12-day immersive Tibet pilgrim tour

Lhasa, China

Day 1: Welcome to Lhasa!

Today, board a flight to Tibet!

Upon your arrival in Lhasa, transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing as you acclimatize and get ready for this life-changing trip.

Lhasa, China

Day 2: Admire the Majestic Potala Palace

Start the day by visiting the Potala Palace, landmark of Lhasa and spiritual symbol of Tibet.

Join many pilgrims on your way to the top of a hill where this 13-story architectural wonder is perched upon.

The approach to the Potala is not easy, and it requires climbing many steep steps, so take it slowly and allow yourself to leisurely enjoy the Palace and its surroundings.

In the afternoon, visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Lhasa.

As you make the inner circuit around the courtyard, spinning numerous prayer wheels as you go, you are swept up in the energy of the devout.

From the rooftop, enjoy the stunning views of the Potala, and the snow capped peaks off in the distance.

Around the temple runs the Barkhor, a holy circuit, which pilgrims undertake and a bustling commercial market.

Spend the rest of the day at your leisure browsing the Bakhor market.

Lhasa, China

Day 3: Discover Drepung, Sera Monasteries, and Norbulingka

Today, visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Norbulingka.

Drepung is about 8km west of central Lhasa, and was once the world's largest monasteries with about 10,000 monks.

Today's sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. 

Enjoy the stunning views over Lhasa city and the distant mountains.

Sera Monastery sits at the foot of the mountains. One of the three main Gelupka monasteries in Lhasa, Sera is an important spiritual center for Buddhist monks. If you are lucky enough, you could watch the Lamas in their traditional theological exercise of lively debate.

"Norbu Linka" means beautiful gardens. This garden covers an area of 36 hectares and it is the annual vacation home for the 7th to the 14th Dalai Lama, who would move here from the Potala Palace to this summer palace and spend most of their summer here.

Lhasa, China - Tsurphu Monastery - Damxung

Day 4: See Tsurphu Monastery and Take a Bath at Yampachen Hot Spring

After breakfast, attend a travel explanation meeting and then head to the Tsurphu Monastery for acclimatizing.

The Tsurphu Monastery is the seat of The Karma branch of the Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism. It was built in the middle of the valley facing south with high mountains surrounding the monastery complex.

As the birthplace of the Reincarnation System of the Living Buddha, this over 800-year-old spiritual hub still pulsates with religious activities.

After that, drive to Damxung. 

On the way, visit Yampachen Hot Spring, just south of the Nyainqêntanglha Mountains. These are the highest hot springs in China.

Both indoor and outdoor swimming pools have been set up here for visitors to enjoy a bath.

Damxung - Namtso - Lhasa

Day 5: Gaze at the Heavenly Namtso Lake

Early in the morning, take a short drive to Namtso, beat the cold and get up early to the lakeside of Namtso to appreciate the sunrise and beautiful scenery.

In Tibetan, Namtso means 'Heavenly Lake' and the Namtso Lake is considered one of the three holy lakes in Tibet.

As the sun rises, clouds lift from the mountains and the scene is bathed in golden sunshine. When the weather is clear, the water is a stunning shade of turquoise and you'll be surrounded by magnificent views of the nearby Mount Nyenchen Tanglha range.

Lhasa

Day 6: Travel to Ganden and See Its Monastery

Today, drive from Lhasa to Ganden, where you'll visit the Ganden Monastery.

Ganden Monastery is one of the earliest and largest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, famous for its Buddha Painting Unfolding Festival. It was founded in the early 15th century by Tsong Khapa, a well-known Tibetan religious philosopher.

After arriving at Ganden, take at least a half day to explore the attractions in and around the ancient monastery, home to the earliest monastery of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Although the monastery is mostly in ruins, it is a fascinating place. Pilgrims arrive in Ganden from all over Tibet to walk around the site of the monastery, and one can observe the rituals they perform on this ‘Kora’ around the monastery.

Drive back to Lhasa.

Lhasa - Gyangtse - Shigatse

Day 7: Get a Glimpse of Gorgeous Namtso Lake and Visit Gyantse

Drive up to the Kampala pass in the morning, and get a glimpse of Yamdrok Tso Lake as well as spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Tanglha in the distance.

Lying at the southern foot of the uninterrupted snow-capped Himalayas, the turquoise-hued Lake Yamdrok Tso appears like a holy sapphire and evokes solemnity.

Drive to Gyantse along the highway, visit the famous Gyantse Kumbum. Gyangtse is very famous for its giant architectural stupa in Tibet.

The Pelkor Monastery was built when different religious sectors conflicted neck and neck in Tibet. So, it occupies a stunning position in the history of Tibetan Buddhism and it features a mixture of pagoda and monastery.

The most symbolic architecture in the monastery is the Kumbum Stupa, which is composed of nine layers of nearly 77 temple halls with numerous Buddha statues in halls and murals.

Mt. Everest Base Camp

Day 8: Gaze at Mount Everest

Drive to Lhatse, where you can take lunch.

Then, drive to Shegar and if the weather is clear enough you can view Mt. Everest in the distance on the way back down.

Arrive at Rongbuk monastery, but on the way there, pass the Pang la Pass, one of the highest passes in Tibet at 5050m. From here, you can enjoy the view of the five highest peaks in the world.

Mt. Everest Base Camp - Shigatse

Day 9: Watch the Sunrise of Everest Peak

In the morning, you can see the sunrise of Everest Peak if weather permits at the lodging area.

Then, visit the Rongbu Monastery - the highest monastery with nuns and monks living together.

Finally, drive back to Shigatse.

Shigatse - Tsetang

Day 10: Visit Beautiful Shigatse

Today you'll visit Shigatse - the second largest city in Tibet.

You'll have enough time to explore the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447.

The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold.

Drive back to Tsetang, the third largest city in Tibet.

Tsetang is known as “the cradle of Tibetan Civilization” for two reasons: first, its mild weather and fertile land conceived the great Tibet dynasty; second, it’s the birthplace of the first Tibetans, who were said to be the offspring of a monkey and a demoness.

Tsetang - Samye - Lhasa

Day 11: Tour the Yumbulakang and Samye Monasteries

Today you will visit the Yumbulakang and Samye monasteries.

According to a legend of followers of the Bon religion, Yumbulakang was erected in the second century B.C. for the first Tibetan king Nyatri Tsenpo, who descended from the sky.

Yumbulagang became a shrine and under the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, a monastery of the Gelugpa school. Yumbulakang monastery was severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution, though it has been extensively renovated since.

Make your way to Samye Monastery. Samye Monatery is regarded as the first Buddhist Temple in Tibet. It was founded in 779 by King Trisong Detsen and located in the quiet area on the north bank of Yarlung Zangpo River.

You'll have a chance to watch the beautiful sunset on the Yarlung Zangbo River.

Drive back to Lhasa.

Lhasa

Day 12: Farewell, Tibet!

Transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight from Lhasa Airport.

Safe travels, and visit again soon!