6-Day Private Tibet Tour: Lhasa, Gyangtse, and Shigatse

Day 1: Lhasa Airport Pick-up

1. 1h
   Your guide will meet you outside the baggage claim area at Lhasa Airport, where the altitude is almost 12,000 feet (3,650 m) above sea level. A comfortable drive will transfer you to check in your hotel. It is suggested that you have a good rest at the hotel for the remainder of the day to acclimate to the high altitude in case of acute mountain sickness.

Day 2: Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Norbulingka Park

1. Drepung Monastery (Zhebang Si)
   3h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast, you are going to visit the Drepung Monastery, located in the western suburb of the city. It is one of the 'Three Great Monasteries' and the largest one in Tibetan Buddhism. Looking at it from a distance, the monastery is like a heap of rice, consisting of a group of white buildings layer upon layer.
2. Norbulingka (Precious Stone Garden)
   1h · Admission ticket included
   After that, you'll visit the nearby Norbulingka Park, the most beautiful and largest man-made park in Tibet. This park was built 200 years ago and used to be the Summer Palace of religious leaders of the region.
3. Sera Monastery
   2h · Admission ticket included
   In the afternoon, you will first visit the Sera Monastery, the second largest monastery in Tibet, which is well-known for the excellent debating of Buddhist doctrines among lamas.

Day 3: Potala Palace, Tibet Museum, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street

1. Potala Palace
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Your impressive excursion to the splendid Potala Palace is scheduled in the morning. Originally built in the 7th century as an imperial palace, the Potala Palace has experienced a 600-year's unrest until the reconstruction in the 17th century. From then on, it has been the political, religious, cultural, and economic center of Tibet. Currently, it is the largest treasure house of this mysterious land, attracting a great number of travelers and pilgrims every day.
2. Jokhang Temple
   2h · Admission ticket included
   After lunch, you will proceed to the 1370-year-old Jokhang Temple, the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims. You will get close to Tibetan Buddhism here and learn about the loyal believers.
3. Barkhor Street
   2h
   Next, you will continue to the iconic Barkhor Street, where you will find the original look of Lhasa. Strolling on the stone road, you will enjoy the quaint ancient buildings and the delicate handicrafts.
   
   Finally, you will head to a Nunnery to get close to the lifestyle of Buddhist nuns.

Day 4: Lhasa - Gyangtse - Shigatse

1. Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
   3h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast, your guide will take you to Gyangtse by private vehicle. On the way, you will first stop to pay a visit to a local family, and you can have a deep understanding of the life of local Tibetan people by talking with them.
   
   Continue the trip to the Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. Located at an altitude of 4,441 meters, this picturesque lake features its pure water winding through mountains, which bring it some interesting names like Coral Lake and Green Jade Lake. During the drive, you will also enjoy the beautiful landscape of the snow-capped Karola Glacier.
2. Gyangze Old Street
   1h
   On arrival in Gyangtse, you will be helped to check in your hotel and have a short rest. Then you will ramble leisurely through the Gyangtse Old Street to enjoy the different lifestyle and immerse in the peaceful ambiance.
3. 1h · Admission ticket included
   After that, you will be accompanied to visit the Palcho Monastery, which is famous for being the Tibetan Buddhism center. Another highlight is Kumbum Stupa, which collects numerous delicate Buddha murals and various clay, copper and gold statues. You can even climb up inside the stupa to appreciate the impressive artistry.
4. Pala Manor
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Drive to Shigatse. Drop by the Pala Manor, the main estate of the Pala family, one of the three well-preserved great manors of Tibetan aristocrats. Here offers an insight into the past luxury life of Tibetan old nobilities. Now it preserves 57 rooms with exquisite murals and some of the furniture also remains.
5. Shigatse
   1h
   Continue driving you to Shigatse and check in at the local hotel.

Day 5: Shigatse - Lhasa

1. 2h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast, we will visit the largest temple in Shigatse area, the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the biggest temple in Shigatse. Covering an area of 150,000 square meters, this 570-year-old monastery is not only famous for its importance in Tibetan Buddhism, but also for its splendid buildings and murals.
2. Lhasa
   5h
   Drive you back to Lhasa and transfer you to the hotel there. Tibet is a vast land permeated with mystery and national characteristics. During the long drive, you can enjoy the fascinating natural scenery along the way.

Day 6: Departure from Lhasa, Airport See-off

1. 1h
   After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the Lhasa Gonggar Airport on time for your departure flight. We wish you a pleasant journey!

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
• On the first day of your arrival, avoid vigorous activities such as walking fast, running and swimming. Bathing and smoking are also not recommended.
• Tibet tours must be booked at least 30 days in advance; upon booking, clear copies of all travelers' passports and Chinese visas must immediately be sent to the local tour operator in order to apply for and obtain your Tibet travel permit in time for your tour
• Please note that if your Chinese visa is not an 'L' tourist visa, then you need to provide supplementary letters from your sponsored organization; please contact the local operator for more details
• If you're flying into Tibet from mainland China: You need the original copy of the Tibet travel permit that the local tour operator will send to your hotel in mainland China. Therefore, please provide your hotel details (name, address and contact numbers) and your hotel reservation number. If you are not staying at a hotel and have a connection flight to Tibet from mainland China, please provide detailed flight information so the local operator can arrange someone from the tour company to deliver your permit to you at the airport in China when you arrive
• If you're taking a train to Tibet from mainland China: You will only need a printed copy of the Tibet permit, which you will receive from the local operator via email
• If you fly into Tibet from Kathmandu, Nepal: You don’t need to have a Chinese visa, but you do need a Tibet Group Visa (same as a Chinese visa) from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. When you send the copy of your passport to the local tour operator after booking, the staff will help you to get the Tibet Group Visa. The Tibet Group Visa fee is not included in the tour price, so you will be asked to pay at the embassy. Please keep in mind that even if you have a Chinese visa, if you enter Tibet from Nepal, it is required that you have the Tibet Group Visa. Please be advised that when you apply for the Tibet Group Visa, the Chinese Embassy will cancel your current visa. You can only apply for the Tibet Group Visa through a local Nepalese agent, so this tour operator's local agent in Nepal will help you obtain it