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Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Spirituality
Destinations
Tibet

Explore Classic Tibet on this 7-day journey to the roof of the world. Visit ancient monasteries where monks engage in lively philosophical debate, and see the home of the Dalai Lama. Enjoy a meditative walk with pilgrims at Jokhang Temple and see some of the most famous sights in Tibet on a side trip to the city of Shigatse with stops at Yamdrok Tso Lake and Gyantse. Also, get to know the friendly Tibetan people and their spiritual nature; they maintain unique traditional practices such as pilgrimage prostration and sky burial. Last but not least, admire a truly magical landscape of magnificent snowy mountain ranges, mirror-like glacial lakes, and stark barren plateaus.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Potala Palace: Once the seat of the Tibetan government and the winter residence of Dalai Lamas, this impressive wonder is now open to the public and a must-see. The palace rises 13-storeys and took over 50 years to complete.
  • Inner Peace: Tibet's captivating atmosphere exudes a sense of spirituality that is quintessential to its identity. The serene quiet of the vast, high-altitude land, clean air, and its faith-driven people make Tibet feel a whole world away from everywhere else.
  • Gyantse/Shigatse: Stop to explore Gyantse’s famous Pelkhor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa en route to Shigatse where you’ll visit a monastery founded by the first Dalai Lama and the large Maitreya Buddha statue.
  • Yamdrok Tso Lake: One of the most spectacular of Tibet's glacial lakes, Yamdrok is equally stunning and religiously significant. It is believed to be the home of many gods and goddesses.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Lhasa

Arrive in Tibet's capital, Lhasa, where you'll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The drive there will take around two hours, but it will provide stunning views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River and its backdrop of snowcapped mountains. Spend the afternoon at your leisure, resting up for the days ahead and getting acclimatized. The city sits at 11,450 feet, making it one of the highest cities in the world.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location:The Shangri-La Lhasa is located in the center of the city, within walking distance to Lhasa’s historic sites.

History:Lhasa is rich with history, and the hotel pays homage to this heritage by promoting local traditions and creating a luxurious environment with traditionally Tibetan appeal.

Service: Guests can enjoy true Tibetan hospitality through various customs in addition to the Shangri-La's world-famous five-star service.

See Hotel
Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Lhasa

Visit Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which was once the home of the Dalai Lama. From Potala, head to Norbulingka, a park founded in 1755 by the seventh Dalai Lama and home to the summer residence of the Lama lineage. Afterwards, stroll the cobbled vibrant street market of Barkhor Square, and visit Jokhang Temple, Tibet's holiest temple. Here, you'll have the chance to join other pilgrims circumambulating the temple and be blessed by one of the senior monks.

Lhasa
Lhasa

Day 3

Lhasa

Continue your tour of Lhasa's holy sites with a visit to the 15th-century Drepung Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in the world. Afterward, embark on a 1-2 hour hike, stopping at Sera Monastery, famous for its lively monk debates, where different aspects of Buddhist philosophy are discussed. Five-thousand monks live in this 15th-century building, which is one of three major "Gelupka" universities. Time-permitting, stop at the Tibet Museum which tells of Tibet's history and culture. It is also home to a rich collection of prehistoric cultural relics.

Day 4

Shigatse

In the morning begin your drive to Shigatse via Yamdrok Tso Lake (~360km /224mi, 6-7hrs).  At Kampala pass (5,000m /16,404ft), take in panoramic views of the picturesque Yamdrok Tso Lake, as well as the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Nojin Kangsang in the distance. Go for an easy walk along the shores of Yamdrok Tso Lake (4,441m /14,570ft). Located north of the Himalayas, Yamdrok Tso Lake is one of the three holiest lakes in Tibet, and it’s also called Green Jade Lake because of its clear turquoise water.  Continuing your drive to Shigatse you will stop in Gyantse to visit the Pelkhor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa.  Pelkhor Monastery is known for the coexistence of the three different sects of Tibetan Buddhism (the Gelug, Sakya, and the Kagyu sect), and the unique clay sculptures and vivid murals preserved from the 15th century. If energy permits, ascend the Kumbum Stupa and explore some of its many chapels. Continue the drive to Shigatse (3,900m /12,795ft), the second largest city in Tibet. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening on your own.  

Hotel Options
About

Surrounded by mountains, The Hilton Shigatse is a new hotel in the city center of Shigatse. The modern furnished rooms feature oxygen supplies and humidifiers to help guests adjust to the altitude difference.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Shigatse
Shigatse

Day 5

Shigatse

Head to Shalu Village and visit the secluded Shalu Monastery which is located 20km /12mi southeast to Shigatse, This monastery was constructed in a mixture of Tibetan, Han, Indian, and Nepalese styles and boasts a large volume of well-preserved mural paintings, Buddhist sculptures, and precious rock engravings from the 11-14th centuries. Tour the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas. As the Buddhist center of the vast Shigatse region, Tashilhunpo Monastery was founded by the first Dalai Lama in 1447, and expanded by the fourth and successive Panchen Lamas. Visit the huge statue of Maitreya Buddha, Panchen Lamas’ stupas, as well as all the exquisite murals and numerous ancient relics.

Day 6

Lhasa

After breakfast, transfer to the Shigatse Railway Station and board the train back to Lhasa (a ride of 2.5hrs, for convenience your luggage will be transported to Lhasa by your vehicle).  Launched in 2014, the train is now a popular way for local Tibetans to travel between Shigatse and Lhasa, and it also provides a unique experience for travelers as the train rattles along the Yarlong Tsangpo River through the scenic farmlands and mountains. Arrive in Lhasa in the afternoon, transfer to your hotel having the rest of the day free at your leisure.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location:The Shangri-La Lhasa is located in the center of the city, within walking distance to Lhasa’s historic sites.

History:Lhasa is rich with history, and the hotel pays homage to this heritage by promoting local traditions and creating a luxurious environment with traditionally Tibetan appeal.

Service: Guests can enjoy true Tibetan hospitality through various customs in addition to the Shangri-La's world-famous five-star service.

See Hotel
Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa Preferred Hotel
Lhasa
Lhasa

Day 7

Departure

After breakfast, spend your time at leisure and take another walk around town if you wish, before your private transfer to the airport for your flight onward.

Suggested Hotel For Days 1–3

Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa
Preferred Hotel

Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa

Opened in April 2014, this luxury property is a fitting new addition to the Lhasa hospitality scene. Shangri-La is, after all, the mythical kingdom believed to inhabit the Tibetan plateaus. Located in the city center, this stylish urban retreat allows guests to experience time-honored Tibetan customs - being welcomed with a local drink called chima, for instance, and being presented with a ceremonial khata scarf. Visitors at the Shangri-La Lhasa can enjoy being within strolling distance of this historic city's main attractions, including Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. For those who find Lhasa's high-altitude landscapes literally breathtaking, there's an oxygen lounge and relaxation center at the resort primed for guest recuperation. As with all Shangri-La properties, local culture plays a vital role in both the hospitality and the décor. At the Lhasa resort, this manifests in traditional architecture and design, with contemporary, luxuriously appointed guest rooms accented with local Tibetan textiles and artworks. Guests are also spoiled with far-reaching views of the mountains, the city and the spectacular Potala Palace.  

See Hotel

Suggested Hotel For Days 4–5

Hilton Shigatse

Hilton Shigatse

Surrounded by mountains, The Hilton Shigatse is a new hotel in the city center of Shigatse. The modern furnished rooms feature oxygen supplies and humidifiers to help guests adjust to the altitude difference. Facilities include a fitness gym. There are 3 restaurant options, a modern BBQ, sophisticated Chinese cuisine, and an all-day dining lounge with signature breakfast and buffet or a-la-carte dining for lunch and dinner. The famous Tashilhunpo Monastery is five minutes away by car, and nearby pedestrian streets feature local markets, restaurants, and shops.

Suggested Hotel For Day 6

Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa
Preferred Hotel

Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa

Opened in April 2014, this luxury property is a fitting new addition to the Lhasa hospitality scene. Shangri-La is, after all, the mythical kingdom believed to inhabit the Tibetan plateaus. Located in the city center, this stylish urban retreat allows guests to experience time-honored Tibetan customs - being welcomed with a local drink called chima, for instance, and being presented with a ceremonial khata scarf. Visitors at the Shangri-La Lhasa can enjoy being within strolling distance of this historic city's main attractions, including Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. For those who find Lhasa's high-altitude landscapes literally breathtaking, there's an oxygen lounge and relaxation center at the resort primed for guest recuperation. As with all Shangri-La properties, local culture plays a vital role in both the hospitality and the décor. At the Lhasa resort, this manifests in traditional architecture and design, with contemporary, luxuriously appointed guest rooms accented with local Tibetan textiles and artworks. Guests are also spoiled with far-reaching views of the mountains, the city and the spectacular Potala Palace.  

See Hotel

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Fringe Benefits

Author
Dave Stamboulis
With red tape constraining travel in Tibet, visitors can imbibe a heady swig of its vivid culture as well as breathtaking scenery in neighboring enclaves like Western Sichuan.
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