Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse & Mount Everest
The most classic route for first-time visitors to Tibet: acclimatize in Lhasa for three days, then travel through Shigatse to Everest Base Camp and back.
Spend the first three days acclimatizing in Lhasa while visiting the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and the two great monasteries. On the fourth day, travel via Yamdrok Tso, Karola Glacier, and Gyantse to Shigatse. On the fifth day, head up to Mount Everest and stay in a tent at the base camp, before returning to Shigatse and Lhasa. Most travel agencies offer a similar route; the driving distances are long but the pace is well-established, skipping Nyingchi and Namtso.
The tent camp at Everest Base Camp may be dismantled in winter; you will stay in Tingri or Zhaxizong instead, so confirm before heading up the mountain.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Lhasa & Rest to Acclimatize
Drive from Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station to the city center (approx. 1 hour); take a gentle stroll near your hotel.
Minimize movement on the first day; staying in a room with oxygen supply is a safer option.
Stay: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple
Day 2 · Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple
Lhasa（Potala Palace、Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street、Ramoche Temple）
Explore the Old Town on foot and by short taxi rides; visit the Potala Palace in the morning and Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street in the afternoon.
Book the Potala Palace in advance and keep your ID card with you at all times.
Stay: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple
Day 3 · Drepung Monastery & Sera Monastery Debating
Lhasa（Drepung Monastery、Sera Monastery）
Take a taxi or hire a car; visit Drepung Monastery in the morning and head to Sera Monastery in the afternoon to watch the monks debating.
Sutra debating usually takes place in the afternoon; confirm the daily schedule before setting out.
Stay: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple
Day 4 · Yamdrok Tso & Gyantse to Shigatse
Lhasa（Yamdrok Lake） → Gyantse（Karola Glacier、Pelkor Chode Monastery (Gyantse)、Gyantse Dzong）
Cross Gampala Pass to Yamdrok Tso, then drive via Karola Glacier and Gyantse to Shigatse (approx. 360 km, 7 hours).
Stay: Around Tashilhunpo Monastery
Day 5 · Cross Gyawu-la Pass to Mount Everest
Everest Base Camp (Tingri)（Gawu La (Pang La) Viewpoint & 108 Bends、Everest Base Camp (North)）
Drive from Shigatse via Tingri and cross Gyawu-la Pass (approx. 340 km, 7 hours), switching to the eco-shuttle bus for the final stretch.
The altitude is about 5,200 meters; a Border Travel Permit for Tingri is required, and private vehicles are not allowed into the base camp.
Stay: Rongbuk Monastery Base Camp
Day 6 · Everest Sunrise & Return to Shigatse
Everest Base Camp (Tingri)（Rongbuk Monastery） → Shigatse（Shigatse Old Town）
Watch the sunrise in the early morning, visit Rongbuk Monastery, and return to Shigatse (approx. 340 km, 6 to 7 hours).
Stay: Around Tashilhunpo Monastery
Day 7 · Tashilhunpo Monastery to Lhasa
Shigatse（Tashilhunpo Monastery） → Lhasa（Guangming Sweet Tea House）
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery in the morning, then drive back to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the afternoon (approx. 270 km, 4 to 5 hours).
Stay: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple
Day 8 · Lhasa Airport Transfer & Departure
Drive from the city center to Gonggar Airport according to your flight time (approx. 1 hour); you can explore nearby areas in the morning.
Similar itineraries
- Self-Drive Tour of Yadong, Mount Everest, and Gyirong Valley in Tsang
- East-to-West Tibet Traverse: Nyingchi, Lhasa, and Mount Everest
- Ngari Loop: Mount Kailash Kora, Guge Kingdom, and Northern Route
- Lhasa First Visit Classics
- Lhasa, Shannan, Yamdrok Tso & Namtso
- Lhasa Old Town In-Depth and Yamdrok Lake
- Lhasa Monasteries and Meditation Caves
- Qinghai-Tibet Highway: Xining to Lhasa