10 Days Private Tour from Lhasa to EBC and Namtso

Upon arrival in Lhasa, you will be greeted by our Tibetan guide at airport or train station with auspicious white Hada. On the ride to hotels in the downtown, the guide will briefly introduce the itinerary and remind you of dos and dont's in Tibet. To acclimatize to Tibetan plateau, it’s advisable to take a good rest in the hotel.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today you will visit the Potala Palace, the UNESCO world heritage site and the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. Inside this grandiose palace, you can explore the former residence of Dalai Lama and the meeting room, and worship the gilded burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd Great King of Tibet. You can also enjoy a panoramic view of Lhasa City and Lhasa Valley from the top of the Palace.

After lunch, you will head to the most sacred Buddhist site in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple. You can see devout Tibetan pilgrims prostrating in front of the temple and long lines of Tibetans following the Barkhor circuit. Inside the temple, you can see the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni at the age of twelve.

Around the temple is the famous Barkhor Street, you can do the kora by circling the street with pilgrims and locals and buy some souvenirs. You can also enjoy the tasty sweet tea in local tea house and visit Tromzikhang, the famous farm product market.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you will visit two of the “Great Three” Gelug monasteries in Tibet, Drepung and Sera Monastery. In the morning, you will visit Drepung Monastery founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. It is situated at the foot of Gebeiwoze Mountain and is the largest monastery in Tibet which was once home to over 10,000 monks and has the biggest monastery kitchen.

After lunch, you’ll visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Chojey. The highlight of Sera Monastery is the monks’ debate in the courtyard at around 3-5 pm in the afternoon.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you will set off from Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse. On the way, when passing over the Gampala Pass (4,790m), you can have a far view of Yamdrok Lake and the snow-capped mountains around it. You can also get spectacular views of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m), the highest mountain around Lhasa. After visiting the turquoise Yamdrok Lake, you can admire the Korola Glacier on the roadside and hang prayer flags at Simila Mountain Pass around Manak Dam Lake before arriving at Gyantse.

Gyantse was historically known as the Tibet's third largest city after Lhasa and Shigatse. In Gyantse, you will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and the Nepali-style Kumbum Stupa. After one and a half hour's car ride, you will arrive in Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. You may also visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field (in summer).

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

In the morning, you will visit the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. It is the largest monastery of the Gelug Sect in Rear Tibet and the main stage where generations of Panchen Lamas carried out religious and political activities. After getting your Alien’s Travel Permit, you will head for Lhatse and have lunch there.

Afterwards, you will pass Tsola Pass (4,600m) and Gyatsola Pass (5,248m). Shortly after entering Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, you can appreciate the panoramic view of Himalaya at Gawula Pass (5,180m). Keep marching along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp, you can get closer view of Mt. Everest peak. You can also enjoy the sunset of golden Everest peak at the lodging area if time and weather permits .

Tips: Our experienced Tibetan guide will pay close attention to your response to altitude ascent and provide timely help if needed. 

Stay overnight at tent or Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse.

In the morning, you can admire the stunning sunrise of Everest peak if weather permits. After having a full view of the magnificent Mt. Everest, you will visit Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world as well as the unique Nyingma Sect monastery where nuns and monks live together. And then, take the car ride back to Shigatse.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Today, you will set off from Shigatse to Lhasa along the Friendship Highway, the whole ride is 280km and takes about 6 hours. You can admire the Yarlung Tsangpo River/Bhamaputra River (the longest and largest river in Tibet) along the way to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

In the morning, set off from Lhasa to Lake Namtso, one of the three holy lakes of Tibet and the highest saline lake in the world. On the way, you can admire the snow-capped Nyenchen Tangula Mountain Range, nomads tents,  and lots of yaks and sheep grazing in the flourishing grassland (in summer). In addition, you can enjoy the view of the legendary Sky-Road Railway/Qinghai-Tibet Railway with snow mountain background. When standing at the Lagenla Mountain Pass (5190m), you can far view Namtso Lake shining under the sun.

Then you can take a leisurely trek around Tashi Dor Island and enjoy the stunning view of Namtso Lake. You can also see pilgrims prostrating along the lake shore. Finally, take the car ride to Damxung (or Yampachen) and spend the night there (For environment protection, the lake shore guesthouses were closed by the government in late 2018). The lower altitude at Damxung and Yampachen shall bring you a sound sleep.

Stay overnight in Dumxung or Yampachen.

The trip back to Lhasa is relaxing to both body and soul. You will make a stopover at Yampachen to enjoy the famous Yampachen Hot Spring there. The natural mineral-rich hot spring will remove your tiredness and get your refreshed (please bring your own swimming suit). After enjoying the outdoor hot spring, get back to the car and head back to Lhasa. On the way to Lhasa, you will visit Chimelong Nunnery (Phyirmil Lung Nunnery) and have a far view of a sky burial site nearby.

Cultural Tips: Sky burial is a funeral practice commonly seen in Tibet. The corpse will be disposed of and later devoured by vultures. In Tibetan Buddhism, sky burial is believed to represent their wishes to go to heaven. Only family members of the dead can attend the funeral.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

The driver will pick you up from your hotel, and drop you off at Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station, and assist you to get on board.