Tibet isn't a weekend trip. Honestly, if you try to squeeze the Lhasa Valley into three days, you’re basically paying a lot of money to have a massive headache while staring at a hotel ceiling. Altitude is real. It’s brutal. Most people don’t realize that Lhasa sits at roughly 3,650 meters. That’s why 7 days in Tibet is the specific sweet spot travelers need to actually enjoy the Potala Palace without feeling like their lungs are filled with cotton.
You’ve probably seen the photos of the Potala Palace—that massive, red-and-white fortress looming over the city. It’s iconic. But what the photos don’t tell you is the smell of yak butter lamps inside or the way the air feels thin and sharp. Spending a full week allows your body to adjust so you can actually hike up those stairs.
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The Reality of the Permit Maze
First off, let's talk about the paperwork. You cannot just buy a plane ticket and show up. It doesn't work that way. To spend 7 days in Tibet, you need a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP). This is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. You have to book through a licensed agency. They need your passport copies and Chinese visa details at least 20 days in advance.
Don't listen to anyone who says they "snuck in" or found a loophole. The checkpoints are everywhere. If you're on a train from Xining or flying from Chengdu, your permit will be checked before you even board. It’s a bit of a hassle, sure, but it’s the only way the region functions right now.
Lhasa is More Than Just the Potala
Most 7-day itineraries start with three nights in Lhasa. This is mandatory for survival. If you rush out to Everest Base Camp on day two, you will get sick. Period.
Spend those first few days walking the Barkhor Street circuit. This is the heart of the old city. You’ll see pilgrims from all over the Tibetan plateau performing prostrations. It’s intense. It’s loud. It’s deeply moving. The Jokhang Temple is right there, and it’s arguably more important than the Potala. It houses the Jowo Shakyamuni statue, which is basically the most sacred object in Tibetan Buddhism.
Go to Sera Monastery in the afternoon. Around 3:00 PM, the monks gather in the courtyard for debating. They slap their hands together to make a point. It looks like a performance, but it’s actually a rigorous theological examination. It's one of the few places where you can see the intellectual side of the culture up close without it feeling like a tourist trap.
Leaving the City: Yamdrok Lake and Beyond
Once you hit day four, you're usually acclimatized enough to cross the Kamba La Pass. The elevation jumps to nearly 4,800 meters here. This is where you see Yamdrok Lake.
The color is impossible to describe. It’s a turquoise so bright it looks photoshopped. Because the lake is sacred, there are no motorized boats. It’s just this silent, shimmering expanse of water surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
Further down the road is the Karola Glacier. It’s right next to the highway. You can literally pull over and see the ice hanging off the mountain. However, climate change is hitting this area hard. The glacier is retreating visibly every year, which is a somber reminder of the environmental fragility of the plateau.
Shigatse and the Road to Everest
If you're doing a full 7 days in Tibet, you’re likely heading toward Shigatse, the second-largest city. This is the seat of the Panchen Lama. The Tashilhunpo Monastery here is massive. It’s a maze of golden roofs and white-washed walls.
Many people ask: Is Everest Base Camp (EBC) possible in seven days?
Yes. But it's a grind.
A standard 7-day route usually looks like this:
- Days 1-3: Lhasa (Acclimatization and temples)
- Day 4: Drive to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake
- Day 5: Shigatse to Everest Base Camp (Rongbuk Monastery)
- Day 6: Watch the sunrise at Everest, then drive back to Shigatse
- Day 7: Return to Lhasa or depart for Nepal
It’s a lot of driving. The Friendship Highway is well-paved, but you're still in a van for 6 to 8 hours a day once you leave Lhasa. Is it worth it? Seeing the North Face of Everest without any clouds blocking it is something you don't forget. The North Face is much more dramatic than the South Face in Nepal because you can see the entire vertical rise from the base.
The Altitude Problem Nobody Admits
Let's be real about the physical toll.
Even with 7 days in Tibet, you're going to feel it. Headaches are common. Shortness of breath is guaranteed. Most hotels in Lhasa now offer oxygen-enriched rooms, which helps a lot.
Pro tip: Don't shower on your first night. It sounds gross, but hot water opens your pores and can actually speed up the onset of altitude sickness. Drink twice as much water as you think you need. Avoid alcohol until day four. Local guides will tell you to drink "sweet tea" or "butter tea." The salt and fat in butter tea actually help with hydration and energy in the thin air. It’s an acquired taste—kinda like drinking warm, salty liquid popcorn—but it works.
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When to Actually Go
Timing is everything.
- Spring (April - May): Great for Everest views. The sky is clear.
- Summer (June - August): The "oxygen-rich" season. It's warmer, but it's also monsoon season. You might get clouds blocking the mountain peaks.
- Autumn (September - October): Probably the best window. Golden landscapes and clear blue skies.
- Winter (November - March): Cold. Really cold. But the permits are easier to get, and the crowds are gone. Plus, the "Winter Tour in Tibet" policies often mean free entry to major sites like the Potala Palace.
Misconceptions and Cultural Nuance
People think Tibet is a frozen wasteland. It’s not. In the summer, Lhasa is quite mild and green.
Another big mistake? Thinking you can wander anywhere. You must stay with your guide for most "official" sightseeing. This is a regulation, not a suggestion. However, in the evenings in Lhasa, you usually have free time to explore the restaurants and teahouses on your own.
Eat the yak meat. It’s leaner than beef and actually quite tasty in a spicy stew or as momos (Tibetan dumplings).
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
- Book early. I’m talking 2-3 months out. The permit process is finicky and rules can change overnight based on the political calendar.
- Consult a doctor about Diamox. It’s a medication that helps your body process oxygen faster. Start it a day before you land in Lhasa.
- Pack layers. Even in summer, the temperature drops 20 degrees the second the sun goes down. High altitude sun is also incredibly strong; you will burn in 15 minutes without high-SPF sunscreen.
- Bring cash. While WeChat Pay and Alipay are everywhere, some remote areas near Everest still prefer physical yuan.
- Respect the customs. Always walk clockwise around temples and stupas. Don't take photos inside monastery chapels—it’s usually forbidden or requires a very high fee.
A 7-day trip is a marathon, not a sprint. If you respect the altitude and the local pace of life, the "Roof of the World" isn't just a bucket list item—it’s a total perspective shift.