Tibet is a land of mystery and altitude – remote, windswept, and nestled so high in the mountains that aircraft seldom pass overhead. It is a place where the spiritual force of the Himalayas merges with a unique form of Buddhism, offering travellers an encounter with one of the world’s most enigmatic cultures. Our 8-day Classic Tibet Explorer Tour is designed for those seeking extraordinary experiences in a setting like no other.
Your journey begins in Lhasa, the capital and spiritual heart of Tibet. Over the course of three days, you will visit its most iconic sites: ascend the monumental Potala Palace, explore the sacred Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka Palace, and walk the grounds of the Sera and Drepung monasteries. On the fourth day, the tour moves beyond Lhasa toward the wider landscapes of Tibet. You will travel to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake and the Karola Glacier, stopping in Gyantse to visit the remarkable Pelkor Chode Monastery.
On the fifth day, explore Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and the bustling market of Shigatse before crossing the high Gyatso La Pass (5,232 metres) en route to Tingri. Day six will be the pinnacle of your adventure – a scenic drive to Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest, where you’ll witness the awe-inspiring view of Mount Everest. The final two days will be spent returning to Lhasa, giving you time to reflect on the journey through this exceptional land.
The 8-day Classic Tibet Explorer Tour is an unforgettable high-altitude expedition, taking you from 3,600 to over 5,200 metres above sea level, through sacred sites and majestic mountain landscapes. Explore the detailed itinerary and prepare for a journey into the spiritual and natural wonders of Tibet.
Tour itinerary:
No meals
Meals: breakfast, dinner
In the afternoon, we visit one of the three great monasteries of the Gelug sect – Drepung Monastery. At its height, more than 10,000 monks lived here. The monastery covers an area of 0.2 million square metres and stands at an altitude of 3,800 metres.
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Upon arrival in Gyangtse (4,040 m), we visit Pelkor Monastery, built in the early 15th century and located to the north-east of the town at an altitude of 3,900 m. The monastery is renowned for its wall paintings and Buddha statues. We then leave Gyangtse for the 90 km drive to Shigatse (3,836 m). Overnight in Shigatse.
Meals: breakfast, dinner
We then visit the local market before leaving Shigatse for Tingri (240 km, 4 hours), with a stop in the small town of Lhatse en route. The journey continues across the Gyatso La Pass (5,232 m) before arriving in Tingri (4,300 m), a small Tibetan settlement overlooking a vast plain framed by the Himalayan peaks of Mount Everest (8,848 m) and Cho Oyu (8,153 m). Overnight in Tingri.
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Meals: breakfast
Price includes:
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary;
- 7 nights of accommodation with daily breakfast at the hotels listed;
- English-speaking guide at each location;
- Private transfers by comfortable air-conditioned vehicles: 4-seat car for 1–2 pax, 7–9-seat car for 3–4 pax, 12–14-seat car for 5–6 pax, 17–19-seat bus for 7–9 pax;
- Tibet permit;
- HB as listed.
Price doesn't include:
- Personal expenses;
- Tips for the guide and driver (suggested USD 5 per person per day);
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- Train or domestic flights to or from Lhasa on the first and last day*;
- Any services not mentioned above.
*Note: Travelling to Tibet is possible by air, railway, or road. Tibet has five airports, with Lhasa Gonggar Airport being the main gateway. It offers flights from major Chinese cities, including Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xining, and Shangri-La, as well as from several other regional hubs. There is also an international flight connection between Lhasa and Kathmandu.
Travellers may also reach Lhasa by train. Rail services operate from Xining (21 hours, the starting point of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway), Lanzhou (25 hours), Xi’an (31 hours), Chongqing (36 hours), Chengdu (37 hours), Beijing (41 hours), Shanghai (47 hours), Guangzhou (53 hours), and other cities across China.