Overview

China travel map - Journey to Mt. Everest

Travel on the roof the world - from the holy Potala Palace to awe-inspiring Mt. Everest, from mysterious lamaseries and monasteries to extraordinary scenery of Tibet plateau, this 8 days Tibet Tour takes you to see all! The other highlights including Sera Monastery, Drak Yerpa, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street,  Yamdrok Lake, Palkor Monastery, Rongbuk Monastery, Tashilumpo Monastery.

Duration: 8 days & 7 nights

Destinations: Lhasa - Shigatse - Rongbuk Monastery - Shigatse - Lhasa

Starting Point: Lhasa

Ending Point: Lhasa

Customize Your Tour:
☑  Travel Dates  ☑ Your Interests  ☑ Your Travel Style

Day

Welcome to Lhasa! Your Tibet adventure begins with a gracious welcome meeting at the airport. After you grab all your belongings, you will be escorted by your private local guide and driver to the hotel. We don’t arrange any site visits or activities today, so you may just relax at hotel or walk a bit to acclimatize yourself to the weather and high altitude on the roof of the world.

  You May Want to Know  

  • To better adapt the altitude, it is better for travelers, especially those from low altitude regions, to take a morning flight into Lhasa.
  • If you prefer accommodation in Lhasa with special oxygen supplies, please don’t hesitate to let your trip advisor at ETC know.

Today, you’re visiting word’s highest altitude palace and castle - Potala Palace. The greatest masterpiece of Tibetan architecture, it is famous for its sheer size, grandeur, and collection of incredible Buddhist treasures. Admire the mighty White Palace and Red Palace, and listen to the stories how Potala Palace was built by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo to marry Princess Wencheng, who came call the way to Tibet from the Tang Dynasty due to the “political marriage”. Then witness a unique form of debate – among the lamas at Sera Monastery. They are very active debating by speaking out their views and using odd gestures. Don’t get them wrong, they are not fighting or quarreling. It is actually a great way to exchange ideas and learn the Buddhist classics, and has been practiced for thousands of years.

Meal: B, L

Potala Palace

Set out this morning for Norbulingka, the summer palace for Dalai Lama, to view its fascinating collection of sacred Buddhist sculptures, pagodas and Thangka, and precious plants. There are more than 100 species of plants, including common plants in Lhasa, exotic flowers and plants from the south and north foothills of the Himalayas, as well as rare flowers from the mainland China and abroad, making it a plateau botanical garden in Tibet. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Temple, a sanctuary for all Tibetan Buddhist that makes Lhasa the holy city. Here you’ll meet the a life-like Shakyamuni statue aged 12 and may feel deeply moved when seeing devoted pilgrims on all fours praying in front of Jokhang Temple. Later today on the scared road of Barkhor Street, you may join the locals’ kora (walk around in circle for religion). The street, which connects the old town of Lhasa, is also a perfect place to get introduced to daily Tibetan life. 

Meal: B, L

Jokhang Temple

Depart from Lhasa and head for Shigatse. Pass through the amazing plateau setting and get to Yamdrok Lake, another beautiful holy lake in Tibet. This jewel-like lake is in a shape of coral branch with 21 islands and homes to a variety of migratory birds, such as yellow duck, swan, heron, sand gulls. It is the largest water bird habitat and a paradise for wild birds in Tibet. Take a brisk walk by the Yamdrok Lake and have picnic lunch. Continue driving, your will pass the Simila Pass at 4352m and view Kharola Glacier before arriving at Gyantse town to explore the majestic Gyantse Dzong or named Gyantse Fortress on a mountaintop. It was a unity of politics and religion in the feudal times. Standing on the rugged mountain cliff, overlooking the Nianchuhan Plain, Gyantse Dzong looks majestic and magnificent. Then, be further immersed in the timelessness of Tibetan Buddhism as you visit Palkhor Monastery, an important monastery founded in 1414. It has beautiful white pagoda, thus also named Baiju Monastery. Later in the afternoon, arrive in Shigatse.

Meal: B, L

Baiju Monastery

Today, it is time to explore Everest area. Venture through the other-worldly wildness with 3-hour drive on bumpy road, getting to Rongbuk Monastery. For long-time urban dwellers, standing at Rongbuk Monastery, world’s highest altitude, quietest and coldest temple, you may feel like you’re experiencing another life. Here you can also witness the monks and nuns’ seriously hard way of life. What’s more important, Rongbuk Monastery is close the base camp for climbing Mount Everest from the north slope. It is a rare chance to take in the dramatic views of Everest. Overnight at local basic guesthouse.

  Important Notes:  

  • At such high altitude, you’re suggested to carry some medicine or herb to prevent and reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness if needed.

Meal: B, L, D

You have to get up early this morning, to capture the magical sunrise over the Everest. Look to the south, you can see the highest peak on Earth like a huge pyramid in the shadow of brilliant sunlight, towering between the peaks, daunting and awe-inspiring. There are many chances to take photos of Everest and Himalayas. And you will find it a truly once-in-a-life-time journey. After you accomplish your “dream of Everest”, go down and drive along the zigzagging road again back to Shigatse.

Meal: B, L



Visit the famous Tashilumpo Monastery, the seat of successive Panchen Lamas. It is one of Tibet’s great four temples of Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism, with enormous scale, elegant layout and beautiful architecture. Like Potala Palace, Tashilumpo Monastery also has palace wall, winding uphill, as long as 3000m. There are 57 prayer halls, and 3,600 houses, with a plethora of valuable Buddhist relics. Journey overland back to Lhasa, along Yarlung Tsangpo River, the longest and most legendary plateau river in China, originating from Angsi Glacier in north of Himalayas. The scenery along the road is stunning and never bores you. 

Meal: B, L

Tashilumpo Monastery

On the last day of your 8 days adventure tour of Tibet and Everest, be transferred to the airport and say goodbye. Fly back home with precious memories.

Meal: B

What's included

  • 1-on-1 Travel Consultant

    Your China based expert listens to your wishes carefully, provides professional advice, ensures unlimited itinerary revisions before done and 24/7 helpline service while traveling.

  • Private Local Guide and Driver

    Your guides are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, and your drivers are professional, polite and patient. They are very flexible to accommodate your personal needs and happy to show you the local attractions, history, culture, foods and real life. 
    Private transfers from hotel to attractions, airport or train station are also included.

  • Accommodation to Suite Your Preference

    In each place, we hand pick hotels ranging from luxury 5 star, superior 4 star to comfortable 3 star. Luxury or cozy boutique hotels and budget guesthouses are also among your choices. You could decide where to stay to meet your taste and budget.

  • Gourmet Meals

    Most of the hotels we select offer both Western and Chinese buffet breakfast. Lunch and dinner included are arranged in selected restaurants to taste authentic Chinese cuisine and local specialties. Thus you may also have a unique food tour.
    Meals specified in itinerary as B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner.

  • Attractions and Activities Listed on the Itinerary

    Our China tour packages have included the (first/main) entry to all attractions and the expenses of activities on the itinerary (except the optional activities).

  • Internal Transportation

    Based on your needs, we could make bookings of internal transportation, including domestic flights, inter-city trains, long-distance bus, etc.

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