Tibet Roof of the World

Fly into Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) where your English-speaking guide and private driver will greet you with a traditional white khata (silk scarf) — a Tibetan symbol of pure welcome. Transfer to your hotel in the city center (approximately 1 hour drive).

Today is dedicated to acclimatization. Lhasa sits at 3,650 meters (11,975 feet), and your body needs time to adjust to the altitude. Rest at the hotel, drink plenty of water, and avoid strenuous activity. Your guide will check in on you and offer tips for altitude comfort.

• Private airport transfer with oxygen supply in vehicle
• Traditional khata welcome ceremony
• Hotel check-in and altitude acclimatization briefing
• Evening at leisure to rest and adjust

Visit the iconic Potala Palace, the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and the most recognizable landmark in Tibet. This 13-story architectural marvel rises 117 meters above the city, housing over 1,000 rooms, countless chapels, and stunning murals. Climb the steps slowly — the altitude makes every step a meditation.

In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet and the holiest shrine in Tibetan Buddhism. Built in 647 AD, it houses the revered Jowo Shakyamuni statue. Join devoted pilgrims on the Barkhor Circuit, the sacred kora (walking path) around the temple, lined with shops selling Tibetan handicrafts, incense, and jewelry.

• Potala Palace guided tour (2–3 hours)
• Jokhang Temple visit and prayer hall experience
• Barkhor Street walking and shopping
• Traditional Tibetan lunch with butter tea

Drive through stunning mountain passes to Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's three sacred lakes. At 4,441 meters, its turquoise waters stretch beneath snow-capped peaks — a sight that defies description. The color shifts from deep sapphire to vivid emerald depending on the sunlight.

Continue to the Karola Glacier, where a massive tongue of ice descends to just 5,560 meters above sea level, right beside the road. This is one of the most accessible glaciers in Tibet. On the return, stop at a local Tibetan village for a home-visit experience with nomadic herders.

• Scenic drive over Kamba La Pass (4,790m)
• Yamdrok Lake viewpoint and lakeside walk
• Karola Glacier photo stop
• Tibetan village home visit with yak butter tea

Depart Lhasa and follow the historic Friendship Highway toward Gyantse. Visit the remarkable Kumbum Stupa, a nine-tiered structure containing 77 chapels adorned with over 10,000 Buddhist murals — one of Tibet's finest artistic achievements.

Continue to Shigatse, Tibet's second-largest city, and visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama. Explore its vast complex of golden roofs, red halls, and the world's largest bronze Buddha statue (26 meters tall). Join the evening kora circuit with local pilgrims.

• Drive along the Friendship Highway (3–4 hours)
• Gyantse Kumbum Stupa and Pelkor Chode Monastery
• Tashilhunpo Monastery full tour
• Evening kora walk with local pilgrims

This is the day you've been waiting for. Drive through the world's most dramatic mountain scenery, crossing the Gyawula Pass (5,220m) where you'll see four of the world's six highest peaks in a single panoramic view — Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.

Arrive at Everest Base Camp (5,200m), where the north face of the world's highest mountain towers above you. Visit Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery on Earth, and mail a postcard from the world's highest post office. Watch the sunset paint Everest's peak in golden light — a moment you'll never forget.

• Scenic drive over Gyawula Pass (5,220m)
• Four 8,000m+ peak panoramic viewpoint
• Everest Base Camp experience
• Rongbuk Monastery visit
• Sunset viewing over Mount Everest

Wake before dawn to witness sunrise over Mount Everest. As the first rays hit the summit, the peak glows pink and gold against the dark sky — photographers call this the "Golden Summit." It's a deeply moving experience shared with fellow travelers from around the world.

After breakfast, begin the return drive to Shigatse. Stop in small Tibetan villages along the way, where you can interact with locals, see traditional barley farming, and enjoy a hearty Tibetan lunch. The drive offers ever-changing views of the Himalayan range.

• Everest sunrise experience
• Morning at Base Camp for photography
• Village stops and local interactions
• Return to Shigatse for overnight

Drive back to Lhasa via the scenic Yarlung Tsangpo River valley. In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery, famous for its dynamic monk debates — a centuries-old practice where monks test each other's understanding of Buddhist philosophy through animated gestures and loud clapping.

Also visit the Tibetan Medicine Museum to learn about the ancient healing system that has been practiced for over 2,500 years. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner featuring authentic Tibetan cuisine — yak meat, momos (dumplings), tsampa (roasted barley), and chang (barley beer).

• Scenic drive back to Lhasa (4–5 hours)
• Sera Monastery and monk debate experience
• Tibetan Medicine Museum visit
• Farewell Tibetan dinner with cultural performance

Savor your final morning in the Roof of the World. Take a last look at the Potala Palace from a scenic viewpoint, or enjoy a quiet walk along the Lhasa River. Your guide and driver will provide a private transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport for your departure flight.

• Optional morning walk or souvenir shopping
• Private airport transfer (1 hour)
• Farewell and assistance with check-in