Mount Kailash and Mansarovar, located 20 Km apart from each other, are two most sacred sites in Tibet. Every year religious followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, Jain and Bon make a pilgrimage to both the sites. It is believed by religious pilgrims that circumnavigating Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar on foot will remove one’s sins and bring good fortune.
The sheer natural beauty and pristine state of Kailash and Mansarovar makes it a popular destination for all tourists and adventure lovers. The snow-capped Mt. Kailash is a source of water for four major river systems in Asia. Mansarovar at 4600m altitude, is the highest fresh water lake in the world drawing flocks of wildfowl including swans for mating and shelter every summer.
Overland travel to Tibet from Nepal is the most ideal and practical route. The journey typically involves traveling on 4W Jeep and staying in hotels or camps. All logistics and visa processing will be arranged in Nepal before your travel to Tibet.
Overnight Hotel.
Our staff will greet you at Lhasa Airport/Railway and transfer you to hotel. From Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa, usually takes about 1.5hrs; from Lhasa Railway Station, abt 20mins. After transferred to hotel, the rest of the day you will be free to wander around the city on your own but try not to overtax yourself. The first day’s well-rest is crucial to acclimatize high altitude. Remember to drink lots of water, eat light, and not to shower if you can help it.
Overnight Hotel. Included Meal: Breakfast
Highlights: Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery
Today you will visit 2 attractions in Lhasa suburb. In the morning, we will arrange you to see Drepung Monastery. In the afternoon, we will visit Sera Monastery. You will stay long hour on sightseeing today under the fierce sun of Tibet, do arm yourself with sunglasses/ hat/ sunscreen. Also a welcome dinner will be held tonight to introduce you to the whole group that you are going to travel with. We have customers from all over the world. Shall be fun to meet people from different countries, culture and background.
Located about 8 km west of central Lhasa, Drepung Monastery was once one of the world’s largest monasteries. The word Drepung literally translates as ‘rice heap’, a reference to the huge numbers of white monastic buildings that once piled up on the hill side.
Sera Monastery is located in the northern suburb of Lhasa City. The monastery was named Sera which means wild rose in the Tibetan language, because the hill behind it was covered with wild roses in bloom when the monastery was built. From Mon ~ Fri, every afternoon, you’ll be able to see monks debating at Sera Monastery.
Overnight Hotel. Included Meal: Breakfast
Highlights: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
This morning, visit Potala Palace. It is more than 3,700 meters above sea level and it is the highest palace in the world! At the top the palace called golden roofs, you can have a bird-eye view of the whole of Lhasa. In the distance there are undulating mountain ranges, the beautiful Lhasa River, tracts of fields, tree-shaded villages and the glistening Jokhang Temple.
Afternoon, visit Jokhang Temple, it is the first built during the period of Sontsan Gambo in the 7th century and features Buddhist prayer wheels, reclining deer, golden sutra streamers. You’ll find that many Pilgrims pray before the monastery.
The circuit around it called Barkhor Street, a famous local handmade crafts market, which is a good place to purchase souvenirs.
Overnight Hotel. Included Meal: Breakfast
Highlights: Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Pelkor Chöde Monastery with Gyantse Kumbum
Yamdrok Lake: dazzling Yamdrok-tso(elev 4441m) is normally first seen from the summit of the Kamba-la (4700m). The lake lies several hundred meters below the road, and in clear weather is fabulous shade of deep turquoise. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangsang (7191m).
Karola Glacier: Mt Nojin Kangsang stands tall with an elevation of 7,191m between Gyantse County and Nagarzê County, with several snow-capped mountains over 6,000m surrounding it. Mount Nojin Kangsang is the most accessible glacier site on the Tibetan Plateau. The famous Kharola Glacier (5,560m) is below the south ridge of Nojin Kangsang.
Pelkor Chöde Monastery with Gyantse Kumbum: the sprawling compound in the far north of town houses Pelkor Chöde Monastery and the monumental Gyantse Kumbum, a chörten filled with fine paintings and statues. Both are deservedly top of the list on most travellers’ must-sees. Palkhor lies at the foot of Dzong Hill. It is well-known for its Kumbum, which has 108 chapels in its four floors. The multi-storied Kumbum Stupa was crowned with a golden dome and umbrella, surrounded with more chapels filled with unique religious statues and murals.
Overnight Hotel. Included Meal: Breakfast
Highlights: Tashilumpo Monastery
After arrival in Shigatse, we will first go to apply the Alien’s Travel Permit (PSB) with your original passport presented which usually takes about 30 minutes before sightseeing. Bear with us.
Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat Sect) in Tibet. Also called the Heap of Glory, the monastery is located at the foot of Drolmari (Tara’s Mountain), Shigatse. Founded by the First Dalai Lama in 1447, the monastery’s structure was expanded by the Fourth and successive Panchen Lamas. It covers an area of nearly 300,000 square meters. The main structures found in the monastery are Maitreya Chapel, Panchen Lama’s Palace and Kelsang Temple. Tashilhunpo is the seat of Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery, and there are now nearly 800 Lamas.
Overnight Nomad Tent (Dorm Bed). Included Meal: Breakfast
Optional: Rongbuk Monastery
Tibet has serious rule about speed-limit. Though from Shigatse to Everest region is only about 350 km or so in book, the no-more-than-40km/hr regulation, and the many road checks dotted on the way, really slow us down. So be prepared to spend around 10~12 hrs on the road including meal time. The upside is the view along the way is superb. Get your camera ready. Also prepare some snacks with you to bring along.
You will arrive at Rongbuk Monastery in the late afternoon. The monastery itself is quite tiny, but from here the view of Mt Everest is fantastic. You can choose to just hang around Rongbuk to take photos or visit it at your own expense of CNY 25/person.
Rongbuk Monastery is located in the Shigatse Region, southwest of the mysterious Tibet Autonomous Region, and to the north of the oblate Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world. Seen from here, Mt. Everest appears like a lofty pyramid surrounded by mountains that touch the sky. On sunny days, a pile of thick clouds, just like a white flag floats lightly above the peak, which is known to be the miracle of ‘The Highest Flag Cloud in the World’. Nowadays, with the golden travel boom to Mt. Everest, Rongbuk Monastery is gradually becoming a highlight for the tourists in its own right.
Overnight Guesthouse. Included Meal: Breakfast
Highlights: Everest Base Camp, Peiku Tso Lake
We didn’t include breakfast this morning. You will understand why when you’re at the spot. Tibetan breakfast, such as noodle, zanba, etc. abt CNY 30 is available here. You are highly suggested to bring along some cookies, instant coffee. etc. of your own.
Everest Tent Camp is the furthest point vehicles can drive to. From here you will have to take the shuttle bus for the last glorious 4 Km which is incredibly scenic. You’re hemmed in by high grey ridges to the east and west and as you look to the south, Everest’s north face dominates the skyline. Endowed with springs, Everest Base Camp (5150m) has a couple of permanent structures and a small army base. Clamber up the small hill festooned with prayer flags for great views of the star attraction, Mt. Everest, then have your photo taken at the base camp marker, reads ‘Mt. Qomolangma Base Camp’.
Peiku Tso Lake: the beautiful turquoise Peiku-tso(4590m) is one of Tibet’s magical spots with stunning views of the snowcapped Shishapangma (8012m) and the Langtang range bordering Nepal to the south.
Overnight Guesthouse. Included Meal: Breakfast
The sprawling town of saga is the last of any size on the route and your last chance to eat a lavish meal. A photogenic section of dunes, lake and mountains kicks in 60 km from Zhongba. About 23 km before Paryang you cross a pass and drop past more dunes to Paryang. Photos taken along this route can often get steppe, streams, desert dunes and snow capped mountains in the same frame.
Overnight Guesthouse. Included Meal: Breakfast
Highlights: Mt. Kailash Kora
The kora path begins on the western edge of Darchen. Quickly leaving all traces of the village behind you head westward across the Batkha plain but to the southwest are clear views of Hute Gurla Mandhata(7,728m).
Overnight Guesthouse. Included Meal: Breakfast
Highlight:- Mt. Kailash Kora.
When you wake in the morning and step outside you want to revel in the glory of your surroundings. Mt. Kailash dramatic black face dominates the skyline, while the middle slopes echo with the moans of yak, The long ascent up the Drolma – chu valley that will eventually lead to the Drolma la has begun.
Overnight Guesthouse. Included Meal: Breakfast
Highlights:- Mt. Kailash Kora , Lake Manasarovar.
From Zuthulphuk to Darchen to Manasarovar the trail follow the river closely for an hour or so, then climb above the river and enters the lovely Gold and Red Cliffs, a narrow canyon whose walls are stained purple cobalt and rust.
Overnight Guesthouse. Included Meal: Breakfast
The drive offers breathtaking view of sweeping landscape of Tibet, with occasional sightings of wild antelopes, Kiang and herds of domesticated yaks. Our vehicle will stop along the ride for you to take photos.
Overnight Hotel. Included Meal: Breakfast
The ride from Saga to Shigatse follows along China-Nepal Friendship Highway taking approximately 5 hrs. You will pass through a small town of Lhatse. Our vehicle will stop along the ride for you to take photos.
Overnight Hotel. Included Meal: Breakfast
Highlights: Tibetan Incense Workshop in Nyemo
Tibetan Incense Workshop in Nyemo: with a unique harmless formula—adequate water supply, favorable climate and various plants, the Tibetan incense produced in Tomba Township, Nyemo County has a history of more than 1,000 years. Except for sacrificial ceremonies, this fragrant incense also can be used to prevent infectious diseases like flu and influenza, for its ingredients contain herbal medicines such as saffron, Sandalwood, Chinese Usnea and borneol.
Included Meal: Breakfast
Your 15-day Mt.Everest & Mt Kailash Kora Pilgrimage Group Tour ends today. After breakfasts, you will be free for the morning. Our staff will collect you at your hotel to transfer to Lhasa Airport/Railway.
