13-Day Tibet Flights & Qinghai-Tibet Railway: Lhasa, EBC., Nyingchi & Namtso
Classic Route
Details
Arrive in Lhasa
Welcome to Tibet! After landing at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport or arriving at Lhasa Railway Station, your local guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel in Lhasa.
During the transfer, enjoy your first glimpse of the beautiful Lhasa River and the unique scenery of the Tibetan Plateau. After checking into your oxygen-equipped hotel, the remainder of the day is reserved for rest so your body can gradually adapt to the altitude.
Altitude Reminder: Lhasa sits at approximately 3,650 meters above sea level. Since oxygen levels are considerably lower than at sea level, mild altitude discomfort may occur during the first couple of days. We recommend drinking plenty of water, eating light meals, avoiding strenuous exercise, and getting sufficient rest.
Meals: Not Included
Accommodation: Taehf Phodrag Culture Theme Hotel or similar
Lhasa – Basum Tso – Nyang River Valley – Nyingchi
Driving Distance: Approximately 390 km
After breakfast, leave Lhasa and travel east toward the beautiful forests of Nyingchi.
The drive follows the picturesque Nyang River before crossing the impressive Mila Pass (5,013 m). As the altitude gradually decreases, the landscape changes dramatically from the dry high plateau to dense forests, fertile valleys, and charming Tibetan villages.
Your main attraction today is Basum Tso, one of Tibet’s most beautiful alpine lakes. Encircled by evergreen forests and snow-covered mountains, the lake is famous for its crystal-clear water and peaceful atmosphere. You’ll have time to explore the lakeside and visit the small island connected by a wooden bridge.
Continue driving through the lush Nyang River Scenic Area before arriving in Nyingchi, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Tibet” because of its mild climate and spectacular natural scenery.
In the evening, enjoy a complimentary dinner featuring the local specialty Nyingchi Stone Pot Chicken.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Accommodation: Jinjiang Metropolo Hotel Nyingchi or similar (Air-conditioning & Smart Facilities)
Nyingchi – Lulang Forest – Ranwu Lake – Bomi
Driving Distance: Approximately 380 km
This morning, depart Nyingchi and head toward Lulang, one of eastern Tibet’s most scenic regions.
Cross Sejila Pass (4,515 m), an excellent viewpoint overlooking endless forests and, weather permitting, the magnificent Mount Namcha Barwa.
Continue through the spectacular alpine landscapes before reaching the breathtaking Ranwu Lake.
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, Ranwu Lake is renowned for its ever-changing colors throughout the seasons. In winter, the calm lake and nearby snowy peaks create an especially peaceful atmosphere, making it one of Tibet’s finest photography destinations.
Arrive in Bomi later in the day.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Accommodation: Bomi Landscape Hotel or similar
Laigu Glacier – Yalong Glacier – Lulang
Driving Distance: Approximately 300 km
Today’s highlight is the spectacular Laigu Glacier, one of the best places in Tibet to admire brilliant blue glacier ice during winter.
Several glaciers surround Laigu Village, feeding crystal-clear glacial lakes whose colors vary depending on mineral content and sunlight. Massive floating ice blocks and deep blue ice formations create an unforgettable landscape.
From the village viewpoint, you’ll be able to admire the famous Laigu Glacier Group, including the Meixi, Yalong, Ruojiao, Dongga, Xiongjia, and Niuma glaciers.
Among them, Yalong Glacier is the largest, stretching approximately 12 kilometers from the Gangrigabu Mountains down toward the valley below. Towering ice walls and vivid blue crevasses make it one of the most spectacular glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau.
After exploring this extraordinary winter wonderland, return west to Lulang International Town, where you’ll spend the night beneath snow-covered mountains.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Accommodation: Dayhello Hotel or similar
Lulang – Kading Valley – Lhasa
Driving Distance: Approximately 460 km
After breakfast, leave Lulang and begin the scenic drive back toward Lhasa.
Along the way, visit Kading Valley Scenic Area, a beautiful canyon located beside the Nyang River. Surrounded by steep cliffs, dense forests, and clear mountain streams, this peaceful valley is well known for its rich vegetation and striking natural scenery.
The highlight is the impressive Tianfo Waterfall, a cascade dropping nearly 200 meters down a cliff face. Local people believe that the rock formations beside the waterfall naturally resemble a seated Buddha, giving the site its name. Throughout the gorge, visitors can also spot naturally shaped rocks said to resemble Buddhist figures and sacred guardians.
After exploring Kading Valley, continue driving back across the Tibetan Plateau and return to Lhasa in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Accommodation: Taehf Phodrag Culture Theme Hotel or similar
Lhasa City Tour – Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street
Spend today discovering the cultural and spiritual heart of Tibet.
Begin with a guided visit to the magnificent Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and one of Tibet’s most iconic landmarks. Rising above Red Hill, this UNESCO World Heritage Site contains thousands of priceless murals, Buddhist statues, sacred scriptures, and golden stupas, reflecting centuries of Tibetan history and religious tradition.
In the afternoon, continue to Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most revered Buddhist temple. Built during the Tibetan Empire, it houses the famous Jowo Shakyamuni statue, considered the holiest image in Tibetan Buddhism.
Outside the temple, stroll along Barkhor Street, where pilgrims continuously walk clockwise around the sacred temple while spinning prayer wheels and chanting prayers. The lively streets are also filled with traditional shops selling handicrafts, prayer flags, incense, and Tibetan souvenirs.
In the evening, enjoy a complimentary traditional Tibetan welcome dinner, offering an authentic taste of local cuisine.
Temple Etiquette
- Please remove hats and sunglasses before entering temples.
- Smoking is prohibited inside religious sites.
- Do not touch statues, scriptures, or ritual objects unless permitted.
- Photography may be restricted in certain temple areas.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Accommodation: Taehf Phodrag Culture Theme Hotel or similar
Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Karola Glacier – Shigatse
Travel west from Lhasa toward Tibet’s second-largest city while enjoying some of the plateau’s most spectacular scenery.
Your first destination is the stunning Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s Three Sacred Lakes. At an elevation of over 4,400 meters, its brilliant turquoise water contrasts beautifully with the surrounding snow-covered mountains and rolling grasslands.
Several panoramic viewpoints along the route provide excellent opportunities to admire the lake’s unique shape and vivid colors. Traditional Tibetan villages, grazing yaks, and colorful prayer flags add even more charm to this unforgettable landscape.
Continue to the magnificent Karola Glacier, one of Tibet’s most accessible glaciers. The glacier flows dramatically down the mountainside, creating an impressive wall of ice that can be admired from the roadside.
Later, arrive in Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city, where you’ll stay overnight in a comfortable oxygen-equipped hotel.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Accommodation: Shigatse Tangka Hotel or similar (Heating & Oxygen Supply)
Departure from Lhasa
Your unforgettable winter adventure across Tibet comes to an end today.
After breakfast, check out of your hotel. According to your departure schedule, our staff will arrange a private transfer to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport or Lhasa Railway Station.
We hope the breathtaking glaciers, sacred lakes, snow-covered mountains, and unique Tibetan culture have made this journey one to remember. We look forward to welcoming you back to Tibet in the future.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Dates & Prices
| Month | Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec | 2026-12-20 | $ 1130 | Book now |
| 2026-12-25 | $ 1130 | Book now | |
| Jan | 2027-01-01 | $ 1130 | Book now |
| 2027-01-05 | $ 1130 | Book now | |
| 2027-01-10 | $ 1130 | Book now | |
| 2027-01-15 | $ 1130 | Book now | |
| 2027-01-20 | $ 1130 | Book now | |
| 2027-01-25 | $ 1130 | Book now | |
| Feb | 2027-02-01 | $ 1130 | Book now |
You are consulting 2025-04-12 8-Day Tibet Winter Blue Ice & Glacier Tour: Lhasa, Nyingchi, Ranwu Lake & Laigu Glacier
Fee Description
Services Included:
Permits: Tibet Travel Permit and all required travel documentation.
Transportation: Comfortable 9–17 seat tourist vehicle throughout the tour with additional seating space for a more comfortable journey.
Driver: Professional local driver, fuel, tolls, and all transportation-related expenses.
Guide: Experienced English-speaking local guide.
Entrance Fees: Admission tickets and shuttle bus fees for all attractions listed in the itinerary.
Accommodation: Hotel accommodation throughout the trip with daily breakfast, including oxygen-equipped hotels in Lhasa and Shigatse. Hotels are subject to availability and may be substituted with accommodations of the same standard.
Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance.
Services Excluded:
Flights & Trains: International flights, domestic flights, and railway tickets to and from Tibet.
Meals: Lunches and dinners unless specifically stated.
Tips: Gratuities for the guide and driver.
Single Supplement: RMB 1,280 for travelers requesting a private room.
Personal Expenses: Laundry, beverages, shopping, and other personal expenditures.
Complimentary Services & Gifts:
- Traditional Khata welcome ceremony upon arrival.
- One bottle of mineral water per person each day.
- One 10L shared oxygen tank in the vehicle plus two portable oxygen canisters per traveler.
- Complimentary Nyingchi Stone Pot Chicken specialty dinner.
- Traditional Tibetan welcome dinner in Lhasa.
