8 Days Tibet Highlights Group Tour with Mt. Everest from $908

Tashi Delek! Welcome to the holy land Tibet. Upon arriving at Lhasa train station/airport, you will be picked up by your local tour guide and escorted to your pre-booked hotel in Lhasa. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the local area and acclimate yourself to the high altitude and weather of Lhasa. A welcoming dinner will be held to welcome all the members in group tour in the evening of today or tomorrow.

Tips for high altitude acclimatization: 1. Go for some walking to acclimate the high altitude but avoid strenuous activities; 2. You’d better not have bath; 3. Drink more water.

Today is your second day in Lhasa. You will visit Drepung Monastery, Tibet Museum and Norbulingka to help you acclimatize yourself to Lhasa’s high altitudes and prepare for tomorrow’s Potala Palace visit.

Your tour guide will pick you up in your hotel, then drive about 30 minutes to visit the Drepung Monastery first. Known as the “mother school ” of Dalai Lamas, this Gelug monastery has a history of more than 500 years. It used to be the largest monastery in the world with totally 10,000 monks there. Many precious stupas, sculptures, paintings, Thangka...are displayed in the hundreds of chapels. And the annual Shoton Festival is organized here.

In the afternoon, take a captivating journey through Tibetan culture with a visit to the Tibet Museum. This enriching experience begins on the first floor, where compelling exhibits showcase the daily life of Tibetans. From traditional dietary practices to transportation, agricultural traditions to intricate handcraft techniques, and vibrant celebrations of Tibetan culture, immerse yourself in the unique customs that define this region. On the second floor, delve into Tibet's rich history, spanning from prehistoric times to contemporary urban development.

Following this museum visit, go to the beautiful Norbulingka, once the exclusive summer retreat for Dalai Lamas and now a breathtaking public garden. Adorned with precious flowers and plants, the garden offers a tranquil escape amidst the backdrop of traditional Tibetan architecture. Revel in the beauty of Norbulingka as you explore its grounds, connecting with the essence of Tibetan heritage.

1) You are not allowed to take photos inside the chapels of the monasteries, but photography of the architecture is allowed; 2) You should take off your hat and sunglasses to show respect when you entering a monastery. Wearing shorts and exposing shoulders are disrespectful; 3) Try to walk and talk quietly to not disturb the living and study of the monks in the monasteries.

After two day's acclimatization, you should be ready physical to defeat the uprising steps to reach the top of the Potala Palace. You will be picked up by your tour guide at your hotel, then go to explore Potala Palace, the symbol of Tibet, in the less-crowded morning. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Potala Palace is the highest (in altitude: 3,700 m) palace in the world. Because of its spectacular architecture style and magnificent Tibetan cultural value, it is lised in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List, and honored as one of the most beautiful architectural buildings in the world. Originally built in the 7th century, Potala Palace is divided into two main parts: the White Palace and the Red Palace. After entering the gate, you will take about 30 mins to walk up along the stone steps to reach the White Palace, which is challenging for most of the tourists as the increasing of altitudes. You are advised to ascend slowly and make some stops to take rest and take photos of the grandiose architecture and panoramic scence of Lhasa city. The White Palace was the living quarters of the Dalai Lama and the office to deal with political and Buddhist affairs. Visit from the White Palace to the Red Palace where many historical relics and important stupas are housed, then exit Potala Palace from its back side.

After lunch, you'll visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Every day, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek here from long distances to worship the Jowo Rinpoche (or Jowo Shayamuni), a life-sized (5 foot/1.5m) statue of the Shakyamuni of age 12 which is one of the most important treasure of entire Buddhist world. Lastly, walk the special circular pilgrimage route as local followers always do at Barkhor Street. You will have chance to get close to appreciate how the artists draw Thangkas at the Thakangka workroom at Barkhor Street.

Tips of today: 1. Wear hat and sun glasses to prevent ultraviolet radiation, but remember to take off when visiting in Potala Palace. 2. Remember to bring your passport which is needed to showcase when check in Potala Palace.

After breakfast, leave Lhasa city, and drive along the Ngachu Valley and cross the Kamba La Pass(altitude: 5,030m), you will get to the famous holy lake Yamdrok (altitude: 4,400m). It is one of the clearest lakes without any pollution in Tibet. The water is as clean as crystal, and the glimmering water will shock you in sunshine. Far in the distance you’ll spot the towering massif Mt. Nojin Kangtsang (altitude: 7,191m). After the sightseeing, keep driving to Gyantse. On route, you will pass by the imposing Karo-la Glacier (altitude: 5,045m) along the highway. After arrival at Gyantse, go to visit the elegant Palcho Monastery (altitude: 4,040m). The highlight is the Kubum Stupa has a 35m-high chorten with its white layers trimmed with decorative stripes and its crown-like golden dome.

Leave Gyantse, and drive about 2 hours to Shigatse City (altitude: 3,800m), the second largest city in Tibet.

Tips of today: 1. Wear warm clothes to prevent from cold and wild; 2. Get your passport prepared for application of Allien's Travel Permit when arrival at Shigatse.

After breakfast, set out to chase the dream journey to the peak of the world - Mount Everest. Departing from Shigatse city, via Lhatse, you will witness spectacular high plateau views that you can never see in other places - super blue sky, float light clouds, stretching snow mountains, endless grasslands... The most highlighting moment is when you get to Gawula Pass (5,250m) where you get off the car to marvel at the spectacular scenery of five glorious peaks over 8,000 meters, Mt. Makalu (8,463m), Mt. Lotse (8,516m), Mt Everest (8,844m), Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201m) and Mt. Shishapama (8,020m) dominating on Himalaya Ranges from left to right. Keep driving about 2 hours from Gawula, you will reach Mount Everest Scenic Area Parking Lot where you will shift on to an eco-bus to visit Rongbuk Monastery (altitude: 5,100m), the highest monastery in the world as well as the best photography location to take photos of the intoxicating view of Mt. Everest, and spend some time exploring the Everest Base Camp.

Accommodation: if you visit Mount Everest during off season (November to April), you will accommodate at Rongbuk Guest House near the Rongbuk Monastery; if you visit Mount Everest during the peak season (May to October), you will accommodate at the Tibetan Tents Camp which is only run between May and October by local Tibetans. It is near Rongbuk Monastery as well. The accommodation at both places is very simple and basic, only dorm beds with communal squat toilets are available. Duvets, heated blankets and hot water will be provided, and you are suggested to bring your own sleeping bag and toilet paper. There is no running water, sinks or showers. The dining room just offers basic breakfast and dinner without menu.

Tips for today: 1) currently Rongbuk Monastery is the closest place on Mount Everest tourists can reach. The original Everest Base Camp and its tablet marker have been moved to Rongbuk Monastery area; 2) Remember to dress warmly all the time and avoid strenuous activity to prevent from high altitude sickness.

Wake up early to enjoy the marvelous sunrise on the peak of the world from Rongbuk Monastery. You will see the top part of Mount Everest is covered by snow and ice all the year round. When the sun shines on the mountain, the peak is like a giant golden pyramid. More often, the thick freely moves clouds and fogs, seems as if a flag with the mast of the peak was swinging, will shroud the peak. This peculiar phenomenon of Mt. Everest is known as “Flag Cloud”. An additional wonder generated here are the bright glaciers, where ices are formed into various shapes like bridges, pagodas and others.

Lastly, leave the Tents Camp and drive along the coming way back to Shigatse.Stay overnight in Shigatse city.

Tips of today: 1) the sunrise usually starts around 6:30 am to 7am on Mount Everest; 2) keep warm all the time.

Today, before returning to Lhasa, you will go to visit one of the most important monasteries in Tibet - Tashilhunpo Monastery. It is conveniently located in Shigatse City.

Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in 1447, is recorded the highest monastery in the Gelukpa tradition, and has been the official seat of successive Panchen Lamas for centuries, which makes it very popular with pilgrims. The monastery is an interesting sprawling amalgam of traditional Tibetan monastic style halls, chapels and other structures connected by precipitous steps and narrow cobblestone alleys. The interplay between Tashilhunpo's golden roofs and its white, red and black exterior walls creates a striking composition. Here you will see a giant statue of Future Buddha, the largest one of its kind on earth (26.2 meters high and 11.5 meters wide), decorated with precious pearls, turquoises, corals and ambers.

Lastly, leave Shigatse, and drive about 5~6 hours to back to Lhasa. Have a good rest.

Today is free for you until your tour guide transfer you to the airport in time for your flight or drop you off at Lhasa train station. Tour ends. Thanks for traveling with Tibet Discovery!

Tips of today: 1) Please pack your luggage carefully, especially for small things like camera charger, power adaptor, mobile phone, phone charger, wallet and towel. 2) If your flight departs in the afternoon, please make sure you check out the hotel before 12pm.