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Lhasa & Tibet · The Roof of the World

7N/8D via Kathmandu: Potala, Jokhang, Sera and Yamdrok Lake

4.794 reviews
7 Nights / 8 Days(7N/8D)
Nepal & Tibet (China), Central Tibet
moderate pace
Great for couples, friends, solo

Destinations: Kathmandu → Lhasa → Yamdrok Lake

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Overview

About this Lhasa & Tibet trip

For Buddhists the world over, Lhasa — 'the place of the gods' — is the most sacred city of Tibet. After two nights in Kathmandu with Pashupatinath and Boudhanath, fly over the Himalaya to Lhasa at 3,650 m. Walk the Barkhor kora clockwise with pilgrims spinning prayer wheels, and enter the Jokhang to see the Jowo Shakyamuni, the most revered image in Tibetan Buddhism, said to have been brought by the Chinese princess Wencheng in the 7th century. Climb the steps of the Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas, and watch the monks' afternoon debates in the courtyard of Sera Monastery. Drive over the 4,794 m Kamba La pass to the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Tso, one of Tibet's four holy lakes. A government-licensed Tibetan guide accompanies you throughout, as required for all foreign visitors.

Potala Palace, the Jokhang and Barkhor kora, Sera's debating monks and turquoise Yamdrok Lake.

Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days
Stay: 4-star
Transport: Flights from Hyderabad, Kathmandu–Lhasa flights, private vehicle with driver in Tibet
Best time: April to October (May–June and September–October are the most pleasant); Tibet is usually closed to foreign visitors for part of February–March
Departures: 8 upcoming dates

Why go to Tibet with FONIX WORLD

Tibet Travel Permit and Chinese visa handled with our licensed Lhasa partner
Rest day on arrival and gradual itinerary for acclimatisation
Licensed English- or Hindi-speaking Tibetan guide throughout
Kathmandu darshan at Pashupatinath and Boudhanath included
Portable oxygen and pulse oximeter in the vehicle
Vegetarian meals arranged in Lhasa

Trip highlights

Potala Palace
Jokhang Temple
Barkhor kora
Sera debate
Drepung Monastery
Yamdrok Tso
Boudhanath

Itinerary

Day-by-day plan for Lhasa & Tibet

8 days, planned end to end

D1
- Fly Hyderabad to Kathmandu (via Delhi)
- Transfer to hotel
- Evening aarti at Pashupatinath
- Tibet briefing and document check
D2
- Boudhanath Stupa kora with Tibetan pilgrims
- Swayambhunath
- Collect passports with Chinese visa/permit documents
- Early dinner and rest
D3
- Flight Kathmandu–Lhasa over the Himalaya (about 1.5 hours)
- Drive to Lhasa city, 3,650 m
- Complete rest — no exertion on arrival day
- Hydrate well; light vegetarian dinner
D4
- Potala Palace (timed entry, about one hour inside; steep steps)
- Jokhang Temple and the Jowo Shakyamuni
- Barkhor kora with pilgrims at dusk
- Butter-lamp offering
D5
- Drepung Monastery, once the world's largest
- Lunch break in Lhasa
- Sera Monastery and the afternoon monks' debate
- Evening at leisure
D6
- Drive over the Kamba La pass, 4,794 m
- First view of Yamdrok Tso and the Nojin Kangsang glacier
- Walk by the holy lake
- Return to Lhasa
D7
- Norbulingka, the summer palace
- Ramoche Temple
- Tibetan Medicine Centre or a thangka workshop
- Farewell dinner with Tibetan music
D8
- Last kora around the Potala
- Transfer to Lhasa Gonggar airport
- Fly Lhasa–Kathmandu and connect home
- Arrive Hyderabad (via Delhi)

What's covered

Inclusions & exclusions

Read this before you book — no surprise add-ons later.

Included

Return economy flights Hyderabad–Kathmandu via Delhi and Kathmandu–Lhasa–Kathmandu
2 nights 4-star hotel in Kathmandu and 5 nights 4-star hotel in Lhasa, twin sharing
Daily breakfast and dinner (vegetarian available)
Chinese visa (group visa issued in Kathmandu) and Tibet Travel Permit
Licensed Tibetan guide and private vehicle with driver in Tibet
Entrance fees for the Potala, Jokhang, Drepung, Sera, Norbulingka and Yamdrok
Portable oxygen in the vehicle
Travel insurance with high-altitude cover up to age 70

Not included

Lunches
Camera fees inside monasteries
Emergency evacuation and extra nights due to flight changes
Tips for guide and driver
Personal expenses
GST and TCS as applicable

Stay & travel

Hotels & transport

Hotel category

4-star

Twin-sharing rooms with daily breakfast unless stated otherwise. Single rooms and upgrades on request.

Transport

Flights from Hyderabad, Kathmandu–Lhasa flights, private vehicle with driver in Tibet

Airport and station pick-ups, sightseeing and inter-city transfers are arranged by our ground team.

Overnight stops: Arrive Kathmandu · Kathmandu · Fly to Lhasa · Potala & Jokhang · Drepung & Sera · Yamdrok Lake · Norbulingka & Lhasa · Departure

Route

Route map

7 stops from start to finish

HyderabadStart
2KathmanduStop 2
3LhasaStop 3
4Kamba LaStop 4
5Yamdrok LakeStop 5
6LhasaStop 6
KathmanduFinish

Plan ahead

Best time & what to pack

Best time to visit

April to October (May–June and September–October are the most pleasant); Tibet is usually closed to foreign visitors for part of February–March

Things to carry

Original passport valid for at least 6 months, with blank pages
Warm layers: fleece, down jacket, thermals, cap and gloves
SPF 50 sunscreen, lip balm and UV sunglasses — the sun is intense at altitude
Comfortable walking shoes for the Potala steps
Personal medicines, including Diamox if your doctor advises
Reusable water bottle and electrolyte sachets
Do not carry images or books of the Dalai Lama or political material — customs checks are strict
Small notes for butter-lamp offerings

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Can Indian passport holders visit Tibet?

Yes, but only on an organised tour. You need a Chinese visa (for travel via Nepal this is a group visa issued in Kathmandu) plus a Tibet Travel Permit arranged by a licensed Tibetan agency. Independent travel is not allowed, and a licensed guide must accompany you at sites. Rules and closures are set by the Chinese authorities and can change at short notice.

How do I cope with Lhasa's altitude?

Lhasa is at 3,650 m and Yamdrok's pass at 4,794 m. We keep arrival day completely free, climb gradually and carry oxygen. Avoid alcohol and hot showers on day one, drink 3–4 litres of water daily, and consult your doctor beforehand if you have heart, lung or BP conditions.

Why must I submit my original passport?

The Chinese group visa is processed in Kathmandu using your original passport and takes a few working days, so we collect passports in advance or on arrival in Kathmandu. Your Indian passport will not carry a Chinese visa sticker on this route; the group visa is a separate document.

Can I take photographs inside the temples?

Photography is not allowed inside most chapels of the Potala and Jokhang; some monasteries charge a camera fee. Always ask before photographing monks or pilgrims.

Can this be combined with Kailash Mansarovar?

Yes. A Lhasa extension can be added before or after our Kailash yatra, overland via Shigatse, subject to permits being issued for that season.

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Policy

Cancellation & refunds

Refund by days before departure
When you cancel	Refund
30+ days before departure	90% refund
15–29 days before	75% refund
7–14 days before	50% refund
Less than 7 days	No refund

Cancel 30+ days before departure: 90% refund · 15–29 days: 75% · 7–14 days: 50% · under 7 days: no refund. Refunds go back to the original payment method within 7–10 working days. Cancel any time from My Trips — the refund is calculated instantly.

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