5 days Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake Small Group Tour

Your Tibetan guide will greet you at Lhasa Gonggar Airport or the Lhasa Railway Station upon arrival and transfer you to your hotel in the city. The drive from the airport to Lhasa is about 68 km (42 mi) and usually takes 1–1.5 hours, while the ride from the train station is only 15 km (9 mi) and around 20–30 minutes. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the first views of the Tibetan plateau and scattered villages, along with a warm welcome from your guide and driver.

After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to rest and acclimatize to Lhasa’s high altitude (3,650 m / 12,000 ft).

In the morning, visit Drepung Monastery, once the seat of the Tibetan government before power was moved to the Potala Palace in the 17th century by the Fifth Dalai Lama. At its peak, Drepung was the largest monastery in the world, home to more than 10,000 monks from across Tibet, and it played a central role in both the political and spiritual life of the region.

In the afternoon, continue to Sera Monastery, another of Tibet’s “great three” Gelugpa monasteries. Founded in the 15th century, Sera is best known for its unique monk debates, where monks gather in the courtyard to practice Buddhist philosophy through lively question-and-answer exchanges. The debates, held daily from 3 pm to 5 pm (except Sundays), are fascinating to watch and give you an authentic glimpse into Tibetan monastic life.

End the day with a welcome dinner with your group.

In the morning, visit Tibet's landmark Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. Built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo, this fortress-like palace houses chapels, halls, and sacred relics preserved through centuries of restoration.

Continue to the Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most sacred temple and the heart of Lhasa’s old town. For centuries, it has been the ultimate pilgrimage site for Tibetans.

Then join the flow of pilgrims on Barkhor Street, the holy kora path around Jokhang. Here locals spin prayer wheels, chant mantras, and perform full-body prostrations, while market stalls line the street with handicrafts and souvenirs.

End the day at a lively Tibetan sweet tea house, sipping tea among locals as your guide shares insights into daily life and traditions.

After breakfast, meet your guide and driver at hotel, then set out for a day trip to the turquoise Yamdrok Lake, one of the three sacred lakes of Tibet.

The drive takes about 2 hours to reach the Lu Ri La viewpoint, where you’ll take in panoramic views of Yamdrok Lake, its turquoise waters framed by snow-capped mountains and scattered islands.

Follow the lakeshore road for different perspectives of the lake, stopping to visit Rituo Monastery, a small and secluded temple that sits on a peninsula extending into Yamdrok Lake. Its peaceful setting and resident monks make it one of the lake’s most atmospheric spiritual sites.

Around midday, visit a local Tibetan family by the lakeshore to learn about their daily life and share a simple lunch together.

In the afternoon, return to Lhasa via the Gampala Pass (4,900 m), where a final sweeping view of Yamdrok Lake and the distant Noijin Kangsang Peak (7,191 m) awaits before descending back to the city. Overnight in Lhasa.

Today is your last day of this 5 days Lhasa Yamdrok group tour in Tibet, your guide and driver will see you off at the Lhasa Airport or Train Station, which concludes the tour.