13 Day Mt Kailash & Manasarovar Lake

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 with 200 meters from Jokhang Temple

Day2. Lhasa Sightseeing

We begins visiting Jokhang Temple, the most sacred monastery in Tibet. It was founded in the 7th century by the first great Buddhist king Songtsen Gampo. Later you can explore the surrounding Barkhor old quarter and spend time walking around Jokhang Temple following pilgrims from all over the Tibetan plateau. In the afternoon we go to Sera Monastery, one of the three great universities of Gelugpa Sect. We will attend the debating session of the monks.

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

Breakfast

Day3. Lhasa Sightseeing

Today we visit the beautiful Potala and Norbulingka Palaces. Potala Palace was built in the 17th century by the fifth Dalai Lama. Provides amazing views of the entire city and houses the private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms, and chapels. Norbulingka Palace is the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, built in the 18th century by the seventh Dalai Lama. It’s tradition to do a picnic in its beautiful garden and perform opera dances during Shoton Festival (August-September). 

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

Breakfast

Day4. 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 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 Drukpa Kagyu sect including Jetsun Ling Repa, Jetsun Tsangpa Gyare, Jetsun Tsang Nyon, Jetun U Nyon, Jetsun Drukpa Kunley. They are no tourist and sometimes not even locals so Ralung monastery is one of the most peaceful monasteries with beautiful landscape.

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

Day5. Shigatse – Saga [450Km, 4300m]

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

We visit Sakya Monastery which is is the principal seat of 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 in 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

Day6. Saga – Darchen [490Km, 4556m]

Today we enter in 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 Yarlung Tsampo River West (also called the Brahmaputra in India) until the 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

Day7. Trek To Dira-Puk Monastery [20Km, 5-6h, 5050m]

Today our trek starts from Darchen town and tracing the small trail in the clockwise circuit around the 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 boil water. From there it is only 4 km to Dirapuk monastery but between this stretches has the 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 to the north face of the Mt. Kailash. Dirapuk name originally comes from a word Dira that means female yak horn and Puk means cave that in a mythical story says a female yak opened the cave.  

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

Breakfast

Day8. 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 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 worth, as you are on the backside of the Mt. Kailash and offers a great view of Mount Kailash.

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

Zuktrulpuk monastery 4790 m, also known as miracle cave is built by two Religious figure Buddhist Jetsun Milarepa and Bon Jetsun Naro Bonchung.

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

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

Breakfast

Day9. Trek To Darchen - Lake Manasarovar [14Km, 3-4h]

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

After arriving at Darchen town, drive to Lake near the Chiu Bird monastery for the night.

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

Breakfast

Day10. Lake Manasarovar  Saga

After spending the morning at the 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 natures.

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 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 with 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.