*** Updated 2021 ***

Day 1: Lhasa arrival [3650m]
Upon arrival in Lhasa you will be welcomed by your English-speaking Tibetan Guide and Tibetan Driver who will bring you to your hotel. Acclimatization to high altitude: please, drink lots of water and take plenty of rest in order to minimize altitude sickness.

Overnight at Shang Bala Hotel 4*, which is located in Lhasa city center and few walking steps to Barkhor Square and Jokhang Temple.

Days 2-3: Lhasa sightseeing
We begin with the application of your temporary driving license. While we wait for its approval, we visit the main highlights of the city. The Jokhang Temple is the most sacred monastery in Tibet and it was founded in the 7th century by king Songtsen Gampo. Explore the Barkhor tibetan old quarter following pilgrims from all over the plateau completing the circular holy path around the Jokhang Temple (Kora). The Sera Monastery is one of three great universities of Gelugpa Sect and we will attend the debating session of the monks. The Potala Palace was built in the 17th century by the fifth Dalai Lama as a winter palace. Our most iconic symbol provides amazing views of the entire city and houses the private quarters of the Dalai Lama with numerous grand state rooms and chapels.

Overnight at Shang Bala Hotel 4*.

Day 4: Ganden Monastery and Drak Yerpa day trip [150Km]
Your first experience driving in the high altitude tibetan plateau . In the morning we visit Ganden Monastery, 50 km from Lhasa. It is the main seat of the Gelug Sect and was founded by Tsongkhapa in 1409. We can also do kora around monastery. It’s placed in the top of a hill in the Kyichu valley. You can do kora around monastery too and enjoy gret views of tibetan original landscape. After lunch, we will visit Drak Yerpa meditation caves and temples. It’s an off the beaten path complex where tibetan masters go for meditation since VII Century. It’s one of the most holy and important pilgrimage places in Tibet. Visit takes around 2-3 hours walking in a hillside. Back to Lhasa and enjoy free time to get ready for your drive towards Mount Everest.

Day 5: Lhasa – Shigatse [354Km, 3840m]
Adventure starts: we drive West to reach second largest city in Tibet. First we cross Kampa-la Pass [4797m] and then Karo-la Pass [5050m], where Mt. Noijin Kangsang [7206m] glacier lies near the road. In the middle, we enjoy the unreal turquoise waters of holy lake Yamdrok-Tso. Then we stop in Gyantse town, where we visit the considered best tibetan art paintings in Kumbum Stupa inside Pelkor Chode Monastery. Also from here, we admire the majestic Gyantse Dzong (fortress) overlooking the valley. Finally, we reach Shigatse before dinner.

Overnight at Vanray International Resort.

Day 6: Shigatse – New Tingri [280Km, 4300m]
The journey to New Tingri involves crossing the high pass of Gyatso La [5220m] and the opportunitty to view Mt. Everest and the Himalayas for the first time. Before, we visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in the 15th century by the first Dalai Lama. Nowadays seat of the Panchen Lama and Sakya Monastery which is is the principal seat of Sakyapa Sect founded in 1073 and one of four major Schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Its powerful abbots governed Tibet during the whole of the 13th century until they were eclipsed by the rise of the Gelukpa Sect. Its Mongolian architecture is different from that of temples we seen before.

Overnight at Roof of the World Grand Hotel.

Day 7: Everest North Face Base Camp [120Km, 5000m]
Exciting day today: we reach one of the major highlights of our trip, near Mt. Everest North Base Camp [5200m]. From New Tingri we continue driving towards Rongbuk Monastery, located at the foot of the Everest and the highest monastery in the world. During the journey we enjoy amazing views of several peaks like Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Mount Everest from the top of the Pang-la pass [5150m]. Since 2018 tourist are not allowed to visit EBC used by climbing expeditions and now there is a short eco-bus shuttle to access Rongbuk due to enviromental protection. After spending some time admiring the majestic Everest’s North Face, we will drive back to our hotel in New Tingri via Lanma La pass (5100m) by an alternate wild road which will offer us the opportunity to view Mt. Cho Oyu from a closer point. We are confident that you will not forget today’s ride in your life.

Overnight at Roof of the World Grand Hotel.

Day 8: New Tingri – Sakya – Shigatse [334Km, 3840m]
Today begins the end of your tibetan journey through the most sacred Buddhist monasteries and greatest mountains on earth. We leave the main Friendship Highway road and we take a secondary route towards Sakya Monastery, the principal seat of Sakyapa Sect founded in 1073 and one of four major Schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Its powerful abbots governed Tibet during the whole of the 13th century until they were eclipsed by the rise of the Gelukpa Sect. Its Mongolian architecture is different from that of temples we seen before. After driving 25Km North-West out of Sakya, we will turn East to reach Shigatse again.

Overnight at Vanray International Resort

Day 9: Shigatse – Yangpachen [326Km, 4290m]
Today we go North-East through non-touristic nomadic Yangpachen valley with spectacular views of Nyenchen Thangla Range views. The tourist campsite near Namtso lake shore was dismantled, so we sleep in the town of Yangpachen, which offers a locally well renowned hotspring resort. Time to relax after your 5 riding days.

Overnight at Hotspring Resort

Day 10: Yangpachen – Namtso lake – Lhasa [285Km, 3650m]
The crossing of the Nyenchen Thangla Range and the Largen-la Pass [5190m] let us see in the horizon our sacred Namtso lake, the most beatiful lake in Tibet. You will enter the Changtang plateau, place where nomad lifestyle remains. From the lake shore you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Nyenchen Tanglha snow peak [7162m] behind the blue Holy waters of Namtso lake. After visiting Tashi Dor Monastery we will drive back to Lhasa.

Overnight at Shang Bala Hotel 4*.

Day 11: Tibet departure
Enjoy your last hours in Tibet exploring Lhasa by your own until your guide and driver meet you at the hotel to transfer you to the airport.

End of our services.

Consider extending your trip spending one-two more chilling day in Lhasa on your own!

Please, contact us for further information about any available extension of your trip.