Guge Kailash Group Tour

Start your day by visiting the Jokhang Temple, considered the holiest Buddhist temple and monastery in the Inner Himalaya. Founded in the 7th century by Tibetan Buddhist King Songtsen Gampo, it houses the sacred statue of Lord Buddha. Witness the devout pilgrims engaging in circumambulation, prostration, and worship within the temple.

In the afternoon, explore the Sera Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in Lhasa and central Tibet. Established by the main disciple of Je Tsongkhapa around 600 years ago, the monastery is renowned for its Tibetan Buddhist philosophical debates. You can observe these lively debates in the debating courtyard, which opens to visitors at 3 pm on weekdays. Note that only mobile phone photography is allowed within the courtyard.

Begin your morning with a visit to the iconic Potala Palace, an architectural masterpiece towering above the city of Lhasa. Originally built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo, the palace was rebuilt by the fifth Dalai Lama in the 17th century. It has served as the winter residence for successive Dalai Lamas and the administrative center for the local Tibetan Government.

In the afternoon, explore the Drepung Monastery, one of the three most significant monasteries in Lhasa and central Tibet. Once the world’s largest monastic complex in the early 20th century, it offers breathtaking views during the approximately one-hour circuit around the monastery.

Distance: 360 km | Elevation: 3840m

Today, we depart from Lhasa in the early morning to enjoy the stunning views of Yamdrok Lake and maximize our time at the day’s attractions. Our first stop is Yamdrok Lake, one of the holiest and most beautiful lakes in Tibet. As we travel along the lakeshore, you can admire the distant Mt. Nojin Kangtsang (7191m). We then continue driving, passing the magnificent Karo La Glacier, before reaching the town of Gyantse.

In Gyantse, explore the Pelkhor Chode Monastery and the renowned Kumbum Stupa, the most prominent Tibetan Buddhist stupa in Tibet. Afterward, we drive through the picturesque Tibetan countryside to Shigatse. As the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the second-highest ranking Lama in the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, Shigatse is also the second-largest city in traditional Tibet. Here, visit the monastic complex of Tashi Lhunpo.

Distance: 150 km | Elevation: 4200m

Departing from Shigatse, we embark on a scenic drive through the rugged and beautiful landscapes of central Tibet. The journey takes approximately three hours to cover 150 kilometers. Along the way, we make a 25-kilometer detour to visit the Sakya Monastery, the principal monastery of the Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery showcases unique Mongolian-style structures, distinct from those found in the monasteries of the Lhasa region.

Immerse yourself in the wonders of Tibet as you explore Lhasa, visit ancient monasteries, witness breathtaking natural beauty, and delve into the rich spiritual traditions of this remarkable land.

We embark on a journey of 340 kilometers into the wilderness of the Northern Tibetan highland, with a chance to encounter wildlife in the region. The landscape offers a unique and heavenly formation of lights. By the end of the day, we will have gained approximately 300 meters in elevation.

Prepare for an authentic experience in the western wilderness of Tibet as we behold the spectacular views of the Tibetan Plateau landscape. Our route follows the Yarlung Tsangpo River as we traverse 520 kilometers of incredible terrain.

En route, we make a stop at the sacred Manasarovar Lake, one of the three holiest lakes in Tibet. According to Hindu beliefs, bathing in this sacred lake washes away sins accumulated over many lifetimes. Take a moment to meditate by the lakeshore before we continue driving to Darchen, the base camp for trekking around Mount Kailash. Here, we rest and make preparations for the upcoming adventure.

The next three days mark the highlight of our tour as we embark on a trek around Mount Kailash. Trekking alongside this sacred mountain, accommodations and facilities along the route are minimal. It is essential for group members to stick together and support each other throughout this challenging and steep high-elevation trek.

On the first day, we trek approximately 20 kilometers from Darchen to Dira Puk Monastery, following the ancient pilgrimage route alongside Tibetan Buddhist and Indian Hindu pilgrims. We spend the night in a small guesthouse near the monastery, situated at an elevation of 5080 meters.

The second day takes us over the Dolma La Pass, the highest pass on the circuit at 5630 meters. Magnificent mountain and glacier views accompany us throughout the day. Descending from the pass, we reach Zutul Puk Monastery, located at an elevation of 4820 meters, after an 18-kilometer trek.

On the third and final day of the trek, we cover 14 kilometers from Zutul Puk Monastery back to the town of Darchen. After completing the trek, we return to the enchanting shores of Lake Manasarovar for a final night. We recommend taking a well-deserved rest and indulging in the mineral-rich hot springs.

Embarking on a five-hour drive from Manasarovar Lake, we make our way to the Ruins of Guge Kingdom. The kingdom was established by Tibetan kings who sought refuge from civil unrest in Lhasa following the death of the last king in Tibetan history. Lasting for seven centuries, the kingdom served as a central trading hub along the ancient Silk Route. Its glory came to an end due to military campaigns from Ladakh and intervention by the administration of the 5th Dalai Lama in Lhasa. Our knowledgeable tour guide will provide fascinating insights into the kingdom’s history as we visit both Tholing Monastery and the ruins. Overnight, we stay at a local hotel with minimal amenities.

We begin our return journey to Lhasa, starting with a visit to the Guge Kingdom and Tholing Monastery in the morning. After exploring these attractions, we drive back to Manasarovar Lake.

Today, we retrace our steps along the same route back to Saga.

The Mount Everest Base Camp is another highlight of our tour. Departing from Saga, we make our way to the Rongbuk Monastery, where the base camp is situated. Along the Pang-la Pass, we are treated to distant views of some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas, including Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Mount Everest itself. Taking the zig-zag route, we arrive at the base camp, where we spend the night in a tent guesthouse near Rongbuk Monastery.

As dawn breaks, we witness a breathtaking sunrise over Mount Everest. The first sunbeams illuminate the majestic peaks, gradually descending into the valleys. After capturing the awe-inspiring sunrise view, we begin our return journey to Shigatse. Along the way, we make stops at farming villages, immersing ourselves in the local culture. Upon reaching Shigatse, we have ample time to explore the main market street or hike the pilgrimage path at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.

We travel back to Lhasa, covering a distance of 280 kilometers in just 6 hours. This gives us an opportunity for last-minute souvenir shopping or taking a final stroll around the pilgrimage circuit surrounding Jokhang Temple.

On your departure day, your tour guide will accompany you either to the train station or the airport, ensuring a smooth farewell. Please note that one airport drop-off and one train station drop-off are provided per group. If your departure time differs from the majority of the group, we will arrange for a taxi or utilize the Airport Bus Service.