Lhasa Outskirts Trekking Tour: 5-Day Adventure

Tour Route：

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Route Highlights:

Trekking tour: Explore Lhasa’s cultural gems for two days, followed by a thrilling trek from Pabonka to Pubjoi Monastery. Conclude your adventure with a departure from Lhasa, cherishing the memories made along the way.

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Journey Features

This trekking tour will take you to explore the rich culture and natural landscapes of Lhasa and its surrounding areas. In the first two days of the itinerary, you will have the opportunity to delve into the history and culture of Lhasa, experiencing its unique charm. On the fourth day, the trekking journey will lead you through the route from Pabonka to Pubjoi Monastery, where you will explore magnificent natural landscapes and ancient religious sites. During the trek, you will be able to experience the tranquility and grandeur of nature, as well as the profound religious history and traditions of Tibet. As you conclude this unforgettable journey, you will leave Lhasa with rich experiences and profound memories.

Itinerary

Cost

Travel Guide

Travel Tips

Itinerary Details

5 day lhasa outskirts trekking tour itinerary

Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa
Day 2: Lhasa City Tour
Day 3: Lhasa City Tour
Day 4: Pabonka to Pubjoi Monastery: A Day Trek
Day 5: Depart from Lhasa

Day 01 Arrive in Lhasa

Welcome to Lhasa

When you arrive in Lhasa, whether by train or plane, your guide will greet you with warmth and assist you in getting to your hotel. During the journey, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the beautiful views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River and Lhasa River. Once you settle into your hotel, it’s advisable to take some time to rest and adjust to the high altitude. If you’re feeling energetic, consider heading to Potala Square, where you can be enchanted by the vibrant fountain show and capture breathtaking photos of the Potala Palace and its surroundings.

Insider Tip: For those visiting Tibet for the first time, it’s crucial to acclimatize to the high altitude. It’s best to relax at your hotel and take your time before exploring the attractions in Lhasa city.

Overnight in Lhasa

bus station 5 day lhasa outskirts trekking tour

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Day 02 Lhasa City Tour

Potala Palace, Jokhang Monastery, Barkhor Street

Today’s tour kicks off with a visit to the Potala Palace, the winter home of the Dalai Lama, which has been in operation since the 7th century during the reign of Tibet’s 33rd great king. Among its treasures are the intricately designed burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave belonging to the 33rd king.

After lunch, travelers will head to the Jokhang Temple, established by the same 33rd great king in the 7th century. Inside, you’ll find the venerated statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve, while outside, you can observe pilgrims prostrating themselves in reverence. Surrounding the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can join pilgrims and locals in the kora ritual and explore the lively traditional market. Furthermore, you’ll have a chance to sample Tibetan tea at a local tea house, and a welcome dinner will be provided. As an optional activity, if time allows, you can accompany the tour guide to a Tibetan handicraft art or Traditional Tibetan Medicine center. You also have the option to enhance your experience with an evening Tibetan Culture Show (starting at $60).

Overnight in Lhasa

Day 03 Lhasa City Tour

Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery

In the morning, you will set off to visit Drepung Monastery, one of the esteemed “great three” Gelug monasteries in Tibet, established in 1416 by Jamyang Choge, a prominent disciple of Tsongkhapa. While at the monastery, you’ll have the chance to explore the largest kitchen within its walls and take part in a nearby Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop.

In the afternoon, travelers will head to Sera Monastery, another revered member of Tibet’s “great three” Gelug monasteries. A key highlight of this visit is the Monks’ debate, which usually takes place from 3 to 5 PM. Additionally, you can visit the Tibetan religious scripture printing house and appreciate the intricate sand Mandalas and vibrant Rock Paintings of Buddha found throughout the monastery grounds.

Overnight in Lhasa

Day 04 Day Trek from Pabonka to Pubjoi Monastery

Pabonka Palace, Pubjoi Monastery

In the morning, we will embark on a drive of about 15 kilometers from the city center to the cliffside Pabonka Palace, where we will explore the sacred cave where Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd king of Tibet, once meditated. After our visit, we will commence our day hike. The trek begins with a 30-minute climb northeast to Tashi Chöling Hermitage, which offers distant views of a sky burial site that is off-limits to tourists for visitation and photography.

Following a short break at Tashi Chöling, we will continue hiking for approximately 40 minutes, ascending 300 meters via alternate trails to reach the cliffside hermitage known as Tagden Ritro. Surrounded by the tranquility of clear spring water and the melodies of birds, we will savor a panoramic vista of Lhasa city while enjoying our packed lunches. With no further climbs, we will descend for about 40 minutes toward the Sera Ütse hermitage, where the expansive view of Lhasa grows even more impressive. Our trek continues for over an hour until we arrive at Purbu Jog Monastery via Raka Drak hermitage. During this leg of the hike, we will be treated to breathtaking scenery, including the beautiful Nyangra and Thokde valleys.

After visiting the charming Purbu Jog Monastery, your driver will be there to pick you up nearby, signaling the end of our hike. Insider Tips: This trek is demanding, so participants should be in good physical condition and fully acclimated to the high altitude. It is also essential to carry plenty of water due to the hot and arid conditions along the trail.

Overnight in Lhasa

Day 08 Depart from Lhasa

The itinerary is coming to a close. We look forward to meeting you again.

This guide will help you get to the airport or train station and ensure a seamless boarding experience.

Breakfast

Dates and Prices

Prices

Service Included:

Tibet Travel Permit application service and mailing service within China.
Entrance tickets to the listed attractions and activities.
Accommodations are in three-star hotels with breakfast throughout the journey.
Comfortable and safe tourist vehicle.
Excellent Tibetan English-speaking guide.
Farm house lunch and welcome dinner.
Travel accident insurance and high-altitude sickness insurance.
Shuutle service between the airport/train station and Lhasa city.
Exquisite Tibetan gifts and travel maps.
On-board medical oxygen supply for travel in high-altitude areas.

Service Excluded:

International and domestic transportation to and from Tibet.
Single room supply for solo travelers who require a single room.
Some meal expenses are not included in the tour (the guide will assist in arranging and recommending meals; you are responsible for the cost).

Trekking and Mt. Kailash

1.Spring and fall are the finest seasons to trek Mount Kailash.
The greatest seasons to undertake this incredible walk are from April to early June (spring) and late September to the end of October (autumn), as the weather in Ngari can be harsh at various points in the year. During these periods, you may expect dry and nice weather with clear skies and minimal rain to hinder your walking.

Although it might get quite wet in late July and August, the region near Ngari experiences very little monsoon rains, so the walk can also be completed in the summer. It is better to limit your travel to spring and autumn unless you can be certain of favorable weather. Winter has officially ended since this part of Tibet can get extremely cold, and by the end of December, snow usually covers the pass, making it nearly impossible to traverse.

2.The Mount Kailash trek requires additional permits in addition to the Tibet Travel Permit.
While obtaining a permit is necessary for trekking around Mount Kailash, there aren’t many concerns. Every traveler to Tibet must be on a prearranged tour with a licensed tour operator; the tour operator will apply for the necessary permissions on your behalf. The following permits are required for the Kailash Kora trek:

Tibet Travel Permit – This is required for entry to Tibet and to travel around the area of Lhasa.
Aliens’Travel Permit – Required for travel to the “unopened” areas of Tibet outside Lhasa, including Shigatse.
Foreign Affairs Permit – This is a must for visiting sensitive borders such as Mt. Kailash and eastern Tibet.
Military Permit – Required for travel to the military-sensitive areas in Tibet, such as Ngari (Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, etc.), Nyingchi and Chamdo.

Our tour package includes all of these permits, and we will help with the application process to guarantee a pleasant trip to Mount Kailash. But be aware that it takes around 15 to 20 days to process a Tibet travel permit, so it’s best to make reservations well in advance.

1. Local Guesthouse
When you go trekking in Tibet, you have two choices for accommodations. If they are not already full, you can spend the night in the guesthouses found in most trekking areas, which are frequently attached to the nearby monasteries.

In the past, guesthouses in Tibet had very little furnishings—just a cot for sleeping on and a blanket for warmth—that didn’t actually keep out the cold. The guesthouses along the walking trails are in much better condition these days, and many of them have indoor toilets and running water in their bunk rooms. Though many now offer beds, very few have heating, so it’s still essential to carry a sleeping bag.

2. Camping
The second alternative is camping, which can be really cold at night, even though it can feel like an adventure. Nevertheless, there might not be many options in some places because guesthouses might fill up quickly during the peak season of the year or there is no guesthouse in some areas. A good tent and an adequate arctic sleeping bag are essentials when camping in order to resist the cold.

In Tibet, eating while trekking mostly depends on the place you are. Small restaurants and guesthouses can be found along a portion of the trail. The food served there is prepared to give you as much energy as possible.

It is necessary to have food and cooking supplies if you will be going on paths with few places to stop for several days. For the majority of tours, you can either hire a cook to prepare your meals or with the assistance of your trekking guide.

It is advised that you bring high-protein, high-energy foods with you to help you regain lost energy more quickly at higher elevations. Snacks include protein bars, almonds, chocolate, cookies, and dried fruit. While trekking in Tibet, packet meals are also a great way to make meals. Many companies produce specially made trekking foods that are lighter than large packets and tins while still providing a satisfying meal.

1. Tibet Travel Permit
Tibet Travel Permit, which is essential for both trekking and travel in Tibet, may only be authorized by Tibet tour operators. We will apply for the permit on your behalf after you have made your Tibet trip reservation with us and mailed us copies of your passport and Chinese entry visa. We will send the permit to your hotel on the Chinese mainland after it has been authorized. You will need the original permit to board flights to Lhasa, although a photocopy is accepted for the train.

2. Alien’s Travel Permit
Only having Tibet travel Permit does not give you direct access to the Ali region. Usually, tourists choose to travel overland to Ali via the Shigatse region. In this case, you will also need to apply for an alien’s travel permit.The Alien’s travel permit is one of the necessary documents for foreign tourists to travel to Shigatse, Ali and other places.Compared with Tibet Travel Permit, it is much easier to apply for Alien’s travel permit. Tourists can do so in Lhasa or Shigatse. You need to bring your original passport to apply for a travel permit, so the tour guide will accompany you and help you with the documents when you arrive, and the whole process will only take 1-2 hours.
More areas that require a Alien’sTravel Permit include:

Shigatse: Sakya Monastery, Mount Everest, Rongbuk Monastery;
Zhanang County: Samye Monastery, Tombs of the Tibet Kings, Changzhu Monastery,Yongbulakang;
Gyantse: Pelkor Monastery and Wan Pagodas;
Ali area: Kailas Range, Lake Manasarovar, Gurge kingdom, etc.;
Nyingchi area: Basom, Bome, Ranwu Lake, etc.;
Qamdo area: Qamdo, Riwoche Temple, Dingqing, etc.

3. Military Permit
For tourists going to Ali Kailash, whether they choose to fly directly from Lhasa to Ali Kunsha or go by land via Shigatse, they need to apply for a Military Permit.

Normally, it takes 10-15 working days to process the Military Permit, and the documents required are almost the same as the materials required to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit. In order not to delay the trip, usually the travel agency will apply for Tibet Travel Permit and the Military Permit for you at the same time.

Tips:
Usually the Military Permit will be sent to you with the Tibet Travel Permit, please be sure to keep it properly to avoid loss and delay your trip.
Tourist with Indian passports who wish to visit the sacred lake area in Ali will need to go through a series of formalities through the pilgrim centre.

More areas that need to apply for a Military Permit include:
Ali area: Pulan County, Zada County, Ritu County, Gar County;
Shigatse Area: Zhongba County, Saga County, Nyalam County (Zhangmu), Tingri County, Kangma County, Gangba County, Dingjie County, Jilong County, Yadong;
Nyingchi area: Motuo County, Lang County, Milin County, Chayu County;
Shannan area: Langkazi County, Cuona County, Luozha County, Longzi County.

The best time is generally from May to October. The snow in the pass is thicker in April to June, and there is relatively little snow in July to September, and the road is easier to walk, but there will also be strong winds.

It is important to note that there may be snow on the way to the mountain in May; July and August are the rainy seasons, with the most precipitation, and the mountain passes are often covered with snow and ice and impassable. Snow can arrive at any time of the year, and nighttime temperatures are often below freezing. So, travelers are prepared for the vagaries of the weather.

1. Necessary clothing and outdoor items

Backpack and rain cover: not less than 50 liters and with a professional carrying system; It is recommended to bring a carry-on backpack (30L) or a fanny pack

Sleeping bag: Sleeping bag is very practical on the plateau, to keep moisture-proof and warm, and improve sleep quality.

Headlamp/flashlight with spare batteries, lifeguard whistle, multi-function knife, lighter: walking at night or in case of emergencies

Jacket and pants: Jacket and pants with wind resistance, warmth and waterproofing.

Snow Cover: Before June, there should be snow at the Zhuomala Pass, and the Snow Cover is still necessary

Hiking shoes or trekking shoes and spare shoes: high top waterproof to protect the ankle joint, try not to wear new shoes.

Thermal underwear, fleece, sweaters

Down jackets: Collapsible down jacket is available

Quick-drying clothes: Cope with the sudden change of weather on the plateau

Cotton socks: several pairs; Thickness is required

Windproof gloves, non-slip gloves

Trekking poles: two

Sun hats, sunglasses or snow goggles

Simple crampons: If you are trekking before June, it is recommended to bring simple crampons, as the downhill road after crossing the Dolmala Pass is all icy roads, and crampons can increase the safety factor

Insulated kettle: It is very necessary to have a cup of hot water in a low temperature environment

Toiletries

2. Necessary medicines (bring the appropriate medicines according to your personal situation)

First aid medicine, plateau headache, cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, anti-inflammatory medicine, gunpowder, bone-setting medicine, multivitamin, glucose powder

3. Others

Food: Compressed biscuits, chocolate, beef jerky, coffee, tea, American ginseng, chewing gum and other personal habitual foods, it is recommended to carry more vitamin-rich foods and high-calorie foods

Equipment: mobile phones, spare batteries for mobile phones, mobile phone chargers, cameras, memory cards, spare batteries for cameras, camera chargers, watches, pens and paper, tripods, etc

Daily necessities: lunch boxes, tableware, toiletries, garbage bags, wet and dry wipes, sunscreen, lip balm, skin cream (hydration type is the best)

During the 4-day trekking from Dingri to Everest Base Camp, you will need to camp at a designated place. After arriving at the Everest base camp, the only accommodation option is a tent, which is relatively simple, mostly a wide bed for a number of people. When going to Everest Base Camp in winter, tent hotels are often closed, and you may need to stay in Zhaxizong town or Dingri.

The outer circle takes Kailash as the core, with a total length of about 54 kilometers, which takes 2 to 3 days, and locals can complete the turn in one day by walking day and night. Generally in the outer circle must be turned 13 times to be eligible to turn the inner circle, so basically tourists will choose to turn the outer circle. The trip can be divided into one day, two days, three days, the exact length of the trip depends on your physical strength, confidence, endurance and perseverance. Generally speaking, three days is more suitable. You can ask the guide and the porter, please pay attention to prevent the altitude reaction.

Whenever you travel to Everest, you can follow a multi-level dressing method, which is convenient to adjust according to the temperature changes. You can wear a single garment in summer, at least three layers of clothing (base – sweater – jacket) in spring and autumn, and in winter you need to increase the warmth and wind resistance of clothing. In addition, due to the strong ultraviolet rays in Tibet, sunglasses and hats are also essential.

The best time to go trekking on Mount Everest is in the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). At this time, the weather is more stable, which provides favorable weather conditions for trekking.

In addition, although the summer (July-August) is the rainy season in Tibet, it rains more at night, but is sunny during the day, and the temperature is comfortable, which is also a good choice.
In winter (November – March of the following year), although the temperature is low, you can enjoy the stars and the Milky Way of Everest. Winter is the off-season of tourism in Tibet, and the price of traveling to Mount Everest is lower than during the peak season.

The classic trek on Karma Gully East Slope of Everest usually takes 8 days.

Day 1: Yupa Village – Xiao Wu Co (10 km hike)
Day 2: Xiaowco – Zhuoxiang (14 km hike)
Day 3: Zhuoxiang – Tangxiang Observation Deck (12 km hike)
Day 4: Tangxiang Observation Deck – Bai Dang (11 km hike)
Day 5: Baldang – Everest East Slope Base Camp – Baldang (18 km hike)
Day 6: Bailang – Tangxiang Observation Deck (14 km hike)
Day 7: Tangxiang Viewing Platform – Cuoxurenma (11 km hike)
Day 8: Tsoxue Renma – Lunzhulin Village (14 km hike)

You can hire a porter and his carrying tools, yaks or horses. A yak or horse will be responsible for carrying your luggage during the trek. Usually, you can share the cost of this service with other members of your group.

If you have such needs, please communicate with your guide in advance so that they can make arrangements for you. This greatly reduces the burden on your trekking and makes it easier for you to focus on enjoying the beauty scenery and having a better experience.

Warm Hint

Before submitting an application for the Tibet Entry Permit into Tibet, please confirm that your passport is valid for at least 6 months.
When entering Tibet from Kathmandu, the Chinese visa must be processed in Kathmandu; please do not process it in your home country beforehand. If a tourist previously held a long-term valid Chinese visa, when applying for a Chinese visa in Kathmandu, the old visa will be replaced by a 30-day valid group travel visa.
Tibet can only utilize the RMB. If you require RMB, you can swap it for US dollars in your area or withdraw money from an ATM.
Be healthy and prevent colds before traveling to Tibet.
When traveling to Tibet, both the airport and the train station will check the Tibet Entry Permit. Please keep the original safe, and do not write or draw on it.
Before traveling to Tibet, please ensure that you obtain your Tibet Entry Permit and verify your identity.
It is not suggested that pregnant women or people with severe hypertension, heart problems, or asthma travel to Tibet.
If you are concerned about excessive altitude sickness after visiting Tibet, take a suitable dosage of Rhodiola oral solution or pills before entering Tibet.
When traveling in Tibet, you must remain with the group throughout the entire trip and cannot leave at any time.
Please pack vitamins and stock medicine in your luggage.
When traveling on the plateau, stay hydrated, exercise slowly, eat more fruits, and take vitamins.
When first approaching the plateau, avoid smoking and drinking until the body is properly accustomed to the surroundings.

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