6 Days Lhasa to Namtso Lake Small Group Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Lhasa Arrival

   Welcome to our 6-day Tibet group tour to Namtso Lake! Please get to Lhasa on your own, the spiritual heart and capital city of Tibet. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you with a warm welcome and send you to your hotel. After checking in, you’ll have the rest of the day free to rest, walk around a little if you feel okay, and slowly get used to the high altitude and thin air.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Lhasa

2. Day 2: Lhasa Monastery Visit
   Glimpse the Knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism

   This morning, you’ll visit one of the most famous monasteries in Lhasa with your guide. Your first stop is Drepung Monastery. It used to be the largest monastery in Tibetan Buddhism and once had over 10,000 monks. The temple sits between mountains and looks out toward the Lhasa River. While exploring, you’ll see many treasures, like antique porcelain, a bronze mirror of Manjusri (1.29 meters tall), and many colorful thangka paintings from long ago. Visit Loseling College (or equivalent college) to understand the learning of monks. You still have the opportunity to explore their dormitory and learn about daily life.

   In the afternoon, we transfer to Sera Monastery, the newest of the three major temples in Lhasa. It’s located at the foot of Mount Selawuzi, with many willow trees around it. For hundreds of years, some famous monks have taught here. Inside, you can see a huge number of Vajra statues, including some from India. One of the most interesting things to see is the monk debate. It’s a special way they learn by asking and answering questions. These debates usually happen from 15:00 to 17:00.

   After the visit, you will be treated with a welcome dinner with your group members.

   Meal: Breakfast + Welcome Dinner

   Accommodation: Lhasa

   

3. Day 3: Lhasa’s Highlights
   Explore the World Heritage Sites and Local People’s Daily Beliefs

   Today, you will be led to visit the world heritage sites and learn about the daily beliefs of the people of Lhasa. Sitting high at over 3,700 meters above sea level, the Potala Palace is the most famous attraction in Tibet. Walk through the White Palace and Red Palace to visit beautiful rooms where you can appreciate colorful wall art, Thangkas, Buddha statues, and other religious treasures. Glimpse the history of the palace, Tibetan Buddhism, and the lives of the Lamas.

   Under the palace is Longwangtan Park. It’s a great place to enjoy a different view of the grand palace and join in some fun local Tibetan traditions.

   After lunch (at your own expense), go to visit the sacred Jokhang Temple, home to a statue of Shakyamuni that looks like a 12-year-old boy. This temple has been the center of Tibetan Buddhism for more than 1,300 years. Every day, many pilgrims come from far away to pray. Around the temple is the lively Barkhor Street, filled with locals and tourists. You can do kora (a religious circle) with pilgrims. The street is full of shops so you can purchase beautiful souvenirs like handmade crafts, traditional clothes, tea, prayer wheels... Last, follow your guide to a Tibetan tea house to taste traditional sweet tea with local Tibetans.

   At the end of the day, your driver will escort you back to the hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Afternoon Tea

   Accommodation: Lhasa

   

4. Day 4: Lhasa to Holy Elephant Gate via Damxung
   A Whole Day to Visit the Sacred Namtso Lake

   Leave Lhasa early in the morning and head north on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. The drive takes around 3 hours. Along the way, you'll pass the vast prairie in Damxung, and cross Lagenla Pass, which is 5,190 meters above sea level. We'll stop here briefly to take photos of the amazing view - Namtso Lake’s deep blue water.

   After that, continue driving until we reach Namtso Lake, the second largest lake in Tibet. After entering the scenic area, take a short 2-kilometer walk around the Tashi Dor Island (going clockwise) to see colorful prayer flags and unusual rock formations up close. You might even spot Tibetan antelopes.

   After that, continue your journey towards Holy Elephant Gate, one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in northern Tibet. We will check in at a local guest house near the Holy Elephant Gate.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: near Holy Elephant Gate

   

5. Day 5: Holy Elephant Gate Back to Lhasa
   Enjoy the View of Namtso Lake from the Holy Elephant Gate

   Holy Elephant Gate is a naturally formed huge stone gate standing among the snow-capped mountains. When the sunlight shines on the stone gate, it seems to have turned into a holy elephant guarding this land, hence the name.

   There is a beautiful legend here: it is said that Namtso is the goddess. On the eve of her wedding, 108 prodigies built a stone gate resembling a holy elephant overnight. It is said to be the holy gate leading to heaven, hence it is called the Holy Elephant Gate.

   Enjoy your leisure time here and take some amazing pictures. After the visit, we go drive back to Lhasa. On the way, have lunch with the group.

   Travel tips:

   1. Due to the high altitude, you may experience altitude sickness, so do not engage in strenuous exercise.
   2. There are no public toilets here, so do not drink too much water as possible.
   3. The ultraviolet rays are strong. Pay attention to keeping sun protection.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Lhasa

   

6. Day 6: Lhasa Departure

   Be sure to double-check your flight or train time with the guide ahead of time. Your guide and driver will then send you to the airport or station after breakfast. That’s the end of your 6-day Tibet group tour.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A