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Tibet Discovery & Everest · 12 Days.

A fuller eastern and central Tibet circuit reaching Everest before Namtso.

Photo: Luca Galuzzi (Lucag) · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons · Cropped to fit

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

Tibet travel documents

International visitors should arrange travel documents before booking transport into Tibet. Requirements depend on nationality, entry status, route and travel dates.

Passport and China entry status. Have a valid passport and the Chinese visa or visa-free entry eligibility that applies to you. Share copies only through the appointed travel operator's secure process.
Tibet Travel Permit. Foreign tourists need Tibet-specific travel approval. A qualified local travel operator will check your itinerary, travel dates, arrival and departure points and arrange the approved services. Travelers using a Taiwan compatriot travel permit should ask the operator about their separate document process.
Extra permissions for some routes. Everest, border areas and other restricted places may require additional travel or border permissions. The operator must confirm what applies to your exact route before accepting a booking.
Plan ahead. Do not book non-refundable travel until the operator has confirmed entry, permits, route access and timing. Carry the approved documents and follow the approved itinerary.

Official guidance: travel permits for foreign nationals and electronic border-area permits. Please ask us to verify the current rules for your trip.

AT A GLANCE

Lhasa · Nyingchi · Shannan · Shigatse · Everest area

A fuller eastern and central Tibet circuit reaching Everest before Namtso.

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THE ITINERARY

Day by day.

DAY 01

Arrive in Lhasa

Meet your guide at the airport or station, transfer into Lhasa and rest. Keep your first afternoon free to adjust to the altitude.

Overnight · Lhasa

**Potala Palace**
Photo credit
Photo: Ondřej Žváček · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons · Cropped to fit

DAY 02

Lhasa to Nyingchi via Basum Tso

Drive east to Nyingchi with a visit to Basum Tso, subject to approved access and a long travel day.

Basum Tso

Overnight · Nyingchi

DAY 03

Lulang and the Namcha Barwa region

Explore the forest scenery around Lulang and view the Namcha Barwa range when conditions allow. Return to Nyingchi.

Lulang Forest Mount Namcha Barwa

Overnight · Nyingchi

**Mount Namcha Barwa**
Photo credit
Photo: JL Cogburn · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Cropped to fit

DAY 04

Nyingchi to Shannan

Travel from Nyingchi towards Shannan, with a Ganden Monastery visit only if the route and timing permit.

Ganden Monastery

Overnight · Shannan

DAY 05

Shannan heritage and Lhasa

Explore Samye and Yumbulagang if current access and the approved itinerary allow, then return to Lhasa.

Samye Monastery Yumbulagang

Overnight · Lhasa

**Yumbulagang**
Photo credit
Photo: Preston Rhea · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Cropped to fit

DAY 06

Lhasa landmarks

Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, subject to reservations and local guidance.

Potala Palace Jokhang Temple Barkhor

Overnight · Lhasa

**Jokhang Temple**
Photo credit
Photo: Rene Heise · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Cropped to fit

**Barkhor**
Photo credit
Photo: Taken by Fanghong · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons · Cropped to fit

DAY 07

Yamdrok and Karola to Shigatse

Cross the central Tibet landscape via Yamdrok and Karola Glacier to Shigatse.

Yamdrok Lake Karola Glacier

Overnight · Shigatse

**Karola Glacier**
Photo credit
Photo: Hiroki Ogawa · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Cropped to fit

DAY 08

Shigatse to Everest

Travel via Tingri to the Everest area. Views depend on weather; overnight facilities are basic.

Everest North Face Rongbuk Monastery

Overnight · Everest area

**Rongbuk Monastery**
Photo credit
Photo: Antoine Taveneaux · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Cropped to fit

DAY 09

Everest to Shigatse

Return across the plateau from the Everest area to Shigatse.

Everest North Face

Overnight · Shigatse

DAY 10

Tashilhunpo and return to Lhasa

Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery before returning to Lhasa.

Tashilhunpo Monastery

Overnight · Lhasa

DAY 11

Namtso day excursion

Travel via Damxung to Namtso and return to Lhasa. This is a very long, high-altitude day, and an overnight alternative may be preferable.

Namtso Lake

Overnight · Lhasa

DAY 12

Depart Lhasa

Transfer to the airport or railway station for your onward journey. Plan the departure time with your guide.

Onward travel

This is a planning outline from a supplied operator itinerary. The local qualified operator must confirm permits, current access, transport, guiding and accommodation before it can be offered.

IMAGES FROM THE ROUTE

The places behind the journey.

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