9 Days Tsurphu to Yangpachen Trek (Scenic Trail through Monasteries and Tibetan Pastoral 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 take a 2 to 3 hours’ drive to Tsurphu Monastery (4,500m), which is around 69 km away from downtown Lhasa. Located at 4,500 meters above sea level, Tsurphu Monastery is the historic seat of the Karmapa lineage. It offers a profound glimpse into Tibetan Buddhism and its rich traditions.

After visiting the monastery, you will spend the rest of the day acclimatizing for the upcoming trek.

Camping near Tsurphu Monastery.

• Tsurphu Monastery is the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism.
• The Tsurphu kora, a walk of around 4 km is quite taxing if you are not acclimatized to the altitude.

After breakfast, you will start the first day of trekking by walking along a green valley crisscrossed with mountain streams. The total length of today’s trek is about 11 km, and it takes 4 to 5 hours. Along the way, you can enjoy the stunning landscapes of mountain valleys and small villages, and even meet various species of mountain goats disguised in gray rocks.

If you take this trek in summer, you may also encounter some Tibetan nomads camping and grazing in the valleys.

After around 4 to 5 hours trekking, you’ll arrive at Leten Village (5,090m). This village is small in size, but it’s rich in authentic Tibetan charm. Here, you can enjoy stunning plateau views and experience the warmth and hospitality of the local Tibetans.

Then, you’ll find a flat area suitable for camping.

Camping in Leten.

• Trekking from Tsurphu Monastery
• Scenery along Tsurphu to Yangbachen trek

After breakfast, you’ll hike along a big valley, gradually ascending to Lasar La Pass (5,400m), the highest point of the trek.

First, you’ll cross Damchen La Pass (5,200m), then keep left at the cairns on the ridge. From there, you’ll descend into a magical valley filled with meandering streams under an endless blue sky.

After about three hours of trekking, you’ll reach Lasar La Pass (5,400m) and descend into the scenic Yangpachen Valley.

Then, you’ll keep hiking across the windswept plateau towards Bartso Village. It’s a small nomadic settlement with just five or six houses, surrounded by the juniper trees used for making Tibetan incense.

Camping near Bartso Village.

• Descending into the Yangpachen valley
• Camping around Bartso

In the morning, you’ll start the third day of trekking to Dorje Ling. Today’s trek is 15 kilometers long and takes about 4 hours.

Leaving Bartso Village behind, you’ll trek towards a wide trail leading across the valley and over another ridge, from where you’ll be rewarded with views of Nyenchen Tanglha (7,111m).

Then, you’ll arrive at Tajung Village. While climbing gently up rolling hills. You may meet young nomadic boys and girls tending their yaks and sheep.

After about four hours of trekking, you’ll reach Dorje Ling Nunnery (4,474m). It’s a quiet retreat nestled on a hillside, where Tibetan nuns live and study. Surrounded by peaceful scenery and stunning views, it’s a perfect place to relax and enjoy some leisure time.

Camping near Dorje Ling Nunnery.

• The majestic Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain Range
• Camping near Djore Ling Ani Gompa (nunnery)

After breakfast, you’ll start the final 14 km trek to Yangpachen Monastery through the Tsaburing Valley.

After about four hours of trekking, you’ll reach Yamgpachen Monastery (4,300m). Founded in the early 1500s by the Fourth Shamarpa, it served as the seat of the Shamarpas in the Karma Kagyu tradition. You can take a short visit to Yangpachen Monastery and enjoy the scenic view of the valley.

Then, you will meet your driver and take a drive back to your hotel in Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Insider Tips:
A concrete road now connects Dorje Ling to areas further up the valley. If you prefer to drive back to Lhasa on this day instead of trekking, please inform your guide in advance for proper arrangements.

• Yangpachen Monastery, the ending place of Tsurphu to Yangpachen trekking route
• Yangpachen Hot Spring

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.