6 Days Lhasa to Shigatse Luxury Tour

Upon your arrival in Lhasa, your private Tibetan guide will welcome you at the airport or train station with a traditional white Hada.

Then, you'll be comfortably escorted to your hotel in Lhasa. Your private guide will provide a personalized overview of your journey ahead and share thoughtful advice to help you acclimate smoothly 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.

Where to Stay?
Your stay will be arranged at Songtsam Linka Retreat Lhasa (super 5-star) or standard luxury hotels like The St. Regis Lhasa Resort (5-star) and Shangri-La Lhasa (5-star).

What to Eat?
After arriving in Lhasa, your private guide will take you to high-quality local restaurants that suit your tastes. Whether you want to experience Tibetan food, Chinese dishes, or Western cuisine, we are committed to delivering a delicious dining experience.

• Tibetan tour guide greets you at Lhasa Airport.
• Stay in style at Songtsam Linka Retreat Lhasa

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll start today’s journey to Drepung Monastery. It was once the largest monastery in Tibet, which houses 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. You can explore their dormitories to gain insights into the Tibetan monks' daily routines and living conditions.

For lunch, you’ll be accompanied by your private guide to experience the daily diet of local monks in the Monastery dining hall, or go to a local restaurant according to your preference.

In the afternoon, you’ll head to Sera Monastery, another of the ‘great three’ Gelug monasteries of Tibet, to witness the famous Tibetan Monks Debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). Your guide will intricately explain how Tibetan monks engage in these debates to acquire knowledge and advance in their academic degrees.

After visiting, you’ll return to downtown Lhasa and enjoy a welcome dinner in a top-rated local restaurant. You’ll be accompanied by animated traditional Tibetan dancing and singing; treat your taste buds with unique Tibetan delicacies. The charming night of Lhasa will alter your mindset towards Tibet and hold you spellbound.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Where to Stay?
Your stay will be arranged at Songtsam Linka Retreat Lhasa (super 5-star) or standard luxury hotels like The St. Regis Lhasa Resort (5-star) and Shangri-La Lhasa (5-star).

What to Eat?
Today’s Breakfast is offered by your hotel. And for lunch and dinner, your private guide will take you to high-quality local restaurants according to your preference. Whether you want to experience Tibetan food, Chinese dishes, or Western cuisine, we are committed to delivering a delicious dining experience.

• Drepung Monastery, one of the Great Three Gelug monasteries of Tibet
• Monk Debate is a highlight of Sera Monastery

Following breakfast at your hotel, you’ll visit the Potala Palace, the iconic landmark of Tibet. After climbing up to the palace, you’ll explore 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’ll visit Zongjiao Lukang Park at the foot of the Potala Palace. Here, you can appreciate the majestic Potala Palace from a different perspective. You will also have the opportunity to experience local Tibetan folk activities, such as enjoying the traditional Guozhuang dance with the locals.

Then, you can enjoy your lunch in a local restaurant to get refreshed and prepare for the following sightseeing.

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.

For dinner, you can tell your guide what you want to taste, and your private tour guide will take you to the most worthwhile restaurants on their list based on your taste and preferences.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Where to Stay?
Your stay will be arranged at Songtsam Linka Retreat Lhasa (super 5-star) or standard luxury hotels like The St. Regis Lhasa Resort (5-star) and Shangri-La Lhasa (5-star).

What to Eat?
Today’s Breakfast is offered by your hotel. And for lunch and dinner, your private guide will take you to high-quality local restaurants according to your preference. Whether you want to experience Tibetan food, Chinese dishes, or Western cuisine, we are committed to delivering a delicious dining experience.

• Potala Palace is always the No.1 attraction for travelers visiting Tibet.
• A Tibetan pilgrim is worshipping Jokhang Temple

After your morning meal at the hotel, you’ll check out and start the overland journey to Shigatse.

First, you’ll drive over the Gampala Pass (4790 m) to catch a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m). The Yamdrok Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance, you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m), the highest mountain near Lhasa.

After soaking in the stunning lakeside views, you'll visit a local family in a village by the lake. There, you’ll enjoy a home-cooked lunch and some authentic local snacks and drinks for a true taste of Tibetan hospitality.

Next, you will pass and enjoy the Karola Glacier on the roadside. It is the largest glacier in Tibet. As you see the ice tongue of the glacier climb the entire hillside, you will feel the magical power of nature.

Then, continue your journey to Gyantse. On the way, you will stop at Simila Mountain Pass, where you can hang prayer flags to pray for your families and friends.

After arriving in Gyantse, you can spend some time taking photos of the ancient town of Gyantse.

Keep driving to Shigatse, you'll pass endless fields of Tibetan barley and scattered farms along the way. In summer, the landscape is lush and green; in autumn, it turns golden with ripening barley, painting a vivid picture of harvest on the plateau.

Finally, we will arrive in Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. After checking in to the hotel, you can take a good rest and prepare for the next day’s trip to Mount Everest.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Where to Stay?
Your stay will be arranged at Hilton Shigatse (5-star) or Qomo Langzong Hotel (5-star).

What to Eat?
Today’s Breakfast is offered by your hotel. And you’ll have lunch in a local Tibetan family near Yamdrok Lake. For dinner, your private guide will take you to a high-quality local restaurant according to your preference. Whether you want to experience Tibetan food, Chinese dishes, or western cuisine, we are committed to delivering a delicious dining experience.

• Yamdrok Lake at Gampala Pass, where you can get a marvelous bird's-eye view of the lake.
• Hilton Shigatse, the most luxury 5-star hotel in Shigatse

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you’ll visit the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilhunpo Monastery. The grand and magnificent halls of the largest local monastery occupy the entire hillside. This is the spiritual home of the Tibetan people in Shigatse, housing the world's largest statue of Maitreya Buddha. Inside, you will see monks adorned with yellow hats and red robes, moving about the temple.

Then, you’ll have lunch in Shigatse. Whether you want traditional Tibetan flavors, gourmet Chinese dishes, or refined Western meals, your private guide will lead you to the finest restaurant that best suits your taste.

After lunch, you’ll enjoy a guided visit to the distinctive Samzhubze Old Market. It is a vibrant place to get insights into local traditions and experience the daily life of local Tibetans.

Next, you’ll return to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the mother river of the Tibetan people.

Finally, you’ll arrive in Lhasa in late afternoon. The evening is yours to enjoy. You can head to Barkhor Street to pick up some souvenirs for family and friends, savor local delicacies at a fine restaurant, or simply relax at your hotel.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Where to Stay?
Your stay will be arranged at Songtsam Linka Retreat Lhasa (super 5-star) or standard luxury hotels like The St. Regis Lhasa Resort (5-star) and Shangri-La Lhasa (5-star).

What to Eat?
Today’s Breakfast is offered by your hotel. And for lunch and dinner, your private guide will take you to high-quality local restaurants according to your preference. Whether you want to experience Tibetan food, Chinese dishes, or Western cuisine, we are committed to delivering a delicious dining experience.

• Tashilhunpo Monastery, the home of Panchan Lama
• Yarlung Tsangpo River in autumn

Today marks the end of your Tibet tour.

Your private tour guide will confirm your departure details in advance and escort you to the Lhasa Gonggar Airport/Lhasa Train Station on time.

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

Service Guide

What to Eat?
Today’s Breakfast is offered by your hotel. Before you leave Lhasa, if you'd like to enjoy one more meal, your private guide will take you to a handpicked local restaurant, chosen to match your personal tastes.

• 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.