Lhasa to Guge and Kailash Group Tour

As you arrive in Lhasa. Our tour guide will meet you either at the train station or the airport to meet you and escort you to your hotel in your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, if you have free time, you can explore the Barkhor street around the Jokhang temple.

First in the morning, you will visit the Jokhang temple. The temple is consider 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.  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.

In the morning, the group will visit 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 most significant 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.

Distance: 360kms, Elevation: 3840m

Today, we will depart from Lhasa in the early morning to have a better view of Yamdrok lake and have more time at the attraction of the day.  First, we will stop at Yamdrok Lake. It is one of the most sacred lakes in Tibet and most beautiful.  From the lake, you will see the Mt Nojin Kangtsang (7191m) in the distance as in the picture of left as you will travel along the lakeshore and drive up to the fantastic Carola Glacier before arriving at the town of Gyantse.

In the Gyantse town, you will visit the Pelkhor Chode Monastery and very famous Kumbum Stupa. It is the most prominent Tibetan Buddhist Stupa in Tibet.  From Gyantse, you will drive across the Tibetan Countryside to Shigatse.  Shigatse is the traditional seat of Panchen Lama, The second highest Lama in Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and also to the second-largest city in traditional Tibet. In the city, you will visit the monastic complex of Tashi Lhunpo.

Distance 448kms, Elevation: 4200m

Depart from Shigatse and drive along the Rugged and Beautiful Landscape and wilderness of Central Tibet. The travel time is 7 hours for 448 kilometres.

We might get lucky to spot some wildlife in the region. The Landscape is unique with the heavenly formation of lights. By the end of the day, you will gain about 300 Meter in elevation.

Distance 493kms, Elevation: 5000m

This is the beginning of your authentic experience of the western wilderness of Tibet. You will indeed 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 incredible terrain.

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 sacred lake would wash away sins from much live time.  It is perfect for meditating 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 254kms, Max Elevation: 3699m

Five-hour drive from Manasarovar Lake to the Ruins of Guge Kingdom. The generation of Tibetan kings built the kingdom 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.

We will visit both Tholing Monastery and ruins of the kingdom. For the night we will be staying at the local hotel with minimal amenities.

Distance 254kms, Max Elevation: 4597m

Its a beginning of the return journey to Lhasa. In the morning we will visit the Guge Kingdom and the Tholing monastery. After seeing that two attraction, we will drive back to Manasarovar lake.

Distance 450kms, Max Elevation: 4500m

Today we will travel back along the same route to Saga.

Distance: 493Km, Elevation: 5200m

Mount Everest Base camp is another highlight of the tour. We will be Driving from Saga to Mount Everest basecamp at the Rongbuk Monastery. From the Pang-la pass we will have a distance view to some of the highest peaks of the Himalayas and the world; Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and the Mount Everest. we will take the zig-zag route to the Mount Everest base camp. we will stay a night in Tent guest house at the lap of Everest near Rongbuk monastery.

Distance: 350Km, Elevation: 3840m

In the morning we will have a fantastic Sunrise view of the Everest. Along the Himalaya first Sunbeam will lit the uppermost peaks and sunray will gradually come down in the valleys. After watching the sunshine view of Mt Everest, we will start our return journey to the Shigatse. We will stop at some farming villages. Upon arrival back to Shigatse, we will have enough time to explore the main market street or hike the pilgrimage path at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery again.

Distance: 280Km, Elevation: 3600m

We will travel back to Lhasa, the distance for the return journey is 280 kilometres, and It will take only 6 Hours travelling. We will have enough time to do the last-minute souvenir shopping or walking the pilgrimage circuit around Jokhang Temple one more time.