Lhasa

Airport transfer with guide(1.5 hours)

Your licensed guide arranges everything. The drive follows the Yarlung Tsangpo river valley. Do not carry heavy bags — let the driver handle them

Check-in at hotel near Barkhor area(1 hour)

Hotels in the old Tibetan quarter (200-800 CNY/night). Drink 3-4 liters of water today. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours

Light walk around hotel neighborhood(1 hour)

DO NOT exert yourself. Walk slowly, breathe deeply. Headache and shortness of breath are normal. If symptoms worsen (confusion, persistent vomiting), tell your guide immediately

Early dinner and rest(1 hour)

Tibetan restaurants near Barkhor serve thukpa (noodle soup, 20 CNY) and momo (dumplings, 15 CNY). Eat lightly. Go to bed early — your body is adjusting to 36% less oxygen than sea level

Potala Palace(2.5 hours)

Entry: 200 CNY (May-Oct), 100 CNY (Nov-Apr). Daily limit of 5,000 visitors — your guide books 1-3 days ahead. The 130m climb is breathless at altitude — take it very slowly. No photography inside main halls. The Red Palace (religious) and White Palace (political) tell Tibet's history. Allow 2-3 hours

Lunch at Makye Ame restaurant(1 hour)

On the Barkhor circuit. Tibetan, Nepali, and Western food. The yak steak (45 CNY) and butter tea (10 CNY) are the local choices. Legend says the 6th Dalai Lama met his lover here

Barkhor Street kora (pilgrimage circuit)(1.5 hours)

1km clockwise walk around Jokhang Temple with pilgrims spinning prayer wheels. Vendors sell turquoise jewelry, yak butter, prayer flags, thangka paintings. ALWAYS walk clockwise. Bargain to 40-50% for souvenirs

Jokhang Temple(1.5 hours)

Entry: 85 CNY. Tibet's most sacred temple (647 AD). Pilgrims prostrate outside all day. The rooftop terrace has stunning Potala Palace views. Visit in the morning for the most intense devotional atmosphere

Drepung Monastery morning visit(2 hours)

Entry: 50 CNY. 8km west of Lhasa. Once the world's largest monastery (10,000 monks). The Ganden Palace was the Dalai Lamas' residence before the Potala. The golden rooftop halls and massive thangka display wall are highlights

Lunch at a Tibetan restaurant near Sera(1 hour)

Try tsampa (roasted barley flour, the Tibetan staple — mix with butter tea) and yak meat momos

Sera Monastery and monk debates(2.5 hours)

Entry: 50 CNY. 5km north. Famous for dramatic daily debates 3-5PM (except Sundays) — monks clap, stomp, and gesture debating Buddhist philosophy. No flash photography. The courtyard atmosphere is electrifying. Arrive by 2:30PM for a good viewing spot

Evening: Potala Palace night view from Chakpori Hill(1 hour)

The viewpoint from the hill across the road offers the classic postcard shot of the illuminated Potala. Free. Bring a tripod for night photography

Norbulingka (Jewel Park)(2 hours)

Entry: 60 CNY. The Dalai Lama's summer palace (est. 1755). Beautiful gardens and the New Summer Palace (1956) with murals depicting Tibetan history. Less crowded than the Potala and more intimate

Tibet Museum(1.5 hours)

Free. Near Norbulingka. Covers Tibetan history from prehistoric times through Buddhist art. Good English labeling. The thangka painting collection is excellent

Lunch at a Lhasa teahouse(1 hour)

Butter tea (po cha, 5-10 CNY) is an acquired taste — salty, buttery, and fortifying at altitude. Sweet tea (ja cha, 3-5 CNY) is more approachable. Pair with tsampa balls. Watch local life unfold

Walk through Lhasa old town alleyways(1.5 hours)

The lanes behind Barkhor Street have traditional Tibetan houses with prayer flags, incense smoke, and elderly people spinning prayer wheels on stoops. This is residential Lhasa — less performative, more real

Drive to Ganden Monastery(1.5 hours)

Your guide arranges transport. The road climbs steeply with switchbacks — stunning views of the Kyi Chu valley

Ganden Monastery tour(2 hours)

Entry: 40 CNY. Founded by Tsongkhapa (1409), founder of the Gelug school. The monastery was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and is being rebuilt. The assembly hall and Tsongkhapa's golden tomb are the highlights

Ganden kora hike(2 hours)

A 1.5-hour circumambulation at 4,300m with views of the entire Kyi Chu valley and snow-capped peaks. Extremely beautiful but physically demanding at altitude. Walk slowly, drink water constantly. Prayer flags line the entire path

Rest evening(1 hour)

After a day at 4,300m, your body needs recovery. Light dinner and early bed

Drive to Namtso Lake(5 hours)

250km from Lhasa. Cross the 5,190m Lagenla Pass — the highest point of the trip. Altitude symptoms may intensify. Keep acetazolamide handy

Namtso Lake exploration(3 hours)

Entry: 120 CNY (peninsula area). The turquoise water at 4,718m surrounded by snow peaks is otherworldly. Walk along the shore of Tashi Dor peninsula. The sky at this altitude is impossibly blue

Return to Lhasa(5 hours)

Long day — total 10 hours of driving plus 3 hours at the lake. An overnight stay at a basic guesthouse on the peninsula (300-500 CNY, basic facilities) is highly recommended if your schedule allows — the sunrise over Namtso is one of Tibet's most sacred sights

Morning Barkhor kora(1 hour)

One last clockwise walk with the pilgrims. Spin the prayer wheels, smell the juniper incense. This circuit has been walked daily for 1,400 years

Souvenir shopping on Barkhor(1 hour)

Prayer flags, singing bowls, turquoise jewelry, yak bone carvings. Bargain gently. Quality turquoise pieces: 100-500 CNY

Airport transfer(1.5 hours)

Your guide drives you to LXA. The journey down from 3,650m to the airport valley is actually a slight descent — you may feel better on departure than arrival

Very light walk(1 hour)

Walk slowly. Drink 3-4 liters water. No alcohol 48 hours

Light dinner and early bed(1 hour)

Thukpa (20 CNY), momos (15 CNY). Body adjusting to 36% less oxygen

Gentle morning walk through old town(1.5 hours)

Slow pace. Stop frequently. The old town alleyways behind Barkhor are flat and atmospheric

Tibet Museum(1.5 hours)

Free. Tibetan history and thangka collection. Indoor, no physical exertion

Lunch at Makye Ame(1 hour)

Yak steak (45 CNY), butter tea (10 CNY)

Afternoon rest at hotel(2 hours)

Read, journal, let your body adjust

Evening walk to Potala viewpoint(30 minutes)

The illuminated Potala from the square is spectacular

Potala Palace(2.5 hours)

200 CNY. 130m climb — very slow at altitude. No photos inside

Jokhang Temple(1.5 hours)

85 CNY. Tibet's holiest. Rooftop Potala views

Barkhor kora(1.5 hours)

Clockwise circuit. Prayer wheels, vendors, pilgrims

Drepung Monastery(2 hours)

50 CNY. 8km west. Once world's largest monastery

Sera Monastery & debates(2.5 hours)

50 CNY. Debates 3-5PM except Sundays. Arrive 2:30PM

Norbulingka(2 hours)

60 CNY. Beautiful gardens, 1956 murals

Walk old town alleyways(1.5 hours)

Residential Lhasa. Prayer flags, incense, prayer wheels

Teahouse afternoon(1.5 hours)

Butter tea (5-10 CNY) or sweet tea (3-5 CNY). Watch local life

Monastery tour(2 hours)

40 CNY. Tsongkhapa's golden tomb

Ganden kora hike(2 hours)

1.5hr circumambulation at 4,300m. Prayer flags, valley views. Walk slowly

Free morning(3 hours)

Sleep in. Your body needs recovery days at altitude

Thangka painting workshop(2 hours)

Several studios near Barkhor offer drop-in painting classes (200-400 CNY). Learn the centuries-old technique of painting Buddhist deities on cloth. Your guide can recommend a studio

Dinner at Snowland Restaurant(1 hour)

Popular with both locals and travelers. Yak burger (35 CNY), Tibetan set meal (50 CNY)

Drive to Namtso Lake(5 hours)

250km. Cross 5,190m Lagenla Pass. Altitude symptoms may intensify

Tashi Dor peninsula exploration(2 hours)

120 CNY. Walk the shore. Turquoise water at 4,718m. Impossibly blue sky

Sunset at Namtso(1 hour)

Watch the sun set behind snow peaks reflected in the still lake. One of Tibet's most sacred and beautiful moments

Overnight at peninsula guesthouse(Evening)

300-500 CNY. Very basic (no shower, pit toilet). Sleeping at 4,718m is difficult — headache is normal. Worth it for sunrise

Sunrise at Namtso(1.5 hours)

Wake at 5:30AM. The first light hitting the snow mountains reflected in the mirror-still lake is transcendent. Dress warmly — near-freezing even in summer

Morning lakeside walk(1 hour)

Circumambulate the peninsula with nomadic yak herders and pilgrims. Prayer flags stretch between rock pillars

Rest evening(2 hours)

Recovery after two nights at extreme altitude

Drive Lhasa to Gyantse via Yamdrok Lake(6 hours)

Cross the 4,990m Kamba La pass for the first view of Yamdrok Lake — turquoise water surrounded by brown mountains. Stop for photos (30 minutes). Continue over the 5,010m Karo La pass (glacier visible from the road). Arrive Gyantse by late afternoon

Yamdrok Lake photo stops(1 hour)

The lake changes color with the light — from turquoise to sapphire to emerald. Each pass offers a different perspective

Check into Gyantse hotel(30 minutes)

Small town at 3,977m. Simple hotels 150-300 CNY

Gyantse Kumbum stupa evening(1 hour)

Entry: 60 CNY. The multi-level stupa (1427) has 108 chapels with original murals spiraling to the top — each level depicts a different Buddhist deity. The most unique Buddhist architecture in Tibet

Gyantse Dzong fortress(1 hour)

30 CNY. Climb the ruined fortress above town for panoramic views. The fort saw the last major Tibetan resistance to the 1904 British expedition. The hilltop views of the valley and Kumbum below are worth the climb at altitude

Drive Gyantse to Shigatse(1.5 hours)

90km along the Nyang Chu river valley. The road passes through barley fields and small villages

Tashilhunpo Monastery(2.5 hours)

Entry: 55 CNY. The seat of the Panchen Lama and Tibet's largest functioning monastery. The 26m bronze Maitreya (Future Buddha) statue took 4 years and 279 kg of gold to complete. The monastery is active with hundreds of monks — more authentic daily practice than the Lhasa monasteries

Shigatse evening walk(1 hour)

Shigatse's old quarter near the monastery has traditional Tibetan shops and restaurants. Try yak tongue (niushe, 30 CNY) and chang (Tibetan barley beer, 5 CNY)

Drive Shigatse to Lhasa(5-6 hours)

280km via the northern Friendship Highway route. The road follows the Yarlung Tsangpo (upper Brahmaputra) through wide valleys with sand dunes and braided river channels. Different scenery from the Yamdrok route

Roadside village stops(1 hour)

Your guide will stop at villages where you can see traditional Tibetan farming life — barley threshing, yak herding, and women weaving on outdoor looms

Arrive Lhasa(30 minutes)

Check back into your Lhasa hotel

Evening rest(2 hours)

After three days on the road, rest well

Morning Barkhor kora(1 hour)

Walk with the pilgrims one more time. Each circuit reveals something new — a face, a gesture, a detail you missed before

Ani Tsankhung Nunnery(1 hour)

Small, active nunnery in the old town. Free entry. The nuns chant in a dim chapel filled with butter lamp light. Far less visited than the big monasteries and deeply atmospheric

Souvenir shopping(1.5 hours)

Prayer flags (10-30 CNY), singing bowls (100-500 CNY), turquoise and coral jewelry, yak bone carvings. Buy from Barkhor shops for quality

Farewell Tibetan dinner(1.5 hours)

Full Tibetan meal: tsampa, momos, yak curry, butter tea, and chang. The Tibetan Family Kitchen near Barkhor serves authentic home-style food (set meal 80-120 CNY)

Last Barkhor walk(1 hour)

One final clockwise circuit. Spin the prayer wheels, breathe the juniper incense

Airport transfer with guide(1.5 hours)

Your guide accompanies you to LXA. The descent to the airport valley is the reverse of your arrival — you are likely feeling much stronger now than you did 14 days ago

Light walk(1 hour)

Walk slowly. 3-4 liters water. No alcohol

Tibet Museum(1.5 hours)

Free

Potala Palace(2.5 hours)

200 CNY. Slow climb

Jokhang Temple(1.5 hours)

85 CNY

Drepung(2 hours)

50 CNY

Sera debates 3-5PM(2.5 hours)

50 CNY

Norbulingka(2 hours)

60 CNY

Monastery(2 hours)

40 CNY

Thangka painting class(2 hours)

200-400 CNY

Drive(5 hours)

Cross 5,190m pass

Tashi Dor peninsula(2 hours)

120 CNY

Guesthouse overnight(Evening)

300-500 CNY. Basic. 4,718m altitude

Ani Tsankhung Nunnery(1 hour)

Free. Active nunnery with butter lamp chanting

Meru Nyingba Monastery(1 hour)

20 CNY. Tiny monastery opposite the Jokhang's east side. Ancient murals, almost no visitors

Drive via 4,990m Kamba La pass(3 hours)

First view of turquoise Yamdrok Lake from the pass is jaw-dropping

Continue to Gyantse via 5,010m Karo La(3 hours)

Glacier visible from road

Gyantse Kumbum stupa(1 hour)

60 CNY. 108 chapels spiraling upward

Gyantse Dzong fortress(1 hour)

30 CNY. Panoramic valley views

Tashilhunpo Monastery(2.5 hours)

55 CNY. 26m bronze Maitreya. Active monks

Shigatse evening(1 hour)

Yak tongue (30 CNY), chang (5 CNY)

Shigatse market morning(1.5 hours)

The Tibetan bazaar near Tashilhunpo sells yak cheese, dried meat, and Tibetan boots. More authentic than Lhasa tourist shops

Shigatse Dzong ruins walk(1 hour)

The hilltop fortress ruins (free) above town offer views of the monastery and Nyang Chu valley

Drive Shigatse toward EBC(6-7 hours)

Cross Gyatso La (5,220m) and Pang La (5,150m) with the first view of the Himalayan skyline including Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. The Pang La panorama of five 8,000m peaks is one of Earth's great views

Arrive at Rongbuk area(Evening)

The tent guesthouse camp at Rongbuk (5,000m) is the highest accommodation on the trip. Basic beds, no shower, freezing at night. Bring your warmest layers. The monastery (world's highest) is a 10-minute walk

Evening Everest views(1 hour)

If clouds clear at sunset, the north face of Everest glows gold. At 5,000m, every step is slow and deliberate. The silence is absolute

Walk to Everest Base Camp marker(1.5 hours)

From the tent camp, walk or take the shuttle bus to the 5,200m base camp marker (25 CNY shuttle). The north face of Everest towers above. On clear mornings, the summit plume of snow is visible. Photography at the marker is obligatory

Rongbuk Monastery visit(30 minutes)

The world's highest monastery at 5,000m. A small chapel with Everest framed in the window. Monks live here year-round

Drive back toward Shigatse(6-7 hours)

Retrace the route. The Pang La view is equally impressive in the opposite direction. Arrive Shigatse by evening

Rest in Shigatse(Evening)

After two days at 5,000m+, the relative comfort of Shigatse (3,840m) feels luxurious

Drive Shigatse to Lhasa(5-6 hours)

280km via the northern route along the Yarlung Tsangpo river. Sand dunes, braided channels, farming villages

Roadside stops(1 hour)

Village barley threshing, yak herding, traditional weaving

Sleep in(4 hours)

After 5,200m, Lhasa at 3,650m feels like sea level. Your body deserves this rest

Lunch at Dunya Restaurant(1 hour)

Western and Asian fusion popular with travelers. Good coffee (rare in Lhasa), pasta, and Tibetan dishes. 40-80 CNY

Massage or spa(1.5 hours)

Traditional Tibetan herbal massage at a local spa. 150-250 CNY. The herbal oils are said to help with altitude adjustment

Mentsikhang (Tibetan Medical Museum)(1.5 hours)

Entry: 30 CNY. Tibetan medicine uses herbal remedies, astrology, and meditation — a system developed over 2,500 years. The thangka of the Medicine Buddha (a medical teaching scroll) and herbal pharmacy are fascinating

Visit a thangka painter's studio(1.5 hours)

Your guide can arrange a visit to a working thangka artist's studio near Barkhor. Watch the meticulous process of painting Buddhist deities with mineral pigments. A small thangka: 500-3,000 CNY depending on detail

Pilgrim circumambulation — Lingkhor path(2 hours)

The Lingkhor is the longer outer kora circuit around all of Lhasa (8km). Once walked through fields, it now follows modern roads but is still walked by devout pilgrims. Walking it gives a sense of Lhasa's full extent and deep faith

Drive to Samye ferry crossing(2.5 hours)

130km southeast of Lhasa. The drive follows the Yarlung Tsangpo gorge

Ferry across the Yarlung Tsangpo(30 minutes)

The river crossing (in a flat-bottomed boat) is atmospheric. The monastery appears gradually on the far bank. Small motorboat or traditional ferry depending on water level

Samye Monastery(2.5 hours)

Entry: 40 CNY. Tibet's first monastery (775 AD), designed as a 3D mandala — the central hall represents Mount Meru, surrounded by smaller temples in a cosmic pattern. The murals in the main hall are among Tibet's most important

Sunrise Barkhor kora(1 hour)

Walk with the earliest morning pilgrims — the light and devotion are at their most intense before 8AM

Revisit Jokhang rooftop(1 hour)

The Potala Palace view from the Jokhang roof in morning light. Your last photograph of the iconic scene

Final souvenir shopping(1.5 hours)

Prayer flags, singing bowls, turquoise. Last-chance purchases

Farewell Tibetan dinner(1.5 hours)

Tibetan Family Kitchen. Full set: tsampa, momos, yak curry, butter tea, chang. This is goodbye to the roof of the world

Evening: write or reflect(1 hour)

Three weeks in Tibet changes perspectives. Take time to process what you have seen and felt

Last Barkhor walk(1 hour)

One final clockwise circuit. Juniper incense. Prayer wheels. 1,400 years of devotion

Airport transfer(1.5 hours)

Guide drives to LXA. Goodbye to the roof of the world