Shannan Trip Overview
This is a classic itinerary to visit Lhasa, Everest and holy Lake Namtso. The route help you get use to the high altitude gradually. Included all the highlights like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Drepung and Sera Monastery with Gyantse Kumbum and Shigatse Tashi Lhunpho Monastery.You will also impressed by the stunning natural scenery like Lake Yamdrotso, Karo La Glacier and Himalayas with Mt. Everest and the breathtaking Lake Namtso. The local Tibetan English-speaking guide will help you understand Tibet culture better and you don’t need to worry about the Tibet permit issue. Airport or train station pickup and drop-off also included for added convenience.
Additional Info
Duration: 10 days
Starts: Shannan, China
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Shannan Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Shannan, Tibet, China
This is a classic itinerary to visit Lhasa, Everest and holy Lake Namtso. The route help you get use to the high altitude gradually. Included all the highlights like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Drepung and Sera Monastery with Gyantse Kumbum and Shigatse Tashi Lhunpho Monastery.You will also impressed by the stunning natural scenery like Lake Yamdrotso, Karo La Glacier and Himalayas with Mt. Everest and the breathtaking Lake Namtso. The local Tibetan English-speaking guide will help you understand Tibet culture better and you don’t need to worry about the Tibet permit issue. Airport or train station pickup and drop-off also included for added convenience.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa
Stop At: Lhasa, Lhasa, Tibet
A local tour guide will welcome you at the airport or train station when you arrive in Lhasa, then you will be transfer to the hotel. Please take a rest and acclimatize the high altitude in the hotel and no need to rush for sightseeing.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Lhasa, a 3-star hotel
Day 2: Lhasa City, Potala Place,Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
Stop At: Potala Palace, No.35 Gongqian Alley, Beijing Middle Road Cheng Guan District, Lhasa 850000 China
Your tour will begin from UNESCO World Heritage site – Potala Palace. As you approach Potala Palace, marvel at the 13-story fort, which dominates the Lhasa Valley at an altitude of 12,140 feet (3,700 meters). Established in the 7th century during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo, Potala Palace was built as a winter palace of the Dalai Lama. The complex, built on Red Mountain, covers 101 acres (41 hectares) and includes many sutras and painted scrolls — a treasure of traditional Tibetan culture and Buddhism.
Pass through the massive walled gates and turrets with your guide and visit the private rooms, shrine room and audience hall of the present Dalai Lama on the uppermost level of the White Palace. View the most sacred shrine, the Phakpa Lhakang Temple, as well as the entombed stupas of past Dalai Lamas. Marvel at the Namgyal Monastery assembly hall and its fascinating murals!
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Chengguan District, Lhasa 850000 China
Designated as part of the same UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jokhang Temple Monastery is a spiritual center for Buddhists in Tibet. . A renowned pilgrimage destination for Tibetans, the Buddhist religious complex was founded by Queen Bhrikuti in the 7th century. Look with awe at the temple’s rich ornamentation, beautiful murals and harmonious integration with the striking landscape. Your guide will take you to the temple’s most important chapels and point out the sacred Jowo Sakyamuni Buddha statue, which represents the Buddha at the age of 12.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Barkhor Street, Chengguan District, Lhasa 851500 China
Next, continue to Barkhor Street, which runs through the heart of the old city and filled with pilgrims and street vendors. Life here has changed little over the centuries. As you walk in a clockwise direction along the circuit, you’ll find stalls selling everything from traditional Tibetan clothes to knives to prayer wheels and thangka, Tibetan scroll painting.
In the evening, enjoy the welcome dinner before retiring to your hotel.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Lhasa, a 3-star hotel
Day 3: Monasteries in Lhasa, Drepung and Sera
Stop At: Drepung Monastery (Zhebang Si), Southern Slope of Genpeiwuzi Mountain, Chengguan District, Lhasa 850000 China
In the morning, visit Drepung monastery —- the home temple of the Dalai Lama and known as one of the “three greet” Gelug monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1416. Drepung monastery used to be a seat of central government until the 5th Dalai Lama built Potala Palace.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Sera Monastery, Wuze Hill , Sera Chengguan District, Lhasa 850000 China
In the afternoon visit Sera Monastery—It was one of the “three great” Gelug monasteries of Tibet and developed over the centuries as a renowned place of scholarly learning. Admire the imposing complex, built in 1419 by one of the eight disciples of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelugpa sect. As you explore the site, your guide will explain the significance of the picturesque green and gold design, typical of Tibetan architecture. Learn about the 1959 revolt that destroyed some of the monastery structures and caused many surviving monks to seek refuge in Mysore, India, where another Sera Monastery was established. The highlight will be monks debate around 3 pm – 5 pm.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Lhasa, a 3-star hotel
Day 4: Lhasa to Gyantse to Shigatse (370km)
Stop At: Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, Langkazi Country, Nagarze County 851100 China
Today, you will go to Gyantse from Lhasa. On the way, you will drive by the Gampala pass (4790 m),and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok Yumtso Lake (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and be impressed by the spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m) in distance, the highest mountain near Lhasa. Escape from the noisy city and just enjoy the incredible nature at the moment.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Karo La Glacier, Provincial Road S307, Nagarze County 851100 China
Later, you will visit the Karola Glacier—-the closest glacier to the road and one of the three major continental glaciers in Tibet. The glacier originates at Mt. Noijin Kangsang 7,191m which is one of the four holy mountains of Tibet.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Manla Reservoir, Longma Country, Gyangze County 857400 China
Stop to savour the breathtaking views of the beautiful turquoise Manla Reservoir on the Yarlong Tsangpo river. The reservoir, called the First Dam of Tibet, it functions as irrigation, power generation and flood control. Believed to be a holy place, is situated around the Simila Mountain Pass(4200m) and masses of colourful prayer flags hang cross the rocks fluttering and dancing their prayers in the breeze making this a spectacular spot that will live in your memory.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Palkhor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa, Northwest of the County, Gyangze County 857400 China
Known as the only religious art museum in China, Palkhor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa combines architecture, painting and sculpture together. Built in 1436 and surrounded by a battlement wall, the monastery and temples been well protected and wonderful setting. Enjoy the peaceful here and feel stepping back in time.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Shigatse, Shigatse, Tibet
After about 1.5h driving, you will reach Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. Take a break and relax in the evening.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Shigatse, a 3-star hotel
Day 5: Shigatse to Rongpuk Everest Base Camp(340km)
Stop At: Himalayas
Drive to Lhatse where you can have lunch. Then travel to Shegar and if the weather is clear enough, you can see the Mt. Everest in distance on the way back down. On the way, you will pass Pang la Pass(5050m), one of the highest passes in Tibet. From the pass, enjoy the stunning view of the five highest peaks in the world. After 4 – 6 h driving, you will arrive at Rongbuk monastery.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Big tent or dorm bed accommodation at Base Camp or Rongbuk Monastery
Day 6: Everest Base Camp Return to Shigatse(340km)
Stop At: Rongbuk Monastery, near North Everest Base Camp, Tingri County China
In the morning, appreciate the sunrise of Everest Peak at the lodging area before visit the Rongbuk Monastery – It’s a small and simple Monastery but has the most amazing views because of the Himalayas and known as the unique highest monastery with nuns and monks living together. Later on, drive back to Shigatse.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Shigatse, a 3-star hotel
Day 7: Shigatse to Lhasa (270km)
Stop At: Tashilunpo Monastery, Jijilangka Road, Shigatse 857001 China
Today, explore the Tashilunpo monastery. Founded by the 1st Dalai Lama in 1447,considered as the home of Panchen Lama and the largest monastery in the area. It display the biggest gilded Maitreya (Future Buddha) in the world and a tomb of all the Panchen Lama with jewels and gold here.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Yarlong Tsangpo River, Nyingchi, Nyingchi County China
After visiting Tashilunpo Monastery, you will head to Lhasa along the friendship way. It normally takes about 6 h and you will have a glance of the Yarlung Tsangpo valley.
Please note that the transportation method from Shigatse to Lhasa could be by train.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Lhasa, a 3-star hotel
Day 8: Lhasa to Namtso Lake to Damxung (300km)
Stop At: Lake Namtso, Nakchu Region, Damxung County China
Drive from Lhasa to Lake Namtso in the morning. You can see Nyenchen Thanglha (snow mountain ranges ) and lots of nomads with yak and sheep grazing nearby. Known as the “Heavenly Lake” and one of the four holy lakes in Tibet also is the highest saline lake in the world. Have a relaxing trek around lakeside and Tashi Island. Integrate into this pure, solemn and stunning holy place.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Damxung County, Damxung County, Tibet
Admire broad highland prairies surround Lake Namtso. White snowy mountains, blue lake, green grassland and black yak form a beautiful landscape complete an incredible picture.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Damxung Hotel
Day 9: Damxung to Lhasa(180km)
Stop At: Yangbajin Geothermy, Yangbajing Town, Damxung County 851500 China
Yangbajin attracts visitors with its unique resources: hot springs. The hot spring geothermal field covers an area of 40 square kilometers and the 70°C hot water boils in the dense fog and generates bubbles throughout the year. In the background of the Nyenchen Tangula mountain range and vast green pastures, white steam dragons are clearly visible a few kilometers away. You can take a bath here(own expense) on the way back to Lhasa.
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Lhasa, a 3-star hotel
Day 10: Depart from Lhasa
Stop At: Lhasa, Lhasa, Tibet
Transfer from hotel to airport(at specified time) or train station(anytime).
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
