An 8-day tour is the perfect way to experience the best of Tibet, with a variety of itineraries to choose from. The most popular option is the classic 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour, which allows you to visit some of Tibet’s most iconic places, including Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake, and Mount Everest.

Also, you can focus on exploring Namtso Lake and central Tibet, or take an overland journey across the mighty Himalayas if you are entering from Nepal. Depending on your interests, there are also unique options for trekking, biking, festival experiences, photography, and more.

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about planning an 8-day Tibet tour. Read to know recommended itineraries, travel costs, required documents, packing tips, etc. Get inspired for a smooth and unforgettable journey to Tibet!

Is 8 Days Enough in Tibet? Yes, It Can Cover Some of Tibet’s Best Highlights

Tibet is a vast place full of cultural and natural highlights, but eight days is long enough for most visitors. Within this time frame, you’ll have the chance to explore some of the best wonders that Tibet has to offer.

You can first spend 2 to 3 days delving into Lhasa’s iconic landmarks, such as Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, Sera and Drepung Monastery. This gives you a first impression of Tibet’s culture and history.

Then, based on your interests, you can spend the next 4 to 5 days exploring top destinations beyond Lhasa, like Shigatse, Everest Base Camp, Namtso or Yamdrok Lake. These attractions are mainly located in central and southern Tibet, where the transportation and infrastructure are also well developed.

Of course, more remote regions like Mount Kailash may require at least two weeks. But for a balance of culture, scenery and spiritual experience, an 8-day tour is enough to make the trip memorable.

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What are the Classic 8-day Tibet Tours? Three Options, with Lhasa to Everest Base Camp as the Top Choice

For those looking for a classic 8-day tour of Tibet, we have three great itineraries lined up for you. Excellent for exploring the landscape, scenery, architecture, culture, and religion of the plateau, these tours give you an unimaginable insight into the wonders of Tibet.

Option 1: Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour (Most Popular)

Being the most popular route in Tibet, the 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour is the ultimate choice for most travelers, especially first-timers.

On the first three days, you will explore Lhasa’s highlights. Besides the iconic Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, you will also visit Drepung and Sera Monastery, which can enhance your understanding of Tibetan religion and culture. You will also stroll leisurely through Barkhor Street, and taste Tibetan sweet tea in a local tea house, getting a glimpse into authentic local daily life.

Then, on Day 4 and Day 5, you will journey to Everest Base Camp via Shigatse. Along the way, you will admire the breathtaking Yamdrok Lake, winding through rolling mountains like a turquoise ribbon. You will also enjoy the panoramic views of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass, where five of the world’s highest peaks stand in a line in the distance.

Finally, at Everest Base Camp, you can stand face-to-face with the majestic Mount Everest. This is the closest place you can get to Mount Everest without climbing! When the weather is ideal, you can also appreciate the stunning views of sunset, sunrise, or starry night skies.

The next three days are for your return to Lhasa, but the route follows another scenic path, allowing you to see Mount Everest from a different point at Dingye. You will also explore the historic Tashlhunpo Monastery when back in Shigatse.

The whole itinerary is well-designed and follows a gradual ascent. You can accommodate well to the high altitude in Lhasa before venturing to the foot of Mount Everest. It is both enjoyable and safe, and suitable even for seniors and kids.

Option 2: 8 Days Central Tibet and Namtso Lake Tour

If you are more interested in Tibet’s beautiful lakes, then this 8-day Lhasa central Tibet and Lake Namtso Lake tour is the ideal choice. It allows you to visit two of the three Sacred Lakes of Tibet, Yamdrok and Namtso, while combining the cultural essence of the plateau.

Starting with a 3-day tour around Lhasa, visiting sites including the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, you will then head out to Shigatse on Day 4. The route takes you past the wonderful Lake Yamdrok. On Day 5, you will return from Shigatse to Lhasa, after visiting the magnificent Tashlhunpo Monastery.

In the final days, you will depart Lhasa and head north to Namtso. Known as the Heavenly Lake, this high-altitude lake sits between the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains and the vast Changtang Grasslands, and is a paradise for photographers. Here, you will explore the iconic Tashi Dor Island and Elephant Gate, to fully appreciate the beauty of the lake.

Option 3: 8 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour

Another popular 8-day tour in Tibet is the fantastic overland journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa. The route is perfect for those entering Tibet from Nepal who prefer an adventurous road trip across the Himalayas.

Following the Sino-Friendship Highway, the tour will first take you to cross the Gyirong border, where you will spend one night acclimatizing and exploring the lush Gyirong valley, before climbing up to the plateau. In the following days, you will stop to admire the beauty of Mount Everest, and pass through Shigatse, Gyantse, and alongside Lake Yamdrok as you head for Lhasa.

Upon your arrival in Lhasa, you will spend the last 3 days exploring its spectacular sights and attractions. You won’t miss highlights like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and more, as included in all other classic Lhasa tours.

What about Personalized Itineraries for an 8-Day Tibet Tour? A Wide Selection!

Besides the classic routes, you can also choose from a variety of themed 8-day Tibet tours, from trekking to cycling and even photography, depending on your own preferences.

For an 8-day trekking in Tibet, two of the best treks are the Ganden to Samye Trek and the Shalu to Nartang trek. Both give you the chance to explore Lhasa and the surrounding area as well.

For those who want to experience a short cycling trip in Tibet, you can try either the route from Lhasa to Namtso Lake or from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake. The two are near Lhasa, and offer stunning scenery both at the lakes and along the way.

Photography enthusiasts can focus on the sights in sacred lakes and mountains, with Mount Everest, Lake Namsto, and Mount Namjagbarwa being the top places for an eight-day exploration.

If you are interested in traditional Tibetan festivals, you can also find a proper eight-day itinerary for you to attend Saga Dawa Festival, Nagchu Horse Racing Festival, Tashilhunpo Festival, etc.

No matter which type of tour you are interested in, we can help customize your perfect 8-day Tibet tour, combining your preferences with a comfortable travel pace. Just contact us and tell us your travel ideas.

How Much Does It Cost for a Typical 8-day Tibet Tour?

The cost of an 8-day Tibet tour varies depending on your travel style, group size and travel season. Traveling in Tibet can be more expensive compared to many other places in mainland China, due to the remote location and complicated terrain. So, the best choice to save the cost is to join a small group tour.

Generally, an 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp small group tour starts from $949 in the low season (November to February), and ranges from $1089 to $1169 in summer peak months. These include shared accommodation at 3-day hotels, transportation within Tibet, a local guide, attraction admissions, and more.

Other additional expenses will also be considered, including domestic flights or trains into Tibet, international flights to and out of China, meals not included in the tour, tips to the guide and driver, etc.

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What Documents are Required for an 8-day Tibet Tour?

For an 8-day tour in Tibet, you will first need to obtain the Tibet Travel Permit and Chinese Visa. The good news is that China is now offering a visa-free policy to many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Poland, France, Germany, Italy, and Malaysia, etc. If you are from one of these countries, you will only need the Tibet Travel Permit.

The application of the Tibet Travel Permit is also quite easy. Just mail copies of your passport and Chinese Visa (if you need one) to us, and we will handle the rest for you. Once it is issued, we will deliver it to you immediately, for your smooth boarding of a flight or train to Lhasa.

Besides, if you are traveling to EBC or other regions outside Lhasa, you will need additional permits, including the Alien’s Travel Permit. Don’t worry - all of these permits will be arranged by us once you have booked your tour with us.

What to Wear and Pack for an 8-day Tibet Tour?

Layered clothing is recommended when visiting Tibet, as the temperatures can change greatly from day to night. Warm jackets or coats are also necessary, even in summer, since it can be cold at night and at higher places such as Everest Base Camp.

Comfortable and sturdy walking shoes are a good choice, as you will need to walk a lot when climbing the Potala Palace, strolling the streets, etc, even if you won’t do treks. Besides, a hat, a scarf and gloves are also essential to keep warm for cold mornings and evenings.

You will also need sun protection gear like sunglasses, wide-brim hats and sunscreen, skin protection items like moisturizers and lip balm, since the plateau has strong UV radiation and dry air. Altitude sickness medication like acetazolamide are also suggested.

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Conclusion

An 8-day tour is a wonderful choice to explore Tibet. You can experience a wealth of amazing sights this awesome plateau has to offer, from the cultural treasures of Lhasa to the height of mighty Mount Everest. If you are planning a trip to Tibet now, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are always here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free trip across the plateau.