Welcome to Shigatse
Tibet’s second-largest city and the traditional capital of Tsang province, Shigatse (གཞི་ཀ་རྩེ་; 日喀则; Rìkāzé) is a modern, sprawling city, with wide boulevards humming with traffic. As you drive in across the plains, the sight of the Potala-lookalike Shigatse Dzong, high on a hilltop overlooking the town, will probably fire your imagination, but the fort is empty and most of what you see dates from a 2007 reconstruction. It is Tashilhunpo Monastery that is the real draw here. Since the Mongol sponsorship of the Gelugpa order in the 17th century, Tashilhunpo has been the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second most important spiritual figure in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama.
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Shigatse activities
Tibet 8-Day Tour including Mount Everest Base Camp
Day 1: Arrival in LhasaThe airport shuttle bus leaves Lhasa Airport at 12:30 and 16:00. Overnight at Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel Tibet 4-starDay 2: Lhasa (B)Pickup from hotel lobby at 8 a.m. Visit the Potala Palace, Barkhor Street, and Jokhang Temple. Overnight at Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel Tibet 4-starDay 3: Lhasa (B)Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. Drepung is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Sera was famous for its debates.Overnight at Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel Tibet 4-starDay 4: Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse (B)Coach from Lhasa to Shigatse via the old mountain route. You'll stop at the sacred Yamdrok Lake, pass the striking Karo-La Glacier 16,273 feet (4960 meters) above sea level, and visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery in Gyantse. You'll arrive in Shigatse, the spiritual home of the Panchen Lama. Overnight at Tashichota Hotel Shigatse 3 star or similar Day 5 - Shigatse to Tingri to Rongbuk Coach transfer westwards on the Friendship way to Tingri, and then to Rongphu Monastery Kent. It takes eight hours on the road. On the way to Rongbuk Kloster, you’ll come across four high mountains capped with snow: Mt. Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Cho oyu peak.Overnight at Rongphu Monastery KentDay 6 - EBC to Rongbuk to Tingri to ShigatseSee the sunrise from Rongpuk. Then you will be transferred by coach to Everest Base Camp. You will admire the majestic Mt. Everest and take some fantastic pictures. Transfer back to Shigatse.Overnight at Tashichota Hotel Shigatse 3-star or similar Day 7 - Shigatse to LhasaIn the morning, visit Tashilunpo Monastery, one of the oldest and largest Gelug sect monasteries in Tibet, Tashilunpo Monastery is also the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lama. Later today transfer back to Lhasa, and drive through the green farmland of Nyangchu Valley. Overnight at Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel Tibet 4-starDay 8 - Depart from Lhasa Airport shuttle bus leaves at 7:30 and 11:00 from your hotel. Fixed Departure Dates in 2018Apr: 1, 4, 9, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29May: 2, 5, 8, 13, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30Jun: 3, 6, 11, 13, 17, 20, 24, 26Jul: 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29Aug: 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29Sep: 2, 5, 8, 10, 12, 16, 19, 22, 26, 28, 30Oct: 17, 21, 24, 28, 30Nov: 6, 10, 13, 20, 23, 27, 28Dec: 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 29If your preferred tour date is not in the list, please check with local tour operator if any person has signed up the same day. A new group will be created if 5 adults sign up for the new tour date eventually (Plan A), or full refund guarantee (plan B).
Holy Mt Kailash and Mansarovar Yatra
Day 1 : Arrive Kathmandu:We will receive you at the Airport and transfer you to your accommodation at Thamel Eco ResortDay 2 : Kathmandu Sightseeing:Historic temple and city tour-:Pashupatinath,Boudhanath, Patan Durbar Square etc.Day 3 : Lhasa arrival:Fly to Lhasa and take you to the Hotel. sightseeing few of the place in Lhasa which includes Bharkhor and Jokhang Temple.Day 4 : Acclimatize and Explore Lhasa:Flying to an elevation of 3400 from 1300,humanbody requires time to acclamation. This day will be spent explore more of the Tibetan kingdom. Day 5 : Lhasa to Shigatse: Drive to Shigatse which is the 2nd largest city of Tibet. Built in 1447 by the first Dalailama the Tashillunpo Monastery in Shigatse is a very important monastery as it is known as seat of the Panchan LamaDay 6 : Shigatse to Saga:drive to Saga, another long day of driving. Enjoy Tibetan landscape, passing through small villagesDay 7 : Saga to MANSAROVAR:Continue the drive to Mansarovar (4750m ),driving through Mayumla pass 5100m. Enjoy the vast Tibetan plateau, where the landscape changes from sandy dunes to rocky vistas, to savannah.Day 8 : Rest day in Manasarovar, Havan Puja and Hike around: Havan worship/rest/acclimatisation at Lake Manasarovar. Experience being in the abode of God, it is a lifetime achievement: puja, havan worship, meditation, Holy bath, tarpan etcDay 9 : Manasarovar to Derapuk via Darchen:Drive Darchen 45 km and then to Tarboche (7 km) and trek to Derapuk (12 km) First day of Parikrama. Trekking time: 6 to 7 hours, and a drive of about 13 km. to TarbocheDay 10 : Derapuk to Zuthulpuk: Second day of the Parikrama we trek 15 km from Diraphuk to Dolma La Pass (5650m / 18,532ft) to Zhutulpuk Valley (4760m / 15,613ft). Trekking time: 9 to 10 hours.Day 11 : Zuthulpuk to Saga: Trek for 6 KM and then drive to Darchen for Lunch and drive to Saga.Day 12 : Saga to Sighatse: Drive to Shigatse via Lhatse. This will be a long day drive, so make sure you have enough snacks.Day 13 : Sighatse to Lhasa:Morning after breakfast we drive back to Lhasa.Day 14 : Lhasa to Kathmandu:Morning departure from Lhasa to Kathmandu. You will be received at the airport, afternoon free for shopping, evening we will take you for culture show and dinner.Day 15 : Departure Kathmandu:After breakfast we will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport for final Departure
EVEREST BASE CAMP TOUR
8 Days Everest base camp tour from Lhasa to Nepal via newly opened Kyirong border takes you to visit the most charming places in central Tibet including the Potala Palace, Jokang temple in Lhasa which are the world heritage listed sites and the great monasteries of Drepung and Sera where they have a very rich Tibetan culture relics and monks who are studying Tibetan Buddhist philosophy which has more than 2500 years history. 8 Days Everest base camp tour from Lhasa to Nepal takes you to the most beautiful Turquoise lake called Yamdrok lake and you will enjoy a beautiful Tibetan villages, glacier, the old town of Gyantse which was a very important town to do trade between India and Tibet in the olden days and it is the largest agricultural land in Tibet now. In Gyantse you will visit Palchoe monastery and Kubum pagoda stupa which has over six hundred years history. After Gyantse, you will continue to Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet where it has 18 counties under it's administration and they are mostly farmers. Visit Tashi Lhunpo monastery, the seat of the Penchen Lama, the second most revered and respected Tibetan high Lama. 8 Days Everest Base Camp Tour from Lhasa to Nepal takes you to the world's highest mountain peak of Everest and it's base camp via crossing several high Himalayan Mountain ranges including Gyatsola pass and Geula or Pangla pass at over 5000mts. From the top of Geula or Pangla pass, you will have a fantastic view of five great snow mountain peaks which are Mount Everest, Mount Jo Oyu, Mount Shisha Pangma, Mount Lhotse, Mount Makalu respectively. Driving to Rongbuk monastery, the world's highest mountain and enjoying fantastic view of Mount Everest just right infront of you and then continue your journey to Kyirong border via beautiful Pekutso lake. Kyirong is the birth place of Milarepa, a great Tibetan Yogi in 11th century and there is also a sacred caved of Mila Repa which you will pass by when you drive down the Kyirong gorge. 8 Days Everest Base Camp Tour from Lhasa to Nepal finally cross the newly opened Kyirong border between China Tibet and Nepal and continue your journey through one of the most popular Langhtang valley and it's national park and getting to Kathmandu, the ancient city as well as the capital city of Nepal.
4-Days Top Tibet Tour with Everest BC and Travel Permits
Day 1: Lhasa - Yamdrok-Karola Glacier-Gyantse-Shigatse (354 km, 12 hours) Today we will start the driving in the west direction to reach the 2nd largest city in Tibet, the Shigatse city. First we will drive along the wind mountain road to cross the Kampa-la pass (4797m) and then to Karo-la Pass (5050m), where Mt. Noijin Kangsang (7026m) Glacier lies beside the main road. In the middle, we will enjoy the unreal turquoise waters of the holy lake Yamdrok-Tso. Then we will continue to drive to Gyantse town, where we will visit the best Tibetan art paintings in Kumbum Stupa inside the Pelkor Chode Monastery. Also we admire the majestic Gyantse Dzong Cassle overlooking the valley. The one and half hour journey to northwest of Gyantse takes us to Shigatse city finally before dinner. Overnight: Gesar Hotel or similar if late booking Day 2: (B) Shigatse - Mt. Everest Base Camp (211 mi/340 km, 9-11 hours) Today we will head to Everest Base Camp. First, we will reach Shegar and visit Rongphu Monastery. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and from there you can see Mt. Everest like a pyramid. After that, we will drive to the campsite. And we may trek 4 km around one and half hours to Everest Base Camp. Alternatively you can take a local bus to get there (the bus fee RMB 25 per person is to be paid to the bus directly if you prefer to take bus). If weather permitting, the glorious sunset of Mt.Everest will be the highlight of the day. Overnight: Nomad Tents house or Rongbuk Monastery guest house (depends on the season and availability) Day 3: Everest Base Camp - Shigatse (211 mi/340 km, 8-10 hours) Wake up early to be ready for the Everest peak sunrise view! After breakfast on your own, we can trek or take the local bus to Everest B.C to have closer view to Mt. Everest peak, This may takes 2-3 hours for the whole sightseeing. And then around 10:30 am, we will leave the campsite to Shigatse. The actual time arrangement will be reconfirmed with tour guide and driver per the weather situation in the season. Overnight: Gesar Hotel or Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel or similar category hotel if late booking (twin share room basis) Day 4: (B) Shigatse - Lhasa (272 km, 7-9 hours) We will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in the 15th century by the first Dalai Lama, while the seat of Panchen Lama nowadays. We recommend to do Kora around Tashilhunpo. Also you can walk in the local Tibetan traditional market. After we finish the trip, we will drive back to Lhasa.Overnight: hotel by yourself
10-12 Days Tibet Travel Permits Pass for Flexible Tours
All foreign travelers have to have legal and valid Tibet travel permits to travel in Tibet. And there are many different types of permits while entry and travelling in Tibet. No mater where you go in and/or out of Lhasa during your time in Tibet, the Tibet travel permits must be prearranged as early as possible. Given different travel destination you may consider to visit, additional permit of Alien's travel permit maybe necessary as well. This permits pass gives travelers maximum travel flexibility to book for any additional tours, however the additional tours are limited for places of Tsetang (Yumbulagang Palace, Samye Monastery, Tramdruk Monastery, Tombs of Tibetan Kings), Lake Yamdrok, Karola Glacier, Lake Namtso, Pelkhor Monastery at Gyantse, Tashilhunpo Monastery at Shigatse, Sakya Monastery, Mt. Everest Base Camp and the Lake Draksumtso in Nyingchi in east of Tibet. If travelers's destination covers Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, please book 15-22 days Kailash travel pass at least 40 days in advance.
8-Day Best Everest Group Tour with Flexible Lhasa Tour Booking after Arrival
Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa by yourselfFrom Lhasa airport, it is very easy to book the Airline Shuttle bus ticket with Chinese currency (RMB 30 per person) at the ticketing office just beside the main gate when you check out of Lhasa Gonggar Airport. The one hour shuttle bus takes you to the final bus stop nearby Potala Palace. From here please take taxi or pedicab to your hotel. Rest well for acclimatization. Hotel by yourselfDay 2: Book Optional Day Tour by yourself: Norbulinka and Sera Monastery, hotel by yourselfDay 3: Book highlight day tour before arrival in Lhasa: visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Streets, hotel by yourself Day 4: Lhasa -Yamdrok-Karola Glacier-Gyantse- Shigatse (354 km, 4-5 hours)Today we drive in the west direction to reach the Shigatse city. First we will drive along the wind mountain road to cross the Kampa-la pass (4797 m) and then to Karo-la Pass (5050 m), where Mt. Noijin Kangsang (7026 m) Glacier lies beside the main road. In the middle, we will enjoy the unreal turquoise waters of the holy lake Yamdrok-Tso. Then we will continue to drive to Gyantse town, where we will visit the best Tibetan art paintings in Kumbum Stupa inside the Pelkor Chode Monastery. Overnight in Shigatse Gesar Hotel or similar if late booking Day 5: Shigatse - Everest Base Camp (340 km, 7-10 hours)Today we will head to EBC. First, we will reach Shegar.After that, we will drive to the campsite. And we may trek 4 km about 1 hour to Everest Base Camp. Alternatively you can take a local bus if you do not walk (the bus fee RMB 25 per person is to be paid by yourself). If weather permitting, the glorious sunset of Mt.Everest will be the highlight of the day. Overnight: Nomad Tents (if available) or Guesthouse at Tashitsong or Rongphu (depends on season and availability)Day 6: Everest Base Camp - Shigatse (340 km, 7-10 hours)Wake up early for the Everest peak sunrise view if weather permitting! After breakfast on your own, we can trek or take the local bus to Everest B.C to have closer view to Mt. Everest peak. And then around 10:30 am we will visit Rongphu Monastery, after that we will drive back to Shigatse. The actual time arrangement will be reconfirmed with tour guide and driver per the weather situation in the season. Overnight: same hotel as above Day 7: Shigatse-Tashilhunpo Monastery-Lhasa (272 km, 7-10 hours) Day 8: Final Departure