Tibet is vast. From point A to point B usually covers a long mileage, that’s why the cost is often high especially for single travellers. This 8-day Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Mt. Everest Group Tour makes the world’s highest and most famous mountain much more approachable. With the advantage of local Lhasa travel agency, we provide you with the best deal there possibly is.
Our staff will greet you at Lhasa Airport/Railway to transfer you to the hotel. From Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa, it usually takes about one hour; from Lhasa Railway Station, about 20mins. After transferred to hotel, the rest of the day you will be free to wander around the city on your own but try not to overtax yourself. The first day's well-rest is crucial to acclimatize high altitude. Remember to drink lots of water, eat light, and not to shower if you can help it.
Highlights: Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery.
In the morning, you are heading to Drepung Monastery, which means Monastery of Rice Heap in the Tibetan language. The entire monastery is large in scale and the white buildings cluster and cover the hillsides. Drepung monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery, with more than 10,000 monks at its peak. The first to the fifth Dalai Lamas have held enthronement ceremonies in Drepung Monastery, and all Dalai Lamas have Drepung Monastery as their “mother temple”, so it is also the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect.
In the afternoon , our lunch will be in the Drepung Monastery. ( Around 1 hour )
After around 3 hour’s visiting of the Drepung Gompa we will have 1 hour lunch time in the monastery restaurant then drive to next scenic spots. The most interesting thing in the Sera Gompa is Buddhist philosophy debate. The debate venue of Sera Monastery is part of the traditional learning method of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and the debate ceremony starts at 3 pm to 5 pm from Monday to Friday. When debating scriptures, monks usually sit on the ground while another stands across from them, exaggerating their movements to debate the scriptures. This is a discussion of Buddhist knowledge and also a way for lamas to learn. The debate ceremony of Sera Monastery is well-known in Tibetan areas and attracts many tourists to visit. Except for special holidays, the debate venue holds debate activities from Monday to Friday, giving visitors the opportunity to witness this unique form of religious learning firsthand.
Overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★
Highlights: Potola Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Today, you will visit the most famous Potala Palace, which is the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. Potala Palace was the winter palace of successive Dalai lamas. In possession of rich cultural heritage, Potala Palace is known as the "pearl on the roof of the world."
At the top the palace called golden roofs, you can have a bird-eye view of the whole of Lhasa. In the distance there are undulating mountain ranges, the beautiful Lhasa River, tracts of fields, tree-shaded villages and the glistening Jokhang Temple.
At noon, the tour guide will bring you to a good restaurant to have lunch and have a rest. In the afternoon, we will go to visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the Lhasa old town. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since the early days. After that, you will take a walk around the Barkhor Street - one of the most devotional circuits as well as a crowded central market of Lhasa. Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the locals are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, it‘s also a must-see place for visitors.
Stay overnight in Lhasa, 5★
We will pass by Kampala pass (4794m) on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse and visit Yamdrok Lake, it is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet, and it’s around 70km long. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams.
Later we will pass and enjoy the Karola Glacier on the roadside. It is about 300m from the main highway with easy access on your way to Gyantse.
Then visit Pelkor Chode Monastery is the main monastery in Gyantse. Pelkhor Choede in Gyantse town is located about 230km to the south of Lhasa and 100kmto east of Shigatse. The monastery is a short walk from the heart of the town.
Stay overnight in Shigatse, 4★
Highlights: sunset of Everest Peak, Everest Base Camp
In the morning, you will leave Shigatse to Lhatse, a small town located 150 km from Shigatse, and you may have lunch in the local restaurant. After a short rest, you will go ahead to Tingri. You will pass through the first high mountain pass - Tsola Pass(4,600m), then the second one-Gyatsola Pass(5,248m), the mountain pass of Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, with countless prayer flags flying in the wind. Afterward, you will keep ascending to Gawula Pass (5,198m), where you can enjoy the panorama of the Himalayas. Then you will drive along the zigzag road to the Everest Base Camp.
Seen from here, Mt. Everest appears like a lofty pyramid surrounded by mountains that touch the sky. On sunny days, a pile of thick clouds, just like a white flag floats lightly above the peak, which is known to be the miracle of 'The Highest Flag Cloud in the World'. Nowadays, with the golden travel boom to Mt. Everest is gradually becoming a highlight for the tourists in its own right.
If it’s summertime (usually May~Oct), you will stay overnight at the nomad tents of the Everest Base Camp; if winter time (usually Nov~Apr), you will stay at Rongbuk Monastery’s guesthouse. Both places have but only dorm bed lodging available.
Both places you can see the glorious Everest sunset if the weather is good.
Stay overnight in Rongbuk guesthouse
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. You can get up early and enjoy the sunrise of Everest Peak at lodging area if the weather is good.
After sightseeing, we will drive to Gyirong, the border which connects Tibet & Nepal. On the way, tourists can enjoy breathtaking vista of Mt. Shishapangma and the Pekutso Lake. After passing the Ghungtang Lhamo(5236M), we will arrive in Gyirong in late afternoon.
Stay overnight in Gyirong, 4★
In the morning, you will leave Gyirong. We will drive you back to Shigatse and enjoy the fabulous view along the way.
Stay overnight in Shigatse, 4★
In the morning, we will drive back to Lhasa Airport from Shigatse along the Friendship Highway, the northern route to Lhasa. On the way, you’ll see the Yarlung Tsangpo River.
