Day 01 Flight to Lhasa

(Altitude: 3,595m/11,792ft)

The most popular gateway cities to fly into Lhasa are Chengdu and Beijing in China and Kathmandu in Nepal. If you are flying from Chengdu or Beijing or other mainland Chinese cities, please allow minimum a day there to collect the original permit that is required to board in the plane. If you are flying out of Kathmandu, then you need to allow 2-3 days in Kathmandu to obtain your Chinese Visa and Tibet permits. For more info on visa and permit formalities, please see the travel info section.

Upon arrival, you will meet your Guide and driver outside the airport and then transfer by land cruiser to your hotel in the city (75km/47 miles, 1 hr).

Few miles before Lhasa, we stop at Drolma Lakhang, a small but significant monastery, rich with ancient relics and hidden treasures. Next, we will also stop by the blue rock carving of Shakyamuni Buddha at the base of a cliff.

Check in hotel and take rest for the balance of the day for acclimatization. By now, you must have already started feeling the effects of altitude that includes mild headache, light -headedness, disorientation etc. Drink plenty of water and liquid food in meals.

Tibetan opera and folk dance show (Optional): If you are doing fine with the altitude, it's worth going for a Tibetan opera and folk dance show that gives glimpses of Tibetan culture. The show with dinner costs about US$ 15.

Accommodation in Kyichu or Gyangyen or Thangka Hotel (3*)
Meals: None

Day 02 Visit Drepung Monastery, Jorkhang Temple and the Old Town walking tour

Following breakfast, we drive 5 miles west of central Lhasa to visit Drepung Monastery which was once world's largest monasteries with around 7000 resident monks! Drepung Monastery was the home to the Dalai Lamas and the power center of Tibet, until the 5th built Potala Palace.

We visit the Ganden Palace, the main assembly hall and the several chapels and colleges. The monastery also commands the panoramic views of the valley.

From Drepung, we walk 10 minutes downhill to visit Nechung Monastery-which had a historical role as the State Oracle until 1959. No Dalai Lama's would take any important decision without consulting the Nechung Oracle.

After visiting Nechung Oracle, we walk back to the car park and drive to the old town of Barkhor. We visit Jorkhang Temple-built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo to house the  image of Akshobhya Buddha brought as a part of dowry by wife Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal! Jorkhang Temple is the most revered of all religious shrines in Tibet. Thick with the smell of butter lamps and burning incense, the murmur of sacred Tibetan mantras, prostrating Tibetan devotees, visiting Jorkhang is indeed an unrivalled Tibetan experience. We visit the various chapels of the temple and later, we take leisurely walking tour  of the old town. The Tibetan old town is the refuge for the soul of Lhasa, unaffected by the Chinese influence. The walk takes us in the craft workshops, back-street chapels and pilgrimage path with the Tibetan devotees spinning prayer wheels or counting beads with the murmur of sacred mantras. The complete circuit can take up to 3 hours but you can cut short and return to the Barkhor Square from anywhere.

Accommodation in Kyichu or Gyangyen or Thangka Hotel (3*)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 03 Lingkhor Walking Tour, Potala Palace and Sera Monastery.

If you are interested taking Lingkhor walking tour that finishes in Potala Palace, we need to start a bit early. We transfer by car to Dickey Lam (Deji Zhonglu in Chinese) and join the hundreds of Tibetan pilgrims heading to the Potala. The trail takes us through the rock carvings, a chorten built entirely of the carved money stones.  Take chance to watch the Tibetans rubbing their backs, shoulders and hips against a series of polished holy stones at the intersection of Beijing Road and Dickey Lam. We continue east to the Golden Yak Statue and time permitting, we climb the view point just above the white chorten for photography opportunity. By now, it must be time for us to enter the Potala Palace-Lhasa's cardinal landmark.

Situated atop Marpo Ri, 130m high hill, with a commanding view of all Lhasa, Potala Palace is one of the great wonders of world architecture. The palace was the power center of Tibet until Dalai Lama's departe to India in 1959. The complex has two palaces-White Palace and the main Red Palace. The White Palace houses the throne rooms of the 13th and 14th Dalai Lamas, a reception hall, meditation room and the bedroom of Dalai Lamas. The Red Palace has various chapels and the tombs of Dalai Lamas. Photography inside the palace is forbidden.

Now, we head to Sera Monastery which lies about 3 miles north of central Lhasa. Sera Monastery is one of Lhasa's two great Gelugpa institutions, second only to Drepung. Founded in the early 15th century by Sakya Yeshe-a disciple of Tsongkhapa, Sera Monastery was once home to more than 5000 monks. The monk population is now limited to 500 or so. As the chapels start closing at 3 p.m., we first explore the various chapels of the monastery and then attend the debating ceremony of the monks which takes place between 3 pm and 5 pm. If you are not interested seeing chapels, you can take hike on the pilgrimage path of the monastery which takes less than an hour. Before leaving the monastery, we take chance to have a look at the printing blocks in the new hall.

Dickey Orphanage Visit (Optional): In between the sightseeing or in the evening, request your Guide to take you to Dickey Orphanage that provides shelter ,food and education to more than 73 orphans and abandoned children from all over Tibet.!Meet the children and their mother Dickey! Plan to bring toys or some gift donations.

Tenzin Blind Massage Center (Optional): A private enterprise set up by a student of Braille Without Borders organization. You can chose between Chinese or Tibetan style massage given by the blinds.

Accommodation in Kyichu or Gyangyen or Thangka Hotel (3*)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 04 Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse, en route side excursion of Samdring and Ralung Monasteries

(Altitude 4,105 m/13467ft, distance 280 km/ 176miles, driving hours 6 ½.)

Following breakfast, we set out on the high roads of Tibet  and cross two high passes-Kamba La (15,700 ft) and Karo La (16,500ft). The passes are marked by the prayer flags offered by the devout Tibetans who pay for the success of the trips. We stop in the passes for a while to enjoy the views of the snow capped mountains and the vast Tibetan plains. We can also take a fun ride of decorated yaks. We will enjoy a scenic drive along the shores of  Yamdrok-tso Lake which is one of the holiest lakes of Tibet. Near the shores of the lake, we visit Samding Monastery-an unusual monastery-traditionally headed by a female incarnate Lama named Dorje Phangmo. The monastery,situated on a ridge, provides excellent views of the plain and the mountains to the south.

We will also get off the beaten track and make a 4.5 miles detour south to Ralung Monastery-home to 15 resident monks. The original main structure and the stupa now exists in ruins.

We arrive at our hotel in Gyantse late afternoon. We check in hotel and take rest for the balance of the day.

Accommodation in Gyantse Hotel (3*)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 05 Another day at Gyantse. Explore Pelkor Chode Monastery, Kumbum Stupa and hike the Gyantse Dzong fortress.

Gyantse, once used to be the third largest town of Tibet after Lhasa and Shigatse. Now that Tibet has gone through a vast change and new towns like Bayi and Tsedang have emerged, but Gyantse largely remains a small town with laid-back atmosphere.

Today we visit Pelkore Chode Monastery and Kumbum Stupa that shares the same compound. Founded in the early 15th century, the compound once housed 15 monasteries that brought together three different sects of Buddhism-Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Buton. Now, the monastery has a small monk population but still attracts a steady stream of praying and prostrating pilgrims. We visit the main assembly hall of the monastery (bring a flash light as its dark inside).

Next we visit the adjoining Kumbum Stupa which is the landmark of Gyantse, visible from far away. The 115 ft high structure with its white layers with decorative stripes and crown-like golden dome is simply awe-inspiring.

Walking enthusiasts can take a stiff 20 minute climb to the top of Gyantse Dzong which is worth for the great views of the monastery and the town. We explore the 14th-century fort's buildings and chambers. There are a few of interesting murals as well.

You can spend the rest of the day strolling in the town which has very much Tibetan character. If you want something harder, then we recommend hiking to Rabse Nunnery that is hidden behind a hill that runs between Pelkore Chode Monastery and the fort. The trail begins at the back of the Pelkore Chode Monastery and takes 2 hours out and back.

Accommodation in Gyantse Hotel (3*)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 06 Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse

(Altitude: 3898 m/12,785ft distance 91 km/57miles, driving hours 2 ½.)

Today, we drive to Shigatse-the second largest city of Tibet. The road passes through the fertile Nyanchu Valley with a wide agricultural plain. On the way, we might see Tibetan farmers with their colorfully decorated yaks and horses tilling the land. About 13 miles before Shigatse, we take Shalu Monastery turn off to visit the 11th century monastery which has a great importance in local history and culture. The monastery is the seat of Buddhist sub-order Buton.

We retrace drive to the main highway and continue on to Shigatse. After wash and change in our hotel, we quickly set out to visit the massive Tashilunbo Monastery- the principal seat of Panchen Lama-Tibet’s second most revered religious leader after Dalai Lama.

Time permitting, we will visit the Tibetan market in front of the Tenzin Hotel which is a good bargain place for Tibetan handicrafts such as prayer wheels, thangka painting etc. If you are interested, request your Guide to take you to Gang Gyen Carpet Factory beside the Gang Gyen Hotel. The factory hires and trains the underprivileged women to weave the some of the finest Tibetan woolen rugs.

Accommodation in Shigatse Manasarovara Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 07 Drive from Shigatse to Shegar with Shakya Monastery detour

(Altitude: 4050m/13500ft distance 182km/121miles, driving hours 5).

The journey involves crossing of two high passes Tropu La (16,236 ft) and Gyatso La (17,122 ft); cuts through several picturesque villages and we will have spectacular mountain views at our left all the time.

About 72 miles after Shigatse, we will take detour of Sakya Village -which is about 17 miles off the main highway, accessed via a dirt road through a farming land. The main attraction here is the monastery-the principal seat of Sakyapa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism that holds an important place in Tibetan history.

Upon arrival at Shegar, we check in our hotel. You can take rest for the remainder of day or take an optional hike to the Shegar Dzong which exists in ruins now. Along the way up, we can see the views of Mount Everest and other Himalayas. We will also stop to visit Shegar Chode Monastery a small 13th century Gelugpa institution

Qomolongma Hotel or Shanghai Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 08 Drive from Xegar to Dza Rongbuk Monastery.

(Altitude: 4980m/16,600ft distance 91km/57miles, driving hours 3)

Following breakfast, Enjoy stupendous views of several 8 thousands like Makalu; Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Mount Everest from the top of Pang-la pass (5120m/16,794 ft). We pass through some tiny picturesque Tibetan villages before we arrive at Rongbuk Monastery, situated an altitude of 4980m (16,334ft) is claimed to be the highest monastery in the world.

Basic accommodation with share toilet, squat style.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 09 Hike to the Everest Base camp and return drive to Tingri

(Altitude: 4390m/14420ft, distance 151km, driving hours 4 ½ hrs.)

It’s about 1 to 1 ½ hr walking with soft altitude gain from the monastery to the Everest Base Camp. We enjoy unobstructed views of the mighty mountain from bottom to the top and other neighboring peaks. On the return, we may opt to take horse carriage ride. We collect our luggage and head back to the highway. We stay overnight a small Tibetan village of Tingri.

Snow Leopard Hotel with basic facilities.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Drive from Tingri to Zhangmu.

(Altitude 2300m/7544 ft, distance 193km/120 miles, 5 hrs.)

We continue our drive on the Friendship Highway towards southern frontier of Tibet. We cross two high passes Lablung La ( 5, 124m/16, 806 ft) and Tong La ( 5, 120m/16, 794 ft) and have the last views of Mount Everest, Sishapangma and Cho Oyu and descend to Nyalam-the last Tibetan town. From here the road drops sharply along the shores of Bhotekoshi River. As we leave Nyalam behind, the landscape changes from the rugged mountains to the green hills.
Tonight we stay in Zhangmu-the Chinese frontier town.

Zhangmu Hotel or Caiyuna Hotel, 3 star hotel by local standard.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 Zhangmu-Kathmandu

(Altitude 1310m/4, 297 ft, distance 142km/95miles, 5-6hrs.)

We get exit stamp on our passport at the immigration in Chinese side and then bid farewell to Tibetan crews. We walk cross the Friendship Bridge and meet Nepali Guide and the driver. We can obtain Nepali visa here if we do not have one yet. You need to complete visa application form and affix a passport size photograph. Visa fee costs US$ 25 for a 15 day valid visa. From here, it takes about 4 hrs to reach Kathmandu.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, check in hotel and take rest for the day.

Overnight Shanker Hotel(4*)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 Service ends.

Transfer to the airport for flight back home.
Meals: Breakfast.