Tibet Circle
As the name already says it, the Tibet Circle takes you in a circle through Tibet, from its centre to the east and the west, all major cities are visited and there are many guided Tours at the main attractions that Tibet has to offer. A complete tour, guaranteed for a lifetime experience.
Country
Tibet
Duration
14 Days
Difficulty
Moderate
Trip Type
Tour
Max Altitude
5300m/17388ft
Best Season
Mar-Dec
Accomodation
Hotel, Lodge and Camping 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 Kathmandu–Lhasa Himalayan flightExplore UNESCO-listed Potala PalaceVisit Basum Tso and Namtso sacred lakesCross multiple 5000m+ Himalayan passesDiscover Samye, Tibet’s first monasteryVisit Yumbulakang, Tibet’s oldest palaceExperience Gyantse, Shigatse, and rural Tibet
This Eastern and Central Tibet Grand Expedition is a rare, in-depth journey through Tibet’s most culturally rich and geographically diverse regions. From the spiritual landmarks of Lhasa to the forested valleys of Nyingtri, sacred oracle lakes, ancient royal sites of Tsethang, and the turquoise waters of Namtso Lake, this itinerary combines high-altitude adventure with deep cultural immersion. Ideal for travelers seeking a comprehensive Tibetan experience, the journey showcases Buddhism’s origins, breathtaking Himalayan scenery, and traditional Tibetan life across the plateau.
Short Itinerary
- Day 1: Fly Kathmandu 1300m/4264ft to Lhasa 3650m/11975ft, Drive to City
- Day 2: Lhasa Sightseeing, Potala Palace 3750m/12303ft, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar
- Day 3: Lhasa Sightseeing, Drepung Monastery 3800m/12467ft, Sera Monastery and Norbulingka
- Day 4: Drive Lhasa 3650m/11975ft to Nyingtri 3000m/9842ft via Ganden & Basum Tso Lake, Kongpo La 5013m/16447ft
- Day 5: Nyingtri 3000m/9842ft – Serkhim La 5100m/16732ft, Miling 2900m/9514ft
- Day 6: Miling 2900m/9514ft to Gyatsa 3500m/11483ft, Lhamo Lhatso Oracle Lake
- Day 7: Gyatsa 3500m/11483ft to Tsethang 3100m/10170ft via Bothang La 5200m/17060ft
- Day 8: Tsethang 3100m/10170ft – Chongye Tombs – Samye Monastery 3550m/11647ft
- Day 9: Samye 3550m/11647ft to Gyantse 3950m/12959ft via Yamdrok Lake
- Day 10: Gyantse 3950m/12959ft to Shigatse 3840m/12598ft via Shalu Monastery
- Day 11: Shigatse 3840m/12598ft to Damxung 4300m/14107ft via Shuga La 5300m/17388ft
- Day 12: Damxung 4300m/14107ft to Namtso Lake 4718m/15479ft and Return to Lhasa
- Day 13: Leisure Day in Lhasa 3650m/11975ft
- Day 14: Fly Lhasa 3650m/11975ft to Kathmandu 1300m/4264ft
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 requireTibet Circle Itinerary
Day 1: Fly Kathmandu 1300m/4264ft to Lhasa 3650m/11975ft, Drive to City
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your trans-Himalayan flight to Lhasa. Upon arrival at Gonggar Airport, meet our Tibetan representatives and enjoy a scenic drive of approximately 70km to Lhasa city. This gentle introduction allows time for acclimatization while enjoying views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley. Overnight stay at hotel in Lhasa.
Max Altitude
3650m/11975ft
Accomodation
Hotel
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 2: Lhasa Sightseeing, Potala Palace 3750m/12303ft, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar
Explore the spiritual heart of Tibet today. Visit the iconic Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site symbolizing Tibetan history. Continue to the sacred Jokhang Temple, the most revered pilgrimage site in Tibet, followed by a walk around the lively Barkhor Bazaar, where pilgrims and traders create a vibrant cultural atmosphere. Overnight in Lhasa.
Max Altitude
3750m/12303ft
Accomodation
Hotel
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 3: Lhasa Sightseeing, Drepung Monastery 3800m/12467ft, Sera Monastery and Norbulingka
Visit Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in the world, and Sera Monastery, famous for its traditional monk debate sessions. Later explore Norbulingka Summer Palace, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lama set amidst beautiful gardens. Overnight stay in Lhasa.
Max Altitude
3800m/12467ft
Accomodation
Hotel
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 4: Drive Lhasa 3650m/11975ft to Nyingtri 3000m/9842ft via Ganden & Basum Tso Lake, Kongpo La 5013m/16447ft
Depart Lhasa toward eastern Tibet with a detour to Ganden Monastery, one of the great Gelugpa monasteries. Continue to the turquoise waters of Basum Tso Lake, crossing the Kongpo La Pass (5013m). The journey offers dramatic changes from dry plateau to forested valleys. Overnight in Nyingtri.
Max Altitude
5013m/16447ft
Accomodation
Teahouse / Tent
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 5: Nyingtri 3000m/9842ft – Serkhim La 5100m/16732ft, Miling 2900m/9514ft
Visit the ancient Juniper Tree of Nyingtri, then drive toward Serkhim La Pass (5100m) with potential views of Mount Namcha Barwa, one of the eastern Himalaya’s most dramatic peaks. Descend to Lunang for lunch before returning and continuing to Lama Ling Monastery and Pochoe Temple, ending the day in Miling. Overnight in Miling.
Max Altitude
5100m/16732ft
Accomodation
Teahouse / Tent
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 6: Miling 2900m/9514ft to Gyatsa 3500m/11483ft, Lhamo Lhatso Oracle Lake
Drive from Miling toward Gyatsa via Nangzong. Before reaching Gyatsa, visit the sacred Lhamo Lhatso Oracle Lake, traditionally associated with visions of future Dalai Lamas. Continue to Gyatsa County for overnight stay at a guesthouse.
Max Altitude
4550m/14928ft
Accomodation
Guesthouse
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 7: Gyatsa 3500m/11483ft to Tsethang 3100m/10170ft via Bothang La 5200m/17060ft
Drive via Chosum County crossing the high Bothang La Pass (5200m) to reach Tsethang, the cradle of Tibetan civilization. Visit Yumbulakang Palace, Tibet’s oldest palace, and Tradruk Temple, one of the earliest Buddhist temples in Tibet. Overnight in Tsethang.
Max Altitude
5200m/17060ft
Accomodation
Teahouse / Tent
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 8: Tsethang 3100m/10170ft – Chongye Tombs – Samye Monastery 3550m/11647ft
Spend the morning exploring the Chongye Tombs, burial site of ancient Tibetan kings. Drive to Samye Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, designed in a mandala layout. Explore the monastery and surrounding sacred landscape. Overnight at Samye.
Max Altitude
3550m/11647ft
Accomodation
Hotel / Guesthouse
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 9: Samye 3550m/11647ft to Gyantse 3950m/12959ft via Yamdrok Lake
Drive westward via the stunning Yamdrok Lake, passing Norjing Gang Sang Glacier, crossing Kampa La (4790m) and Karo La Pass (5050m). Arrive in the historic town of Gyantse for overnight stay.
Max Altitude
5050m/16568ft
Accomodation
Teahouse / Guesthouse
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 10: Gyantse 3950m/12959ft to Shigatse 3840m/12598ft via Shalu Monastery
Tour Palchor Chode Monastery, the magnificent Kumbum Stupa, and the ancient Gyantse Dzong. After lunch, drive to Shigatse with village stops and a detour to Shalu Monastery, known for its artistic heritage. Overnight at hotel in Shigatse.
Max Altitude
3950m/12959ft
Accomodation
Hotel / Lodge
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 11: Shigatse 3840m/12598ft to Damxung 4300m/14107ft via Shuga La 5300m/17388ft
Visit Tashi Lunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama, and explore the local market. In the afternoon, take the scenic northern route crossing Shuga La Pass (5300m), passing Yangpachen Hot Springs, and arrive at Damxung for overnight stay.
Max Altitude
5300m/17388ft
Accomodation
Teahouse / Guesthouse
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 12: Damxung 4300m/14107ft to Namtso Lake 4718m/15479ft and Return to Lhasa
Early morning drive to the breathtaking Namtso Lake, one of Tibet’s most sacred high-altitude lakes. Spend time exploring the shoreline and surrounding viewpoints before returning to Lhasa in the afternoon. Overnight stay at hotel in Lhasa.
Max Altitude
4718m/15479ft
Accomodation
Hotel
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 13: Leisure Day in Lhasa 3650m/11975ft
A free day for relaxation, souvenir shopping, photography, or optional cultural excursions around Lhasa. Overnight stay at hotel.
Max Altitude
3650m/11975ft
Accomodation
Hotel
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 14: Fly Lhasa 3650m/11975ft to Kathmandu 1300m/4264ft
Transfer to Gonggar Airport for your return flight to Kathmandu or onward destination, concluding your immersive Tibet journey.
Max Altitude
1300m/4264ft
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