Mount Kailash situate at far western Tibet is considered as Holy Mountain. It is land of religious atmosphere, exotic cultures, different lifestyle and rich architecture. Further to the ancient ruin valley the Guge Kingdom. In addition holy Lake Manasarovar, Lhasa Shigatse Gyantse, the Tibetan modern cities with ancient palaces, boundless scenic Tibetan plateau, panoramic snowcapped mountains, beautiful Lakes and monasteries.
Tour starts from holy and historical Tibetan city Lhasa. We either reach here either from Kathmandu Nepal or from mainland China. Spend three nights in Lhasa to get acclimatization including exploration major highlights. Two full-day explorations in Lhasa is including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera, Drepung monastery, Norbulinka palace and Barkhor squire. A scenic drive via Yamdrok Lake to Shigatse city, visit Tashilampo monastery and further drive to holy Lake Mansarovar. Mansarovar is biggest Lake in Tibet at the altitude of 4,580 metres. It is also considered as holy Lake. Thousand of pilgrimage come here to deep and take holy water from here. We spend one overnight here and hike to Chui Gumba, visit natural hot spring nearby, maybe performing spiritual activities. Darchen is the next small city after the Lake, which is base of Mount Kailash. We start 3 days Kailash Kora from here. 3 days Kailash Kora is 53 kilometres walking around Mount Kailash which are considered as hardest walking in this tour and also a holy walking for pilgrimage. The first day of Kailash Kora reaches at Derapuk (4,900m) north face of Kailash. Cross 5,645 meters Dolma La pass in our second day of walking and reach Juthulpuk (4700m). The third day of walking is short and easy. We drive the Guge valley on the same day. Two full-day explorations of Toiling, Guge and same way drive back to Lhasa.
The entire journey is lead by English speaking Tibetan guide. Trip itinerary made by Nepal Highland Treks is suggested itinerary. You have the option to add Tibet Everest Base Camp in this tour. We are flexible to customize this itinerary as per our client’s interest and their timeframe. The best season of this tour is from May to September. Cost of the tour is depending on group size and categories of accommodation. We may have small group departure to Mount Kailash and the Guge Kingdom in between May to September.
Day 01:Arrive in Lhasa, the capital town of Tibet 3700m. pickup and transfer to the Hotel
Day 02:Day in Lhasa visit Jokhang temple, Sera monastery and Drepung monastery. Overnight at Hotel
Day 03:Sightseeing in Lhasa. Potala palace, Norbulinka palace and Barkhor squire. Overnight at Hotel
Day 04:Drive Lhasa to Shigatse (3840m) via Gyantse. Overnight at Hotel. (270 km/ 7 Hours)
Day 05:Drive Shigatse to Lhatse 3950m. Overnight at Hotel. (156km / 4 hours)
Day 06:Drive Lhatse to Saga 4450m. Overnight at Guest house. (300 km / 6 hours)
Day 07:Drive to Lake Mansarovar 4580m. Overnight at guest house (370km – 7 Hours)
Day 08:Drive to Zanda, Guge Kingdom via Tirthapuri. Overnight at Guest House
Day 09:Day Explore Guge Kingdom and Tholing in Zhanda. Overnight at Guest House
Day 10:Drive to Darchen, the base camp of Mount Kailash. Overnight at Hotel
Day 11:start Kailash Parikrama. Drive to Tarboche valley and start walking. First day of Kailash Parikrama / Kora is 40 minutes driving and 6 hours walking. Overnight at Guest house in Derapuk (4,900m)
Day 12:Second Day Kailash Parikrama. Walking to Dolma La pass (5,645m) and trek down to Juthulpuk (4,760m / 21km - 10 Hours) Overnight at Juthulpuk
Day 13:Third day of Kailash Parikrama, and drive back to Saga. 10 Hours journey drive and 3 hours easy trekking. Overnight at Hotel
Day 14:Drive back to Shigatse from Saga. Overnight at Hotel
Day 15:Drive back to Lhasa and Overnight at Hotel
Day 16:Departure from Lhasa... Service end
Permits and visa of Lhasa Kailash Guge Kingdom
Arrive in Lhasa from mainland China: If you are landing Lhasa from mainland China by train of flight, you have to issue Chinese visa from your place and send us your passport copy and Chinese visa copy together by email, it should be at least a month before. With these documents, we can issue Tibet travel permit. Make sure you have to stay at least one overnight in hotel to get address sending your original Tibet permit by mail. Tibet travel permit can’t send out of China.
Arrive in Lhasa from Kathmandu Nepal: If you are arriving Lhasa (Tibet) from Kathmandu Nepal, you are not necessary to issue any Chinese visa an advance. Just send us your passport copy by email to process Tibetan travel permit. Another important thing is you have to arrive Kathmandu Nepal 4 days before. It takes 3 working days to get your Tibetan visa with your original passport.
Option to make overland tour to skip Lhasa and reduce the tour cost
You have option to include only Mount Kailash and Guge Kingdom tour. The overland tour start from Kathmandu and end at Kathmandu too or option to end at Lhasa or start from Lhasa and end at Kathmandu Nepal. 12 days tour from Kerung boarder drive to Saga town. Lake Mansarovar, Darchen, Guge Kingdom. Mout Kailash kora and drive same way back to Kathmandu Nepal.
Day 1Arrive in Lhasa, the capital town of Tibet 3700m. pickup and transfer to the Hotel Three ways to arrive in Lhasa. By flight connective China, by flight from Kathmandu Nepal or by train from China. On your arrival either in Gonggar airport or Lhasa train station, our Tibetan guide will receive you and transfer to the Hotel in Lhasa. Lhasa is in altitude of 3700 meters. Arriving day in Lhasa will be fully rest to get acclimatization. You might get altitude sickness today which is normal for every new arrivals.
Day 2Day in Lhasa visit Jokhang temple, Sera monastery and Drepung monastery. Overnight at Hotel Guide from Nepal Highland Treks will lead you to sightseeing in historical places inside Lhasa city. Jokhang temple, the house of Lord Buddha was found in 647 Ad by King Songtsen Gampo. Founded in 1419 Ad Sera monastery is university for monks. Another visit today is Drepung Monastery is also a university of over 7700 monks.
Day 3Sightseeing in Lhasa. Potala palace, Norbulinka palace and Barkhor squire. Overnight at Hotel After your breakfast in the hotel start sightseeing your second day sightseeing in Lhasa. Potala palace in Lhasa is house of Dalai Lama until 1959. It is listed in world’s heritage sites and one of the wonder of the world. Another attraction Norbulinka palace is traditional summer palace of Dalai Lama built from 1755. Visit Barkhor squire which is old market of Lhasa. We will explore lots of Tibetan peoples to make round of Barkhor.
Day 4Drive Lhasa to Shigatse (3840m) via Gyantse. Overnight at Hotel. (270 km/ 7 Hours) Drive start after your breakfast in Lhasa. You can view golden field on the bank of Lhasa River. Passing several high passes get clear view of Tibetan Himalayas and giant glacier called Khorala glacier 7200 miter high. Reach Shigatse, second largest city in Tibet and administrative center of west Tibet. Mount Everest is just 5 hours driving from here this town.
Day 5Drive Shigatse to Lhatse 3950m. Overnight at Hotel. (156km / 4 hours) Today is short driving from Shigatse to Lhaste. It helps you to be used to in altitude, more helpful for your Kailash parikrama. Drive through different landform. Plateau landscape, greenery field, Rivers, barley fields, high mountains pass and Typical Tibetan villages. Walking tour at Lhatse city after hotel checking in.
Day 6Drive Lhatse to Saga 4450m. Overnight at Guest house. (300 km / 6 hours) Today you enter at Ngari region of Tibet. Saga is one of the Tibetan towns at western Tibet and it is also known as entrance city of Mount Kailash, Guge and Lake Mansarovar. We can view several lakes, nomad tents and their chasing Yaks and Ships. By late afternoon we cross Brahmaputra River to reach Saga town.
Day 7Drive to Lake Mansarovar 4580m. Overnight at guest house (370km – 7 Hours) Journey start with full of excitement to see first view of Mount Kailash and lake Mansarovar. Reach at small town Chiu Gumba for overnight. You also can visit Chiu monastery at top hill near bank of Mansarovar. One of the most beautiful Paryang desert on the way and beautiful Kunggyu Lake to stop your vehicle. Saga is one of the main stopping point from several routes heading to Mount Kailash and Guge kingdom.
Day 8Drive to Zanda, Guge Kingdom via Tirthapuri. Overnight at Guest HouseAfter breakfast, we drive from Manasarovar to banks of the Sutlej River. It is 4 hours driving to reach Tirthapuri which is a holy place of Bhasmasur in Hindu and closed associate with Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) in Buddhism. Hike-up to visit monasteries containing footprints of Guru Rinpoche. At the end of day, reach at Thada (Zanda) town and overnight at guest house.
Day 9Day Explore Guge Kingdom and Tholing in Zhanda. Overnight at Guest House Today, we explore Tholing. THOLING MONASTERY the temples and religious buildings of Tholing are the most significant in far west Tibet. The monastery was constructed under the guidance of the great Tibetan translator RinchenZangpo in around 11 th century. Another visit is to 20 kilometer east Tsaparang valley and Dungkar cave. Visit Ruins and significantly important monasteries. Both valleys have significant role of Buddhism containing most important monasteries and other holiest sides.
Day 10Drive to Darchen, the base camp of Mount Kailash. Overnight at Hotel After breakfast at Guge kingdom, we move towards Mount Kailash Mansarovar region. It is about 6 hours driving reach at Darchen. Preparation of Kailash parikrama/ Kailash Kora. Leave your most of the goods in Darchen, it will be safe inside vehicle. You are suggested to carry only your hand bag or if there is facilities of Yak, you can carry up to 7 kilogram bag.
Day 11start Kailash Parikrama. Drive to Tarboche valley and start walking. First day of Kailash Parikrama / Kora is 40 minutes driving and 6 hours walking. Overnight at Guest house in Derapuk (4,900m) From Darchen, we need to prepare early in the morning. Drive with our car to Tarboche valley (option of start hiking rite from Darchen). Yamadwar, Ruins valley with clear view of Mount Kailash can be seen from here. If you have taken your personal horse and helper, you will meet those here. It is walking almost flat land entirely. At the end of the day, it is a bit uphill to reach Derapuk. Enjoy view of North Face Kailash.
Day 12Second Day Kailash Parikrama. Walking to Dolma La pass (5,645m) and trek down to Juthulpuk (4,760m / 21km - 10 Hours) Overnight at JuthulpukIt is hard day of Tour. Early in the morning with enough water and foods, we start to walk top of the Dolma La pass (5,645m) it is about 8 kilometer and takes 4 to 5 hours to reach at Top. Mount Kailash view is still viewing up to buttom of Dolma La pass. After Dolma la seriouse down hill reach at tent house. After those tent house easy walking about 3 hours reach at Juthulpuk where we stay at guest house.
Day 13Third day of Kailash Parikrama, and drive back to Saga. 10 Hours journey drive and 3 hours easy trekking. Overnight at HotelFinal day of Kailash Parikrama. we start quite early in the morning. It is 3 hours easy walking at flat land to reach near Darchen. All the way of walking is via bank of River from Kailash North face. We meet our driving crew ahead of Darchen and drive to Saga town today. We may reach Saga late afternoon. Check in Hotel
Day 14Drive back to Shigatse from Saga. Overnight at HotelWe drive back same way to Shigatse. If we have not visited Tashilampo Monastery before, chance again to reach there.
Day 15Drive back to Lhasa and Overnight at HotelSame way back to Lhasa. We can drive via Yamdrok Lake by starting early morning from Shigatse
Day 16Departure from Lhasa... Service endToday is end of the tour, drive Gonggar airport or train station of Lhasa to catch your departure flight or train from Lhasa. You have option flying back to Kathmandu, your home through mainland China or train to mainland China.
Packing list for Lhasa Kailash Guge Kingdom Tour
Bags
Duffel bag
Hand Bag
Shoes and Shocks
You need comfortable warm shoes for entire Tour. Another spare shoe or sandal is needed to wear while staying at guest house. 3 pairs of warm shocks are enough for entire trip.
Wearing clothes
First Aid kit box containing Paracetamol, bandage, antiseptic cream, Diamox or other tablet for altitude sickness, Small trekking knife, Some dry foods, Camera and its extra batteries, Mobile, and charger with small multi pins