Tibet Spiritual Journey: Everest, Kailash, and Manasarovar

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa

  Welcome to Tibet! As you arrive, your guide and driver will greet you with a traditional white Khata. A 70-kilometer drive along the scenic expressway brings you to your cozy Lhasa hotel in just one hour.

  After checking in, take time to rest and acclimate to the altitude of 3,650 meters. Tibet awaits, ready to captivate your heart and soul!

  • Lhasa

• Day 2: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery Debating

  Venture on a spiritual odyssey, winding through Lhasa's iconic Drepung and Sera monasteries.

  Drepung is renowned for its historical significance as a center of learning and spiritual practice. Wander through its vast courtyards, explore the Ganden Palace, and marvel at the intricate murals and statues.

  At Sera Monastery, watch monks engage in animated discussions, clapping and chanting as they test their spiritual knowledge.

  In the evening, join a welcome dinner at a traditional Tibetan restaurant. Savor aromatic yak butter tea and momos, while the warm hospitality and lively chatter set the tone for your journey.

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  • Lhasa

• Day 3: Potala Palace and Johkang Temple

  Delve into the heart of Lhasa with visits to the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.

  The Potala Palace, towering on Red Hill, is an iconic marvel with white and red buildings housing sacred relics, intricate murals, and golden stupas. Nearby, Jokhang Temple, the holiest site in Tibet, holds a 7th-century Shakyamuni statue and features a blend of Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian architecture.

  Later, join the pilgrims on Barkhor Street. Watch as they spin prayer wheels and prostrate in devotion, while the air fills with the scent of incense. Your guide will then lead you to a Tibetan teahouse, where you can sip tea and listen to stories of local life, truly experiencing the soul of the city.

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  • Lhasa

• Day 4: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse：Yamdrotso Lake, Karola Glacier

  Today, set out on an enchanting 8-hour journey to Shigatse, traversing 340 kilometers of awe-inspiring vistas and picturesque terrains.

  Enjoy a scenic drive with views of the shimmering Yamdrok Lake, with its turquoise waters and disappearing shoreline. Stop at a lakeside village to explore farmers' homes and savor a farmhouse lunch.

  Continue to the Karola Glacier, where its massive, frozen tongue stretches to the roadside, resembling a towering, crystalline waterfall. Along the way, pass by the serene Lake Manla and the ancient town of Gyantse, before arriving in Shigatse.

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  • Shigatse

• Day 5: Shigatse - Tingri - Everest Base Camp, Tashilunpo Monastery

  After breakfast, visit Tashilunbu Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama, renowned for its golden-roofed halls, intricate murals, and towering Maitreya Buddha statue.

  Embark on a 6.5-hour drive through rural farmland toward Everest. At Dingri Viewpoint, catch your first glimpse of the majestic peak. Enter the Everest Scenic Area, where the Gawula Viewpoint offers breathtaking panoramas of the Himalayan giants piercing through a sea of clouds. As you approach Everest Base Camp, the mountain looms larger, its snow-capped pyramid glowing under the setting sun. Arrive before sunset to witness the golden alpenglow illuminating the world's highest peak.

  Note: During the winter season, when the Everest Base Camp tented lodges are closed, we will relocate accommodations to the nearest village to Everest, Basong Village.

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  • Everest Base Camp

• Day 6: Everest Base Camp - Saga, Pekutso Lake, Mt. Shishapangma

  In the morning, rise to witness the sunrise over Everest (weather permitting), as the first light bathes the peak in a golden glow, or take a peaceful walk near the base camp, breathing in the crisp, high-altitude air. After breakfast, visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world's highest temple, perched dramatically against the backdrop of Everest. This iconic site, famously featured in the 2012 film, offers unparalleled views of the mountain's natural grandeur and rich cultural heritage.

  Later, depart for Saga, the gateway to Tibet's remote Ali Plateau. Along the way, marvel at the majestic Mount Shishapangma, China's only 8,000-meter peak entirely within its borders, and the serene Pekucuo Lake at its base, where crystal-clear waters reflect the surrounding snow-capped mountains in a breathtaking tableau.

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  • Saga

• Day 7: Saga - Tarchen, Himalayas, Gangdise Mountains, Manasarovar Lake

  Embark on a breathtaking journey from Saga to Tarchen, traversing the dramatic gorge carved by the Himalayas and Gangdise Mountains. Towering snow-capped peaks stretch as far as the eye can see, flanking the road with majestic grandeur.

  Crossing the lofty 5,211-meter Mayum La Pass, the first glimpse of the sacred Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash takes your breath away. Continue for 50 kilometers along the lake's pristine shores to Tarchen, a bustling town at the foot of Mount Kailash, offering a variety of shops, restaurants, and cozy accommodations.

  Note: If you need a porter for your pilgrimage, your guide will help facilitate communication with the locals.

  • Mount Kailash

• Day 8: Mount Kailash Kora Trek & Sagadawa Festival Experience

  Begin your Mount Kailash kora trek by taking a scenic bus ride from Tarchen to Sershong, where the grand Sagadawa Festival blessing ceremony takes place. Witness the raising of new prayer flag poles and join Buddhist followers in joyful prayers for peace and prosperity. The monks' chants echo through the valley, harmonizing with the sacred aura of Mount Kailash.

  After the celebrations, trek 13 kilometers clockwise along the valley, surrounded by breathtaking views, and reach Driapuk Monastery at the foot of Kailash's west slope, where you'll rest for the night.

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  • Mount Kailash

• Day 9: Mount Kailash Kora Trek, Dromala Pass, Sunrise of Mt.Kailash

  The second day of the Mount Kailash circuit is the most challenging and longest, covering 24 kilometers.

  Starting before dawn from Driapuk Monastery, you'll ascend to Dolma La Pass (5,630m), witnessing the sunrise over Mount Kailash's northwest slope. At the pass, adorned with prayer flags, enjoy views of the glacier and Gauri Kund (Mercy Lake), believed to cleanse sins and grant rebirth. Descend through a rocky trail into the valley below, reaching Dzultripuk Monastery. In summer, the valley blooms into lush grasslands, teeming with livestock and wildlife. A spiritually and physically rewarding day.

  • Mount Kailash

• Day 10: Mount Kailash Kora Trek & Manasarovar Lake

  In the morning, trek back to Tarchen from Dzultripuk Monastery, or take a sightseeing bus if tired.

  In the afternoon, head to the sacred Lake Manasarovar, one of the world’s highest freshwater lakes. Surrounded by the majestic Mount Kailash and Naimonanyi Peak, the serene turquoise waters create a spiritual ambiance. Wander along the shore, bathe in its holy waters, or pause for quiet rituals. Nearby, hot spring cabins invite you to soothe your weary feet.

  • Mount Kailash

• Day 11: Tarchen - Saga, Grassland Pastoral Area, Wild Animals, Gongzhu Lake

  Today, we embark on the return journey to Saga County, retracing our path through the breathtaking landscapes of the Ali Plateau. Over the hundreds of kilometers, you will once again be captivated by the boundless grasslands and shimmering lakes, with the majestic Gangdise Mountains and Himalayas standing as timeless guardians on the horizon. As we pass by the serene Gongzhu Lake, you have the opportunity to pause and wander around its tranquil shores or through the surrounding pastures.

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  • Saga

• Day 12: Saga - Kyirong, Kyirong Valley

  After standing at the highest peak in the world, we now invite you to experience the lowest altitude wonder in western Tibet - the Kyirong Valley. Nestled at 2,800 meters, this valley is encircled by towering snow-capped mountains, draped in lush dense forests, and crisscrossed by serene canyons.

  Take leisurely hikes through the countryside, surrounded by the embrace of nature, and breathe deeply of the forest's fresh air, allowing its invigorating essence to soothe and relieve the fatigue of your travels.

  For those continuing to the Nepalese border, join the group to visit the majestic border between China and Nepal. Capture unforgettable moments with a photo in front of China's grand national gate.

  • Kyirong

• Day 13: Kyirong - Tingri: Peiku Lake, Mt. Cho Oyu viewpoint

  Today, return to the boundless snowy expanses of the Himalayas, where the breathtaking majesty of the mountain range unfolds once more. Along the way, you'll pass by towering peaks like Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, and the iconic Mount Everest. At their feet, lush meadows stretch out, dotted with herds of cattle and sheep.

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  • Tingri

• Day 14: Tingri - Lhasa, Yarlung Tsangpo River Gorge

  As we conclude our journey to Mount Everest and Mount Kailash, we begin our return from Dingri to Lhasa. Along the way, we'll catch one last glimpse of Mount Everest, bidding farewell to its majestic presence. Passing through Shigatse, we'll traverse the Yarlung Tsangpo River Gorge, a breathtaking natural corridor that stretches between Shigatse and Lhasa.

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  • Lhasa

• Day 15: Lhasa, Departure

  Your spiritual Tibet journey ends today. After a relaxing morning, meet your guide for the airport/train station transfer. Thank you for sharing this wonderful time with us. Safe travels!

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