[Taste of Everest] 9-Day Tour Itinerary and Prices for Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake, Shigatse, Everest, and Namtso

After disembarking, our staff will welcome you with the warmest smiles on the plateau and that touch of plateau red. Having just arrived at the plateau, what you need most is to slow down and relax. We will take you to the hotel for a good rest, letting your body gradually adapt to the plateau atmosphere. Tashi Delek!! Lhasa, meaning "Holy Land" or "Land of Buddha" in Tibetan, is the sacred city in the hearts of Tibetans and a paradise in the hearts of travelers. With the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, Lhasa is no longer out of reach. Bustle and crowds are not Lhasa's true face; let us explore its mysterious charm together. [Warm Tips] 1) Transfers: Since all train/flight pickups and drop-offs in Tibet are arranged by a local professional transfer center, the staff will contact you in advance. Please keep your phone accessible. For visitors from outside the mainland, a guide is required for pickup; for Chinese nationals, the pickup driver will take you directly to the hotel for check-in. The travel agency will inform you in advance how to get your room key at the hotel, so you can directly check in and rest. If you do not receive notification, please contact the travel agency staff promptly (see the tour departure notice) for timely assistance. The guide will notify you of the next day's meeting time by phone or text before 22:00. 2) Altitude sickness: On the day of arrival in Lhasa, do not engage in strenuous exercise, and do not take a shower that night to prevent catching a cold. Do not drink alcohol. Drink plenty of water and eat fruit; do not overeat. Rest more. You may bring American ginseng lozenges or health supplements such as Rhodiola and Gao Yuan An to alleviate altitude sickness. Follow the arrangements of the travel agency staff and guide, try not to go out for activities, and maintaining a calm mindset and adequate rest is the best way to prevent altitude sickness. If you feel unwell, seek treatment at a hospital promptly.

[Tibetan Culture Experience] Now that you are in Lhasa, you can still experience traditional Tibetan handicrafts. The guide will lead tourists to the Tibetan Culture Experience Hall to learn how the refreshing Tibetan incense is made, and you can also participate in making it yourself, which is completely different from buying Tibetan incense. A teacher will teach you to write your own name in Tibetan script and do woodblock printing. The Tibetan incense you make yourself and the printed text can both be taken home as souvenirs of this trip to Tibet. [Sera Monastery] As one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, it is also known together with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery as the three great monasteries of Lhasa. The monastery preserves tens of thousands of Vajra Buddha statues, among which the most famous statue, the "Hayagriva" Vajra statue, is located in the protector deity hall of the Jizha Tratsang. Local people put their heads into a small shrine and touch the base of the statue with their heads. Apart from the solemnity of the monastery, Sera Monastery also has another major feature, namely the debate activities of the monks in the monastery. In the center of the debate courtyard, monks are debating knowledge; some urge the other side to answer with powerful clapping, while others pull prayer beads and rely on the power of the beads to defeat the opponent. Standing in the debate courtyard, you are immersed in the lively sounds. Although tourists cannot understand their Zen meaning, they can truly feel the faith and power of Tibetan Buddhism. The debate usually starts at 15:00 in the afternoon. On Sundays, or occasionally when the monastery temporarily holds Dharma assemblies or receives special guests, the debate activities may be canceled. Please understand!!!

【Potala Palace】(maximum visit: 1 hour) Songtsen Gampo spent half of his life conquering Tubo and the other half building magnificent palaces and temples. As you wander among the golden Buddhist halls, stupas, living quarters, and corridors, with dim lights, lowered curtains, and the scent of butter tea filling the air, it feels as if you have fallen into an ancient dream, involuntarily losing yourself among the scriptures, Buddha statues, murals, and distant legends. 【Potala Palace Ticket Booking Instructions】 1. Potala Palace tickets are subject to a real-name reservation system. A valid ID (ID card, household register, or passport) is required for the reservation. After a successful reservation, a second reservation cannot be made within 7 days from the date of visit. If a tourist is unable to enter the Potala Palace due to incorrect information provided by the tourist, the travel agency shall bear no responsibility or consequences. Before the visit, tourists must carry the original valid ID. If the name or ID number does not match the actual ID used, entry will be denied, and the ticket purchase fee, having already been incurred, cannot be refunded. Your understanding is appreciated! 2. The visiting time for the Potala Palace is randomly assigned by the Potala Palace Management Office's unified computer system, and the visiting time cannot be specified. Your understanding is appreciated. At the same time, the actual tour route order may differ from the reference itinerary provided. 3. During peak season, the Potala Palace restricts visits, and each travel agency in Tibet has only a limited number of group reservation quotas per day. To ensure tourists' smooth visits, travel agencies will solve the problem through different channels. Due to the special ticket purchase requirements of different channels, please follow the guide's arrangements. The following situations are normal arrangements: 1) Each group may be split into multiple smaller groups (it may be necessary to separate the group or tourists who booked together, and there may be situations where you join unfamiliar group members to enter for the visit). 2) Each smaller group visits at different times/dates. 3) Each smaller group enters with a different guide. 【Jokhang Temple】(visit about 1 hour) The Jokhang Temple blends Tibetan, Tang, Nepalese, and Indian architectural styles, becoming an enduring classic of Tibetan religious architecture. Incense smoke curls in front of the temple all day long, and the devout prostrations of believers have left deep imprints of full-body prostration on the bluestone floor before the gate. Tens of thousands of butter lamps burn continuously, leaving traces of time and pilgrims. Here, worship of the gods continues day and night. 【Jokhang Temple Ticket Booking Instructions】 1. Jokhang Temple tickets require a real-name reservation. Every day from 7:00 to 23:59, tickets for the next day's visit are released on the mini-program "Jokhang Temple Reservation," until the reservation quota is full. Therefore, tickets need to be reserved 1 day in advance. Please make the reservation under the guide's instruction. 2. The Jokhang Temple is a religious temple rather than a purely tourist attraction. If it cannot be opened for visits due to special circumstances such as important religious activities, your understanding is appreciated.

After departure, the route follows the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley, where you can get a bird's-eye view of the Yarlung Tsangpo. The Yarlung Tsangpo along Provincial Road 101 is the widest river surface near Lhasa. Follow the Yarlung Tsangpo valley into Provincial Road 307 and drive to the mountainside for a bird's-eye view of the Yarlung Tsangpo. The view is vast, magnificent, and beautiful. 【Gampala Mountain】 Best viewpoint to see the most beautiful side of Yamdrok Lake. The bluest sky and the bluest lake are all here. Here, you will understand the meaning of "angels' tears in heaven, Yamdrok blue on earth," but many photographers also say: "No matter how many times you photograph Yamdrok Lake, you cannot capture her beauty..." Many Tibetans on Gampala Mountain offer yak photos. Please agree on the price first to avoid unnecessary trouble. 【Yamdrok Lake】 A freshwater lake, one of the three great sacred lakes of Tibet. The lake water is as clear as mutton fat, sweet, and drinkable. The deep blue lake water merges with the distant snow mountains, plus the colorful mountain ranges on both sides, distinctive Tibetan villages, and cattle and sheep everywhere. Along the way, you will feel relaxed and joyful. Yamdrok Lake has a water area of 638 square kilometers, a lake surface altitude of 4441 meters, and a shoreline of 250 kilometers. This lake is also considered to be a turquoise ear string dropped to the mortal world by a goddess. Standing at the top of Gampala Mountain at an altitude of 4950 meters and looking south, Yamdrok Lake is like a sapphire inlaid among the peaks. The blue lake water is as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the bright blue sky. At noon, you will take a short rest at the viewing restaurant of Yamdrok Lake View Hotel by the shore of Yamdrok Lake and enjoy the rich and delicious Yamdrok Lake-view mini hot pot specially arranged by us. 【Karo La Glacier】 One of the three major continental glaciers in Tibet. The glacier is backed by Noijin Kangsang Snow Mountain, one of the four major peaks in Tibet. The huge glacier extends from the misty top of the mountain all the way to the roadside only a few hundred meters from the highway. Although due to long-term exposure to dust from the highway, the glacier as a whole appears in black-and-white layers, the upper part of the glacier under the sunlight is like a giant thangka hanging on the mountain wall, shining brightly. It became famous because the films "Red River Valley," "The Battle of Gyantse," and "The Knot" were shot here for exterior scenes. Overnight stay in Shigatse. In Tibetan, Shigatse means "the best manor" and is one of the "granaries of Tibet." It was historically the political, religious, and cultural center of Tsang and the seat of successive Panchen Lamas. It has a history of more than 500 years and is currently the second-largest city in Tibet. 【Warm Tips】 1. In addition to the Tibet Travel Permit, foreign tourists traveling to Mount Everest in the same vehicle need to uniformly apply for a travel permit in Shigatse. The guide will reasonably adjust and arrange the itinerary according to the processing status of the travel permit. Please follow the guide's arrangements and cooperate actively. 2. If there is an occasional system failure or a surge in tourists during peak season causing long queues and lengthy processing time for travel permits, please understand.

[Mount Everest] Take the most beautiful border highway and admire the magnificent snow-capped mountains. Along the way, you can gaze at the world's third-highest peak, Kangchenjunga, the fourth-highest, Lhotse, and Rima Na Snow Mountain. Mount Everest, at 8,848 meters, is the world's highest peak, located on the China-Nepal border in the middle section of the Himalayas. The summit is covered with snow year-round, with glaciers hanging in the distance and silver peaks towering, creating an incredibly unique and spectacular scene. [Everest Viewpoint] The Mount Everest viewpoint is located 22 kilometers along the Everest Road in Tingri County, Shigatse. This is a must-pass route to Everest Base Camp. The viewpoint is at an altitude of 5,200 meters. Looking south from here, you can see Everest and other snow-capped mountains over 8,000 meters. [Rongbuk Monastery] Rongbuk Monastery is at an altitude of about 5,100 meters. The terrain is high and cold, with a wonderful landscape. The new Everest Base Camp is nearby. If lucky, you can also see the Everest flag cloud drifting like a fire of life. [Warm Tips] 1. Accommodation is in tents at Everest Base Camp (8-15 people per tent, multi-person dormitory beds, shared bathroom, limited conditions): generally clean and tidy, but quite different from city hotels. Please understand. From October to April each year, due to cold weather, tents are withdrawn from Everest Base Camp, and accommodation will be changed to guesthouses in nearby villages. 2. Food and accommodation that day are poor, the altitude is high, and the temperature is low. Please keep warm. Pay attention to safety and prevent altitude sickness. In summer, nighttime temperatures are around 0-8 degrees Celsius. Please bring warm clothing, or you can rent a down jacket at Base Camp for warmth.

[Viewing the Sunrise over Mount Everest] In the morning, be sure to dress fully equipped. Before sunrise, the temperature at the pass can drop below 0 degrees, and with strong winds, please be sure to prepare warm clothing. Standing at the top of the world, facing the sunlight and looking up at Mount Everest, the summit is covered with snow all year round, with glaciers hanging in the distance and silver peaks towering, presenting a holy scene. Photograph the scene of Mount Everest at sunrise (the photo effect depends on the weather). [Warm Tips] Whether you can see the sunrise over Mount Everest is subject to weather and the actual tour conditions. Please understand. [Gyatsola Pass] Gyatsola Mountain is the necessary route to the world's highest peak, Mount Everest. The pass is 5,252 meters above sea level and is the highest point on the China-Nepal Highway. If the weather is clear, standing at Gyatsola Pass you can look far to Mount Everest, and also view Cho Oyu, Lhotse and Makalu.

【Tashilhunpo Monastery】 Tashilhunpo Monastery, also known as "Tashi Lhunpo Monastery," is the largest monastery in the Shigatse region. Along with Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Ganden Monastery in Lhasa, as well as Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai and Labrang Monastery in Gansu, it is listed as one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school. It was founded in 1447 by Gendun Drup, the First Dalai Lama and a disciple of Tsongkhapa. At its peak, Tashilhunpo Monastery had more than 3,000 rooms, over 5,000 monks, more than 50 subordinate monasteries, and over 30 manors and pastures. Starting from the Fourth Panchen Lama, subsequent Panchen Lamas all took this monastery as their seat. The current Tashilhunpo Monastery has: 4 dratsangs, 56 assembly halls, more than 3,600 rooms, over 800 monks, and a total area of 300,000 square meters. Highlights 1. Known as the supreme monastery of Tsang, it is the seat of successive Panchen Lamas and the largest monastery in the Tsang region, and together with the three great monasteries of Lhasa, it is known as one of the four great monasteries of Tibet. 2. The Maitreya Buddha Hall enshrines a bronze statue, using 231,400 jin of brass and 6,700 taels of gold. For the inlay on the Buddha's eyebrows alone, more than 1,400 diamonds and pearls of various sizes were used. 3. The monastery enshrines exquisitely crafted Panchen stupas, using countless materials including gold, silver, copper, silk, coral, pearls, agate, and turquoise. 【Warm Tips】 1. On that day, the return from Shigatse to Lhasa will be by tour bus or train, depending on the travel agency's specific arrangements. Specific requests cannot be accepted. Your understanding is appreciated. 2. This tour is a group formed by individual travelers. Based on actual circumstances, and without reducing scenic spots, the travel agency may arrange to travel from Shigatse to Damxung for accommodation on that day, and the next day go from Damxung to Namtso, then return to Lhasa after the visit. Your understanding is appreciated.

【Namtso】 Cross over the 5190-meter-high Lakenla Mountain to reach Namtso, the "Heavenly Lake," first among the three great sacred lakes of Tibet. At an altitude of 4718m, it is the highest-altitude saltwater lake in the world and the second-largest in China. To the south is the year-round snow-covered Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains; to the north and west are plateau hills. The broad lakeshore is surrounded by grasslands with abundant water and lush grass; the lake water has high salinity, and the basin is rich in wildlife resources, including yaks and goats; the lake has many wild birds and produces scale fish and scaleless fish; the lake water is clear and reflects the surrounding snow mountains. The scenery is beautiful, like a crystal-clear pearl inlaid on the vast Changtang grassland. 【Warm Tips】 Tibet's winter climate is harsh, and Namtso is at a relatively high altitude. Occasionally in winter, heavy snow may close the mountain roads due to weather conditions. If it is learned one day in advance that the Namtso scenic area cannot be visited, the itinerary will be adjusted to: D08 Lhasa → Ganden Monastery (light hiking on the kora path) → Lhasa If you have already set off for the Namtso scenic area that day and are temporarily notified that it cannot be visited, the itinerary will be adjusted to: D08 Lhasa → Tsurphu Monastery → Lhasa

After breakfast, arrange airport or station drop-off according to flight time, ending the pleasant journey. The city is about a 1-hour drive from the airport. It is recommended to schedule flights after 10:00.