10 days Mt. 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 day of sightseeing on the high plateau, so we purposely arrange you only to visit Potala Palace and Jokhang temple. Potala Palace is is the best known cultural landmark in Tibet, the massive structure itself contains a small world within it. Mostly it is renowned as residence of the Dalai Lama lineages. Jokhang temple is the most sacred shrine in Tibet which was built in the 7th century and located at the heart of old town in Lhasa, the circuit around it called Barkhor street. It is the most sought after pilgrimage destination for all Tibetans.

The rest of the day is for you freely explore Lhasa old town, which gives a glimpse into the daily life of Lhasa Tibetans, which has remained largely unchanged for centuries. You can visit the outdoor markets and specialty stores of handmade bags, carpets, etc. (B=Breakfast)

Today you will visit Drepung Monastery in the morning and Sera Monastery in the afternoon. Both Drepung and Sera monasteries are Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect monastic colleges.

Drepung Monastery was the seat of the Government prior to Potala. It was once the world's largest monastery with 7,700 monks hailing from monasteries all over Tibet. Sera monastery is famous for its practice of debating Buddhism and philosophy every day between 3 pm to 5 pm (not available on Sunday), the clapping sound and the aggressive expression of the monks - all are well worth seeing.

Morning drive up to Kampala pass [4,794 m], which gives you the first sight of Yamdrok Tso and spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. The turquoise colored Lake Yamdrok Yutso is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, the unforgettable vista of the pincer-shaped turquoise water of the lake and the amazing spectacle of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar glacier from Karo la pass is wonders of the day.

Then along the Friendship southern Hwy drive to Gyantse, visit the famous stupa - Gyantse Kumbum, one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet. Move westwards to the second biggest city Shigatse, where spiritually hosted by Panchen Lama.

Early morning departure from Shigatse to Rongbuk via Lhatse and Shegar, you will cross over Gyastsola pass and Gawula pass also.

If it is in clear weather, you can have a glimpse of Himalayan Range which is 8,000 m high or more. Arrive at Rongbuk monastery in time to enjoy a splendid sunset of Mt. Everest.

Spend the rest of the day hanging around Rongbuk Monastery. This is the highest functioning monastery in Tibet; with both monks and nuns. You can choose to visit and see the workings of the monastery.

Get up early this morning to make your way to E.B.C. try to catch the first glimpse of the mountain as the sun rises. Then depart from E.B.C. and drive back to Shigatse.

In the morning visit Panchen Lama’s monastery - Tashilunpo monastery, it is one of the six prominent yellow hat sect monasteries and is the seat of the Panchen Lama lineage. Afternoon drive back to Lhasa along the Northern Friendship Highway, with marvelous landscapes and scenery along the Brahmaputra River continuing all the way back to Lhasa. Stay overnight at Lhasa.

Today drive to Namtso Lake, one of the holy lakes in Tibet, located at the northern Tibetan grasslands, along driving you will see the Tibetan herders with their Yaks and sheep at the foot of Mt. Nyechen Tanglha, after you cross over the Largen-la pass with the altitude of 5,240 m, you will get to the lakeshore of Namtso Lake. In the afternoon hike around the Tashi Dor and appreciate the sunset and feel the peace of nature.

If you are lucky enough, you will see the stunning sunrise at Namtso Lake. Late morning drive back to Lhasa, en route you may choose to enjoy the Yampachen Hot-spring (fee is on your own). Stay overnight at Lhasa.

Your guide and driver will see you off at train station or airport, end the trip with WindhorseTour.