Tibet Travel itineraries

Tibet Travel itineraries, how to plan a Tibet trip

Morgen Mo
1187 Words/5 Minutes, By Morgen Mo, Updated April 11, 2023

Tibet is a beautiful and culturally rich region that offers a wide range of activities and sights to see. Some popular itineraries for a trip to Tibet include.

Lhasa and the surrounding areas: This itinerary focuses on the cultural and historical sites around Lhasa, including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Norbulingka Palace. You can also visit the nearby Drepung and Sera Monasteries. Best Lhasa tours >>

Mount Everest Base Camp: This itinerary takes you to the base of the world's highest mountain, where you can see stunning views of the Himalayas and experience the unique culture of the Sherpa people.

Sacred Lake and Mount Kailash: This itinerary takes you on a journey to one of the most sacred places in Tibetan Buddhism, the holy Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash.

Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour: This itinerary takes you on a journey through the Himalayas, starting in Lhasa and ending in Kathmandu. Along the way, you will see beautiful landscapes and experience the unique culture of the Tibetan people.

Lhasa-Nyingchi-Shigatse: This itinerary takes you on a journey through the eastern Tibet, Nyingchi and Shigatse. It will give you the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Tibet and the religious culture of the Tibetan people.

These are just a few examples of the many itineraries that are available for a trip to Tibet. It's important to remember that traveling in Tibet can be challenging and a good tour operator with local knowledge is recommended.

Tibet tour itinerary samples

4-days lhasa tour itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa, Arrive in Lhasa and rest for the day to acclimatize to the altitude (3,656 meters/12,000 feet), Drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activities.

Day 2: Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, Visit the Potala Palace, the iconic landmark of Lhasa and former residence of the Dalai Lama, Explore the palace's many halls, chapels, and courtyards, and admire the stunning views from the roof, Visit the Jokhang Temple, a sacred site for Tibetan Buddhists and the spiritual heart of Lhasa, Observe pilgrims prostrating themselves in front of the temple and explore the lively Barkhor Street surrounding the temple.

Day 3: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery, Visit the Drepung Monastery, once the largest and most influential monastery in Tibet, and learn about its history and significance, Explore the monastery's many halls, chapels, and courtyards, and admire the stunning views of the Lhasa valley, Visit the Sera Monastery, known for its lively debates among monks, and witness the traditional debates in action.

Day 4: Norbulingka Palace and Departure, Visit the Norbulingka Palace, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lama and a beautiful park-like setting with many gardens and pavilions, Learn about the history and significance of the palace, and explore its many halls, chapels, and courtyards, Depart from Lhasa and head to your next destination.

8-day Tibet tour itinerary including mt. Everest camp

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa

Upon your arrival at Lhasa airport or train station, your tour guide will greet you and take you to your hotel. Rest and acclimate to the high altitude in Lhasa.

Day 2: Lhasa City Tour

Visit the famous Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street. Explore Tibetan history, religion, and culture.

Day 3: Lhasa to Gyantse

Drive to Gyantse via the scenic Yamdrok Lake. Visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and Kumbum Stupa.

Day 4: Gyantse to Shigatse

Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama in Shigatse.

Day 5: Shigatse to Tingri

Drive through Lhatse and Shegar to reach Tingri. Enjoy stunning views of Himalayan mountains.

Day 6: Tingri to Rongbuk Monastery

Drive to Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world. Hike or take a shuttle bus to the Everest Base Camp.

Day 7: Rongbuk Monastery to Shigatse

Drive back to Shigatse, en route visit Sakya Monastery, a seat of Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

Day 8: Shigatse to Lhasa

Drive back to Lhasa, en route visit Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier. Say farewell to your guide and transfer to the airport or train station for your departure.

A 15-day Tibet tour itinerary that includes Ali (Ngari)

Day 1-2: Lhasa

Arrive in Lhasa, acclimatize to the altitude and explore the city. Visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street and other attractions.

Day 3: Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake to Gyantse

Drive to Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's three sacred lakes, and then continue to Gyantse. Visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery and Kumbum Stupa.

Day 4: Gyantse to Shigatse

Drive to Shigatse, Tibet's second-largest city. Visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama.

Day 5: Shigatse to Lhatse

Drive to Lhatse, a small town along the Friendship Highway. En route, you'll pass through several high mountain passes and enjoy stunning views.

Day 6: Lhatse to Saga

Drive to Saga, a small town that serves as a gateway to western Tibet. The scenery here is vast and open, with high plains stretching off to the horizon.

Day 7: Saga to Lake Manasarovar

Drive to Lake Manasarovar, one of the holiest lakes in Tibet. Take a dip in the lake and camp overnight on its shores.

Day 8: Lake Manasarovar to Darchen

Drive to Darchen, the starting point for the kora (circumambulation) around Mount Kailash. Take a rest day to prepare for the trek.

Day 9-10: Mount Kailash Kora

Embark on the 3-day trek around Mount Kailash. This is a physically demanding but spiritually rewarding journey that is considered one of the holiest pilgrimages in the world.

Day 11: Darchen to Zhongba

Drive to Zhongba, a small town that marks the halfway point between Darchen and Ali. The landscape here is rugged and otherworldly.

Day 12: Zhongba to Ali

Drive to Ali, the largest town in western Tibet. Visit the Tholing Monastery and the ruins of the ancient Guge Kingdom.

Day 13-14: Ali to Lhasa

Drive back to Lhasa, stopping at various points of interest along the way, such as the ruins of the Tölung Dechen Monastery and the sacred Tsaparang Valley.

Day 15: Departure

Depart from Lhasa and end the tour.

These tour itineraries can be customized according to your interests , budget, and time. It's important to note that traveling to Tibet requires a special travel permit and some restrictions apply, so it's best to plan your trip with a licensed tour operator who can arrange everything for you. Additionally, due to the high altitude in Tibet, it's important to take necessary precautions and acclimatize gradually to avoid altitude sickness.

Check our best Tibet tours or vew the Tibet tour packages you may like >>

Morgen Mo

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