19-Day Professional Tibet Culture & Himalayan Exploration Tour

This extraordinary 19-day journey offers the ultimate exploration of Tibet’s rich Buddhist heritage, ancient kingdoms, sacred pilgrimage routes, and breathtaking Himalayan landscapes. Beginning in the holy city of Lhasa, travelers will discover Tibet’s most iconic cultural treasures, including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and many other historic monasteries and temples that have shaped Tibetan civilization for centuries.

The tour continues through the cultural heartland of Shannan, the sacred waters of Yamdrok Lake, the majestic Karola Glacier, and the historic cities of Gyantse and Shigatse, providing a deep understanding of Tibet’s unique history, religion, and traditions.

The adventure reaches its spiritual and scenic climax with visits to Mount Everest Base Camp, the sacred Mount Kailash pilgrimage circuit, and the holy Lake Manasarovar, some of the most revered destinations in Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism. Travelers will also explore the mysterious ruins of the ancient Guge Kingdom, the dramatic landscapes of Western Tibet, and remote Himalayan valleys rarely visited by ordinary tourists.

Combining world-class cultural sites, sacred pilgrimage experiences, spectacular mountain scenery, and authentic local encounters, this tour is ideal for travelers seeking the most comprehensive and immersive Tibet and Himalayan expedition available.

Day 1

Arrival in Lhasa
  • Meet & greet by local professional guide and driver at Lhasa Railway Station / Gonggar Airport.
  • Transfer to hotel for check-in.
  • Rest of the day is free for leisure and altitude acclimatization.
  • No intense activities arranged.

Accommodation

Lhasa (3-star Hotel)

Day 2

Lhasa City Tour
  • Visit the iconic Potala Palace, a World Cultural Heritage Site and the most symbolic landmark of Xizang.
  • Visit Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism.
  • Experience the local pilgrim culture.

Accommodation

Lhasa (3-star Hotel)

Day 3

Lhasa In-depth Monastery Tour
  • Visit Drepung Monastery, one of the three great Gelugpa monasteries in Xizang.
  • Visit Sera Monastery, famous for its classic Buddhist scripture debating ceremony.
  • Visit Ramoche Monastery, the earliest Buddhist temple in Lhasa.

Accommodation

Lhasa (3-star Hotel)

Day 4

Lhasa Surrounding Monastery Tour
  • Drive to visit Ganden Monastery, the first Gelugpa monastery founded by Je Tsongkhapa.
  • Visit Yerpa Monastery, a famous ancient meditation monastery with stunning cliffside architecture.

Accommodation

Lhasa (3-star Hotel)

Day 5

Lhasa to Shannan Cultural Tour
  • Visit Samye Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Xizang.
  • Visit Yungbulakang Palace, the first palace in Tibetan history.
  • Visit Changzhu Monastery, one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Shannan.

Accommodation

Shannan / Tsedang (3-star Hotel)

Day 6

Shannan to Gyantse Landscape & Culture Tour
  • Drive to Yamdrok Lake (Yamdrok Tso), one of Xizang’s three holy lakes.
  • Visit Karola Glacier, a spectacular continental glacier.
  • Proceed to Gyantse County.
  • Visit Baiju Monastery.
  • Explore Gyantse Dzong Fortress.

Accommodation

Gyantse / Shigatse (3-star Hotel)

Day 7

Shigatse Cultural Tour
  • Visit Xialu Monastery, an ancient monastery famous for its unique murals and artwork.
  • Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the most important Gelugpa monastery in Shigatse.

Accommodation

Shigatse (3-star Hotel)

Day 8

Shigatse to Everest Base Camp Tour
  • Visit Sakya Monastery, renowned as the “Second Dunhuang” for its ancient scriptures and relics.
  • Drive through Tingri County.
  • Proceed to Mount Everest Base Camp (EBC).
  • Enjoy breathtaking views of the world’s highest peak and the Himalayan mountain range.

Accommodation

Tingri / Everest Base Camp (Tent Hotel)

Day 9

Everest Base Camp to Saga County Tour
  • Return from Everest Base Camp.
  • Drive through Old Tingri.
  • Visit Paiku Tso Lake, a beautiful high-altitude lake.
  • Continue to Saga County for accommodation.

Accommodation

Saga County (3-star Hotel)

Day 10

Saga County to Tarchen Tour
  • Drive from Saga County to Tarchen.
  • Arrive at the gateway town of Mount Kailash.
  • Rest and prepare for the upcoming Kailash pilgrimage.

Accommodation

Tarchen (3-star Hotel)

Day 11

Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Day 1
  • Begin the sacred Kailash Kora (circumambulation).
  • Hike along the pilgrimage route.
  • Reach Zheru Monastery, an important spiritual stop for pilgrims.

Accommodation

Zheru Monastery / Tea House

Day 12

Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Day 2
  • Continue the Kailash pilgrimage.
  • Cross Drolma La Pass (5,650m), the highest point of the Kailash Kora.
  • Descend to Zutrul Monastery.

Accommodation

Zutrul Monastery / Tea House

Day 13

Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Day 3
  • Complete the Kailash Kora and return to Tarchen.
  • Rest, shower, and relax.
  • Drive to Lake Manasarovar, one of Xizang’s three holy lakes.
  • Visit Chiu Monastery.
  • Continue to Menshi.

Accommodation

Menshi (3-star Hotel)

Day 14

Menshi to Zanda County Tour
  • Visit Tsaparang (Zanda Buri).
  • Explore the Piyang Ruins.
  • Enjoy spectacular views of the Millennium Earth Forest Geopark.
  • Continue to Zanda County.

Accommodation

Zanda County (3-star Hotel)

Day 15

Zanda County Cultural Tour
  • Visit the Guge Dynasty Ruins, the ancient capital of the Guge Kingdom.
  • Visit Tulin Monastery.

Accommodation

Zanda County (3-star Hotel)

Day 16

Zanda County to Zhongba County Tour
  • Drive from Zanda County to Zhongba County.
  • Enjoy the vast landscapes of Western Tibet along the route.

Accommodation

Zhongba County (3-star Hotel)

Day 17

Zhongba County to Shigatse Tour
  • Drive back to Shigatse.
  • Relax and rest after the long overland journey.

Accommodation

Shigatse (3-star Hotel)

Day 18

Shigatse to Lhasa Tour
  • Drive back to Lhasa along the plateau highway.
  • Enjoy the pastoral scenery and valleys of Xizang.
  • Arrive in Lhasa and prepare for departure.

Accommodation

Lhasa (3-star Hotel)

Day 19

Departure from Xizang
  • Transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport with your professional guide and driver.
  • Receive assistance with departure procedures.
  • Farewell and conclusion of the tour.

Price Includes

  • Professional local English-speaking tour guide service throughout the whole trip
  • Experienced local driver with exclusive business vehicle for all land transportation in Xizang
  • Meet & greet service at Lhasa Railway Station / Gonggar Airport, and departure transfer service
  • 18 nights accommodation in standard 3-star hotels (or equivalent local guesthouses in remote areas) as listed in the itinerary
  • All entrance tickets to the scenic spots and monasteries mentioned in the itinerary
  • Daily mineral water supply during the trip
  • Oxygen supply for high-altitude areas
  • Assistance with Xizang entry permit and exit procedures handling

Price Excludes

  • International and domestic flights, train tickets, and any transportation outside Xizang
  • Accommodation outside Xizang
  • Tips for the tour guide and driver (gratuities are voluntary)
  • All personal expenses during the trip, including but not limited to meals, beverages, laundry, telephone charges, and other personal consumption
  • Optional activities and self-paid items not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended and to be purchased separately)
  • Any additional expenses caused by force majeure events, including but not limited to natural disasters, traffic accidents, government policy changes, flight cancellations, road closures, or other unforeseen circumstances

Trip Details

Trip Duration
19 days
Group Size
2-8
Trip Type
Culture, Private

Trip Highlights

  • Arrival in Lhasa
  • Lhasa City Tour
  • Lhasa In-depth Monastery Tour
  • Lhasa Surrounding Monastery Tour
  • Lhasa to Shannan Cultural Tour
  • Shannan to Gyantse Landscape & Culture Tour
  • Shigatse Cultural Tour
  • Shigatse to Everest Base Camp Tour
  • Everest Base Camp to Saga County Tour
  • Saga County to Tarchen Tour
  • Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Day 1
  • Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Day 2
  • Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Day 3
  • Menshi to Zanda County Tour
  • Zanda County Cultural Tour
  • Zanda County to Zhongba County Tour
  • Zhongba County to Shigatse Tour
  • Shigatse to Lhasa Tour
  • Departure from Xizang