14 Days Leisurely Mt. Kailash and Manasarovar Tour

TashiDelek, welcome to Tibet! Upon your arrival in Lhasa, your guide will wait for you at Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station, and greet you with auspicious Hada. You can enjoy a scenic ride to hotel. After checking in at hotel with the assistance of your guide, you can have a rest or explore the surroundings yourself.

Tips: For the new visitors of Tibet, it is better to have a good rest in hotel because it helps you a lot to get acclimatized to the high altitude in Tibetan Plateau.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you’ll visit the famous Potala Palace, the winter palace of Dalai Lama which was put into use since the 7^th century by the 33^rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of the palace are the gilded burial stupa of former Dalai Lamas and the medication cave of the 33^rd great king of Tibet.

After lunch, head to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple founded by the 33^rd great king of Tibet in the 7^th century. You can see sincere pilgrims prostrating outside this temple and worship the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of 12. Around the monastery is the famous Barkhor Street, where you can do the kora with pilgrims and locals and explore the old market. You can also taste sweet tea in teahouse.

Optional: If time permits, you may visit Tibetan Handicraft Art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine Center with your guide, and watch Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD).

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

In the morning, you will visit Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet. It was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choeje, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit the biggest monastery kitchen and then pay a visit to the Buddhist Sculpture Carving Workshop near Drepung.

In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery, one of the “Great Three” Gelug monasteries with Drepung. You can see three sand Mandalas and colorful rock painting of Buddha, and visit Tibetan religious scripture printing house. The highlight of Sera Monastery is the monks debate around 3-5pm in the afternoon.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you will set off from Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse. On the way, you’ll cross over the Gampala Pass (4,790m) and have far view of Yamdrok Lake (4400m) there. Then you will visit Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. You can see the snow-capped mountains around the lake and have spectacular view of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m) in the distance.

Later, you will appreciate Korola Glacier on the roadside. At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang prayer flags at Simila Mountain Pass. When arriving in Gyantse, historically the 3rd largest city of Tibet after Lhasa and Shigatse, you will visit Pelkor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa, and enjoy the far view of Gyantse Fortress.

After 1.5 hours’ driving from Gyantse, you arrive in Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. You can visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of barley field in summer in Shigatse.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

In the morning, you will visit the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. It is the largest monastery of the Gelug Sect in Rear Tibet, and the main stage where generations of Panchen Lamas carried out religious and political activities. After getting your Alien’s Travel Permit, drive to Lhatse for lunch.

After that, you will cross over Tsola Pass (4,600m), and Gyatsola Pass (5,248m). Shortly after entering Mt. Everest National Reserve, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Himalaya and top 4 highest peaks at Gawula Pass (5,180m). Traversing along the zigzag road to Everest Base Camp, you are getting closer and closer to Mt. Everest peak. You can see the sunset of golden Everest peak if time and weather permits at the lodging area.

Stay overnight at guesthouse.

In the morning, you can enjoy the stunning sunrise of Everest peak at lodging area if weather permits. Then take the car ride to Saga, you can view the world’s 14th highest peak Mt. Shishapangma (8,012m) and the turquoise Lake Peikutso (4,590m) on the way, and see wild animals like wild donkey, wild antelope if lucky enough.

Stay overnight in Saga.

You can appreciate the stunning view of Saga Valley between Gangdise Range and Himayala Range, and pass by vast grassland and local's villages along the way. While crossing the Mayomla Pass (5,112m), you can admire the stunning vista of Mt. Naimonanyi (7,694M). Then you’ll pass by the holy Lake Manasarovar and finally arrive at the southern foot of Mt. Kailash, the holist mountain in Tibet.

Stay overnight in Darchen.

At first, you will take an eco-bus ride (about 15mins, 6km) from Darchen to Serlung Chu Valley, the trail head of Mt. Kailash Kora. Start your trekking at the terminal of the bus, walk through the Two-legged Stupa adorned by colorful prayer flags, and keep trekking to Guqu Temple about 2.6km away. You can see prostrating Tibetan pilgrims and enjoy the grand Serlung Valley with spear-shaped summit of Mt. Kailash in the background. After enjoying sweet tea at tents around Guqu Temple, you can circumambulate Guqu Temple before heading back to Darchen.

Stay overnight in Darchen.

In the morning, set off from Darchen to the holy Lake Manasarovar (4590m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. You can take a leisurely kora around Manasarovar, meditate beside the lake, and take a holy dip. Later, head for the legendary Chiwu Monastery nearby and appreciate the best panoramic view of Lake Manasarovar from the top of the hill.

Optional: You can bathe in the warm Chiu Hot Spring around the holy lake.

Stay overnight in Darchen.

Drive from Darchen to Saga via Lake Manasarovar.

Stay overnight in Saga.

Drive from Saga to Sakya.

Stay overnight in Sakya.

In the morning, you will visit to ancient Sakya Town and Sakya Monastery which houses amazing murals and huge collection of scriptures and statues. Then take the car ride from Sakya to Shigatse.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Today, you will traverse along Yarlung Valley back to Lhasa. Standing on the viewing platform, you can view the vast Yarlung River bed. You can visit Water Mill making Tibetan incense material in summer if time permits.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

The driver will pick you up from hotel and take you to Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station. Service ends.