Tibet Highlights Tour from Lhasa

Fly into Lhasa Gonggar Airport or arrive at Lhasa Railway Station. Our native Tibetan guide and driver welcome you with a traditional white silk Hada scarf. Transfer 1 hour to your heritage hotel in central Lhasa. The rest of the day is kept entirely free to rest, drink water, and gently adjust to the high altitude.

Ascend the stone steps of the majestic Potala Palace, exploring the cardinal red and white palaces, government halls, and golden stupa tombs of past Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon, visit the revered Jokhang Temple, housing the sacred life-sized Jowo Shakyamuni statue brought to Tibet in 641 AD. Join pilgrims walking along the vibrant Barkhor Street.

Visit Drepung Monastery in the morning, once the largest monastery in the world housing over 10,000 monks. In the afternoon, head to Sera Monastery to witness the famous courtyard debating sessions, where monks use dramatic claps and gestures to debate Buddhist philosophy.

Embark on a spectacular scenic drive climbing over Gampala Pass (4,990m) for mesmerizing views of turquoise Yamdrok Lake. Drive along the lakeshore and stop at Karola Glacier, whose massive ice tongue hangs close to the highway. Continue through pastoral Tibetan valleys to the historic town of Gyantse.

Visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and the 32-meter-high Gyantse Kumbum Stupa, featuring nine tiers and 77 chapels adorned with thousands of Buddhist statues and murals. After lunch, enjoy a 1.5-hour scenic drive along the fertile Nyang Chu valley to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet.

Tour Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama and the traditional residence of the Panchen Lamas. Admire the world's largest gilded bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha (26m tall) and the stupa tombs of the Panchen Lamas. In the afternoon, return to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River highway.

A relaxed free day in Lhasa to soak up the atmosphere at your own pace. Sip sweet Tibetan yak butter tea at a local teahouse, shop for traditional thangkas, hand-woven carpets, and singing bowls in the old quarter, or simply wander the peaceful monastery alleys.

After breakfast, transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Train Station for your departure flight or train journey onward.