15 Days Kailash & Manasarovar Tour
Tour Type: Join-in small group with fixed departure!
For the most adventurous pilgrimage tour in Tibet, a proactive service and professional team are crucial to your overall tour experience. Before you land in Lhasa, we’ve already had everything prepared for you. Our expertly-designed Mt.Kailash tour starts in Lhasa. You will have 3 days to get acclimatized to the Tibetan Plateau while touring the most iconic Buddhist sites in Lhasa city. Then, we set out on a thrilling journey across Shigatse via historical Gyantse to EBC. The first part of the adventure overlaps the classic travel route of Lhasa to EBC tour and will leave you in awe with amazing Himalayan mountain ranges.
Then we head further west to Darchen via Saga and holy Manasarovar Lake for the long-awaited Mt.Kailash kora. Our Tibetan guide will accompany you to experience the ultimate hoy walk around sacred Mt.Kailash. Finally, you may choose to head back to Lhasa or exit Tibet into Nepal via Gyirong border. Quite flexible, isn’t it! If you have more time or with a deep pocket, you may choose the big loop tour across Mt.Kailash that may travel for nearly a month.
Am I fit for this Mt.Kailash tour? Well, so long as you are physically fit without respiratory or heart problem. You are the right candidate to hit the road. For children under 10 or the elderly above 70, it’s advisable to consult the doctor before you book the tour. In addition, our Tibetan guide team consists of the best hands in the field and you have the widest spectrum of hotel choice, and a literally infinite opportunity for upgrading your service and tour activities. On top of that, the multiple value-added services and life-saving facilities will ensure you make the most of the divine experience for the Mt.Kailash tour.
- Count the steps up to the Potala Palace – the holy palace of Tibetan Buddhism
- Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims at the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
- Watch monks debate at Sera Monastery
- Enjoy a picnic at Lake Yamdrok
- Stay in a heritage hotel in Lhasa’s old town
Inclusions
- Our 1-to-1 expert China consultancy with unlimited itinerary changes
- Booking of China internal flights, trains, and cruises, per your preferences
- Your own China-Highlights-trained, versatile and knowledgeable tour guide
- Your own chauffeured and comfortable vehicle, chosen for ample space
- Hand-picking of hotels for your requirements
- Hotel breakfasts arranged, and local restaurant lunches ordered, to suit you
- Entry to all attractions on your itinerary, with queues avoided wherever possible
- Our 24-7 helpline for while you are traveling
1. Tibet Travel Permit
You will need a Tibet Entry Permit. Its cost is included in the tour quotation. Send your passport and China visa copies to us 20 days in advance, and we will apply for your permit once you book a Tibetan tour with us.
In our experience, we can virtually guarantee to get your permit during times when Tibet is open to foreign travelers.
2. Altitude Sickness
Before your trip, ask your doctor for any suggestions in relation to altitude sickness and take some medicine with you, just in case. The most popular altitude medicine among foreigners is Acetazolamide/Diamox.
We recommend that during the first 2 days after arriving in Tibet, you should keep warm, avoid taking a bath, and refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol.
Drink plenty of water (more than 4 liters per day) before you go out and when you have reached a higher altitude, and eat lots of vegetables and carbohydrates. Slow down, even if you feel energetic. Moving slowly is the best way to avoid altitude sickness.
If you don’t feel well after entering Tibet, go and see a doctor as soon as possible. There are doctors in major hotels in Lhasa, and you can call your tour guide for help at any time. We offer a free oxygen bag in the car.
3.Guiding
Our English-speaking guides are natives of Tibet with good knowledge of Tibetan culture, history, and Buddhism. They are trained to offer a Western standard of service.
4. Customizing the Tour — According to Your Needs
This tour is very flexible. You can alter the itinerary, extending or shortening it to suit your price, interests, and schedule.
Day 1 - Arrival in Lhasa
When you arrive in Lhasa either by train or flight, your guide will greet you and take you to your hotel. Tourists may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/ Bhamaputra river (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa river on their way to Lhasa.
After arriving in Lhasa, you can take a rest and get acclimatized to high altitude. If you feel to go out, then you can go to the Potala Square, where you will enjoy the fountain with different colors and get amazing photos of the Potala and around.
Insider Tips:
For the new-comers of Tibet, to get acclimatized to the high altitude in Tibet. Having a good sleep in your hotel is a good option. Don not rush to visit attractions inside Lhasa city.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 2 - Lhasa Tour - Potala Place, Johkang Temple, Barkor Street (B, D)
Today’s tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.
Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.
Besides, We can taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house; The welcome dinner will also be arranged accordingly;
Optional:
With time permitting, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center. You can upgrade your service to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD)
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Day 3 - Lhasa Tour - Drepung and Sera Monastery
In the morning ,you are going to visit Drepung monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.
In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house; inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4 - Lhasa- Shigatse via Gyantse (360km)(B)
In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse .On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa .
Later, we will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside; At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass; Then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet’s third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse).In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the Far view of Gyangtse Fortress.
After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, we may visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field (in summer).
Stay overnight in Manasarovar Hotel
Day 5 - Shigatse to EBC 350 km(B)
In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama – Tashilunpo Monastery. Then, we’ll leave Shigatse after getting your Alien’s travel permit, and then drive to Lhatse, it is a small town where you can have lunch.
After that, we will pass Tsola Pass(4600M), and Gyatsola Pass(5248M). Shortly after we enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, tourists can enjoy the panorama of Himalaya at Gawula Pass(5198m).Then we drive along the New zigzag road to Everest Base Camp(5200m). You can get closer to gaze at the Mt. Everest peak. The sunset of golden Everest peak if time and weather permits at the lodging area.
Stay overnight at Tent Guest House
Day 6 - EBC–Saga (450km)
In the morning, we can enjoy the sunrise of Everest Peak at lodging area if weather permits; then As we head to saga, you can view of the worlds’14th highest peak Mt.Shishapangma (8012m), and Turquoise Lake Peiku tso(4590m). If you are lucky enough, you are very likely to see wild animals like wild donkey, wild antelope etc.
Stay overnight in Saga Xibuyizhan Hotel or Mu Linsen hotel
Day 7 - Saga to Darchen, via Lake Manasarover (450km)
On the way to Darchen, you will have a chance to appreciate the stunning view of the Saga valley between Gangdise Range and Himayala Range. Meanwhile, the beautiful grassland and local’s villages can also be seen. As we cross the Mayomla Pass(5112M), you can enjoy the spectacular vista of Mt. Naimonanyi(7694M). Then we are supposed to pass by the holy Lake Manasarover and finally arrive at the southern foot of Mt.Kailash, the most holy mountain in Tibet.
stay overnight in Tarchen Chongqing Hotel
Day 8 - Darchen-Drirapuk (driving 7km, Trek 13km)
In the morning, we are supposed to take eco-bus from Darchen to Sarshung valley. Then we will meet Yaks and porters at Sarshung village. (the cost of hiring yaks, horses, and porters are not included in the package) After that, we can begain the trek (Around 13km) from Sarshung to Drirapuk Monastery along the Lachu valley and rivers. You can enjoy the both west and north face of mountain Kailash today. Finally, we will visit Drirapuk Monastery.
stay overnight in Guest House
Day 9 - Drirapuk-Dzutrpuk (Trek 18km)
Today, we will trek over Dromala pass(5630m), the highest pass of the Kora. On the way you can have a rest in a teahouse. All the way, you can see locals Tibetans prostrating in the Kora path and beautiful Kadoe Lake when walk downhill. We may also visit Zutulpuk Monastery.
Stay overnight in Guest House
Day 10 - Dzutripuk-Darchen (Trek 7km, driving 5km)
On the day three of the kora. you will trek 7km to Zongto where you can take bus to Darchen. Along the Kora, you can see piles of Mani Stones. We will end the Trek around noon, rest in the lodging place.
(Optional): Taking bath in Lake Manasarova and enjoy hot spring
Stay overnight in Tarchen Chongqing Hotel
Day 11 - Darchen-Saga (450km)
Drive from Darchen to Saga via Lake Manasorova
Stay overnight in Saga Xibuyizhan Hotel or Mu Linsen hotel
Day 12 - Saga to Sakya (350km)
Drive from Saga to Sakya
Stay overnight in Sakya Yuan Fu Hotel
Day 13 - Sakya to Shigatse (170km)
In the morning, we will visit ancient Sakya town and you can tour Sakya monastery with amzing murals and huge collection of scriptures and statues.Then we are abou to drive from Sakya to Shigatse.
Stay overnight in Manasarovar Hotel
Day 14 - Shigatse-Lhasa(B)
We will follow Yalong Valley back to Lhasa. On the way, you can stand on the viewing platform to view the vast Yalong River bed and visit Water Mill making Tibetan Incense material (in Summer, if time permits). Drop off at hotel in Lhasa
Stay overnight in Lhasa (3-Star Hotel)
Day 15 - End the tour, Airport drop off(B)
Hotel to airport/train station transfer, end the tour.
(Or Go to Nepal after Tibet Mt.Kailash Tour)
The tour is also available for tourists who start in Lhasa and end in Gyirong border, so if the group has members to exit Tibet to Nepal from Gyirong, we will see them off at the Sino-Nepal border, thus the itinerary from the Day 12 will be done with valuable detour to Gyirong, which will give you one extra destination to Kelong Valley, this destination is considered the most beautiful valley at the foot of Himalaya Mountain Range and attracts many tourists a year.
Prices Start From
Service Includes
- 1-1 consultancy from an experienced travel expert
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling