Name: Soul of Tibet
Brand: WildChina
SKU: 1

About this Journey

A tour of Tibet can take you into its heart. But, you’ll have to look deeper to discover its soul. Linger in Lhasa, walking the pilgrimage route at Barkhor and mingling with the nuns at Chupsang. Then head into the country, driving along pristine lakes, the panoramas around you etching themselves on your memory as you head to Palkhor Monastery, its three strands of Buddhism, and thousands of artifacts. Sutras still floating like whispers in the corners of your mind, you end in a tour of Shigatse, walking the kora, and reflecting on your Tibetan discoveries.

What we love

Witnessing the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas
Exploring gilded Jokhang Temple, considered the most sacred temple in Tibet
Experiencing how monks studying Tibetan Buddhism deepen their religious knowledge by engaging in lively debates in the open courtyard of Sera Monastery

Map

Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Lhasa

Arrive in Lhasa, the 3,614-meter-high capital of Tibet and center of its cultural and spiritual life • Transfer to your hotel and take time to acclimate to the altitude • If energy allows, explore Barkhor Street’s market and watch pilgrims circle Jokhang Monastery, with your guide translating and sharing local insights.

Day 2Lhasa

Visit Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s oldest and holiest Buddhist site, and take in rooftop views of Potala Palace with the mountains beyond • Tour Potala Palace, a 17th-century architectural masterpiece with over 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues • Relax in a local Tibetan tea house, sipping sweet yak milk tea among locals and soaking up the city’s atmosphere • Spend the remainder of the evening as you wish.

Day 3Lhasa

Visit Pabongka Monastery, known for its granite “tortoise” boulders and the carved mantra Om Mani Padme Hum • Hike 90 minutes to Chupzang Nunnery, home to 80 nuns of the Gelug sect in a peaceful grassy setting • Tour Sera Monastery, one of Tibet’s great university monasteries, and watch monks engage in lively courtyard debates on Buddhist texts.

Day 4Lhasa to Gyantse

Visit a traditional Tibetan home to share yak butter tea, admire painted walls, and learn about local life through your guide • Drive five hours to Gyantse, stopping for a picnic on the shores of sacred Lake Yamdrok Tso, with turquoise waters framed by snow-capped peaks • Continue over Karo La pass to Gyantse, a historic town known for the Kumbum Stupa and Palkhor Choede Monastery.

Day 5Gyantse to Shigatse

Visit Palkhor Monastery, known for its mural-filled halls and the multi-tiered Kumbum Stupa with 108 chapels and thousands of Buddhist relics • Drive two hours to Shigatse, the seat of the Panchen Lama • Explore Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, home to a towering 26-meter Maitreya Buddha statue, the jeweled tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama, and prayer-filled assembly halls.

Day 6Shigatse to Lhasa

Take a three-hour high-speed train from Shigatse to Lhasa, passing mountain scenery along the way • Learn the art of Tibetan thangka painting with a master, exploring its symbolism and creating your own piece • Browse Barkhor Market’s stalls for prayer flags, jewelry, and incense while watching pilgrims circle Jokhang Monastery.

Day 7Depart Lhasa

Your WildChina guide and private chauffeur will escort you to the airport and help you check in to your departure flight.

Hotels

The St. Regis Lhasa Resort

5 Star Resort

With unparalleled views of Potala Palace, the St. Regis is inspired by Sera Monastery and pays homage to Tibet’s culture and history.

Gyantse Hotel

2 Star

Located in the center of the ancient city, the Gyantse Hotel, a 2-star local hotel, is the best available accommodation in the city. Due to the city’s remote location, the hotel definitely leans to the simple side of things.

Hilton Shigatse

4 Star

The Hilton Shigatse is the town’s first international hotel, offering elevated comfort, sweeping mountain views, and a prime location near Tashilhunpo Monastery.

Photos

Details

What’s Included

Services of English-speaking WildChina local guide
Accommodation based on double occupancy with breakfasts included
All overland transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip
All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
Meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water

What’s Excluded

International and domestic flights, domestic trains, plus relevant taxes
Chinese tourist visa, which is required for most foreign passport holders
Travel, health and trip cancellation insurance
Meals, apart from those included in the itinerary, and alcohol
Expenses of a personal nature
Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
Discretionary gratuities for guides and chauffeurs

Next Steps

How do I book this tour?

Please use the inquiry form on the right-hand side of this page or email info@wildchina.com to get started. One of our travel designers will be in touch accordingly to start the process of planning your custom China trip!

What is the payment schedule?

Deposit:

Once you are ready to book, a $500 USD per person planning fee is required to begin reserving your arrangements. This will go towards your total trip costs and will be taken off your final balance amount.

Full payment:
Full trip payment will be requested 60 days prior to departure. If you’re booking within 60 days of your departure, you may be asked to pay make the full payment straight away.

Payments can be made via credit card, bank transfer, WeChat or Alipay.

What is your cancellation policy?

See our full booking conditions here.

Why WildChina

We’re on the ground with you

Our team of advisors will design every detail of the trip with you through close consultation, then orchestrate your entire journey while on the ground. We’re in the same time zone as you, so we can fulfill requests and handle issues without a hitch. With over 40 staff in China and an expansive network of operational partners across the country, we have the manpower to ensure your journey is safe, reliable and comfortable from beginning to end.

Your trip, your way

Flexibility is our highest-ranking compliment. We pull off journeys for pioneers with a 6-hour layover to Hollywood’s elite, and everywhere in between. Our team regularly pulls off unprecedented logistical feats; nearly any time frame or budget is within our realm. No matter how you wish to experience China, we are here to bring that dream to life.

We embody passion

WildChina guides are carefully handpicked for their knowledge and charisma, then meticulously trained to maintain our exceptional service standards. They are expert storytellers and passionate natives of the regions where they guide, having the perfect combination of local insights and service know-how to bring you seamless once-in-a- lifetime moments all across China.

The little things, the big picture

Supporting inspired local economies allows you to experience the soul of the destination, while also protecting and cultivating China’s artisanal culture. From watching artisans creating their handcrafts, to picking organic vegetables for dinner on a local farm, our tours are designed to showcase and protect China’s heritage, both natural and human.

Soul of Tibet

Have questions?