Tibet Expedition With Mount Kailash Pilgrim

Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport where you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and check in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this historic and vibrant city. Meals: Welcome Dinner

From Kathmandu International Airport we have 1 hour 10 minutes, Trans Himalayan Flight to Gonggar airport, considered one of the most beautiful flights in the world that takes us over Everest (8848m) and Kanchenjunga (8536m). Those who wish to join in Lhasa, can arrive Lhasa on the date mentioned. We will be meeting at Gonggar Airport by our Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities we take a 1.5-hour drive along 93 km road leading to Lhasa lying at an altitude of 3650 meters. It is recommended to take it easy on our first day in Lhasa, letting your body get used to the altitude. Meals: Breakfast

Our sightseeing tour in Lhasa starts from its cardinal landmark – Potala Palace, a structure of massive portions. Nothing can compare its towering image to our first sight of this incredible, amazing wonder of the world. It is absolutely awe-inspiring and we will be enchanted as we visit the rooms, halls and chapels of the palace.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Jokhang Temple which is the spiritual center of Tibet. Everyday, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek here from long distances to worship. The temple is the product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural techniques. Finally we will visit Barkhor Street which is oldest street in this very traditional Tibetan city and has a market. Meals: Breakfast

In the morning we will depart from Lhasa and drive along the Friendship highway to Gyantse (3950 m) via Yamdrok Lake. Numerous passes, such as Khambo La and Kharo La, provide wondrous view of the Himalayan range. A colossal glacier rises nearly straight up from road as we pass Kharo La. The drive is no daunting task as we pass through many more beautiful Tibetan valleys and quiet villages along the way. Meals: Breakfast

After visiting the Seat of Panchen Lamas – Tashilumpo Monastery, in Shigatse we drive to Shegar and en route we visit Sakya Monastery, which is divided into the south and north two parts. It is of typical Yuan Dynasty style of resembling castles. There are a lot of historical articles in the monastery, among them are found a lot of the imperial certificates, gold signets, crowns, costumes bestowed by the Yuan Dynasty emperors. It has over 10,000 volumes of Tibetan books on astronomy, medicine, calligraphy, and history. So the Sakya Monastery enjoys the title ‘the second Dun Huang Cave’. Meals: Breakfast

We drive to EBC via Rombuk Monastery from where we have a fabulous and splendid view to Mt. Everest. Although it’s just 120km from Shigar to Everest Base Camp, it takes about 4 hours since the cracked winding roads demand much caution. But the views are stupendous on a clear day, and feature a huge sweep of the Himalaya range including peaks Mt. Lhotse (8516 m), Mt. Everest (8848 m), Mt. Cho Oyu (8201 m) and Mt Makalu (8463 m). When we finally get to Base Camp, the first sight of the mighty Everest simply leaves us speechless. All the hardship we bear along the way makes sense at this while. The best moments to watch Mt.Everest are early morning and late evening when Everest is shining like a goddess in the sunglow. Meals: Breakfast

Today we do a long drive to the small town of Saga. We will cover many miles during the day to encounter alluring river valleys and scattered villages. En route we visit Peikutso Lake. Meals: Breakfast

After several river crossings we will finally arrive at the shores of Lake Mansarovar prepared for one of the most awe-inspiring and holy places we have ever seen. Meals: Breakfast

Today will be a day to rest and experience the magic of this holy site. We will take it easy but also meet with local pilgrims and visit the beautiful Chiu Monastery. Mt.Kailash looms in the distance. Meals: Breakfast

We drive to Zada where we view and admire Zada stone forest and visit the renowned Guge Kingdom Ruins. Meals: Breakfast

We visit the Tholing Monastery and drive to Tarboche ( the foot of Mt. Kailash ) in Darchen where we will be astonished by the spectacularity of Mt.Kailash, the heart of Buddhism universe. Meals: Breakfast

From Tarboche, we walk up the Lha Chu Valley through beautiful green meadows and streams with Mt Kailash towering above us. We follow the river which enters a narrow canyon with high, steep cliffs and spectacular waterfalls. Continuing up the valley, the north face of Kailash comes into view before we reach the 13th century monastery at Dira-puk. Meals: Breakfast

We now leave the Lha Chu Valley and enter the Drolma Chu Valley, heading up towards a high pass, the Drolma La (5630m). It’s a tough climb to the summit which is festooned with prayer flags but from there it is all downhill or flat to Zutul-puk, with views of one of the highest lakes in the world, Thukpe Dzingbu Lake, known as the Lake of Compassion. As well as the monastery at Zutul-puk, there are several meditation caves and another cave containing an image of Milarepa. Meals: Breakfast

This is the final day of the Kora. We cross several streams and follow an impressive gorge. Along the way we are once again treated to magnificent views of Mt. Kailash. We then enter the Bharka plain and it’s about an hour’s walk through this desert-like landscape to Darchen. Meals: Breakfast

Today is another driving day as we head towards Saga taking the sights of the small dusty towns along the way. This gives us more time to appreciate this truly ancient Tibetan culture. Meals: Breakfast

Sightseeing on board. Meals: Breakfast

Sightseeing on board. Meals: Breakfast

We take a last memorable look at the Potala Palace before being transported to airport for the flight back to Kathmandu. Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

If you prefer to stay longer, you can consult us for short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, mountain biking, India or Bhutan tours etc. Meals: Breakfast