Details
Arrival in Lhasa
Meals: \
Accommodation: Lhasa Guizang Manor Hotel (Diffused Oxygen Supply + Humidifier)
Lhasa Airport
Lhasa Railway Station
Lhasa Culture Tour: Lhasa Traditional Handicraft Art Center, Sera Monastery
In the morning, visit the Lhasa Traditional Handicraft Art Center to get hands-on with traditional crafts such as making Tibetan incense, practicing Tibetan calligraphy, and learning block printing techniques. Tibetan incense, made from ingredients like juniper, sandalwood, cedarwood, cinnamon, and medicinal herbs, is often used in Buddhist rituals. With guidance from a local teacher, you can write your name in Tibetan, carve it, and print it as a keepsake. You’ll also take home your handmade incense and printed text as souvenirs. In the evening, enjoy a Tibetan-style group dinner.
In the afternoon, take a 20-minute (7 km) drive to Sera Monastery, one of Tibet’s three major Gelug university monasteries. Here, you’ll get a close look at Tibetan Buddhist life. The highlight is watching the monks’ debate, held daily from around 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. (except Sundays). During the debate, one monk stands to ask questions while others sit and respond; hand claps and foot stomps are symbolic actions that represent activating wisdom rather than aggression. You can also observe prayer sessions, visit meditation halls, and learn more about monastic traditions. Visiting Sera Monastery offers a deep insight into Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and daily practice.
Meals: Breakfast: Included Lunch: Not included Dinner: Not included
Accommodation: Lhasa Guizang Manor Hotel (Diffused Oxygen Supply + Humidifier)
Enjoy Happy Time to Make Tibetan Incense
Sera Monastery
Lhasa City Tour: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
In the morning, visit the Potala Palace, Tibet’s most famous landmark and the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. After climbing about 365 steps to the Red Palace at 3,700 meters, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of Lhasa. Inside, explore the main halls, chapels, and shrines filled with exquisite murals, carvings, and treasures that reflect centuries of Tibetan history and devotion. Many pilgrims visit this sacred site to pray. Your guide will also share stories about King Songtsen Gampo, who first built the palace in the 7th century for Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. (Note: visits follow scheduled ticket times, last about one hour, and photography inside is not allowed.)
Then, visit Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet and a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists. Built over 1,300 years ago by King Songtsen Gampo for his two brides—Princess Wencheng and Princess Bhrikuti—it houses a revered life-size statue of the 12-year-old Sakyamuni Buddha. Admire its traditional Tibetan architecture and observe pilgrims praying outside day and night.
Afterward, stroll along Barkhor Street surrounding the temple. Once a sacred pilgrimage circuit, it’s now a lively market where you can enjoy yak butter tea, try on Tibetan clothes for photos, and shop for local crafts and souvenirs.
Meals: Breakfast: Included Lunch: Not included Dinner: Not included
Accommodation: Lhasa Guizang Manor Hotel (Diffused Oxygen Supply + Humidifier)
Potala palace
Barkhor Street
Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse: Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier
In the morning, after about 3 to 4 hours of driving (around 200 km), get your camera ready as you reach Kampala Pass (4,797 m). From there, you’ll see the breathtaking Yamdrok Lake below and the distant snow peaks of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar. Yamdrok is one of Tibet’s four great sacred lakes and offers some of the most beautiful views on the plateau. Local Tibetans believe it can help find the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. You may also spot Tibetan mastiffs, goats, and yaks dressed up for photos—taking pictures with them costs around 5–10 yuan and helps locals earn a little extra income.
In the afternoon, continue driving for about 1.5 hours (70 km) to visit the stunning Karola Glacier, one of Tibet’s most beautiful and accessible glaciers. Located at the foot of Naiqin Kangsang Peak (7,191 m), it sits just beside the road from Lhasa to Gyantse. You can admire it from your car or take a short walk to its base, where the glacier looks like a frozen waterfall cascading down the mountain. Across the road, enjoy the view of the snow-covered Mt. Kalurong—together, they create one of the most scenic spots in Tibet.
Meals: Breakfast: Included Lunch: Not included Dinner: Not included
Accommodation: Shigatse Cangyu Yabu Hotel (four-star hotel with oxygen supply)
Yamdrok Lake
Karola Glacier
Shigatse – Mt. Everest: Gyawu La Pass, Rongbuk Monastery, Mt. Everest Base Camp
Leaving Shigatse, after about 4.5 hours of driving (240 km), you’ll catch your first sight of Mt. Everest from Gyawu La Pass (5,200 m), located between Lhatse and Shelkar. From here, the winding road stretches endlessly into the distance, and you’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas. You might also see locals biking or hiking toward Everest Base Camp—a journey many consider a sacred challenge and a lifelong dream.
After admiring the spectacular mountain scenery, continue driving for about 3.5 hours (122 km) to Rongbuk Monastery for your first close-up view of Mt. Everest. Sitting at 5,154 m, Rongbuk is the highest monastery in the world and a deeply spiritual place. Once a cluster of meditation huts, it still has ancient caves where monks once meditated over 400 years ago. The area offers incredible photo opportunities—white chortens, mani stone piles, colorful prayer flags, and the majestic peak of Everest in the background. In the evening, enjoy a group dinner near the Everest Base Camp with a comforting hot pot meal.
Meals: Breakfast: Included Lunch: Not included Dinner: Not included
Accommodation: Rongbuk Guesthouse
Gyawu La Pass
Rongbuk Monastery
Everest – Shigatse: the Sunrise over Mt. Everest, Gyatso La Pass
Watching the sunrise over Mt. Everest is an unforgettable experience. You can wake up early and hike to a nearby viewpoint to enjoy the stunning moment when the first light touches the world’s highest peak — a scene that represents both natural beauty and human perseverance.
Afterward, return to Gyatso La Pass (also known as Gyawu La Pass, the Dingri Boundary) for a brief photo stop before continuing the 4.5-hour drive (240 km) back to Shigatse.
Once back in Shigatse, check in to your hotel, relax with a shower, and rest for your departure the following day. (Please note that depending on conditions, your return to Lhasa will be arranged either by train or by vehicle.)
Meals: Breakfast: Included Lunch: Not included Dinner: Not included
Accommodation: Shigatse Cangyu Yabu Hotel (four-star hotel with oxygen supply)
Sunrise of Everest
Mount Everest under the snow
Shigatse to DamXung or Lhasa: Tashilunpo Monastery, Yampachen, Grassland in Northern Tibet
This morning, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet’s Tsang region, founded by the 1st Dalai Lama in 1447. It is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas, Tibet’s second-highest religious figures. Here, you can explore ancient tombs, chortens, and beautifully decorated halls, while learning from your guide about the history and connection between the Dalai and Panchen Lamas. You may also hear monks chanting and join locals walking the kora path. Don’t miss the view from the top of the monastery, overlooking Shigatse city.
After the visit, drive back to either Damxung (about 5.5 hours, 325 km) or Lhasa (about 8 hours, 340 km), depending on travel conditions. Along the way, you’ll pass Yampachen, known for its natural hot springs, and see the vast northern Tibetan grasslands, home to nomadic families and herds of yaks and sheep.
Stay overnight in Lhasa or Damxung.
Meals: Breakfast: Included Lunch: Not included Dinner: Not included
Accommodation: Lhasa Guizang Manor Hotel (Diffused Oxygen Supply + Humidifier)
Tourists at Tashilhunpo Monastery
Yangpachen Hot Spring
DamXung or Lhasa to Namtso
Departing from Lhasa, drive about 280 km to reach the viewing point of the Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Range (7,162 m), one of Tibet’s most sacred mountains. Along the way, you’ll pass vast grasslands dotted with yaks and sheep, and if lucky, you may spot wild animals such as kiangs, pikas, hares, or foxes. After crossing Laken La Pass (5,190 m), you’ll arrive at the breathtaking Namtso Lake — one of the highest and most beautiful lakes in the world.
Namtso Lake, known as one of Tibet’s three holy lakes, is believed to be the dwelling place of a goddess. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and open plains, the lake’s crystal-clear waters shift from deep blue to turquoise throughout the day, offering incredible photo opportunities. You can explore Tashi Dor Island, visit small monasteries, and enjoy the peaceful scenery of the sacred lake, often referred to as the “wife” of Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain.
Notes: In winter, due to bad weather (heavy snow), Namtso Lake may occasionally close. At that time, our itinerary will be adjusted as follows:
Day 07: Shigatse back to Lhasa
Day 08: Lhasa – Ganden Monastery (Kora trekking) – Lhasa
Afterward, head back to your hotel in downtown Lhasa.
Meals: Breakfast: Included Lunch: Not included Dinner: Not included
Accommodation: Lhasa Guizang Manor Hotel (Diffused Oxygen Supply + Humidifier)
Namtso Lake
Namtso Lake
Lhasa Departure
Your 9-day Lhasa–Shigatse–EBC Tibet Group Tour with Yamdrok and Namtso Lakes comes to an end today. Your guide will accompany you to the airport or train station for your departure to the next destination.
Thank you for traveling with China Dragon Travel. We appreciate your trust and hope to welcome you again on your next journey through China or Asia. Have a safe and pleasant trip!
Meals: Breakfast: Included Lunch: Not included Dinner: Not included
Accommodation: \
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