Overview
The Namtso Lake Tour is a short trip out of Lhasa to one of Tibet’s three holiest lakes, and one of the highest large saltwater lakes in the world. Namtso sits at close to 4,720m, ringed by snow peaks and open grassland, and the drive there crosses the Nagenla Pass at over 5,000m, often the highest point most travelers reach on their entire Tibet trip.
Unlike the trekking routes further from Lhasa, this tour stays on paved or well-maintained roads throughout, with a guesthouse stay right at the lakeshore. It’s a good add-on to a Lhasa city tour for travelers who want a taste of the high plateau and a genuinely striking landscape without any trekking or remote border crossings.
Because much of the trip sits above 4,500m, some altitude effects are common even for travelers who felt fine in Lhasa. Spending the first night in Lhasa before heading out helps with acclimatization.
Tibet Travel Permits for this trip are arranged in line with regulations from the Tibet Tourism Bureau.
For a deeper look at Lhasa itself, see our Lhasa Cultural Tour. For a longer high-altitude route, see our Shishapangma Base Camp Trek.
Highlights
- See Namtso Lake, one of Tibet's three holiest lakes and one of the highest saltwater lakes on earth
- Cross the Nagenla Pass (5,190m), likely the highest point of your trip
- Watch sunrise or sunset over the lake from the shoreline
- Visit Tashi Dor Monastery, perched on a rocky outcrop at the lake's edge
- Spend a night at the lakeshore, away from Lhasa's city pace
- An easy, low-effort way to experience the high Tibetan plateau
