Upon your arrival in Xining, our guide will meet you at the airport or train station, then transfer you to the hotel for a short break. You may explore freely in the city for the rest of the day. Xining is also called “summer resort of China”, the altitude in Xining is about 2260m, make sure to take enough rest so that to get used to the altitude ASAP. Stay overnight in Xining.
In the morning, drive to Qinghai Lake by crossing Sun & Moon Mountain (With an altitude of 3520 meters, it is the exact route taken by Princess Wencheng and Songtsen Gampo in Tang dynasty when they married , since when numerous passersby would go there and trace the way). Qinghai Lake means “Blue sea” in Chinese, and the biggest inland saltwater lake. The vast beautiful lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains and nature pasture, the grazing cows and sheep crowds are like clouds moving on the green grassland. Stay overnight in Xining.
Qinghai Lake
Sun & Moon Mountain
Morning, we will drive 26km south of Xining and visit Ta'er Monastery which was built in 1577. It is one of the most important monasteries of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, named from the Great Temple of Golden Tile, one dedicated to Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelugpa sect. The temple is actually comprised of several temples, halls for scripture, Buddhist pagodas and monks' dormitory, and incorporates both Tibetan and Han architectural styles. Get on the train to Lhasa in the afternoon. Great views of vast plains dotted with flocks and herds in far distance will accompany you along the way. Overnight in the train.
Ta'er Monastery
Qinghai-Tibet Train
Today, arrive in Lhasa, and welcome the roof of the world! Our guide will meet you at airport or train station. Then drive to downtown of Lhasa and transfer to your hotel. Have a good rest for adapting to the high attitude. It is helpful to take things easy and drink enough water for the day of your arrival. Be noted the first day's acclimation is extremely to ensure you a good health status for the following tour. Overnight in Lhasa.Overnight in Lhasa.
Lhasa Railway Station
Barkhor Street
Today, you'll have a tour to Lhasa's cardinal landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site-Potala Palace. Renowned as one of the great wonders on earth for its elaborate architecture built at an elevation of 3700m, this awe-inspiring palace will not disappoint you. In the afternoon, pay a visit to Jokhang Temple, the most respected shrine in Tibet. Thick with the smell of incense and yak butter, you'll witness a throng of prostrating pilgrims cramming out there. The temple is the masterpiece of Tibetan, Chinese and Nepalese architectural techniques. Then take a stroll around the Barkhor Street, the oldest bazaar in the city. You'll also enjoy a welcome dinner gathering with all travel mates in the group after the sightseeing activities. Overnight in Lhasa.
Potala Palace
Jokhang Temple
Morning, you'll visit Drepung Monastery, whichlocates about 8km west of central Lhasa and was once one of the world's largest monasteries with the population of around 10,000 monks in its heyday. Climb uphill through the whitewashed intersecting alleyways as well as the medieval chapels, and enjoy the panoramic view of the city on top of the mountain. In the afternoon, you'll have a chance to witness the famous 'Scriptures Debating' session at Sera Monastery, spectating their featured way of Buddhist dialectics and hand slapping in a landscaped courtyard with lush trees. Overnight in Lhasa.
Drepung Monastery
Sera Monastery
Morning drive up to Kampala pass [4794m], you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso and spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance, the turquoise colored Lake Yamdrok Tso is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, the unforgettable vista of pincer-shaped turquoise water of the lake and amazing spectacle of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar glacier from Karo la pass are the wonders of the day. Far in the distance you'll spot the towering massif Mt. Nojin Kangtsang [7191m], and the staggering Karo-la Glacier [5045m].Then along the Friendship southern High way drive to Gyantse, you will be arranged to visit the Pelkhor Monastery and the famous stupa - Gyantse Kumbum, one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet. Late afternoon, drive to Shigatse. Overnight in Shigatse.
Yamdrok Lake
Pelkhor Monastery
Today, drive forward to Rongbuk via Lhatse and Shegar, cross over Gyatsola [5248m] & Gawu la pass [5250m], from the top of the Gawu la you will see the spectacular Himalayan Ranges and its glorious peaks viz Mt. Makalu [8463m], Mt. Lotse [8516m], Mt Everest [8844m], Mt. Cho Oyu [8201m] and Mt. Shishapama [8020m] from Left to right, climbing down through numbers of switchback bends lead to the dry valley of Tashi Zom and then to today's destination - Everest Base Camp. Rongbuk is the highest monastery in Tibet and is consisted by both monks and nuns, where is a good point to see Mt. Everest. Sunset at Mt. Everest is another highlight of today if in good weather. Overnight at local tent guesthouse or Rongbuk guesthouse (dorm beds only, share room with other tourists).
Gyatsola Mountain
Rongbuk Monastery
Get up early this morning, and if you are lucky enough, you will have a chance to see the sunrise at Base Camp. It's hard to take your eyes away from the stunning view of the magnificent north face of the world's tallest peak-Mt. Everest (Qomolangma as its Tibetan name, meaning "Goddess Mother of Mountains"). There's a monument locating about 1 kilometer beyond the tent guesthouses. Late morning or early afternoon start driving back to Shigatse and have a good rest after the long time drive. Overnight in Shigatse.
Everest Sunrise
Everest Base Camp
Morning, visit Shigatse Tashilhunpo Monastery and the spectacular tombs of Panchen Lamas, sometimes it is crowded with local pilgrims. Afterwards drive back to Lhasa along the northern friendship way, marvelous landscapes and sceneries along the Brahmaputra River will accompany you all the way back to Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa.
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Yarlung Tsangpo River
Be prepared for your flight back to home. Your guide and driver will be on time to transfer you to the airport. Thanks for traveling with us. Hope to be at your service next time.
※What is a Private Tour?
A Private Tour Package means you will have your own private guide, driver, and vehicle for your own disposal. You don't have to share the vehicle with others even if you are a single traveler. You would have full attention of your guide and driver. Our professional guide would love to share local culture, knowledge and stories.
Your private guide would also help you make an easier, comfortable, flexible and enjoyable tour. You can stop on the road to get a rest or take pictures during the drive. You have the flexibility of changing the visiting order of attractions or extending the visiting time at some tourist sites.
We will arrange the private airport or train station pick-up and see-off for you. Upon your arrival, you can find our guide waiting at the pick-up area, holding a name sign, welcome you with a warm smile. You will be transferred to hotel.
When traveling with your family or friends, a private tour would be your first choice.
※Accommodation Choices
For private tour, we can arrange hotels according to your requirements. There are options of budget guesthouse, 3 star hotel, 4 star hotel, high-end luxury hotel or bouquet heritage hotel. If you have your own preferred hotel, just let us know, we will help you with the booking, everything would be arranged as per your interests.
※Meal Choices
Our tour packages generally include breakfasts. Meanwhile, lunches and dinners are optional to be arranged either by yourself or by us.
It's easy to find nice restaurants in China, and you could also ask for suggestions from your guide. They always know where you can find something tasty.
The price would be different according to different food:
1. If you choose noodles, around RMB 15-30 per person.
2. If you like some fast food like KFC, around RMB 25-40 per person.
3. If you prefer some food at a decent restaurant, around RMB 70-150 per person.
