This 5-day journey takes you through some of Lhasa's most beautiful sights before culminating in a day trip to the sacred Namtso Lake and Tashi Dor Monastery.
The Songtsan team calls Lhasa home, and our Tibetan guides and drivers share this connection to the land. For over a decade, we've dedicated ourselves to providing authentic Tibetan experiences. Visiting Tibet means stepping into a world rich with ancient culture and living history.
Whether you need guidance at dawn or assistance late into the evening, our team will be here for you.
When you land at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, our guide and driver will meet you at the exit with a welcome sign. You'll receive your first "Tashi Delek!" greeting along with a traditional white khata scarf : its a customary way visitors are welcomed to Tibet. The drive to Lhasa covers 70 kilometers and typically takes 45 minutes to an hour. Along the way, you'll see the Yarlung River and get your first close look at the famous Potala Palace as you approach the city.
After the hotel check-in, the remainder of your first day is free for rest. This downtime is important for adjusting to the altitude before tomorrow's activities begin.
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel, served from 7:30am to 10:30am. Your guide will meet you for a short 5-minute walk to Jokhang Temple, Tibet's most sacred shrine located at the heart of old Lhasa. For centuries, this temple has served as both the religious and commercial center of Tibet.
Next, you'll explore Barkhor Street, a 15-20 minute circular walking route around Jokhang Temple. Join the steady stream of pilgrims walking clockwise with prayer wheels in hand, while seeing the many shops that have transformed this ancient pilgrimage path into a marketplace. The street offers wonderful opportunities to observe local devotees performing prostrations and to witness the colorful diversity of people from across Tibet.
After lunch, head to Sera Monastery to witness the famous monk debates that begin around 3pm in the monastery courtyard. Founded in the 15th century by Jamchen Choji Sakya Yeshi, a disciple of Tsongkhapa (founder of the Gelukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism), Sera Monastery provides fascinating insights into monastic life and Buddhist philosophy.
Your morning visit to Potala Palace begins with a climb up the ancient stone steps. The palace consists of two main sections: the White Palace, which served administrative functions, and the Red Palace, dedicated to religious activities. Originally founded by Tibet's 33rd King Songtsan Gampo in the 7th century, the current structure was rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century.
Each step offers spectacular views over Lhasa. The palace's countless rooms and chambers reveal centuries of Tibetan history, and the panoramic bird's-eye view from the top makes every stair worthwhile. Remember to rest when needed during your exploration.
Leaving Lhasa in the morning has the charm of starting your day along with the rising sun brightening the beautiful day on your way out.
Namtso lake is about 4hrs drive of about 250km from Lhasa via Lagenla pass (5190m).
This holy lake is one of the four holy lakes in Tibet and also the highest saline lake in the world. This road trip of 4 hrs offers a spectacular view of the snowcapped Nyenchen Thangla mountain ranges where in the valley and on the grassland, Tibetan nomads live their simple life in tents with their yak and sheep grazing nearby.
At Namtso, you'll visit the small Tashi Dor Monastery perched on a rocky peninsula, then enjoy time walking along the crystal-clear shoreline.
The lake's turquoise waters stretch endlessly toward the mountains, creating one of Tibet's most photographed landscapes. Then we will drive back to Lhasa and give you enough time to rest and prepare yourself for the evening home dinner.
After returning to Lhasa, you'll have time to rest before joining our team for a special home dinner. Our cook prepares authentic Tibetan dishes with just the right balance of flavors without being heavy or overly spicy. You'll even learn how to make traditional yak momos and share stories about your Tibet journey. These relaxed conversations give us insight into your experience while helping us continuously improve our service.
Your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel according to your flight or train schedule. As we say goodbye, we genuinely hope your time in Tibet has been everything you imagined and that our service has met your expectations.
If you've enjoyed your journey with us, we'd be grateful for any feedback you might share on TripAdvisor. Your reviews help us continue doing what we're passionate about : providing authentic Tibetan experiences for travelers who have long dreamed of visiting this land.
