9-Days Tibet Shoton Festival Tour
Overview
Discover the soul of Tibet with a 9-Day Tibet Shoton Festival Tour- the grandest cultural event of the year! This tailor-made exploration captures the unique occasion of summer Shoton festival where the holy city of Lhasa comes to life in an overwhelming display of faith, art and tradition. A lifetime's opportunity to stand with tens of thousands of pious pilgrims at dawn for the unfolding of the Drepung Monastery Thangka- a giant Buddha sunning ritual- will thrill the spirit in equal measure as the sight captivates the eye.
This itinerary takes a turn as the festival continues, morphing into a remarkable Lhasa to Mount Everest tour of the plateau's classics; journeying across treacherous high-mountain passes to soak in the beauty of the shimmering turquoise Yamdrok lake before facing in awe the towering monolith that is Mount Everest. And to finish this comprehensive pilgrim of spirit, mind, and body-the tour north to a breathtaking Namtso lake tour- among the highest saltwater lakes of the planet!
Trip Highlights
- The Great Buddha Unveiling (Drepung Monastery): Join the early morning crowds to witness the spectacular "Sunning of the Buddha." Watch as a massive hand-woven Thangka is unfurled down the mountainside under the first rays of the sun.
- Tibetan Opera & Shoton Traditions: Enjoy traditional Tibetan Opera performances in the lush gardens of Norbulingka (the Summer Palace) and taste the legendary "Shoton" yogurt that gives the festival its name.
- Overnight at Everest Base Camp: Stand at 5,200m for an unforgettable sunset over the North Face of Mount Everest (8,848m). Sleep under a canopy of stars in the world's highest base camp.
- The Sacred Blue of Yamdrok Lake: Marvel at one of Tibet’s three great holy lakes, a stunning turquoise ribbon that winds through the high-altitude desert.
- Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple: Explore the architectural wonders of Lhasa, including the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas and the spiritual heart of Tibet, the Jokhang Temple.
- Sera Monastery Debating: Witness the famous "Monks’ Debates," a high-energy intellectual tradition of clapping and philosophical sparring.
Tour Plan
- Welcome: Meet our staff at the airport/station for a warm welcome to the "Holy City."
- Transfer: Private shuttle to your hotel (approx. 1 hour).
- Activity: Rest and acclimatize to the altitude (3,650m).
- Special Note: Because Day 2 requires an extremely early start for the festival, we recommend arriving in Lhasa in the morning to maximize your rest today.
Pro Tip: Do not shower or exercise on your first night. Drink plenty of water and eat light.
- Jokhang Temple: Explore the spiritual heart of Tibet and join pilgrims performing the kora (circumambulation) around the temple.
- Tibetan Culture Workshop: A hands-on experience where you will learn to make Tibetan incense, try woodblock printing, and learn to write your name in Tibetan calligraphy.
Barkhor Street: Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of the Shoton Festival in the old town's bustling markets.
- Drepung Monastery (The Main Event): Before dawn, thousands of pilgrims gather for the Sunning of the Buddha. Witness the grand unveiling of a giant Buddha Thangka as it is unrolled down the mountainside to the sound of horns and chanting.
- Sera Monastery: Visit one of the "Great Three" monasteries of Lhasa. If the schedule allows, witness the famous Monk Debates (starting at 3:00 PM).
- Note: Debating is usually unavailable on Sundays or during special ceremonies.
- Potala Palace: Visit the iconic winter palace, exploring its labyrinth of golden chapels and historic tombs.
- Norbulingka (The Summer Palace): During the Shoton Festival, this garden becomes the center of celebration. Enjoy traditional Tibetan Opera performances, where actors in colorful masks bring ancient legends to life.
Special Dinner: Enjoy a Welcome Feast (Tibetan or Nepalese cuisine) to celebrate the festival.
- Yamdrok Lake: View the turquoise sacred lake from Gampala Pass (4,950m).
- Karola Glacier: See the magnificent continental glacier that hangs just above the highway.
Stay: Overnight in Shigatse, the historic capital of Tsang (Rear Tibet).
- Gawu La Pass (5,200m): View a breathtaking panorama of five of the world’s highest peaks, including Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu.
- Rongbuk Monastery: The highest monastery in the world, located at the foot of Mt. Everest.
Stay: Overnight at Everest Base Camp (EBC) in a traditional yak-hair tent or local guesthouse.
- Everest Sunrise: Capture the first light of day hitting the North Face of the world’s highest summit.
- Gyatso La Pass (5,252m): The highest point on the Friendship Highway, offering one last majestic view of the Himalayan range.
- Return: Drive back to Shigatse for a comfortable night’s rest.
- Tashilhunpo Monastery: The seat of the Panchen Lama. View the world’s largest gilded copper statue of the Future Buddha (Maitreya).
Return: Head back to Lhasa via the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley.
Farewell: Transfer to the airport or train station according to your schedule.
Include/Exclude
- Transportation: Licensed tourist vehicles (7–26 seats) for all scheduled land travel.
- Note: For Lhasa city sightseeing with fewer than 4 people, local taxi transfers will be arranged and paid for by the agency.
- Accommodation: 8 nights in standard twin-share rooms (based on double occupancy).
- Note: Single "King" rooms are not guaranteed. Breakfast is not provided for children or guests not occupying a dedicated bed.
- Meals: 8 Hotel Breakfasts + 2 Specialty Feature Dinners.
- Complimentary Bonus Meals: Authentic Lulang Stone Pot Chicken and a Lhasa Specialty Meal (Tibetan or Nepalese cuisine). Note: These are gift meals and are non-refundable if skipped.
- Professional Staff: Expert guides fluent in English, Chinese, or Bilingual (English/Chinese).
- Entrance Fees: All-inclusive access to: Kading Valley, Lulang Forest, Basum Tso, Tibetan Culture Experience, Sera Monastery, Potala Palace (including reservation service), Jokhang Temple, Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, and Tashilhunpo Monastery.
- Travel Permits: Full handling of the Tibet Travel Permit (TTP), Alien's Travel Permit, and any necessary Military/Regional documents.
- Insurance: Comprehensive 3-tier coverage: Travel Accident Insurance, Vehicle Seat Insurance, and Travel Agency Liability Insurance.
- Transfer Service: Complimentary airport/station pickup and drop-off on the official group start and end dates.
- Health & Comfort Extras:
- One portable oxygen bottle per person.
- Two bottles of mineral water (300ml) per person, per day.
- One emergency medical oxygen tank (4L) equipped in the vehicle for backup.
- Single Supplement: Prices are based on twin-sharing. A surcharge applies for solo travelers requesting a private room.
- Room Forfeiture Fees: Due to full pre-payment of hotel bookings, any mid-trip changes resulting in room cancellations are the responsibility of the traveler.
- Personal Expenses: Laundry, phone calls, faxes, pay-per-view TV, beverages, snacks, alcohol, and other personal incidentals.
- Force Majeure & Emergencies: The agency reserves the right to cancel or modify the itinerary due to uncontrollable factors (natural disasters, strikes, pandemics), airline changes, or insufficient group numbers. Any additional resulting costs will be the responsibility of the traveler.
- Gratuities (Tipping): We suggest a tip of 30 RMB per person, per day for the driver and the guide, respectively.
- Major Transport: Round-trip airfare or train tickets to and from Tibet are not included. We can assist with these bookings for a separate service fee.
