14-Day Lhasa to Mt.Kailash and Manasarovar Luxury Tour

Tashi Delek! Welcome to Lhasa, the modern utopia and the spiritual heart of Tibet; Your hospitable Tibetan guide and friendly drivers have already been expecting you at the designated places at the Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station.

As you receive our auspicious white Hada and a refreshing drink from the guide, a brief welcome ceremony will be held for you in the most traditional way. Simply leave your hassle to our staff to take care and enjoy the scenic ride to your hotel in Lhasa city. Our handful Tibetan guide will help you check in and inform you of the travel plan the next day. Then enjoy the comfy stay at the most luxury hotels in Lhasa for tomorrow’s exciting tour.

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  Luxury St. Regis Lhasa Resort
• 
  Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise
• 
  Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel

Basking in eye-blinding sunshine, Lhasa is teeming with magnificent Buddhist temples and monasteries, devoted Tibetan pilgrims and historical backstreets, pleasing culinary discovery.

Follow the footsteps of your guide to hike the long stairs of impressive Potala Palace for the commanding view of Lhasa city; the UNESCO heritage site perched on the Red hill used to be the winter palace of the generations of Dalai Lama. Now, it is the most iconic building of Tibet. You will have a chance to explore the residence of Dalai Lama in White Palace and religious chambers in the Red Palace and gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas, etc.

After lunch, we will head to Jokhang Temple, the holiest Buddhist site in Lhasa. Traveling in the dimly-lit rooms, you can hear the constant mumbling of Buddhist chanting and see local Tibetans adding butter oil to the oil lamps. Never miss the chance to worship the life-size statue of 12-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni.

Outside the Jokhang Temple, follow the prostrating Tibetan pilgrims for the famous Barkhor kora nearby. You may also look for the delicately-made souvenirs in the boutiques that flank the Barkhor Street.

When you head starts to spin, delve into the quiet backstreet of Barkhor and treat yourself with a couple of tasty sweet tea and local delicacy and fully immerse yourself in the distinct vibes of a local teahouse.

At the light starts to fall, the welcome banquet is waiting for your presence. Bottoms up with your friends, accompanied by animated traditional Tibetan dancing and singing; treat your taste buds with unique Tibetan delicacies. The charming night of Lhasa will alter your mindset towards Tibet and hold you spellbound.

• 
  Luxury St. Regis Lhasa Resort
• 
  Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise
• 
  Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel

Start the day with a visit to prestigious Drepung Monastery. This largest Gelugpa monastery, located to the west of central Lhasa (8km), offers a scenic hike to stretch your legs. You will see the gigantic religious painting on the huge rock and explore huge monk kitchen and witness monastic life and enjoy the sweeping view of Lhasa valley. Feel tired? Taste the spring gushing from the mountain to refresh yourself. If you happen to come during the Shoton festival, you hit the jackpot. The gigantic Thangka unveiling ceremony will leave you in awe.

After lunch, make it to the prominent Sera Monastery; the second biggest Gelugpa monastery in Lhasa now is the major stage for the “monk debate”. Find a spot in the boisterous debate courtyard to enjoy this dramatic “monastic defense”. Though you may not understand what they say, the slapping of hands, yelling and jumping and rolling of Buddhist mala give you a vivid display of long-held tradition of Buddhist study. Besides, you may also enjoy exquisite sand mandala and Buddhist scripture printing press and visit the main assembly hall in this Buddhist academy. 

After the dinner, we are about to enjoy the epic Tibetan drama unfolds--the Princess Wencheng Real-scene Musical. Sitting in the massive open-air theater, you will trace the development of legendary intermarriage between Songtsen Gampo, Tibetan King and princess Wencheng from Tang Dynasty and learn more of Tibetan culture and traditions. 

• 
  Luxury St. Regis Lhasa Resort
• 
  Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise
• 
  Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel

The journey from Lhasa to Shigatse (3900m) would be a feast to your eyes. After 2hrs’ drive, around the bend appears the glittering turquoise Yamdrok Lake; Following the winding road along the holy lake, we will reach Gampala pass (4790 m), where you can enjoy the stunning panorama of Yamdrok with the backdrop of snowy Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m). You may also pet the tamed Tibetan mastiff for a lovely shot.

After passing Nagarze, the massive Karola Glacier comes into sight. Stop briefly to view this incredible land glaciers cascading from the peak, right beside the highway. Then, the continuing journey will take us to Manla Reservoir where you can enjoy the turquoise lake and hang the auspicious prayer flags at Simila Pass (4200m). Soon, the awe-inspiring Gyantse looms ahead. Here we are. Gyantse, the third largest city connecting Lhasa with Shigatse.

Visit the famous Pelkor Monastery where multiple Tibetan Buddhism schools coexist in a single monastery; climb multi-story Gyantse Kumbum Stupa, the symbol of Gyantse County, for an amazing vista of Gyantse fortress. With more time to spend, you may take a leisurely stroll in the old street nearby. Shortly after one and a half hour drive, we will finally reach Shigatse(3900m), Tibet’s second largest city and the gateway to Mt. Everest.

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  Shigatse Qomo Langzong Hotel

Have an early start to visit the celebrated Tashilunpo Monastery, home to successive Panchen Lamas; roam over the alleys of this massive Buddhist academy and explore the tremendous golden statue of Future Buddha (26.2m high) and visit the golden stupas of Panchen Lamas and Amitabha Buddha; you may even join the monk’s chanting at assembly hall or quietly watch the monk debate at courtyard.

Then, we will leave Shigatse for EBC. The long yet exhilarating drive (350km) promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to you. The idyllic farmland scene gradually gives way to the barren land and rolling Himalayan Range.

Feel the adrenaline rush as you follow the dozens of hairpin bends to awe-inspiring Gawu La Pass (5198m), where top 4 highest peaks along the Himalayas may take your breath away. Stay briefly here for an epic selfie with the giants of the world.

The final leg of the journey will take your past Rongbuk Monastery (5154m) to the tented camp of EBC (5200m) nearby. Enjoy your stay in a traditional yak tent; at night, if you dare to brave the cold, get out of the cozy tent to enjoy the stunning galaxy above the EBC which will make your jaw drop.

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  Tibetan Tent Guest House
• 
  Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse

Have an early rise for the dramatic spectacle of sunrise over the summit of Mt. Everest; you will find that you are not alone for the long-awaited sunrise over the world’s highest peak, together with dozens of well-equipped photographers. Do bundle up for the biting wind outside.

Later, stroll to tour the legendary Rongbuk Monastery (5154m), the world’s highest Buddhist site where pious nuns and monks coexist. You will also be awarded a certificate for making it to EBC.

Say farewell to the lofty Mt. Everest through the rear mirror as the tour vehicle runs westward to Saga County. The route to Saga takes us right past the stunning Lake Peiku Tso, which lies at 4,591 meters above sea level, which is surrounded by the high mountains of the Himalayas. One of those high mountains is Mount Shishapangma (8,012m), the 14th highest peak in the world, and the only peak above 8,000 meters that is wholly inside Tibet. As we drive along the highway towards Saga, the mountain is clearly visible to the north.

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  She Huo Hotel
• 
  Grand Hotel of Western Post

Take a short time to explore the views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley, the longest river in Tibet and the source of the mighty Brahmaputra River. Then we will head out on the road to drive the 493 kilometers to Lake Manasarovar and Darchen, at the foot of Mount Kailash.

The valley between the mountains of the Himalayas and the Gangdise ranges quickly changes from lush grasslands to a desolate desert valley, and the road to Darchen skirts along the edge of this as it passes through Zhongba County, the largest county in Shigatse Prefecture. The views of the massive peaks on either side of the valley are a stark contrast to the desolate landscape in the valley itself, and the scenery in this remote desert area is spectacular.

While the area may be remote, the road passes through several small Tibetan village communities, in both the grassland area and the desert area, and we will have the chance to stop briefly at some and get out to take a look.

Before reaching Darchen, we will pass through the small town of Hor Qu, on the northeastern shores of Lake Manasarovar. We will stop at the lakeshore for a while to enjoy the beauty of what is considered to be the most sacred lake in Tibet. Lying at an altitude of 4,590 meters, and is said to be the location where Maya Devi conceived Buddha.

Before it gets dark, we will make the last part of the journey to Darchen (4,575m), the small village community that lies at the foot of Mount Kailash.

Begin our first-day trek from the Darchen; for the initial 4km’s trek, try to find your own pace of walking, and follow the guide to reaching prayer square. You will see fluttering prayer flags hanging around the two legs pagoda. Crossing the pagada, the trail leads to Lha-Chu Valley. From here on, the narrow Lha-chu River provides a steady supply of water all the way to Dira-Puk Monastery.

After passing a series of ruined chörtens and a number of long mani (prayer) walls, the trail reaches a small bridge across the Lha-chu at 4710m. Just take your time between Chuku Monastery and Dira-Puk Monastery as this stretch has some of the best scenery of the entire kora.

Head off to the east, crossing the Lha-chu again by bridge and climbing on to a moraine to meet the trail on the east bank. It is a long ascent to Drölma-la, so bring water to last a few hours.

Walking about two hours, you will reach a rocky expanse of Shiva-tsal (5330m). Pilgrims are supposed to undergo a symbolic death at this point, entering in the realm of the Lord of the Dead, until they reach the top of the Drölma-la and are reborn again.

About 30 minutes from Shiva-tsal the trail turns eastward for the completion of the ascent to the highest point of this train - 5630m Drölma-la. Weather permitting, most pilgrims and trekkers pause at the pass for a rest and refreshments before starting the steep descent. It takes approximately an hour to make the long and very steep 400m descent to the grassy banks of the Tuoji Lake.

About three hours on, grassy fields appear alongside the river affording those with tents endless spots to set up camp. An hour or so from the start of the camping fields is the Dzutul-puk Monastery (4790m). 

From the monastery, the trail follows the river closely for an hour or so then climbs above the river and enters a narrow canyon. When the canyon narrows look for holes gouged into the cliff walls. These are not natural but made by pilgrims looking for holy stones. Also, look for prayer flags festooned across the river, and in the far distance the blue waters of the lake Raksas Tal.

When the trail emerges onto the Barkha plain, it’s now an easy one-hour walk back to Darchen along a dirt road. And you will finish one of the most important pilgrimages in Asia.

The road from Darchen to Saga is a long one, and travels back along the same route we took to come to Darchen, passing over the Mayomla Pass (5,112m), where we can stop for photos of the nearby Mt. Naimonanyi (7,694m). We will also pass through several small local villages on the beautiful grasslands to the south of Manasarovar, in the Saga valley between the Gangdise and Himalaya Ranges. We will reach Saga in the lake afternoon.

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  She Huo Hotel
• 
  Grand Hotel of Western Post

The long drive back to Shigatse from Saga can be arduous, even for those not driving. However, the delights of this stretch of the road is the amazing panoramic views of the mighty Himalayas to the west as you drive east. The views include those of the 14^th highest peak, Mount Shishapangma (8,012m), which lies wholly in Tibet, the beauty of Lake Peiku Tso, and the amazing sights of wild kiang and Tibetan antelopes.

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  Shigatse Qomo Langzong Hotel

Hop on the scenic Tibet train for a swift ride back to Lhasa. The train takes about 2:35hrs and has 3 departures to reach Lhasa from Shigatse. You may have a good rest or wander around in the daytime and board the train in the later afternoon.

The train ride is smooth and comfortable, and takes you along a slightly different route back to the Tibetan capital, giving you great views of the landscapes and the famous Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains and closer encounter with local Tibetan passengers.

In the evening, enjoy a lavish farewell dinner and toast for your successful visit to EBC and the completion of holy Mt. Kailash kora.

• 
  Luxury St. Regis Lhasa Resort
• 
  Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise
• 
  Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel

Your guide will transfer you to the airport or train station for the next onward flight or journey.