18 Days Kathmandu Lhasa Kailash Pilgrimage Tour by Flight

Upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, you will be greeted by our Nepali staff and be transferred to your hotel. You can have a good rest at the hotel or walk around by yourself.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Tips: Since it takes at least 3 business days to get your China Group Visa, it is advisable to arrive earlier in Kathmandu so as to give your original passport, photo, and Visa fee to our staff to apply for your Visa on time.

The day starts with a tour of Kathmandu City, and takes in the famous Kathmandu Durbar Square. The most famous square in the city, the Durbar Square is the Royal Palace square in the city, and is surrounded by ancient buildings from the early 16th century. The magnificent architecture, exquisite decorations, and the intensity of historical items gives a great insight into Nepali culture.

You then continue the tour with a visit to the Swayambhunath Pagoda, which is one of the oldest Buddhist sites in Nepal. Swayambhunath is a huge golden stupa festooned with prayer flags that flutter in the breeze, on a hill that overlooks the entire city. Then it is on to Patan City, the second largest city in the Kathmandu Valley area. Patan City has one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Nepal that dates back to the 12th century, and is a great place to explore the Buddhist culture of Nepal.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

You will also get to go further afield in Nepal, to visit the ancient Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in Asia, and a focal point for Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Set on the banks of the Baghmati River, Pashupatinath is one of Nepal’s famous UNESCO sites, and the sunset over the temple roofs is spectacular.

Another great place to see is Boudhanath, located on the ancient trade route. It is a place of meditation and part of the spiritual journey around Kathmandu. With one of the largest stupas in the world, it has been the site of many Tibetan prayers over the centuries. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the last place to visit for the day, with its pagoda and shikhara temples strewn around the royal palace. The square really highlights the ancient building arts of Nepal.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Taking direct flight from Tribhuvan International Airport to Lhasa Gonggar Airport. Upon your arrival in Lhasa, your tour guide will hold a board with your name on it at the exit and greet you with auspicious white Khata/Hada. A private car will take you to the reserved hotel, and the guide will give a brief introduction of the itinerary as well as dos and don'ts in Tibet. Then, you can take a good rest at hotel to acclimatize to Tibetan plateau environment.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you’ll pay a visit to the famous Potala Palace, the world culture heritage and the winter palace of Dalai Lama. You can explore its audience halls, the jeweled and golden burial chortens (stupa tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, meditation cave of the 33rd Great King of Tibet, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.

Then you will head to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Songtsen Ganpo's reign by Princess Wencheng of Tang dynasty, 647 A.D. Here you can observe sincere pilgrims making prostration in front of Jokhang Temple. While entering inside the temple, you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. On the top of Jokhang Temple, you can enjoy the panorama of old Lhasa City and great vista of Potala Palace.

Then you can do the kora with pilgrims and locals by circling the Barkhor Street around the temple, buy some souvenirs, and taste sweet tea and local snacks in local tea house. Later, you can take your family to explore farm products like yak butter in Tromzikhang, the famous farm produce market.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you will visit two important monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera. Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet, was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416 and used to be home to more than 10,000 monks. Hiking along the mountain steps, you can see Buddhist painting on the rock face. During Shoton Festival, locals and pilgrims swarm to Drepung Monastery to celebrate the gigantic Thangka Buddha unveiling ceremony on the Gambo Utse Mountain.

After having lunch, you will visit Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most interesting thing is to see monks debating in the courtyard at around 3-5 in the afternoon. By yelling at each other, slapping hands and rolling mala, two monks make a pair to debate on philosophical issues. You can also appreciate the delicately-made Mandala, sanding paintings, and massive Buddhist scriptures inside Sera Monastery.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you will set off from Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse. On the way, when passing over the Gampala Pass (4,790m), you can have a far view of Yamdrok Lake and the snow-capped mountains around it. You can also get spectacular views of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m), the highest mountain around Lhasa. After visiting the turquoise Yamdrok Lake, you can admire the Korola Glacier on the roadside and hang prayer flags at Simila Mountain Pass around Manak Dam Lake before arriving at Gyantse.

Gyantse was historically known as the Tibet's third largest city after Lhasa and Shigatse. In Gyantse, you will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and the Nepali-style Kumbum Stupa. After one and a half hour's car ride, you will arrive in Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. You may also visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field (in summer).

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, you will head for Lhatse and have lunch there.

Afterwards, you will pass Tsola Pass (4,600m) and Gyatsola Pass (5,248m). Shortly after entering Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, you can appreciate the panoramic view of Himalaya at Gawula Pass (5,180m). Keep marching along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp (5200m), you can get closer view of Mt. Everest peak. You can also enjoy the sunset of golden Everest peak at the lodging area if time and weather permits.

Stay overnight at tent or Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse.

In the morning, you can enjoy the stunning sunrise of Everest peak at lodging area if weather permits. While we drive towards Saga, you can catch the view of the world’s 14th highest peak Mt. Shishapangma (8,012m) and the beautiful turquoise Lake Peikutso (4,590m). Chances are that you can see wild animals like wild donkey, wild antelope etc.

Stay overnight in Saga.

In the morning, you can appreciate the stunning view of the Saga Valley between Gangdise Range and Himayala Range. Meanwhile, you can also view the beautiful grassland and local's villages along the way. While crossing the Mayomla Pass (5,112m), you can catch the far view of Mt. Naimonanyi (7,694M). Then we’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.

In the morning, tourists can take environment friendly bus from Darchen to Sarshung Valley. And you’ll meet yaks and porters at Sarshung Village (The cost of hiring yaks, horses, and porters are not included in the package).

After that, you can start the trek (around 13km) from Sarshung to Drirapuk Monastery (5,080m) along the Lachu Valley and rivers. Today, you can see both west and north face of Mount Kailash (6,638m). Finally, we’ll pay a visit to Drirapuk Monastery.

Stay overnight in guesthouse.

Today, we’ll trek over Dromala Pass (5,648m), the highest pass of the Kora. On the way, you can have a break in a teahouse. Besides, you’ll meet the locals prostrating along the Kora path. When walking downhill, you can see beautiful Kadoe Lake (5,568m). Then we’ll visit Zutulpuk Monastery (4,835m).

Stay overnight in guesthouse.

Today, we’ll trek 7km to Zongto where you can take bus to Darchen. Along the Kora, you can see piles of Mani Stones. Finally, we’ll end the trek around noon and have a rest at the lodging place. 

Stay overnight in guesthouse.

Optional: Take a bath in Lake Manasarovar and enjoy hot spring around it.

Take the car ride from Darchen to Saga via Lake Manasarovar.

Stay overnight in Saga.

Take the car ride from Saga to Sakya.

Stay overnight in Sakya.

In the morning, you will visit the ancient Sakya Town and tour Sakya Monastery with amazing murals and huge collection of scriptures and statues. After that, you will head for Shigatse. 

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

You will follow Yarlung Valley back to Lhasa. On the way, you can have great view of the vast Yarlung River bed when standing on the viewing platform. You can also visit Water Mill making Tibetan Incense material in summer if time permits.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

The driver will pick you up from your hotel, and drop you off at Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station, and assist you to get on board.