Explore the essence of Western Tibet. This tour is one of the best to see the beauty wild nature of Tibet. Every few mile is Lake, Wild animal and cloud. It will include the atttractions like, Mount Everest, Gang Rinpoche, Guge Dynasty, Dozens of Lakes and Lhasa.
Brief Itinerary for Grand Northern Tibet Tour
Day 1 Lhasa Arrival
Welcome to the roof of the world! You will be pick up at the airport or train station, then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa city at the comfort of your own private vehicle. En route, enjoy the breathtaking view along the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Tibetan features can be seen along the way, including Big Buddha engravings on the hill near the road, colorful prayer flags, and friendly Tibetan people.
After arrival at your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the local area and acclimatize yourself to this high-altitude city at the top of the world.
Day 2 Lhasa Sightseeing
After breakfast, you will firstly visit Norbulingka Park, the former summer palace of Dalai Lama. Explore the beautiful gardens and experience one of the holiest sites in Tibetan Buddhism while soaking up the rich history. Next, come to Drepung Monastery, which was once the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery housing 10,000 monks in its heyday. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks.
Your tour ends at Sera Monastery, where you will get the chance to experience “Buddhism Scriptures Debating”. These debates are unique to Sera and are quite famous. Enjoy the debates!
Day 3 Wondering Lhasa
The overwhelming Potala Palace is your first stop. As the symbol of Tibet, it was built in 641 AD and was the winter palace of Dalai Lama who is Tibet’s pope. Impressive Tibetan architecture, huge golden Buddha statues, red-robed lamas, and devoted pilgrims all make it a must-visit.
In the afternoon, 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. Finally, walk the special circular pilgrimage route as local followers always do at Barkhor Street.
Day 4 Yamdrok Yutso – Gyangtse -Shigatse
Attractions along the way: Yamdro Lake, Karola Glacier, Palkor Choede Monastery, Gyangtse Dzong Castle and Wall.
Distance: 306km, (Depend on time spent on each attraction spot)
Accommodation altitude: 3860m
After breakfast, Guide will picked up you from Hotel, and then drive to Yamdrok Yutso Lake (at least 30 minutes of sightseeing), which is a freshwater lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. The water is as clear as crystal.
Drive forward to Kajola Glacier (about 20 minutes of sightseeing), and the front of the glacier is close to the road. After driving forward, I drove to the heroic city “Jiangzi”, an ancient city with a history of more than 600 years. You can drive to Jiangzi Castle for a long distance.
You can visit Baiju Temple in the ancient city of Jiangzi. Baiju Temple is a typical Tibetan Buddhist temple building that coexists with the Saga, Xialu and Gelug sects and combines pagoda temples. After that, I went to Shigatse to check in.
Day 5 Shigatse → Raz → Dingri → Everest Base Camp (Lungbu Temple)
Attractions along the way: Dazagoula Pass, Mount Everest, Rongbu Temple
Kilometres: 300km about 6h
Accommodation altitude: 4900m
Get up early to visit Zashlunbu Temple (about 90 minutes), and then pass through Lazi (the origin of Tibetan knife) until Ding Day. After a short stop, drive 5 kilometers from Mount Everest to Lulu Border Inspection Station.
Then cross the Dazagoula Pass, from which you can see four snowy mountains above 8,000 meters, followed by Mount Everest (8844.43 meters above sea level), Macaru Peak (8463 meters), Luozi Peak (8516 meters) and Zhuoyou Peak (8201 meters).
After that, I arrived at the new Mount Everest Base Camp Velvet Temple, which is a good place to watch Mount Everest. The time to see Mount Everest is sunrise or sunset in the west. Stay in Rongbu Temple or Dingri County at night.
