11 Days Nyenchen Tanglha to Holy Lake Namtso Trek Tour (Impressive Trail across Grasslands and Authentic Nomadic Life)

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.

• Tibetan tour guide greets you at Lhasa Airport.
• Lhasa River

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, one of the Great Three Gelug monasteries of Tibet
• Monk Debate is a highlight of 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.

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

In the morning, you’ll visit the Tibet Museum to get a fascinating glimpse into Tibetan history, culture, and art through its rich collection of cultural relics and traditional crafts.

Then, after lunch, you’ll take a drive to Ganden Monastery, where Master Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, taught his teachings. The Ganden Monastery is the oldest Yellow Sect monastery in Tibet. The architecture of the Ganden Monastery covers the entire top of the mountain, which provides a spectacular view. 

After visiting the monastery, you can follow the pilgrims on a leisurely kora around Ganden Monastery, which takes about 40 minutes.

Stay overnight in Ganden.

• Paying a visit to Tibetan Museum
• A shot of Ganden monastery from a plane

After breakfast, you’ll take a 3-hour drive to Reting Monastery and have lunch on the way. The Reting Monastery lies in an expanse of cypress forest. It was established in 1057 by Drom Toenpa, Atisha’s most important pupil. It was said the cypress forest had developed from a tuft of hair from Drom Toenpa, who buried that beneath the soil.

After visiting the Reting Monastery, you can take a leisurely hike along the Longkhor for about 1 hour and explore the local villages down the Kyichu River Valley.

Camping around Reting Monastery.

• Reting Monastery, the primary monastery of Kadampa
• A monk is greeting new visitors before Reting Monastery

In the morning, you’ll take a drive through a rugged road and then follow the Qinghai-Tibet Highway to reach Damxung (4,130m).

Then, you’ll enjoy a short trek through the beautiful meadows and visit a local monastery en route.

Camping in Damxung.

• Scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway
• You may meet the yak during your trekking.

After breakfast, you’ll start today’s trek, which takes about 7 to 8 hours. You’ll pass through glaciated valleys and reach a herder’s camp. En route, you’ll walk along mountain valleys and enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and high-altitude landscapes.

Camping around the herder’s camp.

• Snow mountain ranges appear in front of you all the way to Namsto Lake.
• Putting up a cozy tent next to herder camps

In the morning, you’ll first cross Kong La Pass, from where you’ll have spectacular views of Namtso Lake and the Nyenchen Thangla Ranges.

Then, you’ll keep trekking until you reach a broad basin. While hiking along green meadows, you’ll appreciate the vibrant alpine flowers, the grazing yaks, and the stunning contrast of snow-capped peaks against the blue sky.

Camping around the basin.

• Don't miss the chance to visit the Holy Lake - Namtso, which is the largest lake throughout Tibet.
• Enjoy the spectacular starry sky at lakeshore

After breakfast, you’ll hike along green meadows. Along the way, you’ll pass through several Tibetan nomads’ camps and meet their herds of yaks and sheep.

Later, you’ll have a simple lunch by the lake. Namtso Lake (4,700m) is the largest salty lake of Tibet. It is 70 kilometers long from east to west and 30 kilometers wide from north to south, covering a total area of 1,920 square kilometers. It is said that the holy lake and the holy mountain Nyenchentangla are a couple of lovers, who guard the vast pasture and cattle together.

Then, you’ll follow the jeep trail to Tashi Dorje Hermitage and explore this spiritual site.

After visiting the ancient site and enjoying the stunning landscapes of the Tashi Peninsula of Namsto Lake, you’ll take a drive back to Damxung.

Stay overnight in Damxung.

• Meditate at the shore of Lake Namtso
• Take photo with Tibetan Yak at holy Namtso Lake

After breakfast, you will first visit Chimelong Nunnery (Phyirmil Lung Nunnery), the largest nunnery near Lhasa. Roam over the peaceful nunnery and get an idea of different Buddhist studies in Tibet, you may also spot a sky burial site (Tibetan funeral site) in the distance.

Then, head to Tsurphu Monastery, the oldest monastery in Tibet. It is the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism and is also the birthplace of the system of reincarnated living Buddhas in Tibet. Here, you can learn more about the ‘Black Hats', the Karma Kagyupa school of Tibetan Buddhism.

At the end of the day, return to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• The nun preparing the butter lamp at Chimelong Nunnery
• Visit Tsurphu Monastery, the oldest monastery in Tibet

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.