5 Days Lhasa Yamdrok Tour | Visit Tibet's Sacred Lake

You are here: HomeTibet ToursLhasa & Holy Lake Namtso Tour

If you want to explore beyond the palaces and temples in Lhasa, this is the tour for you. It covers the most highlighted attractions of Lhasa city as well as the breathtaking Yamdrok Lake scenery. You will spend two days visiting the landmarks of Lhasa first, then drive cross valleys and mountains to see Yamdrok Lake which is one of the most beautiful lakes on Tibetan Plateau. Among the three sacred lakes of Tibet, Yamdrok Lake is much easier to get. Looking from the summit of Kamlala Pass (4,990 m), you will get a stunning lake view of Yamdrok Lake which shapes like a coiling scorpion. You will also go to explore a rural Tibetan village near the lake shore to experience authentic Tibetan living. Just come to discover this pearl inset in the high plateau.

Highlights of this tour:

Be awed by the magnificent architecture, Buddhist statues, delicate murals and other precious collections cherished in Potala Palace;
Visit the famous monasteries and watch the monks debating scriptures with intense words and exaggerated gestures in Sera Monastery;
Discover the superb scenery of one of the sacred lakes – Yamdrok Lake.

Tour Brief Information

Tour price: from $829
1. This price is based on a group of 2 adult travelers who will take our private tour and share one standard rooms in regular local 4-star hotel in lower seasons.

2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.

3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2025.

4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1= RMB 6.85. The final quotation will be adjusted according to the latest real-time exchange rate.
Tour code: TD-LYT-05
Tour Type: Private escorted tour with Tibetan tour guide and private vehicle with experienced driver
Destination: Lhasa / Yamdrok Lake / Lhasa
Duration: 5 days and 4 nights
Departure: Flexible
Travel Theme:
Best Time:

Physical Level
Tour Pace
Tight
Max Altitude
5,030m

Itinerary Details
Price Guide & Booking
Trip FAQs
Reviews
Make an Enquiry

Your tour - at a glance

Day 1 Lhasa Arrival

Day 2~3 Lhasa City Tour

Day 4 Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Lhasa

Day 5 Lhasa Departure

Itinerary Details - Day by Day

Day 1 Lhasa Arrival

Welcome to the roof of the world! You will be picked up by local tour guide at Lhasa airport hall or train station, and then be escorted to check in your hotel in Lhasa city (3,650 m) in a private vehicle. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the local areas and acclimatize yourself to the air, temperature and high altitude of Lhasa.

High Altitude Acclimation Tips: 1) go for some leisure walking to acclimate the high altitude but avoid strenuous activity after arrival; 2) you'd better not have bath, in case of catching a cold; 3) drink more water, and have some fruit; 4) have a good rest...

How to Get to Lhasa: take a domestic flight from other cities like Chengdu, Beijing, Xian, Xining, Kunming, etc. or an international flight from Kathmandu, or take a train from China's other cities, like Chengdu, Xian, Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xining, Lanzhou, etc.

Lhasa Gonggar International Airport

Day 2 Lhasa City Tour (B)

Today you will visit popular attractions in Lhasa city and suburb to explore Tibetan culture. You will firstly go to visit the beautiful Norbulingka which used to be the former summer palace of Dalai Lamas in the ancient time, and now is a public park. Dotted with various kinds of precious flowers and plants, it is the genuine "Plateau Oxygen Bar". In addition to its magnificent buildings and colorful flowers, Norbulingka also features some big Tibet event activities during big festivals, like Tibetan shows in annual Shoton Festival. Next, drive several kilometers to the western outskirts of Lhasa to visit Drepung Monastery. Drepung, in Tibetan, means "prosperity". Since its establishment, Drepung Monastery has always been one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. In its heyday, there were more than 10,000 monks lived and studied in the monastery. Throughout its history, many important and famous Tibetan leaders used to study here, especially the Dalai Lamas. So Drepung Monastery is also respectfully known as the "Mother School of Dalai Lamas". You can also enjoy a panoramic view of Lhasa from Drepung Monastery.

In the afternoon, you will be taken to another famous monastery in Lhasa - Sera Monastery. It is famous for the spectacular "Buddhism Debating". As a daily routine, the monks gather in a courtyard, and debate on the Buddhist doctrines with supplemented gestures, which is thought to be helpful to facilitates better comprehension of the Buddhist philosophy to attain higher levels of study. After enjoying the "Buddhism Debating", you will be transferred back to the city. The rest time is your own free time to rest.

The Etiquette of Visiting Monastery: 1) you shouldn't wear short and uncover shoulders; 2) taking off your sunglasses and hat before entering the chapels; 3) taking photos is usually not allowed inside the chapels.

Norbulingka Summer Palace in October
Outside view of Sera Monastery
Drepung Monastery Roof

Day 3 Lhasa Potala Palace Tour (B)

Start today's Lhasa exploration with an exciting visit to the landmark - Potala Palace which is the home to the successive Dalai Lama as well as a great masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. The whole palace is divided into the White Palace - living quarters and office to deal with political and Buddhist affairs for Dalai Lamas, and the Red Palace where houses several stupas of previous Dalai Lamas, many historical relics and precious arts. After entering the gate of Potala Palace, you need to walk up about 30 minutes along the zigzag stone paths with white-and-red walls to the White Palace. Remember to ascend the steps slowly and take some stops for sightseeing and rest which will be helpful to reduce high altitude sickness. Then explore the palace in an orderly way from the White Palace to the Red Palace, and exit from the back side. After Potala Palace visit, go to enjoy a leisure stroll in Zongjiao Lukang Park, a lovely park with pleasant scenery built around the lake behind Potala Palace. It is a great place to experience local Tibetans' living styles as you can see local people gathering and chatting, taking exercise, walking the kora, feeding wild birds and ducks, etc. If your day is clear, you can take some great photos of the reflection of Potala Palace on the lake in the park.

Continuing your exploration, you will then get to Jokhang Temple which is considered as the spiritual center of Lhasa and the most revered religious structure of Tibet. In front of Jokhang Temple, you can see crowds of pilgrims polishing the flagstones with their prostration, which is truly a heart-touching scene you will ever see. This temple is also known as the "house of Buddha" because it keeps the precious Jowo Rinpoche, the life-sized (5 foot/1.5m) image of the Shakyamuni at the age of 12. Rise to the top floor of this temple, you can see savor the beautiful golden roof and the view of Potala Palace afar. The last site for today’s exploration is the famous Barkhor Street. It is a circular and wide street encircling the Jokhang Temple. The local people like to walk on the street for several circles usually in the late afternoon as a daily tradition of pilgrimage. The street also has many shops selling a wide variety of traditional Tibetan goods, religious items and handcrafts.

Optional Activity: If your physical strength permits, take a short climb to the viewing-deck of Chakpori Hill to take a panoramic photo of Potala Palace after your Potala Palace visit.

Tips of today: 1) taking photos is not allowed inside the palace; 2) today you will be mainly outside, please bring some water, a hat, sun cream, and sun glasses with you.

Barkhor Street
Tibetan and tourists enjoy the sunshine in the Jokhang Temple Square
Tibet Potala Palace with fabulous architecture

Day 4 Lhasa -Yamdrok (B)

After breakfast, leave Lhasa city, and drive to Yamdrok Lake, about 105km away from the holy city. Enjoy the bright stunning landscape of Ngachu Valley in the morning sunlight. Pass over the Kamba La Pass(altitude: 5,030m), you will get to the famous holy lake Yamdrok.

As the largest fresh lake in the northern of the Himalaya Mountains, Yamdrok Lake spreads about 675 square meters from south to north. Regard as the turquoise earrings scattered of Goddess among Tibetan, you can easily find its beauty but never reveal its full sight. Only looked at map or from upper height, Yamdork with a shape of eardrop lay in the mountains side. Meanwhile, viewed from different moment in the same angle, she will present you extremely rich colors with various kinds of blue, like a dreamland. View from a distance, you can have a wider sight to find local animals wandering through the fertile lakeshores, and some small Tibetan villages inhabiting in the valleys close to Yamdrok Lake.

After the sightseeing at Yamdrok, drive back to Lhasa. Take a good rest in Lhasa.

Tips of today: 1. Wear warm clothes to prevent from cold and wild; 2. Avoid strenuous activities.

Yamdrok Lake is as beautiful as a sapphire
Yamdrok Sheep Flocks

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.

Tips of 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 is arranged in the afternoon, please make sure you check out the hotel before 12pm.

Price & Service Guide

The quotation for this trip is $829 per person

1. This price is based on a group of 2 adult travelers who will take our private tour and share one standard rooms in regular local 4-star hotel in lower seasons.

2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.

3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2025.

4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1= RMB 6.85. The final quotation will be adjusted according to the latest real-time exchange rate.

What's included in this price?

Private professional English-speaking tour guide.
Private vehicle and Luggage Transfers.
Airport (or train) pick up and drop off.
All necessary Tibet travel permits.
All accommodations, based on double-occupancy. Medium standard accommodation with attached bathroom on twin sharing basis. Guesthouse or tent in remote areas.
All meals as listed in the itinerary. ( “B” for breakfast; “L” for lunch; “D” for dinner.)
Admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary.
Service Charge (the planning, handling, operational and communication charges) & government taxes.

What's excluded in this price?

China visa, all air tickets and train tickets to and from Tibet.
Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary.
Meals not listed in the itinerary.
Personal expenses such as laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional tour activities, etc.
Gratuities, tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc.

Value for money:

While the trip of a lifetime is priceless, we know value is a vital aspect for those deciding which tour to choose.

When comparing tour prices, be sure to compare like to like. Our tours are designed to ensure that our customers experience all the culture, history, and beauty that Tibet has to offer, and at a reasonable price.

A great way to enjoy the lowest possible price is to invite more people to join your trip to share the travel experience as well as the tour expense. The more people in a group, the lower the price per person. (We recommend you join our group tour if you are traveling alone. Please contact our travel consultant for more information)

Booking early is also an easy way to ensure the best rate! We highly recommend you contact us at least 1 month before your planned departure date.

FAQs of This Trip

Service Information- What is a private Tibet tour package?

Private Tibet Tour Package means you will have your own private local tour guide, private vehicle and private driver for your group. You don't have to share the vehicle with others. You tour guide will take care of only your group. With the help of your private tour guide, you will see more in Tibet, communicating with locals to learn about Tibetan lifestyle and culture.

You have the flexibility to arrange the group activities accorddingly, such as changing the visiting order of attractions or extending the visiting time of certain place. You can also stop on the road as you need.

If you are traveling with your family or a group of friends, a private tour for your group is ideal. As you have more people in the group, the price won't be much higher than a join-in group tour. It is a good way to save money and enjoy ultimate service.
Accommodation Information

In Tibet, the overall accommodation situation is not as good as many other parts of China. There are only a few star hotels available in Tibet. In remote areas like Mt. Everest base camp, Mt. Kailash, only guesthouse or tents are available for travelers.

We hand-picked the hotels in each city and areas for you to ensure you have reasonable places to stay while traveling in Tibet. They are in convenient locations and are as comfortable as the local can provide. We also tend to use hotels with unique Tibetan features.

In 3- or 4-star hotels in cities and towns like Lhasa, Tsetang, Shigatse and Gyangtse, you do not need to worry about sanitation. Though, it is a fact that traveling in Tibet is a bit hard. If you are going to remote areas like Mt. Everest or stay near the lakes, it is best to bring a sleeping bag to ensure that you have a nice sleep en route.

For trekking and cycling tours:

1, Stay in local hotel or guesthouse.
2, Stay in tent. (Camping facilities will be provided)
3, Stay in local Tibetan’s family
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!

Meals arrangement in trekking and cycling tours:

Service one: (recommended if you only have 1-2 people in your group and the trekking day is less than 3 days)
Our tour guide will take you to a local supermarket to buy the food you need for the trekking. You will need to bring some cash with you. We recommend energy bars, chocolate, water, fruit, and cookies. If the trekking length is less than 3 days, bringing food along can be a good way to lower the costs.

Service two:
Some of our tour guides are able to cook for customers for a little bit extra service charge. You can contact our travel consultants to see if it is possible to arrange this service for you. It can be difficult to arrange this service for you in peak season, so we can’t guarantee this service at the moment; however, we will try our best to provide this service for you.

Service three: (recommended if you have 5-6 people in your group)
We highly recommend you hire a cook for the trekking tour. As you will trek for average 5-6 hours per day which requires lots of energy, it is important to have proper meal during the trekking section. If you like, we will hire a chef to follow your tour and cook for you during the trekking. They can make sure you have hot food during trekking. They will carry all necessary cooking items and equipment including stove and utensils with them. Some cooks will teach you how to cook as well and make cakes with the group on the last day.

You can communicate with your cook and let them know what kind of meal you prefer. You may prescribe the menu for cooking and tell the cook whatever requirements you have.

Daily meal arrangement for your reference:

Breakfast: coffee, milk, eggs, bread
Lunch: rice and vegetables
Dinner: noodles or Spaghetti with vegetables
Our Tour Guide and Driver Information

Local Tour Guides
Our tour guides are born and raised in the regions we visit so they know all the potential difficulties and how to avoid them. They are highly trained, speak excellent English and know the local myths, traditions and history which they will share with you. Wherever you travel, our guides are the key that unlocks each destination and make the trip memorable and unique.

Private Driver and Vehicles
Our drivers have many years of driving experience in the areas and are very reliable. With Tibet Discovery, you can rest assured that we only use the highest quality vehicles available. We use mainly private vehicles, to ensure we get to our destinations as swiftly and smoothly as possible, as well as allowing the freedom and flexibility to stop and look around or stretch your legs.

If the tour is mainly around Lhasa, we usually choose to use a minivan as the road condition around Lhasa is pretty good, and the minivan costs less as well. If the tour is covering places with poor road conditions or the distances are quite far, we also offer 4WD off road vehicles.

Notes: Tipping is not traditional in China and was actually illegal until the 1980s. While Chinese do not expect tips from other Chinese, they have come to expect tips from Western travelers. Due to this, it is highly recommended that you tip your tour guides and drivers as they are aware that it is a “Western custom” and may worry that you were not happy with their service if they do not receive a tip.

i
Packing List: What should I bring along with me on the tour?

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.

Note: You don't have to worry about your luggage in trekking tours as we could hire abelly boy and Yak and Yak man to carry your luggage for you during the trekking section of the tour. It is an optional service.
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 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 20 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.
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.
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

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

Hello Wonder!

We are safely in Lhasa. Our train ride from Xining to Lhasa was fantastic; we didn’t have any problems. The night was short because the boys wanted to look at the stars and watch the sunrise. We saw many wild Tibetan animals for a couple hours after sunrise and then lots of yaks and sheep thereafter. No altitude sickness issues for any of us; so far we feel great. Thank you for checking in on us and providing the train and guide information. Thank you!!

Ellen

June 30, 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 Lhasa to Mount Everest Private Tour

Highlights: Potala Palace, Yamdrok Lake, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Mt. Everest

$1,599 / Details
Lhasa / Namtso / Lhasa

5 Days Lhasa Highlights & Holy Lake Namtso Tour

Highlights: Potala Palace, Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery, Namtso Lake

$839 / Details
Lhasa / Gyantse / Shigatse / Lhasa

7 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Golden Triangle Tour

Highlights: Potala Palace, Yamdrok Lake, Tashilumpo Monastery, Mt. Everest

$1,119 / 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