Namtso Lake tour with Mt. Everest north face trip is one of the popular selling tours in Tibet. Namtso is the highest and largest lake in the Tibet autonomous region.
For thousands of years, Tibetans have seen the mountains, rivers, and all things on their homeland spiritual beings. The plateau is full of beautiful legends. In Tibetan, Namtso means “heavenly lake”. It is one of the most sacred holy lakes.
Our tour to Namtso lake is at the end of the itinerary since the Namtso lake is situated at 4730m above sea levels. It’s advisable to take good acclimatize in and around Lhasa for a few days before heading to Namtso Lake.
Lhasa Gongkar Airport (Google Map)
Upon arrival at the Lhasa Gongkar airport / Lhasa train station, our client will be warmly welcomed by our Tibetan local tour guide and the driver with the traditional Tibetan white scarf. Driving for about an hour from the airport to Lhasa and half an hour from the train station to the hotel. After check-in the hotel, the guide will be briefing the tour itineraries for the next day and relax in the hotel for the rest of the day to acclimatize the high altitude.
We will begin our visit form Jokhang Temple, one of the most sacred temples in Tibet which was built in the 7th century by the 33rd king of Tibet – Songtsen Gampo. “Jokhang” means the temple of the Buddha builds for the enshrinement of the Shakyamuni image, which is believed to be inexistent prior to the lifetime of Shakyamuni. After visiting the temple you can explore the surrounding Barkhor street and spend time walking around the Temple following pilgrims from all over the Tibetan plateau. In the afternoon will visit Sera Monastery, one of three great monasteries of Gelugpa school and attend the debating session of the monks which is quite popular in Sera.
Today we visit the stunning Potala Palace – the landmark of Lhasa and Norbulingka Palaces. Potala is the winter palace was built in the 17th century by the fifth Dalai Lama. Provides amazing views of the entire city and houses the private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Norbulingka Palace is the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, built in the 18th century by the seventh Dalai Lama.
Today is the scenic drive with breathtaking high passes and the holy lake. Driving along the Lhasa river till the Lhasa Airport and we cross Kampa-la Pass [4797m] and then Karo-la Pass [5050m], where Mt. Noijin Kangsang [7206m] glacier lies near the road. In the middle, we enjoy the unreal turquoise waters of holy lake Yamdrok-Yumtso. Finally, we arrive at Gyantse town, where we visit the considered best Tibetan art paintings in Kumbum Stupa inside Pelkor Chode Monastery. Also, we admire the majestic Gyantse Dzong (fortress) overlooking the valley.
Then we drive North-West to reach the second largest city in Tibet Autonomous Region – Shigatse. At there we visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in the 15th century by the first Dalai Lama. Nowadays is the spiritual seat for the successive Panchen Lamas. We recommend doing Kora around Tashilhunpo Monastery if times allow because of having an incredible panorama view of the valley and impressive Dzong (fortress).
Our Namtso Lake tours acclimatise start from today. Starting our journey up to Rongbuk monastery involves crossing Tso La (4700m) pass, Gyatso La (5220m) pass and Pang La (5150m) pass. Driving 330km from Shigatse to Rongbuk Monastery takes about 5hrs and can enjoy the amazing views of several peaks like Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Shishabangma, and Mt. Everest from the top of the Pang-la pass (5150m).
It’s worth to take some pictures of the sunrise on Mt. Everest early morning. After breakfast, we visit Rongbuk Monastery and then drive back to Shigatse.
Crossing the Shugula Pass driving ahead to Namtso. The Namtso lake is one of the Holy lakes in Tibet.
Today, we drive back to Lhasa. After arrival in Lhasa, you will have a half day free time for shopping and exploring around.
Our Namtso Lake tour officially ends from today.
Have a safe journey after that
