Fulfill the Most Scenic Pilgrmage in Tibet
This private Tibet tour includes the best of Lhasa and the most rewarding trekking route near Lhasa.
You'll ascend into the amazing Potala Palace, visit the top three monasteries of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, witness the magnificent landscape between the Lhasa River valley and the Yarlung-Tsangpo Canyon, meet friendly Tibetan people, and arrive at "the cradle of Tibetan history and culture"at the end.
Lhasa and a Ganden–Samye Trek Map
Tour 'Wow' Points
Connect the Lhasa River Valley and the Yarlung-Tsangpo Canyon with Your Footprints
Follow in the steps of Tibetan monks'pilgrimaging between the two great monasteries. Experience the snowy mountains and awesome valleys, rivers, lakes, and meadows during a 4-day trek.
See Tibet's First Palace and Greatest Palace
Discover the origins of the Tibetan history in Yumbulakang Palace, and unlock stories of the mysterious Dalai Lamas in the Potala Palace.
Step into Tibetan Life in the Less-Touristy Corners of Barkhor Street
Feel the piety of local Tibetans as you see them worship with their whole body touching the ground. Explore a local market to experience Tibetan daily life and sit in a peaceful nunnery for a cup of sweet tea that's loved by locals.
Appreciate the Splendid, Fortress-Like Ganden Monastery
Visit the ancestral monastery of Tibetan Buddhism's Gelug Sect. Enjoy the magnificent architectures, exquisite murals, priceless Buddhist art work, and the tranquility there.
Delight in the Lovely Colors of the Pagodas in Samye Monastery
Visit the "cradle"monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. Find clues to the birth and development of Tibetan Buddhism in Samye's architecture, containing the styles of India, the Han Chinese empire, and Tibet's own distinctive identity.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Incredible Life Experience with an Incredible Guide and Driver
There’s so much to say about this trip and our guide and driver who made it amazing for us. The culture and the sites are incredible to witness. From Lhasa to Shigatse to Everest Basecamp to Qirong Border, our guide (Dechen) gave us the most amazing tour and was incredibly knowledgeable about all the sites along the way. She made sure we felt welcome and were comfortable the entire time (from picking us up at the airport with traditional scarves, having heavy blankets ready to keep us warm, prayer flags for us to experience local culture, and oxygen bottles for us when the altitude got to us). Such an incredible experience, made even better by our guide Dechen and our amazing driver who got us around safely and comfortably. How he could navigate hundreds of switchbacks without making us carsick is a true testament to his driving skills. We felt very safe with him at the wheel. Thank you both! more
Dec 2024, Robert S
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Wonderous experience to close 2024
We are a family of 4 with two kids with allergy. This was our third time travelling with China Highlights. So Leon, our planning guide, knows very well what our requirements and likings are. All the planning was as smooth as they can be. Our local Lhasa guide was Khamsang who has excellent knowledge in all things Tibet, from nomad's life style, city life, religion, food and many more. This was children's first time on high altitude trip and as had expected one of them got quite sick. Khamsang, a mother herself, was very quick to take us to the pharmacy and received proper care in time. Although winter isn't peak travelling season of Lhasa because of it's temperature, we enjoyed this extraordinary trip because of both Leon and Khamsang. Highly recommend! more
Dec 2024, Kiyo S
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Amazing Tibet, December 2024
My wife and I had a fantastic tour of Tibet with Pasang of China Highlights. He was very detailed and thorough with his explanations as we visited the various significant sites like Potala palace and Jokhang Temple. His passion to share about his home region of Tibet is clear through his enthusiasm. He also showed us a slice of local life as we visited many local restaurants and tea houses. A highlight of our trip was our journey to Yamdrok lake, the Himalayas and Everest base camp. He was very knowledgeable of the best view points. Pasang and our driver even accommodated our request to shoot some astrophotography at night near Everest even though it was not originally planned. He was also very caring and checks in on us regularly for symptoms of altitude sickness. Overall the tour was very enjoyable and we would highly recommend Pasang to any friends or family who wish to travel to Tibet! more
Dec 2024, d123450
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Your private guide and driver will pick you up at Lhasa's airport or train station and accompany you to your hotel.
Visit the Potala Palace in the morning. Prepare to enjoy the resplendent chambers, exquisite wall paintings, and the stories about the king of the Tubo Kingdom and Dalai Lamas.
Have a walking tour in the afternoon. Visit Jokhang Temple and explore Barkhor Street including its local market, admire traditional Tibetan architecture, and take afternoon tea in peaceful Ani Tsangkhung Nunnery.
Start to discover Tibet's religion with the biggest and the most important monastery of Tibetan Buddhism — Drepung Monastery.
After lunch, visit Sera Monastery and watch a monks' debate. Guess the meaning of their gestures and grasp the chance to take photos. Admire the colorful thangka-style murals on the rocks on the hill behind, which is normally missed by most tourists, and enjoy a great panoramic view of Lhasa city from the monastery.
Drive from Lhasa to Ganden Monastery. This main monastery of the Gelug Sect has a magnificent building group.
Then continue to Tsubshi Village in your private car. Trek from there to Yama-Do Village — 7 km (4 miles). Along the way, you will see barely fields and meadows where there could be some yaks.
Camp in Yama-Do Village overnight.
On the second day of the trek, you will climb over Shug-La Pass by making a steep and rocky ascent out of the Lhasa River Valley into the rare air of altitude 5,250 meters (17,220 feet)!
The route continues across Shug-La Pass following a trail with many prayer stones. Descend gradually and reach a valley an hour and a half from the pass. Cross the Tsotup Chu, a long stream winding along the valley floor where Tibetan nomads with their yaks, goats, and sheep dot the landscape.
The day's trek is 10 km (6 miles) and you will camp near the Tsotup Chu stream.
From the Tsotup Chu valley, you will follow a small tributary. The path rises steeply for 30 minutes, finally reaching the mouth of a large col. The terrain ahead is not particularly difficult after passing the Chitu-La Pass — altitude 5,090 meters (16,700 feet), marked by several large cairns. A short steep descent leads us into a basin holding three small beautiful lakes.
The day's trekking covers 14 km (9 miles) and you will camp right by the Chitu-La basin lakes.
The final day of the trek will be an easier 14 km. Hike in a forest of shrubs for three hours. We go across a series of meadows. You will also pass several villages. The local Tibetans might be seen on their way into the mountains with their horses and yaks. When you get to the Yamalung valley, your personal driver will pick you up and transfer you to Samye Town.
Sleep in the guesthouse in Samye Town.
In the morning, visit Samye Monastery, which is significant to Tibetan Buddhism as it is the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery that had a Buddha, dharma, and monks. Its four pagodas in different colors are a unique feature.
Visit the first palace of Tibet — Yumbulakang Palace in the afternoon and listen to stories of the first king of Tibet in context. The barley field at foot of the palace's hill is the first piece of farmland that fed the local Tibetans, and it has been used generation after generation since.
Your personal guide and driver will escort you from Tsedang to Lhasa Airport.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price includes:
- Tibet Travel Permits
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- All the equipment and provisions for camping and transport them during trekking
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: xz-29