6‑Day Lhasa & Nyingchi Highland Tour | Optional Namtso Holy Lake Day Trip

Brief Introduction

This private tour balances sacred Tibetan cultural sites in Lhasa and the lush forest‑valley beauty of Nyingchi. By travelling from high‑altitude Lhasa down to milder‑elevation Nyingchi, guests adapt comfortably to plateau conditions. Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Basumtso Lake, Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon and the viewing platform of Mount Namcha Barwa. Optional Namtso day tour is available for extended high‑altitude lake sightseeing. Ideal for overseas travellers seeking both culture and nature without rushed schedules.

Tour Highlights

‑ Well‑designed altitude transition: from Lhasa (3650 m) down to mild‑elevation Nyingchi (3000 m) for comfortable acclimatisation

‑ UNESCO landmarks: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple; witness monk debating ceremony at Sera Monastery

‑ Nyingchi’s iconic natural scenery: Basumtso Lake, Lulang Forest Sea, Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon & Mount Namcha Barwa viewpoint

‑ Optional hands‑on experiences: Thangka painting, Tibetan‑costume photoshoot, lakeside luxury afternoon tea

‑ Flexible add‑on: full‑day excursion to Yamdrok or Namtso Holy Lake

‑ Private airport pick‑up & drop‑off; bilingual local guide

-Shared on‑board large oxygen cylinder available in tour vehicle

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Lhasa | Altitude Acclimatisation

Private pick‑up at Lhasa Gonggar Airport (3650 m). Check‑in at foreign‑licensed oxygen‑supplied hotel for rest and high‑altitude adaptation. In the evening take a casual stroll along Barkhor Street pilgrim circuit to experience local religious daily life.

Accommodation: Oxygen‑supplied foreign‑oriented hotel in Lhasa

Day 2 Lhasa | Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple

Visit Potala Palace, the UNESCO world‑cultural heritage landmark of Tibet. Afterwards tour Jokhang Temple, home to the 12‑year‑old Sakyamuni Buddha statue. Optional 2.5‑hour hands‑on Thangka‑painting workshop or Tibetan‑costume photoshoot experience.

Accommodation: Oxygen‑supplied foreign‑oriented hotel in Lhasa

Day 3 Lhasa — Nyingchi (4.5 hrs drive)

Drive via Lhasa‑Nyingchi Expressway to Nyingchi (3000 m). Explore Basumtso Lake, known as “Little Switzerland of Tibet”. Take wooden ferry to the lake‑centre island and enjoy easy lakeside walking. Optional: luxury lakeside afternoon tea on Yusong Island, serving hand‑brewed coffee and highland‑barley snacks.

Accommodation: Oxygen‑supplied foreign‑oriented hotel in Nyingchi

Day 4 Nyingchi | Lulang Forest Sea & Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon

Discover Lulang Forest Sea. Then proceed to Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon — the world’s deepest canyon. Stop at Zhibai Big Bend viewpoint, Mount Namcha Barwa observation deck and Daduka Ancient Fortress ruins.

Accommodation: Oxygen‑supplied foreign‑oriented hotel in Nyingchi

Day 5 Nyingchi — Lhasa (4.5 hrs drive)

Morning drive back to Lhasa. In the afternoon visit Sera Monastery, attend the famous monk debating session starting at 15:00. Optional: attend the grand outdoor live show Princess Wencheng in the evening (own expense).

Accommodation: Oxygen‑supplied foreign‑oriented hotel in Lhasa

Day 6 Departure from Lhasa

After hotel breakfast, private transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport according to your flight schedule. Tour concludes.

Optional Extended Day Tour

Optional 1: Yamdrok Lake & Karola Glacier

Lhasa → Yamdrok Lake → Karola Glacier → Lhasa
Duration: Full Day · Approx. 4 hours driving

Cross Gampala Mountain Pass (4,852 m) and visit Yamdrok Lake (4,441 m), with time for photos at several viewpoints. Continue to Karola Glacier for views of the spectacular glacier and snow mountains. On the way back, stop at Yaowang Mountain for a photo of the Potala Palace.

Optional: Afternoon tea at Rurila Viewpoint, overlooking Yamdrok Lake and the surrounding snow mountains.

Overnight: Oxygen-Supplied Hotel in Lhasa

Optional 2: Namtso Sacred Lake

Lhasa → Namtso Lake → Lhasa
Duration: Full Day · Approx. 8–9 hours driving

Stop at Nyenchen Tanglha Snow Mountain Viewpoint for mountain views, then cross Nagela Mountain Pass (5,190 m). Visit Namtso Lake (4,718 m) for lakeside walks, snow mountain views and photos at the Harmonious Stones.

Overnight: Oxygen-Supplied Hotel in Lhasa

What’s Included

‑ Private airport pick‑up & drop‑off service

‑ 5‑night accommodation at officially‑licensed oxygen‑supplied foreign‑oriented hotels (3 nights Lhasa, 2 nights Nyingchi) ‑ Private air

‑conditioned tourist vehicle for all scheduled transfers & sightseeing

‑ Bilingual English‑Chinese local tour guide service

‑ Entrance tickets for main‑itinerary listed attractions

‑ Daily hotel breakfast

-Shared on‑board large oxygen cylinder available in tour vehicle

-Group travel accident insurance

What’s Excluded

‑ International & domestic air‑flight tickets

‑ All lunch and dinner meals

‑ Optional experiences: Thangka workshop, Tibetan‑costume photoshoot, Yusong Island afternoon tea, Princess Wencheng show, full‑day extend tour package

‑ Personal expenses, guide‑driver service tips

‑ Tibet Entry Permit processing fee

Important Travel Notes for Foreign Visitors

‑ Independent travel is not permitted for foreign nationals.The Tibet Entry Permit must be applied 10‑15 working days in advance. You must be accompanied by a bilingual tour guide for the whole trip and cannot leave the tour group.

‑ All accommodation will be officially‑licensed foreign‑oriented oxygen‑supplied hotels. Ordinary homestays or non‑foreign‑related hotels cannot receive international guests.

‑ Best travel season: April‑October. From November to March, lakes are partially frozen and mountain peaks are often covered by mist, resulting in reduced sightseeing experience.

‑ Photography of Buddha statues and monks inside monastery halls is prohibited. Always ask for permission before taking photos of local residents.

‑ Western, Halal and vegetarian meals can be arranged throughout the tour. Please submit your dietary requirements 7 days ahead of arrival.