Mt Kailash Tour with Everest

Attractions; Jokhang Temple and Sera monastery and bustling Bakhor street.

Your day begins with a visit to the Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism. After enjoying your breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet you and accompany you to the temple. Since your hotel is located in the Tibetan quarter of Lhasa city, you will take a leisurely walk to the Jokhang Temple. Inside the temple, you will have the chance to experience the spiritual atmosphere and witness the devout worship of the locals.

Following the temple visit, you’ll have some free time to explore the charming Barkhor street in Old Lhasa city. You can stroll through the bustling markets, interact with locals, and immerse yourself in the unique Tibetan culture.

In the afternoon, your guide will take you to the well-preserved Sera Monastery. Here, you’ll have the remarkable opportunity to witness the monks engaging in lively debates on Buddhist philosophy in the monastery courtyard. Feel free to capture this enlightening moment through photographs.

If you prefer some quiet time to absorb the serenity of the surroundings, you can ask your guide to give you some space to explore the monastery on your own. This way, you can savor the peaceful ambiance and appreciate the beauty of the monastery at your own pace.

Throughout the day, your knowledgeable guide will provide insights into the history, culture, and significance of the places you visit, ensuring you have a memorable and enriching experience in Lhasa.

Attractions; Potala Palace and Drepung monastery.

In the morning, your guide will take you to the majestic Potala Palace, coordinating with the ticket timing. The palace dates back to the 7th century, initially constructed around the meditation cave of the Tibetan King, Songtsan Gampo. Later, during the 17th century, the fifth Dalai Lama built the current palace on the ruins of the original 7th-century structure. This architectural masterpiece stands as an excellent representation of Tibetan cultural heritage.

After a delightful morning, in the afternoon, we will head to the Drepung Monastery. This monastery holds significant importance in Lhasa and central Tibet, being one of the three most important monastic complexes. In the early 20th century, it was renowned as the world’s largest monastic complex. The circuit around the monastery offers breathtaking views and will take approximately an hour to explore fully.

Join us on this journey to experience the grandeur of the Potala Palace and the spiritual ambiance of Drepung Monastery.

Distance: 263 km Drive: 6hr.

Today, we embark on an exciting journey from Lhasa to Gyantse, passing through the breathtaking landscapes of Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier. To make the most of the day, we recommend an early start. After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, we hit the road at 7:00 am.

Around 11:00 am, we’ll reach the Kampa-la pass, standing tall at an elevation of 4,700 meters. Here, we pause for a while to soak in the awe-inspiring views of Yamdrok Lake nestled below the pass and the majestic Mount Nojin Kangtsang, rising to a staggering height of 7,191 meters. Don’t forget your camera, as the scenery here is simply mesmerizing. Following our photo break, we’ll descend approximately 700 meters to the shores of Yamdrok Lake. Take some time to bask in the beauty of this pristine lake from up close.

Continuing our drive, we head towards Nangartse town for a delightful lunch. The 50-kilometer journey from Yamdrok lake to Nangartse follows the lakeshore, and during winter, you might be treated to sightings of numerous wild birds. Bird enthusiasts, you might want to bring along your binoculars for this fantastic experience. Upon reaching Nangartse town, we’ll halt for lunch and give you the chance to explore this charming Tibetan town for a while.

Post-lunch, we make our way to the incredible Karola Glacier, one of the closest glaciers you’ll encounter during this tour. The sight of this immense glacier is sure to leave you in awe. Afterward, we continue our drive to Gyantse town, where we expect to arrive around 3:00 pm. Upon reaching Gyantse, we’ll check into our cozy hotel for the night.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll proceed to visit the Gyantse Palchoe Monastery and the Kumbum Stupa, both significant cultural landmarks. The monastery visit will take approximately one and a half hours, providing a glimpse into the region’s rich heritage. If you still have some energy left, we might also visit the impressive Gyantse fort, offering a fascinating glimpse into Tibet’s history.

Get ready for a day filled with stunning landscapes, cultural treasures, and unforgettable experiences!

Distance: 95kms Drive: 2:30hrs

Your journey will commence around 9:00 am. Once you depart from Gyantse town, we’ll pause at a photography spot just outside the town. From there, you’ll have a panoramic view of Gyantse town, including its monastery, stupa, and fort – a cherished location in Tibet for capturing photos.

Leaving Gyantse, our first destination is Shalu Monastery. Many travel and tour operators in Tibet exclude it from their itineraries, but we consider it a must-visit spot. The interior of the monastery features unique paintings in the original Newari style.

Following our visit to Shalu Monastery, we’ll proceed to Shigatse. Upon reaching Shigatse, our initial stop will be Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, constructed by the first Dalai Lama and serving as the official residence of the Panchen Lama. Afterward, we’ll head to the hotel, and the rest of the day is yours to enjoy with fellow group members. However, please note that we need to organize the permit for Everest Base Camp during this time.

Distance: 286kms Drive: 7hrs

Today, we’re getting an early start to make the most of our time at Sakya Monastery. Our route takes us along the friendship road, and from the Tibetan town of Lhatse, we’ll veer off towards Sakya Monastery. This monastery serves as the central hub for the Sakyapa school of Tibetan Buddhism, and its architecture resembles that of a medieval fortress. You’ll find that the design and artwork of Sakya Monastery stand apart from all the other places you’ll visit on this tour.

The monastery offers a plethora of captivating sights to explore, which is precisely why we’re departing from Shigatse ahead of schedule. Following our visit to Sakya Monastery, we’ll carry on our journey to Tingri. Here, we’ll settle in for the night before making our way up to Everest Basecamp.

Distance: 110kms Drive: 4hrs

If you wish to witness the morning sunshine over the magnificent Himalayas and Mount Everest, you should embark on your journey prior to sunrise. We always suggest that all travelers set out before daybreak to catch the breathtaking sunrise over Everest and its neighboring peaks. Before arriving at the basecamp, we will switch from our car to an Eco electric bus for the final stretch to the basecamp.

Upon reaching the Rongbuk Monastery, we will take some time to relax at the Rongbuk Monastery Hotel before continuing our onward journey to Everest Basecamp.

During the stay at Everest Basecamp, accommodations will be provided in either the EBC guest house or the Tent hostel. Please note that the tents may occasionally become smoky. If you experience any altitude-related discomfort, there is an option to return to Tingri. It’s important to make this decision before everyone settles in for the night.

Distance 300kms, Elevation: 4500m, Duration: 7 Hours

After breakfast in the morning, you’ll witness a stunning sunrise on Mount Everest. After taking in the sunlight over Everest, you’ll proceed towards Saga town. This town is a well-known resting point on the way to Mount Kailash. Here, you’ll meet numerous travelers who have journeyed from Nepal for the Kailash pilgrimage. You’ll pause at Saga town, where the accommodation options shift to simpler settings. Depending on your tour budget, you can choose from basic attached rooms to guesthouses with shared bathrooms and bedrooms.

Distance 501kms, Elevation: 4741m, Duration: 7 Hours

You’re about to embark on an authentic journey through the western wilderness of Tibet. Prepare for an awe-inspiring view of the expansive Tibetan Plateau landscape as we travel along the Yarlung Tsangpo river, covering an incredible distance of 520 kilometers of diverse terrain.

Our journey includes a stop at Manasarovar Lake, one of Tibet’s three holiest lakes. People following the Hindu religion believe that immersing themselves in the sacred waters of this lake can cleanse them of sins accumulated over many lifetimes. It’s an ideal spot for serene meditation by the lakeshore. Following our time at the lake, we’ll continue our drive to Darchen, the basecamp for embarking on the Mount Kailash trek. Here, we’ll rest and prepare for the adventures awaiting us tomorrow.

Distance 54kms, Max Elevation: 5630m

Get ready for the highlight of this tour – a three-day trek around Mt. Kailash. During these three days, we’ll trek alongside the majestic mountain. Please note that the accommodations and facilities along the trekking route will be minimal. There won’t be running water in the bathrooms. The high elevation trekking can be tough and tiring in certain areas. It’s important for all group members to stick together and support each other to successfully complete the trek. Remember to rest as soon as you reach your room to recover your energy and maintain your body temperature.

On the first day of our trek, we’ll cover 20 kilometers from Darchen to Dira Puk Monastery, circling Mt. Kailash. You’ll follow the historic pilgrimage route, sharing the path with Tibetan Buddhist and Indian Hindu pilgrims. We’ll stay in a cozy guesthouse close to the monastery. The elevation at Dira Puk Monastery is 5080 meters.

Day two will take us up and over the Dolma La Pass, the circuit’s highest point at 5630 meters. Throughout the day, you’ll enjoy stunning views of mountains and glaciers. From the pass, we’ll descend to Zutul Puk Monastery at 4820 meters elevation. The total distance we’ll trek on this day is 18 kilometers.

Finally, on the third day, we’ll trek 14 kilometers back from Zutul Puk Monastery to the town of Darchen. After completing the trek, we’ll spend one last night by the beautiful Lake Manasarovar. At the lake, there’s a hot spring where you can soak and rejuvenate. Taking a dip in the mineral-rich hot spring is a wonderful way to relax and unwind.

Distance 897kms, Max Elevation: 4500m

Today, we will retrace our journey to Saga along the same route.

Distance 448kms, Max Elevation: 3840m

Today, we’re heading back to Shigatse to stay in a nicer hotel and enjoy a well-deserved hot shower. If you prefer to conclude your journey at the China-Nepal Border in Kyirong, we’ll drive to Kyirong town and then cross into Nepal the following day.

Distance: 280Km, Elevation: 3600m

We’re going to return to Lhasa, covering a distance of 280 kilometers for the journey back. The travel time will be just 6 hours, giving us plenty of time to engage in last-minute souvenir shopping or take another stroll around the pilgrimage circuit near Jokhang Temple.

Your tour guide will take you to the train station or the airport based on your departure plans. Each group will receive one drop-off at the airport and one drop-off at the train station. If your train or flight time differs from the majority of the group’s travel schedule, we will arrange for either a taxi or airport bus service.