8 Days Shalu to Nartang Trek (Best Countryside Hiking Trail)

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 take a drive to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. On the way, you’ll drive across the Gampala Pass (4,790m) and take a glimpse of Yamdrok Lake (4,440m). As one of the top three holiest lakes in Tibet, Yamdrok Lake is like a turquoise gem surrounded by snow-capped mountains. In the distance, you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7,191m), the highest mountain near Lhasa.

Later, you’ll 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’ll stop at Simila Mountain Pass, where you can hang prayer flags to pray for world peace and the health of your family. 

After arriving in Gyantse, you’ll visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and also enjoy the far view of Gyangtse Fortress.

Next, you’ll drive to Shalu Monastery (3,980m) and explore the ancient Shalu Monastery, which belongs to the Buton School of Tibetan Buddhism.

After visiting the monastery, you’ll head to the campsite located a few kilometers away.

Camping near Shalu Monastery.

• Enjoy the fascinating scenery of the holy Yamdrok Lake
• The mural paintings in Shalu Monastery are considered to be the most ancient and beautiful in Tibet.

After breakfast, you’ll start today’s trek to Upper Lungsang (4,060m).

On the way, you’ll pass Ripu Hermitage, flood plain, Phunup Village, and Showa-la Pass. It’s a great chance for you to experience rural Tibetan life and see how local farmers practice Buddhism in their daily lives.

After trekking, you’ll reach the campsite in Upper Lungsang.

Camping in Upper Lungsang.

• Lunch time during trekking from Shalu Monastery to Nartang Monastery
• Our clients were trekking to upper Lungsang despite of rain

In the morning, you’ll trek through the farming fields to the Ngor Village. In the village, you can visit the Ngor Monastery, which is renowned for its Sanskrit library and Newar-style (a tribe in Nepal) murals. The ancient monastery once held five assembly halls, 18 colleges, and 400 monks living there.

Then, you’ll cross the Char-la Pass (4,450m). There was once a trade trail between Shalu and Sakya Monastery, but it has now disappeared. You’ll need to trek across a steep slope of raw expanses of rock.

After passing several villages, you’ll finally reach Nartang. At the end of the trek, your guide will pick you up and take you to Shigatse City, the seat of the Panchen Lama in Central Tibet.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

• There were flock of sheep during trekking
• Nartang Monastery, workshops for printing Buddhist sutras

After breakfast, you will visit the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilunpo 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 will return to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the mother river of the Tibetan people.

Finally, you will arrive in Lhasa in the late afternoon.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

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

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.