Holy Mt. Kailash & Manasarovar Lake Kora
The Mt. Kailash Kora is one of the most sacred pilgrimage routes as well as an appealing destination for adventure lovers in the world, encircling the world's holiest mountain. With a trekking trail over 5,000 meters above the sea level, you will not only enjoy the gorgeous plateau scenery, including the majestic Mt. Kailash, holy Manasarovar Lake, etc, but also meet pilgrims and trekkers from across Tibet and other countries in the world. To visit Mt. Kailash, you need to start from Lhasa, via Shigatse, Mount Everest, Saga, etc. This tour covers only the best highlights of Tibet, which will greatly save your money and time.
Highlights of this tour
Welcome to Tibet, the holy land of Tibetan Buddhism! Your tour guide will pick you up at the airport arrival hall and escort you to your downtown hotel in Lhasa while you enjoy the stunning views along the Yarlong Tsangpo River.
After check in, the rest of the day is for you to acclimate to the high altitude and weather of Lhasa. Avoid strenuous physical activities during this first day since that may cause high altitude sickness.
Orientation Tips: 1) avoid vigorous activities but do take some leisurely walks in the city to acclimatize to the air and high altitude of Lhasa city (altitude of 3600m); 2) do not drink liquor in the arrival day, instead plenty of water and fruits are recommended.
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After breakfast, start an incredible day of exploration in Lhasa city. The grandiose Potala Palace is the first site to discover. Having gone through more than 1300 years of historical changes, the colossal Potala Palace still dominates over the skyline of Lhasa city. It’s the political and religious center of Tibet and had been served as the governance and preaching place for Dalai Lama. Climb up the sacred steps to get inside the Red Palace and White Palace to explore the marvelous interior which is full of exquisite Thangkas, numerous Buddha statues, vivid wall painting and other works of Buddhist art.
In the afternoon, firstly visit the holiest Buddhist temple in Tibet – Jokhang Temple, where the 12-year-old-like Shakyamuni statue is consecrated. With a history stretching over 1,300 years, this temple combines the architectural styles of Tibet, China, Nepal and India. As a spiritual center of Tibet, Jokhang Temple attracts hundreds of devoted pilgrims to worship there every day. Outside the door of Jokhang Temple is the famous pilgrimage circle, Barkhor Street, where you can join faithful Tibetans in colorful attires walking the circle around Jokhang Temple.
Tips of today: 1) wear suitably to protect from strong sunlight, but do not wear hat when visiting inside the Tibetan monasteries; 2) taking photos is not allowed in chapels of monasteries; 3) bring your passport with you all the time.
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Today you will be transferred from Lhasa to Gyantse (5.5-hour drive).
After about 1.5 hours driving from Lhasa, you will get to the famous holy Yamdrok Lake. With an altitude of 4,441 meters, Yamdrok Lake is known as one of the "Three Holiest Lakes", also one of the most beautiful lakes in Tibet. The turquoise pure lake overlies among snow-capped mountains. Surrounding the lakeshores are some peaceful Tibetan villages situating in the flat valleys. Looking to instance, you can still see clearly dotted yaks and sheep grazing on the grassland. Keep driving to next destination – Gyantse, and enjoy the views of the grandiose and vast Karola Glacier.
After arrival in Gyantse, you will take a visit to the landmark of Gyantse – Palcho Monastery. It is a traditional Tibetan monastery which is a fusion of Han, Tibetan and Nepali architecture, and has both temples and stupa. Palcho Monastery’s symbol is its Kumbum Stupa which is famous for having 100,000 figures of Buddhist statue in the chapels, niches and wall paintings of Kumbum.
Lastly, drive about 2.5 hours to final destination - Shigatse for dinner and accommodation.
Tips of today: 1) pack some food and drinks for long driving of today; 2) wear suitably to protect yourself from stong sunlight, wind and possible cold.
Today we will drive about 8 hours to the day’s final destination - Mount Everest. While it seems to be a tough driving day, the plateau landscape along the road is breathtaking and will keep you entranced. You will even have a chance to see four of the highest peaks in the world, all over 8,000 meters - Lhotse, Everest, Gyachung and Cho Oyu.
After arrival at Rongbuk Monastery (5,100m), you will find all the effort of the trip swept away by the sight of the majestic peak of Everest rising in front of you. You can then rest for a while, then go to visit this world’s highest monastery. Since it is only about 20 km from the peak of Mount Everest, you can appreciate the giant pyramid of the mountain from south, and can see the charming banner clouds in sunny days. Apart from that, Rongphu Monastery is the best place to see the sunrise and sunset for its high location close to the Everest. Also, you can take many great pictures at Marnyi Stones and the White tower outside of the door. Just get your camera ready to capture the wonders.
Accommodation will be arranged at Rongbuk Guest House. (If you visit Mount Everest during May to October, you will accommodate at the Tibetan Tents Camp just near Rongbuk Monastery). Please note that the accommodations at both places are very simple and basic. There are dorms with beds, duvets, heated blankets and hot water provided. You are suggested to bring your own sleeping bag if you have one. There is no running water, sinks or showers. The guest house only offers basic breakfast and dinner without menu. There is no private bathroom in the dorms. Only communal squat toilets are available. Remember to bring your own toilet paper.
Tips for today: 1) currently the real Everest Base Camp is not allowed to visit due to environment protection of Mount Everest but Rongbuk Monastery provides a great platform to view Everest; 2) private cars and tourist buses can only get to the Parking Lot which is about 20km (about 30 minutes’ driving) away from Rongbuk Monastery, then you need to use the scenic park bus to transfer to Rongbuk Monastery; 3) travelers can enjoy the closer views of Mount Everest and take photos of the famous stone tablet of “Mt. Qomolangma Elevation Measurement” near Rongbuk Monastery; 4) prepare some food and drinks to take with you because there are only some basic foods offered at Mount Everest; 5) pack warm clothes to keep yourself warm all the time and get fully prepared for the high altitude (5100m).
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Get up early to catch the beautiful sunrise over the stunning landscape around Everest. You can see the Mount Everest appears gradually as the clouds are being blown away by the strong wind. The sleeping pure peak puts on a shining costume that is lit by the orange sun. And then, when the sun all rises up, the mountain shows her bright red face completely like a young girl putting up the best blusher ever, with the red cloud fairies dancing by side. If you are lucky, you will have chance to see the famous "flag clouds" which is a famous wonder on Mount Everest. You will see milk white streamer floating above the peak, and flutters toward one side like a banner in the wind. Sometimes, you can see it change the shape, like the huge waves on the sea or the impetuous horses on the ancient battlefield, and so forth. Once in a while, it is lucky to see the plateau eagles flying above the banner cloud, which is especially a particular sightseeing.
Last, return to Rongbuk area and drive to next destination - Saga County. About 8 hours driving may be long and tough, but the landscape you can enjoy on route is fabulous - witness the dominating snow peak Shishapangma from afar, get shocked by desolate and wild plains, enjoy the pure scenery of the Pelkhu tso Lake (4600m)...
Tips for today: 1) the sunrise usually starts around 6:30 am to 7am on Mount Everest; 2) keep warm all the time.
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Have a full breakfast, because you are going to drive about 500km to reach the final destination - Darchen(4,575m) which is the nearest town as base for all the travelers and pilgrims who are going to visit the holy Mt. Kailash. Though as a tough long driving, but the landscape outside the window is always amazing.
Before reaching Darchen, you will take a sidetrip to visit the famous holy lake - Manasarovar Lake(4588m). It is a sacred site for both Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism, and attracts pilgrims far from India, Neple and Tibetan to worship every year. It is believed the lake can cleanse all sins and wash away all the sorrows. Relax around the lake to enjoy the harsh but appealing landscape - sapphire-blue waters, sandy shoreline and snowcapped mountains. You can even see the side face of Mt. Kailash clearly in sunny days.
Accommodate at local guesthouse in Darchen.
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Trekking Time: 5-6 HOUR, 20KM, 200m ASCENT
Start today's trekking early in the morning. Passing through Tibetan villages, you will head westward cross the Barkha plain where you can even see clear views of some high peaks in Nepal and India. Later, the hiking path climbs up and gets to a cairn at 4790M bedecked with prayer flags. You can see the Mount Kailash for the first time. Then quickly enter the Lha-chu Valley. The Tarbochen flagpole(4750m), an important site for Saga Dawa Festival, is in your sight in the distance. You will stop at the Tamdin (4,780m) for lunch and hot water supply. Continue on to trek about 4km, with some of the best scenery of the entire kora, to Dirapuk Monastery, sitting in a superb location on the hillside and facing the astonishing northern face of Mt. Kailash.
Accommodate at Dirapuk guesthouse.
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TREKKING TIME: 7-8 HOURS, 18KM, 550ASCENT/600M DESCENT
Wake up in the morning and revel in the magnificent surrounding views - dramatic Mt. Kailash dominating under sky, remote clusters of cloudy reflecting golden sunlight, yaks silently standing on the ground... Today, you will hike eastwards, crossing the Lha-chu Valley by bridge and walk upward to a moraine to meet the trail on the eastern site of the kora. It's a long ascent up of about 550 meters to the higher Drolma-la Pass (5,630m), costing a few hours. Stop for a rest and refreshments at the pass, then start the steep descent to Ztulpuk Monastery. You will walk across snowfields and streams at first sometimes, and later the trails are dry and rocky. Walking sticks are recommended in this section. Lastly, you will reach the Zutulpuk Monastery(4820m) which is famous for the meditation cave built by Milarepa.
Stay overnight at the tent guesthouse of monastery.
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TREKKING TIME: 3-4 HOURS, 14KM / 150M DESCENT
Get up early to watch the sublime sunrise of Mt. Kailash, then you will firstly walking closely along the river for an hour, then pass the narrow canyon of God & Red Cliffs, and later emerges onto the Bakha plain. Ends up with a easy one-hour walking out of the valley.
The three days' trekking finishes. Your driver will pick you up and transfer to Darchen for accommodation and dinner.
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The following two days are for you to transfer back to Shigatse.
Day 10 Darchen - Saga: 500km/9-10 hours
Day 11 Saga - Shigatse: 450km/9 hours
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After breakfast, you will go to visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the most important monasteries in Tibet, which was built in 1447 during the Ming Dynasty by a disciple of Buddhism, Master Tsongkhapa. The monastery became the Buddhism center of Tsang region and has been the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, one of two most powerful leaders of Buddhists in Tibet. Tashilhunpo Monastery is surrounded by a 3000-meter-long wall and was constructed against the background of mountains facing to the sun. The Monastery has 58 sutra chapels and about 3600 rooms with many buildings made with golden glazed tiles and interlaced red and white walls. There is also a Thangka Exhibit Platform. Be prepared to meet many pilgrims visiting this holy place from far places and countries!
We will then leave Shigatse and drive about 5 hours back to Lhasa. Enjoy the fantastic landscape of the valley and snow mountain, and get the special feeling of traveling in the outback far from modern civilization. Before arrival at Lhasa city, you will take sidetrips to visit the unique Nyemo Tunba which is famous as the hometown of Tunmi Sangbusha who invented Tibetan Character and Tibetan Incense during 7th century. There is a exhibition room for travelers to learn about the Tibetan Characters. The most interesting thing is to watch the process of making Tibetan Incense with water mill.
Today is free for you until we transfer you to catch your flight (or train) leaving Tibet. Please check your luggage and make sure everything is packed, then check out your hotel before 12pm.
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Lhasa / Tsedang
Lhasa / Gyangtse / Shigatse
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