5 Days Budget Lhasa Namtso Lake Group Tour

You are here: HomeGroup Tibet Tours5 Days Budget Lhasa Namtso Lake Group Tour

It is not only a Buddhism culture experience tour, but also an enjoyable landscape sightseeing tour by combining both Lhasa and Namtso Lake into a single trip. At the same time, join in a group tour, you will save much money while meeting new friends. You will start your trip at Lhasa where you will spend two days to explore Tibetan culture and people, then take a day and night tour to the holy lake Namtso, then return to Lhasa. It is moderately challenging, as the maximum altitude is over 5,000 meters above sea level at Namtso area.

Highlights of this tour:

Explore authentic Tibetan culture and history by visiting the grand palaces, temples, streets in the holy city Lhasa, such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery Buddhism Debating, etc.;
Go to take a pleasant adventure to the holy lake Namtso which is the most beautiful lake on the Tibet Plateau;
Enjoy the budget price and great service of our well-arranged group tour packages.

Tour Brief Information

Tour code: TD-JT-05A
Tour Type: Join-in Small Group Tour
Destination: Lhasa / Namtso / Lhasa
Duration: 5 days and 4 nights
Departure: Fixed departure
Travel Theme:
Best Time:

Physical Level
Tour Pace
Medium
Max Altitude
5,190m

Itinerary Details
Departure & price
Included Services & Fees
Trip FAQs
Reviews
Make an Enquiry

Your tour - at a glance

Day 1 Lhasa Arrival

Day 2~3 Lhasa City Tour

Day 4 Lhasa - Namtso - Lhasa

Day 5 Lhasa Departure

Itinerary Details - Day by Day

Day 1 Lhasa Arrival

Tashi Delek! Welcome to the holy land Tibet. Upon arriving at Lhasa train station/airport, you will be picked up by your local tour guide and escorted to your pre-booked hotel in Lhasa. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the local area and acclimate yourself to the high altitude and weather of Lhasa. A welcoming dinner will be held to welcome all the members in group tour in the evening of today or tomorrow.

Tips for high altitude acclimatization: 1. Go for some walking to acclimate the high altitude but avoid strenuous activities; 2. You’d better not have bath; 3. Drink more water.

Our guide met our customer Bob in Lhasa Railway Station

Day 2 Lhasa (B, D)

Today is your second day in Lhasa. You will visit Drepung Monastery, Tibet Museum and Norbulingka to help you acclimatize yourself to Lhasa’s high altitudes and prepare for tomorrow’s Potala Palace visit.

Your tour guide will pick you up in your hotel, then drive about 30 minutes to visit the Drepung Monastery first. Known as the “mother school ” of Dalai Lamas, this Gelug monastery has a history of more than 500 years. It used to be the largest monastery in the world with totally 10,000 monks there. Many precious stupas, sculptures, paintings, Thangka...are displayed in the hundreds of chapels. And the annual Shoton Festival is organized here.

In the afternoon, take a captivating journey through Tibetan culture with a visit to the Tibet Museum. This enriching experience begins on the first floor, where compelling exhibits showcase the daily life of Tibetans. From traditional dietary practices to transportation, agricultural traditions to intricate handcraft techniques, and vibrant celebrations of Tibetan culture, immerse yourself in the unique customs that define this region. On the second floor, delve into Tibet's rich history, spanning from prehistoric times to contemporary urban development.

Following this museum visit, go to the beautiful Norbulingka, once the exclusive summer retreat for Dalai Lamas and now a breathtaking public garden. Adorned with precious flowers and plants, the garden offers a tranquil escape amidst the backdrop of traditional Tibetan architecture. Revel in the beauty of Norbulingka as you explore its grounds, connecting with the essence of Tibetan heritage.

1) You are not allowed to take photos inside the chapels of the monasteries, but photography of the architecture is allowed; 2) You should take off your hat and sunglasses to show respect when you entering a monastery. Wearing shorts and exposing shoulders are disrespectful; 3) Try to walk and talk quietly to not disturb the living and study of the monks in the monasteries.

Norbulingka Summer Palace in October
Enviado's family with group with Tibet Discovery
Exquisit Exhibits in Tibet Museum

Day 3 Lhasa (B)

After two days' acclimatization, you should be ready physical to defeat the uprising steps to reach the top of the Potala Palace. You will be picked up by your tour guide at your hotel, then go to explore Potala Palace, the symbol of Tibet, in the less-crowded morning. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Potala Palace is the highest (in altitude: 3,700 m) palace in the world. Because of its spectacular architecture style and magnificent Tibetan cultural value, it is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List, and honored as one of the most beautiful architectural buildings in the world. Originally built in the 7th century, Potala Palace is divided into two main parts: the White Palace and the Red Palace. After entering the gate, you will take about 30 mins to walk up along the stone steps to reach the White Palace, which is challenging for most of the tourists as the increasing of altitudes. You are advised to ascend slowly and make some stops to take rest and take photos of the grandiose architecture and panoramic scene of Lhasa city. The White Palace was the living quarters of the Dalai Lama and the office to deal with political and Buddhist affairs. Visit from the White Palace to the Red Palace where many historical relics and important stupas are housed, then exit Potala Palace from its back side.

After lunch, you'll visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Every day, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek here from long distances to worship the Jowo Rinpoche (or Jowo Shakyamuni), a life-sized (5 foot/1.5m) statue of the Shakyamuni of age 12 which is one of the most important treasure of entire Buddhist world. Lastly, walk the special circular pilgrimage route as local followers always do at Barkhor Street. You will have chance to get close to appreciate how the artists draw Thangkas at the Thangka workroom at Barkhor Street.

Tips for today: 1. Wear hat and sun glasses to prevent ultraviolet radiation, but remember to take off when visiting in Potala Palace. 2. Remember to bring your passport which is needed to showcase when check in Potala Palace.

Barkhor Street
Tibetan and tourists enjoy the sunshine in the Jokhang Temple Square
Potala Palace Reflection at Potala Palace Square

Day 4 Lhasa - Namtso - Lhasa/ 460 km, About 6 hrs' Drive (B)

Get up early and then drive about 3.5 hours to the holy lake - Namtso Lake. Along the road are endless plateau landscapes: yaks, sheep, grasslands, snow mountains. And you will pass the Lagenla Mountain Pass with the altitude of 5,190m. After arrival at Namtso Lake, you can take a rest, then go to explore the heavenly scenery around the Namtso Lake.

Namtso Lake is the highest saltwater lake in the world with an altitude of 4718 meters, also the second-largest saltwater lake in China (after the Qinghai Lake). For travelers, Namtso is the ideal place for photography, while for Tibetans, it is a sacred and magical lake for pilgrimage. In clear days the water is a stunning shade of turquoise. You will be surrounded by magnificent views of the nearby mountains. The wide open spaces, dotted with tents of local nomads, are breathtaking. You may also walk along the lake or climb up the hill near the lake to explore the area.

After Namtso Lake exploration, drive the same way back to Lhasa..

Tips for today: 1. Best time to visit Namtso is from June to September; 2. Wear warm and thick clothes to prevent from cold and wild. 3. You have to pay some money to the local peopale if you take photos with yaks and Tibetan Mastiff.

Our Guests visited Namtso Lake in Winter Time
Namtso Lake Yak
Local Tibetan Family Woman and Kid at Namtso Lake

Day 5 Lhasa Departure (B)

Today is free for you until your tour guide transfer you to the airport in time for your flight or drop you off at Lhasa train station. Tour ends. Thanks for traveling with Tibet Discovery!

Tips for today: 1) Please pack your luggage carefully, especially for small things like camera charger, power adaptor, mobile phone, phone charger, wallet and towel. 2) If your flight departs in the afternoon, please make sure you check out the hotel before 12pm.

Price Guide

What's included in this price?

Tibet Entry Permit and Alien's Travel Permit.
All meals as listed in the itinerary. (“B” for breakfast; “L” for lunch; “D” for dinner.)
Admission fee of all tourist sites in itinerary.
Professional Tibetan English-speaking tour guide.
Travel Agency Service Charge.
Transportation

Accommodation based on 3-star hotel twin sharing room with breakfast buffet in Lhasa.
Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance.
All accommodations, based on 3-star facility sharing twin room with breakfast buffet.
Welcome Tibetan Style dinner.

What's excluded in this price?

Single room supplement.
China visa, all air tickets and train tickets to and from Tibet.
Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary.
Meals not listed in the itinerary (all lunches and dinners).
Personal expenses such as laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional activities, etc.
Gratuities, tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc.
Excess Baggage Charges.

Free Transfer between Hotel and Airport (Train Station)

We provide complimentary transfers between hotels and the airport or train station, subject to availability and if your flight or train schedule aligns with our designated times. This service is exclusively offered to guests who have booked their accommodations in Lhasa through us.

Free Airport Transfer to Hotel in Lhasa

- Around 09:30 pick up travelers who arrive at Lhasa Gonggar Airport before 09:30 AM

- Around 13:00 pick up travelers who arrive at Lhasa Gonggar Airport before 13:00 PM

- Around 16:00 pick up travelers who arrive at Lhasa Gonggar Airport before 16:00 PM

Free Transfer to Airport from Hotel in Lhasa

- Around 06:00 pick up travelers who depart from Lhasa Gonggar Airport between 08:00 ~ 10:30 AM

- Around 08:30 pick up travelers who depart from Lhasa Gonggar Airport between 10:30 AM ~ 14:30 PM

- Around 12:30 pick up travelers who depart from Lhasa Gonggar Airport after 14:30 PM

1. We arrange shuttle buses to conveniently transport travelers to and from the airport, ensuring a collective transfer experience. 2. Please note that if you arrive at the airport significantly earlier than the designated time, you may need to wait for other travelers to join the shuttle bus. 3. In the event of a flight delay causing you to miss our designated airport pick-up time or if you prefer a private transfer, an additional fee will apply for the alternative arrangement.

We offer free pick-up and drop-off services at Lhasa Train Station on the fixed arrival and departure days for all train schedules.

Value for money & money-saving ideas:

We understand that value is an important factor when choosing a tour, even though the experience itself is priceless. Here are a few reasons why our tours offer great value for money:

Comprehensive Experience: Our tours are carefully designed to provide you with a complete immersion in Tibetan culture, history, and natural beauty. We ensure that you get the most out of your trip and create lasting memories.

Reasonable Pricing: When comparing tour prices, it's essential to compare like-to-like. Our tours are competitively priced to offer a balance between quality and affordability. We strive to provide excellent value for the experiences we offer.

Group Discounts: Inviting more people to join your trip is a fantastic way to enjoy the lowest possible price. As the group size increases, the cost per person decreases. If you are traveling alone, we recommend joining our group tour where you can share the travel experience and expenses with like-minded travelers. Feel free to contact our travel consultant for more information.

Early Booking Benefits: Booking your tour in advance is another way to secure the best rates. We highly recommend contacting us at least one month before your planned departure date to ensure availability and take advantage of any early booking offers.

By considering these factors and planning ahead, you can make the most of your budget while enjoying an enriching and fulfilling journey through Tibet.

FAQs of This Trip

What is a Tibet Group Tour?

Save money, make lifetime friends on the way!

Getting more people in the group is a great way to save money. Our group tour is very suitable for solo travelers and students. When inquiring, please ask our travel consultants if there are other people also travel alone and indicate if you would mind to travel with like-minded people.

Our group tour is a join-in tour. You will travel with other visitors from all over the world. You will share the costs of hiring vehicle, guides and accommodation with other visitors.

Our group size is from 2-20 people. To make sure the tour guide is able to take good care of everyone in the tour, there will be less than 8 people for most of our group tours. We had handled tours only had 3-4 peoples, which is like a private tour.
Recommended Tibet Packing List

For clothing, we suggest casual style and layered clothing because temperatures in Tibet vary greatly during a day. Down coat is necessary if you go beyond Lhasa and Shigatse to remote areas, e.g. the Everest Camp or further to Mt.Kailash. Sun glasses, sun block,moisture cream are necessary too.

For food, 2L of water each day, and some snacks. We also find the energy drink Red Bull is a great energy boost while traveling in Tibet.

For medicines, we suggest that you take some pain-killer pills with you and enough medicine for colds, diarrhea, nausea and fever. Some nasal ointment andthroat-moistening pills will be of great help for those who are sensitive tochilly weather conditions. Please consult your doctor prior to your travel toTibet. Medicine is a must for travelers to Tibet.
Tibet Travel Permits and China Visa

All foreign tourists and Taiwan tourists must apply for a Tibet Entry Permit issued by the TTB (Tibet Tourism Bureau) for entry to Lhasa or any other parts of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

We will take care of all necessary Tibet permits in all of our Tibet tours. It is included in the price quotation and it is part of our tour services. It's advisable to apply for your travel permits at least 10 days prior to your entry date. The earlier, the easier for us to get a permit for you.

Please tell us your real occupation when applying a tibet travel permit. Journalists and people involved with political matters (such asdiplomats and government officials) require more complicated procedures to beissued a permit.

A valid passport and a valid China visa is needed when applying a Tibet travel permit. The cost of a Chinese Visa is not included in our tour, so you have to apply for your China Visa in your country by yourself. If you have any question in terms of applying a China visa and filling out the application form, feel free to contact our Travel Consultant.
Meal Information

Breakfast: If you are staying in a star hotel, breakfast is usually included. If you are staying in a guesthouse or tent, breakfast is not included.

Lunch and Dinner:
We don’t usually include lunch and dinner in our tour itinerary. We do arrange lunch or dinner for you at your request though. However, we prefer to give you the freedom to choose the food you want and pay on the spot. From our previous customers' responses, we find that most of our clients prefer to leave the dinners open on their own so that they can enjoy some time to themselves. They can choose either to go to a local restaurant for a little adventure or to have a simple dinner in the hotel where they stay. They may also prefer to choose a restaurant which appeals to their own unique tastes.

We have created a list of our favorite restaurants in Tibet and hand-picked some local restaurants to recommend to our customers. In Lhasa, you can choose Chinese food, Western food, Tibetan food as well as Nepalese food and Indian food. In "off-the-beaten-road" destinations, choices are limited. Our tour guide will be more than happy to recommend good restaurants for you and take you to the restaurants available according to your tastes and preferred style of dishes. Soon you’ll develop your favorite Tibetan dishes!
Questions About Attractions and Tour Activities

Acclimatize: We suggest that you take it easy for your first few days in Tibet. Don't push yourself physically since your body will require some time to get used to the high altitude.

Photography: When photographing Tibetans, please be sure to get their permission first. Also, when inside the religious sites, please be aware that if photography is permitted. It is not allowed to take pictures while inside the halls of Potala Palace and JokhangTemple. Make sure you bring a flashlight if you want to see the inside of the monastery, though please ask for permission when taking pictures in the monastery. Some Monastery might charge visitors a 10-30RMB fee for taking pictures. Please ask your tour guide if you are not sure.

Free time: During the free time of your trip, like the rest of the first day and the last day before departure, you can walk around on your own and do some shopping if you wish.
High Altitude Sickness Information: How can I prepare for high altitude adjustment?

Anxiety is the common cause of mountain sickness. Our customers age range from 20 years old to 70 years old, there is no evidence that suggests that age has anything to do with the occurrence of mountain sickness.

Taking a Tibet tour with Tibet Discovery, our tour guide will take care of you and give advice on how to avoid high altitude sickness on arrival. A bottle of oxygen will be prepared for each person for emergency use when the tour includes visiting places like Mt. Everest, Lake Namtso, Mt. Kailash and activities like trekking and biking. Always remember that if you have any problems or feel uncomfortable, please tell your guide immediately or contact our travel consultant.
Tibet Discovery’s Service and Value
Tibet Discovery’s Service and Value:

Travel Insurance: We provide a limited Accident/Casualty Insurance in Tibet through China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance which only covers accidents that occur within Tibet. This policy’s indemnity is relatively low, so if you would like a more inclusive plan, then it is best to purchase one in your home country before your departure.

Refund Policy: Cancellations made…
30 or more days prior to departure result in a 90% refund
29-15 days prior to departure result in an 80% refund
14-7 days prior to departure result in a 70% refund
6-2 days prior to departure result in a 50% refund
Less than 2 days prior to departure or a no show result in no refund.
Note: Additional cancellation fees, if applicable, imposed by the service providers other than Tibet Discovery tours (i.e. flight ticket booking, train ticket booking, hotels reservation, etc.) will be deducted from the money refunded. While this is the official policy, in cases where our customers face unexpected and unavoidable problems, we can sometimes offer a more generous refund.

Before the trip: Before your trip, feel free to contact our Travel Consultants for any further information you need. All of our tours are fully customizable, so if you are not satisfied with any part of a tour pakage, just let us know and our expert Travel Consultants will do their best to design the perfect tour for you.

During the trip: If you have any questions or concerns during your trip, please do not hesitate to contact us. Your Travel Consultant will do his or her best to resolve any problems you have and ensure that your trip runs as smoothly as possible.

After the trip: Once you have returned home and have had a chance to settle back in, we’d love to hear from you. We welcome your comments, suggestions, pictures, and whatever else you want to share with us about your trip. We are always striving to improve our customers’ experiences, and also love to hear about their adventures!
Best time to visit Tibet

Best time to go:

Peak Season: June, July, August, September (June to October 15th )
In July and August, the crowds will be considerably larger and the costs for vehicle, food, accommodation, and tour guides are higher. June-August generally has great weather, though during July and August, Tibet tends to be extremely crowded as many Chinese travel there for their summer vacation. As July and August is the peak season to travel to Tibet. We highly recommend you avoid those two months to reduce the costs.

Best Value: April, May, and Late October to November (April 16th to May 31st)
Late April to Early June, late October to November is the best value time to go, as the weather still nice and the cost is considerably less. The tour costs between this time is usually a few hundred dollars cheaper than peak season.

Shoulder Season: Late November December, January, February, early April (Nov 16th to April 15th)
December-February tends to be a slow period for travel to Tibet. The weather is generally quite cold, though there will be no crowds like there are during the peak season. Another benefit to traveling during the shoulder season is that prices are considerably lower. The view might not be as vivid but you can enjoy another side of Tibet.

Note: Above information applies to most Tibet tours. For specific best travel time, please contact our travel consultant.

Reviews of This Trip

Still not sure if this trip suits you? Read what other travelers think about this Tibet trip. We only accept reviews from confirmed travelers who purchased the tour / activity from us, so you can be sure the reviews are unbiased and authentic.

Hello Elk,

I can't leave without thanking you so much for making it possible for me to come here and enjoy every second of it. I'll be back. To continue exploring because I have to go to my father's town. To each of our guides, a thousand blessings for your attention and care for us... and don't forget. I'm your long-distance friend. I will highly recommend your work and that of all of you.

Regards,

Evelia

September 22, 2025

Hi Tracy,

On behalf of Marta, thank you very much for the birthday greetings and the nice present. We are now back at home. The trip has been an incredible experience, very well organized, the guides and transport superb, we have had a very complete view of the variety of your great country in just 18 days, something impossible to do without your very professional organization.

Thank you very much and no doubt that if we plan to go again in the future or any friend asks us, we will recommend your company.

Regards,

Miguel

November 5, 2025

Dear Tracy,

I want to thank you for all your work that you have done to make sure our trip to China was a success, that all parts of the plan fit together, and everything was running smoothly.

We took some photos with them and attached here. You can send to them.

And I have answered the questions below for you to check.

It was a great trip where we enjoyed getting to know your country with its ancient history, beautiful views and amazing modern architecture. We found everyday Chinese people warm hearted and always willing to come to the rescue of a visitor despite the lack of common language.

I would like to mention to you some of our outstanding guides who we met along the way:

In Beijing we were welcomed by Linda who has encyclopedic knowledge of Chinese history, traditions and culture. She was incredible, so warm hearted, so welcoming, so patient. When we were parting with her at the Beijing Train Station, we truly felt we were leaving a friend behind.

In Lhasa my wife unfortunately fell ill affected by the high-altitude sickness, and our guide Tenzin did everything in his power and beyond making sure my wife was the most comfortable having access to medications, oxygen concentrator at the hotel day and night, while taking me to the scheduled tours. He was extremely caring and comforting and even called us after we left Lhasa for Chengdu to inquire about my wife's health.

In Chengdu we enjoyed the company of Kevin who showed us around and answered all our endless questions about Great Pandas, recommending good places to eat and visit on our own afterhours.

In Guilin Stephen was absolutely fantastic! He was so friendly, so warm hearted, trying to foresee every need, making sure we have the best access to everything, answering all our questions, presenting his native city and the country in the best light, making sure we understand the history and the culture. Besides, when my clothes got ruined due to rain, he helped us to shop for the new clothes after finishing the scheduled daily tour.

Your company has a tremendous team of people who made our trip an exceptional one, and we thank you all for making this trip a trip of a lifetime!

Best regards,

Eugene and Helen

September 22, 2025

Useful Trip Notes

Recommended Tibet Group Tour Packages

Escorted by a skilled driver and companied by a professional local tour guide to organize all the activities, all you have to do is to enjoy your fantastic Tibet journey.Following are some other recommended Tibet group tour packages that you may be interested in. You can also contact us to customize a trip if you want..

Lhasa / Gyantse / Shigatse / Everest / Lhasa

8 Days Tibet Highlights Group Tour with Mt. Everest

Highlights: Potala Palace, Yamdrok Lake, Palcho Monastery, Everest Base Camp

$908 / Details
Lhasa / Gyantse / Shigatse

6 Days Lhasa Gyantze Shigatse Classic Tour

Highlights: Potala Palace, Yamdrok Lake, Palcho Monastery, Tashilunpo Monastery

$712 / Details
Lhasa / Namtso Lake - Lhasa

6 Days Lhasa Namtso Highlights Private Tour with Breathtaking Holy Elephant Heaven Gate

Highlights: Potala Palace, Namtso Lake (Sacred Elephant Heaven Gate), Ganden Monastery, Drak Yerpa

Request / Details

Prefer to tailor a trip that totally suits your requirements and interests? Our 20+ professional, helpful and friendly travel experts are ready to help! Tell us your needs, and one of our experts will get to you with trip details within 0.5~23.5 hrs. You can also call us at 86-28-85227275 / 86-28-85223672.

Customize your trip