9 Day Yamdrok Lake & Namtso Lake
Our 9-day overland group tour from Lhasa to Shigatse via visiting two of the most important lakes in Tibet (The Yamdrok Lake and the Namtso Lake ) We will also visit one of the most significant Bon religion monasteries in Tibet ( The Yungdrungling Bon monastery )
This is one of the slower and less driving tours from Tibet Travelers. After arriving in Lhasa from Namtso Lake, the next day travel to Ganden monastery and Drak Yerba meditation caves for a short 1-2 hours hike to see the beauties of the valley.
Tibet Travelers is one of the only travel agencies in Tibet that offers such a unique itinerary for Travelers! Also, we use expert English-speaking Tibetan guides who are there to help you learn more about the uniqueness of Tibet.
Group Price & Size
1,250 US Dollar Per Person
Minimum 4 People & Maximum 12 People
Single room occupancy supplement: 300USD (hotels only)
Tour Type: Group Tours
Group Size: 4 to 12 People
Tour Duration: 9 Days
Price: 1,250 USD
- All travel permits for Tibet
- English-speaking Tibetan tour guide
- Pick up and drop off
- All transportation in Tibet per itinerary
- Vehicle tolls and vehicle repairs(if necessary)
- All administrative fees
- All meals and accommodations for your guide
- All lodging listed in the itinerary
- Breakfast each morning
- Entrance fees for the places listed in the itinerary
- One-time welcome meal for the group
- One box of mineral water plus shared
- Oxygen tank in the car
- Transportation costs to and from Tibet
- Chinese visa fees and passport fees
- Lunch and dinner
- Personal expenses (laundry, photography fees, souvenirs, etc)
- Tips to the driver and guide
Day1. Pick Up From Airport Or Train Station And Transfer To Hotel
You will be met at the Lhasa airport or train station by your Tibetan guide and transferred to the hotel, an elevation of 3600 meters. You can then explore the nearby Old Town of Lhasa and the markets lining Barkhor Square.
Overnight at 3-star Shambhala Hotel or Gold star Shambhala Palace or 3-star Kyichu Hotel, located in the heart of Lhasa city 200 meters from Jokhang Temple
Day2. Lhasa City Sightseeing, Visit Jokhang Temple And Sera Monastery(B)
After breakfast, you will visit the Jokhang, the holiest Buddhist temple in all of the Himalayas. Each day, many thousands of Buddhist pilgrims come here to worship. Many have traveled well over a thousand kilometers by foot to see this 1400-year-old temple. After lunch, you will visit the 600-year-old huge monastery complex of Sera. While at Sera, you watch the monks engage in entertaining Buddhist philosophical debates. In the evening, you will have free time to wander around the Old Town on your own.
Overnight at 3-star Shambhala Hotel or Gold star Shambhala Palace or 3-star Kyichu Hotel, located in the heart of Lhasa city 200 meters from Jokhang Temple
(B)=breakfast
Day3. Lhasa City Sightseeing, Visit Norbulingka Palace, Potala Palace (B)
Today you will start your day by visiting the massive 1000-room Potala Palace, the most iconic building in Tibet. You will work your way up the steps of the Potala and then go through the most important rooms on this famous UNESCO site. After lunch, you will explore the beauties of the summer palace of Dalai Lama ( Norbulingka Palace ) after visiting many monasteries, it's a great option to visit the summer palace where Travelers can visit more than three palaces. In the late afternoon and evening, you will have free time to explore Lhasa on your own.
Overnight at 3-star Shambhala Hotel or Gold star Shambhala Palace or 3-star Kyichu Hotel, located in the heart of Lhasa city 200 meters from Jokhang Temple
(B)=breakfast
Day4. Lhasa / Yamdrok Lake [4,441m] / Gyantse [3,980m] / Shigatse [3,840m], 360KM, 7hrs (B)
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 Yutso is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, the unforgettable vista of the pincer-shaped turquoise water of the lake and amazing spectacle of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar glacier from Karo la pass is wonders of the day.
We visit the Ralung monastery, which was once the biggest Buddhist college in Tibet and home of many great Tibetan Yogis from the Drukpa Kagyu sect including Jetsun Ling Repa, Jetsun Tsangpa Gyare, Jetsun Tsang Nyon, Jetun U Nyon, Jetsun Drukpa Kunley. They are no tourists and sometimes not even locals so Ralung Monastery is one of the most peaceful monasteries with beautiful landscapes.
Then along the Friendship Southern Hwy drive to Gyantse, visit the famous stupa - Gyantse Kumbum, one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet. Late afternoon travel to Shigatse with a driving duration of 1 hour 10 minutes through the beautiful farming culture in Tibet.
Overnight at 4-star Gesar Hotel
(B)=breakfast
Day5. Shigatse to Yungdrungling Bon monastery to Lhasa (300km) 5-6hours (3650M)
In the morning, you will be free time in Shigatse to explore Tashilhunpo monastery. One of the biggest Gelugpa sects college in Shigatse. In the Tashilhunpo monastery, you will visit the big statue of the future Buddha which is the main relic of the monastery.
From Shigatse, we will travel to Lhasa through the northern friendship highway via visit the biggest Bon monastery in Tibet( Yungdrungling Bon monastery ) Bon is the first and native religion of Tibetans, Buddhism was flourishing in Tibet after many centuries from the flourishing of Bon. It will be interesting to visit the native Tibetan religious monastery for Travelers since we will visit many Buddhist monasteries on the tour.
On the way, we will enjoy the beauties of the Yarlung Tsangpo Brahma Putra River and the many villages of Rinpung and Nyemo town. Spent the night in Lhasa.
Overnight at 3-star Shambhala Hotel or Gold star Shambhala Palace or 3-star Kyichu Hotel, located in the heart of Lhasa city 200 meters from Jhokang Temple
(B)=breakfast
Day6. Lhasa to Namtso Lake and Damxung town [4,500m], 300KM, 6hrs
Travel from Lhasa to Damxung town and visit Namtso Lake. One of the highest-situated salt lakes in Tibet. Namtso Lake is surrounded by grassland and mountains. The home area of Tibetan Nomads in Northern Tibet. After spending lots of time at the lake. Spend a night at Damxung town.
Overnight in a 2-star hotel at Damxung
(B)=breakfast
Day7. Damxung to Tsurphu monastery and to Lhasa [3,650m], 230KM, 4-5hour Drive
From Damxung travel to Lhasa via a short stop at Yangpachen hot spring pool and after travel to Tsurphu monastery for a short linger hike around the monastery. Travel back to Lhasa.
Overnight at 3-star Shambhala Hotel or Gold star Shambhala Palace or 3-star Kyichu Hotel, located in the heart of Lhasa city 200 meters from Jokhang Temple
(B)=breakfast
Day8. Day trip from Lhasa to Ganden monastery and Drak Yerpa meditation caves (140km) 3-4hrs (3,650M)
Today in the morning we drive to Ganden monastery, located around a 1-hour drive from Lhasa towards the east. There is a beautiful 2 hours kora hike where Travelers can see the whole view of nature and the valley, also it's the place where many great masters of Ganden monastery meditate with only a few clothes even during the rainy season so there are lots of blessings.
After Ganden monastery, drive around 1-2 hours to Drakyerpa meditation caves to meditate and visit the meditation caves of great masters including Guru Rinpoche, Guru Atisha, and King Srongtsen Gampo.
Overnight at 3-star Shambhala Hotel or Gold star Shambhala Palace or 3-star Kyichu Hotel, located in the heart of Lhasa city 200 meters from Jokhang Temple
(B)=breakfast
Day9. Lhasa Airport / Train Station Dropping Off (B)
Morning Lhasa airport or train station dropping off, the time comes to say your farewells to your guide and driver.
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