Lhasa -EBC-Kailash-Guge Tour

Arrival Lhasa

Our staff will greet you at Lhasa Airport/Railway Station to transfer you to the hotel. From Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa, it usually takes abt 1.5hrs; from Lhasa Railway Station, abt 20mins. After the transfer to the hotel, you will be free to wander around the city on your own for the rest of the day but try not to overtax yourself. On the first day's well-rest is crucial to acclimatize to the high altitude. Remember to drink lots of water, eat light, and not take a shower if you can help it.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Sightseening Lhasa

After breakfast in the hotel, the tour guide will take you to Drepung Monastery, the biggest Tibetan monastery that housed more than 10,000 monks in the past. Drepung means Rice Heap in the Tibetan language. The entire monastery is large in scale and the white buildings cluster and covers the hillsides. It's the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect. .

In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery, which is reputed as the most beautiful Tibetan Monastery. The biggest feature is the Monks' debate from 3 pm to 5 pm. As a part of the study, lamas should participate in debates to further their comprehension and proceed to more advanced levels of Buddhism.  

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Sightseening Lhasa

Today, you will visit the most famous Potala Palace, which is the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. Potala Palace was the winter palace of successive Dalai lamas. It was built by the 33rd great king of Tibet - Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th Century. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet. 

At noon, the tour guide will bring you to a good restaurant to have lunch and have a rest. In the afternoon, we will go to visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the Lhasa old town. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since the early days. After that, you will take a walk around the Barkhor Street - one of the most devotional circuits as well as a crowded central market of Lhasa. Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the locals are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, it‘s also a must-see place for visitors. 

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Lhasa -Shigatse

We will pass by Kampala pass(4,790m) on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse and visit Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Standing at the lakeside, you can see its blue water shimmering with charming light, as well as the snow-capped holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar(7,191m) in the distance.  

Next we will pass and enjoy the Karola Glacier on the roadside. It is about 300m from the main highway on your way to Gyantse. 

Then visit the main monastery in Gyantse - Pelkor Chode Monastery, famous for its exquisite architecture and intact murals and statues.

Stay overnight in Shigatse

Shigatse-Rongbuk

In the morning, you will leave Shigatse to Lhatse, a small town located 150 km from Shigatse, and you may have lunch in the local restaurant. After a short rest, you will go ahead to Tingri. You will pass through the first high mountain pass - Tsola Pass(4,600m), then the second one-Gyatsola Pass(5,248m), the mountain pass of Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, with countless prayer flags flying in the wind. Afterward, you will keep ascending to Gawula Pass (5,198m), where you can enjoy the panorama of the Himalayas. Then you will drive along the zigzag road to Rongbuk Monastery or the Everest Base Camp to stay overnight.

If it’s summertime (usually May~Oct), you will stay overnight at the nomad tents of the Everest Base Camp; if winter time (usually Nov~Apr), you will stay at Rongbuk Monastery’s guesthouse. Both places have but only dorm bed lodging available. From both places, you can see the glorious Everest sunset if the weather is good. 

Stay overnight in Rongbuk guesthouse or Nomad Tent(Dorm Bed)

Rongbuk to Saga

You can get up early and enjoy the sunrise of Everest Peak at Everest Base Camp if the weather is good. After that, drive to saga, on the way, you can view of the worlds’14th highest peak Mt.Shishapangma (8012m). Later, you will reach Lake Peikutso(4590m) and have a rest there. Then continue to Saga, If you are lucky enough, you are very likely to see wild animals like the wild donkey, wild antelope, etc.

Stay overnight in Saga

Saga to Kailash Darchen 

Today, you will spend a lot of time on the way, but it’s worthy to see the landscape along the way.You’ll have stunning views of the great Himalayans to the south and Trans-Himalayan to the north as we drive across the vast plains. This region is home to nomads, you’ll see the beautiful grassland and local's villages. As we cross the Mayomla Pass (5112M), you can enjoy the spectacular vista of Mt. Naimonanyi(7694M).

During this thrilling journey, you’ll pass by sand dunes, mountains, and sandstone valleys before we reach the Darchen, a small nomadic village and important launch point for pilgrimages around Mt. Kailash. Upon your arrival, you can explore the Darchen town on your own. If you need porters and yaks, your tour guide will arrange it for you this afternoon.

Stay overnight in Guesthouse

Trek to Drirapuk 

In the morning, you will take an eco-bus (included in the cost) to Sarshung valley and start the trekking from there. Then you will meet your porters and yaks at Sarshung Valley(the cost of hiring yaks, horses, and porters are not included in the package). You’ll trek about 15 km from Sarshung Valley to Drirapuk Monastery along the Lachu River Valleys. During your trekking today, you can see both west and north face of Mt.Kailash. Finally, you will visit Drirapuk Monastery and stay overnight here.

Stay overnight in Guesthouse, Dorm Bed

Trek to Zultipuk

Today is the most challenging day of the trekking, you’ll climb over the highest pass of the Kora, the Dromala pass(5630m). After a short rest at the top, we will climb down into the long valley and stop for lunch at the Shabjay Dakpo nomadic tent. On the way, you can have a rest in a teahouse. Then you will continue to the Zultulpuk , built by two important religious figures, Milarepa and Naro Bonchung. At last, you will visit Zutulpuk Monastery. You will find the footprint and handprint of Milarepa inside the cave. 

Stay overnight in Guesthouse, Dorm Bed

Trek end at Darchen

It's an easy day of the trek. You'll trek 9km to complete the Kora then take the eco bus back to Darchen. According to Buddhism theory, doing a kora around a holy mountain for one circle can get rid of the sins and miseries for the whole life. Only after going through lots of hardships, you can feel the happiness and gratification brought by kora. Then you take the shuttle bus back to Darchen, about 3km. And you are going back to the town and taking a break in the afternoon.

Stay overnight in Guesthouse

Darchen to Guge -Zada

Today you will drive from Darchen to Zanda. It takes about 5 hours by car, yet the distance is only about 243 kilometers. And then it takes a long way of winding up and down along fantastically eroded gorges and gullies.

At about 3pm, you will arrive in the Guge Kingdom to explore the ruins of the lost civilization under the sunset. It's a famous kingdom in the history of Tibet and created a very glorious history in the Ngari region, as well as a splendid culture in the "second propagation of Buddhism". It was not only the continuation of the Tubo lineage but it's also believed to have inherited the legacy of the Xiangxiong Kingdom in ancient times. Remote location, magical clay forest land and splendid civilization have made these ruins become an important part of western Tibet tourism

Stay overnight in Zada

Zada to Saga

Today we're driving back to Saga via Lake Manasarovar. As one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, it is said that Manasarovar Lake is the holiest one. The sacred water can wash away the troubles and obstacles in the soul. You may take a leisurely kora around the Manasarovar, meditate beside the tranquil lake, or even take a holy dip, etc. 

Stay overnight in Saga

Saga to Kyirong 

Today we will drive to Gyirong town from Zhongba. In the afternoon, you will visit Gyirong Valley, which is regarded as the backyard garden of the Himalayas. You will see lust forest and breath fresh air. You will be amazed by the creator's masterpiece that 4 seasons exist in such a narrow valley. Gyirong, in Tibetan language, it means comfort or happyness. It's said Gyirong was named by Padma sambhava Buddha, when he entered Tibet from here. 

Stay overnight in Kyirong

Cross boredr to Nepal side