5-Night Tibet: Lhasa and Namtso Lake with Travel Permit

Lhasa , China

5-Night Tibet: Lhasa and Namtso Lake with Travel Permit

Active

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Manual confirmation

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

Getting to know the sacred and solemn Tibet by visiting the holiest and sacred monasteries in Lhasa and also appreciate the extraordinary beautiful Namtso Lake. This group tour is available from April to October with fixed Departed Days.

Note: Your local tour operator will apply for a TTP for you (minimum 15 days lead time) and send it to one of the local offices for you to collect. Office locations include Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, Kunming, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Changsha, Nanning and Macau. Please advise which city office is convenient for you upon booking. TTP can also be delivered by Express Mail Service to your hotel in mainland China.

Available options

4-star Hotel Deluxe Package

Fixed departure Group Tour: Deluxe Package inclusive of 4-night accommodation in 4* Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel & 1-night at Lake Namtso. If your preferred tour date is not shown, choose a random date. inform your ideal travel date.

What's included

English-speaking tour guide

1-night accommodation and breakfast at Kent or local guest house at Lake Namtso

Air-conditioned coach for sightseeing and transfers

Shuttle bus to and from Lhasa airport

4-night accommodation and daily breakfast at Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel Tibet 4 * or Lhasa Yak Hotel 3*

Chinese visa invitation letter if required

Tibet Travel Permit (TTB)

What you'll see

Day 1: Lhasa

Meet your tour guide at the Lhasa airport. The airport shuttle bus leaves Lhasa Airport at 12:30pm and 4pm daily.

Day 2: Lhasa (B)

Pickup from your hotel lobby around 8am to start your Lhasa city tour. You'll visit the UNESCO-listed

Potala Palace, a focal point for Tibetan Buddhism and home to the Dalai Lama for many centuries, You'll also explore the 1300-year-old

Jokhang Temple with its sacred golden Buddha, the spiritual epicenter of Tibetan Buddhism.

Free time on

Barkhor Street. It was built to circle the sacred Jokhang Temple. Spend time with pilgrims to worship.

Day 3: Lhasa (B)

Today's tour includes two of the “great three” Gelug sect monasteries:

Drepung Monastery and

Sera Monastery. Drepung is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery, founded in the fifteenth century on a mountainside. Sera, not far from Lhasa, was famous for its debates.

Overnight in Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel Tibet (4 star)

Day 4: Lhasa to Lake Namtso (B)

Transfer to the enchanting

Namsto Lake. 6 hours on the road. You will pass the Nagenla Moutain Pass (5000m). Free time in the afternoon at lakeside.

Namtso Lake: 4,718 meters above sea level, it is the second largest saltwater lake in China. It's an irregularly shaped lake surrounded by mountains, measuring over 30 kilometers from north to south and over 70 kilometers from east to west. The lake is hemmed in on all sides by broad prairies that could stretch out as far as the eye can see. The lake with the finest meadows is generally rich in natural fishpond and offers moisture and water for the highland pasture around it and a habitat for rare water birds like swans, egrets and sand birds. Pure, solemn and stunning as Namtso is, it is also a sacred place for Buddhism.

Overnight in Tent or local guest house at Lake Namtso

Day 5: Lake Namtso to Lhasa (B)

Enjoy the beautiful sunrise on Namtso Lake. Later today we will be transferred back to Lhasa.

Day 6: Depart (B)

The airport shuttle bus leaves at 7:30am and 11am from downtown Lhasa. You'll be picked up from your hotel lobby and transferred to the airport. Actual pickup time will be informed by your tour guide.

Fixed Departed Days in 2019

April: 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, 22, 24, 28

May: 2, 4, 6, 9, 13, 16, 18, 20, 24, 26, 28, 30

June: 1, 4, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 22, 24, 28, 30

July: 4, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, 30

Aug: 1, 5, 9, 12, 17, 20, 24, 28

Sep: 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 13, 15, 18, 20, 23, 26, 28, 30

Oct: 2, 4, 7, 10, 12

What's not included

China visa

Lunch and dinner

Airfare and train ticket

Taxi fare from/to airport if you choose not to take airport shuttle

Additional single supplement for requiring single room for yourself

Extra bed for child

Over sized and excess baggage storage surcharge

Personal expense

Gratuities to tour guide and driver (recommended) Other personal expense Gratuities (recommended)

Available languages

Guide guide

Important information

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

A minimum of 2 adults per booking is required

Adult price is based on twin/triple share of a hotel room

Child price is based on child without extra bed

Please notice the hotel allows only maximum of 3 persons to stay overnight in one room

Please be prepare the hotel facilities and service standard in Tibet will not be as good as cities in inland China. A 4-star hotel in Tibet equals maybe the standard of a 3-star hotel in Beijing. At Lake Namtso, hot water is only available for limited hours.

For shuttle bus between airport and hotel, each passenger (except an infant) can check-in a maximum of 2 pieces of baggage, total dimensions per bag shall not exceed 158 cm (62") . Over sized and excess baggage are subjected to the availability of storage space on coach, and surcharge will be charged.

If you do not want to wait for the airport shuttle bus, the taxi fare will be paid by yourself.

If you travel from a city in China to Lhasa, all foreign travelers need a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) in addition to a Chinese visa. TTP is inclusive in the package, the local operator in Lhasa will apply for you. China visa application is not included.

Please first obtain a Chinese visa from a Chinese Embassy on your own and then book this package at least 20 days prior of your arrival day in Tibet. If the Chinese Embassy requests an invitation letter for Chinese Visa, your local tour operator can prepare one and send it to you.

Your local tour operator will apply for a TTP for you (minimum 15 days lead time) and send it to one of the local offices for you to collect. Office locations include Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, Kunming, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Changsha, Nanning and Macau. Please advice which city is convenient for you to pick up upon booking.

To apply for the TTP, please provide traveler's name (as appears on passport), nationality, age, sex, occupation, and passport number as well as photocopies of your passport and Chinese visa.

The following travelers can not get a TTP issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau: diplomats, journalists, professional media photographers, and government officials. These travelers need to apply directly to the Foreign Affairs Office at Lhasa City Hall: your local tour operator is unable to help.

Highly recommend you NOT to travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa as getting TIBET GROUP VISA there is extremely inconvenient.

If your travel date is not on our fixed depart list, please choose a random departure date we already have, state your ideal travel date and submit. The local operator in Lhasa will check the availability and come back to you with a final answer: You will be inform if it is OK to form a new group, or 100% refund will be issued

Important notes

• Your local tour operator will apply for a TTP for you (minimum 15 days lead time) and send it to one of the local offices for you to collect. Office locations include Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, Kunming, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Changsha, Nanning and Macau. Please advise which city office is convenient for you upon booking. TTP can also be delivered by Express Mail Service to your hotel in mainland China.
• Please confirm with your local tour operator for actual tour departure time from Lhasa Airport.
• For shuttle bus between airport and hotel, each passenger (except an infant) can check-in a maximum of 2 pieces of baggage, total dimensions per bag shall not exceed 158 cm (62") . Over sized and excess baggage are subjected to the availability of storage space on coach, and surcharge will be charged.
• Highly recommend you NOT to travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa as getting TIBET GROUP VISA there is extremely inconvenient.
• If your travel date is not on our fixed depart list, please choose a random departure date we already have, state your ideal travel date and submit. The local operator in Lhasa will check the availability and come back to you with a final answer: You will be inform if it is OK to form a new group, or 100% refund will be issued

About Lhasa

Lhasa, the spiritual and cultural heart of Tibet, is renowned for its ancient Buddhist monasteries and vibrant Tibetan culture. Nestled in a valley at an elevation of 3,650 meters, it offers a unique blend of history, spirituality, and breathtaking Himalayan landscapes.

Top Attractions

Potala Palace

The iconic Potala Palace was the residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Tibetan Buddhism.

Historical/Religious 2-3 hours ¥100 (includes White Palace and part of Red Palace), ¥200 (includes all areas)

Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and a pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists. It houses a life-sized statue of Buddha Sakyamuni brought to Tibet by Princess Wen Cheng in the 7th century.

Religious 1-2 hours Free (¥25 for photography)

Barkhor Street

Barkhor Street is a bustling market street surrounding the Jokhang Temple. It's a popular place for pilgrims, locals, and tourists to shop for traditional Tibetan items and souvenirs.

Cultural/Shopping 1-2 hours Varies by purchase

Drepung Monastery

Drepung Monastery is one of the largest and most important monasteries in Tibet. It was once home to over 10,000 monks and is known for its grand architecture and religious significance.

Religious 2-3 hours ¥55

Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery is famous for its lively debates among monks, which take place daily in the monastery's courtyard. It is one of the three main monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Religious 1-2 hours ¥55

Must-Try Local Dishes

Momos

Steamed or fried dumplings filled with yak meat, vegetables, or cheese. They are a popular street food and a must-try in Lhasa.

Snack/Dinner Can be vegetarian or vegan

Thenthuk

A hearty noodle soup with vegetables, meat, and sometimes cheese. It's a popular dish in Tibetan households and restaurants.

Soup/Dinner Can be vegetarian or vegan

Yak Butter Tea

A traditional Tibetan beverage made with butter, salt, and tea. It's an acquired taste but a cultural experience.

Drink Contains dairy

Balep Khabsey

Tibetan fried bread or cookies, often flavored with butter and sugar. They are a popular snack and can be found in most bakeries.

Snack/Dessert Contains dairy

Popular Activities

Hiking Mountain biking Trekking Tea house visits Meditation Yoga Monastic tours Traditional dance performances

Best Time to Visit

May to October

This period offers the most pleasant weather with warm days and cool nights. It's ideal for exploring the city's attractions and enjoying the vibrant cultural scene.

10°C to 25°C 50°F to 77°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: Tibetan, Chinese
Widely spoken: Chinese, English (limited)
English: Limited

Currency

Chinese Yuan (CNY)

Time Zone

GMT+8

Electricity

220VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Exercise caution

Lhasa is generally safe for travelers, but altitude sickness and limited medical facilities can be concerns. Petty crime is rare, but always be aware of your surroundings.

Important Precautions:

• Be cautious of altitude sickness
• Stay hydrated and rest when needed
• Avoid political discussions

Getting there

By air

Lhasa Gonggar Airport • 60 km from city center

By train

Lhasa Railway Station

By bus

Lhasa Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

Buses are the primary mode of public transport in Lhasa. They are affordable but can be crowded during peak hours.

Taxis

Available • Apps: DiDi (limited availability)

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Barkhor Lhasa Old Town Doilungdêqên District

Day trips

Yamdrok Lake

100 km from Lhasa • Full day

Yamdrok Lake is one of the holiest lakes in Tibet and is known for its turquoise waters and stunning mountain surroundings. It's a popular destination for pilgrims and nature lovers.

Ganden Monastery

50 km from Lhasa • Full day

Ganden Monastery is one of the most important monasteries in Tibet and the seat of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. It offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Namtso Lake

120 km from Lhasa • Full day

Namtso Lake is the highest saltwater lake in the world and is known for its breathtaking beauty and spiritual significance. It's a popular destination for pilgrims and nature enthusiasts.

Festivals

Great Prayer Festival (Monlam Chenmo) • February/March (lunar calendar) Saga Dawa Festival • June/July (lunar calendar) Losar (Tibetan New Year) • February/March (lunar calendar)