Meeting at Xining Airport (XNN), transfer to the hotel, check-in. Xining is the capital of Qinghai Province and the only major city on the Tibetan Plateau. We’ll begin acclimatization here — rest after the flight, take a walk through pedestrian streets and along the river embankment, and visit the night food market.

We’ll start the morning with breakfast and a visit to the Tibetan Culture Museum. An engaging guide will explain what to pay attention to during our tour. Here, we’ll see the world’s largest Tibetan thangka painting.

Next, we’ll have our first introduction to Tibetan Buddhism with a visit to Kumbum Monastery, once a major center for spreading Buddhism into Mongolia and Russia. Though less significant than centuries ago, it remains the largest Buddhist center outside the Lhasa region.

We’ll then stop by a beautiful mosque and try Muslim cuisine. In the evening, we’ll ascend to the viewing platform of the Plateau Pearl Tower to enjoy the night lights of Xining.

Today marks a unique adventure as we travel to Lhasa by train. Special train carriages designed to accommodate changes in altitude, will ensure a comfortable passage through the Tanggu-La Pass at 5,072 meters.

Along the way, we'll pass by the Kekesili Nature Reserve, known for its otherworldly landscapes. While the reserve is closed to visitors, our train journey offers us a special opportunity to marvel at its natural beauty from the windows.

By evening, we will arrive in Lhasa.

Upon arrival in Lhasa, we’ll meet our local guide, transfer to the hotel, and check in. Welcome to the Place of the Gods! After acclimatizing, we’ll stroll through the city center.

Next, we’ll visit Jokhang, the ancient and main temple of Tibet. Built during the reign of the legendary King Songtsen Gampo, under whom Buddhism began spreading in Tibet, Jokhang holds over 300 Buddhist statues, countless frescoes, manuscripts, woodblock prints, ritual items, and musical instruments.

We’ll also explore the bustling Barkhor Market, where amidst pilgrims, onlookers, and tourists, the heart of the Land of Snow beats.

Today we’ll visit Drepung Monastery — a massive monastic city founded in the 15th century and the largest in Tibet. Early Dalai Lamas resided here, and its abbot was one of the most influential figures in the country. Despite damage in the 20th century, the main assembly hall and four university faculties remain.

We’ll also see Sera Monastery, renowned for its scholar monks and famous for its lively debates — an essential part of Tibetan Buddhist training and tradition.

We’ll head east of the city to Ganden Monastery, perched at 4,500 meters on Mount Wangbur. It’s the main monastery of the Gelug  school. A circuit trail (kora) around the monastery offers breathtaking mountain and river views. Fewer tourists visit Ganden, allowing peaceful reflection and immersion in ancient Tibetan culture.

Back in Lhasa, we’ll visit Tibet’s iconic landmark — the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Former residence of the Dalai Lamas for 300 years, Potala sits atop Marpo Ri Hill and consists of the White and Red Palaces, rising 118 meters.

We leave Lhasa, heading west toward the majestic Himalayas! First, we’ll cross Kamba-La Pass (4,795 m) with spectacular views of Nojin Kangtsang (7,191 m). We’ll descend to the sacred Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, its shape unusual, its waters said to change color daily and believed to be the earthly body of a goddess.

After Sim-La Pass, we’ll rise above 5,000 meters to view the massive Karola Glacier — so close it touches the highway!

Next stop: Gyantse, famed for its fortress and the Pelkor Chode Monastery with its unique Kumbum Stupa — Tibet’s largest, multi-tiered stupa.

By evening, we’ll reach Shigatse — Tibet’s second-largest city and the heart of the Tsang region.

In the morning, we continue our ascent into the vast, desolate Tibetan plateau. The landscape grows harsher, the air thinner — we're approaching the Roof of the World.

Crossing Gyatso-La Pass (5 200 m), we enter Qomolangma National Park. From Gyawu-La Pass (5 220 m), a breathtaking view unfolds of the "presidium" of the Himalayas — five 8 000-meter peaks: Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Shishapangma. One of Tibet’s most awe-inspiring views!

By evening, we reach Everest Base Camp (5 150 m). Nearby stands Rongbuk Monastery — the world’s highest-altitude Buddhist monastery. From here, behold the most stunning view of Earth’s tallest peak! Tonight, we sleep in a tent camp — with fixed tents, beds, heating, and electricity.

No time for long sleep — today we witness the sunrise at Everest’s foot. Meditate or sit in silence, watching the world’s highest peak greet a new day.

After breakfast, over the mountain passes we'll go back to civilization — to Shigatse.

In the morning, we’ll visit Tashilhunpo — the main Gelug monastery outside Lhasa, home of the Panchen Lama, Tibet’s second-ranking spiritual leader. Tashilhunpo has long served as a counterbalance to Lhasa’s monasteries.

After the tour, we return to Lhasa by a quicker route. In the evening, enjoy a final walk through the city — wander the streets, buy souvenirs, and celebrate the end of our epic Tibetan adventure!

Today we say goodbye to Tibet. Transfer to Gonggar Airport, 60 km from Lhasa, in the Yarlung Valley. This modern airport offers daily flights to Xining, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and other Chinese cities.