Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa (3658 m)
Welcome to Lhasa! Transfer to your hotel and get settled. You can wonder around the town on your own or rest at hotel to acclimatization.
Day 2: Lhasa sightseeing
Visit Drepung, one of the three most famous monasteries in Lhasa. Drepung is located just outside Lhasa on Gambo Utse Mountain. After lunch explore Sera monastery, where you can watch monks debate in the courtyard. If time allows hike to Pabonka hermitage. Founded by 33rd King Songtsan Gampo in the 7th century, it is currently the largest and most important of the Sera hermitages.
Day 3: Lhasa sightseeing
In the morning, visit the Potala Palace, the greatest monumental structure in all of Tibet. Also visit the Jokhang Temple, which is located in Barkhor Square in Lhasa. The Barkhor is a famous shopping street filled with goods and souvenirs from Tibet, Nepal, and India. Pilgrims from all over Tibet visit the Barkhor to pray in front of the Jokhang. Afterwards, visit Ramoche, a small monastery located in the city center.
Day 4: Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake (4442 m) – Samding monastery – Karo La Glacier – Gyantse (3900m)
Beginning your adventure in the Himalayas, drive to Gyantse. Along the way cross over the Kamba la (4794m) and the Karo la passes (5010m), which boast spectacular views. After Kamba la, arrive at Yamdrok Lake, a holy turquoise-colored lake with stunning scenery. If time allows, visit Samding monastery located at the lakeshore. Stay the night in Gyantse.
Day 5: Gyantse – Shalu Monastery – Shigatse (3836 m)
In the morning, visit Gyantse, Gyantse is a midsized town in the southwest of Lhasa. When you enter the town, the first landmark will be seen is Gyantse Dzong or Gyantse Castle which once used as the residence of Gyantse Kings. The famous Pelkor Chode and Kumbum Stupa are at the north end of the town. The Pelkor Choede once was the largest non-sectoring Buddhism learning center, but today only two main temples are left. Next to the main temple is the Kumbum Stupa, this Mandala (Buddhism cosmos) shaped stupa is largest in it’s kind in Tibet. There are many chapels which you can visit each of these chapels walk clock-wise from one storey to another. Once you made up to the top storey, Gyantse Old town and Dzong castle can be seen not far distance. Afterwards, followed by a two-hour drive to Shigatse. Along the way, we will make a detour to visit Shalu Monastery. Shalu monastery is a small monastery about 22 km south of Shigatse City and 78km west of Gyantse. Founded in 1003 by Jetsun Sherab Jungnay, an eleventh-century Tibetan abbot and scholar. Shalu became the first among the major monasteries and learning centers during Tibet’s great revival of Buddhism and an important center of the Sakya tradition. Then we drive to Shigatse, here, see the giant Buddha in the famous Tashilunpo monastery.
Day 6: Shigatse – Rongbuk monastery (4980 m) – View of Mount Everest (5200 m)
In the morning drive further west to the Himalayas. Along the way, we will drive through Tso-La pass (4500m) and Gyatso-La pass (5252m) where you will have a great view of Mt. Everest and other mountains of the Himalayan mountain range. After passing through scenic valleys and driving over rocky mountains, we will reach Rongbuk (Rongphu) Monastery, where we will have a fabulous view of Mt. Everest. Rongbuk monastery is the highest monastery in the World. It is worth to do a small kora (circumambulation) around the monastery, making amazing photos of Mt. Everest. Spend the night near Rongbuk monastery (or in Old Tingri depending on availability).
Day 7: Rongbuk Monastery or Old Tingri – view of Mt. Shishapangma – Peikutso Lake – Saga (4640)
Catch a sunrise view of Mount Everest, and continue driving along the world’s highest mountains. After reaching the main road, drive up to high mountain passes with a great view of the Himalayas. The world’s one of the highest mountain – Mt. Shishangpangma can be seen in the distance on your left side. Then continue to drive towards north to Peikutso Lake, an Alpine Lake. Afterwards, you are continuously driving through the countryside, where you can see small lakes and nomads camping with their yaks and sheep. In the late afternoon, cross over the Bramha Putra River on the way to typical Chinese and Tibetan town. Spend the night in Saga.
Day 8: Saga – Paryang (4700 m) – Darchen (4575m)
Drive through a wide valley along a scenic river and look out on the grazing lands of yaks and sheep. Towards the south, you can see sand dunes, rocky mountains, and snow-capped peaks. Depending on the season, nomads and other mobile shopkeepers will be attired in beautiful traditional costume. Join them for a cup of hot tea in their home. Continue to drive West. In the late afternoon you will catch your first sight of Holy Lake Manasarovar and Mt. Kailash. Prepare for the Mt. Kailash Kora once you arrive. Spend the night at Darchen where you can enjoy close-up view of Kailash at any point in this one-street town.
Day 9: 1st Day of the Mount Kailash trek, trekking distance 19km and 6 -7 hours.
Walk along beautiful rocky cliffs, take deep breaths of fresh air. From time to time, the face of Mt. Kailash will appear. The trail passes the stone piled pass with colorful prayer flags, famous Tarpoche Flagpole, sky burial site and then enters Lha Chu valley. at the gate of this rocky canyon, a small monastery called Chugu Monastery with meditation cave of Tibetan Great Yogi Melaripa is on the left side of this canyon across the river. If you are a good trekker and interested in meditation, you can follow the small trail leading to this monastery at the left side of the river while others may continually go on the main trail. Pay a visit to this monastery takes an extra one hour. Afterward, you can join the main trail across the bridge below the monastery. Both sides of this canyon are high steep rocky mountains which are representing Bodhisattvas. For example, the three high rocky mountains at the left before reach Dirapuk Monastery represent “Rigsum Gonpo” in Tibetan or Three Bodhisattvas ( Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara, and Vajrapani). After half an hour of walking, you will reach the sacred Dira Puk monastery which is located at an elevation of 5,000 meters by mid-afternoon. Here you can see the North Face of the Mt. Kailash. This sight is also considered as a birthplace of Shiva – one of the primary forms of God in Hinduism. Spend the night in the monastery guest house.
Day 10: 2nd day of the Mount Kailash Trek – Dolma la pass (5650 m) – Zuthal Puk (4815m), Trekking distance 12km and 7 hours.
This place is the closest place to view Mt. Kailash in entire kora. It’s right behind the guesthouses, so enjoy this last time close-up view of this holy mountain, then we start the day. Hike across a valley up to the Dolma-La Pass. The trail is much more dramatic today as you are ascending from 5050m to 5650m above sea level. Though these numbers are not a big difference but given the altitude in this area, it is the most difficult part of the trek. When you reach the top, make an offering, take a break (or meditate), and leave behind all your problems and worries. Let the prayer flags at the mountain pass bring positive energy to you and your families. Afterwards, begin descending. A mirror-like turquoise lake will appear in front of you in the middle of black rocky mountains, which said to be water offering for the holy mountain. By the late afternoon arrive at Zuthal Puk, the cave of miracles where Milarepa once stayed.
Day 11: 3rd day of the Mount Kailash Trek, view of Mt. Nemo Nani and drive to lake Manasarovar
Start the day by following one of the clearest river you have ever seen. The trail is flat and much greener. At the end of the valley before turning right, a stunning view of snow mountain Nemo Nani (altitude 7728m) will appear in your eyes. After finishing your circuit of Mt. Kailash, your car will pick you up and take you to the Lake Manasarovar – one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. This turquoise-colored lake is full of fish and swans. Holy Mt. Kailash, Mt. Gurula-Mandala, and Lake Rashekshi surround Manasarovar. The region is considered rich in gold and other minerals, hot springs and hundreds of wild living creatures. Then visit Rakshas Tal lake and Chiu Monastery, a small monastery located upper on a hillside. You can dip into a hot spring there. If your group stay until sunrise, a walk to the mountain slope to see full view of the lake is recommended.
Day 12: Holy Lake Manasarovar – Paryang – Saga
Begin the journey back to Lhasa with a detour to China and Nepal border. Enjoy a beautiful view of Himalaya ranges. Most travelers usually take this long driving road back as rest time after 3 days of the incredible trek. But this zig-zag scenic drive always bring some surprises such as suddenly appear rain bowls in front of your vehicle, flock of yaks or sheep may stop your bus which gives you a chance to close-up look at this animals, a wild animal running across the road, a beautiful lake or snowy, sunrise or sunset.etc. make your journey alive.
Day 13: Saga – Kyirong (Nepal border), 2800m
Continually drive in the Himalayas. If weather permits you will have a great view of Mt. Shishapangma and other snow peaks. After ascending up to Gongtang La pass which is the last highest point of this trip with an elevation of 5300m / 17400ft, the zig-zag road will lead us down to the valley. The attitude is getting lower dramatically as you descend to the valley, and the geography changes from desert-like grassland into the greenish forest. You start to feel the gentle air full of oxygen. Right before reaching Kyirong town, we will stop at a waterfall that falls from atop of the rocky mountain. The water said to be blessed by Guru Rinpoche. If time allows, we will visit Guru Rinpoche’s caves and Milarepa’s monastery. Once you get to newly built border town of Kyirong, you can fully rest in a restaurant, or wonder around the town. There is a Nepali style temple called Pakba Monastery which hosts about 30 nuns. Overnight in a guesthouse in Kyirong.
Day 14: Kyirong – Rasuwa Gadi (Cross border) – Kathmandu / Shigatse
Drive 23km towards the border between China and Nepal. The customs opens at 10 am and closes by 17:30 pm. It may take around 1-2 hours to cross the border and go through customs formalities. After crossing the bridge, you need to go through Nepali customs. Finally, you will get to Nepal border town of Rasuwa Gadhi. Our Tibetan guide will help you to go through border formalities on Chinese side of the border. On the way to Kathmandu, you will see Langtang National Park, snow peaks, farm terrains and Rasuwa ethnic group of Nepal. You will arrive at Kathmandu in the evening. It takes about 8-9 hours to reach Kathmandu. Note: there are unpaved parts of the road.
Those who return back to Lhasa, continue to drive to Shigatse via Peikutso Lake and Old Tingri. This is another long driving journey. Due to the traffic speed limit, your vehicle will stop several minutes from time to time, so you will have a chance to stretch your legs or walk around. Along the way, you will again see Peikutso lake and some of the World’s highest mountains including Mt. Shishapangma, Mt. Cho Oyu, etc. Arrive in Shigatse in the evening.
Day 15: Shigatse – Yundrongling Monastery – Lhasa
Today, we continue to drive on the friendship highway. After 80km we will make a detour to visit Yundrunling Monastery, this monastery is the biggest Bonpo monastery in Tibet and it was once the second most influential monastery in Tibet. This is the only monastery you need to walk counter clock-wise on this trip. The main Chapels are Assembly Hall, Protector Hall. Note, female travelers are not allowed to go inside the Protector Hall. Finally, we will make our way back to Lhasa.
Day 16: Depart from Lhasa
Say goodbye to Tibet!
Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.
