5 Day Lhasa & Yamdrok Lake Tour

An unforgettable journey through the Tibetan Himalayas

Tour Summary

Sparkling azure waters that stretch from horizon to horizon await at the end of this 5 day Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake tour. Spend a little under a week exploring the highlights of the Tibetan world and some of its most sacred sites. From the glistening white walls of Potala Palace with its commanding view to the lively streets of Barkhor this tour will open the door to this enigmatic land. Lhasa City is the heart of Tibet, and it can be felt when there amongst the locals and pilgrims from the landscape. This tour will allow enough time to immerse yourself into to the culture and enjoy the sites. It’s also a perfect addition to any trip in Asia.

From $630

The price of this tour depends on the season and comfort class. Click here for pricing details.

Included

Excluded

Tour itinerary at glance

Day 1
Lhasa (Arrival)

Pick-up, rest, acclimatize

Day 2
Lhasa

Potala Palace, Jokhang temple, Barkhor Str.

Day 3
Lhasa

Drepung and Sera Monasteries

Day 4
Lhasa/Yamdrok Lake

Yamdrok Lake

Day 5
Departure

send to airport/train station

Detailed itinerary

Day 1 - Lhasa (Arrival)

You are welcomed warmly in Tibetan by the greeting “Tashi Delek” at Train station/ Airport by our professional Tibetan guide. After meeting your guide you will be transferred to your prearranged hotel in Lhasa. The choice is yours, either enjoy some time relaxing or take a stroll through the city’s’ streets to take in some of the local flavor. Whatever you choose it is important to take it slow as your body needs time to acclimatize. This will help you to have a more enjoyable experience for the rest of your time.

4-7 Days Tours

8-15 Days Tours

Day 2 - Lhasa

In the morning, we will begin the tour with the grand Potala Palace! Built in 7th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the highest building in Lhasa. With roughly 1000 stairs to climb, you will enjoy a commanding view of beautiful Lhasa City and the surrounding mountains. There are many rooms, courtyards, and views to explore in Potala Palace, so the better part of the morning will be spent here. In the afternoon we will visit Jokhang Temple, which is considered the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. It was built approximately 1350 years ago in a mix of styles including: Tibetan, Tang Dynasty Chinese, Nepalese and Indian. After experiencing this incredible and ancient temple you will find it is the perfect opportunity to envelope yourself in the famous shopping district of Barkhor Street. Beautiful and unique handicrafts from all over Tibet can be found here, and the shopping is enjoyed by both tourists and locals alike! After perusing the wares, join in with locals and pilgrims from around the country and the world in a traditional “kora”. A kora is a clockwise walk done around Buddhists sites, and is traditionally done three times. You may see some walking counterclockwise, however this is only for Bon religion followers, and it is best to stick to clockwise as a tourist. After your kora, sit and watch the many faces and colorful clothed locals while sipping traditional Tibetan butter tea, made with fresh yak butter and yak milk. Free welcome dinner will be arranged for the first night!

Day 3 - Lhasa

First on the itinerary for your 3rd day is Drepung Monastery. It is considered to be one of the three great Gelug monasteries in Tibet. Drepung Monastery is also famous for hosting the unveiling and displaying of the enormous Thanka of the Great Buddha and the Tibetan Opera Show during the Shoton Festival. Later in the afternoon, we will explore another of the “Great Three” monasteries, Sera Monastery. Visitors will have the unique privilege in witnessing one of the magnificent traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, the courtyard debates among the monks. These lively debates contribute to the monks understanding of Buddhist philosophy and achieve a higher level of study. The debates are held on weekdays from 3pm to 5pm in the afternoon.

Day 4 - Lhasa/Yamdrok Lake

Early in the morning after breakfast the tour will head out of Lhasa for one of the sacred lakes of Tibet, Yamdrok Lake. The road winds through the Nyangchu Valley, and over Gampala Pass(4900m)and leads you to Yamdrok Lake(4400m). No description can compare to the great stretch of turquoise water that sparkles in the sunshine. The lake contrasts beautifully with the dune colored hills and mountains surrounding it with views that last a lifetime. You can drive a bit further down the road and get right up to the lake for a different perspective. After taking in the incredible scenery, and many photo moments, the tour will enjoy a leisurely pace back to Lhasa.