Lhasa Travel Forum

Hey guys,
I was wondering if it was possible to see just major points of Lhasa as well as get a good view of the Himalayas in five days, possibly seven days if I have to. If so, what is a possible itinery. I've been searching these forums, but wasn't sure how far Lhasa is from the Himalayas. Is it possible to arrange travel to the Himalays from a Lhasa hostel? I don't want to spend money on those jeeps I've been reading about neither, but want to see a good chunk of the Himalayas. In Lhasa, I don't want to see everything, maybe where the Dalai Lama lives and where the monks recite prayers. In the Himalayas, I don't want to climb it or anything as I don't have climbing experience. I am not trying to brag (maybe just a little bit) as even old people climb Mt. Fuji, but I once climbed Mt Fuji at night in a T-shirt and jeans and sneakers without a hotel stay in the middle in freezing weather (don't ask why, it was August in Tokyo, who knew I was going to climb it). So I am quite athletic with good pain tolerace (long-distance runner). And I am traveling alone. What do you guys suggest I am capable of seeing in the Himalayas without risking death?

Also, I am traveling Mid-March.

Five days may be a little too short. You are going to need to give yourself at least 2 days to acclimatize to the elevation of Lhasa (3600m) before going out to any higher regions of Tibet.

There are many, many travel agencies in Lhasa that can arrange travel through Tibet. You are not allowed to travel through most regions of Tibet by public bus so you are going to have to travel by 4WD. Traveling by 4WD is better anyway. The bus isn't going to stop to let you take pictures where as a 4WD will stop everywhere you want to. If you have other people with you to split the costs, a 4WD is very reasonable (6 or 7 day journey for around $150 per person if you have 4 people).

The Dalai Lama lives in Dharamsala, India...not in Tibet.

Monks recite prayers at all 2200 monasteries in Tibet so that shouldn't be too hard to find.

Most people see Everest / The Himalayas as part of 5 to 7 eday trip from Lhasa. It is around 650km from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and large sections of the road are dirt so it isn't easy to get to in one day. There are views of the Himalaya before base camp of course, but obviously the best views are going to be closest to the mountains. The first good views of the Himalaya are about 475km west of Lhasa.

If you had more time (10 days in Tibet) I would recommend the following:

Lhasa for 3 days
Lhasa to Base Camp via Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, Shigatse, Sakya then back to Lhasa taking 6 days
One more day in Lhasa

Thanks for the nice answer. I was afraid that I might come off a little arrogant concerning my athleticism and nobody would respond. I only wanted to represent how much I could endure without climbing experience. Excuse my ignorance about the Dalai Lama in Tibet, too. I kind of knew he couldn't live in Tibet because of the whole Chinese government thing, but I guess I meant where he would reside if not for that.
So it doesn't seem any climbing experience is necessary to see Mt Everest and the Himalayas? Besides the thrill, what could a person see if he were willing to do some light climbing (almost hiking)? So if we are driving around in a 4WD, where do we stay each night? Also, are the roads dangerous? Can we roll into each town and find a hostel or should I prepare camping equipment or at least a sleeping bag?
So 4 total days in Lhasa. Why so many days? I don't quite want to see every monastery. It seems that I will be able to see some overlapping things if I headed to all those places on the way to Mount Everest. Also, of the five destinations you listed to Mt Everest, what are the top three? Thanks. So many questions, but I just want to be well-prepared.

Can i find a similar trip to Base Camp via Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, Shigatse, Sakya then back to Lhasa taking 6 days in Lhasa agencies without booking nothing in advance? How much you think is the price? i am alone but i could join a tour with other people i hope
for now i have the ticket till Chengdu and i have an offer of ticket Chengdu-Lhasa-Chengdu at 390 Dollars
is it a good offer?
If i arrive in Lhasa without no trips booked, in 2-3 days i can arrange it in a Lhasa agency without problems?
If you want contact me at my email address lupetto41972@hotmail.com so we can exchange informations and helps for plan the trip in the cheapest and nicest way possible! thank you

You don't have to stay in Lhasa 4 days. Its just that Lhasa is the cultural and religious center of Tibet. But, you may be more like me and not care to stay in cities so much.

There are hotels and guesthouses all along the route I mentioned. There is no need to do any camping. This is a well-worn tourist path. Once you get into each town there will be several places to choose to stay.

If I had to choose three places, I would choose base camp, Yamdrok Lake and Shigatse.

As far as places to hike go, you will be in Tibet. Everywhere you see is filled with places to hike.

Italian traveler:

You shouldnt have any problems waiting until you get to Lhasa to book your trip. There are so many travel agencies in Lhasa and all of them can quickly and easily arrange your trip for you. The price will depend on the time of year you go. In the summer a 6 day trip like this will cost between $600 and $675 (depending on how well you can negotiate a price). This price can be split by up to 4 or even 5 people.

The price you have sound about right if it includes your Tibet Travel Permit.
http://kekexili.typepad.com

HI,
Im currently planning my trip to Tibet,
wondering if I could cut costs of the trip mentioned above
Base Camp via Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, Shigatse, Sakya -Lhasa $150/pp)?
Would I be allowed to travel by public transport on my own?
I planned up tp 12 days to hang around Lhasa,
no hurry but cutting costs as much as posible :/

Im also searching for some place to hike for 2,3 days,
just walk around, chill out and take pics..

thanks for heps !!!
Pete

Hello, i just returned from Lhasa
in last weeks the Chinese Governement became angry for the protest of some people who at Everest Base Camp asked for Tibet free in 2008 so they made again problems with permits for go outside Lhasa.
For go to the Everest is impossible to go alone with public transports...they dont exist.
So you must join a tour with a Land Cruiser, a driver and a guide and find other people to travel with and share costs.
For 4-5 days of trip (till Everest) it seems to cost not less that 5.000 RMB now (around 490 Euros)...so if you find other 3 people you will pay around 122 Euros each one.