Transfer to the Kathmandu airport to fly Lhasa. Upon arrival at Gonggar airport, you will be met by our Tibet representative and transfer to the Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Guided sightseeing programs in Lhasa to the following places: Potala Palace , Drepung Monastery , Sera Monastery , Jokhang Temple, Bharkhor market and many more interesting places. Overnight at Hotel.
Drive via Yamdrok Tso, the Turquoise Lake to Gyantse across Kamba la pass(5050m) and Karo la (5045m)passes. Gyantse retains a feel of 'Old" Tibet. Overnight at Hotel.
Drive to Shigatse en-route visit Shalu Monastery. Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery one of the largest monasteries in Tibet and the seat of Panchen Lama who is second only in importance to the Dalai Lama. Its numerous hall contains a 26 meters statute of Maitreya, the failure of Buddha and elaborate jewel encrusted reliquary chorten. Overnight at Hotel.
The views of this desert plateau provide wondrous entertainment as we travel along the Friendship Highway. This stretch is the most spectacular landscape in Tibet. Overnight at Guest House.
We turn off the Friendship Highway and head south over the Pang La (5150m) towards the main Himalayan ranges that give magnificient views. After we enter the Rongbuk Valley, we can see spectacular view of Mt Everest. Overnight at Guest House.
This day everyone get the opportunity to explore Mt Everest Base Camp. The views of Everest are so close making the mountain seem even more impressive than before. Then we drive to Saga via Paigu-tso lake and cross over the Yarlung-la Pass. Overnight at Guest House.
Our jeeps and trucks roll through the gigantic valleys following the various rivers through the grazing lands of yaks and sheep. The landscape is highlighted by snow capped peaks rising out of the distant sand dunes. Depending on the season, many Tibetan nomads and traders in traditional dress will inhabit this area. Overnight at Guest House.
This is the longest driving day of the trip. By late afternoon the drive through the green pastures and huge valleys gives way to the first sighting of Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. We will drive to Thugo Monastery which is the holiest bathing gate of Manasarovar. Overnight in Camp.
If you wish you can have a "purification bath" in the icy waters of this holy lake which is the highest large body of fresh water on earth. For Hindu pilgrims we perform a Puja on the bank of Manasarover. Wind permitting, we will enjoy the unparalleled beauty of Manasarovar's deep blue waters. There are also many Hindu and Buddhist temples here. Later drive to Darchen. Overnight in Camp.
Darchen is the starting point from where you begin circumambulating (Parikrima) Mt. Kailash. We embark on our circuit of this holy mountain, starting west from Darchen and making a clockwise circuit as do the Hindus and Buddhist who make this pilgrimage. (The most pious of pilgrims prostrate themselves around Kailash, lying flat on the ground, then rising and walking to the point that their hands touched and repeating the process.) We will take three days to make the circuit; hearty Tibetans do it in one day! Overnight in Camp.
Continue higher past piles of clothing at Shiva-tsal (5350m). Tibetans leave an article of clothing or a drop of blood here as part of leaving their past life behind them. Continue up to the Dolma La (5650m), where a big boulder on the pass, festooned with prayer flags (perhaps the world's largest collection of prayer flags), represents the goddess Dolma. The pass is the physical and spiritual high point of the kora (circuit). Descend countless switchbacks past Lake Gaurikunda (5440m) (Devout Hindus are supposed to break the ice and bathe in its waters!) and finally arrive at Zuthul Puk. Zuthul Puk means "miracle cave" and it is here that the Buddhist saint Milarepa lived, meditated, and performed miracles such as raising the roof of the cave to make it more comfortable! Overnight in Camp.
The Kailash Kora ends today after an easy trek of 14 Kms. Proceed to Horchu (4560m) at Lake Manasarovar. Overnight in Camp.
Drive to Dongpa or Saga (450 Kms / 8-9 hrs drive) overnight at Guest House.
Drive to Kerung. (240 Kms / 6-7 hrs drive) Overnight at Guest House.
Drive to Rasuwagadhi (Nepal-China border) and after completion of Immigration and Custom formalities, continue drive to Kathmandu. Overnight in Hotel.
