The Tibet tour is one of unique experience that are far beyond imagination. 

You got to see it to believe it! 

The culture blended with the scenery and beautiful monasteries make Tibet a one of a kind place. 

From the city life in Lhasa to the ever white mountains of the Everest you will be marveling at all the wonders that Tibet has to offer.

This guide lists the top 8 Tibetan experiences in the Tibet tour which you cannot miss!

Top experiences for Tibet tour

Follow the Buddhist kora around Barkhor Street

Barkhor Street is full of narrow streets where you will be part of the Tibetan culture, and see the economy running in a Tibetan way. 

The Kora which means circumambulation or revolution is performed by Buddhist pilgrims from the main gate of Jokhang temple along Barkhor Street back to the same place the kora was started. 

Tips for when you are in the busy Barkhor Street.

• Walk clockwise when doing the kora
• Always Bargain when shopping (Try to be the first or last to buy an item, the locals usually give a great discount for the first and last buyer)
• Make sure you carry your Tibet travel permit which is issued by your travel agency

Be part of the Barkhor Kora which is the most sacred Kora route preferred by the Tibetan pilgrims.

Climb Potala Palace to view Lhasa city

Potala Palace was the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas since the 17th century. The red and white palaces of Potala palace with the gold rooftops will make you marvel at its architecture and design.

You will zigzag your way through the stairs, which take you high up into the palace where you will feel the breeze in your hair. The top of Potala palace is worth it with a spectacular view of Lhasa city and the valley.

Things to Know 

• The Palace stands at the height of more than 110 meters
• It rises 1000 feet above the valley
• As of November 1st, 2012 there are 432 steps

Taste sweet tea in local teahouse in Lhasa

A cold place like Tibet needs a warming effect. Holding sweet tea in the local teahouse will make you cozy up to the friendly Tibetan people and the delicious bubbling tea.

In Tibet, everyone loves their sweet tea either sipping on it alone to relax or with friends while playing cards.

You will keep going back to the local teahouse to sip on the sweet tea once you have a taste of it, guaranteed! Lhasa is home to plenty of teahouses with atmospheres which will keep you delighted.

Sip on as many sweet teas as you want, cause it’s very cheap and healthy too. Plus Lasha has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. 

Explore Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple means ‘chapel of the Jowo’ and is for a spiritual experience of a lifetime. It is located right in the center of Lhasa with Bakhor street circling it. It is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tibet, which was erected in the 7th century.

It has continued waves of pilgrims chanting and meditating which brings a sense of calmness. The golden image of Buddha in the Jokhang Temple has a great history which you should not miss.

Visit the two storied temple in the morning as you will have a better view of the inside of the temple. A little later in the day, the crowds become more and more.

Watch monk debate in Sera Monastery

In Lhasa and want to check out something very different, visit the Sera Monastery and witness the monks debating at 3 pm every weekday afternoon. It is a massive attraction for tourists with loud statements and actions which signify passion.

Sera Monastery is in a stunning location by the side of a mountain and home to monks who want to learn further about Buddhism.

The debate is a part of the monks learning process which is not at all what you would expect.

There are more than 30 monks that position themselves correctly with debates that almost resemble the United Nations. Questioners, defenders and a strict procedure to follow.

The body language of the monks is unbelievable, with claps each time they make a point and confidence being shown in ways you would never imagine.

The courtyard is filled with voices, claps, and cheers. The pauses are bound to get you excited and waiting for the next argument.

 This part of the Tibet tour is bound to get you excited with the drama which is debated in excellent spirits. The smiles and laughs of the monks are bound to catch on to you too!

Stroll along heavenly Namtso Lake & turquoise Yamdrok Lake

Namtso lake is at an altitude of 4,718 meters which is not very easy to climb but worthwhile when you get there. It is after all the highest plateau in the world.

Don’t forget to drink as much water as possible, as it’s important to rehydrate yourself especially your brains to reduce altitude sickness from taking over. It takes a while(4-5h) to rach Namtso Lake from Lhasa.

Yamdrok Lake is also at a very high altitude of 4,441 meters which becomes more comfortable once you do Namtso Lake before this.

The best part about Yamdrok lake is that it is surrounded by mountains with a stretch of almost 72 Km. The pictures you take here will make your family and friends back home jealous!

The turquoise blue Yamdrok lake is one that is mesmerizing to the eyes!

Enjoy the classic ride from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp

Lhasa, the beautiful capital of Tibet, is full of culture and filled with local people sipping on the sweet tea. 

From Lhasa, you go on in the overland trip to Everest Base Camp passing high altitude lakes, rivers, valets and finally coming to Everest Base Camp at the height of 5200 meters. Not as high as camping in Big Sur but just as beautiful..

Explore the monasteries in Lhasa, such as the Potala Palace and Sera monasteries while witnessing marvelous terrains while going to the Everest Base Camp. 

Don’t miss Lake Yamdrok and the Karola glacier, along with the beautiful views of Mount Everest which is the highest mountain from the Everest Basecamp.

Challenge the 3-day kora around Mt. Kailash

The kora around Mount Kailash is not for the weak hearted but for the people who are physically looking for a challenge. It is one of the hardest treks in the world but one of the most popular and satisfying ones.

The kora done around the Kailash is a dedication to all the 4 religions and so is flooded with people from all over the world.

The locals usually take a single day to do the kora. However, a person not so familiar takes 3 complete days. You will notice people even prostrating for weeks and weeks around Mount Kailash.

Since it takes 3 days, it is best if this kora is done in the warmer months from May to October, as the rest of the months the path is filled with snow and ice.

Keep in mind

• If you notice symptoms of altitude sickness, stop for a while and descend into a lower altitude.
• It is suggested to keep a warm sleeping bag and to wear warm clothes during the three days of trekking. Since winds can get rough, windproof clothes are also recommended.
• Carrying your bag at such a high altitude for three days will make the experience too challenging and so with a charge of about 200-300 CNY per day you can use porters and animals such as yaks or a horse depending on the amount of baggage.