6 Days Lhasa-Gyantse-Shigatse Tour

Day 1 Arrive in Lhasa

Upon your arrival, our local guide will meet you and transfer you to old town Lhasa city. From airport to Lhasa city is 68km, around one hour and half drive will take you to the holy city Lhasa; from the train station it is only 15km and takes 20 minutes by drive. On the way, you can enjoy the heart-beating highland view along the Yarlong Tsangpo River (the longest river in Tibet). The rest time is free for relax, drink more water for a better high plateau acclimatization.

Day 2 Tour of Lhasa

The first day of sightseeing starts from Lhasa's cardinal landmark-Potala Palace, a structure of massive portions. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. It takes at least a good 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels. In the afternoon, we will drop a visit of the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Everyday, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek a long distance to the temple. The temple is the product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural techniques. Then we will visit Barkhor, the oldest street in a very traditional city in Tibet.

Day 3 Tour of Lhasa

This day's sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the plat roof of hillside, you can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains. Drepung is one of Lhasa's two great Gelugpa monasteries, Later after lunch, witness the Buddhist doctrines debating session at Sera Monastery. With golden roofs and whitewashed walls, this fifteenth-century monastery is one of the six great Gelukpa sect academies in Tibet.

Day 4 Lhasa / Gyantse [3980m] / Shigatse [3840m], 360km, 6-7hrs drive

In the morning drive to Gyantse along the Kyichu River. On the Kamba La (4796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy Lake Yamdrok (4441 m), one of the four holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. Then continue to Gyantse, you can enjoy Ningjinkangsang Snow Mountain and Karola Glacier from a distance on the way as well. Upon arrival in Gyantse, pay a visit to Palkhor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa, which is famous for its very unique architecture, sculpture, and mural painting art.

Day 5 Shigatse / Lhasa 270km, 5hrs drive

Tashilumpo Monastery, Shigatse Today, you’ll visit Thashilunpo Monastery, the throne of Panchen Lama. Afternoon, drive back to Lhasa along Yarlong Tsangpo River via south path with a slightly different route. So, sit back and enjoy another full day of breathless mountains under an endless Himalayan sky. After you arrive at Lhasa, you would have plenty of time on your own to explore what you have missed last time, free walk on the old town street, try unique Tibetan food & tea, etc. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 6 Tour Ends

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and take a last memorable look at the holy city before being transported to the airport/train station.