Across China · rooted in Chengdu
Explore Lhasa’s monasteries and historic streets before a road journey toward Everest. After a quiet arrival day, visit Drepung and Sera monasteries, the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, with tea-house visits alongside the city sightseeing. Travel through Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse and Shigatse to the Everest Base Camp area, returning past Rongbuk Monastery and the southern Tibetan landscape. This eight-day Lhasa round trip combines Tibetan heritage with high-altitude scenery and does not include Mount Kailash.
What makes this route special
Explore Lhasa’s Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.
Visit Drepung and Sera monasteries and a sweet-tea house.
Travel past Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier.
Visit Shigatse’s Tashilhunpo Monastery.
Look for Everest views from the planned viewpoints when weather permits.
Return through Rongbuk Monastery and the Yarlung Zangbo river landscape.
Your day-by-day itinerary
Arrive in Lhasa and rest
Arrive in Lhasa at approximately 3,650 metres. Meet your airport or railway-station transfer and spend the remainder of the day resting at the hotel.
- Transport
- Arrival transfer: approximately 70 km / 1 hour from the airport.
- Free time
- Rest after arrival; no sightseeing is scheduled.
Drepung and Sera monasteries
Visit Drepung Monastery in the morning and Sera Monastery in the afternoon, with a planned opportunity to see the monks’ debate. A welcome dinner is arranged in the evening.
Potala Palace, Jokhang and Barkhor
Visit the Potala Palace and Zongjiao Lukang Park, followed by Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street. A sweet-tea-house experience is planned.
Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse and Shigatse
Travel from Lhasa via Yamdrok Lake to Gyantse and Shigatse. A lakeside family visit and farmhouse lunch are planned, with Karola Glacier and rural scenery along the way.
- Transport
- Approximately 360 km / 8 hours by road.
Shigatse to the Everest Base Camp area
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, then travel via Tingri toward the Everest Base Camp area. Look for Everest views from the Tingri and Gawula viewpoints, with sunset viewing dependent on weather.
- Transport
- Approximately 340 km / 8 hours by road.
Rongbuk and return to Shigatse
Take in the morning Everest scenery and visit Rongbuk Monastery. Return via Dinggye and Sakya County, with a stop at Xilin Viewpoint for views toward Everest’s east side and Lhotse when conditions allow. A Tibetan dinner with song and dance is planned.
- Transport
- Approximately 360 km / 8 hours by road.
Tashilhunpo and return to Lhasa
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, then return to Lhasa along the Yarlung Zangbo River. A rail alternative can be discussed.
- Transport
- Approximately 280 km / 5 hours by road; possible rail alternative.
Depart from Lhasa
Transfer to Lhasa airport or railway station for your onward journey.
- Transport
- Lhasa airport or railway-station drop-off.
Payment & cancellation
| Payment due | Share of trip price |
|---|---|
| On trip confirmation | 30% deposit |
| One month before the trip | 70% balance |
| Time before arrival | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|
| More than 45 days | Only costs incurred for flights, cruises and other exceptional services. |
| 45–30 days | 25% |
| 29–16 days | 50% |
| 15–7 days | 80% |
| Less than 7 days | 100% |
| Percentage fees are based on the total trip price. | |
Questions and answers
VISAS
For the latest information on visa procedures, processing times and requirements, please kindly refer to website https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/
INSURANCE
We will arrange essential insurance coverage for your trip to Mainland China. Meanwhile, we strongly recommend you purchase separate comprehensive travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, medical expenses, luggage loss, repatriation and other associated additional costs. As a minimum requirement, the insurance policy must include medical coverage, which including medical evacuation and repatriation. For this part, you are free to select your preferred insurance provider.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
If you are traveling during a Chinese public holiday, please note that while tourist attractions remain open, they may be crowded with domestic visitors. Festivities often span several days, during which some businesses may close, and coach, air, and train services could be impacted. The major Golden Week holidays occur annually around 1 to 5 May and 1 to 7 October.
ACCOMMODATION
Your accommodation is chosen for its convenience, comfort, or character. Hotels are generally of a four-star standard in major cities. Please note, there is no international classification system, so facilities and quality may differ from those in your home country.
LUGGAGE
Each traveller is permitted a maximum of two pieces of luggage: one suitcase with a maximum weight of 20kg and one piece of hand luggage with a maximum weight of 5kg. This requirement applies to domestic trains and flights. We recommend packing only what you can carry independently, as you will be responsible for handling your luggage on and off trains or air-checked. Please note: If your luggage exceed the limits, kindly inform your travel designer in advance, and we will arrange a suitable vehicle for you.
TRAVEL MONEY IN CHINA
We recommend having access to multiple sources of money while traveling. A combination of payment methods, including mobile payment apps, cash, and cards, will offer the most security and flexibility. Mobile payment apps like WeChat and Alipay are often more widely accepted than international cards or cash in China. You will need an internet connection when in China to use the apps.
