13 Day Mt Kailash & Guge Kingdom

Day1. Lhasa Arrival [3650m]

Upon arrival in Lhasa, you will be welcomed by your English-speaking Tibetan Guide and Tibetan Driver who will bring you to your hotel. Acclimatization to high altitude: please, drink lots of water and take plenty of rest to minimize altitude sickness.

Overnight at 3-star Shambhala Hotel or Gold star Shambhala Palace or 3-star Kyichu Hotel, located in the heart of Lhasa city 200 meters from Jokhang Temple

Day2. Lhasa Sightseeing

Today we will visit the Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace, and Sera Monastery. We began visiting Jokhang Temple, the most sacred temple in Tibet. It was founded in the 7th century. We will also visit the Potala Palace built in the 7th century and re-constructed in the 17th century.

In the afternoon we will visit Sera monastery, one of the three great universities of Gelug schools of Tibetan Buddhism. We will attend the monk's debate.

Overnight at Gold Star Shambhala Palace or 3-star Kyichu Hotel. 200m from the old town.

Breakfast

Day3. Lhasa – Shigatse [354Km, 3840m]

Morning drive up to Kampala pass [4794m], you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-Tso and spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance, the turquoise colored Lake Yamdrok Yutso is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, the unforgettable vista of the pincer-shaped turquoise water of the lake and amazing spectacle of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar glacier from Karo la pass is wonders of the day. 

We visit the Ralung monastery, which was once the biggest Buddhist college in Tibet and home of many great Tibetan Yogis from the Drukpa Kagyu sect including Jetsun Ling Repa, Jetsun Tsangpa Gyare, Jetsun Tsang Nyon, Jetun U Nyon, Jetsun Drukpa Kunley. They are no tourists and sometimes not even locals so Ralung Monastery is one of the most peaceful monasteries with beautiful landscapes.

Then along the Friendship Southern Hwy drive to Gyantse, visit the famous stupa - Gyantse Kumbum, one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet. Late afternoon travel to Shigatse with a driving duration of 1 hour 10 minutes through the beautiful farming culture in Tibet.

Overnight at 4-star Gesar hotel

(B)=breakfast

Day4. Shigatse – Saga [450Km, 4300m]

The journey to Saga involves crossing the high pass of Tso la [4900m]

We visit Sakya Monastery which is the principal seat of the Sakyapa Sect founded in 1073 and one of four major Schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Its powerful abbots governed Tibet during the whole of the 13th century until they were eclipsed by the rise of the Gelukpa Sect. Its Mongolian architecture is different from that of temples we have seen before.

Later travel to Saga town via Lhatse, Namring, and Sangsang town. On the way, we will pass by beautiful nature and the Namring Lake. 

Overnight in Saga hotel

Breakfast

Day5. Saga – Darchen [490Km, 4556m]

Today we enter the semi-nomadic regions of Tibet’s far west. We will enjoy the authentic Tibetan landscapes during this long drive journey through the biggest and highest plateau in the world. We follow the Yarlung Tsampo River West (also called the Brahmaputra in India) until Lake Manasarovar, one of the three most sacred lakes in Tibet. Hindus believe that whoever bathes in it will clean all their sins and provide good karma. Drive 30km to Darchin.

Overnight at the guesthouse (dorm bed without bathroom)

Breakfast

Day6. Trek To Dira-Puk Monastery [20Km, 5-6h, 5050m]

Today our trek starts from Darchen town and traces the small trail in the clockwise circuit around Mount Kailash at an average altitude of 4700 m with a duration of 20 km.

You will pass by many local Buddhist pilgrims doing kora along your way and several Bon pilgrims in the anti-clockwise direction.

After the 4hours trek, we will reach Tamdin(4780m) where nomadic tents serve simple lunch and boiled water. From there it is only 4 km to Dirapuk monastery but between these stretches has some of the best scenery of the entire kora.

Dirapuk was rebuilt in 1985 located
on the north side of the Lha-Chu River facing the north face of Mt. Kailash. Dirapuk's name originally comes from the word Dira which means female yak horn and Puk means cave, A mythical story says a female yak opened the cave.  

Overnight at Dirapuk guesthouse ( No private bathroom / No shower ) 

Breakfast

Day7. Trek To Zutul Puk Monastery, [18Km, 6-8h, 4820m]

Today is the most challenging part of the trek where we will cross two passes, though they are not too steep, the altitude is the main reason for the tiring and slow, the duration is 18 km and the altitude is 4790 m 

After we cross Dikpyala 5000 m & Dromala 5500 m, the passes are remarked by heaps of prayer flags and Cairns.

Spending some minutes on the pass to view and relax is worthwhile, as you are on the backside of Mt. Kailash, and offers a great view of Mount Kailash.

After the pass, you will hike down into the long valley and stop for lunch at the Shabjay Dakpo nomadic tent.

Zuktrulpuk Monastery 4790 m, also known as the Miracle Cave is built by two Religious figures Buddhist Jetsun Milarepa and Bon Jetsun Naro Bonchung.

You can witness the spiritual beauty footprint and handprint of Jetsun Milarepa inside the meditation cave. 

Overnight at the guesthouse (No private bathroom/ No shower)

Breakfast

Day8. Trek To Darchen - Tada-Guge Kingdom [280Km, 5-6h]

Today is the easiest day of the trek, the duration is 14 km from Zutrulpuk monastery to Darchen town. No any climb up, it's all hiking at an almost flat altitude of around 4500m

After arriving at Darchen town, drive to Tada town and stay for a night at Tada. Today we will visit one of the last kingdoms in Tibet ( The Guge Kingdom )  Guge is situated around 18km from Tsaparang town. Tsaparang is the town where we will spend the night. Travelers can also enjoy the beauties of the Toling monastery.

Overnight at the best in-town hotel

Breakfast

Day10. Lake Manasarovar  Saga

After spending the morning at Lake Manasarova exploring the lake, we will drive to Saga town. The duration is around 400km. On the way, we will stop for photos of sand dunes and beautiful nature.

Overnight at the guesthouse (No private bathroom/ No shower)

Breakfast

Day11. Saga Shigatse

Saga is one of the bigger towns near the Mount Kailash region. From Saga, we will drive to Namring town via the northern route enjoying the beautiful landscape.

Overnight at 4-star Gesar Hotel

Breakfast

Day12. Shigatse – Lhasa [272Km]

Today you will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in the 15th century by the first Dalai Lama. Nowadays seat of the Panchen Lama. We recommend doing Kora around Tashilhunpo Monastery. Also, you can walk around the local market. After driving back to Lhasa through the Southern Friendship Highway.

Overnight at 3-star Shambhala Hotel or Gold star Shambhala Palace or 3-star Kyichu Hotel, located in the heart of Lhasa city 200 meters from Jhokang Temple

Breakfast

Day13. Tibet Departure

Enjoy your last hours in Tibet exploring Lhasa on your own until your guide and driver meet you at the hotel to transfer you to the airport.