5 Days Lhasa Namtso Budget Tour
From Holy City to Heavenly Lake
Let's embark on a budget-friendly join-in tour to discover the natural and spiritual wonder of Tibet - Namtso Lake. As one of Tibet's most sacred lakes, Namtso is a sight to behold with its breathtaking natural beauty and significant Buddhist status. And don't worry about the distance from Lhasa - our group tour offers the perfect solution with shared tour fees and a chance to make new friends during the roughly 6-hour drive. Of course, you won't miss the must-see landmarks of the Holy City of Lhasa, which embody Tibet's rich history and culture, as well as the deep spiritual devotion of the local people.
Highlights of this tour:
- Immerse yourself in the transcendent turquoise blue of Namtso Lake and admire its stunning surroundings of snow-capped mountains, boundless grasslands, and Tibetan monasteries perched on the peninsula;
- A visit to Lhasa's iconic landmarks, where you will wind your way up through the majestic Potala Palace and join the murmuring pilgrims around the sacred Jokhang Temple;
- Observe the monks engage in lively scripture debates at Sera Monastery, where they use various gestures and expressions to express their viewpoints.
Basic Trip Information
- Price:
- from
$666
- 1. This price is for one person, based on 2 adults sharing one double-bed room;
- 2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, hotel class and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
- Travel Route:
- Lhasa / Namtso Lake / Lhasa
- Travel Length:
- 5 Days and 4 Nights
- Tour Code:
- CD-TGT-05A
- Group Size:
- ≤ 12 PAX
- Experience:
-
- Departure:
- Fixed Departure
Your tour - at a glance
Full Itinerary Day by Day
Day 1 Lhasa Arrival
Welcome to Tibet! Your local guide will pick you up upon your arrival at Gonggar airport or Lhasa Train Station, then escort you to your hotel in Lhasa. Enjoy the heart-stopping views along the road.
After arrival at your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the local area and acclimatize yourself to this high altitude city.
High altitude acclimatization tips: 1) Keep taking medicine for preventing high altitude sickness 2 days before going to Tibet; 2) Go for some walking to acclimate but avoid strenuous activity after arrival in Lhasa; 3) You’d better not have bath; 4) Drink more water.
Day 2 Lhasa City Tour (B, D)
After breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up in your hotel. Then drive about 30 minutes to visit the Drepung Monastery. This Gelug monastery has a history of more than 500 years. It used to be the largest monastery in the world with totally 10,000 monks there. Many precious stupas, sculptures, paintings, Thangka...are displayed in the hundreds of chapels. And the annual Shoton Festival is organized here.
In the afternoon, start your journey to the Tibet Museum featuring two floors with distinct perspectives. On the first floor, you can delve into the vibrant tapestry of daily life in Tibet exhibits (including traditional dietary practices, indigenous clothing, architectural wonders, transportation), the panorama of production customs from agricultural and pastoral traditions to intricate handcraft techniques, as well as the joyous celebrations of Tibetan culture. The second floor exhibition hall comprehensively covers the region's history from prehistoric times to contemporary urban development. This insightful exploration promises to unveil the unique and enigmatic customs of Tibet, making your visit a captivating cultural experience.
Following this, your adventure continues to Norbulingka, once a quintessential Tibetan royal garden and the summer retreat for Dalai Lamas. Transformed into a public park, it now boasts a stunning array of precious flowers and plants, inviting visitors to explore the tranquil beauty that once served as a haven for Tibetan royalty.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
This evening, a welcoming dinner will be held to welcome all the members in your group tour.
Tips of today: 1) Feel free to ask tour guide questions about Buddhism or else; 2) If you have no idea where to have dinner, ask your guide for suggestions. Restaurant in your hotel is one of the choices.
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Neubert from Germany visited Norbulingka, Lhasa in June 2022
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Drepung Monastery Entrance
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A Traditonal Tibetan Kitchen Exhibted in Tibet Museum
Day 3 Lhasa City Tour (B)
After breakfast, go to visit the No.1 attraction in Tibet - Potala Palace. It is known as the highest palace in the world and one of the most famous architectural works in the world. Standing on the Red Hill of Lhasa, the Potala Palace is a treasure house of Tibetan history, religion, culture, and art. The palace is well worth visiting for its artistic value, historic purposes, and cultural awareness. Importantly Potala Palace is the winter palace of Dalai Lama. You will see many chapels in which Dalai Lama used to study, meditate, work and rest. Many famous past Dalai Lama's stupa are also housed here and decorated with golds, jades and jewels.
There are two attractions for you to visit in the afternoon. First, you’ll visit the Jokhang Temple. As the house of the Buddha, Jokhang is the holiest destination for all Tibetan pilgrims; as the spiritual center of Tibet, Jokhang Temple is the perfect place for you to experience the devotion of Tibetans. Last activity is wandering around the bustling Barkhor Street. Whether you are there to visit the religious site, to do a bit of souvenir shopping, to taste some Tibetan or Chinese food or just for simple sightseeing, the Barkhor Street area is the right place to go.
Tips of today: Wear hat and sunglasses to prevent ultraviolet radiation, but remember to take off when visiting in the monasteries.
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Our customers Julie and her friend from France visited Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet.
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Neubert from Germany visited Jokhang Temple in Lhasa in June 2022
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Meet with Tibet locals at Barkhor Street
Day 4 Lhasa - Namtso Lake - Lhasa (B) (460 km, about 6 hours' drive)
Wake up early to embark on a scenic drive to Namtso Lake (altitude: 4718 m), one of the Three Sacred Lakes of Tibet and one of China's most beautiful lakes. With its scenic landscape and profound Buddhist significance, Namtso Lake is an ideal extension to a Lhasa tour.
As you make your way to Namtso Lake, feast your eyes on the breathtaking Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains in the distance, their peaks covered in a blanket of snow. The journey to the lake also offers a magnificent panoramic view of the area from Nagela Pass (5150m), an ideal vantage point to soak up the scenic beauty of the region. Upon arriving at Namtso Lake, you will be enchanted by the stunning turquoise waters, which shimmer under the bright blue sky. The lake's beauty is further amplified by the snow-capped mountain ranges that encircle it and the yak herds and sheep flocks grazing on the nearby grasslands, creating a magical and serene ambiance that is sure to leave you in awe. Take a moment to relax and revel in the peaceful atmosphere of the lake, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty that surrounds you. Whether you choose to explore the lake on foot or simply sit back and soak up the views, Namtso Lake is an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impression.
After taking in the sights and sounds of this magical place, it's time to head back to Lhasa in the late afternoon.
Warm Tips: 1) Best time to visit Namtso is from June to September, and it is recommended to wear warm clothes to prevent from the cold and wind. 2) Few people getting High Altitude Sickness after an acclimation for 3 day, but we suggest you avoid strong activities (like jumping or running) in Nagela Pass, where the altitude is really high. 3) Remember to ask for permission before taking photos of the local people and their animals, such as yaks and Tibetan Mastiffs, and there may be a fee for taking photos.
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Sacred Namtso Lake
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Namtso Lake Sunlight
Day 5 Lhasa Departure (B)
Today is free for you until your driver transfer you to catch your flight (or train) leaving Tibet. Please check your luggage and make sure everything is packed, and then check out from your hotel before 12pm.
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