Things to do in Tibet
Visit Lhasa’s monasteries & palaces
At 3,490m, Lhasa is one of the highest cities on earth – but this has not deterred its inhabitants from constructing some of the world’s most astounding religious buildings here. The most famous of all is Potala Palace, the stunning former residence of the Dalai Lamas since the 7th century. Sat atop a hill in the middle of the city, this red and white palace dominates the landscape and its rammed earth walls contain over 1,000 rooms.
5km west of Lhasa, Drepung Monastery is the largest in Tibet; in its heyday it housed some 10,000 monks. Drepung was founded in 1416 and its name means “collecting rice” – a reference to the appearance of this sprawling white building from afar. There are grand entrances, colourful hallways, statues of Buddha and impressive woodcarvings. The second largest monastery in Tibet is Sera, built in 1419. Covering over 11 hectares, Sera lies in Lhasa’s northern suburbs and contains many statues, scriptures written in gold, and beautiful murals. You can join the monks’ debates from 3pm each Monday-Friday, in which they discuss Buddhist doctrines in order to reach deeper understanding. You might not comprehend a word – but the traditional spectacle is enlightening in itself. As if that wasn’t enough, Lhasa is also home to Norbulingka – the Dalai Lama’s summer palace, and Jokhang – Tibet’s oldest and most sacred temple.
Our Tibet Vacations
Tibet tour, Lhasa and Lake Namtso
Surrealistic beauty of Mount Everest and Namtso Lake
From
US $1210 to US $1320
10 days
ex flights
Bejing to Lhasa tour, by train
Beijing to Lhasa on the famous sky train
From
US $1660
13 days
ex flights
Tibet cultural tours
Experience life styles of Tibetan people
From
£1175 to £1375
14 days
ex flights
Lhasa to Mount Kailash tour, Tibet
3 days pilgrimage kora around Mount Kailash
From
US $1880 to US $2090
15 days
ex flights
Lhasa small group tour in Tibet
Visit World Heritage Sites in Lhasa City at short 4 days
From
US $460 to US $580
4 days
ex flights
Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour, small group
Enjoy the panoramic view of fabulous Himalaya Mountain Range
From
US $830 to US $1050
8 days
ex flights
Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour
Overland trip from Kathmandu to Tibet with Mount Everest
From
US $950
9 days
ex flights
Tibet & China biking vacation
A Challenging cycle tour in China and the Tibetan Plateau.
From
US $3250
15 days
ex flights
Lhasa to Kashgar via Mt Kailash
A stunning journey through the isolated lands of Tibet
From
£6695
21 days
ex flights
Tibet Gama Valley trekking vacation in Tibet
One of the Top 10 classic trekking routes in the world
From
US $2624
16 days
ex flights
Tibet pilgrimage trekking tour
Ganden to Samye Tibet trekking route
From
US $2420 to US $2566
10 days
ex flights
Tibet culture tour & Everest base camp
Meet the people, heritage and stunning landscapes of Tibet.
From
£3499 to £3649
10 days
ex flights
Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan cultural tours
Cultural, Religion and Nature of Himalayan Countries Vacation
From
US $2540 to US $2820
16 days
ex flights
Tibet exploration tour
Trek from Tsurphu Monastery to Dorje Ling Nunnery
From
US $2537 to US $3625
13 days
ex flights
Tibet cultural tour
Enjoy fabulous Himalayan mountain scenery & temples
From
US $720
5 days
ex flights
Tibet 6 days sightseeing tour
Tibetan culture & highland scenery: Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse
From
US $1065 to US $1439
6 days
ex flights
China, Tibet and Nepal tour
Journey across the Himalaya from the Great Wall to Everest
From
US $4630
18 days
ex flights
Tibet vacation by train from China
Experience the world’s highest scenic train to Tibet
From
US $1350
10 days
ex flights
Mount Kailash trekking vacation in Tibet
Trek Mount Kailish in Tibet
From
£1895 to £1995
15 days
ex flights
Tibet wildlife vacation, Tibet Plateau mammals
Explore the vast Tibetan Plateau in search of rare mammals
From
£7450
20 days
ex flights
Tibet overland explorer
Travel through the sensational landscapes of the Himalayas and Nepal
From
£2980 to £3080
31 days
ex flights
Sichuan to Tibet overland tour
Travel the G318 Highway from Chengdu to Lhasa
From
US $1606 to US $3619
12 days
ex flights
In depth tour of Tibet
Monasteries, holy lakes and Tibet's western wilderness
From
£4999
18 days
ex flights
Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet Tour
A cultural extravaganza in landlocked South Asian countries
From
US $3995
21 days
ex flights
China to Tibet by train, Chengdu to Lhasa
Take photos with cute Giant Pandas and highest Mount Everest
From
US $1270
12 days
ex flights
Lhasa and Namtso Lake tour in Tibet
Visit the cradle of Tibetan civilisation
From
US $840
6 days
ex flights
Northern Tibet adventure tour, Qiangtang to Kailash
Amazing adventure in Northern and Western Tibet
From
US $2593 to US $5064
18 days
ex flights
Tibet biking vacation
Exploring Tibet by cycling, a trip of a lifetime
From
US $4619 to US $6969
16 days
ex flights
Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan tour
Explore the Himalayan kingdoms of Nepal, Tibet & Bhutan
From
£5474
20 days
ex flights
Tibet pilgrimage tour, Lhasa to Everest Base camp
Lhasa, Shigatze, Gyantze, Mt. Everest Basecamp, Tingri
From
£1669 to £1738
9 days
ex flights
The Tibetan approach to the world's highest mountain gives you the chance to gaze in wonder at its astoundingly beautiful north face, sure to leave you speechless![]()
Marvel at Everest’s might
Tibet’s Everest Base Camp approaches the mountain from its north slope, and, unlike its Nepalese equivalent, this route is usually carried out in a vehicle – making it much more accessible, despite its 5,150m altitude. You’ll have sweeping views of Mount Everest from base camp, as well as from the nearby Rongbuk Monastery, founded in 1902. Rongbuk’s monks and nuns, and the meditation caves punctuating the surrounding cliff faces, somehow make this incredible encounter even more spiritual and stirring.
Trek the Himalayas
Nepal is not the be all and end all when it comes to Himalayan hikes; Tibet offers some extraordinary routes well beyond the reach – or even the imagination – of most trekkers. While this once forbidden nation is gradually luring more tourists, few make it beyond Lhasa and a few key monasteries – but trekking vacations ensure you explore far beyond. Trek around the base of Mount Kailash (6,741m), sacred to Buddhists, Hindus and Jains, and take in the extraordinary views of this prominent peak, which overlooks two lakes. If you have four weeks to spare, you can trek from Lhasa to Kashgar, an incredibly remote desert oasis on Tibet’s high plateau.Many routes across Tibet are not so remote, of course – they are still used by pilgrims trekking to ancient monasteries tucked into Himalayan valleys and atop rocky peaks. Multi-day walks take you through beautiful scenery, staying at tiny herders’ camps and close to traditional villages. And walking beside local pilgrims and monks, will bring you up close not only to Tibet’s magnificent landscapes, but also to the deep spirituality of its people, despite decades of oppression.
Our top Tibet Vacation
Tibet tour, Lhasa and Lake Namtso
Surrealistic beauty of Mount Everest and Namtso Lake
From
US $1210 to US $1320
10 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2021: 16 Apr, 18 Apr, 23 Apr, 26 Apr, 7 May, 14 May, 21 May, 28 May, 4 Jun, 12 Jun, 18 Jun, 25 Jun, 2 Jul, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, 3 Sep, 10 Sep, 19 Sep, 24 Sep, 1 Oct, 8 Oct, 15 Oct
2022: 1 Apr
2021: 16 Apr, 18 Apr, 23 Apr, 26 Apr, 7 May, 14 May, 21 May, 28 May, 4 Jun, 12 Jun, 18 Jun, 25 Jun, 2 Jul, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, 3 Sep, 10 Sep, 19 Sep, 24 Sep, 1 Oct, 8 Oct, 15 Oct
2022: 1 Apr
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Tibet or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
The kingdom of Bhutan, the Hindu traditions of Nepal and once-forbidden landscapes of Tibet offer quite different perspectives of Himalayan life![]()
Combine countries
Two weeks in the Himalayas is enough to cross borders, exploring these three neighbouring countries: Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan, with shared cultures but very different backgrounds, politics and beliefs. Buddhist rituals, extraordinary palaces, temples and monasteries, “Gross National Happiness”, struggles for freedom and a constant backdrop of snowcapped peaks ensure that this type of vacation will be as enlightening as it is memorable.
Alternatively, take the train to Lhasa from Beijing, with a 32-hour stretch from Xi’an on the highest railway in the world – the “sky train” – introducing you to some of the Earth’s most dramatic landscapes outside your window. It’s also a great way to acclimatise gently!
More about Tibet
See the world from a higher perspective as you delve into our Tibet travel guide.
Best time to visit Tibet is from May to October, but don’t discount winter in Lhasa.
There's much more to Lhasa than simply somewhere to acclimatise before moving on.
Up there at the roof of the world, Tibet is one of the great destinations for a trekking vacation.
Learn about the different ways of getting to Base Camp North and Rongbuk Monastery.
The reason why you should see Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan together is very clear.
Our Asia experts offer up their top Tibet travel advice, plus tips from our reviews.
Responsible tourism in Tibet is a tricky issue – starting with “should I even go?” .
Written by: Polly Humphris & Vicki Brown
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Will De Freitas] [Visit Lhasa’s monasteries & palaces: Himalayan Window]
[Marvel at Everest’s might: Oldmanisold]
[Combine countries: Kyle Taylor]
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