Glimpse of Tibet Tour

5.0/5 from 622 reviews
  • Destination
    Tibet
  • Duration
    5 Days
  • Trip Difficulty
    Moderate
  • Activities
    Cultural Tours
  • Accommodation
    3-Star Hotel
  • Meals
    Breakfast
  • Group Size
    Min. 2 Pax
  • BEST TIME
    Jan - May and Sept - Dec

Discover the cultural treasures of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Glimpse of Tibet Tour takes you to ancient Buddhist monasteries, palaces of the Dalai Lama, and Barkhor Square. Sitting under the shadow of Red Mountain, the city of Lhasa has a rich cultural heritage. It was the chosen capital of Tibetan Emperor Songsten Gampo and the Dalai Lamas in the later centuries.

Known to the world as the forbidden city at the ‘Roof of the world’, this mystical city stirred the imaginations of many explorers from the western lands. Now in the twenty-first century, Lhasa continues to inspire travelers. Our guess is you are probably one among them. So please do get on board and join this exciting tour!

There are three ways of getting into Lhasa – by flight, train, or overland drive. You can use any mode of transport to get into the city. Your trip begins once you arrive in Lhasa. Our knowledgeable local guide will take you on a tour of discovery to the city's heritage sites, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

You will get to explore the palatial Potala Palace, the winter residence of the Dalai Lama. This impressive palace built in the traditional style dominates the skyline of Lhasa. Showcased inside the palace are Buddhist relics, ancient scroll paintings, mausoleums, and artifacts of the former Dalai Lamas.

Take a walk through the busy Barkhor Square and step inside the sacred Jokhang Temple, one of the holiest and oldest Buddhist temples in Tibet. Observe the pilgrims prostrating and praying in front of the temple.

Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama has beautiful gardens and ponds. It is the favorite picnic spot of local Tibetans and you can see families enjoying their day out.

At Sera and Drepung Monasteries you can meet the monks and watch their debates. These monasteries are important centers of learning for Tibetan monks. If permitted, you can enter the large assembly halls and observe the Buddhist rituals and prayers offered by the lamas.

A visit to Ganden Monastery, one of the three chief monasteries of the Gelugpa Sect, is also included in this five-day Glimpse of Tibet Tour. The monastery is located about an hour and a half drive from the main city.

Perched on top of the Wangbur Mountain, this monastery was built by the founder of the Gelugpa Sect Je Tsongkhapa in the fifteenth century. His mortal remains are buried inside the monastery's grounds. The monastic area houses many chapels and assembly halls. Not many tourists visit Ganden Monastery because of its location. Therefore you can enjoy your exploration in peace.

Although Glimpse of Tibet Tour can be done throughout the year, weather conditions in winter can be a bit extreme. It snows in winter and the temperatures dip below freezing point. The best seasons for this tour is spring, autumn, and summer.

As Lhasa lies at an elevation of 3,656 meters above sea level, there is less oxygen in the air. It's normal to feel a bit out of sorts on your arrival. We advise you to take a rest on the first day, keeping physical activity to a minimum. Drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated throughout your stay. This will help keep altitude sickness at bay.

You need to be reasonably healthy and fit to complete this tour. The trip involves easy walking on flat surfaces and stair climbing. If suffering from respiratory or cardiac illness, do consult your doctor before booking this trip.

The short duration of this tour (five days) makes it a perfect trip to be enjoyed on a short vacation with family and friends.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Lhasa by Plane/Train

Upon arrival, you will be received by our Tibetan guide at the airport/train station. Then transfer to Lhasa. Check in at the hotel. It's advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa's altitude.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Lhasa.

Day 02: Sightseeing Tour in Lhasa

We spend our day visiting several monasteries in Lhasa in the company of a guide and interpreter. One of these is the Sera Monastery, a best-preserved monastery in Tibet within its whitewashed walls and golden roofs. After lunch we visit Norbulingka, a summer palace of the Dalai Lama and the Jokhang Temple, a most sacred shrine in Tibet. Surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkor - a maze of narrow cobbled streets that is the central market of Lhasa.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Lhasa, Breakfast included.

Day 03: Second day sightseeing tour in Lhasa

We visit Potala Palace in the morning. It is a palace that dominates the city of Lhasa. It is a spectacular building containing private quarters of the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand state rooms and many important chapels. There has been a Palace on this site since the 5th or 6th century, but the present Palace was constructed in the 17th century. After lunch, we visit the Drepung Monastery, which was founded in the 14th century. It used to be the largest monastery in the world, with a population of around 10,000 monks. These days the number has fallen down to hundred.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Lhasa, Breakfast included.

Day 04: Lhasa to Ganden Monastery 60 kilometers east of Lhasa

Today, we shall explore the Ganden Monastery (Ganden Namgyan Ling) which is one of the Tibet’s three great and pristine Gelug university monasterie. Ganden was founded by the Great Tsongkhapa in 1409 and lies 40km northeast of Lhasa. On our drive to Ganden, we’ll enjoy the views of beautiful Kyichu River (Lhasa River). The mountain views continue on throughout the drive and you can see the spectacular monastery located peacefully on the mountain top.

The, we shall visit the Genden Monastery chapels. Later, visit the tomb of the Gelupa founder, Tsongkhapa. After we end our Ganden Monastery exploration, we will move towards Tibetan farmer’s village to get to know their life better.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Lhasa, Breakfast included

Day 05: Depart from Lhasa

Our tours ends today! Your guide will drop you at the train station or airport for your onward journey.

Cost Includes

  • All ground transportation by private vehicle, including airport transfers
  • Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Lhasa
  • Tibet travel permits and Chinese Group visa arrangements (visa fee not included)
  • Licensed Tibetan guide approved by the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB), including salary, meals, accommodation, and insurance
  • All activities mentioned in the itinerary, including entrance fees and guided tours
  • All applicable government taxes and service charges

Cost Excludes

  •     Lunches and dinners during the tour (approx. USD 25 per day)
  •     Travel insurance (mandatory for all travelers)
  •     Nepal entry and re-entry visa fees
  •     International flights or trains to/from Lhasa
  •     Chinese visa fee: USD 215 for U.S. citizens, USD 85 for citizens of other countries
  •     Personal expenses such as shopping, beverages, and additional snacks
  •     Tips for guides and drivers (at your discretion)

Travellers‘ Reviews

Read our genuine feedback from past travelers with Nepal Hiking Team sourced from TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and Trustpilot.

  • Outstanding Service from Nepal Hiking Team-A True Gem!

    I recently used Nepal Hiking Team to organize my trip to Tibet, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From start to finish, their communication was clear, prompt, and professional, which made the entire planning process smooth and stress-free.

    The trip itself was very well-organized, and everything went exactly as planned. The pricing was reasonable, especially given the high level of service provided. What really stood out was their exceptional customer service—friendly, attentive, and always ready to help.

    Nepal Hiking Team is truly a gem in the travel industry. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy company to plan their adventure in the region.

    F
    - Excellent

    Ms. Flier

    1st Jul 2025
  • Exciting and most memorable experience

    Experience of a lifetime! Leading up to the trip, I felt some excitement and uncertainty because I was traveling from New Jersey to Nepal, so it was a trip to the other side of the world. Also knowing we were going to trek to the highest region in the world.

    Once we arrived in Kathmandu, we met up with our guide (Bhim). After a few minutes of talking with him, I felt a sense of calm and my excitement of joy grew from there. And I was right he and his team made sure we had the best experience possible.

    The full trek going and coming was incredible. Our guide, Bhim, made sure we had the best experience. Can’t say enough of how wonderful he and his team made this one for the books!

    I highly recommend booking with this company and Bhim! Namaste!

    O
    - Excellent

    Mr. Oscar A

    12th Nov 2024
  • Solo Traveler

    I just completed trekking in Nepal together with another solo traveler. The service of Nepal Hiking Team was exemplary from the start till the end. Nothing beats word-of-mouth good reviews. 

    Mr. Ganga has been very responsive to queries from Day 1 and was physically present even on the last day to officially close the loop for the package tour.

    Our guide Bibek was very patient and sincere as he led us through the trek. He resolved issues with his heart and people skills and gave assurance whenever plans suddenly changed.

    He ensured things were changed for the better. Our porter, Rajendran, was also good and always arrived ahead of time to ensure our rooms were confirmed.

    - Guided by Bibek Dhamala

    N
    - Excellent

    Ms. Norleen A

    21st Oct 2024
  • Amazing experience thanks to our 5-star guide/porter team

    We had the best time in Nepal. The beautiful views and warm hospitality of the Nepali people are truly unparalleled.

    Instrumental to our amazing experience were our guide, Netra, and porter, Vasu.

    We were super well taken care of. Netra was quick to assess our physical abilities and was able to effectively set the pace for our hikes. He had very good knowledge of the route and terrain. Importantly, this was our first time attempting a hike at a high altitude, so he took extra care to check on us regularly.

    On a personal note, proper gear, including a powerful down jacket for -20 degrees Celsius and a proper hiking backpack, is super essential.

    Overall, I would highly recommend the Nepal Hiking Team and Netra/Vasu for your Nepal adventure!

    G
    - Excellent

    Ms. Gen T

    14th Oct 2024
  • Fabulous Trip – Excited for Many More with NHT

    We were a group of 17 people from California who had been preparing for a year for this trip. Nepal Hiking Team was referred to us by one of my friends. After talking to & interviewing several companies, NHT seemed very responsive, cost-effective & experienced. After the trip, they proved us nothing less.

    Their guides are top-of-the-line, very kind, and helpful. They made sure we all were prepared for the next day, set our expectations rights, & guided us through managing altitude sickness.

    We all made it to Nepal and came back happy and healthy.

    We all thank NHT for making our dream come true, and looking forward to many more with them.

    S
    - Excellent

    Ms. Shaili A

    8th Oct 2024
US$ 995Per Person
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