Overview
Embarking on a Western and Northern Tibet overland tour is a mesmerizing journey that unveils the awe-inspiring landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and spiritual wonders of this remote region. The trip begins in Lhasa, the spiritual heart of Tibet, where you can immerse yourself in the enchanting aura of the Potala Palace and the sacred Jokhang Temple. As you venture westward, the rugged terrain unfolds before you, revealing the majestic peaks of the Himalayas and the vastness of the Tibetan Plateau. Traverse through quaint Tibetan villages, where time seems to stand still, and encounter warm-hearted locals who will share their ancient traditions and folklore. The route takes you through dramatic mountain passes, such as the breathtaking Karo La and Tangla La, offering panoramic vistas of turquoise lakes and glacier-carved valleys.
Discover the mystical monasteries of Gyantse and Shigatse during Western and Northern Tibet Overland Tour, where monks chant ancient mantras and colorful prayer flags flutter in the breeze. Continuing northward, you will reach the fabled Mount Kailash, revered by four major religions as the center of the universe, and undertake the sacred kora pilgrimage around its base. The final leg of the Western and Northern Tibet Overland journey also leads you to the serene shores of Lake Mansarovar, a place of deep spiritual significance and breathtaking beauty.
Throughout the Western and Northern Tibet overland tour, you will witness a tapestry of natural wonders, encounter profound spirituality, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Tour Type:
Escorted by private guide and vehicle; leave 365 days a year!
Trip Level:
Easy – suitable for all levels of fitness, family with kids and senior groups.
Season:
Spring春
Summer夏
Autumn秋
Winter冬
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival – Lhasa (3650m)
Transfer to Lhasa downtown after arriving in Lhasa airport or train station. Have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Day 2: Lhasa Sightseeing – Potala Palace and Johkang Temple(B)
In the morning, visit the most splendid museum, the Potala Palace, and explore the grandest of its myriad chapel during Western and Northern Tibet Overland Tour. You will appreciate the jeweled burial chorten of past Dalai Lamas as well as statuary, frescoes and paintings.
Later visit the Jokhang Temple, which is considered as the most sacred temple in Tibet. It draws tremendous number of pilgrims from all over Tibet each year for it houses a magnificent image of Sakyamuni at 12 years old.
Then stroll around Barkhor, a pilgrimage circuit that encircles the Jokhang, and it also serves as the biggest bazaar in Lhasa, where you can find some handicrafts, ambers, jewelry, Tibetan clothes, ect.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Potala PalaceA Tibetan pilgrim is worshipping Jokhang Temple
Day 3: Lhasa sightseeing-Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery(B)
Explore Tibet’s two greatest monasteries, Drepung and Sera during western and Northern Tibet Overland Tour, which once housed about 10,000 monks. Drepung monastery is situated at the foothill of a mountain and was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. The monastery is divided into two different colleges, that is, Drepung loselling and Drepung Gomang college. The Ganden podrang is famous among them as it is the government centre and later moved to the famous Potala palace during fifth Dalai lama. In the afternoon, explore the Sera monastery which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa’s disciple Jamchen Choeje.
The whole monastery is divided into two colleges and there are Sera ‘jhe’ and Sera ‘may’ respectively. Among them there is ‘Tsokhang chenmo’, where the monks from all the colleges assemble and pray together. You can also see monks debating in the courtyard at around 6-7:30 in the afternoon. (Note: if you don’t feel tired, you can try the Kora (Circling around the religious sites) Drepung and Sera monastery.)
Drive back to your hotel.
Monk Debate is a highlight of Sera Monastery Buddha Unfolding Ceremony of Drepung Monastery
Day 4: Move forward to Gyantse County(300km)
Leave early in the morning and in about one and a half hour way, there is a county called “chushor”quxu in Chinese, where we will move towards the lhokha (shannan) prefecture. A few kilometers from chushor, there is the famous kangpa-la pass with 4700m. From the top of the pass in clear weather, you can also see the fabulous shade of deep torquoise. Yamdrok-yutso is shaped like coiling scorpion with deep blue in color. The huge massif of mount Nanchan kangtsang(7191m) is in the distance.
Just a few kilometers driving through the shore of lake yamdrok tso, we reach Nangartse county and it is the largest town on the lake side and a popular stop for the night. Leaving yamdrok-tso is as spectacular as arriving, since you have to cross the 4960m karo-la with its awesome roadside views of the Nanchan- Kangtsang glacier. It was here that Young husband’s British troops clashed with Tibetan forces to Lhasa en route. Then reach to our day’s final destination-Gyantse. Furthermore, The Kubum Monastery is the town’s foremost attraction. The 35m-high chorten(stupa) with its white layers trimmed with decorative stripes and its crown-like golden dome, is awe-inspiring. You can visit every chamber in the monastery. The Kubum means 100,000 images in Tibetan.
Stay overnight in Shigatse
Bathing in sunshine, Yamdrok lake is dispalying its dazzling beauty to visitors both home and abroad.A great view of Palkhor Monastery
Day 5: Move to Sakya Monastery:Tashilhunpo monastery,sakya monastery
During the Journey of Western and Northern Tibet Overland, Visit Tashilhunpo monastery in the morning. Tashilunpo is one of the six great Gelukpa institutions and was founded in 1447 by a disciple of Tsongkapa. Advancing towards the Sakya county, you can also visit the sakya monastery. You will also cross the Tso la pass (4410m) on the way and on the long descent from this pass, the Sakya bridge is visible in the distance.
The sakya county is 21km from the friendship highway. The sakya tradition is one of the four main Buddhist schools in Tibet. It was from here that the whole Tibet was governed during the period of Sakya hegemony and even now there are buildings of historic importance to be seen. You can see the largest book in the world in Sakya’s great library written in gold.
Stay overnight in Sakya
Sakya Monastery with Mongolian architectural style Nowadays, there are still over 800 monks living and studying in Tashilhunpo Monastery.
Day 6: From Sakya moving towards the famous Rongpuk Monastery
First of all, It is not easy to get to Everest Natural Preserve. You need two permits to visit base camp. The first is the usual PSB travel permit and the second, a park-entry permit for Everest nature preserve, can also be brought at Qomolangma nature preserve San chen guesthouse in shekar or the snow leopard guest house in old Tingri. The permit costs 400Y per vehicle, plus 180Y per passenger. Your passport and PBS permit will get checked at the checkpoint 6km west of Shegar.
Dangers and annoyances: Whatever you do, don’t attempt to walk to Everest base camp directly after arriving in Tingri from low altitudes of the Katmandu valley. The altitude gains of over 2600m leaves most people suffer from acute mountain sickness, also called altitude sickness. It’s important to carry warm clothing, some kind of rain gear no matter what time of year you visit and there is no rescue service in the shadow of mount Everest.
Stay overnight in Rongpuk Monastery
Rongphu monasteryIf the weather is good, you can shoot the magnificent Mt. Everest at sunset.
Day 7: Drive to Sagar County(290km)：Mt. Everest,Shishapangma
We need to take the old Tingri road to Sagar county. From the old Tingri, you can see the mount Everest and Shishapangma at 8012m, which is the least of the world’s 8000m peaks to be climbed. The road condition worsens from old tingri and runs parallel to the Himalayan ranges and Nepalian sides called Anapurna ranges.
The main road also passes through the desolate plain of Digur tang, with its enormous sand dunes and the closely neighboring snow peaks of Shishapangma and langtang to the south. Leave the BUM-CHU basin, and then descend into the depression of pelkhu tso (4600m), a cobalt blue lake. Saga county is only 69km from the Phelgu tso and spend a night in sagar town.
Enjoy your group tour to Everest Base CampMajestic Mt. ShishaPangma
Day 8: Move Saga to Lake Manasarovar(500km)
You are moving towards the Drongpa county. The region around the sources of Brahmaputra river is about 167km from the sagar town. Then you will reach a tiny dusty town on the main road with a couple of basic guest houses, restaurants and a small monastery called “old Drongpa”.
Around the monastery, you can see a pile of yak heads which is carved with “sutras” and “mantras” like “OM MA NI PAD MEY HUM”, which is mantra of god of compassion. And new Drongpa is a small town with a couple of shops, hotels and restaurant is about 25km apart from the old drongpa. Afterwards, Move towards the Baryang with 4750m above sea level and drive to Lake Manasarovar.
Camping by the lake
Breathtaking scenery of Lake ManasarovarLake Manasarovar
Day 9: Spend a day around Manasarovar lake, Then to Darchen to prepare your trekking(30km)
During Western and Northern Tibet Overland Journey, You will get to Relax around the lake shore and explore the natural beauty of the lake. In summer, flocks of swans will also gather on the lake, bringing grace and life to the area. You can not only see many Tibetans and Hindus praying and circling around the lake shore for the whole day, but also see snow-capped mountains on the background and hundreds of swans gather on the lake will attract hundreds of thousands tourists from all over the world.
Day 10: Trek day one(Outer circuit), Darchen to Drirapuk 11km
Traditionally, pilgrim undertakes 52 km trekking circuit around mount kailash, commencing at darchen(4574m) and crossing the Dolma-la pass on the second day. Darchen is the starting and completion point for the general circuit of the sacred mount. A few kilometers after leaving Darchen, there is a valley name as “sarshung” where porters are also waiting for their client.
Generally, They will help the client to take every necessary thing on yaks and horses. After two hours, you came upon a grassy plain with populated by nomads. You can also refresh yourself in nomadic tent by drinking some soft drinks. From this turn in the valley, it is another two hours at least before reaching Drirapuk(4920m). You need to camp or rest in monastery’s guest house, made from cement with little bit good facilities than others in Drirapuk. At the opposite side of Drirapuk, you can see small monastery with its guest house little bit cleaner than others.
Camping
The road leading into Darchen village.Enjoy the stunning view of Kadoe Lake
Day 11: Trek day two, Drirapuk to Dzultripuk 22km
Day two: The second day is the hardest and most tough circuit with the Dolma-la pass lies 6.4km ahead but 762m above Drirapuk. The peak of Dolma-la pass is about 5630m above sea level, so it is better to set off early in the morning as the sun’s ray break over the ridges. After taking a rest on the peak of Dolma-la pass, you will descend staircase to Lhachu valley floor, about one hour from the pass. It is still four hours trekking to get to the final destination with no shelters in between. It is better to walk on the right side of the river and finally reach to Dzultripuk(miracle cave of milarepa). We advised to get there before other groups because of limited number of rooms available in Dzultripuk. Take a good rest in the guest room and prepare for next morning’s departure.
Camping
Day 12: Trek day three- Dzultripuk to Darchen-11km:Milarepa’s cave
The tour guide will arrange your time and ask him/her to visit the caves and the temples and shrines that have been built around Milarepa’s cave. Then walking back to Darchen is easy and the exit from the valley can be reached within three hours. At the ending point of valley, the driver will take you back to Darchen.
Stay overnight in Darchen
You may take a visit to the Zunzhuipu Temple which been built around Milarepa’s cave.Lovely antelopes living around Mount Kailash
Day 13: Darchen to Zanda, visit Guge Kingdom and Torling Monastery
It is about an eight-hour driving from Darchen to zanda, though the distance is only about 243km. After several hours of zigzagging down and up fantastically eroded gorges and gullies, we enter wider Sutlej Valley and finally reach Zanda after crossing a bridge. Tsamda county is the current name for the region and was known as Guge kingdom. The capital of the county is located at Toling. Toling monastery, founded by Richen zangpo in the 10th century, was once Ngari’s most important monastic complex.
It was due to the influence of Richen Zangpo that Toling became the main religious centre of Guge kingdom after inviting the great Indian master ATISHA. The kings of GUGE replaced the city as a political centre of power by establishing capital slightly closer to the Indo-Tibetan trade routes. But the monastery is still an important cultural heritage of Ngari.
Stay overnight in Zanda
Visit the Ruins of Guge Kingdom in Tsamda, NgariToling Monastery, the most important monastic complex in Ngari
Day 14: Zanda to Sanggye khabab(Ali)
Explore various landscapes on the way to Ali. The capital of Ngari prefecture has nothing special to visit but it is a good place to clean up. Indus river derives from mount Kailash and flows through this region and finally towards into Pakistan. Sanggai-khabab, the capital of Ali prefecture is a modern city with centre of administration, business and shopping.
Take a rest for one night.
Far-distant view of Mount Kailash and Lake ManasarovarYou’ll meet local pilgrims while trekking around Mount Kailash
Day 15: Sanggye khabab-Gegye-Gertse
Drive eastwards from Ali to Gegye(115km), there is nothing much to see but is a good place to clean up. From Gegye to Gertse, you will cross the infant Indus river and then soon enter a marshland with an abundance of birdlife, including golden ducks and large black-necked cranes.
Day 16: Gertse to Dong Tso to Nyima (400km),DongTso Lake, Grassland, wild Animal
Set off in the morning for Nyima, a small town in north Tibet. The road of Gertse to Nyima is muddy and we need almost one day to reach there. On the way, you can explore the nature of Qingtang Grassland and lakes.
Day 17: Nyima to Dangra Yumtso
In the morning, leave for Dangra YumTso. Dangra Tso is 4500m above sea level and the home to many wild animals, such as wild donkey, Tibetan antelope, and wild deer etc. The lake is also a divine lake to the local Bonpa believers. You can expect a warm hospitality when engaging with the locals who are in very unique costumes.
Camping by Dangra YumTso
Day 18: Dangra Yumtso to Nyima
The rest of the day in Dangra Tso before transferring back to Nyima in the afternoon, you can hike along the lake to take lots of photographs in the morning.
Stay overnight in a basic guesthouse or camping
Day 19: Nyima to Kanglung Tso to Selin Tso
On the way to Selin Tso, you can see much rare wildlife. Make a stopover at Kanglung Tso lake (4500m) en route. Selin tso is Tibet’s second largest lake, and the world’s largest black-necked crane nature reserve. Today is a 6-8hrs drive.
Stay overnight in a basic guesthouse or camping
Day 20: Selin Tso to Banger to Namtso
It takes eight hours from Selintso to Namtso. The road is still bumpy and muddy, especially after Banger tso. The 4WD drive camp the mountains every soon and has to cross the rivers and mud ponds.
Stay overnight at the lake shore of Namtso
Day 21: Namtso-Lhasa
Namtso lake means “Heaven Lake” in Tibetan. It is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet and the highest lake in the world with an elevation 4,718 meters above sea level. With a length of 70 kilometers from west to east and a width of 30 kilometers from north to south, it covers an area of 1,920 square kilometers. Namtso acclaimed to be the largest lake in Tibet and the second largest salty lake in China. Explore along the lake for a half day. You can hike from camp on the Tashi Island along the lake shore for several kms.
Drive to Lhasa after lunch.
Don’t miss the chance to visit the Holy Lake – Namtso, which is the largest lake throughout Tibet.One can’t fully understand the unparalleled beauty of Namtso lake until he comes and sees himself
Day 22: Leave Lhasa to your next destination by train or by flight
Our tour guide and driver will see you off at airport or train station to end the pleasant and taxing journey.
Included:
- Tibet travel permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary;
- Personal knowledgeable English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide;
- Personal comfortable, clean and safe vehicle with reliable Tibetan local driver; vehicle ranging from 4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on your group size;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel or budget hostel, guesthouse or tent. Please tell us your accommodation preference when submitting the enquiry; we will arrange the best-value hotels for you.
- Domestic flight/train tickets listed in the itinerary;
- All meals listed in the above itinerary;
- Tourist accident/casualty insurance;
- First aid kit;
Excluded:
- International flight to and out of China;
- Chinese visa (Note: we could help you with the Chinese visa application, like providing the invitation letter, presenting the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies, etc that you may need. )
- Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary. (We can provide you the domestic flight/train ticket booking service at the BEST discount price; please contact us our travel experts for the details.)
- Meals not specified in the itinerary; usually it costs about USD3-15 per person for one meal in TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region).
- Tips and gratitude to tour guide and driver;
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks (please do the best to avoid the alcoholic beverages during your Tibet trip), optional tour activities, etc.