Introduction
This is our most popular tour. This combines culture tours and nature tours and take you to the best Tibet has to offer. You will visit the spectacular Potala Palace, the sacred Jokhang Temple, different but equally important Sera and Drepung monasteries. You can soak up the atmosphere of the rich Buddhist culture. You will gain insight into Tibetan life style by bargaining in the hustle and bustle of Barkhor Streets. You will also have a chance to admire the world's highest mountain from its north face. You will immerse in the vast expanses of the Tibetan landscape. For centuries, the impassable routes and political sensitivity have made Tibet and Everest one of the last great unexplored territories in the world.  The mystery, the religion, the people, the monasteries make the awe-striking scenery much more unique. This will truly be an unforgettable adventure.

With an average altitude of more than 3,500m (11,482ft), Tibet can truly be described as the roof of the world and its capital Lhasa is the heart and soul of this fascinating place: the splendors of the Potala Palace, the sacred Jokhang, the monasteries such as Sera and the Drepung, the bustling local markets. These are just a few of the gems of Tibet.

You will stay in the best traditional Tibetan hotel Lhasa has to offer. You will be accompanied by fluent English speaking guides and experienced local drivers.  Since we invite you to explore Tibet in a small group, you will travel in the pace of your comfort level. Our driver will be more than happy to stop and let you get down the vehicle whenever you feel like snapping a picture or just to take a stroll to soak it all up.

Day 2: Sightseeing in Lhasa
After breakfast, your experienced guide will take you to the purchase the Potala Palace entrance ticket. Due to the visitor restriction, small group tourists must be present and show ID to purchase tickets. A morning stroll clockwise around the Palace gives you the first chance to experience the Tibetan culture. Streams of people circle the Palace, saying prayers, twirling their praying wheels and talk to each other. After lunch you will visit SERA MONASTERY, you are introduced to the important aspects of Buddhism. If you are lucky, you are able to witness the monks debating assembly. Late afternoon and evening, you will be busied wandering around the famous BARKHOR MARKETS or observing the crowd at the balcony of a bar. Enjoy a Tibetan dinner and a traditional Tibetan dance show.

Day 3: Sightseeing in Lhasa
On this day you get more acquainted with the mystiques of Lhasa. In the morning after breakfast, you will set off to view the majestic POTALA PALACE towering above city of Lhasa. We specifically arrange the famous Potala Palace to be on your third day in Lhasa because there are a lot of steps to climb. Trust us, you will get out of breath without proper acclimatization. You will immerse yourself in array of intricate Tibetan murals, temples, sculptures and tombs of eight past Dalai Lamas. The POTALA PALACE was first built in the 6th century and rebuilt in the 13th century.. After lunch, you will visit the most sacred Jokhang Temple.

Day 4: Lhasa/Gyantse/Shigatse via Yamdrok
In the morning, you will depart Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse.  En route, we will pass the spectacular Khamba La pass (4,794m/15,728ft) from which we’ll get stunning views of the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa (7,252m/23,792ft) looking across the waters of the Yamdrok-tso Lake. We then continue westwards over another high pass, the Karo La (5,045m/16,551ft), from which you can see a huge spectacular glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred meters off the road. Follows the breathtaking lake bank to Gyantse. Visit Pelkhor Tsode Temple which is famous for its arrays of buddhas, hence the nickname "10 thousand Buddha Temple". We will then drive another 90km to Shigatse.

Day 5: Shigatse/Tingri/Rongbuk Monastery/Base Camp
You will transverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving past small town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass at 5220m (17,126ft). As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Tingri where you will continue on a 110km winding dirt road to Mt. Everest Base Camp. Overnight at Base Camp. No running water available. Basic noodle dishes and bedding will be provided. Sunrise and sunset view of Mt. Everest are not to be missed. You will see the brightest starry sky you have ever seen if you are lucky.

Day 6: Base Camp / Shigatse
Visit Rongbuk monastery, which is said have the best view of Mt. Everest.  Then we follow the winding dirt road back to Shigatse via Tingri.

Day 7: Shigatse / Lhasa
After visiting Panchang Lama's adobe and past Panchang lamas' resting place - Tashilunpo Monastery, you will follow the beautiful Yurlong Tsangpo River back to Lhasa. En route, we will pass a village (Sermai) which is famous for making Tibetan Joss sticks. A short walk through the village farm leads you to the bank of Yurlong Tsangpo River.

Day 8: Depart Lhasa
You will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight home.

For further enquiry please feel free to mail us at: enquiry@AccessTibet.com