Tour Plan
1
Day 01: Fly Kathmandu to Lhasa.
Arrival at Gonggar airport. After clearing immigration and customs it will be a One and half hour drive to cover the 93 km. to Lhasa which is situated at an altitude of 3490 meters. Upon arrival we check in at the hotel, right in the heart of the old city.
Overnight at St. Regis / Maanasarovar hotel or similar
2
Day 02: Lhasa Sightseeing of Potala Palace, Barkhor Market and Jokhang Temple JokhangTemple :
Lhasa Sightseeing of Potala Palace, Barkhor Market and Jokhang Temple
Jokhang Temple: This is a huge building structure consisting of three floors and an open roof all dotted with chapels and chambers. The Jokhang Temple has undergone massive additions and reconstructions since the 7th century and particularly during the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century.
Barkhor Street: The center of the old Lhasa, Barkhor is a circular street, which is the oldest street in Lhasa and remains very traditional. It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion, and arts assemble and a place to which a visit must be paid. It was said that in the seventh century when Songtsen Gampo, the first Tibetan King (617 or 650) who unified Tibet, married Chinese Princess Wencheng and Nepal Princess Tritsun.
Potala Palace: Potala was the winter palace of the Dalai Lama, which was originally built in the 7th century by the king Sotsen Gampo and rebuilt to the present size by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Built in the mid-18th century by the 7th Dalai Lama, Norbulingka, the Jewel Park was the Dalai Lama's summer palace, it covers 100 acres with palaces, pavilions, and a zoo.
Overnight at St. Regis / Manasarovar Hotel or similar
3
Day 03: Visit Drepung Monastery,Sera Monastery
Drepung Monastery: It is 8km to the west of central Lhasa. Drepung was once the world’s largest monastery, with a population of around 10,000 monks. The word Drepung literally means, “rice heap”, a reference to the high number of white monastic buildings that once piled up on the hillside. It was founded in 1417 by a charismatic monk and disciple of Tsongkhapa called Jamyang Choje.
Sera Monastery: Around 5 km north of central Lhasa, it was founded in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa also known by the honorific title Jamchen Choje.
Norbulinka: It is the first summer palace of the Dalai Lama, about a 10-minute walk south of Lhasa hotel in the western part of town and was founded by the 7th Dalai Lama in 1755.
Overnight stay at St. Regis / Manasarovar or similar hotel
4
Day 04: Drive to Shigatse via Gyantse. 360kms 3,900m. 6-7 hrs.
From Lhasa the drive leads towards near Gongar Airport, just after the bridge over the Yarlung Tsangpa River (Brahmaputra River) our route leads south-east branching off from the Gongar and Tsedang highway. The drive slowly climbs to Khamba-la at 4,800m. From the top, great views of the surrounding landscapes and the snow-capped peaks as well as the beautiful Yamdrok Tsho (Turquoise Lake) down below. The drive continues by the Yamdrok Tsho passing through the town of Ngartse and then climbing to the top at Karo-la 5,050m pass. On reaching the top of the pass, it can be cold being in the gorge between the massif snow-capped peaks, amazing views of the glacier and ice fall of Mt. Nzongkhangsa (7,206m). Time for a short break or a possible lunch break at this lovely sight, at this place Drok-pa or the nomads dwell, but at present, they have made permanent houses and tents on the nice grassy meadow herding yaks and sheep and selling some semi-precious crude stones and quartz to tourists. From here it is almost downhill, passing the village of Ralung. Then continue for another 3 hours drive towards the City of Gyantse.
Another important town, almost a city, which was until recently the third-largest settlement in Tibet. At Gyantse, visit the Kumbum Stupa. This was built in the early 15th century and contains thousands of frescoes. At Gyantse we will take the comfort of the Hotels, the hotel in Gyantse is a step down from the hotel in Lhasa but still not too bad by Tibetan standards. In Gyantse, there will be time to visit the Kumbum monastery and its market. (Time permitting, otherwise this tour can be done in the early morning before leaving for Shigatse.) Our journey continues towards Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet after Lhasa. Today's drive covers 95 km. The road has recently been improved from the bumpy and rutted portion. After leaving Gyantse, the journey begins on the 15 km of long straight sections, with no hills to climb, just vanishing points. The road follows the Nyang Chu River passing through many scattered farm villages and fields and finally approaching Shigatse.
Overnight at Gesar Hotel
5
Day 05 : Drive to Saga (7 hours)
Saga/4450m: On the first long driving day over the sandy and rocky land of Tibet, other sites like lakes, nomads chasing thousands of yaks and sheep, keep you busy. By the late afternoon, you will cross the Brahmaputra River on the way to a typical Chinese and Tibetan town called Saga.
Overnight stay at Saga Hotel or similar.
6
Day 06 : Saga to Lake Mansarovar (4510m - 335km)
Total Driving Time: Approx. 7 Hours
After breakfast, drive to Chui Gompa (Mansarovar). Mansarovar Parikrama. Rest of the day is free for spiritual activities.
Overnight stay at local Guest house.
7
Day 07 : Lake Mansarovar to Darchen (4600m - 30km)
Total Driving Time: Approx. 45 minutes.
Overnight at Himalaya Hotel.
8
Day 08 : KORA - Darchen to Diraphuk (4890m - 12km)
Total Walking Time: Approx. 5 – 6 Hours
This is the first day of the Kailash Parikrama. We will start our journey after breakfast as early as possible. Yaks will carry all our goods and equipment.
In the morning take a short drive of about 12 Kms. to reach Tarboche which is the starting point for the trekking on Holy Mount Kailash Parikrama. The first day of our Kora is a gradual walk with multitudes of other local pilgrims chanting and praying. The trek today leads us to a few ups and downs till we reach our camp/guest house at Dirapuk (4860 m). Stay in a basic camp on the grassy meadows giving you the fascinating view of Mount Kailash, north-west face.
Important point to note is that those who are not feeling fit to continue the Mount Kailash Parikrama will be driven back to Darchen where they will wait for the other group members to return.
Overnight stay in local Guest House.
9
Day 09: KORA - Diraphuk to Zhulthulphuk (4790mts. - 22kms.)
Total Walking Time: Approx. 8 Hours
This day is difficult and full of climax on the holy yatra of Kailash Mansarovar. Today after early breakfast, we trek to the higher side of the mountains just under the Holy Mount Kailash. The walk along Mount Kailash will bring you to Drolma La, 5,200 m, which is one of the highest points in the trek.
From here we descend towards the gradual fields of Zuthulphuk where we have the overnight stay arranged. The descent is steep to the valley below. From the valley below, the walk becomes pleasant and a bit relaxing. The path takes you through some gentle slopes over the grassy field. Reach Zuthulphuk for overnight stay.
Overnight in local Guest House.
10
Day 10: KORA - Zhulthulphuk to Darchen.
Total Walking Time: Approx. 4 Hours
Driving Time: Approx. 30 minutes Darchen
Trek down till vehicle pick-up point and drive to Darchen.
Overnight at Himalaya Hotel.
11
Day 11: Darchen to Saga
Driving Time: Approx. 6 – 7 Hours
Drive back to Saga.
Overnight at Saga hotel or similar.
12
Day 12: Saga to Shigatse (3950m) 290km /6 hours.
Overnight at Hotel
13
Day 13: Drive Shigatse to Lhasa via north route 280kms (6 hours)
After breakfast drive to Lhasa via northern route. Afternoon free for leisure and shopping.
Overnight at St Regis Hotel
14
Day 14: After breakfast :
Transfer to airport for Lhasa/Kathmandu flight.
Upon arrival at TIA. Transfer to Dwarikas Hotel.
14 Days / 13 Night
Max People : 3
Tibet
