15 Days Lhasa, Everest, Mt Kailash, Guge Kingdom

Tour summary

You will be in exclusive company if you come on this 15 Day Mt Kailash Tour that takes you on the journey of a lifetime. To do a “kora” around Mt Kailash is supposed to erase a lifetime of karma in the religion of Tibetan Buddhism, and as you trek this incredible landscape you will witness the faithful prostrating along the same path. Mt Kailash sits in the western reaches of Tibet and is a pilgrimage not only for Tibetan Buddhists, but also followers of the Bon religion, Jainism, and Hinduism. This is a unique place in the world full of ancient traditions and customs, as well as being all together wild and remote. Have the adventure of a lifetime and let us transport you to a place that abounds in magic and mystery in the wilderness of Tibet.

Tour photos

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa(3650m) by Plane or Train

You are welcomed warmly in Tibetan by the greeting “Tashi Delek” at Train station/ Airport by our professional Tibetan guide. After meeting your guide you will be transferred to your prearranged hotel in Lhasa. The choice is yours, either enjoy some time relaxing or take a stroll through the city’s’ streets to take in some of the local flavor. Whatever you choose it is important to take it slow as your body needs time to acclimatize. This will help you to have a more enjoyable experience for the rest of your time.

Day 2: Lhasa: Snow White Tibet Art Centre, Sera Monastery

In the morning drive to Snow White Tibet Art Centre, upon arrival, we will learn to make Tibetan cuisine- Tsampa, which is mixed with butter and Tibetan cheese. You will also have the chance to watch and experience Tibetan arts such as the traditional costume, incense, thangka, blocking printing, etc. Later in the afternoon, we will explore one of the “Great Three” monasteries, Sera Monastery. Visitors will have the unique privilege in witnessing one of the magnificent traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, the courtyard debates among the monks. These lively debates contribute to the monks understanding of Buddhist philosophy and achieve a higher level of study. The debates are held on weekdays from 3pm to 5pm in the afternoon.

Day 3: Lhasa: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street

In the morning, we will begin the tour with the grand Potala Palace! Built in 7th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the highest building in Lhasa. With roughly 1000 stairs to climb, you will enjoy a commanding view of beautiful Lhasa City and the surrounding mountains. There are many rooms, courtyards, and views to explore in Potala Palace, so the better part of the morning will be spent here. In the afternoon we will visit Jokhang Temple, which is considered the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. It was built approximately 1350 years ago in a mix of styles including: Tibetan, Tang Dynasty Chinese, Nepalese and Indian. After experiencing this incredible and ancient temple you will find it is the perfect opportunity to envelope yourself in the famous shopping district of Barkhor Street. Beautiful and unique handicrafts from all over Tibet can be found here, and the shopping is enjoyed by both tourists and locals alike! After perusing the wares, join in with locals and pilgrims from around the country and the world in a traditional “kora”. A kora is a clockwise walk done around Buddhists sites, and is traditionally done three times. You may see some walking counterclockwise, however this is only for Bon religion followers, and it is best to stick to clockwise as a tourist. After your kora, sit and watch the many faces and colorful clothed locals while sipping traditional Tibetan butter tea, made with fresh yak butter and yak milk.

Day 4: Lhasa/ Gyangtse(4040m)/ Shigatse(3836m): Yamdrok Lake, Karo-la Glacier, Pelkor Monastery, Gyantse Kumbum 360km, 7-8hrs

On day four, our tour leaves the bustling and ancient city of Lhasa and heads into the Nyangchu Valley. The valley follows the Nyang River, one of the tributaries to the Yarlung Zangbo which later becomes the Bramaputra River. This wide floodplain is home to a host of wildlife and bird species. The road will also cross over the Gampala Pass(4900m), on the way to Yamdrok Lake(4400m). Yamdrok Lake with its turquoise waters looks surreal as it stretches from horizon to horizon. After driving along the picturesque lake, and leaving it behind we then meet the Karo-la Glacier(4960m) which is in easy view from the roadside. Once pictures are taken and memories made we continue on to Gyantse, a famous historical city, where we will pay a visit to Pelkor Monastery and Gantse Kumbum. Later we arrive in Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet.

Day 5: Shigatse / Rongbuk Monastery/ Everest Base Camp(5200m) 340km, 7hrs

On the fifth day of the tour, you will make your way to the highest monastery in the world, Rongbuk Monastery (5100m). First the tour will pass by Latse, and Shegar before arriving at the Rongbuk Monastery, from here, it offers a commanding view of Everest, or “Qomolangma” in Tibetan. Rongbuk Monastery sits small and unassuming tucked into the rock, a visit to this retired monastery with its one monk caretaker is a window into the past with its secret spaces and wall frescos.

Day 6: Everest Base Camp / Peikutso Lake/ Saga (4500m) 450km, 8hrs

Leaving behind Mount Everest today we drive to Old Tingri in the morning, and it will be last place where we can see Mount Everest on the way west. The scenic drive will also take us through the Lalongla Mountain Pass, and it is the best place to view Mount Shishapangma. Shishapangma is 8012 meters above sea level, and it is the only mountain above 8000 meter that is entirely located in China. On the way, we will also pass by Peikutso Lake. It is the largest lake in Shigatse with more than 300 square kilometers surface area. This clear, sapphire blue lake is a heaven for the wild animals on the plateau.

Day 7: Saga / Lake Manasarovar /Darchen (4600m) 460km, 8hrs

After breakfast we drive to the sacred Mount Kailash. It is the main peak of the Gangdise and dominates the landscape at 6638 meters above sea level(the foot of the mountain is about 4500 meters above sea level). Kailash in Tibetan means “the treasure of the snow mountain”. It is recognized as the center of the world by Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, Bon and Jainism. Interestingly the mountain has four sides, similar to a pyramid that each face one of the cardinal directions. It also is close to the source of four major rivers of the world including the Indus River, the Brahmaputra, the Karnali (tributary of the Ganges) and the Sutlej. Before reaching this spectacular mountain we will enjoy a detour to Lake Mansarovar, which is located 20 kilometers southeast of Mount Kailash, and 4588 meters above sea level. Together with Yamdrok Lake, and Namtso Lake, they are called the three great lake of Tibet. Later, we drive to the Darchen to prepare for the next three days of trekking around Mount Kailash. Our guide will help to arrange yaks for carrying your luggage if there is need.

Day 8: Trek Day One - Darchen to Drirapuk(4920m), 20km, 6-7hrs

The journey begins after passing the prayer flag square and we step onto the famous kora route. The journey to the west side of Darchen is not very far and the scenery will take you to another place and time. Our first stop is six kilometers down the trail to Qugu Temple, where lunch, hot water and instant noodles are available. Further along we come to some basic tents that offer a chance to rest. Then we continue on for another 2 kilometers and reach Drirapuk.

Day 9: Trek day two – Drirapuk to Dzultripuk(4760m) 22km, 6-7hrs

One of the magical moments during this adventure is waking up with the sounds of the river and the distant clang of the bells around the yaks necks at the foot of the sacred Mount Kailash. You will feel transported to a different century as you rise and get ready for the days hike. From Drirapuk the trail ascends to Dromala Pass(5630 m) about 6.5 kilometers along the hike. It will be the highest place during this trek. At the pass is a great opportunity to rest and enjoy Mount Kailash in the not too far distance to the west. We then continue to walk roughly 10 kilometers and start to follow the river with ample places to relax before another nine km to Dzutrpuk. You will fall deeply asleep from the exhilarating and physical day.

Day 10: Trek day three - Dzultripuk to Darchen 9km, 3-4hrs & Drive to Zanda(3741m) 232km, 4hrs

Today the journey will be a more relaxed hike from Dzutrpuk Temple down to the mountain. The views s always on this adventure, are astounding and the saunter downhill will lift your spirits. About 6 kilometers along the hike you have the option of taking a vehicle here with your guide, or walking another 3 kilometers to Darchen. After completing three days’ kora, continue to drive to Zanda.

Day 11: Zanda / Guge Kingdom Ruins / Tholing Monastery/ Darchen 230km, 5hrs

This morning drive to visit the Ruins of Guge Kingdom. In the 10th century, the Tibetan empire Kyide Nyimagon fled from U-Tsang to Ngari and found Guge. Twenty kilometres away, there is Tholing Monastery, you can overlook the earth forest in the distance, feeling like on another planet. Beside the monastery, a river flows, that is called Shiquan River, the water originates from Mount Kailash.

Day 12: Darchen / Saga 450km ,9-10hrs

The drive back to Saga will descend through a vast desert landscape from Darchen. Either sit back and enjoy a nap as the ride in the bus lulls you to sleep, or enjoy snapping photos of this moonlike landscape and an almost 2000 meter descent.

Day 13: Saga / Shigatse 460km, 8hrs

After a restful night in Saga, we continue our journey back to Lhasa via Shigatse. Overlooking the town is the Potala-like Shigaste Zong, but it is mostly empty and what is seen is from a reconstruction in 2007.

Day 14: Lhasa Departure

In the early morning, the tour will arrive at Tashilunpo Monastery which is the seat of the of Panchen Lamas. Built in 1447, the monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of the Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in the world and a tomb of all the Panchen Lamas. This enormous Buddha is decorated with jewels and precious stones, and many pilgrims come to rub their “malas” or prayer beads along the flanks of this statue. In the afternoon, we drive back to Lhasa.