Discover Tibet

breakfast

After breakfast, visit Jokhang Temple, which attracts countless pilgrims and is regarded as Tibet’s most sacred religious site. Afterwards, stroll along Barkhor Street, where shops and stalls offer everything from handmade crafts to traditional local snacks.

In the afternoon, visit the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the highest palace in the world. Standing at an altitude of nearly 3,700 metres, it once served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lama. Please note that access restrictions may apply at different times of the day, and the order of visits may therefore change at short notice. Thank you for your understanding.

Potala Palace

breakfast

Today, travel north of Lhasa to visit Sera Monastery, home to around 800 monks. The origin of its name remains uncertain. Some believe it comes from the wild roses, known as “sera,” that once grew on the site, while others link it to the Tibetan word for hail, which is said to have fallen during the monastery’s construction. If timing permits, you may watch the monks take part in their lively religious debates—an engaging display of Buddhist learning and discussion.

Continue to Drepung Monastery in western Lhasa. One of the city’s three great monasteries, it has long been an important centre of Buddhist education and once prepared Dalai Lamas for their spiritual and leadership roles.

End the day at Norbulingka, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lama. Explore its peaceful palace buildings and extensive gardens while gaining insight into the cultural and historical lives of Tibet’s spiritual leaders.

Sere Monastery

breakfast

Located around 100 kilometres from Lhasa at an altitude of approximately 4,400 metres, sacred Yamdrok Lake offers excellent opportunities for photography and walks along the shore. Its crystal clear waters reflect the surrounding mountains, sky, and clouds, and schools of fish can often be seen beneath the surface.

Next, visit Gyantse Fort and Kumbum Stupa, two of the area’s best known cultural landmarks. In the evening, continue to Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city.

Yamdrok Tso Lake

breakfast

Begin the day at Tashilhunpo Monastery, an active monastic complex and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the second-highest ranking figure in Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in 1447, it is recognised as one of Tibet’s four great Buddhist monasteries.

Around midday, continue to Dingri, located at the entrance to the national park surrounding Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain.

Tashilhunpo Monastery

breakfast

After breakfast, set out for Everest Base Camp. Along the way, visit Rongbuk Monastery, situated at an altitude of 5,200 metres and known as the world’s highest Buddhist monastery. In clear weather, both the monastery and the nearby base camp offer spectacular views of Mount Everest. Return to Shigatse in the afternoon.

Everest Base Camp

breakfast

Today follows a more relaxed pace. In the morning, visit a lively local market offering a wide variety of regional specialities. As a major trading hub, the city attracts numerous nomadic traders who come to sell their goods, filling several streets with colourful stalls and distinctive aromas. It is an ideal place to sample local flavours and take memorable photographs. Later, drive back to Lhasa, enjoying the scenery along the way.

Lhasa

breakfast

After breakfast, board a comfortable soft-sleeper train to Xining, with accommodation in a four-berth cabin. With a history spanning more than 2,100 years, Xining once served as an important link between central China and the western regions along the Silk Road. Depending on your arrival time, you may take a stroll through the Old Town and gain your first impressions of this historic city, home to 2.4 million people.

Today, explore the region’s Islamic heritage with a visit to Xining’s 600-year-old Dongguan Mosque. Learn how Islam reached China along the Silk Road and admire the mosque’s distinctive blend of Chinese and Islamic architectural styles. For any last-minute souvenir shopping, visit the local market, where you will find handicrafts, fruit, vegetables, spices, and much more.

Dongguan Mosque

breakfast

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Xining Airport for your journey home or to continue your independent travels in China.