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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

It’s often said that the journey is just as important as the destination - this statement certainly holds true when travelling to Everest. The journey from Lhasa (the main port entry for tourists visiting the Everest Base Camp from Tibet) to Everest Base Camp is filled with spectacular views and historical monuments dating back thousands of years.

Visitors heading from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp will likely travel via the old Friendship Highway, which is around 800 kilometers long and takes roughly two and a half days to drive. It can be done faster if you take the new highway to Shigatse, but the views the old highway have to offer more than make up for the extra 4-5 hours of driving. You will also want to consider travelling with the company of a local Tibetan guide who can highlight everything that these locations have to offer.

Here are a few of our favorite sights to see along the Old Friendship Highway:
Key points along the Friendship Highway
Popular sites along the Friendship Highway

Lhasa - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Norbulingka Palace

Lhasa itself is home to three UNESCO world heritage sites–the Potala Palace, Norbulingka, and Jokhang Temple. The Potala Palace served as the winter residence for the Dalai Lamas, and is famous for its magnificent architecture and stunning palace grounds. Just a kilometer away lies Norbulingka Palace, the former summer palace for the Dalai Lamas that is famous for its beautiful and well-preserved flower gardens.

Also within walking distance to Potala is the Jokhang Temple, which is easily distinguished by its iconic golden roof. It is a massive monastery that spreads over an area of about 25,000 square meters and is widely considered to be the most sacred temple in Tibet.

Surrounding Jokhang Temple is the Barkor Bazaar. Walk down the cobblestone road and observe Tibetans making their crafts using traditional methods. Barkor Bazaar is a great place pick up souvenirs and goods (like yak butter) that you won’t find anywhere else! While you’re there, be sure to stop by Metok Karpo for a taste of authentic Tibetan foods and flavors.

Golden hour at Potala Palace
As one of the highest altitude palaces in the world, Potala Palace is visible from anywhere in the Lhasa Valley.

Kamba-La Pass, Yamdrok Lake, and Karo-La Pass

The Kamba-la Pass is a popular viewpoint for those travelling along the Friendship Highway. It overlooks the majestic turquoise gem of Yamdrok Lake and offers spectacular panoramic views of the pristine lake. Numerous streams from nearby mountains feed into the lake, giving it it’s unique shape and earning it the alternate name of Coral Lake by locals. On the other side of Yamdrok Lake is the Karo-la Pass which, at the summit, offers views of the immense Karo-la Glacier.

Turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake
Yamdrok Lake is the largest inland and freshwater lake on the northern Himalayan range.

Shigatse

The journey along the Friendship Highway will lead to Shigatse, the second largest city in Central Tibet, with a population of over 700,000. It is most famously known for Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the four great monasteries of Central Tibet. Inside the highest temple, a huge statue of the Maitreya, the Future Buddha, can be found. It is the largest bronze Maitreya in the world and is a sight to behold. A tour of the monastery grounds also leads to the Shigatze Dzong, a fortress that overlooks the town.

Gawu-La Pass

The view from Gawu-la Pass is incredible. At 5,198 meters above sea level, the Gawu-la Pass viewing platform provides the first panoramic views of Mount Everest and the Himalayan giants. Colorful Tibetan flags decorate the area, framing the sweeping mountain ranges beautifully. This makes for a great photo op!

Looking out at the Himalayan range from Gawula Pass
Gawu-la Pass offers amazing otherworldly views of the Himalayan range.

Rongbuk Monastery

Robngbuk Monastery lies just 8 kilometers from Everest Base Camp and is the highest monastery in the world. Inside, the walls are adorned with beautifully painted murals, while the observation deck provides dramatic and unobstructed views of Everest.

Ready to embark on the trip of a lifetime?
Let us help you plan your trip to this majestic wonder of the world. We have 8 trips travelling along this route and are happy to customize tours to best suit your needs!

Contact us today

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