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From the iconic Mount Everest and beautiful glacial lakes, to unique and culturally-immersive activities, the list of incredible sights and experiences found in Tibet goes on and on. That’s why narrowing down the list and figuring out a Tibet travel itinerary can be difficult!

Here are some sample itineraries we’ve created to help you make the most out of your trip to Central Tibet, depending on how much time you have.

Monks smiling during debates at Sera monastery
Monks debating at Sera Monastery

If You Only Have 4 Days

Only have a few days to spare in China? Don’t worry — that’s still enough time to squeeze in a visit to Lhasa with many of the key cultural and historical highlights Tibet has to offer!

Day 1: Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar

Head out to the heart of the city, first visiting the Jokhang Temple. This UNESCO World Heritage site is impressive, to say the least. Aside from being a key destination for devout Tibet pilgrims, it also boasts impressive architecture that spans over an area of about 25,000 square meters.

Next, go for a walk through the bustling Barkhor Bazaar that surrounds the Jokhang Temple. Observe locals making crafts such as carpets and ornaments, and pick up unique souvenirs at this famous shopping street.

Day 2: Norbulingka, Sera Monastery

Begin your day with a leisurely stroll through another UNESCO World Heritage site — Norbulingka. The central attraction of this 89 acre flower garden and park area is the Norbulingka Palace, the traditional summer residence of the Dalai Lamas.

Just a short drive away is the Sera Monastery, located at the foothills north of the city. It is one of Tibet’s great religious institutions which, at its prime, housed 5,000 monks. The main attraction of the Sera Monastery is the debates! On weekdays, between 3 and 5pm, monks can be seen practicing their philosophy through religious debates. You don’t want to miss this entertaining and uniquely Tibetan experience!

Day 3: Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery

Kickoff day 3 with a tour of Potala Palace, the former winter residence for Dalai Lamas. This 17th century palace was a construction feat: it’s built on top of a cave and is comprised of over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and 200,000 statues!

Following your tour of the Potala, head over to Drepung Monastery. Historically considered to be the most significant monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, the Drepung Monastery houses seven colleges, each teaching different aspects of the religion. 

Yamdrok Lake
Yamdrok lake, Central Tibet

Day 4: Khamba-la Pass, Yamdrok Lake

On your final day, drive along the Friendship Highway to Kamba-la Pass. It’s a popular viewpoint that offers panoramic views of the pristine Yamdrok Lake. The vibrant turquoise waters of the lake are a stunning sight to behold.

Download our 4-day itinerary


Potala Palace, Lhasa
Potala Palace, Lhasa

Central Tibet in 8 Days

If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting Everest, this itinerary is for you! This travel itinerary takes you through the highlights of Lhasa, then all the way to stand in the shadow of Everest!

Day 1-3: Lhasa

The first 3 days of your trip will be identical to the 4-day itinerary, where you’ll explore the key attractions of Lhasa including Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar, Norbulingka, Sera Monastery, Potala Palace, and Drepung Monastery.

Day 4-5: Lhasa to Shigatse, then New Tingri

Make your way from Lhasa to Shigatse via the Friendship Highway. Along the way, be sure to stop by the Kamba-la Pass for panoramic views of the stunning turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake. Continue along to the other side of Yamdrok Lake for incredible views of the Karola Glacier before reaching your destination for the day, Shigatse.

The next day, continue along the Friendship highway as you travel towards New Tingri. This town is often used as a base for travellers en route to Everest Base Camp.

Mt. Everest at dusk, Tibet
Mt. Everest's North Face at dusk

Day 6: Mt. Everest

The day you see Mt. Everest is finally here! Winding your way upwards through the mountains, your destination is Rongbuk Monastery - the highest monastery in the world! From here you can enjoy the view of Everest’s north face as you check an amazing item off of your bucket list! 

Been hearing stories in the news about Everest being closed? Learn more about how this affects you.

Day 7-8: New Tingri to Shigatse, then Lhasa

Having realized your dream of visiting Everest, it’s now time to return to Shigatse via the Friendship Highway. The following day, you’ll head from Shigatse back to Lhasa. This drive will take you along the Yarlung Tsampo river, and offer views of idyllic Tibetan farming villages.

Download our 8-day itinerary


Trekkers in front of Mt. Kailash
Mt. Kailash, Central Tibet

Kailash and Everest in 14 Days

Are you an active traveller looking to hike the renowned Mount Kailash? Want to explore the awe-inspiring Roof of the World? Cross both off your travel bucket list with this travel itinerary!

Day 1-3: Lhasa

The first 3 days of your trip will be identical to the 4-day itinerary, where you’ll explore the key attractions of Lhasa including Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar, Norbulingka, Sera Monastery, Potala Palace, and Drepung Monastery.

Day 4: Kamba-La Pass, Yamdrok Lake, Shigatse

Travel along the Friendship Highway and stop by the Kamba-la Pass for jaw-dropping panoramic views of Yamdrok Lake. The vibrant turquoise waters of the lake are a stunning sight to behold. Continue along to the Karo-la Pass for incredible views of the Karola Glacier, situated on the other side of Yamdrok Lake. Continue your journey along the Friendship Highway to Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city.

Gyantse, home of the largest Stupa
Gyantse Kumbum, Central Tibet

Day 5: Shigatse

Your first pit stop in Shigatse on day 5 is Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the four great monasteries of Central Tibet. Explore the grounds and join local pilgrims for a kora (a circuit) around the monastery. Afterward, enjoy a visit to the nearby Shigatse Dzong, an impressive hilltop fortress that perches above the town.

Day 6: Shigatse to Saga

Today will be spent primarily on the road as you travel from Shigatse to Saga. Your drive across the Tibetan plateau will be rewarded with scenic views, including grasslands, emerald lakes, and the Raka Tsangpo river valley.

Day 7: Saga to Darchen

Another day of driving will take you along the Tamachok Tsangpo River that stretches across Tibet from west to east. You’ll pass the rolling foothills of the Himalaya that are juxtaposed with the contradictory geography of sand dunes. Catch the sunset over the remote Lake Manasarovar as you approach Darchen in the evening.

Trekkers at the sand dunes of Lake Namtso
Mt. Kailash at dusk

Day 8-10: Kailash

Mount Kailash is a place of considerable spiritual power and religious heritage. It is held to be one of the most religiously esteemed places on Earth. Spend the next several days completing the Kora (circumambulation) around Kailash alongside hundreds of pilgrims. This incredible hike will immerse you in beautiful landscapes while you reach elevations as high as 5,600 m (18,500 ft)!

Day 11: Darchen to Saga

Having accomplished the Kora, retrace your steps back to Saga. Allow your body to rest during the drive in preparation for your next stop: Mt. Everest.

Day 12: Saga to Mt. Everest

Today, you’ll make your way to the jewel of the Himalayan range. On your way up to Mt. Everest, you’ll pass the beautiful turquoise waters of Peiku Lake. Stay awake past sundown to enjoy a striking display of stars that can only be enjoyed at this elevation on Earth! 

Been hearing stories in the news about Everest being closed? Learn more about how this affects you.

Day 13-14: Mt. Everest to Lhasa

Catch a bus ride up to Rongbuk Monastery and catch some awe-inspiring views of Everest’s north face in the morning, before heading back towards Shigatse in the afternoon. 

The following day, you’ll head from Shigatse back to Lhasa. This drive will take you along the Yarlung Tsampo river, and offer views of idyllic Tibetan farming villages.

Download our 14-day itinerary

Have we piqued your interest yet? Drop us a message for details on upcoming trips to the Roof of the World. Extravagant Yak specializes in providing rich and authentic travel experiences in Tibet and we’d be excited to help you arrange your dream trip!

Contact us today

Now that you’ve already decided to buy a ticket and take that trip to Tibet you’ve been daydreaming of, it’s time for you to plan out how long you’ll be staying in various cities and which places you’ll be visiting during your stay. Tibetan culture offers a lot of relics and monasteries to visit. Some of these must-see attractions during Tibet tours and travels are:

1. Potala Palace

Potala Palace

With its towering elevation and the treasures of Tibetan history, religion, culture and art it keeps, this majestic red and white palace is a true symbol of Tibetan Ancestry. This is considered as an iconic image as the Roof of the World, and inside you can find a number of precious sculptures, murals, Buddha statues, religious pieces of jewelry and antiques.

This destination is almost always included in most Tibet tours and travels, and visitation of the estate is limited to one hour per group in order to preserve and protect the building.

2. Jokhang Temple

Jokhang temple

Pilgrims from different parts of Tibet visit this temple and consider it as their spiritual central point. They pray in front of their temple and then circle the temple clockwise.

3. Monk debates at Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery

Wearing their authentic red robes, the monks gather at the monastery’s courtyard every afternoon. During this gathering, the monks debate on various subjects and use a number of interesting gestures, some of whom even jump to give emphasis to their point. A number of tourists find this unusual gathering quite interesting to observe.

4. Yamdrok Lake

Yamdrok

If you’re looking for a scenic view that can blow your mind, then make sure to put Lake Yamdrok on that itinerary. During clear days, the lake takes on a warm shade of turquoise. Within the vicinity of the lake, Tibetan villages and scenic fields of yaks can be seen.

If you travel from Lhasa, getting to the lake will take about 2 hours to drive towards the direction of Shigatse. You can spend half a day near the lake to take pictures or enjoy the tranquillity it brings. Make sure to plan your visit to the lake only from April to October since the road to the lake is closed for the rest of the year due to snow and ice.

5. Mount Everest

Prayer flags at Everest Base Camp

This scenic view is many traveller’s dream and the trek above is many a hiker’s desire. It has an altitude of 5,200 meters and is not advised for faint-hearted folks.

If you wish to avoid the hassle of organizing which places you’ll be visiting and how much time to spend per destination, you can always get in touch with a Tibet travel agency and adhere to the mapped-out plan for the trip they can provide.

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