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6 Days Lhasa and Namtso Lake Small Group Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Namtso Lake - Damxung - Lhasa

Trip Overview:

Join us on this 6-day Lhasa and Lake Namtso tour for a perfect exploration of both the holy city and the sacred lake of Tibet, blending natural landscapes, cultural history, and religious heritage. You will first visit the best of Lhasa, including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, and more.

Then, you will head north towards the 'Heavenly Lake,' Namtso, to appreciate its mesmerizing beauty. Snow-capped mountains stand tall in the distance while the emerald waters gently lap against the lakeshore nearby. Before concluding the journey, you will also visit Tsurphu Monastery and Chimelong Nunnery to gain more insights into the philosophy of Buddhism. The trip is not just a visual feast but also a baptism for the soul.

  • Tour Code: SG005A

  • Trip Level : Easy for All Agesi

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    Can I join this tour?

    • This Lhasa and Namtso Lake tour is suitable for all levels of fitness, families with kids, and senior groups. As long as you're in good health, you can confidently join our tour. However, to ensure your health and safety, we recommend consulting a professional doctor before your departure.
  • Tour Type: Small Group (Max 12) i

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    Our Small Group Tour Features

    • Guaranteed Departures: With our fixed tour dates, we guarantee every departure.
    • Flexible Scheduling: Should you not find a suitable travel date, worry not. Share your preferred timing, and we'll tailor a personalized itinerary, inviting fellow travelers to join.
    • Non-shopping Journey: Enjoy a commerce-free expedition with us. Our commitment to top-notch tours ensures an authentic and immersive exploration of Tibet.
  • Time to Visit : Available All Year Aroundi

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    Time to Visit Guide:

    • The best time to visit Namtso Lake are in April, May, June, September, and November when the temperature is moderate and scenery becomes more enchanting.
    • July, August, and the first eight days of October are peak seasons in Tibet, with a high number of visitors.
    • Winter (November to March of the following year) is the low season for tourism in Tibet. Due to Namtso Lake's high altitude, roads leading to the lake often close due to snow. If visiting during winter, check local weather beforehand and prepare backup plans.

Highlights:

  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.

  • Roam around Drepung Monastery, the largest temple in Tibet, exploring the life of Tibetan monks in their practice.

  • Immerse yourself in the daily life of Lhasa residents, visiting traditional homes, teahouses, and joining Tibetans in worship.

  • Tour the world's highest and largest sacred lake—Namtso Lake.

  • Visit Tsurphu Monastery, the oldest temple that initiated the world-renowned reincarnation system of Tibetan Buddhism.

Photos & Videos

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Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa, Get the First Impression of Tibet

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, and introduce you to the other members of your group.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Warm Tips:
If you require any assistance or have specific needs, please don't hesitate to visit our service center located at Gangjian Hotel.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Lhasa

Day 2: Lhasa Day Tour: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery (B, D)

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.

After today's sightseeing, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow group members.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Lhasa

Meal:

Breakfast | Welcome Dinner

Day 3: Lhasa Day Tour: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street (B)

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.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Lhasa

Meal:

Breakfast

Day 4: Lhasa - Namtso Lake - Damxung (B)

Today, you'll visit Namtso Lake, one of the 'Three Holy Lakes in Tibet,' to admire the serene lake and the stunning backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

Following breakfast, your journey will take you northward through the vast and expansive Damxung Grassland, a pastoral region bustling with herds of cattle and sheep and located closest to Lhasa.

During the journey, as you ascend the 5,190-meter-high Laken La Pass, a panoramic view of Namtso Lake will unfold, resembling an emerald jewel set amidst the northern Tibetan landscape. Descending from the pass, you'll reach Namtso Lake, covering an area of 1,920 square kilometers and considered one of Tibet's three sacred lakes.

Following your guide, you'll reach the lakeshore and trek to Tashi Dor Island for a closer panoramic view of the lake. Standing here, the vista mirrors an expansive blue ocean. Under the warm sun, cattle and sheep leisurely graze, while the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains peacefully overlook the vast expanse of the northern Tibetan grasslands. Occasional passing trains stir the air, lending the pure plateau a radiant brilliance.

Subsequently, your guide will lead you on a lakeside hike to marvel at mystical stone columns, peaks, meditation caves, and Buddhist sacred sites. If you wish, linger at Namtso Lake, savor warm sweet tea at a lakeside teahouse, or witness the magnificent sunset.

Later, your guide will transfer you to spend the night at Damxung.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Damxung

Meal:

Breakfast

Day 5: Damxung - Chimelong Nunnery - Tsurphu Monastery - Lhasa (B, L)

Today you will return to Lhasa from Damxung. After breakfast, you will first visit Chimelong Monastery, the largest nunnery near Lhasa, where you'll encounter a community of devoted female practitioners. Roam over the peaceful small nunnery and get an idea of different Buddhist studies in Tibet, you may also spot a sky burial site (Tibet funeral site) in the distance.

Then you will go to Tsurphu Monastery, the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Situated in a beautiful valley, Tsurphu Monastery holds historical significance as the foundation site of Tibet's reincarnation system for living Buddhas. It's here that the first Karmapa, a revered figure in Tibetan history, was born. The monastery houses numerous precious artifacts, including the unique relics of the 16th Karmapa, a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism.

In the summertime, local Tibetans gather for a ‘Linka outing’(Tibetan-style picnic) in the valley of Tsurphu Monastery. If time allows, you may join them for a a pleasant lunchtime, or dine at the monastery's restaurant.

After lunch, you will begin your return journey to Lhasa.

Warm 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.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Lhasa

Meal:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 6: Finish This Unforgettable Tour and Depart from Lhasa (B)

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.

Meal:

Breakfast

Tour Departures in 2024

Travel TimeNov.1 to Next Feb.28Mar.1 to May 31Jun.1 to Jul.9Jul.10 to Aug.20Aug.21 to Sep.19Sep.20 to Oct.10Oct.11 to Oct.31
Price 779 US$ 809 US$ 889 US$ 899 US$ 889 US$ 899US$ 809 US$
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Please Note:

If you couldn’t find a tour date suitable for your travel schedule in the above form, please contact our travel experts and they will help you plan a delightful vacation to Tibet at the BEST local price.

Discount:

1.) 5% off for those booking the tour together with other two travelers (3 or 3 above in total) at the same time;

2.) 5% off for those booking the tour 3 months in advance;

3.) Please kindly be aware that the two discounts mentioned above cannot be enjoyed simultaneously.

What's Included?

1. Tibet travel documents such as Tibet Travel Permit (excluding expedited processing fees), and delivery of the permit to your hotel in mainland of China.

2. Standard tourist vehicles based on the number of group members, ensuring one seat one person. Experienced local drivers offer attentive service.

3. Three-star hotels throughout the itinerary (upgrades available for an additional fee; single room supplement required when not sharing).

4. All meals listed in the itinerary. (Meal fees are non-refundable if declined due to personal reasons).

5. Excellent local Tibetan English-speaking tour guide (Prices for guides speaking other languages may be subject to separate negotiation).

6. Admission tickets for all tourist attractions listed in Itinerary.

7. Travel accident insurance.

8. Free shuttle between Lhasa Railway Station and the downtown hotel. Free transfers between Lhasa Gonggar Airport and the downtown hotel during specific times.

9. Other services: exquisite Tibetan souvenirs, tourist map, portable oxygen, medical oxygen in the vehicle, bottled mineral water, and more.

What's Excluded?

1. Chinese Visa (for any visa assistance services, please contact us for details)

2. International flights to and out of China.

3. Domestic flight or train to and out of Lhasa (If you need ticket booking service, please leave your requirements in the Online Inquiry Form.)

4. Single Room Supplement: Hotels are based on double occupancy (twin-bedded rooms) by default. If you prefer a single room or if room sharing isn’t possible, a single room supplement is required (please consult the travel consultant for specific price differences).

5. Some meals not included in the itinerary.

6. Tips to the guide and driver based on your satisfaction with their services. We recommend paying a total of $7 per person per day for both the guide and driver.

7. Additional expenses resulting from force majeure events (such as natural disasters, traffic controls, loss of valuables, visa delays, flight delays or cancellations, etc.).

8. Personal expenses and any other expenses not mentioned in the inclusion list.

Lhasa and Namtso Lake Trip Notes

  • 1. When is the deadline to book this 6-day Lhasa and Namtso Lake Small Group Tour?

    To ensure a seamless trip, it is recommended to book your Tibet tour at least 15-20 days before the departure date.

    Certainly, booking your tour 1-2 months or earlier in advance will assist us in arranging your Tibet Travel Permit and other necessary documents, as well as securing accommodations. Additionally, early bookings may qualify for early-bird discounts. This arrangement facilitates better preparation and a more relaxed journey.

  • 2. What travel documents are required for a trip to Lhasa and Namtso Lake?

    For traveling to Lhasa and Namtso Lake, various tourists require specific travel documents:

    1) Foreign tourists: Passport, Chinese Visa, Tibet Travel Permit, Alien’s Travel Permit
    2) Tourists from Hong Kong and Macau: Home Return Permit, Frontier Pass
    3) Tourists from Taiwan: Mainland Travel Permit (MTP), Tibet Travel Permit, etc.

  • 3. How to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit? How long does It take, and when can I get the permit?

    For foreign tourists applying for the Tibet Travel Permit, photos or photocopies of a valid passport and Chinese Visa are needed. Holders of a working visa need to additionally provide a work certificate, while student visa holders require student certification.

    However, Taiwanese tourists only need to provide photos or photocopies of Mainland Travel Permit for the Tibet Travel Permit application.

    Generally, processing the Tibet Travel Permit takes 7-14 working days. Once the permit is successfully issued, we'll mail it to your address in mainland of China 3-5 days before your departure date, ensuring you have it in hand for your train or flight to Tibet.

  • 4. Is Namtso Lake at a high altitude? Will I suffer from altitude sickness? How to prevent altitude sickness?

    Namtso Lake is at an altitude of 4,718 meters, making it the world's highest saltwater lake. It's more than 1,000 meters higher than Lhasa (3,650 meters). For tourists visiting high-altitude areas for the first time, altitude sickness, especially for those unaccustomed to such environments, is possible.

    However, there's no need to worry. Our 6-day itinerary to Lhasa and Namtso Lake is scientifically designed. The initial 3 days of the trip are spent exploring Lhasa at a relatively lower altitude (3650 meters) to acclimatize to the plateau environment. It's on the 4th day that we ascend to the higher-altitude Namtso Lake. This arrangement, to a certain extent, helps alleviate or prevent altitude sickness.

    Certainly, you can take some measures to prevent altitude sickness. For instance, in the initial days after arriving in Lhasa, try to avoid bathing, especially washing your hair, to prevent catching a cold, and ensure adequate rest while avoiding vigorous exercise. Also, stay hydrated, consume fresh vegetables and fruits, and refrain from alcohol intake.

    If severe symptoms of altitude sickness occur, such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, or severe headaches, inform the guide immediately and seek medical attention with the guide's assistance.

  • 5. When is the best time to visit Namtso Lake?

    The best time to visit Namtso Lake is from May to October. During this period, the weather is pleasant with moderate temperatures, making it the ideal season for sightseeing. Particularly from June to September, the surrounding grasslands are lush, enhancing the beauty of the lake and mountains.

  • 6. Can I visit Namtso Lake in winter?

    Namtso Lake sits in a high-altitude area where winter temperatures drop significantly, sometimes below freezing. From November to March, heavy snowfall often occurs, possibly causing road closures. Visiting Namtso Lake in winter depends on weather conditions.

    While Namtso in winter offers unique beauty, some activities and sites might be limited due to extreme cold and snow. If you plan a winter visit, check weather and road conditions, and be well-prepared. Contact us before your trip for the latest updates for a safe journey.

  • 7. Can I camp overnight at Namtso Lake?

    To preserve the ecological balance around Namtso Lake, camping is not permitted in the vicinity. Typically, we arrange accommodations for you in Damxung County, approximately 10 kilometers away from Namtso Lake. This setup offers comfortable lodging, allowing you to rest well after your travels.

  • 8. What to wear to travel to Lhasa and Namtso Lake?

    When traveling to Lhasa and Namtso Lake, layering clothing is advisable for easy adjustment according to temperature changes. For summers, light clothing is sufficient. During spring and autumn, consider wearing at least three layers (base layer, sweater, outer jacket). In winter, additional warm and windproof clothing is necessary. Additionally, due to the strong UV rays in Tibet, sunglasses and a hat are essential.

  • 9. What to pack for traveling to Lhasa and Namtso Lake?

    1) Personal items: Facial cleanser, toner, moisturizer, hydrating facial masks, body lotion, lip balm, sunscreen, and other skincare products. The journey from Lhasa to Namtso Lake involves a considerable amount of time on the road, so bringing a U-shaped pillow can make the journey more comfortable. Also, prepare a thermos to ensure access to hot water at any time.

    2) Common medications: Adhesive bandages, motion sickness medicine, cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, anti-inflammatory drugs, eye drops, altitude sickness medication, and other commonly used medications should be carried for emergencies. (Always follow medical advice and avoid misuse of medication.)

    3) Electronic devices: Bring chargers, power banks, cameras, earphones, or other electronic devices as per personal requirements.

    4) Small amounts of cash and bank cards: Although mobile payment methods are becoming more common in Tibet, there might still be instances in remote areas where cash is needed. It's advisable to carry a small amount of cash and at least one bank card.

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    The view was magnificent. got to see snow and snow capped mountains. Thanks to Gemma Wei for helping with all the planning. Also thanks to Kunchok and Tsering for going accomodating to my needs as i was not used to the altitude. They also helped alot with the trek up the hills! ...More

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