Kathmandu – Guge Kingdom – Mt.Kailash – Kathmandu

Route: Kathmandu ⇒ Kyirong ⇒ Saga ⇒ Paryang ⇒ Lake Manasarovar ⇒ Tirthapuri ⇒ Guge Kingdom ⇒ Tholing Monastery ⇒ Darchen ⇒ Dehra Puk ⇒ Dehra & Dolma la Pass ⇒ Manasarovar ⇒ Paryang ⇒ Saga ⇒ Kyirong ⇒ Cross the border to Kathmandu

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Your journey begins with a guided tour in and around Kathmandu while your Chinese visa is being processed. From there, you will embark on a scenic drive to the Nepal border. Upon reaching the border, our guide and driver will be waiting to assist you through customs. Once in Tibet, you will have the opportunity to explore Kyirong and acclimate to the high altitude. Continuing your adventure, you will drive through the picturesque Tibetan countryside, crossing high mountain passes en route to the Kailash area. Upon arrival in Western Tibet, you will visit the sacred Lake Manasarovar and the base camp town of Darchen at the foot of  Kailash. Embark on a trek around the sacred Mt. Kailash, immersing yourself in the beauty of its rocky cliffs and awe-inspiring rivers. After completing your journey, enjoy a celebratory feast in Darchen before driving back to the serene and comfortable border town of Kyirong.

Mount Kailash, which is known as the Precious Jewel of Snows in Tibetan, is considered by Buddhists to be the abode of the deity Chakrasamvara. It is said that if one does 108 circumambulations, one will reach enlightenment. The great Tibetan poet-saint Milarepa once declared, “There is no place more powerful for practice, more blessed, or more marvelous than this. May all pilgrims and practitioners be welcomed.”

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Part 1: Nepal  Trip Itinerary

To be a part of this tour, you’ll require a group visa for China/Tibet, which we’ll assist you with in Kathmandu. The visa processing window is scheduled from September 1st to September 5th. During this period, it’s essential for you to be present in Kathmandu, as there might be an interview conducted by the Chinese embassy.

While the Nepal part of the tour is not mandatory, it’s worth considering. We’ve curated all the key attractions of Kathmandu, providing you with the opportunity to explore Nepal’s capital and surroundings and make the most of your time while awaiting your group visa.

Sept 1/Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
You can arrive in Kathmandu at any time, but no later than this date. Optionally, we can meet you at the airport and arrange a transfer to your hotel.

Sept 2/Day 2: Kathmandu
In the morning, visit the Chinese Embassy in Nepal to submit documents for the group visa to China. After lunch, enjoy an excursion: you’ll visit the Pashupatinath Temple complex, the most significant Hindu religious center in Nepal. Pashupatinath, an epithet of the god Shiva, resembles a corner of Varanasi in Kathmandu, with Hindu temples, cremation ghats, and rituals.

Later, transition from this mini India to a unique atmosphere at the Boudhanath Stupa, a glimpse of Little Tibet. This colossal stupa, Asia’s largest chorten, marks the beginning of the trading route to Lhasa, where Tibetan merchants once prayed before their arduous journey. Today, Boudhanath is home to numerous Tibetans and shelters multiple Tibetan monasteries.

Sept 3/Day 3: Kathmandu
Begin your day with biometric registration at the embassy, followed by further exploration of Kathmandu. First, embark on an excursion to Swayambhunath Stupa, one of Nepal’s holiest stupas, surrounded by an intricate temple complex. Nestled around the grand Buddhist stupa, various monasteries representing Tibetan Buddhist schools and Hindu shrines coexist. Sometimes referred to as the Monkey Temple, Swayambhunath’s hill is inhabited by many monkeys.

Later, visit Patan, an ancient city once among the world’s largest, now a part of the Kathmandu urban area. Despite its urbanization, it remains one of the most stunning cities, earning its other name, Lalitpur, meaning “beautiful city.” Explore Durbar Square in Patan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the royal palace.

Sept 4/Day 4: Kathmandu – Nagarkot
Morning takes you to Bhaktapur, another ancient capital in the Kathmandu Valley. Like Patan, Bhaktapur holds UNESCO World Heritage status. Experience the medieval Newari architecture, intricate stone carvings adorning temples, and immerse in the city’s history. In the evening, transfer to Nagarkot. Overnight at a Nagarkot hotel.

Step 5/Day 5: Nagarkot – Namobuddha – Kathmandu
Situated at 2,195 meters, Nagarkot was once a summer retreat for Nepalese monarchs. Now a quaint mountain resort, it’s renowned for its sunrise and breathtaking Himalayan views. On clear days, even Everest is visible. Several hiking routes of varying lengths are available in Nagarkot.

Afternoon return to Kathmandu with a stop at Namobuddha, a significant pilgrimage site where legend has it that Buddha sacrificed himself to save a tigress.

Sept 6/Day 6: Kathmandu – Kirtipur – Pharping and Asura Cave – Dakshinkali – Kathmandu
Today’s excursion introduces you to the Kathmandu Valley’s heritage. Visit Kirtipur, once a fort safeguarding southwestern Kathmandu, later an independent city-state. It boasts numerous Buddhist and Hindu temples. Stroll its cobbled streets that ascend and descend the hill, relishing the Newari architecture that transports you to the medieval era. Afterwards, explore the Asura Cave, a meditation site of Guru Padmasambhava. On the way back, visit Dakshinkali, a complex dedicated to the goddess Kali. On this day, you’ll also receive your group visas for China.

Part 2: Tibet Tour with Kailash Kora & Guge Kingdom Itinerary

Sept 7/Day 7: Drive Kathmandu (1300m)  –  kyirong border (2300m), 200km, 7 hours
Drive 150km towards northeast with a nice scenic view, you will get to the Nepal –Tibet border town of Kodari. Once you cross the border, our Tibetan guide and driver will be waiting for you at the border and take you to the town of Kyirong.  Kyirong is located in the Kyirong Tsangpo River side in a beautiful green valley in the Himalayan ranges, There are spectacular forests, waterfalls, pastures on the both sides of the border.  Stay in a hotel in Kyirong.

Sept 8/ Day 8: Kyirong town to Kyirong County (3950m), 70km, 2 hours.  
First we will move from the border to a bigger town of Kyirong via Pakpa Lhakang temple (if time allows). We will stay in Kyirong today to acclimatize altitude for the coming highland road trip.  Kyirong is one of the four counties in Tibet which consists of Everest National Preserve. Kyirong is also one of the favorite meditation place for many famous scholars including Indian Master Atisha, Tibetan Yogi Master Milarepa. Milarepa’s folk songs are still singing in the region today. We will do some small hikes around Kyirong to prepare for Kailash Kora, visit Milarepa Monastery in Kyirong and Guru Rinpoche cave. Overnight in Kyirong.

Sept 9/Day 9:  Kyirong – Peikutso Lake – Saga (4450m), 150 km, 4 hours
Driving up towards some of the most remote region in Tibet.  Along the way, you will pass through some of the nomads camps with their yaks and sheep herders around the lake Peikutso (4450m) as well as enjoy great views of some of the tallest mountains in the world such as , Mt.Shishapangma(8013m).  We will also cross the world famous River Brahmaputra ( “Yarlung Tsangpo” in Tibetan ) to reach Saga (4600m). Overnight in a guesthouse in Saga.

Sept 10/Day 10: 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. Spend the night at Darchen where you can enjoy a close-up view of Kailash at any point in this one-street town.

Sept 11/Day 11: Darchen – Tirthapuri – Zhada
In the morning, we drive west about 70km to Tirthapuri. Tirthapuri is said to be the gate of Mt. Kailash and many pilgrims visit Tirthapuri first and then make the Kailash Kora. Tirthapuri, located on the Sutlej River just above the Tirthaburi hotspring, is famous for being the meditation site of Padmasambhava and his consort and student Yeshi Tsogyel. It was a pure meditation cave site 13 years ago, but later two Buddhist temples were built there. If you make a circumambulation around the monastery, you will see some other mediation caves and stupas scattering on the mountain slope. Afterwards, walk down to the river side and enjoy a natural hotspring. You can join local pilgrims to take a dip at the end of hotspring (Do not was feet at the upstream of hotspring). After that we continue drive west to Zhada or Tsapang. On the way, you will see stunning clay landscape in the wide valley. Overnight in Zhada or Tsaparang.

Sep 12/Day 12: Zhada – Toling – Guge Kingdom – Zhada  / Tsaparang(3630m)
Today, first we visit Toling Monastery at the end of the town. The Toling Monastery consists of two main temples and several other ruins of ancient stupas. Tholing Monastery which is built by Great Tibetan translator Rinchen Zangpo at the beginning of the 10th century. These Buddhist temples became the religious center of the Guge Kingdom. Once you are there, do not miss a small back door which will lead you to the riverside where you can see ancient Toling Monastery and stupa of Padmasambhava. Afterwards, Drive 250km further west to Guge Kingdom. On the way, we will first drive through colorful mountains and then into the world of white clay land formations. Once we arrive in Guge Kingdom, we will have a whole afternoon to explore the ruins of this ancient kingdom dated back to the 10th century. There are four main temples in the lower reaches of the city, where you can see wall paintings and statues display. Some of them are of the earliest examples of Tantric Buddhist art. Above these temples, you can find the citadel of the kings. After visiting this historical site. We drive back to Zhada or homestay in the Tsaparang  village.

Sept 13/Day 13: Zhada – Dongkar/ Piyang – back to Darchen
Today, we will drive back to Darchen, on the way, make a detour to visit one of the ruins of oldest cave temples in Tibet. The Dongkar Piyang site is about 60km from Zanda, located north from Toling at the small village of Dungkar and about 3 km away from Dungkar to Piyang. Dungkar and Piyang are famous for the wall painting and meditation caves, records shows there were more than 4,000 caves in the valley that was once inhabited. Nowadays, there are about 2000 caves remained at the Dungkar and Piyang. Actually seldom of tourist knows about this remote place, so if you are a fans of ancient relic, you may find Dungkar and Piyang are nice place to explore.After visting these 2 places, we will drive back to Darhchen. You can prepare your trek next day.

Sept 14/Day 14: 1st Day of the Mount 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. Fox 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.

Sept 15/Day 15: 2nd day of the Mount Kailash kora – Dolma la pass (5650 m) – Zuthal Puk (4815m), Trekking distance 12km and 7 hours.
This place is the 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 this numbers are not big difference but given the altitude in this area, it is the most difficult part of the trek. When you reach at 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 the 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 Milerepa once stayed.

Sept 16/Day 16: 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.

Sept 17/Day 17: 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.

Sept 18/Day 18: Saga – Kyirong ( 2800m) – Kyirong border customs – Rasuwa Ghadi – Kathmandu
Continually drive in the Himalayans. If weather permits you will have great view of Mt. Shishapangma and other snow peaks as well as Lantang National Park in Nepal side in distance. 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 leads us down to the valley. The attitude is getting lower dramatically as you  descend in the valley, and the geography changes from desert-like grassland into greenish forest. You start feel the gentle air with full of oxygen and your body become more and more relax and comfortable.

The customs open 10am and close by 3:30pm. You may take between 1-2 hours depends on how fast the formalities go. Then after cross the bridge, you need to go through Nepal customs. Finally,  you will get to Nepal border town of Rasuwa Gadi . Our guide will help you go through custom and formalities in Chinese side of the frontier Nepal / China. On the way to Kathmandu, you will see Langtang National Park, snow peaks, farm terrains and Rasuwa ethic group of Nepal. Arrive Kathmandu in the evening, it takes about 8-9 hours from Nepal border to Kathmandu. Note: there are parts of the road are unpaved.

Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.