Tibet: Roof of the World

• Three nights in Lhasa at 3,650 m (11,975 ft) before any higher ground, to acclimatise properly
• Namtso Lake sits at 4,718 m (15,479 ft), with a night on the shore for the dawn light
• The Potala Palace runs a capped daily ticket with a timed entry slot, booked for you
• Tibet Travel Permit and all paperwork arranged on your behalf
• Flown in and out of Lhasa, so there is no multi-day drive at altitude to reach the plateau

Day by day

1. Day 1 · Lhasa Arrival in Lhasa

   Fly into Lhasa Gonggar Airport, usually via Chengdu or Xi'an, and transfer 60 km (37 miles) to the city. The first day is deliberately empty: drink water, avoid alcohol and rest. Lhasa sits at 3,650 m (11,975 ft), so the guide keeps the schedule light for the next two days.

2. Day 2 · Lhasa Barkhor and the Jokhang Temple

   Ease in with a slow walk around the Barkhor, the pilgrim circuit that rings the Jokhang Temple, joining the clockwise flow of worshippers. Visit the Jokhang itself in the afternoon, when the queue of Tibetans making offerings is at its best. Under 3 km (1.9 miles) on foot, all at an easy pace.

3. Day 3 · Lhasa The Potala Palace

   A timed slot at the Potala Palace, the 13-storey white and red building on its hill above the city; entry is capped and the visit lasts about an hour inside. Continue to the Norbulingka, the former summer palace, and its gardens. Stairs are steep and the air is thin, so take it slowly.

4. Day 4 · Lhasa Sera and Drepung monasteries

   Drepung Monastery, once home to around 7,700 monks, sits on the hillside west of the city. In the afternoon, Sera Monastery is known for its 15:00 debating sessions in the courtyard, a spectacle of hand-clapping argument. Both are within 10 km (6 miles) of the centre.

5. Day 5 · Namtso Drive to Namtso Lake

   Cross the Lakenla pass at 5,190 m (17,028 ft) and drop to Namtso, one of the highest salt lakes in the world at 4,718 m (15,479 ft). The drive is about four to five hours from Lhasa. Stay overnight in basic lakeside guesthouse accommodation, where the stars and the dawn are the reward.

6. Day 6 · Lhasa Namtso dawn, return to Lhasa

   Watch the light come up over the Nyenchen Tanglha range and the lake, then walk to the Tashi Dor peninsula and its small hermitage caves. Return to Lhasa by road in the afternoon. Tonight is a comfortable bed back at altitude you have now had time to adjust to.

7. Day 7 · Shigatse Across the Yamdrok Lake and Karo La glacier

   Drive west over the Gampa La pass at 4,794 m (15,728 ft) for the view down onto Yamdrok Lake, then past the Karo La glacier at 5,010 m (16,437 ft). Continue through the town of Gyantse to Shigatse, Tibet's second city, about 360 km (224 miles) from Lhasa.

8. Day 8 · Shigatse Tashilhunpo Monastery

   Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama, holds a 26 m (85 ft) gilded statue of the future Buddha and the tombs of past Panchen Lamas. Walk the kora around the monastery walls with local pilgrims before the drive back toward Lhasa.

9. Day 9 · Lhasa Ganden Monastery

   A day trip 45 km (28 miles) east to Ganden Monastery, founded in 1409 and set on a ridge at 4,300 m (14,108 ft). The kora here takes about 90 minutes and gives wide views over the Kyichu valley. Return to Lhasa for the evening.

10. Day 10 · Lhasa A free day in Lhasa

    An unstructured day for the Tibet Museum, the Tsongkhapa temple or a Tibetan cooking session with a local family. Some travellers take the morning to revisit the Barkhor for last shopping. A gentle day before the flight keeps the descent comfortable.

11. Day 11 · Lhasa Departure

    Transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport for the flight out, usually connecting through Chengdu or Xi'an to the UK. Allow the full day for travel; most onward connections to LHR run through a mainland city.

What stands out

Practical

Lhasa altitude	3,650 m (11,975 ft)
Namtso altitude	4,718 m (15,479 ft)
Best months	April–June and September–October
Permits	Tibet Travel Permit required; arranged by us once you are booked
Visa	None for UK passports under the 30-day waiver to 31 Dec 2026
Group size	2–12 travellers; a licensed Tibetan guide is mandatory
Trip length	11 days / 10 nights
Flights	In and out via Lhasa Gonggar, usually through Chengdu

Common questions

Do I need the Tibet Travel Permit?

Yes, it is mandatory and you cannot obtain it yourself. It is issued only for a booked itinerary with a licensed guide, and you need a confirmed itinerary with a licensed guide first. We handle the application; allow six to eight weeks before departure.

What about altitude sickness?

The itinerary gives you three nights in Lhasa at 3,650 m (11,975 ft) before going higher, which is the main protection. Vehicles carry oxygen, and the guide watches the group closely. Ask your GP about acetazolamide before you travel.

How do we reach Lhasa?

By air, usually connecting through Chengdu or Xi'an. Flying in avoids the multi-day drive at altitude and keeps the acclimatisation gradual once you arrive.

What are the accommodation standards?

Hotels in Lhasa and Shigatse are comfortable and Western-style. The night at Namtso is in basic lakeside accommodation with shared facilities, which is normal at that altitude and part of the experience.

Where to next

• Lhasa destination guide
• Sichuan province guide
• Silk Road Odyssey
• Practical China guides
• Ask about permits