13-Day Tibet Flights & Qinghai-Tibet Railway: Lhasa, EBC., Nyingchi & Namtso
Classic Route
Details
Arrival in Lhasa from Worldwide Destinations
Welcome to Lhasa, the spiritual heart of Tibet, located at an altitude of 3,650 meters (11,975 ft).
Upon your arrival at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport or Lhasa Railway Station, our local driver will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Your hotel is equipped with oxygen supply facilities and humidifiers to help you adjust comfortably to the high-altitude environment.
After check-in, spend the rest of the day relaxing and acclimatizing. To minimize the risk of altitude sickness, we recommend avoiding strenuous activities, alcohol, hot showers, and washing your hair on your first day.
If you arrive by train, enjoy beautiful views of the Lhasa River during the short drive into the city. If arriving by air, the one-hour transfer offers your first glimpse of traditional Tibetan villages, vast valleys, and the breathtaking plateau landscape.
Highlights
- Airport or railway station pickup
- Lhasa River Scenic Area
- First impression of the Tibetan Plateau
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Home2 Suites by Hilton Lhasa or similar (humidifier, oxygen supply, air conditioning)
Lhasa – Drepung Monastery Shoton Festival & Sera Monastery
Rise early to witness one of Tibet’s most spectacular religious celebrations—the Shoton Festival Buddha Unveiling Ceremony at Drepung Monastery.
Around 8:00 AM, accompanied by the chanting of monks and thousands of devoted pilgrims, a magnificent 500-square-meter Buddha Thangka is slowly unfurled across the hillside behind the monastery. This sacred ceremony is one of the most significant annual events in Tibetan Buddhism and an unforgettable cultural experience.
In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery, one of Lhasa’s three great monasteries. The highlight here is the famous Monk Debate Session, where monks engage in lively philosophical discussions through animated gestures and traditional debate techniques.
Afterward, enjoy some free time to stroll through Lhasa’s streets and soak up the city’s unique spiritual atmosphere.
Highlights
- Drepung Monastery
- Shoton Festival Giant Buddha Unveiling Ceremony
- Sera Monastery Monk Debates
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Home2 Suites by Hilton Lhasa or similar (humidifier, oxygen supply, air conditioning)
Drepung Monastery Shoton Festival
Drepung Monastery Shoton Festival
Lhasa City Tour – Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street
Today you’ll explore the cultural and spiritual landmarks that define Tibet.
Begin with the magnificent Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and the world’s highest ancient palace complex. Marvel at its elaborate chapels, priceless murals, sacred Buddhist statues, golden stupas, and centuries of Tibetan history.
Continue to Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most sacred temple, originally built during the Tubo Dynasty. Inside is the revered 12-year-old statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, brought to Tibet by Princess Wencheng over 1,300 years ago.
Finish the day with a walk around the bustling Barkhor Street, where pilgrims perform the traditional kora, spinning prayer wheels while chanting prayers alongside local Tibetans.
Highlights
- Potala Palace
- Jokhang Temple
- Barkhor Street
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Home2 Suites by Hilton Lhasa or similar (humidifier, oxygen supply, air conditioning)
Potala Palace
Jokhang Temple
Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Karola Glacier – Gyantse – Shigatse
Depart Lhasa and journey across some of Tibet’s most spectacular scenery.
Your first stop is the breathtaking Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s three sacred lakes. Sitting at 4,441 meters, its brilliant turquoise waters are surrounded by snow-capped mountains, traditional Tibetan villages, and grazing yaks.
Continue to the impressive Karola Glacier, one of the easiest glaciers in Tibet to access, where massive ice walls descend dramatically toward the roadside.
Pass through the historic town of Gyantse, where you’ll view the ancient Gyantse Fortress before continuing to Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city.
Highlights
- Yamdrok Lake
- Karola Glacier
- Gyantse Fortress
- Tibetan Plateau scenery
Meals: Breakfast: Included
Accommodation: Shigatse Cangyu Yabu Hotel (four-star hotel with oxygen supply)
Karola Glacier
Yamdrok Lake
Shigatse – Lhatse – Tingri – Everest Base Camp
Travel westward across the Tibetan Plateau toward the legendary Mount Everest.
Cross Gyatsola Pass (5,220m) for your first panoramic view of the world’s highest mountain before entering Everest National Nature Reserve.
Visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest monastery, perfectly positioned beneath the towering north face of Everest.
Finally, take the eco-friendly shuttle bus to Everest Base Camp (5,200m). If weather conditions are favorable, you may witness the famous Everest Flag Clouds, a rare natural phenomenon drifting above the summit.
Highlights
- Gyatsola Pass
- Rongbuk Monastery
- Everest Base Camp
- Mount Everest
Meals: Breakfast: Included
Accommodation: Rongbuk Guesthouse
Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp – Tingri – Shigatse
Wake up before dawn to witness the unforgettable sunrise over Mount Everest.
As the first rays of sunlight illuminate the snow-covered summit, Everest gradually transforms into brilliant shades of gold—one of the most iconic landscapes in the Himalayas.
After enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime experience, return to Shigatse in the afternoon.
Highlights
- Mount Everest Sunrise
- Himalayan Mountain Range
Meals: Breakfast: Included
Accommodation: Shigatse Cangyu Yabu Hotel (four-star hotel with oxygen supply)
Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp
Shigatse – Tashilhunpo Monastery – Lhasa
This morning, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas and one of Tibet’s six great Gelug monasteries.
Admire the monastery’s remarkable 28-meter-tall gilded Maitreya Buddha, one of the largest seated Buddha statues in the world.
After the visit, enjoy a scenic drive back to Lhasa across the vast Tibetan Plateau.
Highlights
- Tashilhunpo Monastery
- Giant Maitreya Buddha
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Home2 Suites by Hilton Lhasa or similar (humidifier, oxygen supply, air conditioning)
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Lhasa – Namtso Lake – Lhasa
Today, travel north to the magnificent Namtso Lake, one of Tibet’s three sacred lakes and the world’s highest saltwater lake, situated at 4,718 meters above sea level.
Drive along the famous Qinghai–Tibet Highway, passing the sweeping Northern Tibetan Grasslands, the majestic Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, and crossing the spectacular Nagela Pass (5,190m) before arriving at the crystal-clear alpine lake.
Spend time enjoying the stunning scenery before returning to Lhasa.
Highlights
- Namtso Lake
- Nagela Pass
- Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains
- Northern Tibetan Grasslands
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Home2 Suites by Hilton Lhasa or similar (humidifier, oxygen supply, air conditioning)
Namtso Lake
Namtso Lake
Departure from Lhasa
After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport or Lhasa Railway Station for your onward journey.
As your unforgettable journey through Tibet comes to an end, you’ll leave with lasting memories of sacred monasteries, breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, and the vibrant traditions of the Shoton Festival.
We wish you a pleasant journey and hope to welcome you back to Tibet again in the future.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: \
Dates & Prices
| Month | Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug | 2026-8-11 | $ 1320 | Book now |
You are consulting 2025-04-12 9 Days Tibet Shoton Festival & Everest Base Camp Adventure
Fee Description
Tour Price Includes
- 15–17 seat tourist vehicle throughout the trip
- Hotels listed in the itinerary or similar (Hotels of the same class cannot be specified)
- Daily hotel breakfast
- Entrance tickets and sightseeing shuttle buses listed in the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking Tibetan guide
- Tibet Travel Permit and Border Pass
- Travel agency liability insurance and travel accident insurance
Complimentary Services
- Welcome dinner in Lhasa
- Everest hot pot meal
- Potala Palace afternoon tea or coffee experience
- 10L oxygen tank on the vehicle
- Two portable oxygen bottles per person
- One bottle of mineral water per person per day
Tour Price Excludes
- International and domestic flights or train tickets
- Lunches and dinners
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guide and driver
- Single room supplement
- Optional activities and personal purchases
