8-Day Lhasa Everest Namtso Tour Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa: Airport / Train Station Pick-up & Hotel Check-in
Distance: 70 km (1 hr driving) from Gonggar Airport; 20 km (20 min driving) from Lhasa Railway Station | Meals: Self-arranged | Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa (3,650m)
Tashi Delek! Welcome to Lhasa. Upon arrival at Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station, your CHIBET Travel Tibetan guide and driver will meet you with a welcome sign and a traditional white Hada scarf. During the 1-hour drive from the airport along the Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley, you’ll get your first glimpse of the high-altitude landscape. After checking into your hotel, spend the remainder of the day resting indoors to help your body adjust to the sudden change in air pressure and oxygen levels.
Overnight in Lhasa.
CHIBET Travel Advice:
- Complimentary Transfers: Airport pick-ups are available from 08:00 to 22:00; train station transfers operate 24 hours.
- Day 1 Altitude Protocol: Avoid taking a shower or washing your hair on your first night to prevent colds and vessel dilation. Do not drink alcohol or engage in strenuous walking.
- Hydration & Food: Drink 2–3 liters of warm water throughout the day. Keep meals light and high in carbohydrates.
- Guide Support: Your guide is available 24/7 if you experience mild altitude headaches or require bottled oxygen.
Day 2: Lhasa City Tour: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Distance: ~10 km total city driving | Meals: Breakfast, Local Sweet Tea, Tibetan Welcome Dinner | Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa (3,650m)
Spend the day exploring Lhasa’s sacred heart while your body continues to acclimatize at 3,650 meters.
Morning: Potala Palace Exploration
Potala Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site): Built in the 7th century and expanded in the 17th century, this 13-story fortress served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas.
- Yaowang Mountain Viewpoint: Stop early at the viewing platform to capture the classic sunrise angle featured on the 50 RMB banknote.
- Ascent & White Palace: Walk up the stone steps into the White Palace, viewing former living quarters, audience halls, and government offices.
- Red Palace Shrines: Enter the religious core housing golden stupa tombs of past Dalai Lamas, intricate murals, and ancient jewel-encrusted chapels.
Afternoon: Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street
Jokhang Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site): The spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism, housing the sacred Jowo Rinpoche (a life-sized 12-year-old statue of Sakyamuni Buddha brought by Princess Wencheng in the 7th century).
- Main Sanctuary: Walk through the dim, butter-lamp-lit chapels alongside local pilgrims paying homage.
- Golden Roof View: Step onto the upper terrace for a clear view across Jokhang Square toward the Potala Palace.
- Barkhor Street Kora: Walk clockwise along the 1 km pilgrimage loop encircling the temple, observing locals spinning prayer wheels and prostrating.
Authentic Tibetan Cultural Experiences:
Teahouse Break: Sit inside a bustling local teahouse near Barkhor Street to try authentic Tibetan sweet tea (made with black tea, milk, and sugar) and dried yak cheese, observing everyday local life.
Traditional Dress Photoshoot: Wear authentic Tibetan robes with traditional hair styling and makeup, taking photos along the historic whitewashed alleyways of the old quarter with a professional photographer.
Evening: Welcome Dinner
Gather with your group for a Tibetan welcome feast featuring local dishes like yak momos (dumplings), thukpa (noodle soup), and roasted barley flour (tsampa).
Overnight in Lhasa.
CHIBET Travel Notice:
Potala Palace enforces strict daily visitor quotas and precise entry time slots. The order of today’s sights may be adjusted by your guide to match our confirmed entry ticket time.
Day 3: Lhasa to Shigatse: Yamdrok Lake & Karola Glacier
Distance: 360 km (8 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Shigatse (3,840m)
Leave Lhasa and drive west along the Southern Friendship Highway toward Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city. The route crosses two high mountain passes and skirts dramatic alpine lakes.
Morning: Yamdrok Lake & Gampala Pass
Ascend the winding mountain road to Gampala Pass (4,900m) for your first view of Yamdrok Lake (4,441m), one of Tibet’s three major holy lakes. The turquoise, scorpion-shaped lake stretches across mountain valleys, backed by Mount Nojin Kangsang (7,191m). Drive down to the lakeshore for a walk and optional photos with decorated Tibetan mastiffs or yaks.
Afternoon: Karola Glacier & Gyantse
Continue driving toward Gyantse, passing Karola Glacier (5,560m summit). The glacier’s massive ice tongue hangs directly beside the highway, allowing you to view crevasse formations up close from the boardwalk. Pass through Gyantse town to view the exterior of Gyantse Dzong (fortress) before completing the drive across the fertile Nyang Chu valley to Shigatse.
Overnight in Shigatse.
CHIBET Travel Advice:
Temperature changes quickly at Gampala Pass (4,900m). Keep a windproof jacket in your daypack. Today involves extended mountain driving, so bring motion sickness medication if needed.
Day 4: Shigatse to Everest Base Camp: Gyatso La, Gawula Pass & EBC Sunset
Distance: 340 km (8 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast, Tibetan Yak Hotpot | Accommodation: EBC Tent Guesthouse (5,200m) or Hotel in Dingri (4,300m)
Head southwest into the Himalayas, crossing high passes inside the Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve to reach Everest Base Camp.
Four Key Views of Everest Today:
- Gyatso La Pass (5,280m): Your highest driving point so far. On clear days, Mt. Everest’s peak emerges above prayer-flag-lined mountain ridges in the distance.
- Gawula Pass (5,198m): One of the world’s most famous mountain viewpoints. Look out over a panoramic line of 8,000-meter giants: Makalu (8,485m), Lhotse (8,516m), Everest (8,848.86m), Cho Oyu (8,188m), and Shishapangma (8,027m).
- The 108 Switchbacks: Drive down the zigzag road into the Tashi Zom valley, watching Everest’s North Face grow larger as you approach.
- Sunset at Everest Base Camp (5,200m): Arrive at the tent camp in the late afternoon. Walk or take the eco-bus to the 5,200m monument marker to watch golden hour sunlight illuminate Everest’s northern wall. If staying at EBC, step outside at night to view the Milky Way above the mountain peak.
Dinner & Accommodation Options:
Dinner: Warm up inside the communal tent with a hot Tibetan yak meat hotpot cooked over local stoves.
Stay at EBC Tent Guesthouse: Dormitory-style stay in multi-bed nomad tents heated by stoves. Basic dry/pit toilets; no showers. Best for catching sunset, stargazing, and early morning sunrise over Everest.
Stay in Dingri Town (Vienna International Hotel): Modern private hotel room with heating and private bathroom at 4,300m. Requires driving back to town in the evening, so morning sunrise at EBC is skipped.
Upgrade to Rongbuk Monastery Hotel: Basic brick hotel room at 5,100m near EBC. Subject to seasonal availability and price differences.
Overnight at EBC Tent Camp or Dingri.
CHIBET Travel Notice:
Night temperatures at EBC drop well below freezing (often -10°C to -15°C even in shoulder seasons). Thermal base layers, down jackets, beanies, and gloves are mandatory.
Day 5: Everest Base Camp to Shigatse: Mt. Everest Sunrise
Distance: 340 km (8 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Shigatse (3,840m)
If staying at EBC, wake early to catch the first rays of dawn hitting Everest’s summit, turning the snow face from purple to orange and bright gold. After taking photos and enjoying a warm breakfast, board your vehicle for the return drive to Shigatse, retracing the scenic Himalayan valleys and Gawula Pass under different lighting conditions.
Overnight in Shigatse.
CHIBET Travel Notice:
Everest sunrise views depend strictly on local cloud cover and weather conditions.
Day 6: Shigatse to Lhasa: Tashilhunpo Monastery
Distance: 280 km (5 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa (3,650m)
Start your morning exploring Tashilhunpo Monastery before taking the northern route along the Yarlung Tsangpo River back to Lhasa.
Tashilhunpo Monastery Highlights:
Founded in 1447 by the First Dalai Lama, Tashilhunpo is the seat of the Panchen Lamas and one of the four great Gelugpa monasteries of Tibet.
- Maitreya Buddha Hall: See the 26.2-meter-tall brass statue of Maitreya (Future Buddha), crafted with over 300 kg of gold and studded with diamonds and pearls.
- Stupa Hall of the 10th Panchen Lama: Visit the gold-plated stupa containing the sacred remains of the 10th Panchen Lama, decorated with 614 kg of gold.
- Cobblestone Alleys: Walk past red-walled monastic residences, chanting halls, and active prayer courtyards.
After the tour, drive back to Lhasa along the fast northern highway. Arrive by late afternoon to rest at your hotel.
Overnight in Lhasa.
CHIBET Travel Advice:
Photography inside Tashilhunpo’s main Buddha halls requires an extra fee paid directly to chapel attendants; ask your guide before taking photos indoors.
Day 7: Lhasa to Namtso Lake & Back (or Cultural Alternative)
Distance: 500 km round-trip (10 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa (3,650m)
Drive north across the Changtang Grasslands to visit Namtso Lake, one of Tibet’s most revered high-altitude saltwater lakes.
Standard Route: Namtso Lake Excursion
- Changtang Grasslands: Drive along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway across vast northern plains dotted with grazing yaks and black nomad tents.
- Nyainqentanglha Viewpoint: Gaze at the snow-capped Nyainqentanglha mountain range (7,162m) flanking the plains.
- Nagenla Pass (5,190m): Cross the windy pass to catch your first sweeping panoramic view of Namtso Lake shimmering below.
- Tashi Dor Peninsula (Namtso Lake): Walk along the pebble shore at 4,718 meters. Admire the turquoise saltwater reflecting the snow peaks across the lake, and photograph the iconic hand-shaped Tashi Dor karst rock formations.
Winter / Bad Weather Alternative (If Nagenla Pass is Snowed Out):
If heavy snow or icy conditions force local authorities to close Nagenla Pass (5,190m), CHIBET Travel automatically switches your day to an in-depth Lhasa cultural itinerary:
- Morning: Zaki Temple Visit: Visit Tibet’s only temple dedicated to Zhari Lhamo, the Goddess of Wealth. Observe local merchants presenting barley wine, white khatas, and butter to pray for prosperity.
- Afternoon: Hands-on Tibetan Incense Workshop: Visit a traditional incense workshop to learn about natural ingredients like saffron, sandalwood, and highland herbs. Under a master craftsman’s guidance, hand-roll your own Tibetan incense sticks using traditional horn tools to take home.
Return to Lhasa in the evening for your final night.
Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 8: Lhasa Departure: Transfer to Airport or Train Station
Distance: 70 km (1 hr) to airport; 20 km (30 min) to train station | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: None
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. At the scheduled time, your CHIBET Travel driver and guide will transfer you to Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station for your flight or train home, concluding your 8-day Tibet expedition.
CHIBET Travel Notice:
Complimentary drop-off services operate from 08:30 to 22:30 for flights, and 24 hours for train departures. Please confirm your flight/train details with your guide on Day 7.
8-Day Lhasa Everest Namtso Tour Date and Package Price
Lhasa Everest Namtso Tour Cost (Based on Travel Time)
| Travel Time / Tour Price |
Jan.1-Feb.28 Nov.16-Dec.31 |
Mar.1-Jun.30 Oct.1-Nov.15 |
Jul.1-Sept.30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 pax | $928 | $1028 | $1100 |
Note: A single room supplement applies to solo travelers who request a private room.
2026 Lhasa Everest Namtso Tour Departures and Bookings
| Arrival Date | Booked | Book Now |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 2026 | ||
| 2026-08-15 | $1100 | Book |
| 2026-08-20 | $1100 | Book |
| 2026-08-25 | $1100 | Book |
| Sept. 2026 | ||
| 2026-09-05 | $1100 | Book |
| 2026-09-10 | $1100 | Book |
| 2026-09-15 | $1100 | Book |
| 2026-09-20 | $1100 | Book |
| 2026-09-25 | $1100 | Book |
| Oct. 2026 | ||
| 2026-10-05 | $1028 | Book |
| 2026-10-10 | $1028 | Book |
| 2026-10-15 | $1028 | Book |
| 2026-10-20 | $1028 | Book |
| 2026-10-25 | $1028 | Book |
| Nov. 2026 | ||
| 2026-11-05 | $1028 | Book |
| 2026-11-10 | $1028 | Book |
| 2026-11-15 | $1028 | Book |
| 2026-11-20 | $928 | Book |
| 2026-11-25 | $928 | Book |
| Dec. 2026 | ||
| 2026-12-05 | $928 | Book |
| 2026-12-10 | $928 | Book |
| 2026-12-15 | $928 | Book |
| 2026-12-20 | $928 | Book |
| 2026-12-25 | $928 | Book |
Lhasa Everest Namtso Tour Inclusions:
- 1. Tibet Permits: Tibet Travel Permit
- 2. Transportation: 9-17 seat tourist vehicle
- 3. Accommodation:
6 nights in twin-sharing rooms (4-star standard in Lhasa and Shigatse, 3-star standard in other places);
1 night in EBC Tent Guesthouse (multi-bed sharing) or Vienna International Hotel (4-diamond standard)
Note: All domestic hotel star and diamond ratings listed follow Ctrip’s standard classification. - 4. Meals: Breakfasts in hotel, Tibetan Sweet Tea, Tibetan Welcome Dinner, Tibetan Yak Hotpot at EBC
- 5. Guide: Professional English-speaking local Tibetan guide
- 6. Entrance Tickets: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Everest Base Camp + Eco-bus, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Namtso Lake (or Zhaji Temple+Traditional Tibetan Incense Workshop)
- 7. Oxygen and Water: 1 bottle of portable oxygen for emergencies; 4L medical oxygen cylinder in the car; 1 bottle of 300ml drinking water per person per day
- 8. Travel Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance, Vehicle seat insurance
- 9. Service Fees: All taxes, fees, and handling charges; reservation fee for visiting Potala Palace; lodging and dining subsidies for guide and driver
- 10. Pick-Up and Drop-Off: Free pick-up at Lhasa Gonggar Airport (8:00 am to 10:00 pm); Free drop-off at Lhasa Gonggar Airport (8:30 am to 10:30 pm); Free pick-up and drop-off at Lhasa Train Station (24 hours)
Lhasa Everest Namtso Tour Exclusions:
- 1. Personal Expenses: Laundry, drinks, phone calls, optional activities
- 2. Single Room Supplement (if requested)
- 3. Meals: Lunch and dinner not mentioned in the itinerary
- 4. Tickets: International and domestic flight/train tickets
- 5. Tipping: Tips for guides and drivers
- 6. China Visa: Chinese Tourist Visa (L Visa) application fees
- 7. Exceptional Events: Extra charges due to irresistible reasons (e.g., weather, road closures)
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