18 Day Western Tibet Changtang

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 with 200 meters from Jokhang Temple

(B)=breakfast

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 with 200 meters from Jokhang Temple

(B)=breakfast

Day3. Lhasa Sightseeing

Today we visit the beautiful Potala and Norbulingka Palaces. Potala winter 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 staterooms, 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 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 Jokhang Temple

(B)=breakfast

Day4. Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake - Gyantse - Shigatse [354Km, 3840m]

The adventure starts: we drive West to reach the second largest city in Tibet. At 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 holy lake Yamdrok-Tso. Then we stop in Gyantse town, where we visit the considered best Tibetan art paintings in Kumbum Stupa inside Pelkor Chode Monastery. Also, we admire the majestic Gyantse Dzong (fortress) overlooking the valley. Finally, we reach Shigatse before dinner.

Overnight at 4 star Gesar Hotel

(B)=breakfast

Day5. Shigatse – New Tingri [250Km, 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 at 2-star Roof of the world hotel

(B)=breakfast

Day6. New Tingri – Rongbuk [120Km, 5100m]

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 Black yak hair tent dormitory or Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse

(B)=breakfast

(No private bathroom, No Shower)

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 the 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

(B)=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 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)

(B)=breakfast

Day9. 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 lunches 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 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 ) 

(B)=breakfast

Day10. 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 it, 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 lunch at Shabjay Dakpo nomadic tent.

Zuktrulpuk monastery 4790 m, also known as miracle cave is built by two Religious figures 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)

(B)=breakfast

Day11. Trek To Darchen -Lake Manasarovar [44 Km, 2-3h]

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 Tada town.

Overnight at the guesthouse  

(No private bathroom/ No shower)

(B)=breakfast

Day12. Lake Manasarovar - Tsanda or Tsaparang  (3700m) [290Km, 6 h]

Today we will drive to Tada town to visit one of the last kingdoms in Tibet ( The Guge Kingdom )  Guge is located around 18km from the Tsaparang town. Tsaparang is the town where we will spend the night. Travelers can also enjoy the beauties of the Toling monastery.

Overnight in Guesthouse

( No private bathroom / No Shower)

(B)=breakfast

Day14.Singge Kapap - Gegye - Gertse (4500m)  ( 470 km ) 

We drive towards the east to Gegye town where the northern route of western Tibet begins. 

On the way, we will pass by the beautiful grassland and the source of salt in western Tibet ( Tsaka town ). These areas are quite close to the No man's land in western Tibet. We will arrive at the Gertse town of western Tibet where we will spend a night. 

Overnight at the guesthouse

(No private bathroom/ No shower)

(B)=breakfast

Day15. Gertse  - Tsochen ( 4600m) [450Km]

After breakfast, we will drive to Tsochen through the beautiful grassland by enjoying the beauties of wild animals Kyang, Blue Sheeps, and Drong along the way. 

Tsochen is a small local Tibetan town for the night. These areas in the northern route are not well developed so accommodations are basic rooms only. 

Overnight at the guesthouse

(No private bathroom/ No shower)

(B)=breakfast 

Day16. Tsochen - Shigatse (3900m) [450Km]

After breakfast, we will drive to Shigatse. On the way, we will pass by Sangsang town, Namring town, and Lhatse town. 

We will see the beauties of hot springs and Lakes after a few hours from Tsochen. 

Overnight in 4-star Gesar Hotel 

(B)=breakfast

Day17. 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 with 200 meters from Jokhang Temple

(B)=breakfast

Day18. 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.