Details
Arrive in Lhasa
Whether you arrive in Lhasa by train or plane, our warm Tibetan guide will greet you with a traditional khata scarf and extend our sincerest blessings.
Afterward, the guide and driver will escort you to your hotel in central Lhasa. Along the way, you can admire the magnificent views of the winding Yarlung Tsangpo and Lhasa rivers.
Upon reaching the hotel, the guide will assist you with check‑in. We recommend resting in your room to allow your body to adjust to the high‑altitude environment.
In the afternoon or evening, the guide will meet you with a local Tibetan gift, introduce you to fellow travelers, and provide a detailed briefing on travel tips and cultural etiquette.
Meals: Not Included
Accommodation: Hotels in Lhasa
Lhasa Day Trip: Drepung Monastery-Sera Monastery
After breakfast, we’ll visit Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet. Once home to over 10,000 monks, its halls hold centuries of Tibetan Buddhist history. In the Tsogchen Hall, your guide will introduce you to key figures and core philosophies of Tibetan Buddhism, offering a deeper understanding of this spiritual tradition.
Next, we’ll enter Loseling Buddhist College (or similar), where you can observe how monks study and practice, and even step into their living quarters to glimpse their daily life.
In the afternoon, the tour continues to Sera Monastery. If visiting between Monday and Saturday around 3 pm, your guide will take you to the Debate Garden to witness the famous Sera monastic debates. Experience the lively atmosphere of this ancient intellectual tradition, while learning about its history, significance, and role in monastic training.
The day concludes with a Tibetan‑style welcome dinner, a perfect opportunity to share impressions with your fellow travelers.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner Included
Accommodation: Hotels in Lhasa
Lhasa Day Trip: Potala Palace-Jokhang Temple-Barkhor Street
Your first stop is the magnificent Potala Palace. While enjoying panoramic views of Lhasa, your guide will share stories of the Dalai Lamas’ lives and explain the historical treasures preserved within.
Next, visit Dragon King Pool Park at the foot of the palace. Admire the Potala from different angles and have the chance to join in local Tibetan daily activities.
In the afternoon, step into the spiritual heart of Tibet—the Jokhang Temple. Here you can pay respects to the rare 12‑year‑old life‑size statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. In the temple square, you’ll witness devout pilgrims offering prayers and prostrations.
Outside the temple, walk along the Barkhor Street and join locals in a clockwise kora (ritual circuit), observing how faith is woven into daily life. Finally, follow your guide to a bustling Tibetan teahouse, sip sweet milk tea, and listen to locals chatting about everyday life—immersing yourself in the rhythm of Lhasa.
Barkhor Street
Meals: Breakfast Included
Accommodation: Hotels in Lhasa
Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse
Cross the 4,900-meter-high Gampa La Pass, and the sacred Yamdrok Lake will unfold like a brilliant blue gem. From the pass, you’ll gaze down at the ribbon-like lake and the distant snow-capped peak of Mount Noijin Kangsang (7,191m). Several viewpoints along the lakeshore offer stunning perspectives, and at the far end, you’ll be welcomed into a local Tibetan home for an authentic lunch.
Next, visit the stunning Karola Glacier, where you can witness the breathtaking ice tongue extending down the mountainside. At Simila Pass, join locals in hanging prayer flags and making a wish. In Gyantse, take time to photograph the ancient town.
Finally, travel through barley fields that shift from emerald green in summer to golden yellow in autumn, arriving in Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city. Throughout the day, you’ll be immersed in landscapes of awe-inspiring beauty and vibrant natural colors.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch Included
Accommodation: Hotels in Shigatse
Shigatse-Lhasa
After breakfast, your guide will take you to Tashilhunpo Monastery, the largest monastery in Shigatse and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. Built into the hillside with golden-roofed halls, this spiritual center houses the world’s tallest Maitreya Buddha copper statue. Stroll through the complex and observe monks in maroon robes and yellow hats moving between chapels. With luck, you may even witness a monastic ceremony.
Next, explore the vibrant Samdruptse Old Market, a hub for traditional handicrafts, local products, and colorful Tibetan clothing. More than just a market, it’s a social gathering place where you can immerse yourself in local culture, interact with residents, and glimpse into daily Tibetan life.
Afterward, depart Shigatse and travel back to Lhasa along the Yarlung Valley, enjoying serene views as your journey gently concludes.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner Included
Accommodation: Hotels in Lhasa
Departure from Lhasa
To ensure a smooth departure from Tibet, please provide your flight or train details to your guide in advance. This allows us to arrange your transfer to the airport or station on time. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Safe travels, and see you again in Tibet!
Meals: Breakfast Included
Accommodation: /
Dates & Prices
| Month | Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2026-01 | $ 770 | Book now |
| Feb | 2026-02 | $ 770 | Book now |
| Mar | 2026-03 | $ 770 | Book now |
| Apr | 2026-04 | $ 770 | Book now |
| May | 2026-05 | $ 770 | Book now |
| Jun | 2026-06 | $ 770 | Book now |
| Jul | 2026-07 | $ 770 | Book now |
| Aug | 2026-08 | $ 770 | Book now |
| Sep | 2026-09 | $ 770 | Book now |
| Oct | 2026-10 | $ 770 | Book now |
| Nov | 2026-11 | $ 770 | Book now |
| Dec | 2026-12 | $ 770 | Book now |
You are consulting 2025-04-12 6-Day Cultural Tour of Tibet: Explore Lhasa and Shigatse
Fee Description
Services Included
Permits & Documentation
Tibet Entry Permit processing (excludes express fees and domestic postage to an address in China).
Transportation
Arranged according to group size using licensed tourist vehicles with one seat per person, driven by experienced local drivers.
Accommodation
Standard twin rooms in 3‑star hotels listed in the itinerary (upgrades available with price difference; single supplement applies if no room‑share).
Meals
Breakfasts and special meals as listed in the itinerary (no refund for meals unused due to personal reasons).
Guide Service
Professional Tibetan guides fluent in Chinese/English or bilingual (German, French, Spanish guides available at extra cost).
Entrance Tickets
First‑entry tickets to all attractions listed in the itinerary.
Travel Insurance
Travel accident insurance.
Transfers
Airport/railway station transfers in Lhasa on designated tour start/end dates.
Other Services
Special Tibetan gift, travel map, portable oxygen, vehicle‑carried medical oxygen, bottled water, etc.
Services Excluded
Single Supplement
Accommodation is based on twin‑share standard rooms. If you require a single room or if we are unable to arrange a roommate, a single supplement will apply (please consult your travel advisor for the exact amount).
Transportation to/from Tibet
Cost of flights or train tickets to and from Tibet (we can assist with booking upon request).
Meals Not Included
Meals not specified in the itinerary are at your own expense.
Tips
Tipping is a way to show appreciation for your driver and guide’s service. The amount is at your discretion. A common reference is approximately RMB 50 per person per day for the driver‑guide team.
Force Majeure
Additional costs incurred due to force majeure events such as natural disasters, traffic controls, loss of personal belongings, visa delays, flight delays, or cancellations.
Other Expenses
All personal expenses and any items not mentioned in the inclusions.
