Today arrive in Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet, transfer to hotel. Stay at the hotel for adapting to the high altitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

In the morning visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain, was built in the 7th century. It is 22m high and from here you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala palace. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Sera Monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. It is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelugpa. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. You have the opportunity to experience the famous monks' "Buddhism scriptures debates". Public religious debates are part of the education of monks.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Drive to Gyantse. On the Kamba La (4796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4,441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On arriving, visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the 15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. It is recorded 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameters contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. Afterwards drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang.

356 km
6 hours 41 minutes
Overnight at 4*Mulunlazong Hotel

Breakfast

In Shigatse visit the Tashilunpo monastery. Tashilunpo is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelug Sect. Shigatse is the seat of the Pantschen Lama. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China. Then continue on the southwest direction to Old Tingri, crossing the Yalung La (4.520 m) and Gyathso La (5.220 m) passes. Late afternoon arrival in Old Tingri.

290 km
4 hours 53 minutes

Breakfast

Start trekking along the Ra Chhu River to the campsite between Chholling and Lungchang Village (4350m).
Camping

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Continue trekking to Drokpa (4860 m), camping under Lamna La. If the weather is good enough you will see the snow summit Cho Oyu on the way.

Camping

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Cross over Lamna La (5075 m) to Draka Chu river (4730 m).

Camping

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Trekking from Draka Chu River to Rongbuk Monastery (5030 m) and Everest Base Camp. In this process you can see the steep north side of Mount Everest. Rongbuk is the largest monastery in the region and was built at the beginning of the 20th century. You can admire the magnificent sunset on Qomolangma (Everest) in good weather.

Camping

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Today you will be woken up early to have a clear view of the unforgettable sunrise over Qomolangma (Everest). Then continue to New Tingri (= Shegar), on the way take photos and have a break at Pang La (5150 m), where the view is magnificent: from left to right are Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Nuptse and Cho Oyu. Later continue to Shigatse.

334 km
6 hours 6 minutes
Overnight at 4*Mulunlazong Hotel

Breakfast

In the morning visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. In the afternoon drive back to Lhasa. On the way visit a traditional manufacture for Tibetan incense in small town Tunba by the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

273 km
4 hours 58 minutes
Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Today transfer to airport or railway station, leave Tibet.

Breakfast