5 days
Tibet Yamdrok Hike
✨ Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake ✨
Type: Sightseeing, hiking
Dates:
July 6 to 10
July 20 to 24
August 3 to 7
August 17 to 21
🤩
Explore Tibet's wonders with this itinerary,
featuring iconic sites, cultural experiences and hiking.
Witness the grandeur of Potala Palace,
the sacred Yamdrok Lake, Karo Glacier.
Delve into local traditions
by joining pilgrims at Jokhang Temple,
dancing with locals at a local Park,
and unwinding in an authentic local teahouse.
Overview
🌟Day 1: Lhasa arrival
🌟Day 2: Lhasa sightseeing
🌟Day 3: Lhasa > Gonga > Runa village
🌟Day 4: Runa village > Yamdrok
🌟Day 5: Yamdrok > Lhasa airport and departure
The Trip in Photos
Itinerary
Meeting Point and Drop-off Point: Lhasa, Tibet.
Day 1
Arrive in Lhasa
Welcome to Tibet! Upon arrival, our welcoming guide and driver will greet you at the airport* with a traditional Tibetan "Khata" scarf. A swift one-hour drive (about 70 km) on the expressway will bring you to your comfortable hotel in Lhasa's downtown area.
Once you've checked in, we recommend taking some time to rest and acclimatize to the local altitude of 3,650 meters, ensuring a smooth start to your adventure on the plateau.
If you feel like going out, you can walk to Potala Square and get amazing photos of the Potala Palace and its surroundings.
🔼 Altitude: 3,650m
🚗 Drive: 70km, ∼1h drive
🍽️ Meals: /
🛏️ Accommodation: local 4* hotel
Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel or similar
Day 2
Lhasa Sightseeing
Potala palace & Jokhang temple
Today, start by participating in Tibetan local folk activities in a local park. Then, let's explore the treasures of Lhasa, starting with the renowned Potala Palace, once the Dalai Lama's residence and the world's highest palace. As you climb the 365 steps to the main building, you'll discover the palace's history and its impressive murals and Buddha statues, reflecting ancient Tibetan wealth and culture.
Next, we'll visit the sacred Jokhang Temple, home to a revered 12-year-old statue of Shakyamuni. It's considered the holiest site in Tibet, and you can experience the city's soul by joining pilgrims on Barkhor Street.
Our guide will also take you to a local Tibetan teahouse, offering insight into Tibetan social culture. It's a unique way to immerse yourself in Lhasa's vibrant traditions.
🔼 Altitude: 3,650m
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Tea at the Tibetan teahouse
🛏️ Accommodation: local 4* hotel
Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel or similar
Day 3
Lhasa > Gonga > Runa
After breakfast, we leave the hotel and head to Gangdui village.
Our next stop is the mysterious and sacred Qude monastery, sitting at an elevation of 3600 meters. We plan to explore this place for about an hour, immersing ourselves in its serene and holy atmosphere.
We'll then begin a scenic hike along a paved road that winds through the countryside. This path offers stunning views of barley and coleflower fields, making for an easy and enjoyable trek. We will then hike uphill to the Quguo temple.
The final stretch of our day involves trekking a further 11km to reach Runa Village. Here, we'll set up camp for the night.
🔼 Altitude: 3,650m / 3,700m / 3,800m
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🚗 Drive: 80km, ∼1h
👟 Hike: ∼20km
🛏️ Accommodation: Camping
Including tent & sleeping bag
Day 4
Runa village > Yamdrok Lake
Today, we will trek towards the enchanting Yamdrok Lake, navigating through the Gyatso La Pass.
We will then continue the hike and reach the shore of Yamdrok Lake. where we will set the campsite for the night.
Free time in the evening to enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility of the Yamdrok Lake at nigth.
🔼 Altitude: 3,850m / 4,900m / 4,400m
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
👟 Hike: ∼17km
🛏️ Accommodation: Camping
Including tent & sleeping bag
Day 5
Depart from Lhasa
After breakfast, we will trek along the lake shore. This peaceful walk offers a chance to enjoy the serene beauty of the lake up close.
We'll then drive to Lhasa airport. Time to head back home, with wonderful memories!
*To accommodate this schedule, please ensure your flight departure is booked for after 15:00.
🔼 Altitude: 3,650m
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast
👟 Hike: ∼4km
🚗 Drive: ∼3h drive
🛏️ Accommodation: /
Other Info
Price: 5650rmb per person (July/aug 6150rmb)
Group size: 5-14ppl
Deposit: 2000RMB
Balance: to be paid 7 days before departure
- Accepted payment methods: Alipay, Wechat, or Bank transfer.
Booking procedure
1/ Select date, transfer 2000rmb prepayment
2/ Provide all the documents (at least 2-4 weeks before departure)
3/ M2 submit the permit application
4/ Permits are usually released only 3-7 days before departure
5/ Permit will be sent by Kuaidi delivery to your address if you plan to arrive to Tibet by flight.
Documents needed
1/ Copy of passport
2 /Copy of Visa
3/ Work letter (we can provide a template).
⚠️ Please note that we are currently not habilitated to apply for diplomatic and some service passports/visas.
*Tibet travel policies change often. Contact us to be updated with the latest regulations.
Including
- Documents: Tibet travel permit
- Airport pickup and dropoff on given time (Airport Pick-up Schedule: 10:00, 13:30, 16:00 and 18:30; Airport Drop-off Schedule : 06:30, 08:00, 12:00)
- Transportation: comfortable Tourist Vehicle
- Guide: English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide
- Accommodation: as per itinerary
- Meals: Breakfasts x4 (day 2, 3, 4, 5)
- Meals: Lunch x2 (day 3, 4)
- Meals: Dinner x2 (day 3,4)
- Entrance ticket fees: as per itinerary
- Oxygen: Oxygen bottle provided during the tour if necessary
-Insurance: travel accident insurance
Hotels
Lhasa: Local 4*
Gangjian Hotel or similar
*Photos are for reference only. The actual rooms might look slightly different.
Optional upgrade: Please ask M2 staff for the price if you want a hotel upgrade.
Lhasa: Tangka Hotel 4*
Lhasa: Atour Hotel 4*
Lhasa: Intercontinental Hotel 5*
Lhasa Shangri-la Hotel 5*
Lhasa: St. Regis Resort 5*
Shigatse: Schery Hotel 4*
Shigatse: Hilton Hotel 5*
Excluding
- Flight or train to and out of Tibet
- Meals not mentioned in included (most meals are about 30-100rmb/meal)
- Tips to tour guide and driver
- Single Room Supplement: tbc
- Personal expenses
Cancellation policy
Cancellation fee
- Between booking and 15 days prior to departure: 500rmb
- Between 14 and 5 days prior to departure: 2000rmb
- Between 4 and 1 days prior to departure: 50% of the price
- On departure day or no-show: 100% of the price
Cancellation Policy
If the weather is terrible and represents a risk to people's safety, or if there is any government restriction we would cancel the trip and refund the deposit.
Note that we are NOT responsible for flight cancellation fees under any circumstances. This would need to be dealt with the airline company directly.
⚠️ Important notes:
- If the permit is not approved or if there are some changes of regulations from the government and the trip cannot happen, the trip prepayment will be fully refunded (we do not cover flights/train ticket cancellation fees).
Disclaimer
All forms of outdoor recreation (including hiking) have a higher level of risk than most ordinary activities.
By participating in M2adventure's hike, you acknowledge and accept the responsibility for making your own determinations as to the suitability of the activity and for their own safety, conduct, and well-being and agrees to participate solely at your own risk.
M2adventure, its organizer & hike leaders will not be held responsible for any loss or injury which you may sustain as a result of your participation in any of these activities.
