Tibet Lhasa Tour (Fly In Fly Out Tour) – 5 Days
TOP
SELLER
SELLER
Budget
Difficulty
Easy
Duration
2-16
Duration
5 Days
Accommodation
Hotel
Max Alt
4,400m (14,436ft)
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Talk to
trip expert
Trek Overview
Do you want a surprising journey to a country of mystery that is known to the world as its roof? Yes, then Prime Holidays Travels and Tours presents you its amazing Tibet Lhasa tour, a tour to the land of several secrets that has been forbidden not only by men but also by nature.
If you like to uncover the secrets of the ancient civilization and nature that still hides the mystery of its immense cultural and spiritual wealth, then you must engage in our Tibet Lhasa tour.
We therefore call all our explorers, adventurers, pilgrims, and researchers to book their seats in our 4 nights 5 days Tibet Lhasa tour from Nepal so you can experience the voyage to the real Shangri-La in the vastness of this Universe.
Speaking of Tibet, it has been the land protected by the imposing Himalayas. Ruled by the clergy, the land started to progress and embrace modern development only in the mid-20th century.
Lhasa, its capital, and the land of Gods, on the other hand, is now highly developed and commercialized, relying heavily on its income.
The unique architecture, the low cultural buildings, and the encircling Himalayas make it a wondrous capital.
As for our Tibet Lhasa tour program, a spectacular trans-Himalayan flight of one hour will take us to Lhasa. After a night of acclimatization, we will have three days in this remarkable city to explore all its cultural and spiritual treasures.
We will visit the Potala Palace, the highest in the world, and a former winter home of the Dalai Lamas. UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site in 1994 for its cultural and architectural value.
We will also find out about the 800 years of history of the Jokhang Temple from the Avaloketeshwar era. We will then walk around the century-old Barkhor Market performing the act of Kora like the civilians.
Our Tibet Lhasa tour will then guide us to the 1416 built Drepung Monastery, the former home and still one of the largest monastic institutes of Tibet.
Our program also includes the witnessing of the monastic debate at Sera Monastery and exploring Norbulingka Palace, the summer home of the Dalai Lamas.
However, the biggest surprise that we have planned for you on our Tibet Lhasa tour is the visit to the Ganden Monastery of the Gelug Sect of Buddhism.
It was established by Lama Tsongkhapa in the 14th century, which houses his tomb. Then, we will also take you to the cave and temple complex of Drak Yerpa at 4400 m.
The notable moment here will be an exploration of its Dawa–puk (Moon Cave), the Cave of Songtsen Gampo, and Neten Lhakhang, which contains caves for the Sixteen Arhats.
After the astonishing experience in Lhasa, our return to Kathmandu will again occur through a flight.
Here, Prime Holidays would like to promise you that our Tibet Lhasa tour will be the most comfortable and safest journey for you and your family.
We offer the services of our competent Tibetan English-speaking guide and driver, and we will also manage all your flights, transportation, and accommodation during the tour. You can enjoy your 4 nights 5 days Tibet Lhasa tour from Nepal in the Tibetan spring and autumn seasons.
Trip Highlights
- An hour-long spectacular flight to Lhasa
- Three days of exploration of the iconic sites of Lhasa after adequate acclimatization
- Tour to the highest palace of Potala, the oldest temple of Jokhang, and a pilgrimage walk along the Barkhor market
- Explore the University of Drepung and Sera monasteries
- A visit to the Gelug sect monastery of Ganden
- A small non-strenuous hike to the cave and temple complex of Drak Yerpa
- Rich flavors of the Tibetan cuisine
- Complete support from our Nepali and Tibetan team
Trek Gallery
Day-by-Day Itinerary
01
Let’s start our Tibet Lhasa tour with a departure to Kathmandu International Airport. We will fly to Lhasa Gonggar Airport in Tibet for about an hour.
This trans-Himalayan flight will be a great opportunity to see the aerial views of Kanchenjunga, Everest, and Manaslu. At the airport, our local English-speaking guide and private driver will be waiting for us.
Our guide will help us with the immigration procedures, after which he will drive us directly to the Kyichu Hotel, central Lhasa, around 61 km from the airport.
The long one-hour overland route will pass beside the marvelous Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra). En route, we may also see the ancient monasteries’ remnants and then the magnificent Potala Palace.
After checking into the hotel, we request that you take plenty of time to acclimatize to the altitude before starting the Tibet Lhasa tour.
Activity: 1hr flight
Max. Altitude: 3,680m/12,073ft. ()
Meal: B L D
Accommodation: Hotel
02
We will spend two full days in Lhasa, with stops at Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar, Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Norbulingka Palace.
The Potala Palace is the iconic landmark of Tibet and the highest palace in the world, which once served as the Dalai Lama’s winter residence. Built in the 7th century by King Songten Gangpo on the 130-meter-high Marpo Ri (Red Mountain), UNESCO designated the palace as a World Heritage Site in 1994 for its cultural and architectural value.
The palace contains red and white sections (Potrang Marpi and Potrang Karpo) and contains over 1000 rooms, 10,000 chapels, interconnected halls, living spaces, and 20,000 statues.
There are also meditation halls, chortens, shrines, and statues, and the cave where the 33rd Tibetan King meditated, along with the burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas. We will also walk in the Longwangtan Park around the palace.
Our Tibet Lhasa tour will then continue to Jokhang Temple, a site rich in 800 years of Tibetan history from the Avaloketeshwar period. Founded in the 7th century, the temple consists of the Jowo Shakyamuni statue, a wedding gift from the Chinese princess Wengcheng to the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.
Surrounding the temple is the Barkhor Market, where many pilgrims engage in Kora to show their devotion. By evening, we can see numerous stalls at the local market.
Drepung Monastery, on the other hand, was once among the largest monasteries embodying the history from 1416, built by Jamyang Choje. It was the former home of the Dalai Lama before the Potala Palace and housed over 10,000 monks.
Here, we will walk through the Coden Hall and Loseling College to learn about the monastic student life.
The Sera Monastery was also once a very thriving community that accommodated around 5000 monks. Founded circa 1419 by Sakya Yeshe, it lies beneath the Phurba Chok Ri ridge.
The spectacle from 3 to 5 pm of the monks’ debate between student and teacher is the main attraction here.
The Norbulingka Palace is also a great landmark, built in 1755 AD, and served as the summer home of the Dalai Lamas. The Kalsang Podrang in its complex has a large assembly hall, the throne of the Dalai Lama, Buddha statues, and 65 White Tara thangkas.
Then there is Chensel Podrang Complex that displays the 13th Dalai Lama’s throne, wall paintings, and horse carriages of the Dalai Lamas. We can also see the wheel of dharma and the private living place of the Dalai Lama.
Activity: Sightseeing
Meal: B L D
Accommodation: Hotel
03
Today, our Tibet Lhasa tour will take us to two very significant landmarks lying on the outskirts of Lhasa. Our stop will be in the Ganden Monastery, belonging to the Gelug Sect, founded by Lama Tsongkhapa in the 14th century.
The monastery is situated on a semi-circular mountain that consists of chapels, the Assembly Hall, and the red building housing Lama Tsongkhapa’s Tomb chamber.
Surrounding this marvelous monastery is the high Kora walking route, which offers us the enchanting views of the Kyi Chu river and its valley.
We will then travel to Drak Yerpa, for which we will have to drive through the high pass. From here, we will have to ascend to reach the cave, which is not too strenuous.
After a small break at the tea house, we will go on to explore the Dawa-puk (Moon Cave), where Guru Rinpoche meditated for seven years, the Cave of Songtsen Gampo, the 7th-century Tibetan King, and Neten Lhakhang, which has caves for the Sixteen Arhats, among others.
We will also go inside the main building of Jampa Lhakhang, which contains a two-story statue of the Future Buddha, along with Vajrapani, Vairocana, and Hayagriva. Once completed, we will drive back to Lhasa for our sleep.
Max. Altitude: 4,400m/14,436ft. ()
Meal: B L D
Accommodation: Hotel
04
After your final Tibetan breakfast, our Tibetan guide will transfer you to the Lhasa Airport for your departure flight to Kathmandu. At TIA, we will meet you and drive you back to your hotel, thus ending our service for our Tibet Lhasa tour.
Activity: 1hr flight
Max. Altitude: 2,300m/7,546ft. ()
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Note:
If you have a private group and prefer a personalized experience, we can organize a custom trip tailored to your requirements and group size, running it any day you choose.
Trip Information
Weather and Best Season
Lhasa enjoys a continental climate with variation in temperature and minimal precipitation throughout the year. It has a predominantly dry climate with nearly 200 days of sunshine yearly.
Therefore, our Tibet Lhasa tour is ideal in any season in Tibet. Still, the excellent timing for the tour will occur between March to October when daytime temperatures can reach 28°C.
The rainy season occurs from July to August, bringing some nighttime rain and occasional daytime showers, turning the entire dry Tibet vibrant with flower blooming.
From September to November, when there is autumn in Tibet, you can be a witness to the famous Nakchu Horse Racing Festival and the Shoton Festival.
Between March and May, spring brings beautiful, cool air to Lhasa. December to February marks winter in Lhasa, which offers mild cold and sunny days.
Who is the Tibet Lhasa Tour suitable for?
Our Tibet Lhasa tour is an incredibly safest, most comfortable, and easiest tour you can take to discover a whole lot about the Tibetan capital. With no long hikes involved (just small touring walks and a short ascending easy hike to the Drak Yerpa Cave), this tour is thus accessible to any individual of any fitness level.
Since the altitude of Lhasa is already above 3500 m, with the oxygen supply limited to 68% of what is found in the rest of the world, we have emphasized on your acclimatization as soon as you reach Lhasa.
Therefore, if you have any ongoing health issues concerning respiratory and cardiovascular, we would suggest you talk to your doctor before engaging in our Tibet Lhasa tour.
Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization
Lhasa is undeniably one of the high places on Earth where there is less oxygen as compared to rest of the world. Plus, in our Tibet Lhasa tour, there will be a quick transition to nearly 3700 m altitude within an hour from the low plains of Kathmandu.
Therefore, altitude sickness can happen on our tour, no matter how fit or old you are. Therefore, we have not placed any activity on your arrival day in Lhasa, prioritizing your adaptation to the high Himalaya and dry air of Lhasa.
Still, in the beginning, you may feel very minor symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches, loss of appetite, or trouble sleeping, but these usually go away in 2 to 3 hours after a long rest.
Please talk with our guide should you feel any physical discomfort. We advise you to take Diamox only when you feel the worst effects of the altitude, such as persistent headache, vomiting, dizziness, and swelling.
Physical Health, Training, and Preparation for the Tibet Lhasa Tour
If you have good fitness and health, then our 4 nights 5 days Tibet tour from Nepal is a great fit for you. For the touring around the monuments of Lhasa, and a brief ascending hike to the Drak Yerpa Cave, we suggest you walk in the park, and climb stairs for a month or so.
This tour is more about team cooperation and humor, adapting to the culture and climate of Tibet. Therefore, learn about the climate of Lhasa, its rules, culture, and food, which will appear dramatically different from what you are used to.
And, if you have some respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, then do not forget to take suggestions from your doctor. Prepare your own medical box containing your personal and common medication, such as for infections, diarrhea, motion sickness, and minor injuries like cuts or scrapes.
Sleeping, Eating, and Traveling Arrangements
We have organized your overnight stay during our Tibet Lhasa tour at the Kyichu Hotel, perfectly located between the Jokhang Temple and the Potala Palace.
This is one of the oldest family-run hotels in Tibet, categorized as three or four stars, and contains 52 rooms. We will accommodate you in its cozy single room that comes with its own bathroom and 24-hour hot and cold running water.
As for your meal arrangements, we will take care of your breakfast during the tour, while lunches, dinners, and drinks will be on you. You can plan to budget around US Dollars 25 to 30 per person each day for food and drinks.
Regarding your travel arrangements made by us, we will offer you the private services of our Van along with a licensed driver and guide throughout. We have also included your round flight between Kathmandu and Lhasa.
Travel Insurance
Although China hasn’t legalized the compulsory need for travel insurance for the Tibet Lhasa tour, we highly suggest you get one. The medical services in Lhasa are not free for tourists, and they are highly expensive.
So, if anything goes wrong during our 4 nights 5 days Tibet tour from Nepal, we will offer you any required medical assistance, but you will be responsible for the costs.
So, for our Tibet Lhasa tour, please ensure you include a coverage plan of immediate helicopter evacuation up to 4500 m altitude, medical expenses if needed, coverage for any tour delays or cancellations, and loss of your personal items.
Solo or Self Travel in Tibet
Kindly understand that self-travel in Tibet is not permitted, as according to the current rules of the government. You can look around the shops and streets of Lhasa on your own, but you must have a licensed Tibetan guide with you to visit the monuments.
Also, you must be a member of an organized group tour that consists of a minimum of 4 members. This group tour must be arranged by a registered travel and tour agency like Prime Holidays, which will prearrange a licensed guide, a professional driver, and a registered four-wheel vehicle for the Tibet Lhasa tour.
We will also preapprove your travel itineraries and accommodations. Therefore, we kindly ask you to thoroughly review the travel details of our Tibet Lhasa tour and sign up for the tour at least one month ahead of your chosen departure date.
Please remember that China keeps changing the visa requirements, so we suggest you check the requirements with the Chinese Embassy/Dream Tibet Travel, or with us before booking your Tibet Lhasa tour.
Visa and Permits are essential for our Tibet Lhasa Tour
For our Tibet Lhasa tour, you need to have the following three Visas:
- Nepal Tourist Visa
- Chinese Group Visa
- Tibet Travel Permit/TTP or Tibet Visa or Tibetan Tourism Bureau/TTB Visa
Nepal Tourist Visa
To easily get your Nepal tourist visa without the need to wait in long lines at TIA or your other Nepal entry point, we request that you fill out the visa application form before arriving in Kathmandu. Please follow the procedures as mentioned below:
- Open the Nepal Immigration Department’s official website
- Select the online tourist visa option
- Click on the ON ARRIVAL option and follow the on-screen instructions
- Provide your entry point and passport details
- Upload your photo and a scanned copy of your passport
- Receive a personal barcode and print it
- At your entry point, present your printed slip, pay the needed fee, and receive the visa
If your journey is limited to only 4 nights 5 days Tibet tour from Nepal, get the 15-day Nepal visa with the fee of US Dollars 30 per person.
TTP
The Tibet Tourism Bureau/TTB is the responsible authority to issue the TTP for all foreign nationals, thus allowing them to visit Lhasa and the entire Tibet. Please note that you can’t get this permit directly but only through a government-approved Tibetan travel agency, and it won’t be stamped on your passport.
Prime Holidays collaborates with a reputable Tibet travel agency that will help us with the process of TTP. Once you make a small advance payment after booking our Tibet Lhasa tour, we will ask for your clear digital copy of your photo and passport.
Make sure your passport photo is the most recent, has a white background, shows your face without glasses or makeup, and no smiling.
We will then pass these documents to our Tibetan travel partner, who will then see the process that may take around 15 office days. Thus, we urge you to send your passport copy at least 20 days ahead.
The TTB will review our travel program, approve it, and then provide the formal invitation letter, which our Tibetan partner will forward to us. This letter is vital to get the Chinese group visa for everyone.
Please understand that TTP will detail all your information, accommodation, transport, and travel days so no changes can be made after its approval. Our Tibetan guide with the TTP will meet you at Lhasa Airport.
Chinese Group Visa
To get inside Tibet from Nepal, you must get a Chinese Group Visa, which is issued to entire group members as one white document necessitating each one to enter and leave Lhasa on the same date.
The Chinese Group Visa will require 3 to 4 office days (Monday to Friday) for processing the visa. So we request you to arrive in Kathmandu 3 or 4 days ahead of your trip and visit our office.
Once you are in Kathmandu, the Prime Holidays team will take you to the Chinese Embassy, where you will have to hand over your original passport, photo, and fingerprints.
Your photo should measure 51 mm by 51 mm with a white background, front face, without eyeglasses and makeup, and no smiling expression. The embassy will keep your original passport for identification and return it with the visa.
You can get the Chinese Group Visa in two ways: the standard method or the express method.
Standard Method
The standard method for processing the Chinese Group Visa takes 4 weekdays and costs $175 for U.S. nationals and $70 to $170 for others.
Express Method
The express method will process the Chinese Group Visa in 3 weekdays and costs $185 for US citizens and $90 to $180 for other citizens.
Note
The entrance permits for all the monuments in Lhasa we have listed are also needed, which we will look after on your behalf.
Cellular Communication and Internet/WiFi
Utilize the 5G network provided by the local Tibetan Sim Cards of China Telecom, China Unicom, or China Mobile by showing your documents. You can also ask our Tibetan guide to help you with the acquisition of these SIM Cards.
As for WiFi, you will have free service available in Lhasa hotels, markets, and restaurants. But be aware that you will have to install the VPN to access the Western social sites.
You can also purchase an eSIM Card that comes with its own built-in VPN, which offers data plans of 5 GB, 10 GB, or 25 GB for 7, 15, or 30 days.
Money Exchange and Payment
The RMB (Chinese Renminbi Yuan) is the currency used in Tibet, which you can get in the national banks and hotels in Lhasa. It is better to change your money in banks for a better conversion rate, as hotels may often charge a hefty sum.
For the in situ exchange, it is advisable to carry the Euro or US Dollars on hand. There are also a large number of ATM booths in Lhasa that accept Visa and Master Card.
However, do check with your bank about fees for foreign withdrawals. You can also pay with your credit cards in most of the larger markets and hotels in Lhasa.
The eWallets like WeChat Pay, Apple Pay, and Alipay are also accepted in Lhasa.
TOP
SELLER
SELLER
Difficulty
Easy
Duration
2-16
Duration
5 Days
Accommodation
Hotel
Max Alt
4,400m (14,436ft)
Got questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Tibet Lhasa tour is the safest introductory tour to the heritage of Lhasa, where your visit will not only be limited to Potala Palace or Jokhang Temple but also to Gelukpa- Ganden Monastery and Drak Yerpa Cave.
Do not by any chance mention the name of the exiled Dalai Lama, carry his posters or images, and cry FREEDOM for TIBET. Picture the monasteries and monks only after their consent, and do not take photos of the military or police officials. Dress very modestly while exploring the temples and monasteries.
Certainly not, any age group can comfortably participate in our Tibet Lhasa tour.
You can get anything from Indian, Nepali, Tibetan, Chinese, to any international dishes.
It is not mandatory for you to get vaccinated, but we advise you to get the up-to-date vaccine against Hepatitis A, B, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, Yellow Fever, Tetanus, and Rabies.
No, our Tibetan guide will be facilitating your communication with the locals, as not all may understand English. However, the general speaking languages in Tibet are Chinese, Tibetan, English, and Nepali.
- Take off your shoes and dress modestly
- Move in a clockwise direction around the stupa and Mani Stones
- Do not take photos inside the monasteries and temples without permission
- Do not turn the prayer wheels in the reverse direction
- Do not touch anyone’s head, which is regarded as disrespectful
- Do not smoke in religious and public spots
Yes, we will bear all the entrance costs for each monument and monastery in Lhasa.
Yes, you will fly straight to Lhasa from Kathmandu without any transit.
The Himalayan Airlines operates direct flights to Lhasa four days a week.
The 4400 m altitude of the Drak Yerpa Cave will be the highest elevation of our Tibet Lhasa tour.
It is one of the most reputable and comfortable traditional Tibetan family-run hotels operating for many years. Along with the standard tourist comforts, you will also get the traditional Tibetan flavor and atmosphere in the hotel.
Yes, you can, but only before confirming the tour, as once confirmed, we will be processing the TTP after which no changes are possible.
No, last-minute booking of any trips to Tibet is not possible because of the visa and permit challenges.
