Lhasa, Shigatse and Namtso Lake Tour – 7 Days

Begin your guided Lhasa sightseeing with Potala Palace, Tibet’s best-known architectural landmark. Walk gradually through its stairways, chapels, audience halls and former residential areas while your guide explains its religious and historical importance.

Continue to Jokhang Temple in Lhasa’s old quarter. Observe pilgrims following the devotional circuit around the temple before walking through Barkhor Street, where traditional shops, prayer wheels and historic buildings surround the sacred core of the city.

Potala Palace operates timed admission, so today’s visiting order and starting time may be adjusted after the entrance reservation is confirmed.

Visit Drepung Monastery, once one of Tibet’s largest monastic institutions. Explore selected assembly halls, chapels and courtyards while learning about Tibetan Buddhist monastic education and religious traditions.

Later, continue to Sera Monastery. If the activity is operating on your visiting day, you may observe the monks’ traditional debating session in the monastery courtyard. Debate schedules are controlled locally and cannot be guaranteed.

Return to the hotel after completing the sightseeing programme. The relatively steady pace of these first three days helps prepare you for the higher elevations ahead.

Leave Lhasa and drive across the Tibetan Plateau toward Kamba La Pass. Stop at an appropriate viewpoint for sweeping views over Yamdrok Lake, whose turquoise waters curve between dry mountains and distant snow-covered peaks.

Continue toward the Karola Glacier area, subject to road access and the day’s timing. Reach Gyantse and visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Gyantse Kumbum, a distinctive multi-storey structure containing numerous chapels, murals and sculptures.

After the visit, continue across the agricultural valley to Shigatse, situated at approximately 3,850 metres. Check in at the hotel and rest.

Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the most important monastic complexes in Tibet and traditionally associated with the Panchen Lama lineage. Walk through its courtyards and selected temples while your guide introduces its history, religious artwork and continuing monastic role.

After sightseeing, return to Lhasa by private vehicle. A train journey from Shigatse to Lhasa may be requested as an alternative, subject to ticket availability, timetable, baggage arrangements and permit approval. The road journey remains the standard included arrangement unless otherwise confirmed.

Arrive in Lhasa and check back into the hotel. The evening is free for rest or independent dining.

Depart early for the long drive north to Namtso Lake. Travel along the Qinghai–Tibet Highway toward Damxung, passing open grasslands, grazing yaks, high mountains and sections of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway.

Subject to the confirmed scenic-area route, cross a high mountain pass and descend toward Namtso. Spend time at the accessible lakeshore or designated viewpoint, taking in the deep-blue water and the surrounding Nyenchen Tanglha mountain scenery.

Because of the extreme altitude, walk slowly, avoid climbing unnecessarily and follow your guide’s instructions. After the visit, return to Lhasa by the same general route.

Access to Namtso is weather- and road-dependent. Heavy snow, strong winds, temporary scenic-area closure or local restrictions may require a substitute excursion. If access is uncertain, Himalayan Windows will confirm the best available programme before departure.