This is an ultimate visit to Mt. Kailash commencing from Lhasa city. Mt. Kailash at an altitude 6714m- Jewel of the Snows known as well as Mt. Meru a sacred to the Buddhist, Jains, the Hindus and the Bonpos. For the Hindus, the mountain represents the seat of Lord Shiva; for the Buddhists, a terrestrial projection of the cosmic mandala of Dhyani-Buddhas and Bodhisattvas..The Wheel of Life; for the Bonpos, Kailash was the sacred nine storey Swastika Mountain, upon which the Bonpo founder Sherab alighted from heaven. This is the best combination of the sights and pilgrims for those with long adventure sprit. This trip explores the forbidden Lhasa and the historical towns of Gyangtse, Shigatse, Dingri in Central Tibet and the villages and nomadic life across the vast expanse of the Jangthang plain to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasorovar. After the 3 days sacred parikrama of the holy mountain we continue further west to Tirdapuri, Purang and the Khojarnath Monastery the re-trace or steps to Nyalam and down to friendship bridge via Zhangmu.
Tour name – Lhasa - Mt. Kailash tour
Tour category: Touring / Trekking
Tour Duration – 18 nights / 19 days
Tour cost: Starts from USD 2650 (minimum 3 pax).
Transportation / Guide – kathmandu- Lhasa flight, land cruiser during the tour and experience license holder tour guide
Tour cost includes: Airport transfer, accommodation and meals, permits/entrance fees, guide and necessary staffs.
Tour cost excludes: Entry visa fees and International airfare, personal expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills etc, travel/medical and rescue insurance, optional trips and sightseeing if extend, lunch and dinner in Lhasa section, tips etc.
Flight cost: USD 392-475 depending in the class and season
Visa cost: USD 50-175 depending the visa working period and nationalityDay 1: Kathmandu - Lhasa 3650m, 90 kms.
Transfer to airport and fly to Lhasa. Upon arrival at Gonggar airport, you will be met by our Tibet representative and transfer to Hotel.
Day 2-3: Lhasa sight-seeing tour
Visit the Jokhang-The Jokhang is the principal and holiest Buddhist, Sera and Drepung monastery founded in 1419, is a monastery of the Gelugpa order, Potala Palace-The 13-story Potala Palace is reputed to contain 1,000 rooms and hundreds upon hundreds of brilliant thangkas, frescoes, and images built in an era when religious art was created anonymously as a means of gaining merit for future lives.
Day 4: Lhasa - Gyangtse 3990m, 275 kms, 8-9 hrs
Drive via Yamdrok, the Turquoise Lake to Gyangtse across Kampa la pass 5050 m and Karo la (5045 m)passes and visit Kubum stupa and Pelkor Chode Monastery of Gyantse city.
Day 5: Gyangtse - Shigatse 3860m, 90 kms, 2 hrs
Drive to Shigatse visiting Shalu Monastery enroute and Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama in Shigatse.
Day 6: Shigatse - Ngamring 5220m, 160 kms, 6-7 hrs
Drive to Ngamring visiting Sakya Monastery en route.
Day 7: Ngamring - Saga 4280m, 190 kms, 7-8 hrs
The road follows south of the Pelgu-Tso, continues across the plain with stunning Himalayan views until a narrow gorge before climbing to a pass and dropping steeply down to a ferry crossing over the Yarlung Tsangpo.
Day 8: Saga - Paryang 750m, 250 kms, 8-9 hrs
Drive to paryang following southern road deteriorates with great panoramic mountain views.
Day 9: Paryang - Lake Manasorovar 4560m, 260 kms, 10 hrs
From Paryang to Lake Mansorovar is a long drive of 10 hrs or more. There will be several river crossings and we drive past Mayum la pass (4600 M). The scenery is stunningly beautiful with panoramic views of the Himalayas.
Day 10: Manasarovar - Darchen 4560m, 30 km
Drive along the north side of the Lake Manasorovar and reach Darchen with two-story monastery structure in the center of the town serves as a trading post and shelter for pilgrims and other few Mani Lhakhang with prayer wheel around.
Day 11: Darchen - Diraphuk 4730m. 6 hrs
Starts the trek around the Mt. kailash heading west in clockwise direction and after a few kilometers the trail climbs up to a cairn at 4730 m from where the southern face of Mt. Kailash is seen. En route visit Tarboche where annual flagpole raising ceremony takes place during Saga Dawa.
Day 12: Diraphuk - Zutruphuk 4790, 6 hrs
we cross Drolma la pass (5630 M) and Gauri Kund Lake (5608 m) where Hindus worship and immerse themselves in the icy waters of the lake.
Day 13: Zutruphuk - Tirdapuri
The final end of the parikrama is an easy 2-3 hrs walk down to where the river emerges on to the Barga plain and drive to Tirdapuri where there is a hot spring.
Day 14: Tirdapuri - Purang
Visit Tirdapuri Monastery and the pilgrim circuit then drive to Purang. En route visit Khojarnath Monastery.
Day 15-16: Purang - Lake Manasorovar
Drive to Lake Manasorovar and excursion around the Lake.
Day16: Drive to Paryang (4700 meters). (292 kms / 08 to 09 hrs). Camp Overnight.
Day17: Drive to Saga (4600 meters). (252 kms / 07 to 08 hrs). Camp Overnight.
Day18: Drive to Nyalam (3750m) 240 Kms / 6-7 Hrs. Guest house
Day19: Drive downhill to Friendship Bridge where transportation and drive to Kathmandu (1300m) 150 Kms / 5-6hrs Hrs.
