karola Glacier. It isn’t a big glacier, but the white glacier is spectacular from the highway, and it is close enough (about 300 yards) to walk to from the highway. Upon arrival in Gyantse, you can visit the Kumbum stupa at Palkhor Choede Monastery, a magnificent multi-door structure. As the largest stupa in Tibet, it is known not only for its architecture but also for its old sculptures and paintings all around its inner walls. Then head to Shigatse via the fertile Nyangchu Valley, a wide agricultural plain where colorfully decorated yaks and horses are used by Tibetan farmers to till the land.

In the morning, you will leave Shigatse to Lhatse, a small town located 150 km from Shigatse, and you may have lunch in local restaurant. After a short rest, you will go ahead to Tingri. You will pass Tsola Pass(4600M), and Gyatsola Pass(5248M). In the late afternoon, you enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve. You can enjoy the panorama of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass (5198m). a Then we drive along the New zigzag road to the Everst Base Everest to stay overnight. If the weather is good, you can have a clear view of the sunset of the golden Everest peak.

We didn’t include breakfast this morning. You will understand why when you’re at the spot. Tibetan breakfast, such as noodle, zanba, etc. abt CNY 30 is available here. You are highly suggested to bring along some cookies, instant coffee. etc. of your own.

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When you get up, you will see a striking view of luminous peaks is highlighted by the sun and definitely, it is the best time to get some nice shots of the Everest sunrise. And then, you will visit Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, also a holy place at the foot of Mt.Everest. 

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After sightseeing, you will drive back to Shigatse and enjoy the fabulous view along the way.

In the morning, drive to visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, which was founded by the First Dalai Lama in 1447. The monastery's structure was expanded by the Fourth and successive Panchen Lamas. Tashilhunpo is the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery, and there are now nearly 800 lamas. After that, you’ll drive back to Lhasa.

In the morning, we will drive to the holy Namtso Lake. On the way to Namtso, you will have a far view of Nyenchen Thanglha Snow Mountain. Enjoying the view of the vast grassland and spectacular natural scenery along the way, you'll drive to Namtso Lake after passing Nagela Pass(5150m). Namtso Lake covers a total area of more than 1900 square kilometers, being the second largest salt lake in China. At an elevation of 4718 meters, it is also the highest altitude salt lake in the world, the furthest depth being more than 33m. In the afternoon, you may have a leisurely trek along the lake shore. After that, we will go back to Lhasa. 

Tour ends today. Tour guide and driver will drop you to the Lhasa airport or railway station for your next stop.