5 Days Lhasa Outskirts Trekking Tour

Upon your arrival in Lhasa (3,650m), our Tibetan guide will welcome you at the airport or train station with a traditional white Hada.

You'll then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa. Our guide will give you a brief overview of the itinerary and provide helpful tips for adjusting to the altitude. Once you've checked in, take some time to rest and allow your body to acclimate to the high altitude.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Insider Tips:
For the newcomers to Tibet, it's important to allow enough time to acclimatize to the high altitude. Having a good sleep in your hotel is a good option. Do not rush to visit attractions inside Lhasa city.

In the morning, you’ll explore the largest monastery in Tibet - Drepung Monastery, which was once the home to over 10,000 monks. As you walk through the Coqen Hall, your guide will provide detailed explanations of the worldview of Tibetan Buddhism and introduce notable figures in Tibetan Buddhist history.

Next, you’ll visit the renowned Loseling College (or an equivalent), offering a glimpse into the study and life of Tibetan monks. Explore their dormitories to gain insights into the Tibetan monks' daily routines and living conditions.

In the Afternoon, you’ll visit Sera Monastery, which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The highlight is the monks' debate, held from around 3 to 5 in the afternoon, Monday to Saturday. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house. Inside the monastery, you‘ll also get the chance to see three sand Mandalas and a colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Drepung Monastery was one of the “three greet” Gelug monasteries of Tibet.

• Monk debate in Sera monastery

After breakfast, your first stop is the Potala Palace, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Lhasa Old Town. Discover the lives and stories of the Dalai Lamas through history within the palace, and the extraordinary treasures it holds. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

After touring the Potala Palace, you will visit Longwangtan Park at the foot of the Potala Palace. Here, you can appreciate the majestic Potala Palace from a different perspective and engage in local Tibetan folk activities.

In the afternoon, you will head to the heart of Tibetan religion - the Jokhang Temple. Inside, you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrations in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Next, follow your guide to one of the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea houses in Lhasa. Sip traditional Tibetan sweet tea alongside local Tibetans as your guide shares insights into Tibetan social dynamics and daily life.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Tourists are ascending the white palace of Potala Palace

• View Jokhang Temple from the rooftop

In the morning, you'll take a drive to the cliff-side Pabonka Monastery (3,900m), which is about 15 km from the city center. You’ll visit the holy meditation cave where Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd Tibetan King, used to meditate.

From here, you’ll start the day trek. You’ll first hike for 30 minutes northeast up to Tashi Choling Hermitage, passing through a distant view of the sky-burial place. (Note: Tourists are not allowed to visit or take photos there.)

After a short break, you'll continue hiking for about 40 minutes, ascending 300m by alternative trails, to a cliffside hermitage called Tagden Ritro. You can enjoy clear spring water, birdsong, and a gorgeous panoramic view of Lhasa city. For lunch, you'll enjoy he lunch box there.

After lunch, you'll experience a slide descent towards Sera Utse Hermitage (4,100m), with about 40 minutes walking. As you go, the panoramic view of Lhasa is wider and wider.

Finally, you’ll trek for another hour to reach Pubjoi Monastery (3,940m) (also known as Purbuchok Hermitage) via Raka Drak hermitage. Through this section of hiking, you can see a spectacular scenery of both Nyangra and Thokde valley.

After visiting the small, beautiful monastery, you will be picked up by your driver near the monastery and finish your hike.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Insider Tips:
This is not an easy trek, so you must be physically fit and well acclimatized to the altitude. Be sure to bring enough water, as the trail can be hot and dry.

• Cliff-side Pabonka Palace, 15km away from Lhasa city

• Spectacular view of Pubjoi Monastery

Today marks the end of your Tibet tour.

Please make sure to verify your departure flight/train details with our guide in advance. And your guide will take you to the airport or train station.

Thank you for choosing Tibet Vista, and we extend a warm welcome for your return to Tibet in the future.

• Big farewell to Lhasa, and may you have a safe and pleasant journey back home!

• Your guide will escort you to Lhasa Railway Station if you depart Tibet by train.