Special Shoton Festival Group Tour 2026
The Shoton, or Yogurt Festival is one of Tibet’s most cherished and vibrant celebrations. Designed to immerse you in the heart of the festivities, a Shoton tour ensures you don’t miss the highlights of this festival.
While the festival spans several days, the first two are truly unmissable. The first day begins with the excitement of early morning pilgrimages to two of Lhasa’s most renowned monasteries: Drepung and Sera. These sacred sites host the awe-inspiring unveiling of giant embroidered Thangkas—Buddha paintings that are so massive they require special walls for display. The moment is very special because these magnificent artworks are displayed only once a year. There is a large team of monks working together to unroll thangka, and later, when the celebration is over, to roll it back up.
KEY FACTS
Special Shoton Festival Group Tour 2026: August 10th – August 18th, 2026
Shoton main celebration (first day): August 12th, 2026
Group Tour: max 10 people
Price: $1285 (based on standard accommodation, double occupancy in the hotel rooms)
Level of difficulty: medium. We will walk a lot, especially during the festival days
What is the Shoton Festival?
The Shoton Festival, or Yogurt Festival, began centuries ago as a humble religious observance. Monks, secluded in monasteries for meditation during summer to avoid harming insects, would emerge at the summer’s end. Locals welcomed them with offerings of yogurt, marking the festival’s origins.
Over time, it grew into a grand celebration featuring awe-inspiring Thangka displays, cultural performances, and communal gatherings.
Highlights of the Festival
Thangka Unveiling
The festival’s centerpiece is the grand unveiling of the giant Thangka—a massive, vibrantly colored Buddha painting—at Drepung and Sera Monasteries. Before dawn, thousands of pilgrims and visitors gather in anticipation. The serene chanting of sutras and the sound of long horns fill the air as monks carefully unfurl the Thangka on a dedicated wall. This moment, imbued with spirituality and tradition, offers blessings to all who attend. Unrolling Thangkas is a careful process requiring precision and teamwork from monks.
Tibetan Opera Performances
At Norbulingka, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lamas, the atmosphere shifts from spiritual to celebratory. Here, performers in vibrant costumes captivate audiences with Tibetan opera, or Lhamo. Combining song, dance, and storytelling, each performance weaves tales from Tibetan folklore and history. Families spread out picnic blankets, savor yogurt and butter tea, and enjoy the cultural spectacle in the shade of ancient trees.
Shoton Festival Tour 2026
Interested in visiting during Shoton Festival? We can arrange a private tour for you with a flexible itinerary or you can join a scheduled group tour.
“We traveled to Tibet in August during the Shoton festival. The first day of festival we visited two main monasteries, Drepung and Sera. And on the next day we went to the summer palace to watch opera and have a picnic with other Tibetans.
It was an incredible experience, we felt like we were a part of Tibetan life.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Photography Tips for the Shoton Festival
The Shoton Festival is a photographer’s dream, offering stunning visuals at every turn. Start your day early—really early—to capture the magic of the Thangka unveiling ceremony at Drepung Monastery. By 8:30 a.m., the first sunlight bathes the hillside, illuminating a breathtaking scene of the Giant Thangka unveiling and pilgrims throwing white scarves – thadas toward the Thangka.
After the spiritual experience of the morning, shift your focus to the lively Tibetan opera performances at Norbulingka Park. Starting at 11 a.m. and running until dusk, these vibrant displays feature performers in elaborate costumes bringing ancient Tibetan legends to life. The shaded park, filled with families enjoying picnics, offers plenty of candid moments to capture the festival’s warm, communal spirit.
Always remember to ask for permission before photographing people, as a gesture of respect for their traditions.
FESTIVAL GROUP TOUR ITINERARY
August 10th – Arrival in Lhasa
You arrive at the Lhasa Gonggar Airport or the train station. The airport is 62 km/ 39 miles away from the city, and it takes approximately one hour to get to the hotel from there. On the way to Lhasa, you will enjoy beautiful views of the mountains. The train station is located in Lhasa, and you will only need a short transfer to the hotel.
Depending on the time of your arrival, you might have some free time to spend in Lhasa. Our guides will be happy to advise you on what you can do with your time in Lhasa. Remember, that Lhasa is located at 3,650 meters/ 12,000 ft above sea level and you will need some time to acclimatize.
After you check in at the hotel, you are welcome to explore the city, visit nearby temples, do some shopping, try delicious Tibetan food in one of the local restaurants, or just take a rest.
Walking around Bakhor Street can be an excellent choice for your first day in Lhasa. You can join crowds of pilgrims, local Tibetans, and monks circumambulating the Jokhang Temple.
Most importantly, on your first day in Tibet, be sure to relax, enjoy your day and allow some time for acclimatizing.
August 11th – Lhasa City Tour: Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple (Walking Tour)
This tour visits the two most important religious sites in Tibet.
The Potala Palace was the seat of the Dalai Lamas since the 17th century. We will then go inside and spend approximately 1.5 – 2 hours there. While there, you will see many of its most famous artifacts.
There will be free time for lunch after visiting the Potala Palace.
Time permitting, you can walk around the Potala Palace and join many of the local Tibetans.
Next, we will walk towards the Jokhang Temple. It was built in the 7th century to display the Jowo Shakyamuni Statue – the statue of the 12-year-old Buddha before his enlightenment. The statue was created at the time when the historical Buddha lived. It is elaborately decorated with gold, jewels, and precious stones.
After visiting the temple, we recommend taking a walk around Bakhor Street.
August 12th – Shoton Festival Thangka Display: Drepung and Sera Monasteries
We are visiting the two most important monasteries in the capital.
We will first visit Drepung Monastery, which once was the largest monastery in the world with over 10,000 monks living there. It was the residence of Dalai Lamas before the Potala Palace was built. Monks start unrolling the Thangka in Drepung monastery very early in the morning. We will join Tibetan pilgrims walking around the monastery to get closer to the viewpoint.
There will be free time for lunch after we visit the Drepung Monastery.
In the afternoon we are visiting Sera Monastery. It was founded by Tsongkhapa’s disciple in the 15th century. Monks display Thangka in the Sera monastery in the afternoon.
As the Shoton festival means yogurt festival in Tibetan, you will see many Tibetans selling fresh yogurt near both of the monasteries. Follow Tibetans and treat yourself to delicious yogurt.
August 13th – Norbulingka: the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama
In the morning we will go to the Summer Palace of Dalai Lamas. Norbulingka is a large park with several palaces of different Dalai Lamas, including the current Dalai Lama. It is very popular during the Shoton Festival as artists’ troupes are performing opera dance on the outdoor stage.
We will visit palaces in Norbulingka, walk around the park, watch the opera dance, and finally settle for an outdoor picnic in the shade of trees.
August 14th – Driving to Shigatse: Yamdrok Lake and Glaciers
Today we will travel on some of the most beautiful roads in Tibet on our drive to Shigatse.
Be prepared to take photos of the breathtaking views as we go up to the highest point of the day – Kamba La Pass (almost 4,800 meters / 15,750 ft).
Our next stop will be at Yamdrok Lake. It is one of the holy lakes in Tibet, and it is famous for its turquoise-colored water.
After that, we will head towards Gyantse. On the way there, we will make a stop to see the spectacular glaciers.
In Gyantse, we will visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery and Kumbum Stupa, the largest stupa in Tibet.
Finally, we will reach Shigatse late in the evening and stay there overnight.
August 15th – Driving to Everest: Rongbuk Monastery
Today we will be driving through towering mountain ranges, and going through several high passes and Everest viewpoints. We will reach a tent camp near the Rongbuk monastery with a view of Everest in the evening.
Depending on the traffic and weather conditions, we might have time to visit the Rongbuk Monastery – the highest monastery in the world.
We will stay in a tent for the night. You can order dinner and breakfast there as there is an English menu available.
August 16th – Driving back to Shigatse
Depending on the weather conditions from the previous day, we might finish some of the activities that we were not able to do yesterday. You can hike to the Everest Base Camp or just take some photos from the tent camp. After breakfast, we will head back to Shigatse.
August 17th – Shigatse to Lhasa
In the morning we will visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lamas. This monastery was founded by the first Dalai Lama, and it is one of the most important monasteries in Tibet. You can take photos in some of the chapels for an additional fee.
We will take the Friendship Highway on the way back to Lhasa. It is the most direct route and usually takes around six hours to reach the capital. We will make several stops on the way in order to enjoy the views of the Brahmaputra River. In the afternoon, you might have some free time to prepare for your departure the next day.
August 18th – Lhasa to Airport/Train station
Please prepare in advance for your departure. It takes approximately one hour to drive to the airport and around thirty minutes to reach the train station. We will arrive at the airport three hours before your departure flight if you are traveling to Nepal and two hours before any domestic flight.
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OUR CLIENTS ABOUT US
A wonderful journey
Our trip was nothing short of magical — breathtaking landscapes, deeply spiritual monasteries, and the warmest, kindest people I’ve ever met. From the turquoise beauty of Yamdrok Lake to the sacred peaks and peaceful valleys, every day was filled with awe and meaning. A heartfelt thank you to Tashi, our outstanding guide. His deep knowledge… Read more “A wonderful journey”
Незабываемое путешествие по Тибету
Только вернулись из путешествия по Тибету, было невероятно! Огромная благодарность организатору поездки Гяльтсену, и нашему гиду Дорджи. Настолько внимательные к деталям и заботливые люди! В таком непростом путешествии, как Тибет и Эверест, очень важно быть именно с местной компанией, которые в момент решают все вопросы. Начиная от получения оригинала разрешения на посещение Тибета (получали в… Read more “Незабываемое путешествие по Тибету”
Excellent!
I would like to say thank you to the agency and our tour guide Dorrji. Everything was great from the beginning to the end. The agency went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable, helped us create good itinerary and provided with all the instructions during the trip. Agency also provided oxygen and local… Read more “Excellent!”
Excellent experience!
I would like to say thank you to the agency and our tour guide Dorrji. Everything was great from the beginning to the end. The agency went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable, helped us create good itinerary and provided with all the instructions during the trip. Agency also provided oxygen and local… Read more “Excellent experience!”
The best guide, we have ever met – thank you Gyaltsen very much!!!
August 2018 – It was wonderful trip to Tibet. Our friendly guide, Gyaltsen, has told us a lot about religion and culture of this amazing country! He has also made our journey very comfortable, since everything was very well planned. He told us about Tibetan traditional medicine preventing altitude sickness – we could sleep well… Read more “The best guide, we have ever met – thank you Gyaltsen very much!!!”
Private 16-Day Trip in Tibet
I had a fulfilling & satisfying 16-day trip in Tibet with my ever so attentive tour guide & driver. My fears and uncertainties were allayed as I began my travels with them. It had been such an enjoyable pilgrimage that I looked forward to travel with them soon; real soon. Terry Singapore
A perfect trip
Our trip to Tibet in April 2015 exceeded our expectations on every level, the whole experience was nothing short of magical. In April 2015 we joined a 7 day tour in Tibet. Far and away, the highlight of our trip was our local guide, Gyaltsen.So fantastic that we felt like he became part of our… Read more “A perfect trip”
An experience for life in Tibet thanks to guide Gyaltsen
It is my pleasure to write this review about our trip with guide Gyaltsen in Tibet. It was our second trip to this fascinating country and culture. We – my wife, daughter and me – were interested in the history, culture and religion of Tibet and in its amazing landscape and nature. During 10 days… Read more “An experience for life in Tibet thanks to guide Gyaltsen”
A must visit
It was with great experienced having the private tour with Mr.Gaps. Realizing the much differences between Tibetan and others. So much mysteries to know about. We were having a birthday party too! It is a peaceful and tranquil place everyone dreams of. Away from the hustle and bustle of cities, people go round chasing something… Read more “A must visit”
Rongbuk Temple Meditation Liberation
Gaps is very humble and helpful, thoughtful and insightful, and able to flavour a tour in quite a unique manner, catering even to spiritual desire. It was Gaps that introduced me to Lama Acu Sangye at the foot of Mount Everest. And I have him to thank for such an enlightening experience. The meeting of… Read more “Rongbuk Temple Meditation Liberation”
WHY CHOOSE US
TOUR INQUIRY
Ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant Shoton Festival? Contact us today to plan your journey!
MORE FESTIVALS IN TIBET
PREPARE FOR TIBET TOUR
ALTITUDE ON THE LHASA TO EVEREST TOUR
We start our tour in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet at an elevation of 3,650 meters. At this altitude, some travelers can experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness. We spend the first three days in Lhasa. It is enough time for most visitors to acclimatize and continue the journey to higher areas. Along the way, we will be traveling through various high passes.
On the way, we will cross two high passes: Gyatso-la Pass (5248 m) and Gyawu-la Pass (5191 m). We will also spend a night by Everest at an elevation of 5,050 meters.
Always tell your guide if you experience symptoms of altitude sickness. All our guides are trained to respond and we always have an oxygen supply if you need it. More information on how to deal with altitude sickness:
ABOUT TOURS IN TIBET
WEATHER IN THE EVEREST REGION
Everest region in Tibet located at an altitude of over 5,000 meters / 16,500ft has harsh weather conditions almost year-round.
In summer, daytime temperatures average at 10°C / 51°F on average, reaching 14°C / 57°F on the warmest days. Even in summer nights are quite cold with temperatures around 0 - 3°C / 33 - 37°F on average.
PACKING AND WHAT TO WEAR
When preparing for your tour to Everest, it is important to pack for a range of temperatures. It is usually a lot warmer in Lhasa than in the Everest region.
In the Everest region, it can get cold even in summer. We suggest packing warm clothes that can layer well for your tour.
The sun is always very strong in Tibet. A pair of sunglasses and a sunscreen are a must!
Please, bring comfortable shoes. We walk a lot when exploring Lhasa, and many monasteries have stairs.
CARS IN TIBET
For our group tours, we use a variety of cars depending on group size and weather conditions. On some days, we will be driving long hours and we are trying to arrange the most comfortable car for your journey.
Here you will find photos and descriptions of cars:
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO TRAVEL TO TIBET
TOUR RESERVATION AND CANCELATION
It is best to start planning your trip in advance. Most travelers will need to apply for a Chinese visa first. After that, we need to apply for all necessary permits in Tibet, and it usually takes about 15 days to receive them.
That means, processing all these documents can take about one month. That's why it is best to plan your tour no later than 30 days before the tour starting date unless you already have a Chinese visa or hold a passport that allows visa-free travel.
We ask for 10% deposit to secure your tour with us. This deposit is fully refundable up to 30 days before the tour starting date, minus any possible payment transfer charges from the bank or other services. If you cancel your tour with less than 30-days notice, the cancelation fee is 10% of the tour cost that we use to cover all expenses of arranging your tour. If you cancel your tour with less than 10-days notice, the cancelation fee is 25% of the tour cost that we use to cover all expenses of arranging your tour.
