Your journey starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Gonggar Airport. During the flight, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Himalayan range. Upon arrival, you will transfer to Tsetang and check in at your hotel. The first adventure on your itinerary is a visit to Yumbulakhang, an ancient palace with an incredible view of the patchwork fields of Yarlung Valley. You will have the opportunity to explore this historic palace, which is the first palace in Tibet. Return to Tsetang for an overnight stay at your hotel.

We start our day with a ferry ride across the Yarlung Tsangpo River, leading you to the Samye Monastery. Here, you’ll visit its central temple, which symbolizes the center of the universe, Mount Meru. It is surrounded by four temples representing the continents and two opposing temples for the sun and moon. Following this visit, we will continue our journey to Lhasa, which is only 100 km away. You will then settle in for the night at your hotel.

On this day, we continue sightseeing in Lhasa and explore the rich history of Tibetan architecture. Our first stop will be the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has remained largely undamaged. This palace has served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century. Inside the palace, visit the Phakpa Lhakhang chapel, which dates back to the 7th century and houses the statue of Avalokiteshvara.

After the tour, have a lunch break before heading to Sera Monastery, located 5 km from Lhasa. Sera Monastery, founded in 1419, is among the six great Gelugpa monasteries. We will explore its Great Assembly Hall and various study colleges. Then return to Lhasa and consider visiting the Barkhor district in the evening, known for retaining the charm of old Tibet and being bustling with pilgrims from all over the country.

We visited Drepung Monastery this morning, 8 km west of Lhasa. Founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choje, Drepung was once a major center of political power in Tibet. Despite the Cultural Revolution, it has preserved much of its artwork. Next, head to Menzikhang, the Tibetan medicine center of Lhasa. Here, you’ll learn how Tibetan medicine blends Indian and Chinese influences.

Afterward, we will return to the Barkhor area. You’ll see dozens of pilgrims, old women with wrinkled smiles, and young Tibetan women in colorful blouses prostrating themselves before the Jokhang Temple. You can complete the Barkhor circuit before entering the Jokhang. The temple was built in the 7th century by Songtsen Gampo. The holiest place here is a chapel dedicated to Jowo Sakyamuni, where lines of pilgrims wait to touch the sacred statue. Stay overnight at the guesthouse.

Today, in the early morning we will transfer to Ganden Monastery. It is situated at 4,500 meters. Founded in 1409 by Je Tsongkhapa, Ganden is the first monastery of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism. Despite suffering greatly during the Cultural Revolution due to its powerful political influence, it remains an important site of Tibetan heritage. After exploring the monastery, we will return to Lhasa.

Today, we will drive 1-2 hours northwest of Lhasa to reach Lake Nam Tso. Then, we will take the track leading to Tsurphu, located at an altitude of 4500m. Tsurphu monastery was founded in 1159 and is the seat of the Karmapa lamas of the Kagyupa sect, originating from the spiritual lineage of Milarepa. After visiting Tsurphu, we will return to Lhasa.

Starting from Lhasa, we will head to Gyantse early in the morning, crossing the Lhasa valley. As you ascend the Khamba La Pass (4,794 meters), be sure to take in the beautiful views of Yamdrok Salt Lake, which shimmers in the sunlight. After crossing the barren gorge, you will arrive in the lush Gyantse Valley. You can take a leisurely walk through the charming streets of Gyantse and admire the impressive fort that dominates the skyline.

After leaving Gyantse, we will drive to Shigatse. Gyantse used to be part of the caravan route between Lhasa and Sikkim until the 1950s. Visitors can explore the old Tibetan quarter, where traditional charm mingles with Chinese architecture along the Friendship Road. We visit the Kumbum compound and the Pelkor Chode Monastery. It is a complex of monastic colleges dating from 1418. The chapels in the monastery house many treasures. Then we will head to the Kumbum, a massive chorten founded in 1427, with 72 chapels. If time allows, we can also visit Gyantse Fort.

Our journey then continues along the Friendship Highway, with views of the plateau landscape and Tibetan villages, until we reach Shigatse. Shigatse is the second-largest city in Tibet, located at 3900m, and it is the capital of Tsang. We visit Tashilhunpo monastery, one of the six great centers of the Gelugpa sect, which serves as the seat of the Panchen Lama. Inside Tashilhunpo, we also visit Kudhum Lhakhang, which houses the chorten of the 4th Panchen Lama. The entire body of the Panchen Lama was placed in a standing position within the structure.

We continued our journey, passing the first pass at 4200m and then reaching the Yulung La at 4950m. Afterward, we took a rough 30km track leading to Sakya Monastery, founded in 1073 by a member of the Kon family. The monastery’s roofs offered stunning views of the valley and its interior.

Our journey then took us to Rongbuk Monastery at the foot of Mount Everest. Established in 1902 by a Nyingmapa Lama, Rongbuk Monastery is the Buddhist center of the valley and the world’s highest monastery at 4980m. While the monastery used to be home to five hundred monks and nuns, only about twenty are left. Despite the reduced number, the view of Everest from here is truly fabulous. We spent the night in a guesthouse dormitory.

Today, you have the opportunity to visit Everest Base Camp, which is located at 5,200 meters. It is the most incredible day of the entire trip. The snow-covered north face of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, presents a striking contrast to its southern face. Take your time to soak in the amazing scenery and capture unforgettable photos. Afterward, we will return to our guesthouse for the night.

On your final day, you will cross the border between Tibet and Nepal. After changing vehicles, enjoy the winding road back to Kathmandu. As you travel, reflect on the wonderful experiences and spiritual journeys you’ve had over the past ten days. Finally, relax in your hotel in Kathmandu.