8 Days Lhasa Shigatse EBC Gyantse Tour

Yambulakhang Palace, Tibet(Xizang), China.

Potala-durbar- Palace-at-Nightview-Lhasa-Tibet

Overview

Stand beneath the north face of the world’s highest mountain. The 8 Days Lhasa Shigatse EBC Gyantse Tour (7 nights / 8 days) is the classic grand tour of Tibet: the palaces and temples of Lhasa, the sacred Yamdrok Lake, the monastery towns of Gyantse and Shigatse and the road over the high passes to Rongbuk and the Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side, at about 5,200 m – all by private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking Tibetan guide. Tibet Travel Permit, China visa service, 3-star or best-available hotels with breakfast and entrance fees are included.

After a flight over the Himalaya from Kathmandu, you spend two days in Lhasa at the Potala Palace, Norbulingka, the Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor, and the monasteries of Drepung and Sera. Then the road west crosses the Kamba La to the turquoise Yamdrok Lake, passes the Karo La glacier and reaches Gyantse, with its great Kumbum stupa, and Shigatse. After visiting Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lamas, you continue through Lhatse to Shegar.

The highlight comes on day six: from the Pang La (about 5,150 m) a panorama of four 8,000 m peaks – Makalu, Lhotse, Everest and Cho Oyu – unfolds, before a winding road leads to Rongbuk Monastery, one of the highest monasteries on earth, and Everest Base Camp, with the vast north face rising directly ahead. You return to Shigatse that evening and to Lhasa via the scenic Nyemo road, before flying back to Kathmandu or onward.

Why choose this tour?

Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Everest Base Camp in one well-paced journey.
Panorama of four 8,000 m peaks from the Pang La.
Tibet permit, China visa service, private vehicle, guide and entrance fees included.

Who is it for?

Adventurous travellers, photographers and culture lovers in good health. Grade: moderate because of the altitude (up to about 5,200 m) and long driving days. Best from April to October; Everest is often clearest in April–May and October.

ITINERARY IN BRIEF WITH LOCATION MAP

Trip Facts

Tour Code: PTT-TIBET-004
Duration: 8 Days
Program Type: Sightseeing Tour
Maximum Altitude: 5200m
Minimum Pax: 1
Mode of Travel: Land Transport, Air Transport
Start Trip: Kathmandu
End Trip: Kathmandu
Program Grading: Easy

Trip at a Glance

Day 01: Fly to Lhasa (from Kathmandu, Beijing or Chengdu) – transfer and acclimatise
Day 02: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor – true
Day 03: Drepung and Sera monasteries – monks' debate
Day 04: Drive Lhasa – Kamba La – Yamdrok Lake – Karo La – Gyantse – Shigatse (about 350 km, 7–8 hours)
Day 05: Tashilhunpo Monastery – drive Shigatse – Lhatse – Shegar (about 240 km, 4–5 hours)
Day 06: Pang La – Rongbuk Monastery – Everest Base Camp – drive back to Shigatse
Day 07: Drive Shigatse – Lhasa via the Nyemo road (about 270 km)
Day 08: Transfer to Lhasa airport – fly back to Kathmandu or onward

Trip Highlights

Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Norbulingka, Drepung and Sera in Lhasa
Sacred Yamdrok Lake and the Karo La glacier
Gyantse Kumbum and Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse
Panorama of four 8,000 m peaks from the Pang La
Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Base Camp (about 5,200 m)
Tibet Travel Permit and China visa service included

Itinerary in Details

Day 01Fly to Lhasa (from Kathmandu, Beijing or Chengdu) – transfer and acclimatise
Transfer about 1 hour | Altitude: 3,650 m | Overnight: Lhasa (3-star hotel)

The flight from Kathmandu crosses the Himalaya to Lhasa, with Everest visible from the left side of the plane on a clear day. Your Tibetan guide meets you at Gonggar airport and transfers you about 60 km to your hotel. Rest for the rest of the day to adjust to the altitude.
- Local meal: thenthuk noodle soup and sweet milk tea.
- OvernightLhasa
- CountryChina
- Travel ModeFly (Kathmandu to Lhasa): 75 min · Drive: 60 km / 1 hr
- Places VisitedLhasa Gonggar Airport, Lhasa
Day 02Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor – true
Full-day sightseeing | Overnight: Lhasa

Visit the Potala Palace, built as a fort by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and rebuilt by the Fifth Dalai Lama in the 17th – the seat of religion and politics in Tibet for centuries, with its golden roofs, chapels and tombs of the Dalai Lamas. Continue to Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. Then visit the Jokhang Temple, Tibet's holiest shrine, and walk the Barkhor circuit with the pilgrims.
- OvernightLhasa
- CountryChina
- Highest PointPotala Palace
- Altitude3,700m / 12,139ft
- Travel ModeDrive: 10 km / 30 min
- Places VisitedPotala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Norbulingka
- MealsBreakfast
Day 03Drepung and Sera monasteries – monks' debate
Full-day sightseeing | Overnight: Lhasa

Visit Drepung Monastery (1416), once the largest monastery in the world, and in the afternoon watch the monks' lively debates at Sera Monastery (usually 3–5 pm, Monday to Saturday).
- OvernightLhasa
- CountryChina
- Highest PointDrepung Monastery
- Altitude3,800m / 12,467ft
- Travel ModeDrive: 25 km / 1 hr / 30 min
- Places VisitedDrepung Monastery, Sera Monastery
- MealsBreakfast
Day 04Drive Lhasa – Kamba La – Yamdrok Lake – Karo La – Gyantse – Shigatse (about 350 km, 7–8 hours)
Drive about 350 km / 7–8 hours with stops | Highest point: Karo La about 5,010 m | Overnight: Shigatse (3,840 m)

A spectacular road day. Cross the Yarlung Tsangpo and climb to the Kamba La (4,790 m) for the classic view of Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's three sacred lakes, stretching turquoise below the snows of Nojin Kangsang. Drive along the shore and over the Karo La beside a hanging glacier to Gyantse, where you visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery and its Kumbum, a 15th-century nine-level stupa of 77 painted chapels, beneath the hilltop Gyantse Dzong.
- OvernightShigatse
- CountryChina
- Highest PointKaro La Glacier
- Altitude5,010m / 16,437ft
- Travel ModeDrive: 350 km
- Places VisitedKamba La, Yamdrok Lake, Karo La Glacier, Gyantse, Pelkor Chode & Kumbum, Shigatse
- MealsBreakfast
Day 05Tashilhunpo Monastery – drive Shigatse – Lhatse – Shegar (about 240 km, 4–5 hours)
Drive about 240 km / 4–5 hours | Altitude: about 4,300 m | Overnight: Shegar

Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery in the morning, with its giant gilded Maitreya and the golden tombs of past Panchen Lamas. Then drive west across the high plateau, past Lhatse and the Gyatso La, to Shegar (New Tingri), beneath the ruins of its "crystal fort".
- OvernightShegar (New Tingri)
- CountryChina
- Travel ModeDrive: 240 km / 4 hr / 30 min
- Places VisitedTashilhunpo Monastery, Shegar (New Tingri)
- MealsBreakfast
Day 06Pang La – Rongbuk Monastery – Everest Base Camp – drive back to Shigatse
Long driving day | Highest point: Everest Base Camp about 5,200 m | Overnight: Shigatse

Climb over the Pang La (about 5,150 m), with a breathtaking panorama of Makalu, Lhotse, Everest and Cho Oyu, then descend on a road of countless hairpins to Rongbuk Monastery and on to Everest Base Camp, facing the north face of Everest. After time for photographs, drive back to Shigatse.
- OvernightShigatse
- CountryChina
- Highest PointEverest Base Camp (Tibet)
- Altitude5,200m / 17,060ft
- Travel ModeDrive: 100 km / 3 hr / 30 min · Drive: 330 km / 6 hr
- Places VisitedPang La, Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp (Tibet), Shigatse
- MealsBreakfast
Day 07Drive Shigatse – Lhasa via the Nyemo road (about 270 km)
Drive about 5 hours | Overnight: Lhasa

Return to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo via Nyemo, a village known for its Tibetan incense and paper making. The evening is free for last souvenirs in the Barkhor.
- OvernightLhasa
- CountryChina
- Travel ModeDrive: 270 km / 5 hr
- Places VisitedLhasa
- MealsBreakfast
Day 08Transfer to Lhasa airport – fly back to Kathmandu or onward
Transfer about 1 hour | End of tour

Transfer to Gonggar airport for your flight back to Kathmandu or onward to mainland China.
- CountryChina
- Travel ModeDrive: 60 km / 1 hr · Fly (Lhasa to Kathmandu): 75 min
- Places VisitedLhasa Gonggar Airport
- MealsBreakfast

Altitude Chart of 8 Days Lhasa Shigatse EBC Gyantse Tour

Total Driving Time: 19h Total Flying Time: 2h 30m Total Travel Distance: 1,290 km

Driving distance & time shown here are approximate — for city tours the exact distance/duration can vary and isn't always measurable.

Highest point: 17,060 ft / 5,200 m — Day 06 · Pang La – Rongbuk Monastery – Everest Base Camp – drive back to Shigatse

Services Included

Arrival and Departure transfers
All accommodations in 3 Star category Hotel with Breakfast only [B]
Air Conditioned private Vehicle
English speaking guide
Monument/ Temple Entrance Fees
Tibet Travel permit
China Visa Service and Fee
All Govt. Taxes.
Mineral Water
Our Personal Care and Attention

Services Excluded

Tipping
Personal Expenses such as laundry, Telephone and Table Drinks
Lunch and Dinner
Any Int’l Air fares.
Your Travel Insurance

Trip Notes

Notes for this tour

Altitude: the tour goes up to about 5,200 m at Everest Base Camp and crosses several passes above 5,000 m. Two days in Lhasa help acclimatisation; drink 3–4 litres of water a day, avoid alcohol and tell your guide about any symptoms. Insurance covering high-altitude evacuation is strongly recommended.
Visa and permits: travellers entering Tibet from Nepal need a Chinese group visa (issued in Kathmandu – please arrive at least 3 working days before departure; the Chinese Embassy works Monday to Friday) and a Tibet Travel Permit, which we arrange. Send a clear passport scan at least 3–4 weeks before travel. Travellers from mainland China use their Chinese visa plus the Tibet permit.
Guide and rules: foreigners in Tibet must travel with a licensed Tibetan guide on a fixed itinerary. Photography is not allowed inside most chapels, and permits can occasionally be suspended at short notice by the authorities.
Climate: days are sunny and dry but nights are cold, even in summer; bring layers, a warm jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm. April–October is the main season.
Accommodation: hotels outside Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse (e.g. at Shegar) are simple; bring a warm jacket and a sleeping bag liner.
Everest permit: access to Everest Base Camp requires an additional Border/Everest permit, which we arrange with the Tibet permit.
Flexibility: the order of visits may change because of monastery opening times, festivals, weather or permit conditions.

If you want to do this tour from Kathmandu, you need to arrive Kathmandu at least 3 working day before for China visa. China embassy working days are Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri except Chinese Govt. holiday. During these free day you can buy tours from us or can stay on your own. And if you want to start from mainland China say from Shanghai/Chengdu/Beijing , in this case you can apply and get China visa in your home country and stay one night at least in China before heading to Lhasa for original invitation letter collection purpose. We will send original invitation letter to your hotel in mainland China. Remember China visa taken in your home country is not valid to travel Tibet from Nepal. We have to apply your China visa here in Kathmandu.
Visa fee, air fare, entrance fee, hotel rate subject to increase without prior information.
We need your passport copy by email 15-30 days before the travel date to make travel permit(Invitation letter).
Our price is based on 3 Star hotel, if you want to Upgrade your hotel Please Email us

FAQ

8 days. It starts in Kathmandu and ends there. Overnight stops: Lhasa, Shigatse, Shegar (New Tingri). The day-by-day itinerary above shows travel times, places visited and meals for each day.

Please see the overview for the best season for this destination – we can advise on weather, festivals and peak periods for your travel dates.

The grade is easy, with a maximum altitude of about 5,200 m. Most healthy travellers manage well, but please take care at high altitude and consult your doctor if you have heart or breathing problems. Children and seniors are welcome with sensible precautions.

In the peak seasons (spring and autumn) most Lukla flights operate from Ramechhap (Manthali), about 4 hours by road from Kathmandu, with very early departures. In other months they may leave from Kathmandu. Flights depend on mountain weather, so please keep 1–2 spare days at the end of your trip.

No technical skills are needed, but you should be in good health and able to walk for several hours a day on uneven mountain trails. Regular walking, hiking and cardio exercise in the weeks before your trip will make it much more enjoyable.

Yes. Travel insurance covering trekking at the maximum altitude of your itinerary, including emergency helicopter evacuation and medical treatment, is mandatory for all trekkers.

Yes, porters are included as stated in the package (normally one porter for two trekkers, carrying up to about 20–25 kg in total). You carry only a small daypack with water, camera, snacks and a warm layer. Extra luggage can be left safely at your hotel.

Arrival and Departure transfers; All accommodations in 3 Star category Hotel with Breakfast only [B]; Air Conditioned private Vehicle; English speaking guide; Monument/ Temple Entrance Fees; Tibet Travel permit; China Visa Service and Fee; All Govt. Taxes; and more – see the full Includes list.

Tipping; Personal Expenses such as laundry, Telephone and Table Drinks; Lunch and Dinner; Any Int’l Air fares; Your Travel Insurance.

This package includes 7 breakfasts, as marked on each day of the itinerary. Other meals are at your own cost; your guide will recommend good local restaurants, and vegetarian, vegan and other dietary needs can be catered for.

Yes. We run this tour privately for your group on the dates you choose, and we can tailor it – add extra nights, change or upgrade hotels, add activities, flights or a guide in your language (Russian, German, French, Spanish, Chinese or Hindi on request). Just send us your wishes.

Tour Programs booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows. a. Before 60 days no charge. b. within 60 days of start of program ~ 10 %. c. within 21 days ~ 15% of rate. d. within 14 days ~ 20% of rate. e. within 7 days ~ 35% of rate. f. less than 7 days or without notice ~ 50% of rate. Please see the Cancellation Policy section for full details.

Cancellation Policy

Tour Programs booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:
a. Before 60 days no charge
b. within 60 days of start of program ~ 10 %
c. within 21 days ~ 15% of rate
d. within 14 days ~ 20% of rate
e. within 7 days ~ 35% of rate
f. less than 7 days or without notice ~ 50% of rate
g. after arrival in Tibet ~ 100%

Note: Air ticket cancellation charge will be as per airline’s rule

Booking Policy

A deposit of 20–30% is required to confirm your booking, with the balance due before or on arrival. Visa invitation letters, where required, are issued only after the deposit has been received.

Child Policy

Children under 5 travel free, sharing with parents. Children aged 5–11 receive a discounted rate. Children 12 and above are charged the full adult rate.

Excellent rating
Based on 30 reviews

Pigeon Travel is easily one of the best travel companies I have dealt with! I don’t know how busy Mr Min Katri is, but i think he has many clients on the go, but he made me feel like I was his only customer. He was so conscientious. The guides he organised for my travels in Nepal: Pokhara, Kathmandu, and the Everest flight, Lumbini and then in India at Kushinara for a few days, was well organised with excellent guides, good drivers and cars and a good choice of hotels. They accommodated me with the places I wanted to visit and were very flexible and everything went smoothly, including navigating across the Sunoli border to India, which is chaos at another level. These guys are really excellent. Totally recommend Pigeon Travel. 👍👍

Amal Karunaratna

We spent 4 days in Nepal, visiting different places with the Pingeon Travel Agency, Mr. Min Khatri was very friendly, helpful and was attentive to us at all times, with 24-hour service. for anything we needed and was attentive to us via WhatsApp every day. We booked everything from Spain, they picked us up at the airport and at the end they took us, including a driver, guide in Spanish, visits and hotels, and we had no problem, they complied with everything agreed and we were able to visit everything. The driver (Mr. Pawan) is a very good driver, friendly and kind, and the guide (Mr. Giri) is friendly and helpful. Punctual, helpful and attentive. We were in 2 different hotels, and both were very good, highlighting the one in Kathmandu, Hotel Hyatt Place Kathmandu, a new hotel, excellent service and very friendly. The Pingeon Travel agency is highly recommended and they have everything from tours to complete packages. We were happy with the services.

Maite Sanchez

Fantastic

JagdishMan Rajbhandari

Pigeon Travel has been an exceptional ressource for me in both travel support to and from Nepal, India, and Bhutan. Min Katri is simply always there onnecway or another, checking fright and other arrangements, hotel schedules and in Bhutan excellent ( required) tour guides. As well, he and Pigeon Travel are exceptional in meeting last minute changes to my plans and really are “there” 24/7. I thinking now about next trips and highly recommend Min and Pigeon travel for your trips— as in planning my next trip to India and Nepal and am using Pigeon Travel the whole way. Highly recommend!

Jay Luboff

Wonderful tour with brilliant and knowledgeable guide. Highly recommended!

Frances Wingate

Min is very trustworthy and very easy to speak to. Tour guide and drivers are great and finally arrangement for Everest flight and Nagarkot Mountain View stay didn’t disappoint and we had wonderful time

Chip Yi

Best place to book ticket and travel.

Pratik Khadka

I contacted them via Facebook messenger and asked them for a price estimate for two people to Dubai. The representative told me I will receive the quote tomorrow and it’s been three days I haven’t heard from him yet. I will remove my one star rating once I hear back.

Krishna Giri

It was a well organised trip. The guides were very hospitable and cooperative.Overall it was a wonderful and memorable trip.

puneetha Kunimbedu

It was a memorable trip to Nepal. Thanks to pigeon travels. The hospitality is great and they took good care of us. I would highly recommend this to my mates.

Kavya K

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8 Days Lhasa Shigatse EBC Gyantse Tour

Overview

Why choose this tour?

Who is it for?

Trip Highlights

Itinerary in Details

Altitude Chart of 8 Days Lhasa Shigatse EBC Gyantse Tour

Services Included

Services Excluded

Trip Notes

FAQ

Cancellation Policy

Booking Policy

Child Policy

Hotel We Use

Vehicle We Use

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8 Days Lhasa Shigatse EBC Gyantse Tour

Overview

Why choose this tour?

Who is it for?

Trip Highlights

Itinerary in Details

Altitude Chart of 8 Days Lhasa Shigatse EBC Gyantse Tour

Services Included

Services Excluded

Trip Notes

FAQ

1. How long is the 8 Days Lhasa Shigatse EBC Gyantse Tour and where does it start and end?

2. When is the best time to do this tour?

3. How difficult is it, and is it suitable for children or seniors?

4. Do Lukla flights leave from Kathmandu or Ramechhap?

5. Do I need trekking experience?

6. Is travel insurance required?

7. Will porters carry my luggage?

8. What is included in the price?

9. What is not included?

10. Which meals are included?

11. Is this a private tour? Can I customise it?

12. What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation Policy

Booking Policy

Child Policy

Hotel We Use

Vehicle We Use

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