Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Everest Namtso Group Tour

Our staff will greet you at Lhasa Airport/Railway to transfer you to the hotel. From Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa, it usually takes about 1.5hrs; from Lhasa Railway Station, about 20mins. After being transferred to the hotel, the rest of the day, you will be free to wander around the city on your own but try not to overtax yourself. The first day's well-rest is crucial to acclimatize to high altitude. Remember to drink lots of water, eat light, and not shower if you can help it. For our free Lhasa Airport/Railway transfer, please check the Inclusions for the information of our free Lhasa Airport/Railway transfers. Overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★

Highlights: Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery Today you will visit 2 attractions in the Lhasa suburb. In the morning, we will arrange for you to see Drepung Monastery. In the afternoon, we will visit Sera Monastery. You will stay a long hour sightseeing today under the fierce sun of Tibet, so arm yourself with sunglasses/ hat/ sunscreen. Also, a welcome dinner will be held tonight to introduce you to tyou willl travel with. We have customers from all over the world. It will be fun to meet people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. Located about 8km west of central Lhasa, Drepung Monastery was once one of the world's largest monasteries. The word Drepung translates as 'rice heap,' a reference to the huge white monastic buildings that once piled up on the hillside. Sera Monastery is located in the northern suburb of Lhasa City. The monastery was named Sera, which means wild rose in the Tibetan language because the hill behind it was covered with wild roses in bloom when the monastery was built. From of Mon ~ Fri, every afternoon, you'll be able to see monks debating at Sera Monastery. Overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★

Highlights: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street This morning, visit Potala Palace. It is more than 3,700 meters above sea level, and it is the highest palace in the world! At the top of the palace, called golden roofs, you can have a bird-eye view of the whole of Lhasa. In the distance, there are undulating mountain ranges, the beautiful Lhasa River, tracts of fields, tree-shaded villages, and the glistening Jokhang Temple. Afternoon, visit Jokhang Temple; it is the first built during the period of Sontsan Gambo in the 7th century, features Buddhist prayer wheels, reclining deer, golden sutra streamers. You'll find that many Pilgrims pray before the monastery. The circuit around it is called Barkhor Street, a famous local handmade crafts market, a good place to purchase souvenirs. Overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★

Highlights: Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Pelkor Chöde Monastery with Gyantse Kumbum Yamdrotso Lake: dazzling Yamdrotso (level 4441m) is normally first seen from the summit of the Kamba-la (4700m). The lake lies several hundred meters below the road, and in clear weather is a fabulous shade of deep turquoise. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang (7191m). Karola Glacier: Mt Nojin Kangsang stands tall at an elevation of 7,191m between Gyantse County and Nagarzê County, with several snow-capped mountains over 6,000m surrounding it. Mount Nojin Kangsang is the most accessible glacier site on the Tibetan Plateau. The famous Kharola Glacier (level 5,560m) is below the south ridge of Nojin Kangsang. Pelkor Chöde Monastery with Gyantse Kumbum: the sprawling compound in the far north of townhouses Pelkor Chöde Monastery and the monumental Gyantse Kumbum, a chörten filled with fine paintings and statues. Both are deservedly top of the list on most travelers' must-sees. Palkhor lies at the foot of Dzong Hill. It is well-known for its Kumbum, which has 108 chapels on its four floors. The multi-storied Kumbum Stupa was crowned with a golden dome and umbrella, surrounded by more chapels filled with unique religious statues and murals. Overnight in Shigatse, 3★/4★

Highlights: Rongbuk Monastery Tibet has serious rules about speed limits. Though from Shigatse to Everest region is only about 350km or so in the book, the no-more-than-40km/hr regulation and the many road checks dotted on the way slow us down. So be prepared to spend around 10~12hrs on the road, including mealtime. The upside is that the view along the way is superb. Get your camera ready. Also, prepare some snacks with you to bring along. If it's summertime (usually May~Oct), we will carry on the last few kilometers to Everest Tent Camp to stay the night; if it's wintertime (usually Nov~Apr), we will stay at Rongbuk Monastery's guesthouse. Both places have but dorm bed lodging available. In both places, you can see the glorious Everest sunset if the weather is good. You will arrive at Rongbuk Monastery in the late afternoon. The monastery itself is quite tiny, but from here, the view of Mt Everest is fantastic. Rongbuk Monastery is located in the Shigatse Region, southwest of the mysterious Tibet Autonomous Region, and to the north of the oblate Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world. Seen from here, Mt. Everest appears like a lofty pyramid surrounded by mountains that touch the sky. On sunny days, a pile of thick clouds, just like a white flag, floats lightly above the peak, which is known to be the miracle of 'The Highest Flag Cloud in the World.' Nowadays, with the golden travel boom to Mt. Everest, Rongbuk Monastery is gradually becoming a highlight for tourists in its own right. Overnight in Rongbuk, Guesthouse/ EBC, Nomad Tent (Dorm Bed)

Highlights: Everest Base Camp We didn't include breakfast this morning. You will understand why when you're at the spot. Tibetan breakfast, such as noodles, zanba, etc., Abt CNY 30 is available here. You are highly suggested to bring along some cookies, instant coffee, etc., of your own. After sightseeing, we will drive to Shigatse afterwards. Just as the way of the day before, you will also spend about 10~12 hrs or so on the road. Everest Tent Camp is the furthest point vehicles can drive to. From here, you will have to take the shuttle bus for the last glorious 4Km which is incredibly scenic. You're hemmed in by high grey ridges to the east and west, and as you look to the south, Everest's north face dominates the skyline. Endowed with springs, Everest Base Camp (5150m) has a couple of permanent structures and a small army base. Clamber up the small hill festooned with prayer flags for great views of the star attraction, Mt. Everest, then have your photo taken at the base camp marker, reads 'Mt. Qomolangma Base Camp.’ Overnight in Shigatse, 3★/4★

Highlights: Tashilump Monastery We will depart today from your hotel in Lhasa around 08:00ish. The road condition is pretty good, but because of the speed limit, we will spend about 6 hrs on the road. Tashilunpo Monastery is one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat Sect) in Tibet. Also called the Heap of Glory, the monastery is located at the foot of Drolmari (Tara's Mountain), Shigatse. Founded by the First Dalai Lama in 1447, the monastery's structure was expanded by the Fourth and successive Panchen Lamas. It covers an area of nearly 300,000 square meters. The main structures found in the monastery are Maitreya Chapel, Panchen Lama's Palace, and Kelsang Temple. Tashilhunpo has been the seat of Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery, and there are now nearly 800 lamas. Overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★

Highlisht: Namtso Lake Optional: Yampachen Hot Spring On the way to Namtso, you will have a far view of Nyenchen Thanglha Snow Mountain. Enjoy the view of the vast grassland and spectacular natural scenery. You'll arrive at Namtso after passing Nagela Pass (5150m). Namtso Lake is the highest salt lake. It means "holy lake" in the Tibetan language. In the early summer, flocks of wild ducks fly to inhabit here and breed their offspring. Wild animals such as black bears, yaks, wild donkeys, foxes, roe deer, and marmots can often be found around the lake. You can do a bit of trekking at the lakeside. On the way back to Lhasa, we can visit Yampachen Hot Spring (Entry Fee: CNY 40/person; Bathing Fee: abt CNY 50~98/person for different pools) at your own expense if the whole group agrees. Yangbajain lies just south of the Nyainqêntanglha Mountains, famous for Yangbajain Hot Springs, at 4290–4500m, making it the highest altitude set of hot springs in China. Both indoor and outdoor swimming pools have been set up here, in which visitors can enjoy a bath. Overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★

Your 9-day Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Everest Namtso Group Tour ends today. After breakfast, you will be free in the morning. Our staff will collect you at your hotel to transfer you to Lhasa Airport/Railway. End of tour!