Classic Tibet Tours & Sightseeing (6 days)
Please note that this tour can be customized to your wishes if you want to skip certain attractions or add other ones. Please let us know at our booking form so we are able to offer you your perfect trip! This tour is designed for people who do not have a lot of time at the destination but on the other hand do want to see as much as possible. Among others, included are the main attractions in Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse.
Country
Tibet
Duration
6 Days
Difficulty
Moderate
Trip Type
Tour
Max Altitude
4441m/14570ft
Best Season
Mar-Dec
Accomodation
Hotel, Lodge with twin sharing bed basis during the trip
Meals
Full board Meals ( Lunch , Dinner and Breakfast) with cup of hot drinks during the trip.
Start/End Point
Kathmandu
Highlights & Overview
Scenic Himalayan flight between Kathmandu and LhasaExplore Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple (UNESCO sites)Witness monk debates at Sera MonasteryVisit Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s sacred lakesDiscover Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in ShigatseExperience Tibetan culture, history, and plateau landscapes
The 6-day Lhasa–Gyantse–Shigatse Cultural Tour offers a comprehensive introduction to Tibet’s spiritual heritage, royal history, and dramatic high-altitude landscapes. Beginning in Lhasa, the spiritual heart of Tibet, the journey explores UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, along with major monastic universities including Sera and Drepung. Traveling west across the Tibetan Plateau, the tour visits the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake, the historic town of Gyantse, and the important religious center of Shigatse with its famous Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. Carefully paced with acclimatization in mind, this tour is ideal for travelers seeking a culturally immersive and visually stunning Tibet experience.
Short Itinerary
- Day 1: Fly Kathmandu 1300m/4264ft to Lhasa 3600m/11811ft and Hotel Transfer
- Day 2: Lhasa Sightseeing – Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and Norbulingka Palace 3750m/12303ft
- Day 3: Lhasa Sightseeing – Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar 3600m/11811ft
- Day 4: Drive Lhasa 3600m/11811ft to Shigatse 3840m/12598ft via Yamdrok Lake 4441m/14570ft and Gyantse 3950m/12959ft
- Day 5: Shigatse Sightseeing and Drive to Gyantse and Lhasa 3950m/12959ft
- Day 6: Departure – Fly Lhasa 3600m/11811ft to Kathmandu or Onward Destination
Price Includes
Tour/trekking GuideTibet PermitsRoad permitsAccommodation on Bed and Breakfast BasisTransportation during the tripPrice Doesn't Include
FlightsGuide TipsDriver and helpersChina VisaAdditional Services if requirePersonal EquipmentsOther services if requireClassic Tibet Tours & Sightseeing (6 days) Itinerary
Day 1: Fly Kathmandu 1300m/4264ft to Lhasa 3600m/11811ft and Hotel Transfer
You will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your scenic Himalayan flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. The flight offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan range before landing at Gonggar Airport. Upon arrival, our Tibetan representative will welcome you and assist with arrival formalities. You then enjoy a scenic drive through wide river valleys and traditional Tibetan landscapes to reach Lhasa city. After hotel check-in, the rest of the day is reserved for rest and acclimatization, helping your body adjust to the high altitude of the Tibetan Plateau. Overnight stay at a hotel in Lhasa.
Max Altitude
3600m/11811ft
Accomodation
Hotel
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 2: Lhasa Sightseeing – Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and Norbulingka Palace 3750m/12303ft
Today you explore Lhasa’s most iconic cultural and spiritual landmarks. Begin with the magnificent Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering panoramic views over Lhasa Valley. Continue to Sera Monastery, one of Tibet’s great monastic universities, famous for its lively monk debate sessions. Later, visit Norbulingka Palace, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lama, set within beautiful gardens that reflect Tibetan royal life. Overnight stay in Lhasa.
Max Altitude
3750m/12303ft
Accomodation
Hotel
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 3: Lhasa Sightseeing – Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar 3600m/11811ft
This day focuses on the religious heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in the world and an important center of Buddhist learning. Continue to the sacred Jokhang Temple, the holiest shrine in Tibet and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where pilgrims gather daily for prayers. Conclude the day with a walk around Barkhor Bazaar, the vibrant pilgrimage circuit filled with prayer wheels, incense, traditional shops, and local life. Overnight stay in Lhasa.
Max Altitude
3600m/11811ft
Accomodation
Hotel
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 4: Drive Lhasa 3600m/11811ft to Shigatse 3840m/12598ft via Yamdrok Lake 4441m/14570ft and Gyantse 3950m/12959ft
Depart Lhasa and drive west toward Shigatse, traveling across the spectacular Tibetan Plateau. En route, stop at the stunning Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s three sacred lakes, renowned for its turquoise waters surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Continue through Gyantse, a historic trading town, before reaching Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city. Overnight stay at a hotel or guesthouse in Shigatse.
Max Altitude
4441m/14570ft
Accomodation
Hotel / Guesthouse
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 5: Shigatse Sightseeing and Drive to Gyantse and Lhasa 3950m/12959ft
In the morning, visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama and one of the most important monasteries in Tibet. After the visit, drive back toward Gyantse to explore Palchor Chode Monastery, famous for its unique Kumbum stupa and rich Tibetan artwork. In the afternoon, continue driving back to Lhasa, enjoying expansive plateau views along the way. Overnight stay at a hotel in Lhasa.
Max Altitude
3950m/12959ft
Accomodation
Hotel
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 6: Departure – Fly Lhasa 3600m/11811ft to Kathmandu or Onward Destination
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Gonggar Airport for your return flight to Kathmandu or onward destination. As you depart Tibet, take with you unforgettable memories of sacred monasteries, high-altitude lakes, and the timeless culture of the Roof of the World.
Max Altitude
3600m/11811ft
Accomodation
Hotel
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Packing Lists
Cloathing
Heavy down jacket for extreme coldInsulated mid-layer and fleeceWaterproof shell jacket and pantsThermal base layersTrekking pants and shirtsWarm hat, sun hat, neck gaiterInsulated gloves and liner glovesWool trekking socksGears
High-quality trekking bootsCamp shoes or sandalsTrekking polesDaypack with rain coverCold-rated sleeping bagPersonal Items
Sunglasses with high UV protectionSunscreen SPF 50+ and lip balmPersonal medications and altitude medicineToiletries and quick-dry towelOther Items You Can Bring
Passport and Tibet permitsHeadlamp with spare batteriesCamera and power bankRefillable water bottles or purifierEnergy snacks and electrolytes