A mystical experience to the Kailash

Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by your guide and transferred to the city center. You will meet your fellow travelers and you will get some rest and acclimatize to the altitude.

During those two days you will visit the most famous monuments of Lhasa, symbols of the times when the city was the epicenter of Buddhism. From the Jokhang temple to the famous Potala, the Winter palace of the Dalai Lama and via the Barkhor market, the most famous of all, you’ll also explore the Drepung and Sera monasteries where you will assist to their philosophical debates.

You will take the road to Gyantse via the Kampa La pass, with a beautiful view on the emerald sacred Yamdrok lake and surrounding snow peaks. On the way you’ll stop at Karo La (5150m) to see Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. At your arrival in Gyantse, visit the Kumbum stupa and the Palkhor Choede monastery.

In Shigatse, second biggest city and Buddhist centre in Tibet, you’ll visit the Tashilhunpo monastery, former residence of the Panchen-Lama lineage. Then you’ll drive to Lhatse. On the way you’ll stop at Sakya monastery, built in 1073.

There is a long day drive between Lhatse and Saga, along the Brahmaputra valley with stunning views on the trans-Himalayan chain to the north and the Himalayan chain to the south. You will drive to Darchen, the starting point of the trek around Mount Kailash.

Today you will start your trek around Mount Kailash (7762m), at an average altitude of 4700m. You will meet many Buddhist pilgrims walking in the same direction and Bön believers going around in a counter-clockwise direction. After 4 hours of walking you will arrive in Tamdin (4780m) where simple meals and water are served in nomad tents. After that you’ll have 4kms more to the monastery of Dirakpuk.

Today you’ll start the most demanding part of the trek as you cross the two passes of Dikpala (5000m) and Dormala (5600m). The trail is not too steep but the altitude makes the effort more difficult. You will then descend into the valley and stop at a nomad family tent for lunch. Finally you’ll reach the monastery of Zultuk Puk, the “miraculous grotto”. It was built by Milarepa, one of the most famous poet and yogi in Tibet, who lived in the 11th century.

This morning, you’ll walk to Tashi Do and finish your trek. You’ll reunite with your driver and reach Manasarovar lake. You’ll sleep in a guesthouse near the lake.

You will take the road back to Saga and the next day, head to the Everest base camp (EBC), the last stage accessible to tourists before climbing Mount Everest located in the Rongbuk valley. On the way, you will pass by Lake Pekutso.
After your night at the Base Camp get up at dawn to admire Mount Everest at sunrise. You will walk to reach the viewpoint not far from the camp, then your driver will drive you back to Shigatse where you will rest for the night.

Drive back to Lhasa, along the Friendship Highway, which goes west to Nepal (4-5h drive). Enjoy your last hours in Lhasa to stroll around the old city, make your last purchases or write your postcards. Transfer to the airport for your flight to your next destination.