Welcome to Lhasa! Your guide will meet you at Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station and transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is for rest and acclimatization to the high altitude. Lhasa sits at 3,650 meters — it is important to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, and take it easy on arrival. Your guide will brief you on the cultural journey ahead over the next 7 days.

Full morning at the magnificent Potala Palace, the iconic winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. This 13-story UNESCO World Heritage Site sits atop Red Hill and contains over 1,000 rooms filled with ancient murals, Buddhist relics, and the burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas. After lunch, visit the sacred Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in Tibet, housing the revered Jowo Shakyamuni statue. End the day walking the Barkhor kora circuit with pilgrims and browsing the vibrant market.

Visit Drepung Monastery (8km west of Lhasa), once the world's largest monastery with up to 10,000 monks. Explore the Ganden Palace and main assembly hall. Then visit Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's beautiful summer palace with tranquil gardens. In the afternoon, head to Sera Monastery to witness the famous monks' debating session (3-5 PM), a lively tradition where monks engage in philosophical debate with dramatic hand gestures.

Depart Lhasa heading south. Cross the Karo La Pass (5,010m) with stunning views of the Nyenchen Tanglha range and massive glaciers. Stop at the turquoise Yamdrok Lake (4,441m), one of Tibet's three sacred lakes. Continue to Gyantse and visit the magnificent Pelkor Chode Monastery and the 9-tiered Kumbum Stupa, a masterpiece of Tibetan Buddhist architecture with 77 chapels filled with exquisite murals.

Short drive to Shigatse (3,900m), Tibet's second-largest city. Visit the massive Tashilhunpo Monastery, the historic seat of the Panchen Lama. The highlight is the 26-meter-tall gilded statue of Maitreya Buddha — the largest gilded statue in the world. Explore the nearby market and experience local Tibetan life.

Drive back to Lhasa along the scenic Yarlung Tsangpo River valley. The journey takes approximately 5-6 hours with several photo stops at traditional Tibetan villages and farmland. Arrive in Lhasa in the afternoon. Free evening for souvenir shopping at Barkhor Street or enjoying a traditional Tibetan sweet tea house.

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will transfer you to Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station according to your departure schedule, with plenty of time for check-in procedures. Bid farewell to the magnificent landscapes of Tibet. End of services. Tashi Delek! We hope this journey through the Roof of the World has left you with unforgettable memories of Tibet's majestic mountains, sacred monasteries, and warm-hearted people.