Arrival in Lhasa and transfer to Tsedang (3,550m/11,646ft): 95km, 2 hours

We arrive at Gonggar Airport in Lhasa either by taking a direct flight from Nepal or via mainland China. If we decide to fly from Nepal, then we get to enjoy a beautiful hour-long trans-Himalayan flight that takes us over Everest (8,848m), Kanchenjunga (8,536m) and other Himalayan peaks and glaciers. If we choose to go to Lhasa via mainland China, we may fly from any of the major Chinese cities or take the world's highest train route to Lhasa. Upon our arrival in Lhasa, a representative from Himalayan Glacier will escort us either from the airport or the train station to our designated hotel in Tsedang. We are advised to take plenty of rest for the remainder of the day for proper acclimatization in order to minimize altitude sickness.

Overnight in Tsedang.

Tsedang to Lhasa (3,650m/11,972ft) via Samye monastery, visit Samye monastery and Chim Phu caves: 190 km, 2 hours drive

After breakfast, we will begin our drive to Lhasa via Samye monastery. Located in the southern part of Lhasa on the north bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, Samye monastery is the first monastery of Tibet built in the 8th century by the 38th king of Tibet called Trison Detsen and Guru Rinpoche. A unique monastery amidst breathtaking scenery, Samye is a major highlight and one of the most notable and marvelous places to visit in Tibet. Next, we will drive to Chim Phu Nunnery which is the beginning of Chim Phu caves. From here, hiking to the main cave and back takes four hours. It is practically not possible to visit all the caves as they are not all in the same place; they are spread all over the upper valley. So, we will visit only a few caves and retreat back to the nunnery. Then, we will continue our drive to Lhasa.

Overnight in Lhasa.

Included meals:Breakfast

Lhasa sightseeing: Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace and Tibet Traditional Hospital: 5-6 hours

We begin exploring Lhasa visiting the beautiful Potala and Norbulingka Palaces, better known as Winter palace and Summer palace respectively. Built in the 17th century, Potala Palace provides amazing views of the entire city, and houses the private quarters of the Dalai Lama. Norbulingka Palace houses what is considered to be the largest man-made garden in Tibet. Next, we visit the Tibet Traditional Hospital, which is the center for the treatment, training, research and production of Tibetan medicine.

Overnight in Lhasa.

Included meals:Breakfast

Lhasa sightseeing: Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, we visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar. Drepung Monastery, which was built in the 14th century, is the world’s largest monastery and believed to have sheltered around 10,000 monks in the past, but as of now there has been quite a declination resulting in only a few hundred. The history, culture, and religious beliefs of the Tibetan people are strongly concentrated and centered in this marvelous monastery. Sera Monastery is a preserved monastery of whitewashed walls and golden roofs. The main attraction to visit this monastery is to see the monks debating which is held from 3-5 pm every day apart from Sundays. Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site which unravels more deep-seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni when he was twelve-years old. We further stroll through Barkhor Bazaar (market). With its open air stalls, shops and crowds of pilgrims, it is the nerve center of Lhasa.

Overnight in Lhasa.

Included meals:Breakfast

Lhasa to Gyantse (3,950m/12,956ft) via Karo La Pass and Yamdrok Tso Lake: 260km, 5-6 hours.

Today, we take a scenic drive to Gyantse. On the way we cross the Khamba La Pass (4,794m) with a brief halt to savor the beauty of the Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake), one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet and the beautiful Nazin Kang Sang glacier (7,252m). Soon, we come across another pass, The Karo La Pass (5,045m). From our vehicle, we can enjoy views of huge glaciers tumbling down into the road before reaching Gyantse.

Overnight in Gyantse.

Included meals:Breakfast

Gyantse Sightseeing: Palcheo monastery, Kumbum Pagoda Stupa and Gyantse old town, then drive to Shigatse and visit Tashi Lhunpo monastery, 90km, 2 hours

In the morning, we visit Palchoe monastery (also known as Pelkor Chode Monastery or Shekar Gyantse), founded in the 14th century by the 1st Panchen Lama and local chieftain Kusang Rabten. Then we see Kumbum Pagoda Stupa (hailed as the "King of Pagoda"), which was also built in the 14th century. It is the largest and the most significant stupa in Tibet. Then, strolling around Gyantse old town which consists of old Tibetan traditional houses, we drive to Shigatse. Here, we will visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the home of Panchen Lama, which was founded by Gendun Drup, the 1st Dalai Lama in 1447. The monastery is located on a hill at the center of Shigatse city, the second largest city in Tibet.

Overnight in Shigatse.

Included meals:Breakfast

Shigatse to Namtso lake via Tagdruka-Xugula pass-Yangbajing (4718m): 420km, 7 hours

We start our journey driving from Shigatse along the Brahmaputra river with a landscape of sandy hills and villages. From Tagdruk, we will leave the main road and drive off road crossing the Xugu La pass until we reach Yangbajing from where we can have a beautiful view of Nyenchen Thangla mountain. Though not as famous as other scenic spots in Tibet, Yangpachen attracts visitors for its unique resources: hot springs. After a short drive, we finally reach Namtso lake.

Overnight in Namtso Lake.

Included meals:Breakfas

Explore Namtso Lake and walk around Tashi Dor hermitage; drive back to Lhasa, 250km, 5-6 hours

After breakfast, we witness the grandeur of Namtso lake, the world’s highest saltwater lake. The word ‘Namtso’ literally means ‘heavenly lake’. With its deep blue water and the fact that it is surrounded by the amazing Himalayan ranges, we realize that the name given to the lake is indeed a perfect match. We then visit Tashi Dor hermitage and hike around the peninsula, which houses more than 50 hermit caves including some small chapels. Nomadic herders frequently camp on the peninsula, and many species of migratory birds make their home there. Then we drive back to Lhasa.

Overnight in Lhasa.

Included meals:Breakfast

Final departure

Our adventure in the Himalayas has come to an end today, leaving behind remarkable memories about this popular tour in Tibet. There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize photographs. If time permits, we can engage in last minute shopping or stroll around. A representative from Himalayan Glacier will take us to the airport or the train station for our next journey.