Day 1 → Arrive Lhasa
You will be met at the Lhasa airport by your Tibetan guide and transferred to the Hotel which is located in the Old Town of Lhasa, elevation 3600 meters. You can then explore the nearby Old Town of Lhasa and the markets lining the famous Barkhor Square where all the pilgrims worship and prostrate around the most holy temple of Tibet, the Jokhang Temple.
Overnight at 4 star hotel in Lhasa at 3,656 meters.
Day 2 → Jokhang Temple and Sera Monastery
After breakfast, you will visit the Jokhang, the holiest Buddhist temple in all of the Himalaya. Each day, many thousands of Buddhist pilgrims come here to worship. Many local nomads have traveled well over a thousand kilometers by foot to see this 1400 year old temple. After lunch, you will visit the 600 year old monastery complex of Sera. While at Sera, you canwatch the monks engage in entertaining Buddhist philosophical debates where the reverent monks passionately work out the finer points of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. In the evening, you will have free time to wander around the old town on your own and walk with pilgrims around the Barkhor Square.
Overnight at 4 star hotel in Lhasa at 3,656 meters.
Day 3 → Potala Palace and Norbulingka (Summer Palace)
Today you will start your day by visiting the massive 1000 room Potala Palace, the most iconic building in Tibet. You will work your way up the steps of the Potala and then go through the most important rooms in this famous UNESCO site. After lunch, you will visit Norbulingka Palace which is known as the summer palace and retreat sight of successive lines of the Dalai Lama since 18th century. If interested then you can visit the Tibet Museum as it is not far from Norbulingka Palace.In the late afternoon and evening, you will have free time to explore Lhasa on your own or do some souvenir shopping. We can also take a night visit to do some photography in front of the lights of the Potala Palace after dinner.
Overnight at 4 star hotel in Lhasa at 3,656 meters.
Day 4 → Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Karo La Glacier - Gyantse - Shigatse
You will depart Lhasa in the early morning and drive through the scenic Yarlung River Valley towards Yamdrok Lake. Yamdrok is one of Tibet’s 4 main holy lakes and is regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in the Himalaya due to its stunning blue color. From the Kamba La Pass, you get a panoramic view of this spectacular lake with the nearby mountains. Next, we will drive along the lake shore to Nankartse, where you will stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we will begin ascending again to the stunning Karo La Glacier. Here, you can get an up close view of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang and the glaciers coming pouring off its 7000 meter peaks. Our next stop is the pleasant town of Gyantse where we will visit the massive Gyantse Kumbum Stupa as well as the Pelkhor Chode Monastery. You will then continue to Shigatse, elevation 3,840 meters.
We will spend the night in a 4 star hotel in Shigatse.
Day 5 → Shigatse - Gyatso La Pass - Everest Base Camp
This day will take you from Shigatse to Tibet’s North Face at Everest Base Camp. Along the way, you will be passing through several small Tibetan farming villages where you will be able to photograph local culture. You will cross over the 5,248 meter high Gyatso La Pass, which offers a sweeping view of the rolling Himalayan Mountains. You will then continue on to the Everest Region crossing over another high pass. This pass, the Geu La, offers a spectacular panoramic view of the glaciers and mountains of the Himalayan Range. From here, you can see 5 of the world’s 15 highest peaks, including Mount Everest. As you arrive in Rongbuk Monastery, you will have the option of walking a short way up to Everest Base Camp for some sunset photos over the world’s highest peak.
Accommodation in Tent or Monastery Guest House at Everest Base Camp.
Note: If time permits in afternoon, then we can do an optional short hiking around EBC and the Rongbuk monastery for more good views
Day 6 → Everest Base Camp - Shigatse
After watching the sunrise on Mt. Everest, you will make the journey back to Shigatse. You will stop again at Rongbuk Monastery and at the Geu La passes for some final views of Mt. Everest. In Shigatse, you will stay again at the 4 star Gesar Hotel. The driving distance from Everest to Shigatse is 350 kilometers and the driving time is 7 hours. Visit the local market in Shigatse in the afternoon. Overnight in Gesar hotel. Note: If time permits, then you can do a pilgrimage walk around Tashi Lhunphu monastery and the historical market where you can actually bargain and find some unique souvenirs for the last time.
Day 7 → Shigatse - Lhasa
After breakfast, you will explore Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the main attraction in Shigatse. This is the largest monastery in the Central Tibet area. You will then follow the beautiful Yarlung River back to Lhasa. You will arrive in Lhasa in the late afternoon with enough time to wander the Old Town one last time and to do any last minute shopping. The distance from Shigatse to Lhasa is 270 kilometers and the driving time is 7 hours.
Overnight at 4 Star hotel in Lhasa.