Tibet: Route D [Enjoy Tibet] 9-Day Tour
9 days
Moderate
A 9-day tour of Tibet is suitable for tourists with ample time.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa, airport/train station pick-up - hotel transfer
Day 2: Lhasa → Kadinggou → Nyingchi
Day 3: Nyingchi → Sejila Pass → Lulang Forest → Biri Mountain → Basum Tso
Complimentary 1 specialty meal: Stone Pot Chicken
Day 4: Basum Tso (Lake Island | Tsozong Monastery | Jieba Village) → Lhasa
Day 5: Lhasa City: Tibetan cultural experience, Sera Monastery (If the itinerary falls on a Sunday, only the monastery will be visited - no debate)
Day 6: Lhasa City: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Complimentary 1 specialty meal: Lhasa Tibetan or Nepalese cuisine
Day 7: Lhasa → Yamdrok Lake → Karola Glacier → Shigatse
Day 8: Shigatse → Tashilhunpo Monastery → Lhasa (Return to Lhasa by tour bus or train)
Day 9: Departure from Lhasa, hotel pick-up - airport/train station transfer
Regarding gratuities (price does not include driver and guide gratuities): It is recommended that each tourist tip 60 RMB per day (guide: 30 RMB/day, driver: 30 RMB/day).
The Potala Palace is closed on Mondays. If a Monday falls on a group tour, the itinerary will be adjusted. Please confirm the final itinerary with the sales representative.
What's included?
1. Transportation Arrangements: Regular tourist buses: 7-26 seats (If the number of tourists in Lhasa is less than 4, the tour guide will take the guests by taxi – the travel agency will pay the taxi fare).
ļ¼ For group tours, there may be changes in vehicles and tour guides; please understand.
ļ¼ Tibet's overall reception capacity is relatively limited; regular tourist buses are generally older and in worse condition than those in inland cities.
ļ¼ Tibet has a high altitude; most tourist buses do not have air conditioning or do not use air conditioning (using air conditioning can slow down the vehicle, and the internal heat and external cold can easily cause colds).
ļ¼ Tibet has speed limits on roads (e.g., the travel time for a certain distance must not be less than 2 hours). (Time), so stops will be randomly selected for rest and waiting. Please be aware.
ļ¼ Group tours for individual travelers: Before departure, other tourists will be picked up from different hotels, resulting in waiting times. Please be punctual. Vehicle allocation will be based on the number of participants. If a tourist cancels their trip, the fare will not be refunded.
ļ¼ Luggage allowance: Due to Tibet's high altitude, excessive luggage can cause insufficient power and slow vehicle movement, affecting passenger comfort. Each person is limited to one 26-inch suitcase + one carry-on backpack. The tour guide will inform tourists in advance to store excess luggage at the Lhasa hotel reception.
2. Hotels throughout the tour Double rooms (standard rooms) are provided (single rooms, i.e., double rooms, are not guaranteed; no bed provided, no breakfast).
ļ¼ If there are single men or women in the group, the travel agency reserves the right to arrange triple rooms, shared rooms, or require the tourist to pay the single room supplement, depending on the actual situation.
ļ¼ For group tours, hotels are arranged by the travel agency; specific hotel requests cannot be accepted. Your understanding is appreciated.
3. Meal Arrangements: Breakfast is included in all hotels. Two complimentary specialty meals are provided (complimentary, no refund if not eaten): Linzhi Stone Pot Chicken and Lhasa specialty meal (Tibetan or Nepalese).
ļ¼ Other meals are at your own expense; no refund will be given for meals missed due to personal reasons. Those who are not accustomed to Tibetan cuisine may bring their own snacks.
ļ¼ The tour guide reserves the right to change dinner to lunch during the trip, while the total number of complimentary meals remains unchanged.
4. Tour Guide Service Chinese, English, or bilingual (Chinese and English) tour guides
ļ¼ For group tours, the travel agency will arrange a tour guide speaking the appropriate language based on the actual situation. If there are both native Chinese-speaking and native English-speaking tourists in the same vehicle, we will arrange a bilingual (Chinese and English) tour guide service. Thank you for your understanding.
ļ¼ For group tours, there may be changes in tour guides and vehicles. Thank you for your understanding.
5. Entrance Fees to Attractions: Kadinggou, Lulang Forest Viewing Platform, Basongcuo, Tibetan Cultural Experience, Sera Monastery, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Tashilhunpo Monastery
ļ¼ Includes only the first entrance fees to the attractions listed in the itinerary. All attractions are guaranteed to be visited. If an attraction cannot be visited due to unforeseen circumstances, we will negotiate a replacement with the tourists.
ļ¼ Off-season travel costs are calculated based on annual winter ticket discounts. No ticket fees or price differences are refundable. No additional price difference will be charged if the discount policy changes suddenly.
ļ¼ Tickets for the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple require real-name reservations. Please follow the tour guide's instructions. Thank you.
6. Entry Procedures to Tibet Required documents for Tibet Entry Permit, Travel Permit, Military Region Permit, etc.
ļ¼ Some scenic spots require a border permit, but the conditions for obtaining a border permit in Tibet vary. Therefore, Chinese tourists are advised to obtain their border permits from the local public security bureau before departure.
7. Travel Insurance: Travel accident insurance, tour bus seat insurance, travel agency liability insurance (all three types of insurance are covered).
8. Pick-up and Drop-off Service: Complimentary limited-time free pick-up and drop-off service (only applicable to the fixed departure and end dates of group tours): 1. Airplane (Lhasa Gonggar Airport): Free pick-up (for flights arriving between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM); Free drop-off (for flights departing between 8:30 AM and 10:30 PM);
2. Train (Lhasa Railway Station): Free pick-up/drop-off at the train station
ļ¼ If tourists need to arrive in Lhasa before our fixed departure date or leave Tibet after the end date, a separate pick-up/drop-off fee will be charged.
ļ¼ If tourists' booked flights are not within the free pick-up/drop-off period, a separate pick-up/drop-off fee will be charged.
ļ¼ This is a group tour for individual travelers. For airport pick-up and drop-off, guests with similar travel time slots will be picked up and dropped off together. Waiting time for guests may vary from approximately 2 hours. One day in advance, our staff or sales personnel will confirm the pick-up and drop-off time with you. If you do not wish to wait, you can notify the travel agency one day in advance to arrange separate pick-up and drop-off at your own expense.
9. Complimentary Services: Oxygen and Water
ļ¼ One small bottle of portable oxygen per person
ļ¼ Two small bottles of mineral water (300ml each) per person per day
ļ¼ One spare emergency medical oxygen cylinder (6.8L) is provided on board.
Potala Palace Headphone Service
ļ¼ To allow you to better understand the Potala Palace within the limited visiting time, the guide will rent headphones for you at the entrance of the scenic area. Headphones will be returned to the scenic area after the visit; please keep them safe!
Small Gifts
ļ¼ One Potala Palace-themed refrigerator magnet (to be kept as a souvenir of your Tibet trip)
10. Service Fee: This includes travel agency service fee, Potala Palace ticket reservation fee, driver and guide food and accommodation allowance, etc.
Exclusions
- Tip or gratuity
1. Single Room Supplement: Hotels default to double occupancy (except for dormitory rooms). A single room supplement will apply if a single room is required.
2. Room Loss: Due to full payment, any room charges incurred due to changes in the itinerary are the responsibility of the traveler.
3. Personal Expenses: Laundry, telephone, fax, pay TV, beverages, snacks, tobacco, alcohol, and other personal expenses within the hotel.
4. Unforeseen Circumstances: Due to force majeure and reasons beyond the control of the travel agency (such as natural disasters, war, strikes, epidemics, etc.), or special circumstances such as airline flight issues or insufficient participants, the travel agency reserves the right to cancel or change the itinerary. Any additional costs incurred will be charged by the travel agency.
5. Round-Trip Transportation: Round-trip transportation costs, such as airfare or train tickets, to Tibet are not included in the tour price. If the travel agency is required to book these tickets, an additional fee will be charged.
Please note
- Passport required
- Dress code
Regarding gratuities (price does not include driver and guide gratuities): It is recommended that each tourist tip 60 RMB per day (guide: 30 RMB/day, driver: 30 RMB/day).
The Potala Palace is closed on Mondays. If a Monday falls on a Monday, the tour itinerary will be adjusted. Please confirm the final itinerary with the sales representative.
Tour Notes:
The travel agency reserves the right to adjust the itinerary and the sequence of sightseeing visits based on actual conditions, provided that all attractions included in the itinerary are fully visited.
Both domestic and international tourists may join this group tour; however, travelers from Taiwan and foreign nationals are required to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit in advance.
Hotel Notes (This is a fixed group tour product):
Requests for specific hotels (i.e., tourists selecting a particular hotel from a list) are not accepted; the travel agency retains the final right to select the hotels. Arrangements where tourists book their own accommodation are not permitted.
Tips for Visiting the Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple
Real-name reservation required; bring your original ID document and enter punctually following the guide's instructions.
Wear flat shoes and modest clothing (no shorts, miniskirts, or open-toed sandals); remove hats and sunglasses before entering the halls.
Inside the halls: no loud talking, touching artifacts, photography/videography, beverages, smoking, or open flames.
It is chilly inside the palace; bring a jacket. The main tour is limited to one hour; guides provide commentary from the outside.
Passageways are narrow and steep; move in an orderly fashion without crowding, and leave promptly after the tour.
Tips for Visiting Tibet
High-altitude travel carries risks; individuals with cardiovascular/cerebrovascular conditions, severe hypertension, or bad colds should not join the tour. Please disclose your medical history truthfully.
Ensure adequate sleep before the trip; consider taking *Rhodiola rosea* (Hongjingtian) or *Gaoyuan'an* in advance. Rest on the first day of arrival; avoid bathing, strenuous exercise, and alcohol.
Move slowly; drink plenty of water and eat smaller, frequent meals. Carry high-calorie snacks like chocolate; American ginseng is also recommended.
There is a significant temperature difference between day and night; nights in high-altitude areas like Everest are cold even in summer, so bring a thick down jacket. Power outages may occur late at night in remote areas; bring a flashlight.
Long drives and limited facilities compared to other regions; please be understanding. Bring common medications for stomach issues, colds, and minor injuries.
Time zone is Beijing Time, but daily schedules are about two hours later than in other regions. Intense sunlight and dry air; bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip balm.
Respect Tibetan customs: walk clockwise when circumambulating prayer wheels or visiting temples; do not photograph temple interiors; agree on a fee before photographing locals; avoid eating dog, horse, monkey, or donkey meat; handle *Hada* (ceremonial scarves) with care; avoid sensitive political topics.
Do not leave the tour group without permission; go out in pairs at night and return to the hotel before midnight. Temple opening and closing times may vary; please be flexible.
What to bring
Passport, visa (not required for visa-free countries), Tibet entry permit, warm clothing, and basic medications.








