Tibet: Route E2 [Panoramic Tibet] 12-Day Tour

12 days

Moderate

The forest seas of Nyingchi, the glaciers of Mount Everest, and the sacred Namtso Lake—featuring a rich diversity of landscapes.

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa; airport/train station pickup and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: Lhasa → Kading Valley → Nyingchi.

Day 3: Nyingchi → Sejila Pass → Lulang Forest Sea → Biri Sacred Mountain → Basum Tso.

Complimentary specialty meal: Stone-pot chicken.

Day 4: Basum Tso (Lake-center Island | Cuozong Monastery | Jieba Village) → Lhasa.

Day 5: Lhasa City: Tibetan culture experience, Sera Monastery (Note: If the visit falls on a Sunday, only the monastery grounds will be toured; there will be no monk debate session).

Day 6: Lhasa City: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street.

Complimentary specialty meal: Lhasa Tibetan cuisine or Nepalese cuisine.

Day 7: Lhasa → Yamdrok Lake → Karola Glacier → Shigatse.

Complimentary specialty lunch: Mini-hotpot experience at the Yamdrok Lake viewing restaurant.

Day 8: Shigatse → Gawu La Pass → Rongbuk Monastery → Everest Base Camp / Everest Town.

Day 9: Everest Base Camp / Everest Town → Gyatso La Pass Observation Deck → Shigatse.

Day 10: Shigatse → Tashilhunpo Monastery → Lhasa.

Depending on actual conditions, the travel agency may arrange for an overnight stay in Damxung or Lhasa without reducing the number of sightseeing spots.

Day 11: Lhasa → Namtso Lake (Zhaxi Peninsula) → Lhasa.

Note: Due to harsh winter weather and high altitude, heavy snow may occasionally block access to Namtso.

* If it is known one day in advance that Namtso cannot be visited, the itinerary will be adjusted to: Lhasa – Ganden Monastery (light hike/kora circuit) – Lhasa.

* If notification of closure is received after departure for Namtso, the itinerary will be adjusted to: Lhasa – Tsurphu Monastery – Lhasa.

Day 12: Departure from Lhasa; hotel pickup and transfer to the airport/train station.

Regarding gratuities (the quoted price does not include tips for the driver and tour guide): It is recommended that travelers tip 60 RMB per person per day (30 RMB/day for the tour guide and 30 RMB/day for the driver).

The Potala Palace is closed on Mondays; if the itinerary falls on a Monday, the group tour schedule will be adjusted. Please confirm the final itinerary with your sales representative.

What's included?

    1. Transportation: Licensed tourist vehicles (7–26 seats); for groups of 4 or fewer in Lhasa, a guide accompanies the group via taxi (fare covered by the agency). Group tours may involve changes of vehicles or guides. Vehicles in the Tibetan region tend to be older and often lack air conditioning. Travel involves mandatory speed-limit checkpoints requiring roadside waits, as well as stops to pick up passengers from various hotels. Luggage limit: one 26-inch suitcase plus a carry-on bag per person; excess luggage must be stored. No refunds for voluntarily abandoning the itinerary.

    2. Accommodation: Standard twin rooms throughout; double-bed rooms cannot be guaranteed. Solo male/female travelers may share a triple room or pay a single-occupancy supplement. Specific hotels cannot be requested; no breakfast provided for those not occupying a bed.

    3. Meals: Hotel breakfasts included, plus 3 complimentary specialty meals (Stone-pot Chicken, Tibetan/Nepalese cuisine, and Yamdrok Lake mini-hotpot; no refunds if skipped). Other main meals are at the traveler's own expense; the guide may adjust meal times, but the number of meals remains unchanged.

    4. Guide: Chinese, English, or bilingual guide; group tours may involve changes of guides or vehicles.

    5. Admission Tickets: Includes primary admission tickets for all scheduled attractions plus eco-bus fees for Mount Everest and Namtso Lake. No refunds for off-season ticket discounts. Real-name reservation required for the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple; alternative attractions may be arranged if a visit is not possible.

    6. Documentation: Assistance provided for Tibet Entry Permits and other formalities for foreign nationals; mainland Chinese tourists are advised to obtain a Border Pass before departure.

    7. Insurance: Includes travel agency liability insurance, passenger seat insurance, and travel accident insurance.

    8. Transfers: Free scheduled transfers to/from Lhasa airport or train station on the tour start/end dates; transfers outside these times or on different dates incur a separate fee. Group transfers involve shared rides and a waiting period of up to 2 hours; private transfers are available at an additional cost for those preferring not to wait.

    9. Complimentary Perks: One portable oxygen canister and two bottles of mineral water per person daily; large emergency oxygen tanks available on the vehicle; guided tour headsets for the Potala Palace; one commemorative fridge magnet.

    10. Inclusions: Agency service fees, Potala Palace reservation fees, and meal/accommodation allowances for the driver and guide.

    Exclusions
    • Tip or gratuity
    • Food & drinks

    1 Single Supplement Accommodation is based on double occupancy (except for multi-bed rooms); a single supplement applies if a private room is required.

    2 Accommodation Costs As rooms are pre-paid in full, the traveler is responsible for any accommodation costs arising from changes made to the itinerary after the trip has commenced.

    3 Personal Expenses Personal expenses incurred at the hotel, such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes, pay-per-view TV, beverages, snacks, tobacco, alcohol, etc.

    4 Unforeseen Circumstances The travel agency reserves the right to cancel or modify the itinerary due to force majeure or causes beyond its control (e.g., natural disasters, war, strikes, epidemics), airline issues, insufficient participant numbers, or other special circumstances; any additional costs incurred as a result may be charged to the traveler.

    5 Major Transportation Costs for major transportation to and from Tibet (e.g., airfare or train tickets) are not included in the tour price; if the travel agency arranges these bookings, additional fees will apply.

    Please note
    • Passport required
    • Dress code

    Regarding gratuities (the quoted price does not include tips for the driver and tour guide): It is recommended that travelers tip 60 RMB per person per day (30 RMB/day for the tour guide and 30 RMB/day for the driver).

    The Potala Palace is closed on Mondays; if the itinerary falls on a Monday, the group tour schedule will be adjusted. Please confirm the final itinerary with your 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 (including residents of Taiwan) are eligible to join our group tours; however, residents of Taiwan and international tourists must apply for a Tibet Travel Permit in advance (our company will handle the application for this permit).

    Hotel Note (This is a fixed group tour product for individual travelers):

    Requests for specific hotels (i.e., travelers selecting a particular hotel from a list) are not accepted; the agency reserves the right of final decision regarding hotel selection. Arrangements where travelers book their own accommodation are not accepted.

    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, short skirts, 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 only.

    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 upon arrival; avoid bathing, strenuous exercise, and alcohol consumption on the first day.

    Move slowly; stay hydrated and eat smaller, frequent meals; carry high-calorie snacks like chocolate and consider bringing American ginseng.

    Significant day-night temperature differences; nights are cold even in summer at high-altitude areas like Mount Everest, 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 shifted 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 touring temples; do not photograph temple interiors; agree on fees 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/closing times may vary—please be understanding.

    What to bring

      Passport, visa (not required for visa-exempt countries), Tibet Travel Permit

      Warm clothing, medications