Itinerary

1. Day 01: Arrive in Lhasa

   • Welcome to Tibet – the roof of the world 
   • Today, arrive in Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet, and get transferred to a hotel. Stay at the hotel to adapt to the high altitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days and try to drink some water.

   Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

2. Day 02: Lhasa

   • Potala Palace – a landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang and Barkhor Street 
   • In the morning visit, Potala, originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. 
   • In the afternoon, visit Jokhang monastery, the center of Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers. Thousands of pilgrims come to worship there every day. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure in Tibet. 
   • Walk on Barkhor Street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with prolific stalls selling local specialities. 

   Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel 

   Breakfast

3. Day 03: Lhasa

   • Panoramic view over Potala, Norbulingka, Debate in Sera 
   • In the morning, visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain. Built-in the 7th century, it is 22m high, and from here, you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala Palace. 
   • Afterwards, visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. 
   • In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery, created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. It is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelugpa. As roses are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the Court of Wild Roses.” Today, 200 lamas live there. You can experience the famous monks' "Buddhism scriptures debate." Public religious debates are part of the education of monks.

   Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel 

   Breakfast

4. Day 04: Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse

   • Karo La Pass and Glacier, holy lake Yamdrok, Palkhor with Pagoda Kumbum 
   • Drive to Gyantse. On the Kamba La (4796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4,441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. 
   • On arriving, visit Pelkor Monastery and the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both built in the 15th century and situated on the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only large building complex in Tibet in which old monasteries and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as monuments. It is recorded that 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameter and contains 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars worldwide. 
   • Afterwards, drive about 90 kilometres to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang.

   356 km, 6 hours 41 minutes
   Overnight at 4*Mulunlazong Hotel

   Breakfast 

5. Day 05: Shigatse – Shegar - Rongbuk / Everest Base Camp

   • Tashilhunpo Monastery, Rongbuk Monastery, Sunset on Qomolangma (Everest) 
   • In the morning, visit the Tashilunpo "Mountain of Happiness". Tashilunpo is also one of the six major temples of the Gelug Sect. Shigatse is the seat of the Panchen Lama. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China. 
   • Then drive to Shegar, crossing the passes Yalung La (4.520 m) and Gyathso La (5.220 m). 
   • Continue (90 km, 2 hours) to the Rongbuk Monastery (5,154 m) and the Everest Base Camp, where you can see the steep north side of Qomolangma. 
   • On the way to Pang La (5150 m), the view is magnificent: from left to right are Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Nuptse and Cho Oyu. 
   • Rongbuk is the largest monastery in this region, built at the beginning of the 20th century. In good weather, you can also admire the spectacular sunset on Everest (Qomolangma). 

   334 km, 6 hours 6 minutes
   Overnight at simple Rongbuk Guesthouse

   Breakfast

6. Day 06: Rongbuk – Paiku Tso – Saga

   • Sunrise over Qomolangma, Rongbuk Monastery, Paiku Tso Lake 
   • Today, you will wake up early to see the unforgettable sunrise over Qomolangma (Everest). 
   • Then, drive via Paiku Tso Lake and Xixiabangma Mountain to Saga. Paiku-Tso Lake covers an area of 300 square kilometres and is the largest lake in Shigatse. Paiku-Tso, located between three mountains, is rich in fish. Various wild animals live such as wild horses, donkeys, yellow ducks, etc.

   473 km, 11 hours
   Overnight at Brahmaputra Hotel

   Breakfast 

7. Day 07: Saga – Paryang – Manasarovar Lake

   • Kiangs (wild ass) and antelopes, Manasarovar lake 
   • Continue along the south route and enjoy beautiful views while visibility is clear. 
   • During the south route, the Himalayas rise gradually in the north, and the mountains stand side by side. Sometimes, especially on the last stretch of the road, kiangs (wild ass) and antelopes can be seen. 
   • Drive to Manasarovar Lake. 
   • Overnight in a simple guesthouse near the Chiu Gompa on the north side of Manasarovar Lake (4588 m).

   495 km, 6 hours 53 minutes
   Overnight in a simple guesthouse

   Breakfast 

8. Day 08: Manasarovar Lake – Darchen

   • Walk and rest by Manasarovar Lake 
   • Manasarovar Lake is 330 square kilometres and 81.8 meters deep. The lake is nestled between two snow-capped mountain ranges. The area is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Tibet. For Hindus, Manasarovar is a sacred lake. Therefore, walking around the lake, washing, and purifying themselves with the lake became the most important goals of the pilgrims. A short hike and visit at Manasarovar Lake. Enjoy the views of the eight monasteries on the shores of the northern Kailash and Manasarovar Lake. 
   • Then, continue in about 1 hour to Darchen (4,800 m, starting point of the Kailash Circumnavigation).

   49 km, 42 minutes
   Overnight at simple The Faraway Home Hotel

   Breakfast 

9. Day 09: Trekking around Kailash, about 22 km

   • Start of the 3-day Kailash trekking tour 
   • The village of Darchen consists only of a few stone houses about 6 km north of the main road. 
   • You set off for the 3-day Kailash orbit, accompanied by porters and yaks. For Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bons, the mountain is the holiest point in the world, the cosmic axis of the world, the "navel of the world". Past numerous chorten and Manimauern, the path leads into the broad gorge on the mountain's west side. Along with Tibetan and Indian pilgrims, you will pass the famous prayer flagpole, the Buddha's Footprints, and abandoned hermit clauses. 
   • After about 7 hours of walking, you will reach our campsite at 5,100 m altitude on the first day of the tour. 

   Trekking 22 km
   Overnight in a simple guesthouse

   Breakfast

10. Day 10: Trekking around Kailash, about 20 km

    • Crossing the 5,600 m high Dolma La 
    • The most important part of the circumnavigation around Kailash involves crossing the most sacred spot, the 5,600m high Dolma-La, the highest point of the Parikrama, where there is a "holy" stone adorned with prayer flags, according to legend, that is the place where the goddess Dolma disappeared. 
    • Trek down a slightly steep but good path. 
    • Soon, you will pass Thuji Zimbo Lake, which the Hindu Gauri call Kund and consider sacred. The total walking time on the second day is 7 to 8 hours. 

    Trekking 20 km
    Overnight in a simple guesthouse

    Breakfast

11. Day 11: Trekking around Kailash, about 11 km, drive to Paryang

    • Kailash Kora ends
    • The third stage involves passing numerous mani walls with stone tablets back to Darchen, which means the circle of your circumnavigation ends. 
    • In Darchen, you get into the vehicle, which brings you to Paryang.

    Trekking 11 km
    259 km, 3 hours 43 minutes

    Breakfast 

12. Day 12: Paryang - Saga - Lhatse

    • Return journey 
    • Drive via Saga to Lhatse. 

    531 km, 8 hours 22 minutes
    Overnight at the simple Nongmin Hotel

    Breakfast

13. Day 13: Lhatse - Shigatse – Lhasa

    • Return journey 
    • Drive via Shigatse back to Lhasa.

    420 km, 7 hours 24 minutes
    Overnight at the 3*Yak Hotel

    Breakfast 

14. Day 14: Leave Tibet

    • Travel to the next destination 
    • Today, transfer to the airport or railway station and leave Tibet. 

    Breakfast