10 days Lhasa, Everest and Namtso Lake Group Tour

Upon your arrival at Lhasa airport or train station, you will be warmly greeted by your Tibetan guide. Around an hour drive will take you from airport to the holy city Lhasa. Driving along the Brahmaputra river and Lhasa river, you will not only amazed by the spectacular plateau scenery but also have a chance to see many kinds of wild birds. If you travel to Lhasa by train, a 20 minutes drive will deliver you to your hotel in Lhasa city. Be sure to have a good rest to acclimatize to Lhasa's high altitude.

Today is your first sightseeing day in Lhasa, you will be arranged to visit two renowned monasteries: Drepung Monastery in the morning and Sera Monastery in the afternoon.

Drepung Monastery was once the world's largest and the governmental seat before the Potala Palace, historically housed up to 10,000 monks. It's renowned for its significant role in Tibetan culture, religion, and education.

Sera Monastery is another the great Gelug university monasteries of Tibet. Renowned for its lively monk debates between 3 pm to 5 pm (daily except on Sunday) on Buddhist philosophy, the monastery is an important center for learning and culture.Your guide will provide a detailed explanation of how Tibetan monks participate in debates to acquire knowledge and progress in their academic studies.

You will have a welcome dinner with your fellow group members tonight.

In the morning start your Lhasa city highlight tour to visit Potala Palace. It is most renowned as the residence of the lineage of Dalai Lamas (Avalokiteshvara), though the massive structure contains a small world within itself. It was first built by 33rd ruler of his dynasty, King Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century, but still is in surprisingly good repair because of continual rejuvenation projects.

Then proceed to visit Jokhang temple, it is the most scared building in Tibetan Buddhism, located in the heart of Lhasa old town. It is the most sought after pilgrimage destination for all Tibetans.
The Barkhor Street, a renowned Kora (holy walking path) encircling the Jokhang Temple, is constantly bustling with Tibetan faithful. Visitors will discover the unique experience of mingling with local pilgrims along Barkhor Street. It also serves as a vibrant shopping district, offering the perfect opportunity to purchase gifts for your loved ones.

Following your sightseeing adventures, join your guide at one of Lhasa's most vibrant Tibetan sweet tea houses. Here, you can enjoy sipping traditional Tibetan sweet tea while sitting among local Tibetans. Your guide will provide valuable insights into Tibetan social dynamics and daily life, offering a deeper understanding of the culture.

Make your first day's drive towards Everest, with today's highlights including Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, and Gyantse ancient city.

Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holiest lakes in Tibet, is easily accessible from Lhasa. Upon reaching Gampala Pass (4790m), you will get your first glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m). The lake is encircled by numerous snow-capped mountains and offers breathtaking views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m), the tallest mountain near Lhasa. You will drive along the lakeshore for about half an hour, during which time you can step out of the car to touch the lake's blue waters and take photos. At the end of the lake, enjoy your lunch at a local Tibetan family.

Karo La Glacier, at an altitude of 5,100 meters, provides a stunning overlook of Mt. Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. A brief stop is scheduled here for an excellent photo opportunity.

Gyantse ancient city, referred to as the 'Hero City', is a historically significant town in Tibet, renowned for its well-preserved ancient architectural wonders. You will spend some time taking photos of Gyantse ancient city. 

Enjoy a beautiful drive along the Tibetan barley fields and farmland from Gyantse to Shigatse. Check into Shigatse, the 2nd largest city in Tibet. 

Today, you'll undertake an exciting drive to reach Mount Everest Base Camp, immersing yourself in the stunning landscapes of valleys and mountains in the western part of Tibet, including the spectacular Himalayan range.

Start early to drive towards Shegar. En route, weather permitting, you'll catch your first glimpse of Mount Everest at Gyatsola Pass [5,280 m]. Lunch will be in Shegar, the last town before heading to Mount Everest.

In the afternoon, as you enter Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, the winding road takes you to Gawula Pass [5,250 m]. Here, you'll experience breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayas, including a remarkable view of Mount Everest, which stands at 8,844 meters. You'll also see four other majestic peaks over 8,000 meters: Mt. Makalu (8,463 m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m), Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201 m), and Mt. Shishapama (8,020 m).

You will switch to the local sightseeing bus at Tashi Zong Village, and from there, it is another hour's drive before you reach Everest Base Camp (E.B.C.).
Arrive at Everest Base Camp in the late afternoon, just in time to witness a splendid sunset (just depending on the weather).

Stay overnight at the tent guest house at E.B.C or the monastery guest house near Rongbuk.

If the weather is favorable, you'll have the opportunity to witness a magnificent sunrise at Everest, with the first rays of sunlight turning the mountain into a glowing red spectacle.

Morning visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest buddhism monastery at 5154 meters above sea level where nuns and monks live together.

After a morning of exploration, begin your journey back to Shigatse via Dinggye County, taking a different route from Day 5. Stop at the Dinggye Xilin Viewpoint for a spectacular view of the majestic Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse, the world's fourth highest peak. Witness the vast and beautiful wetland at the foot of Mount Everest, which transforms into thousands of sand dunes in winter, offering a different style of beauty. As you pass through Sakya, take a brief stop to explore the ancient ruins of Sakya. Arriving in Shigatse in the late afternoon, your guide will take you to a local Langma Hall (a traditional Tibetan Dance Hall). Enjoy dinner with your fellow group members while experiencing traditional Tibetan dance and performances, celebrating your once-in-a-lifetime journey to Mount Everest.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Today is a long but rewarding overland journey into the heart of northern Tibet, traveling across remote high-altitude landscapes rarely visited by travelers. Departing from the Shigatse region, you will gradually enter the vast Qiangtang Grasslands, one of the largest alpine grassland ecosystems in the world.

Stretching across hundreds of thousands of square kilometers, the Qiangtang region is defined by open plains, rolling hills, and distant snow-capped mountain ranges. Along the way, you will see herds of yaks and sheep grazing freely, and with some luck, may spot wildlife such as Tibetan antelope moving across the plateau. The sense of scale and isolation here offers a stunning contrast to Tibet’s more populated areas.

As you continue deeper into northern Tibet, the scenery constantly changes, from hidden lakes and wide valleys to long lines of snow peaks stretching across the horizon.

Later in the day, arrive at Serling Tso (Siling Tso), the largest lake in Tibet. Sitting at an altitude of around 4,700 meters, the vast, open waters of the lake extend toward the horizon, creating a powerful sense of space and silence. Spend some time along the lakeshore to appreciate the scale and raw beauty of this remote high-plateau lake.

Afterwards, continue the drive to Bange County (Baingoin County), where you will check in and rest after a full day of exploration. Overnight in Bange.

After breakfast, leave Bange and drive toward Namtso Lake. The road passes through wide open high-altitude landscapes with very few villages, so it feels quiet and remote.

On the way, stop at Lagen La Pass (5,190 m) for a panoramic view of Namtso Lake from above.

After arriving, visit Tashi Dor Peninsula on the shore of Namtso. You can take a walk around the area, see prayer flags and small meditation caves, and enjoy the views of the lake with the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains in the distance. It’s a peaceful spot and one of the best places to experience Namtso up close.

Later in the afternoon, drive back to Damxung.

Overnight in Damxung.

After breakfast, begin the drive back to Lhasa, which takes about three hours along the express highway. It’s a comfortable journey and a chance to relax and enjoy the changing scenery as you return to the city.

Once in Lhasa, enjoy a traditional Tibetan medical spa experience (optional, no extra fee), a refreshing way to unwind after several days of travel. Based on Tibetan medicine, the treatment is designed to help you relax and recover from the journey.

The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore on your own. You may wish to walk around Barkhor Street, soak up the atmosphere of the old town, and do some last-minute shopping for souvenirs or gifts.

In the evening, meet up with the group for a farewell dinner, a nice way to wrap up the journey together. Overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, your Tibetan guide and driver will transfer you to Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station, depending on your onward travel plans. This marks the end of your journey with WindhorseTour. We wish you a smooth journey ahead and hope you take home lasting memories of Tibet.