Lhasa-Qushui-Gangbala Snow Mountain-Yamdrok Lake-Gyantse-Shigatse
In the morning, you will depart from Lhasa, follow National Highway 318 to the bridge junction, and travel along the scenery of the Yarlung Tsangpo River to Gambala Pass (elevation 4,990 meters). This is the perfect spot to overlook [Yamdrok Lake] (elevation 4,441 meters), one of the "Three Great Sacred Lakes of Tibet." From the Tibetan-style viewing platform adorned with fluttering colorful prayer flags and a huge mani pile, you can gaze at the clear, calm lake surface under the sunlight shifting through varying shades of light blue, deep blue, and sky blue, reflecting the washed-clean blue sky, with majestic snow-capped mountains in the distance—an ultimate beauty unrivaled in southern Tibet. If you are lucky, you may even witness a spectacular scene with dark clouds on one side, a brilliant rainbow on the other, and endless rosy clouds elsewhere.
After lunch at Nagarze, you will continue by vehicle to visit [Karo-la Glacier] (elevation 5,000 meters). Standing right by the roadside, the glacier is like a giant thangka hanging on the mountain wall, crystal clear and pure white, so close it feels as if you could touch it.
Next, you will proceed to the ancient city of Gyantse, hometown of anti-British heroes. This city with over 600 years of history was also a key transportation hub from Front Tibet to Rear Tibet. You will view the Gyantse Dzong anti-British site from afar and visit [Pelkor Chode Monastery], the only monastery in Tibet that combines the three major sects, featuring stunning murals and carvings and the Hundred Thousand Buddha Pagoda. Finally, you will arrive at Shigatse, the capital of Rear Tibet, for check-in.
🍽️ Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
🏨 Shigatse