Alpine Lakes and Snow Mountains

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa (3650m).

Settle in to your hotel to relax and adjust to high altitude.

Day 2: Lhasa (Vist Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple).

In the morning, we will visit the Potala Palace, the greatest wonder of Tibetan architecture. The Potala was built in the mid-7th century by the famous Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The Potala Palace is 130m-high and 13 stories high, and it commands a view of all Lhasa. The Potala has been residence to the Dalai Lama Lineage for hundreds of years. After lunch, we will also visit the Jokhang Temple, known in Tibet as the Tsuglhakhang, it is the most important temple in Tibet. Every year thousands of pilgrims come to Lhasa from every corner of the Tibetan plateau to visit Jokhang temple. This temple was built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo, is more than 1300years old. From the roof of the Temple, there is a wonderful view of the Potala Palace and overlooking the bustling Barkhor.  

Day 3: Lhasa (Vist Drepung monastery & Sera monastery).

After breakfast, we will meet your guide in hotel and he or she will lead you to visit one of the three most famous monasteries in Tibet. Drepung Monastery, (the word of Drepung literally translates as “rice heap”), was founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsongkhapa called Jamyang Choje, Once it was home to as many as 10.000 monks. Ganden Palace was established by the second Dalai Lama, this Palace was home to the Dalai Lamas until the fifth Dalai Lama built the Potala. Afterward, you will visit Sera Monastery, where you can watch monks debate Tibetan Buddhist philosophy in the debating courtyard.

Day 4: Lhasa —Yangbachen hot spring—Namtso Lake 4700m /250kms / 5HRS.

Early in the morning we will drive to Heavenly Lake Namtso via Yangpachen Aatural Hot Springs. Namtso Lake is located in the northwest of Lhasa, and is known as the highest saltwater lake in Tibet and one of the most beautiful natural sights. It is surrounded by the beautiful snow capped mountains of the Nyenchen Tanglha range with peaks over 7000m above sea level. At Namtso Lake, you can take a walk beside the Lake and take the short Kora to Tashi Do, following local pilgrims, it will take about 1 hour and on the way there are lots of small meditation retreats. Afterward, you will spend the night at Namtso Lake and sleep in tent Guesthouses run by local nomad families.

Day 5: Namtso Lake--Shugela—Shigatse 3835m / 415kms / 6 hrs.

Now we will drive up to Shigatse; along the way we will try to visit Qangthang Nomads traditional life and will cross high passes over 5000m above sea level. On the way to Shigatse, Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet Autonomous Region, there are dramatic views of scenic valley sand of the Yurlung river in the vast valley. Once there you will pay a visit Tashilunp Monastery, one of the six great monasteries of the Gelukpa School and you will see the most impressive of Tashilhunpo’s sights: The world’s largest gilded statue of Jampa (Maitreya) the Future Buddha. It’s a 26m high. Afterward, you can follow the pilgrims to take an outer Kora to the monastery.

Day 6: Shigatse- Sakya –Shergar(New Tingri) 4500m /275kms / 5 hrs.

In the morning, you will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, This monastery is one of the six great Gulugpa institutions, and it contains the impressive world’s largest gilded statue of Jampa (Maitreya) the Future Buddha. It’s a 26m tall, then we will drive to Shergar via Sakya Monastery, Sakya Monastery is 25km off the Southern Friendship Hwy, but it’s really worth while to detour to this ruined monastery. Afterward, we cross over the Gyatso-La pass 5252m). After we arrived in Shergar, we will visit Shergar Dzong and Shergar Chode Monastery. It’s worth while to visit for the ruins of Shergar Dzong, we will spend the night in Shegar. 

Day 7: Shergar—Rongbuk monastery—EBC 5250m / 100kms / 3 HRS.  

In the morning, we will drive to Mt. Everest Base Camp, passing over the Pang-la 5050m). From the summit of the Pang-la there are breathtaking views of the huge sweep of the Himalaya ranges and the magnificent North Face of the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest. Also you be able to see five or six peaks over 8000m. Then we will take the dirt road up the wide valley, passing through small villages to Rongbuk Monastery, At the Monastery, there are spectacular views of Mt. Everest. From Rongbuk Monastery to Everest Base Camp is about 8km. You can spend the night at Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse or at yak-hair tents run by a Tibetan families.

Day 8: EBC—via Shergar --Lhatse 4350m / 195kms / 5 hrs.

You will see the sunrise at EBC and then drive to Lhatse, passing through high mountain passes to Lhatse, on the way back there are great views of the Himalaya range. Once arrive in Lhatse, Feel free to explore the Tibetan town and have a good rest. Overnight in Lhatse.

Day 9: Lhatse—Shigatse---Gyantse 3950m / 265kms / 5 hrs.

Next we will drive up to Gyantse, the third largest city in the Tibet Autonomous Region, we will visit Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum a very important monastery of its kind in Tibet (Kumbum means 100,000 images). The town of Gyantse was a major centre for the trade of wood and wool between India and Tibet in early times, Gyantse carpets are considered the best in Tibet. Afterward, it’s very worth while to take a walk through Tibet old town beside the monastery. You will spend the night in Gyantse.

Day 10: Gyantse—Yamdro Lake—Lhasa 3650m / 250kms / 6 hrs. 

On the drive back to Lhasa there are spectacular views of Karo la glaciers and the stunning turquoise-colored Yamdrok Lake. Once there if the time allows you can take a short walk on the shore of the lake. Driving back to Lhasa for the night, we will cross the Kamba la pass (4794m) which offers breath-taking views of the Holy Lake and Mt. Nyichenkangsang.

Day11: Depart from Lhasa

Leave for your next destination by air or train.

Map coming soon...