Nepal7 days
Tibet: Lhasa, Gyantse & Shigatse — 7 Days
Potala Palace, Yamdrok Lake & the high passes of the Friendship Highway
This seven-day circuit connects Tibet's three principal cities—Lhasa, Gyantse, and Shigatse—via the Friendship Highway, a well-maintained route that crosses two of the Tibetan plateau's highest motorable passes. The itinerary centers on religious architecture (Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Tashilhunpo Monastery), monastic communities, and the landscape that surrounds them: Yamdrok Lake, the Karo La pass at 5,045 meters, and views across the Tibetan Himalayas toward peaks including Nazin Kang Sang. All accommodation is hotel-based; travel is by private vehicle with an English-speaking Tibetan guide. The tour assumes travelers arrive either via flight from Kathmandu or by train or air from mainland China.
Highlights
- Potala Palace, the 17th-century residence of the Dalai Lamas, with interiors spanning over 130,000 square meters of state rooms, private quarters, and chapels
- Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism, located in central Lhasa
- Sera Monastery, a preserved complex with whitewashed walls and golden roofs, historically home to one of the three great monastic universities of the Gelug school
- Yamdrok Lake, Tibet's largest lake, visible from Khamba La pass at 4,794 meters
- Karo La pass at 5,045 meters, with views of glaciers descending toward the highway
- Gyantse Dzong, a 14th-century fortress overlooking the Nyang Chu Valley
- Kumbum at Gyantse, a 35-meter-high gold-domed chorten containing chapels and Buddhist murals
- Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet
- Drepung Monastery, built in the 14th century, a former residence of the Dalai Lamas and historically home to approximately 10,000 monks
Day by day
1Arrive in LhasaLhasa · airport or train station · Kathmandu to Lhasa · airport or train station to Lhasa
Your tour begins with arrival in Lhasa at 3,650 meters elevation. Two established routes lead here: a 70-minute flight from Kathmandu crosses the Trans-Himalayan range, offering views of Everest, Kanchenjunga, and surrounding peaks—considered one of the world's most scenic air routes. Alternatively, you can fly or take the world's highest train route from mainland Chinese cities. A Tibetan guide meets you at the airport or train station. The 93-kilometer drive to Lhasa takes approximately 1.5 hours along a direct road. Given the significant altitude, the afternoon and evening are reserved for rest and acclimatization. Your body needs time to adjust to the thin air before exploring. Overnight at hotel in Lhasa.
2Lhasa: Sera, Norbulingka & Jokhang TempleJokhang Temple · Sera Monastery · Norbulingka Palace · Barkhor Square and surrounding markets
Day two focuses on Lhasa's primary religious and historical sites. Sera Monastery, characterized by whitewashed walls and gilded roofs, is visited first with the guide serving as interpreter. Norbulingka Palace, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas, follows. Jokhang Temple, considered the holiest site in Tibetan Buddhism, comprises the next stop. The day concludes at Barkhor Square and the surrounding markets, where merchants sell Tibetan crafts, textiles, and religious articles. Overnight remains in Lhasa.
3Lhasa: Potala Palace & Drepung MonasteryPotala Palace · Drepung Monastery
The second full day in Lhasa is devoted to two major sites. Potala Palace, the monumental 17th-century structure visible from Mar Po Ri Hill, dominates the morning. Its 130,000 square meters of interior space contain the private quarters of the Dalai Lamas, numerous state rooms, and chapels. The afternoon is spent at Drepung Monastery, built in the 14th century and historically the residence of the Dalai Lamas before Potala was constructed. The monastery once sheltered approximately 10,000 monks and remains a site of significant reverence within Tibetan Buddhist communities. Overnight in Lhasa.
4Lhasa to Gyantse via the High PassesLhasa to Gyantse · Gyantse · Khamba La · Karo La pass
A 265-kilometer drive south along the Friendship Highway connects Lhasa to Gyantse over two high mountain passes. The route passes Khamba La at 4,794 meters, where a rest stop provides views of Yamdrok Lake (deep blue in color) and Nazin Kang Sang glacier at 7,252 meters. The journey continues westward to Karo La pass at 5,045 meters, where large glaciers descend visibly toward the road. After approximately six hours of driving, the route enters Gyantse at 3,950 meters, passing through landscape dotted with traditional Tibetan villages. Overnight in Gyantse.
5Gyantse: Dzong & Kumbum; Drive to ShigatseKumbum · Shigatse · Gyantse Dzong · Shalu Monastery · Gyantse to Shigatse
Gyantse is explored in the morning. Gyantse Dzong, a 14th-century fortress, overlooks the town and the Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum, a large gold-domed chorten 35 meters in height, contains multiple chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals; its name translates to "100,000 images" in Tibetan. Following the morning exploration, a 92-kilometer drive proceeds to Shigatse, Tibet's second-largest city at 3,900 meters. En route, a brief stop occurs at Shalu Monastery, approximately 90 kilometers from Gyantse, which combines Han Chinese, Tibetan, and Indian architectural styles. Overnight in Shigatse.
6Shigatse to Lhasa via Friendship HighwayShigatse to Lhasa via Friendship Highway · Lhasa
Drive back to Lhasa across the Friendship Highway. Optional detours available: an overnight stop en route to Nepal, or a side trip to Everest Base Camp. Overnight in Lhasa.
7Departure from LhasaLhasa's airport or train station · Gongar Airport · Lhasa Train Station
Transfer to Lhasa's airport or train station for departure. Transportation to Gongar Airport (approximately 90 kilometers from central Lhasa) or Lhasa Train Station is provided.
Included
- Arrival and departure arrangements
- Private transportation for the entire trip
- Accommodation in hotel twin-sharing rooms
- Everest morning breakfast
- Tibet entrance permit and visa
- Entrance fees for sightseeing
- An English-speaking Tibetan guide
Not included
- Lunch and Dinner for the entire trip
- Air ticket or train ticket to and from Lhasa
- Personal expenses, Insurance, and medical expenses
- Tipping to staffs