13-Day Tibet Flights & Qinghai-Tibet Railway: Lhasa, EBC., Nyingchi & Namtso
Classic Route
Details
Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m)
Welcome to Lhasa, the legendary capital of Tibet!
Upon your arrival in Lhasa by flight or train, our friendly Tibetan guide will warmly welcome you with a traditional Hada (a Tibetan ceremonial scarf) and heartfelt blessings.
After meeting your guide, you will be transferred to your hotel in downtown Lhasa. Along the way, you may enjoy views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra River), the longest and largest river in Tibet, as well as the beautiful Lhasa River.
After checking in, take time to rest and allow your body to gradually adapt to the high altitude. The first day is intentionally kept relaxed to help you adjust comfortably to the Tibetan plateau.
If you need any assistance during your stay, you are welcome to visit our service center at Lhasa Gang Gyan Hotel.
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa.
Lhasa Cultural Tour – Drepung Monastery & Sera Monastery
Today begins your deep exploration of Tibetan Buddhism and the spiritual traditions of Lhasa.
After breakfast, visit Drepung Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in Tibet and one of the three great Gelug monasteries. Once home to more than 10,000 monks, Drepung was an important center of Tibetan Buddhist learning and culture.
Walking through the monastery complex, your Tibetan guide will introduce you to the history of Tibetan Buddhism, explain the significance of the main halls, and share stories about important figures in Tibetan religious history.
You will then explore Loseling College (or a similar Buddhist college), where you can gain insight into the daily studies, traditions, and lifestyle of Tibetan monks.
In the afternoon, continue to Sera Monastery, another major Gelug monastery in Tibet. Here you will have the opportunity to witness the famous Tibetan Buddhist monk debate (usually held from Monday to Saturday, 15:00–17:00). The lively debates allow monks to discuss Buddhist philosophy and demonstrate their years of study and practice.
After the tour, enjoy a welcome dinner with your group. Your guide will introduce Tibetan culture, share travel tips, and help everyone become familiar with each other.
Meals: Breakfast: Included; Dinner: Complimentary Tibetan Welcome Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa.
Lhasa Tour – Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street
Today’s highlight is exploring the iconic landmarks that represent Tibet’s history, religion, and culture.
After breakfast, visit the world-famous Potala Palace, the symbol of Tibet and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Standing above Lhasa, Potala Palace offers breathtaking views over the old city. During your visit, you will discover the former residence of the Dalai Lamas and admire its impressive collection of cultural treasures, including ancient Buddhist artworks, sacred stupas, and historical relics.
After exploring Potala Palace, visit Longwangtan Park located at the foot of the palace. From here, you can enjoy a different perspective of this magnificent architectural masterpiece and experience local Tibetan daily life.
In the afternoon, continue to Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Inside the temple, you will see the sacred statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve, one of the most important Buddhist treasures in Tibet.
Outside the temple, you can witness devoted pilgrims performing prostrations and prayers. Around Jokhang Temple, walk along Barkhor Street, where locals and pilgrims complete the traditional kora (clockwise religious walking route) while exploring the historic Tibetan market.
Later, follow your guide to a traditional Tibetan tea house. Enjoy Tibetan sweet tea with local residents and learn more about Tibetan customs, social life, and everyday traditions.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa.
Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse – Yamdrok Lake & Karola Glacier (360km)
Today you will begin your overland journey through some of Tibet’s most spectacular landscapes.
After breakfast, drive from Lhasa toward Shigatse. Cross Gampala Pass (4,790m), where you will enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Yamdrok Lake (4,400m).
Known as one of Tibet’s most beautiful sacred lakes, Yamdrok Lake stretches like a turquoise ribbon among snow-covered mountains. From the viewpoints, you can admire the lake’s incredible color changes under different sunlight.
Continue to explore the lakeside area and visit a local Tibetan village, where you can enjoy lunch with a Tibetan family and experience authentic local hospitality.
Afterward, continue your journey and pass by the magnificent Karola Glacier, one of the most accessible glaciers in Tibet. The glacier stretches down from the mountainside, creating a spectacular natural landscape.
On the way to Gyantse, stop at Simila Mountain Pass, where you can hang prayer flags and send blessings for peace and happiness.
After arriving in Gyantse, take some time to admire the ancient city before continuing to Shigatse. Along the way, you will pass Tibetan farmland, barley fields, and beautiful rural scenery.
Arrive in Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, and rest at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Shigatse.
Shigatse (3,850m) to Everest Base Camp (5,000m)
Today is dedicated to experiencing the majestic Himalayas and Mount Everest.
After breakfast, depart for Everest Base Camp.
First, cross Gyatsola Pass (5,280m), where you may catch your first glimpse of Mount Everest rising behind the Himalayan range.
Continue into Mount Everest National Nature Reserve and reach Gawula Pass (5,198m), one of the best viewpoints in Tibet. Here you can admire the spectacular panorama of the Himalayan peaks, including Mount Everest.
Then drive along the famous winding mountain road toward Everest Base Camp. As the road climbs higher, the magnificent northern face of Mount Everest gradually appears closer and more impressive.
Upon arrival at Everest Base Camp (5,000m), enjoy the unforgettable view of the world’s highest mountain. At sunset, the golden sunlight may illuminate Everest’s northern face, creating a breathtaking scene.
At night, if weather conditions are favorable, look up at the star-filled sky above Mount Everest and experience the beauty of the Himalayan wilderness.
Note: The visibility of Mount Everest depends on weather conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at Everest Base Camp tent hotel or Rongbuk Guesthouse.
Everest Base Camp – Saga (4,640m)
Wake up early in the morning and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Mount Everest. If the weather is clear, you may have another opportunity to admire the sunrise over the Himalayas.
After breakfast, leave Everest Base Camp and continue your journey across the vast Tibetan plateau.
Today’s route takes you through some of the most remote and spectacular landscapes in western Tibet. Along the way, you will pass endless highland plains, snow-covered mountains, crystal-clear rivers, and traditional Tibetan pastoral areas.
Cross several high mountain passes and enjoy the dramatic scenery of the plateau, where yaks and sheep graze freely under the open sky.
Arrive in Saga, an important town located on the route to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. Saga is also an important transportation hub for travelers heading toward western Tibet.
Rest at the hotel and prepare for the upcoming Kailash pilgrimage journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at Saga.
Saga – Lake Manasarovar – Mount Kailash View – Darchen (4,570m)
Today you will enter the sacred land of western Tibet and begin your journey toward Mount Kailash.
After breakfast, continue driving through the magnificent Tibetan plateau. Along the way, enjoy views of untouched wilderness, wide valleys, and the dramatic Himalayan landscape.
Arrive at Lake Manasarovar, one of the most sacred lakes in Asia.
For thousands of years, Lake Manasarovar has been regarded as a holy lake by Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and the Bon religion. The crystal-clear blue water, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, creates a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.
From the lakeside, you can enjoy a distant view of Mount Kailash, the sacred mountain worshipped by millions of pilgrims around the world.
Continue to Darchen, the starting point for the Mount Kailash kora (pilgrimage trek).
Darchen is a small Tibetan settlement located at the foot of Mount Kailash and serves as the base camp for pilgrims preparing to complete the sacred circuit around the mountain.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at Darchen.
Mount Kailash Kora Day 1 – Darchen to Dirapuk Monastery (4,900m)
Today begins the highlight of the journey: the sacred Mount Kailash kora.
After breakfast, prepare your personal belongings and start the pilgrimage route.
The total distance of the Mount Kailash kora is approximately 52 kilometers, traditionally completed over three days. Many pilgrims believe that completing the kora brings blessings, purification, and spiritual merit.
The first section starts from Darchen and leads toward Tarboche, a famous prayer flag area located at the foot of Mount Kailash.
Along the way, you will pass through beautiful valleys, ancient pilgrimage paths, and views of the sacred mountain.
Continue hiking toward Dirapuk Monastery, located near the northern face of Mount Kailash.
This section provides one of the closest and most impressive views of Mount Kailash. The massive snow-covered peak rises dramatically above the valley, creating an unforgettable spiritual and natural landscape.
After arriving at Dirapuk, rest and enjoy the peaceful Himalayan environment.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight near Dirapuk Monastery.
Mount Kailash Kora Day 2 – Dirapuk to Zuthulpuk Monastery via Dolma La Pass (5,630m)
Today is the most challenging and spiritually significant day of the Mount Kailash pilgrimage.
After an early breakfast, begin the ascent toward Dolma La Pass, the highest point of the kora route at approximately 5,630 meters.
The climb is physically demanding due to the altitude, but the spectacular scenery and spiritual atmosphere make this experience unforgettable.
At Dolma La Pass, you will see countless colorful prayer flags covering the mountain pass. Pilgrims traditionally leave prayer flags and offer blessings here.
Continue downward to reach the sacred Gauri Kund, a lake associated with Buddhist and Hindu traditions.
The trail then continues through valleys and rocky landscapes toward Zuthulpuk Monastery, where you will spend the night.
This section represents the most meaningful part of the pilgrimage, combining physical challenge, natural beauty, and deep spiritual experiences.
Accommodation: Overnight near Zuthulpuk Monastery.
Mount Kailash Kora Completion – Darchen – Saga
Today you will complete the final section of the Mount Kailash kora.
After breakfast, continue hiking through the final valley section. The landscape gradually becomes wider and flatter as you approach the end point.
After completing the pilgrimage route, return to Darchen.
Meet your vehicle and continue driving back toward Saga.
Along the way, enjoy the changing scenery of western Tibet, from high mountain valleys to endless plateau landscapes.
Arrive in Saga and rest at the hotel.
Accommodation: Overnight in Saga.
Saga – Shigatse
After breakfast, begin your return journey toward central Tibet.
The route follows the vast Tibetan plateau, offering another opportunity to appreciate the untouched beauty of western Tibet.
You will pass through remote Tibetan villages, grasslands, and mountain landscapes.
The journey provides a deeper understanding of Tibet beyond the famous attractions — a land shaped by nature, faith, and ancient traditions.
Arrive in Shigatse, the traditional center of Tibetan culture and the second-largest city in Tibet.
If time permits, you may explore the surrounding area or relax at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shigatse
Shigatse – Tashilhunpo Monastery – Lhasa
After breakfast, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the most important monasteries in Tibet.
Founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama, Tashilhunpo Monastery is the traditional residence of the Panchen Lamas, one of the most influential religious leaders in Tibetan Buddhism.
Inside the monastery, you can admire magnificent halls, ancient Buddhist statues, murals, and religious treasures.
One of the highlights is the giant statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is among the largest gilded Buddhist statues in the world.
After the visit, drive back to Lhasa.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley and Tibetan countryside.
Arrive in Lhasa and spend your final evening in Tibet.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lhasa
Departure from Lhasa
Your unforgettable Tibet journey comes to an end today.
According to your flight or train schedule, our team will arrange transfer service to Lhasa airport or railway station.
Thank you for joining this Tibet spiritual adventure. We hope this journey through ancient monasteries, sacred lakes, the Himalayas, and Mount Kailash leaves you with unforgettable memories.
We look forward to welcoming you again for your next Tibet exploration.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: \
Dates & Prices
| Month | Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul | 2026-07 | $ 2400 | Book now |
| Aug | 2026-08 | $ 2300 | Book now |
| Sep | 2026-09 | $ 2300 | Book now |
| Oct | 2026-10 | $ 2200 | Book now |
