A mystical experience to the Kailash

From 11550RMB / person 15 days 2-10 persons

Small group discovery of a sacred mount

This is one of our Tibet group tours that takes you from Lhasa to mount Kailash, crossing most of Tibet from east to west. Our groups are composed of a maximum of 10 participants, allowing everyone to enjoy the experience and keep it authentic. Mount Kailash, located in the west of Tibet, is one of the most sacred mountain for Buddhist, Bön, Jain as well as Hindu believers. This 3-day pilgrimage is seen as a time for prayer, walking around it clockwise (for Buddhists and Hindus) or counter-clockwise (for Jains and Böns).

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Professional Tibetan tour guide

Our groups are made of international travelers so all nationalities can encounter, and our Tibetan tour guides are fluent English-speakers.

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Tibet group tours

This 15-day tour is the longest of our Tibet group tours, for a total immersion in the Tibetan culture, leading you as close as possible to the pilgrims while you walk with them at a high altitude.

Itinerary

A dive in Buddhist culture and religion, without forgetting the omnipresent and everlasting beauty of nature with its lakes and high mountains.

Day 1: Lhasa

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.

Days 2 & 3: Lhasa

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.

Days 4 to 7: Lhasa - Shigatse – Lhatse - Saga - Darchen

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.

Day 8: trek around Mount Kailash 18.6kms ~7h trek

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.

Day 9: trek around Mount Kailash 19kms ~8h trek

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.

Day 10: trek around Mount Kailash 12kms ~5h30 trek

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.

Days 11 to 13: Manasarovar lake – Saga - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse

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.

Days 14 & 15: Shigatse - Lhasa

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.

Information

Inclusions:
  • 3/4* hotel (shared room) + breakfast
  • Guesthouse & camping (without breakfast)
  • Private driver
  • English-speaking Tibetan guide
  • Entrance fees
  • Oxygen bottles
  • Tibet permit
  • Mount Kailash permit
Exclusions:
  • Visa
  • International and domestic flights
  • Meals
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips to the guide and driver
  • Single room supplement
  • Insurance

See the departure dates

June 2024
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