14 Day Lhasa & Mt. Kailash to Nepal

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 in order 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

We begin 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 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 a tradition to 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 200 meters from Jhokang Temple

Breakfast

Day4.LHASA / YAMDROK / GYANTSE / SHIGATSE [354Km, 3840m]

The adventure starts: we drive towards the southwest to reach the second-largest city in Tibet. 

First, we cross Kampa-la Pass [4797m] and then Karo-la Pass [5050m], where Mt. Noijin Kangsang [7206m] glacier lies near the road. In the middle, we enjoy the unreal turquoise waters of the holy lake Yamdrok-Tso.

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 

Breakfast 

Day5. SHIGATSE / SAKYA/ NEW TINGRI [290Km, 4300m]

The journey to New Tingri involves crossing the high pass of Gyatso La [5220m] and the opportunity to view Mt. Everest and the Himalayas for the first time. Before, 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.

Overnight in a 2-star Roof of the World Hotel

Breakfast

Day6.NEW TINGRI / RONGBUK MONASTERY [100Km, 5000m]

Exciting day today: we continue driving towards Rongbuk Monastery, located at the foot of Everest and the highest monastery in the world. We enjoy amazing views of several peaks like Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Mount Everest from the top of the Pang-la Pass [5150m].

Overnight in the Black Yak hair tent dormitory or Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse 

(No private bathroom, No Shower)

Breakfast

Day7. EVEREST BASE CAMP / SAGA [300Km, 4490m]

In the morning we reach one of the major highlights of our trip, Mt. Everest North Base Camp [5250m] (trekking or taking a bus). After spending some time at the base of Mt. Everest we drive North West crossing high passes with enchanting views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks like Shishapangma and wild Peikutso lake.

Overnight in Saga hotel 

Breakfast

Day8. 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 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.

Breakfast

Overnight at the guesthouse

(No Private bathroom and no shower)

Day9. TREK TO DIRAPUK 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 boil 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.  

Breakfast

Overnight at Dirapuk Guesthouse

( No private bathroom / No shower ) 

Day10. TREK TO ZUTRULPUK 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 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. 

Breakfast

Overnight at the guesthouse 

(No private bathroom/ No shower)

Day11. 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 climb 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.

Breakfast

Overnight at the guesthouse  

(No private bathroom/ No shower)

DAY12. LAKE MANASAROVAR / SAGA TOWN 450 Km

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

DAY13. SAGA TOWN / KYIRONG TOWN 210 Km

After breakfast at Saga town, drive south to Kyirong. Driving through the beautiful valley and Kyirong Guthang la Pass.  Near the hometown area of Jetsun Milarepa. 

After arriving in Kyirong, Travelers will have a rest day and prepare for border crossing the next day. 

3-star Kyirong Hotel 

Breakfast

DAY14. KYIRONG TOWN / NEPAL BORDER / RASUWA GADHI 25 Km

After breakfast, drive from Kyirong town to the border checkpoint 25 km via applying for a Nepal visa upon arrival and cross the border by foot to Rasuwa Gadhi.

Tibet Travelers service ends

You can find a vehicle to Syaburbesi town around 16km and hire vehicle public transport to Kathmandu cost around 100 RMB per person.

Tibet Travelers can also help to arrange a private vehicle for you with our Nepal agency's help.

There is around 150 km from Rasuwa Gadhi to Kathmandu but because of the bad road condition, travel duration via private vehicle is around 6-7 hours. 

Travelers can check this video for Kathmandu to Rasuwa Gadhi and Kyirong.