Kashgar to Lhasa Overland Tour

Elevation:1292

Your Tibetan Tour Guide and Tibetan Driver will meet you at the Hotel in the evening, and they will go through the itinerary.

Distance: 285Kms Elevation: 1278m

We will visit the Apak Hoja Tomb (Xiangfei Mu in Chinese), where we will see and learn about the Uyghur Islamic architecture complex. After this, we will visit Popular Uyghur Bazaar, which is renowned as the biggest market in Central Asia.

After lunch, we will visit the Kashgar historic old Town and Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China.

Distance: 285Kms Elevation: 1352m

We will travel from Kashgar to Yacheng, the distance os 285 Kilometers and we will go thought stunning landscape of Gobi Desert’s Sand Dunes.

Distance: 499Km, Elevation: 4220m

Today we will leave Yecheng to Dahon Liutan. There are several high passes including Heika Pass, Kudi Pass and the Maza pass. Along the way, we will have a magnificent view of Kunlun Mountain range. We will stop overnight at Dahon Liutan.

Distance: 518Kms Elevation: 4263m

Today we will enter into the Tibet Autonomous Region and exist from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. We will drive for 518 Kilometre, through Jieshan Pass to Rutok. The region is also called the roof of the World.

Distance: 117Kms Elevation: 4284m

Today we will travel 117 kilometres to Siquanhe. Along the route, we will visit the most Beautiful Pangong-Tso lake. It has a world’s highest birds island at an elevation of 4240 above sea level. After the visit to the Pangong-Tso Lake, we will continue to drive towards Siquanhe.

Distance: 255Kms Elevation: 3692m

Today we will first travel 255 km to Guge kingdom. Upon arrival at the Zanda, we will first visit the Tholing Monastery, It is built by the 2nd king of Guge Kingdom in 996. This monastery plays a very important role in the rejuvenation of Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet. After visiting the Monastery. We will rest in the hotel.

Distance 254kms, Max Elevation: 4741m

First, in the morning, we will visit, the Guge Kingdom. The kingdom was built by the generation of Tibetan kings after escaping the civil unrest in Lhasa after the death of the Last King of Tibet in Tibetan History. The kingdom lasted for seven-century as the central trading hub along the ancient silk route. Later due to the military campaign of Ladakh and intervention of 5th Dalai Lama’s administration of Lhasa, marks the end of the glory of the Guge Kingdom. Our tour guide will have lots of information about the Kingdom and its history.

After visiting the Guge Kingdom, we will take a five-hour drive from Ruins of the Guge Kingdom to the Darchen. Darchen is the base camp for trekking around the Mount Kailash. On the way, we will stopover at Manasarovar Lake. This is one of the three holiest lakes in Tibet. Follower of Hindu religion believes taking a bath in this holy lake would wash away sins from much live time.  It is very good to meditate by the lakeshore. After some time at the lake, we will continue to drive to Darchen.  Darchen is the base camp for trekking around the Mount Kailash. we will take a rest and prepare for tomorrow.

Distance 54kms, Max Elevation: 5630m

The three trekking around the Mt Kailash is the highlight of the tour. We will be trekking along with the Mount for three days. The accommodations and any facilities along the trekking route are minimal. This high elevation trekking is hard and steep in some area. It is a must for the group member to stick together and help each other to make this trekking.

The first day of our trek will take us 20 kilometres from Darchen around Mt. Kailash to Dira Puk Monastery. You will follow this ancient pilgrimage route with Tibetan Buddhist and Indian Hindu pilgrims. You will stay in a small guesthouse near the monastery. The elevation of Dira Puk Monastery is 5080 meters.

The second day of our trek around Kailash will take us up and over the Dolma La Pass, the highest pass on the circuit at 5630 meters. Excellent mountain and glacier views will follow you for most of the day. From the Dolma La Pass, you will descend to Zutul Puk Monastery, elevation 4820 meters. The total trekking distance this day is 18 kilometres.

The third and final day of our trek will cover 14 kilometres from Zutul Puk Monastery back to the town of Darchen. After the trek, we will return for one final night along the shores of scenic Lake Manasarovar. There is a hot spring at the Manasarovar Lake, We think it is a very good idea to soak in mineral-rich hot spring and take a very good rest.

Distance 520kms, Elevation: 4485m

Today is the beginning of the end of your true experience of the western wilderness of Tibet. You will surely have a spectacular view of the Tibetan Plateau landscape. We will be driving along the Yarlung Tsangpo river.  Our travelling distance is 520 Kilometres of an awesome landscape. We will stop for the night in the town of Saga.

Distance: 300kms Elevation: 5000m

Today we will drive right up to the Mount Everest Basecamp. Along the way, we will stop at the beautiful Pei ku Tso Lake and Mount Shishapangma. After the Lake, while driving to Everest we will have terrific views of 7000+ meter Himalayan peaks and the possibility of seeing wildlife. Before reaching the Base camp we will have to change our vehicle to Everest Eco Bus. We will stay in the Rongbuk monastery guest Hostel neat the Rongbuk Monastery.

Distance: 110kms Drive: 4hrs Sleeping Elevation: 3848m

First, in the morning we will see the sunshine over the Mount Everest. After this, we will drive to the Shigatse.

Along the way, we will take a small detour to Sakya Monastery. Sakya monastery in the principal monastery for Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. After the monastery, we will continue to the Shigatse. In Shigatse town, we will stay for a night in the four-star hotel with a cosy Tibetan style interior and Hot running water for the much-deserved bath.

Distance: 95kms Drive: 2:30hrs Sleeping Elevation: 4029m

You will start your journey at about 9:00 am. First, visit the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. Built by the first Dalai Lama and official residence of the Panchen Lama. Then we will drive out of the Shigatse town. Along we will be visiting the Shalu Monastery. The Shalu Monastery is known for its wall painting base on the Newari Influence of Tibetan Thangka Art. The painting inside the monastery is very different.

After Shalu Monastery we will continue to Gyantse. After arriving at the town we will be visiting the Gyantse Palchoe Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. We can also visit the Gyantse fort (optional).

Distance: 263km Drive: 6hr. Sleeping Elevation:3656m

It is advised to start the journey a little earlier in the morning. So in most of the cases, we will leave the Gyantse town at 7 am after breakfast. First, we will stopover at the Karola Glacier of the Mount Nojin Kangsang (7191 meters). After the Glacier, we will drive to the Yamdrok lake. We will have some free time at the lake. After this, we will drive up to the Kampala Pass (4700m). We will stop at the pass to look at the Yamdrok lake surround by the inner Himalaya ranges. After this, we will stay our goodbye to the Himalayas and descend into the Lhasa river valley.

Upon arrival at the Lhasa city, we will see the Majestic Potala Palace gazing over the city of Lhasa. We will stay in the hotel in Old Lhasa city. In the evening, you can self explore Barkhor Street.

First, in the morning, the group will visit the Potala palace, It is the most iconic building in Tibet. It has more than 1000 rooms and towering above the Lhasa city. The palace is first built in the seventh century by the King Songtsen Gampo. Later in the 17th Century, the fifth Dalai Lama has rebuilt his resident over the ruins of the old palace. Ever since the palace has served as the winter resident for successive Dalai Lama and Administrative centre for the local Tibetan Government.

In the afternoon, the group will visit the to Drepung Monastery. It is one of the three biggest monasteries in Lhasa and central Tibet. In the early 20th Century, it is the world biggest monastic complex. The circuit around the monastery takes about an hour of spectacular views.

First, in the morning, you will visit the Jokhang temple. The temple is considered as the holiest of all the Buddhist temples and Monasteries in the Inner Himalaya.  Founded in 7th Century by Tibetan Buddhist King Songtsen Gampo to house the Holiest statue of Lord Buddha. He brought this statue for Dowry of Marrying Chinese Princess Wenchen from Tang Dynasty.  There will be thousands of pilgrims Circumambulating, prostrating and visiting the Holy Temple.

In the afternoon, You will visit the Sera Monastery. The monastery is one of the three largest in Lhasa and central Tibet. It is found by the Main disciple of Je Tsongkhapa. It is about 600 years old. The main highlight of the monastery visit is the Monks debating of Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy. The debating courtyard is open for the visitor to observe from 3 pm every weekday. It is fun watch and photography, but inside the Courtyard, only Mobile Phone Photography is allowed.