Itinerary · 8 days · relaxed
Tibet — 8 days with permit guidance
Lhasa, Yamdrok, Shigatse and Gyantse — the standard agency-tour Tibet circuit.
Eight days is the canonical Tibet itinerary that stays in the lower-altitude zone (Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse — all 3,600–4,000m). Tibet Travel Permit and a licensed agency tour are mandatory for foreign travellers. Pace is deliberately slow on day 1 to acclimatise.
Day by day
Day 1 · lhasa
Arrival, rest
Land at Lhasa Gonggar; transfer to hotel; rest. No exertion. Hydrate.
Stay in: Old Town near the Barkhor
Day 2 · lhasa
Jokhang and Barkhor
Morning Barkhor walking; afternoon Jokhang.
Attractions: jokhang-temple
Day 3 · lhasa
Potala Palace
Morning permit-window entry.
Attractions: potala-palace
Day 4 · lhasa
Drepung and Sera Monasteries
Sera afternoon debate sessions.
Attractions: drepung-monastery
Day 5 · lhasa
Yamdrok Lake day trip
Drive over Khamba La (4,800m); turquoise lake views.
Day 6 · lhasa
Lhasa to Gyantse via Shigatse
Karola Glacier; Pelkhor Chode in Gyantse; Tashilhunpo in Shigatse.
Day 7 · lhasa
Shigatse back to Lhasa
Stretching; Norbulingka in Lhasa afternoon.
Day 8 · lhasa
Departure
Fly out.
Domestic flight back.
Budget guide (CNY per day)
| Backpacker | ¥1200 |
| Mid-range | ¥1800 |
| Comfortable | ¥3000 |
Tibet 8-day tour package ¥6,000–¥10,000 per person all-inclusive.
Cities covered
Attractions covered