6 days Classic Lhasa and Shigatse Tour
Explore Tibet’s cultural and spiritual heart on this 6-day Lhasa and Shigatse tour. Visit the iconic Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, witness sacred Yamdrok Lake, and explore historic monasteries like Drepung, Sera, Gyantse Kumbum, and Tashilhunpo.
Itinerary
This 6-day Lhasa and Shigatse tour offers an ideal introduction to Tibet’s culture, history, and natural beauty in central Tibet. Begin in the holy city of Lhasa with visits to its most sacred sites. Then journey overland to Gyantse and Shigatse, discovering ancient monasteries, peaceful towns, and breathtaking landscapes like Yamdrok Lake and Mt. Nyenchen Kangsar Glacier.
Tour Features:
- Visit Lhasa’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple
- Explore major monastic universities: Drepung and Sera Monasteries
- Take in the turquoise beauty of Yamdrok Lake from Kampa La Pass
- See the impressive Gyantse Kumbum Stupa and traditional old town
- Tour Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama
- Drive along the scenic Friendship Highway through central Tibet
Upon arriving at the Lhasa airport or train station, you will be greeted by your Tibetan guide. From the airport to Lhasa city is 68km - an hour's drive will bring you to the holy city of Lhasa. Driving along the Brahmaputra river and Lhasa river, you will not only be amazed by the spectacular plateau scenery but also see flocks of black-necked cranes, wild ducks and many other kind of exotic birds. If you travel to Lhasa by train, expect to arrive in the late afternoon or evening. 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. Overnight at Lhasa.
Today you'll explore two of Tibet's most iconic spiritual landmarks. Start with the Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, renowned for its majestic white and red fortress-like architecture, chapels, and treasures. Continue to Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most sacred site, home to the revered Jowo Shakyamuni statue. Afterwards, take a walk around Barkhor Street, the pilgrimage circuit surrounding the temple, lined with shops, prayer wheels, and Tibetan devotees. To end your day, relax like a local at a traditional Tibetan sweet tea house, where you can sip buttery milk tea or sweet black tea while soaking in the vibrant daily life of Lhasa locals. Overnight in Lhasa.
Today is all about discovering the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism. In the morning, you’ll head to Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in the world. Nestled at the foot of a mountain just outside Lhasa, Drepung used to house thousands of monks and served as the political center of Tibet before the Potala Palace. Walking through its peaceful courtyards, age-old chapels, and hillside paths, you’ll get a sense of its deep historical and religious significance—plus some great views over the Lhasa Valley.
In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery, famous not only for its sacred halls and statues, but also for its lively debate sessions. Every weekday afternoon, you can watch monks gather in the courtyard to debate Buddhist philosophy in a dramatic, energetic style—complete with clapping, stomping, and bold gestures. It’s a fascinating tradition that offers a rare glimpse into how Tibetan monks train their minds. After the visit, enjoy some free time to explore Lhasa on your own, maybe take a stroll through the old alleys or relax at your hotel.
Overnight in Lhasa
Leave Lhasa this morning for a scenic drive along the Friendship southern highway. Your first stop is Kampa La Pass (4,794m), where you’ll take in panoramic views of the stunning Yamdrok Tso Lake, its turquoise waters stretching below snow-dusted peaks. Continue to Karo La Pass (5,045m) to see the impressive Nyenchen Kangsar Glacier, cascading dramatically near the roadside.
Arrive in Gyantse, a charming and historic town. Visit the remarkable Gyantse Kumbum, a multi-tiered stupa filled with colorful murals and tiny chapels, one of Tibet’s most unique religious structures. If time allows, explore the old town’s quiet lanes and traditional houses.
Later in the day, continue through wide valleys and farming villages on your way to Shigatse, the cultural and spiritual center of western Tibet, the 2nd largest city in Tibet.
Overnight in Shigatse
This morning, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. Walk through its vast complex of golden-roofed halls, prayer chambers, and ancient stupas, including the giant statue of the Future Buddha. The surrounding kora path offers peaceful views of Shigatse and the surrounding mountains.
Afterwards, take a stroll through Shigatse’s local market, where locals sell Tibetan crafts, incense, and handmade goods, a great place for a final taste of local life. In the afternoon, drive back to Lhasa along the scenic Friendship Northern Highway, passing through open plains, river valleys, and small farming villages. En route, stop in Nyemo County to visit a family-run workshop where you’ll see how traditional Tibetan incense and handmade paper are crafted. Arrive in the Lhasa in the late afternoon, you might go to Barkhor street for your last minute shopping.
Overnight in Lhasa
After breakfast, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport or train station for your onward journey. Your Tibet tour ends here. Tashi Delek!
Inclusions
Tour notes:
General inclusions:
General exclusions:
You may also like
Travel from Urumqi to Lhasa on this 15-day Tibet & Silk Road tour, visiting Turpan, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan Pass, Zhangye Danxia, Xining, and Qinghai Lake before riding the Qinghai–Tibet Railway to explore Lhasa, Gyantse, and Shigatse.
This 5-day Lhasa Samye Tour begins in Tsedang, the cradle of Tibetan civilization. Explore Yumbulakang Palace and Samye Monastery in the Yarlung Valley before traveling to Lhasa to visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and the great monasteries of Drepung and Sera.
Experience the Tibet New Year atmosphere with a local family, daning, singles, yak dumplings and more. All ways Tibetans celebrate the New Year arrival. Enjoy a happy time and explore beyond Lhasa into the best highland scenery in the world.
Join a 7-day Tibet culture tour from Lhasa to Gyantse and Shigatse. Explore Potala Palace, Jokhang, Gyantse Dzong, and Tashilhunpo Monastery. Enjoy Yamdrok Lake views, visit local families, and travel at a relaxed pace, ideal for families or seniors.
Comments
Hello, I am arriving to Chengdu from April 4 to 12. I would like to go to Tibet from April 5th to the 11th with a friend (only he is leaving from April 5th to the 9th), so basically I can stay 2 more days, is there anything you can offer us as a Tibet tour. And also, we are flying from Chengdu to Lahsa... what is the time for us to get the Travel Permit?
Thanks!
Hi Jesus, thank you for your interests of our Tibet tours. Tibet is closed since Feb. 20th, and till now there is no any updates when it will reopen. We have been expecting that Tibet will be open at end of March according to our previous years experience, but this is only our expectation. We can inform you by email once we get any information.
Hi, we are planin a trip to Tibet mid April. Any possibilities getting there?
Hi there, Thanks for your comments. According to the current situation, we believe it is definitely possible to travel to Tibet during mid April. Do you mind to share a bit more information about your travel plan? Please feel free to contact us ([email protected]) we will reply your inquiry in 24 hours. Looking forward to hearing from you! Kind Regards, Murphy
Hello !
I am from Singapore, My family of 4 persons planning to visit Tibet soon by taking a train from Beijing to Lahsa . Is there any shorter train train from other cities in China flying in from Singapore ?
If , We will to join yr tour for Tibet for 6-7 days , Can You kindly advise me what the price per person and what are the itinerary . Do we need a permit entering into Tibet and I(f so , How can we get the permit .
Which is the best month to visit Tibet ?
Thanking You in advance and hope to hear from you soon .
Good day ! / Chan
Hi Chan, Thanks for contacting us. We'd love to help you plan this trip. I have sent you an email with detailed answers, please check it and I'm looking forward to hearing your comments! Best Regards, Murphy
Hi,
Me and my boyfriend are planning to travel to Tibet in min April (probally 11-16). Can you add Namsto lake to the above trip? We only have maximum 6 night stay in Tibet becasue we'll also travel to other cities in China, can you arrange a tour with a 4WD car for transfering that includes all the essecial sightseeings in Lhasa, Shigaste(Yamdrok Lake) and Namsto in a 6 or 7 day trip?
How much that would cost for that trip if we want to stay in Brahmaputra Grand Hotel and Shigaste hotel for the night in Shigaste?
Many thanks!
Sherry
I have just heard that I can travel to Tibet and would like to join a classic tour group and then drive overland on the Friendship Highway. No need to stop at base camp.
My dates are May 8th through May 17th when I go to Kathmandu
I need this information quickly since I have to change all my arrangments in Nepal and Bhutan
Can you help me?? Thank you
would like to join a group tour overland to Kathmandu. May 8th to 17th starting in Chengdu
Pls let me know ASAP
Hi Cynthia,Thanks for contacting us! You're right, now TTB is issuing permit to forigners again. We'd loke to help you organize this trip, I have sent you an email with detailed itinerary and quotation, please check it and I'm looking forward to your reply!Kind Regards,Murphy
Hello I am planning a 5 day trip to Tibet in May.
Can you arrange for the above trip and include Namsto lake?
What would the cost be?
As far as accomodations are concerned, I am fine with "budget"
I hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks
Pascal
Hi Pascal,Thanks for contacting us! We'd love to help you plan this trip in Tibet, and I think it's a great idea to add Namtso Lake into this classical tour. Based on that I've sent you an email with detailed itinerary and some advice, please check it and I'm looking forward to hearing from you again!Kind Regards,Murphy
Hi there,
I'm in Beijing for 7 month and I want to make a dream comes true and go to Tibet. Colleagues at work would also join me. I have a F Visa for China, 180 dayz but only with single entrance. I would like to stay at tibet for about 1 week. Is it possible to make a special arrangement for our group or will be a frequently change of your offered packages?
thx
kind regards, lukas
Hi Lukas,Thanks for your comments. We'd love to help you plan this trip and share some advice with you!First, the Single-entry F visa is good enough for you to visit Tibet. You just need to tell us your requirements and schedule, then we will work out a tentative tour plan and quotation for your reference. I just sent you an email with more details for your further reference, please check it and I'm looking forward to hearing from you again!Cheers,Murphy
Trip plan is May or June this year. Will be flying from Guangzhou to Lhasa. 4 to 6 days in Lhasa. Then, overland tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu. Another 2 to 3 days in Kathmandu to see local attractions. Then fly from Kathmandu to Guangzhou. I would appreciate your tour packages recommendations including costs.
Thank you,
Carlo
Hi Carlo,Thanks for your comments! Based on your requirements I've drafted a tentative tour plan for your reference, please check your email and let me know how do you think about it!I'm looking forward to hearing from you again!Best Regards,Murphy
Heya,
I am interested in visiting Tibet with my 6yr old Kid but at present am clueless. Could you please help me from the scratch.
Thanks & Regards
Hi Anyatama,Thanks for your comment! Of course we'd love to help you plan this trip with your kid, I just sent you an email with some suggestions and questions, please check it and hopefully we can figure out a perfect travel plan together!I'm looking forward to hearing from you again!Kind Regards,Murphy
hello, i am interested in tibet tour in early july.
is it possible for a single person (me) to join a group?
i am looking at the classic tibet tour, but please let me know if you have other suggestions as well.
thank you!
Hi Susie,Thank you for contacting us. We do have some opening groups during early July for you to join. I just sent you an email with more details for your reference. Please check it and let me know your opinions.Looking forward to hearing from you again!Murphy
Hi there,
I'd like to join a group going for the Tibet Classical Tour - 6 Days in June 2013, preferably 16-21 June 2013. Pls let me know if I can join.
Thanks!
Hi Rajpreet,
Thanks for your inquiry. Sorry that we don't have any group tours for this tour itineraries, but only some Everest Base Camp tours are available in June. I just sent you one email regarding these group tours, please let me know if you are interested in joining one of these tours.
Best regards
Helen
Hello Windhorse Tour. I would like to visit Tibet 5-6 days during Oct 1th to Oct 7th this year. Do you have any group tour that meets my travel date? I live in Beijing and my nationality is Japanese. Thank you.
Hi Ken,Thanks for contacting us! We do have some tours during the national holiday that you might be insterested in. I just sent you an email with the itinerary, cost and service items for your reference. Please check it and let me know your opinions. Looking forward to hearing from you!Cheers,Murphy
Hi there. I'm from malaysia going to kathmandu on 6th feb 2014 till 18th feb 2014. Interested to go to Tibet. How to buy train tickets from kathmandu to lhasa? How much is the tickets price? Do they allow us to buy train tickets on our own? Is there any reliable website for purchasing the train ticket? We need 2 tickets for my friend and I.thanks!
Hi Izz,Thanks for contacting us!Unfortunately there's no train available between Kathmandu and Lhasa, but there are some other ways to get Lhasa from Nepal side. I just sent you an email with some suggestions about it. Please check it and let me know your comments.Hope that's helpful and I'm looking forward to hearing from you again!Kind Regards,Murphy
hi,
i'm thinking about visiting in january, could you possibly email more detailed information about the classical tour? is it possible to make adjustments to tours?
thanks,
margaret
Hello Margaret,Thank you so much for contacting us, and glad to see you're interested in our tours!Regarding your questions, of course, we're more than happy to make adjustments to this tour according to your requirements, that's our expertise!I just sent you an email with more details / comments, please check it and I'm looking forward to hearing from you again :)Cheers,Murphy
Hi there,
I'd like to arrange a tour for my friend for the Tibet Classical Tour - 6 Days in June 2014, preferably within 29 May to 5 June 2014. Do you have such tour within that time frame? My friend will be joining as a single person. Please kindly let me know the availability and price.
Thanks and kind regards
Meijia
Hi Meija,Thank you for your question. Yes we can help your fiend plan a trip to Tibet this June, we have several group tours that you can choose from. I have already sent you an email with some information and price. Looking forward to your response.Thanks, Andy
Hi , we are a group of 4 intend to travel Tibet on 17 sep 15. We are interested on the 6 days classic Tibet tour. Can your tour agent help me check both air fare & train ticket from Beijing to Lhasa
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for contacting us! Yes, we can certainly arrange this tour for 4 of you. I have just sent you an email with the details, please kindly check it. I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon:)
Regards,
Lycoris
Hi, i would like to travel to tibet from Kathmandu on 02/02/17. Is there any tour available? i'm interested in the 6 day classic tibet tour. i will be travelling as single person. please let me know the time and price.
Thanks.
Hello Mai,
Nice to hear from you! Please note that after the April 25th 2015 Earthquake in Nepal the border has been closed, right now you can only fly to Kathmandu from Lhasa.
I have just sent an email contains the itinerary with quotation to you, please check and feel free to let me know for any further assistance.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind Regards,
Yuki
Hi WindhorseTour! We are 2 persons and would like to travel to Lhasa from Chengdu in October 2026. How many days do we have to wait in Chengdu till we get the Tibet permit? We would like to arrange our travel schedule in advance and have to know how many nights to spend in Chengdu. Also we would like to upgrade the hotel room from 3 to 4 stars, how much it is gonna be extra cost? Thank you. Regard, Sergiu and Olena.
Dear Sergiu and Olena,
Thank you for your message!
The Tibet Travel Permit usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks to process, but no worries, we will make sure everything is arranged before your arrival in Chengdu.
As for your itinerary, pricing, and the hotel upgrade you mentioned, I’ve already prepared all the details and sent them to your email. Please kindly check, and let me know if you have any further questions or preferences.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Warm regards,
Jenny
Reply