Lhasa Itineraries Planning from 1 to 8 Days

Lhasa is the first stop for most travelers visiting Tibet, offering numerous attractions within the city and its surroundings. It is a destination worth visiting all year round. When planning a trip to Lhasa, you might wonder how many days are ideal for exploring the city. A trip to Lhasa can range from 1-2 days for a quick tour to 4-7 days for a more comprehensive visit. If you have more time, you can also explore the nearby regions like Nyingchi, Shigatse, and Mount Everest. Here, we provide detailed 1-8 day itineraries to help you plan your trip and make the most of your time in Tibet.

1-Day Itinerary: Focus on Classic Spots in Lhasa City

If you only have one day in Lhasa, spend it exploring the city. Visit the core attractions such as Potala Palace and Barkhor Street. Tour Jokhang Temple, take a break at the Old Guangming Sweet Tea House, and in the evening, enjoy a Tibetan dance show at Jinma Performing Arts Center or experience the unique Tibetan medicinal bath.

• Day 1: Potala Palace - Yaowang Mountain Cliff Carvings - Barkhor Street - Jokhang Temple - Old Guangming Sweet Tea House - Jinma Performing Arts Center (or Gansu Qu Mi Tibetan Medicine Bath and Wellness Spa)

Note: Tibetan dance and medicinal baths can easily cause altitude sickness, so they are not recommended for first-time visitors.

2-Day Itinerary: Explore Lhasa Temples or Surrounding Nature

In addition to the first day's activities, you can visit several key temples in the suburbs such as Zaki Temple for wealth blessings, Sera Monastery for large-scale debates, and Drepung Monastery known for its grand Buddha display at the end of June. Alternatively, explore famous natural attractions within 100 kilometers of Lhasa.

Day 1: Potala Palace - Barkhor Street - Jokhang Temple - Thousand-Buddha Cliff - Old Guangming Sweet Tea House - Jinma Performing Arts Center  

Day 2 (Option 1): Zaki Temple - Sera Monastery - Drepung Monastery - Norbulingka - Gansu Qu Mi Tibetan Medicine Bath and Wellness Spa, overnight in Lhasa  

Day 2 (Option 2): Yamdrok Lake - Pu Mo Yum Tso (ideal in winter) - Karo La Glacier (ideal in winter)

3-4 Day Itinerary: Take a Stroll in Nyingchi’s Natural Oxygen Bar

If you have more than three days, you can explore beyond Lhasa. With 3-4 days, consider visiting the scenic Nyingchi region. Enjoy the green waters of Basum Tso, the tranquil town of Lulang surrounded by forests and lakes, and the majestic and mysterious Namcha Barwa Peak. Nyingchi, being the lowest altitude region in Tibet, helps travelers gradually adapt to the plateau.

Day 1: Lhasa - Mila Mountain Tunnel - Basum Tso - Nyingchi, overnight in Nyingchi  
Day 2: Nyingchi - Lulang Forest Viewing Platform - Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon - Namcha Barwa Peak, overnight in Suosong Village  
Day 3: Suosong Village - Kading Valley - Lhasa, overnight in Lhasa  
Day 4: Potala Palace - Barkhor Street - Jokhang Temple - Old Guangming Sweet Tea House - Jinma Performing Arts Center, overnight in Lhasa

5-6 Day Itinerary: Chase Your Everest Dream, Explore Shannan History, Complete Essential Tibet Tour

Challenge Everest, Pursue the Mountain of Faith

If you have 5-6 days, you can travel the popular route to Everest Base Camp. Pass through classic snow mountains, glaciers, holy lakes, and religious temples in the Shigatse region and slowly reach the awe-inspiring Everest Base Camp to witness the sunrise, sunset, and the vast Milky Way at night.

Day 1: Potala Palace - Barkhor Street - Jokhang Temple - Old Guangming Sweet Tea House - Jinma Performing Arts Center, overnight in Lhasa  
Day 2: Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Karo La Glacier, overnight in Shigatse  
Day 3: Shigatse - Gyatso La Pass - Everest Base Camp, overnight at Everest Base Camp  
Day 4: Everest Base Camp - Gawu La Pass - Tashilhunpo Monastery, overnight in Shigatse  
Day 5: Shigatse - Nyemo Grassland - Yangbajing Hot Springs, overnight in Yangbajing  
Day 6: Yangbajing - Nagenla Pass - Namtso Tashi Peninsula - Lhasa, overnight in Lhasa

Explore the Historical South Tibet Circuit

For history and religion enthusiasts, the South Tibet circuit is a great choice.

Day 1: Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Drepung Monastery, overnight in Langkazi County  
Day 2: Langkazi County - Pu Mo Yum Tso - Kulakangri Mountains - Lhozhag County, overnight in Lhozhag County  
Day 3: Lhozhag County - Lapchi Hot Springs - Zhuocu White Horse Forest - Sekhaguotuo Temple - Kaju Monastery, overnight in Cuomei County  
Day 4: Cuomei County - Tombs of the Tibetan Kings - Tradruk Temple - Yumbu Lakhang, overnight in Zetang County  
Day 5: Zetang Town - Samye Monastery - Chim-puk Hermitage - Lhasa  
Day 6: Potala Palace - Barkhor Street - Jokhang Temple - Old Guangming Sweet Tea House - Jinma Performing Arts Center

6-Day Itinerary: Cover All Essential Spots in Tibet

If you want to challenge Mount Everest but also don’t want to miss the flower and glacier landscapes of Nyingchi, consider this 6-day route. Centered around Lhasa, it covers diverse scenic spots in Tibet.

Day 1: Lhasa - Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon - View Namcha Barwa Peak - Enjoy Wild Peach Blossoms - Suosong Village/Nyingchi, overnight in Suosong Village/Nyingchi  
Day 2: Suosong Village/Nyingchi - Buddha Palm Sand Dunes - Gala Peach Blossom Village - Gondreling Grassland - Dagu Canyon - Monkey Viewing Platform - Zetang, overnight in Zetang  
Day 3: Zetang - Gangbala Pass - Yamdrok Lake - Karo La Glacier - Manla Reservoir - Shigatse, overnight in Shigatse  
Day 4: Shigatse - Gyatso La Pass - Everest Base Camp, overnight in Everest Homestay  
Day 5: Everest - Gawu La Pass - Scenic View of Nyemo Grassland - Damxung/Shigatse, overnight in Damxung/Shigatse  
Day 6: Damxung/Shigatse - Scenic View of Northern Tibet Grassland - Cross Nagenla Pass - Namtso Tashi Peninsula - Lhasa

8+ Days: Journey to the Mysterious Ngari Region

If you have more than 8 days, consider the Ngari itinerary. Explore the beautiful plateau landscapes, experience the rich Tibetan culture, and venture into wildlife habitats in the uninhabited areas. Spend 1-2 days in Lhasa at the beginning or end to savor the city.

7-Day Ngari South Route Tour

The Ngari South Route is shorter but includes major attractions such as Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, Lake Rakshastal, Zhada Earth Forest, and the Guge Kingdom ruins.

Day 1: Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Karo La Glacier - Manla Reservoir - Shigatse  
Day 2: Shigatse - Tashilhunpo Monastery - Sobiya Holy Mountain - Sang Sang Grassland - Langcuo - Saga  
Day 3: Saga - Zhongba - Lake Manasarovar - Mount Naimonanyi - Lake Rakshastal - Tarchen  
Day 4: Tarchen - Mount Kailash - Zhada Earth Forest - Zhada - Guge Kingdom - Tarchen

Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Alternative:
Day 3: Saga - Zhongba - Lake Manasarovar - Mount Naimonanyi - Lake Rakshastal - Tarchen - Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Starting Point - Zhure Temple  
Day 4: Zhure Temple - Tarchen

Day 5: Tarchen - Gongzhu Tso - Marqu River Wetland Park - Zhongba - Saga  
Day 6: Saga - Mount Shishapangma - Peiku Tso - Everest Base Camp - Tashizong/Basun Village  
Day 7: Tashizong/Basun Village - Gawu La Pass - Gyatso La Pass - Sakya Monastery - Milepost 5000 of National Highway 318 - Lazi - Shigatse - National Highway 318 - Lhasa

12-Day Ngari North Circuit Tour

If you have enough time and want to fully explore the beautiful plateau landscapes and experience the rich Tibetan culture, the 12-day deep Ngari North Circuit tour is perfect for you.

Day 1: Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Karo La Glacier - Shigatse, overnight in Shigatse  
Day 2: Shigatse - Tashilhunpo Monastery - Gawu La Pass - Rongbuk Monastery - Everest Base Camp - Tashizong, overnight in Tashizong  
Day 3: Tashizong - Mount Shishapangma - Peiku Tso - Saga - Zhongba, overnight in Zhongba  
Day 4: Zhongba - Paryang - Hol - Baga - Lake Manasarovar - Distant View of Mount Kailash - Tarchen - Zhure Temple, overnight in Zhure Temple  
Day 5: Zhure Temple - Kora around Mount Kailash - Drolma La Pass - Zutulpuk Monastery, overnight in Zutulpuk Monastery
Day 6: Zutulpuk Monastery - Trek back to Tarchen - Drive to Lake Manasarovar, overnight at Lake Manasarovar
Day 7: Lake Manasarovar - Saga Dawa Festival (if the timing is right) - Drive to Zhongba, overnight in Zhongba
Day 8: Zhongba - Peiku Tso - Mount Shishapangma - Tashizong, overnight in Tashizong
Day 9: Tashizong - Everest Base Camp - Rongbuk Monastery - Gawu La Pass - Shigatse, overnight in Shigatse
Day 10: Shigatse - Tashilhunpo Monastery - Karo La Glacier - Yamdrok Lake - Lhasa, overnight in Lhasa
Day 11: Lhasa - Namtso Tashi Peninsula - Nagenla Pass - Yangbajing Hot Springs, overnight in Yangbajing
Day 12: Yangbajing - Nyemo Grassland - Return to Lhasa, end of the tour

This 12-day itinerary allows you to thoroughly explore the breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and spiritual sanctuaries of Tibet. 

Traveling to Lhasa with Top Asia Tour

For first-time travelers to Tibet, especially foreign visitors, it’s highly recommended to join a guided tour. This is because Tibet has strict travel regulations, and foreign visitors need an entry permit to travel there. Additionally, the customs and culture in Tibet are quite different from other parts of China, and having a local guide can make your experience much more enjoyable and stress-free.

Our Top Asia Tour is a reliable and professional travel agency offering well-organized tours with no hidden costs. All transportation is handled by licensed vehicles, and experienced guides will ensure a smooth and insightful experience.