Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar Trek

Route: Lhasa — Yamdrok Lake – Gyantse – Shigatse – Saga – Paryang – Mt. Kailash trek – Lake Manasarovar Trek  – Nepal or Lhasa.  

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Sept 10th / Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa (3658 m)

Welcome to Lhasa! Transfer to your hotel and get settled. If you arrive early, you can walk around famous Barkhor Street on your own.  

Sept 11th / Day 2: Lhasa sightseeing: Drepung Monastery, Nechung Temple and Sera Monastery

Visit Drepung Monastery in the morning, 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, monks residents, 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 debating in the courtyard. If you enjoy hiking, walk the hour-long circumambulation path around the monastery complex.

‘Debating is a common way of study by monks and some Tibetan schools. The monks debate session take place around 3pm in Sera Monastery from Monday to Saturday. The subject of debating can be variety but the main course of debating always focus on finding ultimate Truth or reality. This way of studying have been used centuries in Tibet and India.’

Sept 12th / Day 3: Lhasa sightseeing:  Potala Palace, Rock Paintings of Medicine Hill, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street.

In the morning, visit the Potala Palace, the winter Palace for Dalai Lamas as well as the greatest monumental structure in all of Tibet. Afterwards, we will go to visit the rock paintings nearby Potala Palace. Then we walk to Barkhor Street and visit the Jokhang Temple, which is located in Barkhor square in Lhasa. The Jokhang Temple is dedicated to the statue of Jowo Shakyamuni. This is the holiest temple in all of Tibet. Pilgrims from all over flock to this temple to catch a glimpse of the Jowo Buddha, a statue that is said to have been blessed by the Buddha himself. Pilgrims from all over Tibet visit the Barkhor to pray in front of the Jokhang.  After come out of the temple, then you are in Barkhor Street,  Barkhor Street is a famous shopping street filled with goods and souvenirs from Tibet, Nepal, and India. When you follow local pilgrims, make sure to make the kora or circumambulation around Jokhang Temple in clockwise.

Sept 13th / Day 4: Lhasa – Yarlung Tsangpo River – Yamdrok Lake – Korala Glaicer – Gyantse – Shigatse (3836m), 360km, 7 hours 

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. Afterwards visit the Pelkor Chode Kumbum and Gyantse Monastery followed by a two hour drive to Shigatse. Here, see the giant Buddha in the famous Tashilhunpo monastery. Time allowing, join pilgrims in walking the long circumambulation path around the monastery, or explore the city streets. Spend the night in Shigatse.

Sept 14th / Day 5: Shigatse – Langtso Lake – Saga (4640m),  450km, 9 hours 

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.

Sept 15th / Day 6: Saga – Paryang – Darchen(4575m), 450km, 9 hours 

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 Mt. Kailash. Spend the night in a small town near Mt. Kailash. 

Sept 16th / Day 7: Darchen – Tirthapuri / Zhadaburi (43100m)- Darchen(4575m) 150km / 4 hours

In the morning drive to Tirthapuri. Before reach Tirthapuri, a steamy, hotspring water flows down from white rocks below the monastery. This is the famous Tirthapuri Hotspring. Then drive several km inside the valley, the monastery complex comes to view. Tirthapuri Monastery has a special connections with Guru Rinpoche as you will see that the first chapel in the main temple will be a footprint of Guru Rinpoche. This monastery also known as the gateway to Mt. Kailash. Many locals come to visit this monastery before the Mt. Kailash Kora. . The region is considered rich in gold and other minerals, hot springs and hundreds of wild living creatures. Afternoon, we will drive back to Darchen to prepare for 3 day trekking around Mt. Kailash.  Overnight at Darchen

Sept 17th / Day 8: Kailash Trekking Kora day 1

Walk along beautiful rocky cliffs and take pictures of breathtaking waterfalls. Take deep breaths of fresh air. From time to time, the face of Mt. Kailash will appear. Be prepared for some difficult hiking.

Sept 18th / Day 9: Kailash Trekking  Kora day 2

Hike across a valley up to the Dolma-La Pass. At the top, make an offering, take a break (or meditate), and forget all your cares and worries. Afterwards, begin descending. By the late afternoon arrive at Zuthal Puk, the cave of miracles where Milerepa once stayed.

Sept 19th / Day 10: Kailash Trekking Kora day 3  then drive to Mansarovar (4500m), rest in Qiu hotsprings

Start the day by following one of the most clear river you have ever seen. The trail is flat and much more 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, you will drive to lake Mansarovar and can rest and take bath in the Qiu Monastery hotspring. Rest at the Lake

Sept 20th / Day 11: Manasarovar kora day 1: (28km / 8 hours)

The first trekking day will be started from Barka to Hor township (4560m). Which has 28km. Hor is a town which has a collection of mud walled houses and assorted compounds. Located slightly inland from the northeastern corner of Mapam Yumtso.  Here are some guesthouses and shops you can refill some of your supplies. Spend the night in guesthouses (very basic). 

Sept 21st / Day 12: Manasarovar kora day 2 : (10.5km / 3 hours)

The trekking will be continued to Seralung Monastery  which covers 10.5km. For the first few kilometers you will keep on to the shoreline.  

Sept 22nd / Day 13: Manasarovar kora day 3 (23km / 7 hours)

Today the trail cuts across a sandy headland. After a bridge crosses Trak Tsangpo river. Trugo Gon comes into view. Eventually the track passes the ruins of Nyego monastery. From here the Trugo Gon a simply one hour walk away. Trugo Gon is the most active monastery around the lake. Originally Drukpa Kagyu. And has long been affiliated to Shepeling at Purang. Stay in a guesthouse (very basic). 

From Trugo Gon. You will follow the shoreline for most of the day. Having turned north. The western shoreline becomes a low cliff face. Some four or five hours from Trugo Gon. You will observe caves with blackened ceiling that once were inhabited. Above them is the rebuilt Geluk monastery of Gotsuk Gon.  Spend the night in a guesthouse (very basic). 

Sept 23rdh / Day 14: Manasarovar kora day 4 (15km / 5 hours)

From Trugo Gon. You will follow the shoreline for most of the day. Having turned north. The western shoreline becomes a low cliff face. Some four or five hours from Trugo Gon. You will observe caves with blackened ceiling that once were inhabited. Above them is the rebuilt Geluk monastery of Gotsuk Gon.  Spend the night in a guesthouse (very basic). 

Sept 24th / Day 15: Manasarovar kora day 5 (12km / 4 hours) – Saga

Continue following the shoreline and that trail will turn left. Pointing almost directly to the Mt Kailash in the distance. Again the trail swings north towards Tseti guesthouse. It is said that Mahatma Gandi’s ashes where brought here and cast into the lake’s water. Today is just four hours trekking. After you complete the cora, you will start the journey back to Lhasa. Overnight in Saga. 

Sept 25th / Day 16: Saga – Kyirong(Nepal border), 2800m

Continually drive in the Himalayas. If weather permits you will have 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 which with full of oxygen. Right before reaching Kyirong town, we will stop at a waterfall which 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. 

Sept 26th / Day 17: 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 ethic 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 highest mountains including Mt. Shishapangma, Mt. ChoOyu, etc.  Arrive in Shigatse in the evening.

Sept 27th / Day 18: Shigatse – Yungdrungling Monastery – Lhasa 290km, 6 hours 

You’ll visit a famous Bonpo Yungdrungling monastery on the way back to Lhasa. Although it looks like a typical Buddhist monastery, one should pay special attention to the swastikas swirling counterclockwise.

‘Once back in Lhasa, spend some time strolling through the alleys of the old Tibetan quarter and peeking into any workshops or stores that interest you. Take the opportunity to dine on local cuisine, revisit a favorite restaurant, or scout out a delicious place to have supper.’

Sept 28th / Day 19: Depart from Lhasa 

Say Goodbye to Tibet!