Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Everest Namtso Group Tour
- Duration:
- 9 Days
- Price:
- From USD1280
- Route:
- Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Shigatse - Lhasa - Lake Namtso - Lhasa
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Group Tour
- Group Size:
- Max 12
Overview
This tour will lead you to explore the most featured sites of authentic Tibetan culture in the holy city of Lhasa like the world heritage Potala Palace, sacred Jokhang Temple, etc. After that, head straight to Gyantse and Shigatse in the west, experience the distinct culture of western (Ü-Tsang) Tibet, and discover new experiences and wonders by driving along the stunning turquoise Lake Yamdrok and enormous Nyenchen Kangsar glacier under the shinning plateau sun. Viewing Mt. Everest from Tibet, you will find that it's unobscured by other mountains and undoubtedly more magnificent than any of her Himalayan neighbors. So it's easy to feel awed by nature’s greatest achievement. Then a day excursion to the holy Lake Namtso which is not only the closest place to heaven but also to the soul.
| Day | Route | Attractions & Activities | Accommodation | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m) | Pick up and transfer to the hotel | Lhasa, 3★/4★ | |
| 2 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Drepung Monastery, Tibet Museum, Norbulingka | Lhasa, 3★/4★ | B |
| 3 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street | Lhasa, 3★/4★ | B |
| 4 | Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse, 360km, Approx. 7hrs | Yamdroktso Lake, Karola Glacier, Pelkor Chöde Monastery | Shigatse, 3★/4★ | B |
| 5 | Shigatse - Tingri - EBC, 350km, Approx. 7hrs | Gawula Pass, Sunset of Golden Everest Peak | Nomad Tent (Dorm Bed) / Guesthouse | B |
| 6 | EBC - Shigatse, 350km, Approx. 7hrs | Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp | Shigatse, 3★/4★ | |
| 7 | Shigatse - Lhasa, 280km, Approx. 5hrs | Tashilhunpo Monastery | Lhasa, 3★/4★ | B |
| 8 | Lhasa- Namtso- Lhasa, 460km, Approx. 6hrs | Holy Namtso Lake | Lhasa, 3★/4★ | B |
| 9 | Lhasa Departure | Send off to the airport/railway station | B |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseOur staff will greet you at Lhasa Airport/Railway Station to transfer you to the hotel. From Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa, it usually takes about one hour; from Lhasa Railway Station, about 20 minutes. After being transferred to the hotel, you will be free for the rest of the day to wander around the city on your own but try not to overtax yourself. Your good rest on the first day is crucial to acclimatize to the high altitude. Remember to drink lots of water, eat light, and avoid strenuous activities. As the capital city, Lhasa is the political, economic, cultural, communication and tourism center of Tibet with a history of over 1,300 years.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
After breakfast in the hotel, the tour guide will take you to Drepung Monastery, the biggest Tibetan monastery that housed more than 10,000 monks in the past. Drepung means Rice Heap in the Tibetan language. The entire monastery is large in scale and the white buildings cluster and cover the hillsides. It's the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect.
In the afternoon you will first visit the Tibet Museum. Here you can see life scenes, exquisite clothing, house architecture, and festival customs, etc. to explore the special and mysterious Tibetan customs. Then you will visit Norbulingka, which is a typical Tibetan-style royal garden, the summer resort of the Dalai Lama.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Today, you will go to the famous world heritage Potala Palace. It’s situated on the Red Hill of central Lhasa. Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace in the world, reaching 3,767.19m (12,359.55ft) at the topmost point. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.
In the afternoon, take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the center of Lhasa old town. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims. After you visit the temple, you'll have time to walk around the Barkhor Street, which is one of the most devotional circuits as well as the crowded central market of Lhasa since the early days. As a symbol of Lhasa, it is also a must-see place for visitors.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
- Meals:
- Breakfast
From Lhasa to Gyantse is about 264km, you will pass by Khamba-la Pass (4,790m), where you will be amazed by the breathtaking glimpse of the holy Yamdrok Lake with its turquoise color and snow-capped Mt.Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. About two hours away from Yamdrok Lake, there is Karola Glacier. It isn’t a big glacier, but the white glacier looks spectacular from the highway, and it is close enough (about 300 yards).
Arriving at Gyantse, you will visit Pelkor Chode Monastery. This magnificent multi-door structure is the largest stupa in Tibet, which is not only a stupa but also has old sculptures and paintings all around its inner walls. Then head to Shigatse via the fertile Nyangchu Valley, a wide agricultural plain where colorfully decorated yaks and horses are used by Tibetan farmers.
Stay overnight in Shigatse
- Meals:
- Breakfast
In the morning, you will leave Shigatse for Lhatse, a small town located 150 km from Shigatse, and you may have lunch in a local restaurant. After a short rest, you will go ahead to Tingri. You will pass Gyatsola Pass (5,248m), where you can hang prayer flags and spread Longda, letting the wind carry your blessings to heaven. In the late afternoon, you enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve. You can enjoy the panorama of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass (5,198m). Then you'll drive along the New Zigzag road to Everest Base Camp (5,200m) to stay overnight. If the weather is good, you can have a clear view of the sunset of Golden Everest Peak.
Stay overnight in Nomad Tent (Dorm Bed) / Guesthouse
- Meals:
- Breakfast
When you get up, you will see a striking view of luminous peaks highlighted by the sun and definitely, which is the best time to get some nice shots of the Everest sunrise. After that, we will go to the Rongbuk Monastery, which is the highest monastery in the world.
Then, you will drive back to Shigatse and enjoy the fabulous view along the way.
Stay overnight in Shigatse
In the morning, drive to visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery which was founded by the First Dalai Lama in 1447, the monastery's structure was expanded by the Fourth and successive Panchen Lamas. Tashilhunpo has been the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery, and there are now nearly 800 lamas. After that, you’ll drive back to Lhasa.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
- Meals:
- Breakfast
In the morning, we drive to the holy Namtso Lake. On the way to Namtso, you will have a far view of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains. Enjoy the view of the vast grassland and spectacular natural scenery.
You'll arrive at Namtso Lake after passing NagelaPass (5,150m). When standing at the famous Nagela Pass, you can see the stunning view of the holy Namtso Lake. Being the second largest salt lake in China, Namtso covers a total area of more than 1900 square kilometers, the furthest depth being more than 33m. Namtso is also the highest-altitude salt lake in the world with an elevation of 4,718 meters. Besides, you can enjoy the view of the Sky-Road railway with snowy mountains background. In the late afternoon, you will drive back to Lhasa.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Cost & Calendar
All prices are in US Dollar / Person
Economic Class (3-Star Hotels)
| 2025-04-01 ~ 2025-05-31 | 2025-06-01 ~ 2025-06-30 | 2025-07-01 ~ 2025-10-10 | 2025-10-11 ~ 2025-10-31 |
| USD1280 | USD1310 | USD1330 | USD1290 |
Comfortable Class (4-Star Hotels)
| 2025-04-01 ~ 2025-05-31 | 2025-06-01 ~ 2025-06-30 | 2025-07-01 ~ 2025-10-10 | 2025-10-11 ~ 2025-10-31 |
| USD1390 | USD1415 | USD1490 | USD1390 |
Schedule
No desired date of departure? Please send us an inquiry and we will try to arrange your tour according to your plan.
Discount Policy
You may only enjoy one of the advantageous policy, not both.
| Option A: | 3 or More from You Join Together | $30 Off / person |
| Option B: | Tour in Apr~Oct |
|
Our Service
INCLUSIONS
* Lodgings: 7 Nights, twin room en suite in 3★/4★;
1 Night, dorm bed at GUESTHOUSE or NOMAD TENT;
* Meals: 7 breakfasts & 1 welcome dinner;
* Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
* Lhasa Railway Station transfer at all times on the first & last day;
* Pick-up from Lhasa Gonggar Airport to your hotel at 9:30 am, 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm on the first day;
* Drop-off from your hotel to Lhasa Gonggar Airport at 8:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm on the last day;
* Guide: experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
* Attractions: all entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary;
* Permit: Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit; Alien's Travel Permit to be applied in Shigatse with your original passport which takes about 30mins;
* Travel Agency Liability insurance;
* Government Tax;
* Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);
* Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
* Oxygen tank for emergency use;
* Two bottles of mineral water per person per day;
EXCLUSIONS
* International flight to and out of China;
* Domestic flight/train to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.);
* If you miss the free transfer schedule due to flight delay or cancelation, then you are required to pay a private transfer from USD 80/vehicle/time;
* Lunch & Dinner are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 5-15 USD per person for each meal;
* While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. You are suggested to tip each of them 8-15 USD/day in total;
* All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payment. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
* Personal expenses;
* Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions;
Note
* Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit (TTB) usually takes about 12-working-day to apply. If you couldn’t provide the required docs & info on time, an extra handling fee will be charged. Please consult your travel consultant for details;
* We reserve the right to change the itinerary order and attractions in Lhasa;
* If you prefer to book your own hotels over those included in our group tour, pls meet the rest of the group at their daily hotel on time. We don’t include the transfers to your own hotels;
* We need to pick up and drop off all tour members of the group on the first & last day from Lhasa Airport/Railway Station, thus there may not always be a guide's presence but a driver;
* Due to the special nature of Tibet travel, any unforeseeable and unavoidable objective circumstances, including but not limited to natural disasters, war, terrorism, riot, civil commotion, strikes, public health emergencies, government action, major traffic jams, delay or cancellation of flight/train, attractions temporarily closed. etc., resulting in a change of itinerary, the increased cost will be paid by travelers; if any attraction visit has to be canceled due to the same reasons above, GTT won't be held responsible for a refund except for certain attraction entrance fees which will be solely decided by GTT;
* Single Supplement: our quote is based on twin rooms. For single travelers, a single supplement is required at the time of booking. If later we manage to match you with another traveler to share the twin room, the single supplement will be refunded;
* The accommodation condition at EBC is kind of basic due to the geographic and climatic situation. If you want a better travel experience, Rongbuk Monastery Hotel is our recommendation for you. However, there are limited rooms, especially during the peak tourist season. Thus, if you want to stay at Rongbuk Hotel, please contact us in advance as there's some price difference, then we can upgrade the hotel for you;
* All members of the same group must be with the same tour guide during the whole trip. So all members must follow the same itinerary and visit the same attractions. If anyone requests to change the scheduled arrangement for own reasons, you need to get permission from other members and accept the possible payment change if any;
Yes. We have safely reached home. Thanks a lot for the arrangement. The guide and driver were great. Other than the cold weather, which can be hard to bear at times, the trip has been a smooth and memorable one. Will definitely recommend your agency to others who want to see Tibet. Derrick ....
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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by Pari***
Planning on coming to you from NYC. I think we need to apply for the Chinese visa as well as the Tibetan travel permit. Let me know how you can assist in helping me arranging for those.
Dear Pari***,
Yes, we can obtain the Tibet Travel Permit(TTP) or Bhutan Visa for you. However, before applying for the TTP, you first need to obtain the China Visa, which usually takes about 15-25 days.
During your China Visa application, if Chinese embassies request more details of your tour, we are happy and capable of providing you with the supporting docs for you to apply for China visa.
Asked by Pete***
We will be in Kathmandu in late May and would like to visit Tibet - the 9 day tour looks good. Is there a minimum number of participants for the tour to go ahead? What is the cost for the 4 star accomodation?
Dear Peter****,
Right now, we have a 9-day Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Everest Namtso Group Tour departing on 2 June. Is the date availble for you?
The minimum number for this group tour is three. The tour price varies according to the month. I can quote you after you confirm the travel date.
Asked by Anto***
Hello all,
I am currently spending a semester abroad in Shanghai. I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to join this trip to Tibet, if it is still possible. As a German, I have often spent winter vacations in the Alps, where I am familiar with cold temperatures and higher altitudes. However, I have never experienced anything quite like this trip, and I am very excited about the possibility.
Please let me know if I can join the trip.
Dear Anto***,
We can arrange the Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Everest Namtso for you. Usually, we don't arrange group tours to Namtso Lake because there may be heavy snow in the Nagqu area. However, we can arrange an 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Group Tour and a one-day private Namtso tour. Up to now, we have a confirmed group departure date on 6 Dec, would you like to join?
Asked by Sybi***
Hello, I have a few questions: How long does it take to get a visa for Tibet? I am a German citizen and would fly from Seoul directly to Lhasa. Where would receive the visa?
Dear Sybil****,
We can arrange the 9-day Lhasa EBC Namtso Group tour for you. Currently, we have a group departure on 11 October and you can arrive in Lhasa on 11 October to join.
It usually takes 12 working days to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit. If the process is fast, we may obtain it in one week. From 1 October to 7 October is the National Holiday, so we need to submit the documents for the permit application this week at the latest. Please send the scan of your passport to me.
There's no direct flight from Seoul to Lhasa, you can take a transit flight and we will express the permit to your hotel in China.
Asked by Jenn***
Hello,
Is it possible to book this tour for Nov 10th for 2 persons? What would be the price? I will be travelling on a HK Return Home Permit, but I don't have a Hong Kong passport, will this be a problem? Do I need a passport to get the Alien's Travel Permit?
Thank you.
Dear Jenn***,
We can arrange Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Everest Group tour for you departing on 10 Nov. For Namtso, there's no group tour after November as the snow may block the road so we can arrange a one-day private tour and a private send-off for you. HK Return Home Permit can get to Tibet without a Tibet permit but you will still be required a border pass. May I know if both of you hold HK Return Home Permits? If so, you don't need Alien's travel permit.
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