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← All journeys
SAMPLE JOURNEY / 9 DAYS
Nyingchi, Shannan, Lhasa & Namtso · 9 Days.
The eastern Tibet circuit with an extra Namtso Lake day.
Photo: yuen yan · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Cropped to fit
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
The eastern Tibet circuit with an extra Namtso Lake day.
Ask about this routeTHE ITINERARY
Day by day.
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
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
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
DAY 07
Yamdrok and Karola excursion
Visit Yamdrok Lake viewpoints and Karola Glacier, then return to Lhasa after a full day on the road.
Yamdrok Lake Karola Glacier
Overnight · Lhasa
DAY 08
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 09
Depart Lhasa
Transfer to the airport or railway station for your onward journey. Plan the departure time with your guide.
Onward travelThis 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