Day 1:Your tour guide will welcome you, either at the airport or at the train station. The distance from the airport to Lhasa is about 70km, approximately 1:30 hrs. drive. The distance from the train station is only 25km, about 30 minutes’ drive. After that, he will provide you with some necessary instructions about your tour arrangements in Lhasa.
We will accommodate you at the Three Starts hotel or you own choice of hotel.

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Day 2: Today is your first day on the high plateau and some of you may have a headache. This is very common for all travelers because of the high altitude, so drink enough water and avoid strenuous activity during this first few days to help you adjust to it.
In the morning our guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a visit to the Jokhang Temple which is the center of the holy city of Lhasa. Jokhang temple is one of the most sacred temples in Tibet and has always been bustled with earnest local pilgrims. After that, you will have time to walk around the Bakhor Street, one of the most devotional circuit as well as the most crowded central market in Lhasa. In the old days, it was the most famous local market but nowadays it has evolved into a very touristic gift shopping center. You will be impressed by the crowds of local pilgrims doing prostration in front of the temple, especially during the winter months.
In the afternoon you will visit the Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. It was built by 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century and, later in the 17th century, rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lama. Since then, it served as the home to the Dalai Lama and his government. Walking though the long steps is quite challenging, but it is worthwhile to leave your footprints in the spiritual palace on God’s compassion, listed in the world heritage.
We will accommodate you at the Three Starts hotel or your own choice of hotel.

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Day 3:This morning we will visit Drepung and Sera Monasteries Deprung monastery is one of the world’s largest monasteries, housing more than 10,000 monks. It was the residence of the Dalai Lama prior to moving to the Potala Palace. Destruction has taken place at different times, but you can still fully enjoy it. You can walk through numbers of narrow and twisted lanes of monks’ apartments, which are more like a typical village.
This amazing day will end with a visit to the Sera Monastery. It was built in the 15th century by the Jamchen choji Sakya Yeshi who was a disciple of Tsongka pa. The monastic colleges in Sera house several hundred monks from different parts of Tibet. The famous Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks takes place every afternoon except on Sundays. Continue acclimatizing to the new altitude and alleviating your jet lag the rest of the day.
We will accommodate you at the Three Starts hotel or another hotel of your choice.

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Day 4:  Today we’ll begin our drive 280 km, about six hrs., from Lhasa to Shigatse using the Friendship highway. Shigatse is the second biggest city in Tibet. Feel free to ask your guide to stop on the way to take pictures of the beautiful scenery and stretch your legs. In the afternoon we will visit Tashilumpo Monastery, the oldest and largest Gelugpa Monastery in Tibet and the seat of Panchen Lama. Admire the beautiful frescoes, statues and sculptures. Here you will see a giant statue of Future Buddha, decorated with precious pearls, turquoises, corals and ambers. We can also visit to a Tibetan market to experience the distinctive local life.  The rest of the day is for the preparations for the trekking.
Overnight stay in Shigatse

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Day 5:Today we will drive, along the Friendship highway, from Shigatse to old Tingri, with a distance of 410km, passing by the towns of Lhatse and Shegar.  The rest of the day is for the preparations for the trekking.
Overnight camping or guesthouse at old Tingri

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Day 6:Our trekking will begin from old Tingri to Lungthang, with a distance of 12km that might take four hours. We’ll trek through the Tingri plain, along the Ra-chu Valley, where we will see the beautiful valley scenery with extensive meadows and groups of sheep and goats. The rest of the day we will visit a small gompa in Chholun. This bleak region is home only to herders and barley harvesters.
Overnight camping in Lungthang

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Day 7:Our trekking will continue from Lungthang to Nam La,  21km which might take five to six hours. It will be a challenging trekking because you’ll climb uphill towards the top to the Lamna La. Be sure to take breaks and rest if you are feeling fatigued.
Overnight camping at Lamna La.

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Day 8:Our trekking to be continued from Nam La to Zommug 16km which might take four to five hours. In the morning we will descend steeply into lush vegetation. We will encounter yak herders and their families and truly amazing sunset views.
Overnight camping in Zonmug.

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Day 9:Today will be the last day of trekking to the Rongbuk Everest Base Camp. Along the way you will also visit the Rongbuk monastery and gompas,truly ancient sites and exuding a religious aura. Rongbuk monastery is the highest monastery in the world.
Overnight camping at Mt. Everest Base Camp

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Day 10:Today, we will drive back to Shigatse.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Shigatse

 

Day 11: We will drive from Shigatse to Lhasa. On the way we will visit in Gyangtse the Pelchu monastery, also Karo-la Glacier (5045m), and the holy Yamdok Lake, one of the cleanest lakes in Tibet. The highlight of the Pelchu monastery is the Kubum Stup, which has a 35m-high with white layers trimmed with decorative stripes and its crown-like golden dome.
Overnight stay in Lhas

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Day 12:End of tour. Your tour guide will arrange transportation to either the Gongkar airport or the Libu train station in Lhasa.

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