11 Days Mt. Kailash and Manasarovar Pilgrimage Tour

B-- Breakfast    L-- Lunch    D-- Dinner

• Day 1 Arrive in Lhasa

     

  Your tour guide will greet you upon your arrival at Lhasa airport to transfer you to your hotel, where you will have the rest of the day to relax and acclimatize to the high altitude. Travel tips: Because Tibet lies at such a high altitude, it is important to remember to take everything slowly to minimize the symptoms of altitude sickness. Drink plenty of water and get plenty of sleep that first night – you should feel fine by the next day. However, if you feel extreme discomfort, please notify your tour guide immediately.

  Accommodation: Overnight at Lhasa 3-star hotel

• Day 2 Lhasa City Sightseeing - Potala Palace - Jokhang Temple - Barkhor Street

     

  After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the incredible Potala Palace – the highest palace in the world. As we climb to the entrance gate, you will have a spectacular view over all of Lhasa. After exploring the numerous interesting chapels and learning about the traditional culture and history of the palace and the city, we will move on to the spiritually significant Jokhang Temple, one of the most important temples in Tibetan Buddhism. To see the “real” Lhasa, we’ll stroll through Barkhor Street with its thriving local market where you can pick up some local Tibetan, Nepalese and Indian handicrafts and souvenirs.
  Tips for Visiting Potala Palace
  1. The number of visitors to the palace is strictly limited to 2,300 per day. Visitors can only visit during the time specified on the admission ticket.
  2. Admission tickets to visit the Potala Palace are sold out almost every day, so it is strongly recommended to book your tickets several days in advance.
  3. There are many steps at the Potala Palace, so it’s best to take it slowly to avoid possible altitude discomfort.
  4. Visitors should respect the rules while visiting. Do not wear hats, wear revealing clothes or step on thresholds as these actions violate local customs.
  5. Photography and the taking of videos are forbidden inside the Potala Palace.
  6. A security search will take place at the entrance to the palace. Explosives, flammables, knives, lighters and even water bottles are not allowed inside the Potala Palace.

  Accommodation: Overnight at Lhasa 3-star hotel

• Day 3 Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake – Karola Glacier – Gyantse (Kumbum Monastery) – Shigatse (380 kilometers, 8-hou

     

  This morning we’ll take a drive up to the Kampala Pass (elevation 4797 meters) where you’ll have a glimpse of Yamdrok Lake down below as well as spectacular views of the holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. You will want to have your camera at the ready for the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake, which is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet, and the beautiful Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar glacier as seen from the Karol la Pass. Later on we’ll be able to visit the Karola Glacier before continuing along the southern Friendship Highway to Gyantse, where you will be able to see the famous Gyantse Kumbum, one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet. Late in the afternoon we will continue on to Shigatse, the location of the Tashilunpo Monastery.

  Accommodation: Overnight at Shigatse 3-star hotel

• Day 4 Shigatse - Saga

     

  Drive from Shigatse to Saga, which is about 450 kilometer's driving takes about 9 hours. Enjoy natural sceneries like meadows, rivers, and snow-capped mountains. 
  Tips: Prepare some food and drinks in advance because you will spend much time on the road.

  Accommodation: Overnight at Sage Town

• Day 5 Saga – Zhongba – Payang – Darchen - Mt. Kailash - Lake Manasarovar – Lhanag-tso (500 kilometers, 7-h

     

  On this 6th day we will drive to Drongpa County, which was founded around the bountiful resources of the Brahmaputra River. We will make a stop in a small village along the main road that consists of only a few basic guesthouses, restaurants and a small monastery known as “Old Drongpa”. Scattered around the monastery you will be able to observe a pile of yak heads that are carved with “sutras” and “mantras”. New Drongpa is another small town with a few shops, hotels and restaurants located about 25 kilometers from Old Drongpa monastery. We will continue on to the Baryang Township (elevation 4750 meters) and drive around Lake Manasarovar before reaching our final destination for the day, Darchen, where we will spend the night.

  Accommodation: Overnight at local Guest House

• Day 6 Darchen – Tsada (300 kilometers, 6-hour drive time)

     

  Fresh from our day of relaxing and exploring Lake Manasarovar, we’ll continue on to Tsada and the unique natural beauty of Tsada Tulin as well as Guge kingdom.Located in the Ngari Region, Tibet Autonomous Region, Ruins of Guge Kingdom are the Old Summer Palace of Tibet. While these ruins were once an imperial estate which fell into disrepair after the civil revolt and the invasion of the allied armies of eight foreign countries, the Guge kingdom also encountered civil strife and foreign attacks which fragmented the once prosperous state. However, the legendary kingdom hasn't been totally lost as much can be learned about it from its remains.

  Accommodation: Overnight at Guest house or Tent. (Without private bathroom)

• Day 7 Tsada - Lake Manasarovar - Purang

     

  After breakfast, drive drectly to Lake Manasarovar.the journey to Kailash Mansarovar is a life-changing experience for the few thousands of pilgrims who undertake it every year, teaching them a sense of self like nothing else can. For a pilgrimage to this isolated, timeless, breathtaking and fascinating spiritual spot is like a journey within yourself.After sightseeing there,drive back to Purang for rest.

  Accommodation: Overnight at local guest house

• Day 8 Purang - Saga

     

  Today you will drive back to Saga from Purang. En route, engjoy the beautiful mountains and lakes. Stop to take pictures if you wish

  Accommodation: Overnight at Saga Hotel

• Day 9 Saga – Shigatse (500 kilometers, 7-hour drive time)

     

  More spectacular scenery awaits us as we continue on our leisurely drive back to Shigatse where we will spend the night.

  Accommodation: Overnight at Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel or similar.

• Day 10 Shigatse - Lhasa

     

  This morning we will have the opportunity to visit the famous Tashi Lhunpo monastery where you can see the well-preserved largest statue of Jampa (future Buddha) in the world. This monastery is also the home of Tibetan Buddhism's second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama.
  In the afternoon, we will drive back to Lhasa along the Friendship Highway. It’s a scenic drive of around 280 kilometers for about 6 hours along the Yarlung Tsangpo / Bhamaputra River, which is the longest and largest river in Tibet as well as being the highest altitude major river in the world.

  Accommodation: Lhasa 3- Star Hotel (Twin bed room with private bathroom)

• Day 11 Depart from Lhasa

     

  Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel to escort you on to the Lhasa airport or train station and help you make sure that you find the right place to board your flight or train for your departure from Lhasa.

  Accommodation: