Discover history, experience culture, understand faith and meet the people who call Tibet home.
At Snowland Travel, we value the perspectives of people living in Tibet. We introduce you to its rich history, enduring culture and faith, and the rhythms of everyday life.
Choose your preferred departure date. We will confirm whether arrangements are available.
Enquire about this itineraryTour codeSNOWLAND TRAVEL-002
Begin with a stay in Lhasa, then travel gradually west across the plateau. Discover Lake Manasarovar, Kailash and landscapes of prayer. Go beyond the sights to learn about local history and everyday life.
We introduce the scenery alongside the history and stories cherished by local people, rather than treating it simply as a backdrop. We plan with care for both time at each destination and time spent travelling.
We introduce temples, architecture and natural sights with attention to regional cultural differences. We respect religious events and daily routines, and do not enter places solely to take photographs.
We avoid packing the itinerary merely to fit a fixed number of days, adjusting it to the weather and site opening conditions. On days involving walks, we check distances and physical condition beforehand.
We are Snowland Travel, a Tibetan-run travel company. In Tibetan cultural regions, we value local perspectives; in areas such as Fujian and the Great Wall, we work with local partners to thoughtfully introduce each region’s history and culture.
| 出発日 | 2027: arranged around your preferred dates. Please enquire about fixed departure dates and tour operation status. |
|---|---|
| Duration & start/end points | 15 days locally / Arrive in Lhasa → Depart from Lhasa |
| Recommended season | Trips are planned only during periods when pilgrimage trail access and snow conditions can be confirmed. |
| Quotation basis | An illustrative locally starting and ending itinerary based on 6 participants sharing twin rooms. These are not confirmed minimum operating or advertised group numbers. |
Per person: a system-generated indicative estimate (prepared 29 October 2026 / subject to confirmation). We will provide a formal written price once hotels, group size, season, transport, permits, admission fees and other details are confirmed. Flights to and from Japan are not included.
The estimate assumes local transport and guide arrangements in the itinerary, listed accommodation and meals, and standard sightseeing admission. Routes including the Qinghai–Tibet Railway assume a train from Xining to Lhasa; Ngari flight and Nepal routes also include the itinerary’s flight sectors in the estimate.
International return flights, travel insurance, personal shopping and drinks, additional visits, tips, porters, horses, special pilgrimage transport and single-room supplements will be checked separately. Special arrangements in remote areas and sectors requiring permits will be specified in the confirmed quotation. This text does not establish final contract terms.
This is a sample itinerary starting and ending locally. International travel days from Japan or elsewhere are not included.
| 日程 | Route | Visits & activities | Planned overnight | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1日目 | Lhasa arrival | Meet at the airport or station, transfer to the hotel and rest; review the onward plan. | Lhasa ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Dinner |
| 2日目 | Lhasa city visits | Visit the Potala, Jokhang and Barkhor around reservations, exploring architecture and pilgrimage. | Lhasa ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 3日目 | Lhasa monasteries and local life | Visit Drepung and Sera; rituals/debates depend on actual activity. Allow optional teahouse time and gentle walking. | Lhasa ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 4日目 | Lhasa → Gyantse → Shigatse | Travel via Yamdrok and Karola to Gyantse/Pelkor if time and access allow, then Shigatse. | Shigatse ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 5日目 | Shigatse → Lhatse | Visit Tashilhunpo and continue through Tsang towns/farmland to Lhatse, resting before longer drives. | Lhatse ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 6日目 | Lhatse → Saga | Travel west with regular breaks and river/mountain views from safe stopping places. | Saga ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 7日目 | Saga → Darchen | Continue via Manasarovar to the mountain base; check health, walking equipment and luggage storage. | Darchen ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 8日目 | Pilgrimage day 1: Darchen → Dirapuk | Use the designated start, then walk towards the north face: about 18-22 km/6-8 hours, adjusted for start and health. | Dirapuk; basic pilgrimage lodge, no four-star standard | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 9日目 | Pilgrimage day 2: Drolma La Pass crossing | The hardest stage crosses roughly 5,600 m Dolma La: about 18-22 km/8-10 hours. Stop/return if conditions require. | Zutulpuk; basic pilgrimage lodge, no four-star standard | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 10日目 | Pilgrimage day 3 → Darchen | Descend and finish using walking/local transport: about 10-14 km/3-5 hours, followed by rest. | Darchen ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 11日目 | Lake Manasarovar → Saga | View Manasarovar from open shores, then return to Saga with post-trek rest; no lake entry is included. | Saga ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 12日目 | Saga → Shigatse | Drive east through plateau valleys with several breaks and rest on arrival. | Shigatse ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 13日目 | Shigatse → Lhasa | Return to Lhasa as roads allow, enjoying window views and an unhurried evening. | Lhasa ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 14日目 | Lhasa buffer day | Keep a weather/road/health buffer; if unused, discuss Norbulingka or short cultural visits. | Lhasa ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 15日目 | Lhasa departure | Transfer for your departure after breakfast; very early departures may have a snack or no breakfast. | no overnight stay | Breakfast |
Travel order, stops, vehicles and trains may be adjusted according to bookings and local conditions. In-flight meals depend on airline operations and will be checked separately from the meals listed in the table.
Twin rooms for two are the standard. Hotels are selected after checking location, cleanliness, private bathrooms, hot water and suitability for rest. “Four-star” refers to local Chinese standards, which differ from Japanese hotel classifications. Equivalent-class hotels or properties without official star certification will be disclosed before booking.
Four-star hotels may be unavailable in remote areas. We identify these sections in the itinerary and individually check bathrooms, heating, electricity and hot water at available hotels. Overnight trains and basic pilgrimage accommodation are outside the four-star standard. If you require four-star hotels throughout, we will discuss changes to destinations, overnight stops and duration.
| Lhasa | Lhasa ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation |
|---|---|
| Shigatse | Shigatse ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation |
| Lhatse | Lhatse ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed |
| Saga | Saga ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed |
| Darchen | Darchen ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed |
| Dirapuk | Dirapuk; basic pilgrimage lodge, no four-star standard |
| Zutulpuk | Zutulpuk; basic pilgrimage lodge, no four-star standard |
Hotel names will be provided in the final itinerary before departure, after confirming reservations, operation and acceptance of foreign travellers. No specific hotel reservation has been confirmed at present. Single rooms depend on supplements and availability, and may not be obtainable in remote areas.
Meals are mainly Chinese cuisine, combining stir-fries with local ingredients, vegetables, rice or noodles and hot soup. In Lhasa and Amdo, we also provide opportunities to discover Tibetan food culture through momo, thukpa, tsampa, butter tea and more. Dishes are selected according to season and restaurant operations, with menus varying from meal to meal.
Meals in the sample itinerary: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners. The plan includes the onboard train meals and packed meals shown in the table.
Breakfast is generally a hotel buffet or set meal, with light meals on early departure days. Lunch is planned at a local restaurant or as a packed meal; dinner at a hotel or town restaurant. Meals are simpler in remote areas and along pilgrimage routes. Please discuss food dislikes, vegetarian needs and allergies in advance so we can check feasibility and any additional conditions.
On the walking pilgrimage sections, Dirapuk and Zutulpuk use basic accommodation rather than four-star hotels. Private rooms, private bathrooms, heating, electricity and hot water cannot be guaranteed. Walking distances vary depending on the sections where vehicles can be used.
Trips generally start and end locally; arrival and departure times and transfer coverage will be confirmed. An additional overnight stay should be considered when connecting to an international flight after long-distance travel on the final day. For routes involving walking or pilgrimage, please review distances, elevation changes and accommodation conditions and consult us.
Visa and permit requirements vary by nationality, destinations and method of entry. For foreign travellers visiting the Tibet Autonomous Region, the travel company will confirm and arrange the required procedures and approved route. Travel onward to Nepal requires separate checks of entry conditions and border or flight operations.
Prepare warm layers, rain gear and comfortable walking shoes appropriate to the season and altitude. At high elevations, allow time for travel and rest. If your condition changes, tell your guide instead of prioritising the schedule. Please consult a medical professional before joining if you have existing conditions or health concerns.
Obtain consent before photographing people and follow photography rules inside temples. We value travel that does not disrupt religious rituals or residents’ lives and leaves plants and stones in place. At historic sites, we use areas that are open and maintained for visitors.
The process is: consultation → itinerary and formal quotation → review of conditions → booking → arrangements → final itinerary. Please confirm payment, cancellation and change terms, hotel names and included services in writing before booking.
Photography, temples, handicrafts, food and nature observation. Alongside visiting the sights, Snowland Travel offers time to get to know each place.
Discuss this route →Land of Snow · Journeys of the Heart
All tour prices exclude return flights between your point of origin and the local tour meeting and departure points. Air tickets are arranged and paid for separately.
SNOWLAND TRAVEL
