Lhasa Kailash Guge Kingdom

An acclimatization day in the likes of fresh hiking to the hills nearby, where the altitude is around 4000m. This will induce the body to adapt itself to a high altitude environment. Explore the pretty town of Nyalam as well. Night at the guesthouse.

Breakfast taken, we will be on our way to New Dongba, driving through beautiful little villages and yak herder camps. Distant views of snow-capped mountains make you picture a great and beautiful landscape. The driving being mostly flat makes it quite comfortable. If you want to, we could continue to Saga where the accommodations are a bit more comfortable. Night at the guesthouse.

Today, we shall move towards Lake Mansarovar, where the atoller is bright turquoise caught in the armatures of high slab mountains. Late in the day shall bring your first life-great sights of the holy Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. We shall go to the small village of Hore and finish up a Parikrama (circumambulation) of the lake by bus. Overnight in a mud house close to Mansarovar.

Get up early today to have a spiritual bath and perform prayers at the holy Lake Mansarovar, regarded as one of the most sacred lakes for tranquilization and divinity. If time allows, you can also visit the nearby Chiu Gompa monastery. Later, we will drive to Tarchen (Darchen) which is the base camp to perform the Kailash Parikrama. Spend the night in a guesthouse.

Drive to Tarboche, from where the Kailash Parikrama starts. The outer area "Asthapath" is famous for its rocky cliffs and peaceful waterfalls. Trek from Tarboche, 7 km up to Dirapuk with an excellent view of Mount Kailash. Overnight in a mud house. 

The toughest trek where the climber ascends Dolma-La Pass (5613m) on the highest point of Kailash Parikrama route. After a steep descent, the journey continues past Parvati-stal and the sacred Gauri Kund to Zuthulpuk (4760m). Overnight at a mud house.

Morning visits caves, temples, and shrines near Marpa's Cave. Trek on flat ground passing all of the settlements for 3 hours toward Darchen where it is marked for our vehicles to take us to Mansarovar. Spend the night in a guesthouse by the lake.

Travel along the banks of the Sutlej River to reach Tirthapuri, a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Visit the monasteries, make a pilgrimage to see Guru Rinpoche's footprints, and return to Zanda to spend the night. Overnight at guesthouse.

A full day exploring what remains of the Guge kingdom and its surrounding areas, from Tsaparang Valley, where it is located, to the more distant lakes to the north. Focus mostly on seeing the old Tholing monasteries, rich in history and spiritual significance. Overnight at the guesthouse.

One last time go for a visit to Mansarovar and enjoy the lake's beauty in a calm environment. The evening will bring beautifully majestic views of Mount Kailash. Overnight at a guesthouse. 

Enjoy a last glimpse of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar before setting off on the drive back to Saga. Overnight at a guesthouse.

Drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet, via Lhatse. The path takes us along the Brahmaputra River, through valleys, fields, and lakes. Overnight at the hotel. 

Today visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the most important spiritual sites built by the 1st Dalai Lama in the year 1447. Gyantse is the next stop, where the Palcho Monastery and the famous Kubum Stupa will be visited. Overnight in a hotel.

This means making halts on the otherwise popular way of visit: Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's four sacred lakes, the magnificent Karola Glacier. Arriving Lhasa, check into a hotel.

Visit Lhasa's tourist attractions, obviously including its very important and much praised Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and the super famous Barkhor street bustling with pilgrims. Lhasa's spiritual and cultural space is to be felt completely.
 

Visit the famous Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Norbulingka Palace, which served as the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. The views from the top are eternal and heavenly for Lhasa and its surrounding places. 

Transfer to Gonggar Airport for your flight to Kathmandu or the various mainland destinations in China. Alternatively, take the train out of Tibet to the mainland.