Lhasa, Guge Kingdom & Mt.

Kailash - 23
day
 

Introduction:
Mount Kailash, located in far west corner of Tibet is the most sacred peak of Asia. The beauty of
the 6700-meter high Mount Kailash, that looks like a symmetrical cone shaped rock capped by
pure crystalline ice all the time, is echoed in various mythological and literary works.

Dominating the north of the Himalayan Barrier with its spectacular view, the Mount Kailash (or
Mt. Kailas) is equally venerated as the holiest pilgrimage site by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and
Bön-Po. Tibetans regard this mountain as the manifestation of Mount Meru, “the navel of the
earth” where founder of Bon religion, Tonpa Shenrab, is believed to have descended from
heaven, Hindus as the abode of Lord Shiva, Buddhists as the abode of Samvara and Jains as a
sacred site where their prophet, Rishaba attained spiritual enlightenment.

With its four sheer walls, distinctive snow-capped peak, and valleys interspersed with brightly-
clad Tibetan pilgrims, Mount Kailash or Kang Rimpoche (‘precious snow-peak’, as known by
the Tibetans) is an awe-inspiring sight. Four great rivers of Asia: the Karnali, the Indus, the
Sutlej and the Brahmaputra (Tsangpo) originate from here.

A three-day trek (Parikrama or Kora) around Mount Kailash over a 5630 meter Drolma La
(pass), clockwise for Buddhists and Hindus, and anti-clockwise followers of the ancient Bon
religion, is said to erase the sins of a lifetime. To complete the Kailash pilgrimage one should
bath in the sacred Lake Manasarovar, stunningly set on the Tibetan plateau bordered by the
majestic Gurla Mandata.

On the journey to Mt. Kailash across the windswept Tibetan plateau, you will see cliff-top
monasteries, wild-looking but hardy and hospitable Tibetans, yak caravans journeying over
snowy passes, and the great peaks of the Himalaya with a foreground of grazing herds, yak skin
tents and a glittering turquoise lake. Journeying through Norbulingka, Sera and Drepung
monasteries, Potala Palace, Jokhang temple and Barkhor markets, you gain in-depth
understanding of Tibetan ancient cultures and civilizations.

Traveling on a comfortable 4WD Land Cruiser supported by a team of local camping crew and
an expert local Tibetan guide, you journey through legendry monasteries and fortress of Lhasa,
Gyantse, Shigatse and other significant Tibetan towns and settlements over several high passes
via the scenic NORTHERN ROUTE visiting much of far-western Tibet.

Driving across the wide open spaces of the Tibetan Plateau brings you to Guge Kingdom
(Tholing & Tsaparang), the archeologically significant remains of Tibet's ancient civilization.
Marveling once more at the barren yet spectacular landscape of Tibet you continue driving to
serene and the most sacred Lake Manasarovar, before completing a kora (loop trek) around Mt
Kailash. From there, you re-cross the vast arid plains before heading south to the Nepalese
border and returning to Kathmandu. This is truly the trip of a lifetime with stunning scenery and
cultural highlights.

Throughout the journey from Tibetan Plateau to Kathmandu you enjoy the comfortable overnight
accommodation, excellent food and camping facility. Unique culture and warm hospitality make
you feel like you are literally on top of the world!

You can join this trip either in Lhasa or in Kathmandu. The tour starts with a comprehensive trip
briefing in Kathmandu followed by a sensational trans-Himalayan flight to Lhasa that passes
over Mt. Everest and many highest peaks of the world (if you join the tour in Kathmandu). In
case you wish to start the tour in Lhasa arriving from anywhere in mainland China or taking a
new train from Beijing you will be briefed about the tour by your Tibetan Guide.

  TRIP FACTS
Trip length: 23 Days
Grade: Moderate to fairly challenging
Starts in: Lhasa
Ends in: Kathmandu
Accommodation: Hotel, Lodge and camping
Transportation: 4WD Land cruiser with support truck
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek
Maximum altitude: 4699m OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 01 - Arrive Lhasa (3660 meters)
Day 02 - Sightseeing tour in Lhasa
Day 03 - Sightseeing tour in Lhasa
Day 04 - Free day in Lhasa
Day 05 - Drive to Gyantse (3950m)
Day 06 - Drive to Shigatse (3900m) 90 km
Day 07 - Drive to Lhatse (4050m) 150 km
Day 08 - Drive to Sasang 122 km
Day 09 - Drive to Tsochen 355 km
Day 10 - Drive to Gertse 268 km
Day 11 - Drive to Gakyi 373 km
Day 12 - Drive to Shiquanhe 112 km
Day 13 - Drive to Tsada 295 km
Day 14 - Excursion Guge Kingdom (Tholing & Tsaparang)
Day 15 - Drive to Tarboche
Day 16 - Saga Dawa Festival at Tarboche
Day 17 - Trek to Dira Puk
Day 18 - Trek to Zutul Puk (4790m)
Day 19 - Trek to Darchen (4560m) ,drive to Lake Manasarovar (4560m) 35km
Day 20 - Drive to Paryang (4750m) 270 km
Day 21 - Drive to Saga (4699m) 255 km
Day 22 - Drive to Nyalam 250 km
Day 23 - Drive to Kathmandu (1400m) 180 km
DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrive Lhasa (3660 m)

You have 2 options to arrive in Lhasa, you can join the trip in Kathmandu and fly to Lhasa or
arrive in Lhasa from Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian or any Chinese Cities. (Please see option
detail on ‘general information’ section)
You will be met at Gongkar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities, we'll
take a 1.5-hour drive along 93 km road leading to Lhasa lying at an altitude of 3660 meters. It’s
advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa’s altitude.

Day 2 Sightseeing in Lhasa

Foremost, your tour begins with a visit to SERA MONASTERY. An experienced tour guide,
also working as an interpreter, escorts you to this preserved monastery of white-washed walls
and golden roofs. Equally adventurous and exciting tempo builds up while touring
NORBULINGKA, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. JOKHANG TEMPLE is another
important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to
BARKHOR MARKET can be quite a change from other visits as you roam around the city
savoring every tiny detail from stall hawkers coaxing their clients to purchase their goods to
exhibition of Tibetan culture, custom and tradition. Eventually, the tour for the day concludes as
you return to the comforts of your hotel.

Day 3 Sightseeing in Lhasa

Like the previous day, you experience invaluable insights during your visits to POTALA
PALACE and DREPUNG MONASTERY. This 17th century POTALA PALACE offers an
awesome view of entire city and also has private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand
state rooms and chapels. Ancient history has it that Drepung Monastery which was built in 14th
century used to shelter around 10,000 monks but as now there has been quite a declination
resulting in only few hundreds. Tibetans’ respect and belief are immensely knotted with this
monastery.

NOTE: A restricted number of tourists are allowed to visit the Potala Palace each day. The order
of visits could be modified by your guide to ensure a visit to every sights of Lhasa included in
our services.

Day 4 Free day in Lhasa

On this day, you will be able to go shopping, relax at the hotel and keep exploring this
magnificient city.

Day 5 Drive to Gyantse (3950m)

Following Friendship Highway, you drive past Khamba La at 4794 meter with a brief halt to
savor majestic views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and Nazin Kang Sa standing proud at 7252m. On
turning westwards, you come across another Karo La pass at 5045m. If you glance at the road,
you can see huge glaciers tumbling down into the road. After hours of driving for 261 km,
beautifully landscaped Tibetan villages become visible as you enter the town of Gyantse.
Day 6 Sightseeing & drive to Shigatse (3900m)
Gyantse prides on GYANTSE DZONG and KUMBUM. Gyantse Dzong is a historical fort built
in the 14th century and overlooks a mesmerizing view of entire Gyantse and surrounding Nyang
Chu Valley. Kumbum has large gold-domed stupa and houses several chapels and Tibetan
Buddhist murals. After you enjoy exploring Gyantse, you will take a 90 km drive to Shigatse.
Having driven to an altitude of 3900 meter, you find yourself at Shigatse, second largest city of
Tibet. TASHILHUNPO MONASTERY being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet
is a major attraction of Shigatse.

Day 7 Drive to Lhatse (4050m)

Today you continue along the Friendship Highway to Lhaste. 157 km drive finally concludes at a
small dusty town of Lhaste. Good restaurants, well-resourced shops and guesthouses are
available in Lhatse. This place may arouse special interest in archeologists. You can spot many
ruined dzongs and small Changmoche Monastry at the west end of the town. You meet your
Sherpa cooking team from Nepal here, they cook and do camping chores from this point
onwards.

Day 8 Drive Sasang.

A long but a scenic drive through grassy riverside takes us to our campsite at Tsochen.

Day 9 Drive to Tsochen from Sasang.

Heading away from Sasang, you drive for 355 km towards Tsochen. The trail continues along
grass-strewn riverside. Hugging onto the fascinating environment amidst amazing natural vistas,
you make your way to a suitable campsite where you will spend the night.

Day 10 Drive Tsochen – Gertse 268km

The trail undulates past thick verdant hills. As the drive progresses a little further, amazing views
of towering snow-capped peaks zoom into vision. Further ahead, a wide plain sprawls over.
Thereon, you continue driving for another 84 km. Eventually, the trail ends after reaching Gertse.
Camping in Gertse gives you ample of opportunity to bask in the splendor of surrounding beauty
and Gertse’s cultural richness.

Day 11 Drive Gertse- Gakyi 373 km

As you continue driving towards Gakyi away from Gertse, the trail wedges its way past a pass.
Overlooking a scenically mesmerizing sight, the trail cuts through a wide valley en route to
Gakyi. You spend the night at a fascinating campsite.

Day 12 Drive Gakyi – Shiquanhe 112 km

112 km scenic drive from Gakyi to Shiquanhe follows the trail running along
Indus River. As Shiquanhe comes into sight, you will witness some positive influences of
modernization upon this town. Houses seen in the town are of modern contemporary styles. After
indulging in some interesting sightseeing, you will look out for suitable campsite to overnight.

Day 13 Drive Shiquanhe – Tsada (Guge Kingdom) 295 km

Leaving Shiquanhe, you continue driving parallel to the Indus River. Few kilometers down the
road, a small pristine hamlet springs into picture. The trail further crisscrosses a succession of
pass and finally near Tsada, the Guge Kingdom. On finding a perfect site, you set your camp for
overnighting.

Day 14 Excursion Guge Kingdom

Your guide takes you on an exciting excursion around the Guge Kingdom. This tenth century
kingdom oozes ancient history of Tibet. With the passage of centuries, Guge Kingdom had to
bear several ruins which as evidence lie atop a hill near a river encompassing an area of 180,000
square meters. Numerous monasteries, houses, cave dwellings and stupas nestled on the hill and
its neighboring areas. When it comes to Tibetan murals, sculptures and stone inscriptions, Guge
Kingdom undeniably comes into mind. White Palace, Red Palace, Yamantaka Chapel, Tara
Chapel and Mandala Chapel are the major attractions of Guge Kingdom which are historically
linked with Buddha, Shakyamuni, Songtsen Gampo, kings and ministers. On this exquisite
excursion, you will not only relive ancient Tibetan history but immerse in Tibetan culture as
well.

Day 15 Drive Zada – Tarboche 280 km

From Zada you drive towards Darchen following dirt-laded road. On your 280 scenic drive, you
will cross prayer flags-studded tall pole which indicates a beginning of a 53km circummabation
around Mount Kailash. Darchen is regarded as pilgrims’ gateway to Mt Kailash tour. Shortly
after arriving Darchen, you can visit Darchen monastery, a small shabby monastery lying just
below its village, after crossing the Darchen River on a wooden bridge. There is a Tibetan
Medical School on the west side. You can trek for an hour to get on top of a ridge situated on the
north of Darchen village to have a clear and full enchanting view of Mount Kailash. If you look
back to the south, you can catch a glimpse of breathtaking Manasarovar Lake and Rakshas Tal
(Lhanag-tso). Further on, if you trek to the north of the ridge for another 2 hours, you will see
Gyangdrak Monastery, largest of the Kailash monasteries, which has Mt Kailash’s four Buddha
footprints or shabje. Whereas, on the west of the ridge you will approach Selung Monastery after
1 ½ hour trek and a trail from this monastery continues westwards down into Lha Chu valley,
close to the Chuku Monastery. You can either spend the night at a guest house or camp at a
suitable site in Darchen.

Day 16 - Saga Dawa Festival at Tarboche

On this day in different years of his life, Lord Buddha took birth, achieved Enlightenment and
attained Nirvana. These three important events are celebrated in this festivals. Thousands of
pilgrims arrive in Tarboche to celebrate this event.

This festival is held on the full moon of the 4th month of the Buddhist calendar in the end of
May or early June

Day 17 Mt. Kailash-Parikrama Trek to Dira Puk

Initially, you trek for around 6 hours from Darchen to Dira Puk Monastery. Further ahead,
verdant meadows and picturesque streams lie en route to Lha Chu Valley. The trail overlooks
turquoise river cascading over a narrow canyon with high steep cliffs. En route, north face of
Kailash comes into vision. The trail will approach 13th century monastery of Dira-Puk. Visiting
this monastery can be very insightful. Eventually, you will conclude the trek of the day by
camping at Dira-Puk after memorable Mount Kailash tour and trek.
Day 18 Kailash Parikarma: Trek to Zutul Puk (4790m)
Lha Chu Valley blurs as you turn towards Drolma Chu Valley. You strenuously ascend to
Drolma La [5630m]. But soon after sighting breathtaking view of Thukpe Dzingbu Lake, known
as the Lake of Compassion, at the summit, you realize that this tough and challenging ascent has
indeed been very worthwhile and fruitful. Several prayer flags can be seen at the summit. Further
on, the trail descends to the flat fields of Zutul-Puk which houses a monastery and several
fascinating caves. The caves at this locale are most popular for meditation; Milarepa’s cave
being one of them with Milarepa’s footprints and elbow prints believed to be imprinted all over
this cave of mani stones. Camping at Zutul-Puk for the night can be quite exciting, adventurous
and pleasurable.

Day 19 Kailash Prikarma Trek to Darchen (4560m) and then drive to Lake Manasarovar
Away from Zutul-Puk, you follow the trail through Bharkha plain leading to Darchen
after crossing several streams along the picturesque gorge. Enchanting view of Mount Kailash
accompanies through this Mount Kailash tour and trek. Finally, on finding the former campsite
in Darchen, you will conclude the trip of the day.

35 km drive from Darchen takes you to sacred Lake Manasarovar. As you near this breathtaking
lake, historic Chiu Monastery becomes visible on the North West shore of the lake. From this
vantage point, you can even glimpse at majestic Mount Kailash. This journey stimulates you
spiritually. You get ample of opportunity to explore Manasarovar Lake and Chiu Monastery
prior to your Mount Kailash tour. Ritual bathing in this lake is believed to give salvation
cleansing your past sins. Mere sight of Mount Kailash is enough to heighten your adventure
spirit for Mount Kailash tour and trek. Rakshas Tal lies connected to Lake Manasarovar by a
small channel. Savoring the panoramic view of Mount Kailash and spiritual experience, you will
camp near Manasarovar Lake under star-lit open sky.

Day 20 Drive Manasarovar to Paryang (4750m) 270km

Taking 270 km drive away from Lake Manasarovar, you cross Mayum-la and several rivers and
head to Paryang with the good memories of Mount Kailash tour and trek. At night you will camp
at Paryang.

Day 21 Drive Paryang to Saga (4699m) 255km

On this day, you continue driving for another 255km to Saga up to an elevation of 4600 meters.
On the way you will encounter small dusty town of Zhongba. On a ferry you have to cross
Yarlung Tsangpo [Brahmaputra River]. Thereafter, you are required to transverse along 110 km
route opening into wide flat plains. The trail further advances towards huge turquoise lake, the
Peiku-Tso with spectacular view of Shishapangma as the backdrop.

Day 22 Drive Saga - Zhangmu (2300m) 210 km

You have to drive south crossing 180 km trail along the Friendship Highway. The trail wends
through a high pass, the Lalung La [5200m]. Further on, you journey through a perfect blend of
breathtaking views, alpine meadow trails, picturesque hamlets and an abundance of wildflowers.
En route, you get to see several Nepalese and Indian pilgrims. As you trekked through a mossy
gorge of waterfalls and cascades, you finally enter Nyalam at 3750 meter. Thereon, heading
away from Nyalam you drive for one hour to the lush and verdant vegetation of Zhangmu at
2300 meter.

Day 23 Drive Zhangmu to Kathmandu (1400m) 160km

Few kilometers drive away from Zhangmu follows Friendship Bridge along Bhote Koshi River
to Immigration Control in Kodari where you will bade goodbye to your Tibetan guide and handle
re-entry formalities to return to Kathmandu. After 5 hours of driving for 123 km , you finally
arrive in Kathmandu with good memories of Mount Kailash tour and trek and thereafter board a
flight back home.

For further enquiry please feel free to mail at: enquiry@tibet-adventures.com

Link: http://www.tibet-adventures.com/kailash/tibet_mount_kailash_guge_kingdom.html