8 Days Lhasa EBC Tour during Shoton Festival

When you arrive in Lhasa, the tour guide will pick you up at the airport or the train station. You’ll have nothing to worry.

On the way to the city from the airport, you’re able to see unique Tibetan villages, the world's highest river - the Yarlung Zangbo River and the leather boats on the river. The tour guide will help you check in the hotel and arrange a Tibetan lunch for you. In the comfortable hotel room, you can take a good rest. In the evening, you can stroll through the Potala Palace Square and relax yourself amid the ancient palaces, modern fountains and walking monks. After some leisurely walks, you’d better return to the hotel early,and go to bed early, enabling yourself adapt to the high altitude as soon as possible.

Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

In the morning, you’ll visit the world's highest ancient palace-style castle complex-- the Potala Palace. The Potala Palace is built on the Red Hill at an altitude of 3,700 meters. The palace is the largest and most complete ancient palace complex in Tibet, showcasing the wisdom of the ancient Tibetans. Stepping up the 1080 stairs, you can have a bird view of Lhasa. And the guide will accompany you to the palace and interpret its history for you.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the holy place of Tibetan Buddhist believers-- Jokhang Temple. There’s a saying that "if you didn’t visit the Jokhang Temple, your journey in Lhasa is in vain.” It has a history of more than 1,300 years and is considered as "spiritual heart of the city" and the most sacred in Tibet. After the visit, don't forget to walk around the Jokhang Temple clockwise, a custom praying for health.

You can slow down your pace in Lhasa, strolling through Barkhor Street, selecting souvenirs for your family at the handicraft market and drinking tea in a small tea house. Basking in the warm sunshine, you can empty all your negative emotions.

Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

In the morning, you can stroll along the Lhasa River and usher in a new day with the refreshing air. After breakfast, the tour guide will accompany you to visit the Drepung Monastery, one of the six temples of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Every June and July in Tibetan calendar , there is the unfolding giant "Thanka" of the Buddha during the opening ceremony of Shoton Festival.

Norbulingka is also known as the Summer Palace. It is full of flowers and pavilions, like a botanical garden. Norbulingka is the main venue for Tibetan opera performances during the Shoton Festival. In the winter, Norbulingka is also a place where Tibetan people gather. It covers a large area, and you can hang out there for a whole morning.

Note: As you need to get to Drepung Monastery very early, we prepare you boxed meals for your breakfast.

* Tips: You’ll stay outside for about 6 hours (including watching the Buddha Exhibiting ceremony and the opera performance). It is recommended to dress yourself comfortably and use sunscreen.

Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

You need to get up early, cause the tour guide and the driver will drive you to Shigatse after breakfast. On the way, you’ll cross over Gangbala Mountain at an altitude of 4,900 meters and then advance towards Yamdrok Lake, one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. It’s believed that the water there is among the most beautiful in the world. And the local Tibetans believe that people can be blessed by the god by turning a circle around the lake. The lake, surrounded by snow mountains, mirrors the pure sky and cotton- like clouds.

When you drive along the bank of the Yamdrok Lake, you’ll pass through Carola Glacier, which stands near the road.

Then, you’ll arrive at Simila Mountain, where you can hang a prayer’s flag and wish upon it. According to the locals, your wish will definitely come true someday. And after some time, you’ll arrive at Jiangzi town, a hero town fighting the British. It has a history of more than 600 years and is a traffic fort in Tibet.

And then you can visit Baiju Temple, which integrates the three major sects of Tibetan Buddhism. There are a total of 100,000 Buddha statues in the Buddhist temples and murals. You can have a bird view over the green forest of this town. After another hour and a half journey, you’ll arrive in the second largest city in Tibet -Shigatse.

Accommodation: Overnight in Shigatse

In the early morning, you’ll visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the largest temple in Shigatse. The sound of chanting sutras will empower you for the rest of the journey. And you can leave for Everest Base Camp and enjoy your lunch in Lazi.

After passing through Zuola Pass and Gyatso La Pass, you’re officially entering the scenic area of Everest Base Camp. You have to open your eyes wide as to film the majestic look of Himalaya in your heart.

You will soon arrive at the Everest Base Camp area after zigzagging the winding mountain road. At night, you’re able to enjoy the beautiful stars in the sky.

Accommodation: Overnight at local Tent or guest house

You can go outdoors early, and enjoy the fantastic scene of the Everest shaded by the morning glow. It is like a goddess dressed in a dazzling Chinese costume, strolling in the Himalayas.

After breakfast, you can visit the Rongbuk Monastery, which boasts high altitude and features exquisite scenery.

Then, you will say goodbye to the magnificent Himalayas and return to Shigatse.

Accommodation: Overnight in Shigatse

You don’t have to be too hasty on the way back. You’ll stay for a while at the Yalong River Valley to enjoy the great scenery there. The blue sky, beaches and valleys, alpine vegetation and the dotted sunshine on the mountains will all leave you unforgettable impressions. When you arrive in Lhasa, the tour guide will accompany you to the hotel.

Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

The tour guide will accompany you to Gongga Airport or the train station along the Lhasa Valley on the last day of the trip.

Accommodation: None