Day 01: Fly to Gongkar Airport & drive to Lhasa (3600m/11811ft) 65 km, 1hr:

Your Tibetan guide will be waiting to welcome you at Gongkar Airport. After immigration formalities, you will drive for around 45 minutes to reach the old city, Lhasa (3660 meters). After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest, drink plenty of fluids and most importantly let your body get used to Lhasa’s high altitude. During afternoon you can go around the hotel area for light walk and sightseeing. O/N at Hotel in Lhasa (BB)

Day 02: Sightseeing tour of Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery and Barkhor Market (3600m/11811ft):

After breakfast you will be briefed about the day’s program. Then your guide will take you on a tour to Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery and Barkhor Market respectively.

Jokhang Temple: Jokhang a seventh-century geomantic temple at the heart of Lhasa is the most sacred temple of all Tibet. It is considered to be a Power Place in all Tibet. Queen Bhrikuti, a Nepalese princess married to King Songtsen Gampo founded Jokhang Temple and in recognition of Queen Bhrikuti the main gate of the temple faces west towards Nepal.  The most impressive structure of the Jokhang Temple is the many chapels surrounding the temple.

Sera Monastery: This monastery is approx. 5km drive away from Lhasa. Sera Monastery was founded in 1419. It sits in the prettiest and most charming atmosphere at the base of Mount Purbuchok. Sera Monastery used to be an important center for learning where in the past approx. 5,000 to 6,000 monks resided. Currently about 550 monks are supposed to be living there. The important structures inside the monastery include Coqen Hall, (the main assembly hall), three Zhacangs (Buddhist colleges) and twenty-nine Khangtsens (monk dormitories).The most intriguing feature here is the nine-meter image of Maitraya which was erected in 1419; here one can also witness the practicing of debate among the monks, who pitch their knowledge against each other. 

Barkhor Market (Bazar): The most popular Barkhor Market (Bazaar) is a square where Tibetan handicraft items, Buddhist artifacts, carpets, paintings etc. are all in sale for your delight. At the end of the day your guide will escort you back to your hotel. Lhasa offers variety of Restaurant for both Lunch and Dinners. O/N at Hotel in Lhasa (BB)

Day 03: Sightseeing tour of Potala Palace & Local Village Tour:

After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace and the beautifully landscaped Drepung Monastery.

Potala Palace: Also known as the “winter palace”. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. is a 13^th storied complex monument rising to a height of above 117m which houses 10,000 shrines and over 200,000 images and about 1000 rooms.As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas.

Shal Village: Shal is located approx 10 km (half an hr drive ) east of Lhasa with population with aprox 150 families. Shal is an old Village town and most of the people are farmers or nomads. Village is quite popular for potato and barley farming and now interestingly, they have started involving locals, domestic clients self farming. One can go for an hour hike up the village where a holy mountain is located standing up tall overlooking the village. For those fit people can further climb the mountain, if time permits. The place offers a breathtaking view of the high mountains, fresh flowing stream and the open green pastures. The best part of this hike is the opportunity to see the nomands community, during summer time from May to October when they live in the pastures grazing their cattle. There is nunnery in the village to visit, if time permits.

Note: Since only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside the Potala palace every day, the order of sightseeing places will be decided upon by your guide.

Day 04:  Drive to Gyantse (3950m /12956ft) 265km, 4 hrs. Drive to Shigatse (3,900m/12795ft) 90km, 1hr:

Leaving Lhasa and a drive of 265km, taking about 4-5 hours including break for lunch at one of the villages’ en-route. We will drive over two spectacular high passes – the Kampa La at 4750m and Karo La at 5010m, over, and along the beautiful deep blue green Lake called Yamdrok Lake or Turquoise Lake. The landscape of the Tibetan Plateau is truly unusual and spectacular. We will arrive in Gyantse an old Tibetan Town against a backdrop of magnificent 14^th-15^th century fortresses and temples. Here we will visit Pelkhor Chode Temple, which served the Geluk Sakya and Buluk orders. Here the Khumbum Stupa is an architectural masterpiece built in the style of 108-sided Mandela. It is the most revered Stupa in Tibet and houses 112 chapels of which only 23 are open to the public.

We further drive 90km to Shigatse, the second largest town in Tibet for an overnight. O/N at Hotel in Shigatse (BB)

Day 05:  Drive to Rongbuk. Excursion to Everest Base Camp (5100m/16728ft), 400km, 8hrs:

You will travel along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving for approx 5 hrs. past small town of Lhatse. You will be crossing one of the highest Gyatso la pass (5220m) of the tour.  As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Shegar. As you drive close to Rongbuk, you can view spectacular sight of Mount Everest. You have the opportunity to explore Everest Base Camp (5100m.) The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensate for it. O/N at Guest house in Rongbuk (BB)

Day 06: Drive to Shigatse. Visit Tashilumpho Monastery (3900m /12956ft) 385km, 7 hrs:

After hearty breakfast at hotel, you will drive towards Shigatse (second largest city in Tibet) which is almost 4-5hours of driving. Here in Shigatse you will be visiting Tashilumpho Monastery. This monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls. There are about 39 amazing chapels inside including the huge Maitreya Chapel coated with gold; its workmanship certainly impresses everyone.After detailed visit of Shigatse, we will visit the local markets for shopping and local sightseeing. O/N at Hotel in Shigatse (BB)

Day 07:  Drive to Lhasa via the North Route (3600m /11811ft) 280km, 4 hrs:

After hearty breakfast at hotel you will be guided to explore the local market. Then you continue your journey back to Lhasa which is almost 4 hours of drive via the Northern route. O/N at Hotel in Lhasa (BB)

Day 08: Fly out from Lhasa (3600m/11811ft) 65 km, 1hr:

After breakfast, your guide will give you a final departure transfer for your next destination.