Samye Festival & Mt. Kailash Kora Tour

Route: Lhasa — Samye Festival – Mindroling – Yamdrok Lake – Gyantse – Shigatse – Lake Manasarovar – Chiu Hotspring  – Mt. Kailash trek – Saga – Kyirong border – Nepal or Lhasa.

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June 18th / Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa (3658 m)

Welcome to Lhasa! Transfer to your hotel and get settled.

June 19th / Day 2: Lhasa city tour

Visit Drepung, one of the three most famous monasteries in Lhasa. Drepung is located just outside Lhasa on Gambo Utse Mountain. Once home to as many as 10,000 monks, the enormous monastic complex is the site of many prayer halls, dormitories, and temples. Just below the monastery is the Nechung temple, the former home of the state oracle. Afterwards, visit Sera monastery, where you can watch monks debate in the courtyard. If you enjoy hiking, walk the hour-long circumambulation path around the monastery complex.

June 20th / Day 3: Lhasa city tour

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.

June 21st / Day 4: Lhasa – Brahmaputra River – Yumbulagang – Samye

We drive towards south to Tsethang area, we will cross the Yurlung Tsangpo River /Brahmaputra River and then drive along it. We will stop at the Bottom of Yumbulhakang Palace and then take a half-hour to hike up to the Palace. Afterwards, continue drive to Samye at north and cross the River again. Once you arrive Samye, you can hike up to Hepori which is a hill next to the monastery. You can have an overlooking view of the monastery once you get on the top. Then if time allows, you can also follow local pilgrims to make a kora or circumambulation around the monastery. Samye Monastery is the oldest Monastery in Tibet. Overnight in Samye monastery guesthouse.

June 22nd / Day 5：Samye festival & Chimpu hike if time allows

Today is the world’s offering day as well as the Samye Monastery Festival. A Giant Thangka or painting will be displayed at the monastery and there will be monks Mask Dance at the court of Utse. This is the main festival at the monastery and you will see many Tibetan pilgrims to attend this festival from Tsethang region as well as other parts of Tibet. if time allows, visit Chimpu hermitage caves but in order to visit the caves, you need to hike up about 2 hours one way, so we only drive there if we have enough time.

June 23rd / Day 6: Samye Monastery – Mindroling – Yamdrok Lake – Gyantse

Beginning your adventure in the Himalayas, after cross the river, we will have short stop at Mingdroling Monastery, this is the headquarter of Nyingmapa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Then continue 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. Stay the night in Gyantse.

June 24th / Day 7: Gyantse – Shalu Monastery – Shigatse (3836 m)

In the morning, there is option to visit a handmade carpet factory to see how Tibetan carpet  are made. Followed by a two-hour drive to Shigatse. Along the way, we will make a detour to visit Shalu Monastery. Shalu monastery is 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. Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of six great monasteries in Tibet, it is also home to Penchen Lamas. You will spend about 1.5- 2 hours to visit all the temples.

Note: your guide may take sometime to do a paperwork for the group in Shigatse.

June 25th / Day 8: Shigatse – Saga (4640 m)

Drive up to high mountain passes with a great view of the Himalayas. You’ll be driving through the countryside and grasslands, where you can see small lakes and nomads camping with their yaks and sheep. About 180km you will reach a beautiful alpine lake called the Langtso at an elevation of 4300m. There are yaks and sheep scattering at the lakeside. This is a great place to have a short break and stretch your legs for this long driving journey. In the late afternoon, cross over the Brahmaputra River on the way to typical Chinese and Tibetan town. Spend the night in Saga.

June 26th / Day 9: 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 drive West. In 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.

June 27th / Day 10: 1st Day of the Mt. Kailash kora, 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 main trail. Pay a visit to this monastery takes extra one hour. Afterwards, you can join the main trail cross 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 hour of walking, you will reach 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.

June 28th / Day 11: 2nd day of the Mt. Kailash kora – Dolma la pass (5650 m) – Zuthal Puk (4815m), Trekking distance 12km and 7 hours. [Shaman Festival]

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 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.

June 29th / Day 12: 3rd day of the Mt. Kailash kora, 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 hotspring there. If your group stay until sunrise, a walk to the mountain slope to see full view of the lake is recommended.

Optional: Manasarovar lake bus kora /depend on time and bus availability

June 30th / Day 13: Holy Lake Manasarovar – Paryang – Saga

Begin the journey back to Nepal/Lhasa. Enjoy a beautiful view of Himalaya ranges. Most travelers usually take this long driving road back as rest time after 3 days of 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 cross the road, a beautiful lake or snowy, sunrise or sunset.etc. make your journey alive.

July 1st / Day 14: 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 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 rocky mountain. The water said to be blessed by Guru Rinpoche. 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.

July 2nd / Day 15: Kyirong – Rasuwa Gadi (Cross border) – 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 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 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.

July 3rd / Day 16: Shigatse – Yundrongling Monastery – Lhasa

Today, we continue 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 in 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.

July 4th / Day 17: Depart from Lhasa

Say goodbye to Tibet!