8 Days Central Tibet and Namtso Small Group Tour
Renowned as one of the most beautiful places in Tibet with snow-capped mountains and open grassland, Lake Namtso is the biggest lake in Tibet and second largest saltwater lake in China, also the world’s highest lake. This tour will take you enjoy the stunning scenery of Lake Namtso, besides, you will also have the chance to experience the central Tibet culture through visiting the three biggest old cities in Tebit: Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse.
Highlights:
- Feel the strong Buddhism atmosphere in Tibet.
- Enjoy the stunning scenery of Lake Namtso.
- Visit the three biggest old cities in Tibet: Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse.
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Lhasa Arrival
- Day 2: Lhasa
- Day 3: Lhasa
- Day 4: Lhasa – Shigatse
- Day 5: Shigatse – Lhasa
- Day 6: Lhasa – Namtso
- Day 7: Namtso – Lhasa
- Day 8: Lhasa Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Lhasa Arrival
Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals:
Welcome to the roof of the world – Lhasa! Upon arrival, met by tour guide and transferred to you hotel. Have a good rest and get acclimatized to the high altitude in Tibet.
Day 2 Lhasa
Sightseeing and Activities: Potala Palace, Johkang Temple, Barkhor Street
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast at hotel, the Lhasa tour begins with the must-see attraction – Potala Palace, the largest monastery of its type in the world and official home to Dalai Lama.
In the afternoon, move on to Jokhang Monastery and walk along the Barkhor Street nearby. Enjoy the local Tibetan culture here. If time allows, visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center(Optional).
Besides, taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house and then enjoy the welcome dinner. In the evening, enjoy Tibetan Culture Show(optional).
Day 3 Lhasa
Sightseeing and Activities: Drepung monastery, Sera Monastery
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at hotel, drive to visit Drepung Monastery – one of the three great monasteries in Tibet. Visit the biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.
In the afternoon, move on to another one of the “great three” Gelug university monasteries of Tibet – Sera Monastery. Visit Monks debate, Tibetan religious scripture printing house, three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.
Day 4 Lhasa – Shigatse
Sightseeing and Activities: Yamdrok-tso, Pelkor Monastery, Gyantse Kumbum, Gyangtse Fortress, Barley Mill, Barley Field
Accommodation: Shigatse
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, we will drive over the Gampala pass to Shigatse. On the way, have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso – one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet, which is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams. Also have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance, the highest mountain near Lhasa.
Then pass the Korola Glacier and enjoy it on the roadside. At Manak Dam Lake, we can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass. After Gyantse arrival – Tibet’s third largest city, visit the Pelkor Monastery, Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the far view of Gyangtse Fortress.
Continue the drive to Shigatse – the second largest city in Tibet. In summer, we will visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field.
Day 5 Shigatse – Lhasa
Sightseeing and Activities: Tashilunpo Monastery
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, head to visit the home of Panchan Lama – Tashilunpo Monastery and see the well preserved largest statue of Jampa (future god) in the world. Founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama, it is a historic and culturally important monastery.
Then follow Yalong Valley back to Lhasa. Transferred to your hotel by the tour guide.
Day 6 Lhasa – Namtso
Sightseeing and Activities: Namtso Lake, Tashi Island
Accommodation: Namtso
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, drive about 250km to Lake Namtso, the biggest lake in Tibet and second largest saltwater lake in China. On the way, enjoy the views of snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Ranges, the nomads and their grazing yak and sheep(in summer), Sky-Road Railway, etc. We can view the stunning vista of holy Namtso Lake while standing at the Lagenla Mountain Pass(5190m).
In the afternoon, trek around Tashi Island and enjoy sunset of Namtso. At night, enjoy night view of the milky way.
Day 7 Namtso Lake – Lhasa
Sightseeing and Activities: sunrise, meditation caves, hot spring(optional)
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals:
In the early morning, enjoy the sunrise of the Namtso Lake and walk along the lake shore to explore the meditation caves on Tashi Dor Island.
In the afternoon, enjoy the optional Yangpachen hot spring (paid by yourself). After that, drive back to Lhasa.
Day 8 Lhasa Departure
Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast
Today your wonderful tour will complete. Be escorted to the airport for your flight and service ends.
Service Included:
- Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
- Meals as listed in the itinerary;
- Accommodations: hotels based on twin occupancy as specified(Except day tours);
- Sharing English-speaking tour guide;
- Sharing vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
- Service charge & government taxes;
- Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
- Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.
Service Excluded:
- Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
- Chinese visa fees;
- Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
- Single room supplement;
- Tips to guides and drivers;
- Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
- Personal travel accident insurance;
- All optional programs.
