12 Days All the Best of Tibet Highlights Tour

Welcome to Tibet! Upon arrival, our Tibetan guide will greet you at the airport or train station and present you with a Hada (the traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarf) to wish you good luck!

You'll then be transferred to your hotel in downtown Lhasa by the guide and driver. Along the way, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of Yarlung Tsangpo River, Lhasa River, and the typical Tibetan villages.

After arriving at the hotel, take some time to rest and acclimate to the high altitude. It's helpful to take it easy for the first few days and remember to stay hydrated by drinking water.

Later in the afternoon or evening, your guide will welcome you with traditional Tibetan gifts, provide travel guidance.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you will first visit the Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet that once housed over ten thousand monks. Here, you'll explore the Coqen Hall, where your guide will provide a detailed explanation of the Tibetan Buddhist worldview and narrate the stories of renowned figures in Tibetan Buddhist history.

Additionally, you'll tour the Loseling College (or an equivalent) within Drepung Monastery to understand monks' practices and studies. Exploring their dormitories will offer insight into their daily routines and living conditions.

In the afternoon, the tour proceeds to Sera Monastery, established in 1419 and long regarded as a significant Buddhist seminary. Here, you'll observe the renowned monk debates, a highlight of Sera Monastery. Your guide will provide a comprehensive explanation of how these debates aid monks in acquiring knowledge and advancing through academic degrees.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, your guide will accompany you to visit the magnificent Potala Palace, where you'll stand atop its heights and gaze down upon the city of Lhasa. Your guide will narrate the life and tales of the successive Dalai Lamas within the Potala Palace and meticulously introduce the various halls and treasures housed within its walls.

Once you've explored the grandeur of the Potala Palace, your next stop will be Longwangtan Park nestled at its base. This tranquil spot offers a unique vantage point to admire the majestic Potala Palace and partake in traditional Tibetan cultural experiences.

In the afternoon, you'll head to the sacred Jokhang Temple—the heart of Tibetan faith and life. Within the temple resides the rare and revered 12-year-old statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, an image so lifelike that it resembles seeing the Buddha in person. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can take a clockwise kora, witnessing how local Tibetans practice their Buddhist beliefs.

Following this, your guide will take you to the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea house in Lhasa, where you can enjoy Tibetan sweet tea with locals. Your guide will join everyone, sharing insights into the social relations and daily leisure life of Tibetans.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Start this morning with a visit to Ganden Monastery. Have a hiking around Ganden Monastery around one hour, it is a simply stunning walk and should not be missed. There are superb views of the Kyi-chu Valley along the way and there are usually large numbers of pilgrims and monks offering prayers, rubbing holy rocks and prostrating themselves along the path.

Then continue our way to beautiful alpine lake called Draksum-tso. Apart from the sheer beauty of the lake and its surrounding 6000m peaks, the site has strong connections to Gesar of Ling, the semimythical ruler of eastern Tibet, and Guru Rinpoche, the Indian sage, both of whom are said to have resided at the lake. 3,500 meters above sea level, it originates from Nyching Tangha Mountain and is a dozen kilometers long. Snow-covered mountains, glaciers and trees are reflected upon the lake’s rippling surface. There are small islands in the middle of the lake with Buddhist temples built upon them, which are an organic fusion of dozens of types of flora and a sprinkle of holy sights.

Camps in a lodge near the lake, picnic with the Tibetans by the lake.

Enjoy the clear morning by the lake, and snap the amazing view of sunrise. You could have a small kora around the charming Tsodzong Monastery, the highlights of Draksum-tso, a small Nyingmapa chapel sited on a photogenic island just off the southern shore. It passes many hard-to-discern holy sites, including a tree said to resemble a conch horn, a sky-burial site, a “body print” of Gesar, an underground treasury of the Karmapa, a tiger print and a tree whose leaves bear magical symbols.

Then continue drive to Bayi, visit the Lamaling Temple and a huge cypress tree over a thousand years old. Take a break and take a stroll in the surprisingly modern city. You will have a chance to see Lulang Forest far away from Lulang Sightseeing Plat. The species of tree and vegetation are very rich here with a large number of birds resting and living within the Lulang forest.

Then continue trip to Milin, where is 65km south of Baiyi.

Drive 360km to Tsedang from Milin, on the way, you will see the beautiful scenery of Tibetan Villages and harmony countryside views. You will visit Chongkang Village and Tashi Zong Palace. Chongkang Vaillage is the home of 13th Dalai Lama and Tashi Zong Palace is a combination of Tibetan style and Chinese Style constructions, and it is worth to pay a visit.

The final destination for today is Tsedang, the capital of Shannan Prefecture. It's reputed as "the cradle of Tibetan Civilization", mainly for two reasons: First, the mild weather and fertile land in Shannan gestated the great Tibet dynasty. Second, it's the birthplace of the first Tibetans who were said to be the offspring of a monkey and a demoness. So Tsedang literally means "monkey's playground".

Begin this day with the tour to Yumbulagang. A fine, tapering finger of a structure that sprouts from a craggy ridge overlooking the patchwork fields of the Yarlung Valley, Yumbulagang is considered the oldest building in Tibet. It is a remarkably impressive sight, with a lovely setting. You could ride horses and yaks up the mountain to the temple if you prefer.

Then visit to the Trundruk monastery, one of the earliest Buddhist monasteries in Tibetan history. It is said that King Songtsan Gampo built the monastery to suppress the demon for prospering his kingdom in 641 A.D. And later it became the winter palace of King Songtsan Gampo and Princess Wencheng in Shannan. Of all the treasures and relics kept in this monastery, the pearled Tangka -- "Avalokitesvara at his rest" is the most remarkable one.

After a full exploration of Tsedang, you’ll have a chance to get lost in the endless Tibetan landscape while you take a short hike along the turquoise waters of Lake Yamdrok, one of the four holy lakes in Tibet. This dazzling lake is normally first seen from the summit of the Kamba-la (4700m). The lake lies several hundred metres below the road, and it is shaped like a coiling scorpion. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangstsang (7191m).

Afterwards pass by the 5,010 m high Karo-la and the Simi La forward to Gyantse (3,950m). Visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse.

In the afternoon drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang.

In the morning, you will set off towards Mount Everest after breakfast. Beginning with the Gyatsola Pass (5280m), the viewpoint offers your first glimpse of Mount Everest. Veiled within the mountain range, Everest resembles a budding lotus flower, a captivating sight along the roadside.

Continuing into Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, the Gawula Pass (5198m) presents a panoramic view of the Himalayas. Here, you will see the breathtaking lineup of the five world's highest peaks in the Himalayan range, all towering above 8000 meters. This is your second glimpse of Mount Everest.

Then traverse the new winding road toward Everest Base Camp (5200m), each turn reveals a closer perspective of the majestic Everest, gradually unfolding before you. This marks your third view of the Everest.

Upon arrival at Everest Base Camp, the huge white pyramid peak stands tall before you. As dusk approaches, the setting sun casts warm golden hues upon Everest's northern face—your fourth view.

As night descends, the glistening Milky Way alongside the snow-white peak of Mount Everest offers your fifth and final encounter with the majestic peak.

Stay overnight at Everest Base Camp or in the nearby village if the EBC tent hotels close during the winter season.

Warm Tips:
1. Everest Base Camp sits at an altitude of 5200 meters, and it's common to experience headaches and difficulty sleeping at night due to altitude. This is a normal occurrence, so there's no need to panic. Continue to take it slow, relax, and savor the beauty of Everest. The symptoms will gradually ease.

2. The visibility of Mount Everest depends on weather conditions and cannot be assured.

3. From November to March, the tent hotels at Everest Base Camp usually close. Hence, if you're traveling during this period, your accommodation choices are restricted to the nearby village near EBC.

After marveling at the magnificence of Mount Everest, you will travel back to Shigatse along another Himalayan scenic route, once again appreciating the beauty of the Himalayas.

Before departing from EBC, you'll visit the world's highest monastery, Rongbuk Monastery (5154 meters). This Tibetan Nyingma monastery sits in close proximity to Mount Everest and is a place where nuns and monks reside together.

Then, you will travel back to Shigatse via Dinggye, following an alternative Himalayan route diverging from the traditional path. At the Dinggye Xilin Viewpoint, you'll pause to behold not only the majestic eastern slope of towering Mount Everest but also catch sight of Mount Lhotse, the world's fourth-highest peak, rising at an elevation of 8,516 meters. You'll also enjoy the expansive and charming wetland landscape at the foot of Mount Everest.

While passing through Sakya Ancient Town, you will take a brief rest and spend some time leisurely strolling around this ancient town.

After returning to Shigatse, your guide will take you to the local Langma Hall, where you can watch a traditional Tibetan song and dance performance, and enjoy dinner with your fellow members.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

In the morning, you will explore the residence of the Panchen Lama, Tashilhunpo Monastery, which is also the largest monastery in Shigatse. This expansive monastery occupies the hillside, housing the world's largest statue of Maitreya Buddha, serving as the spiritual heart of Shigatse. You can see monks, wearing yellow hats and red robes, walking through the temple. If you are lucky, you will also see a Dharma ceremony held in the temple.

Then, you will journey back to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, revered as the Mother River of Tibetans.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today your guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board. Please confirm your departure flight or train details in advance with your guide. The tour ends.