Journey to Mount Kailash

Welcome to Lhasa! Upon your arrival at Lhasa airport or train station you will be greeted by your guide and warmly welcomed with a pure white katak scarf (prayer scarf).
The station is on the outskirts of the city whilst the airport is 100km away in the next valley. On the way enjoy the highland views along the Lhasa River and stop occasionally for pictures of local villages. As you have just made a sudden ascent to 3,670 meters you will be transferred straight to the hotel. There are no planned activities – rest, relax, drink plenty of water and adjust to the altitude.

Accommodation:
•Shang Bala Hotel or similar (4 nights)
Meals Included:
• Dinner

One of the most iconic structures ever built, the Potala Palace, was the seat of government and winter residence of the successive Dalai Lamas. A visit is an awe-inspiring experience. Perched 130meters above the city, it is divided into two parts, the White Palace (secular) and the Red Palace (religious - home to chapels, shrines, and tombs of Dalai Lamas). Although you must stick with your guide whilst exploring, this in no way lessens the impact of seeing what is a true architectural wonder.
Later, visit the Jokhang; the spiritual heart and most sacred temple of Tibet which always attracts steady waves of pilgrims. Spend some time exploring this large World-Heritage listed site and learn of its rich history. According to legend, the temple was built over a lake after many failed attempts to build monasteries in other nearby locations. Feast your eyes on the golden Buddha which stands in the center. After the visit join the pilgrims walking around the Barkhor Street (in a clockwise direction) considered a sacred kora by Tibetans.

Accommodation:
•Shang Bala Hotel or similar (4 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

This morning drive to Ganden, the most important monastery in the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Built in 1409 on Wanggo Mountain, the views are amazing. The highlight will be the 1.5 hour hike from the back side of the mountain to view the whole Ganden valley, this is also the pilgrim kora route for the local Tibetans. After our picnic lunch, we will spend the afternoon hiking the upper kora, we hike from 4000m up to 4800m, it will take 2-3 hours to finish the afternoon hike. Then drive back to Lhasa for the night.

Accommodation:
•Shang Bala Hotel or similar (4 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

Built in the seventh century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, Pawang Monastery is of historical importance; it is the place where Tibetan calligraphy was first designed by Tonmi Sambhota. After visiting the monastery, we will start our hike. We will pass the active sky burial site en-route to Tashi Choling monastery and then continue along the hillside path to Sera. Visiting Sera, one of the great university monasteries of Lhasa, you will witness lively philosophical debating (except Sundays).

Accommodation:
•Shang Bala Hotel or similar (4 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

Today it is a full day's drive from Lhasa to Shigatse. A total distance of 360km taking 7-8 hours.
From Lhasa we drive down the Kyichu Valley to the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) before ascending to the Khamba La (Pass) at 4750m. The views are outstanding – in the foreground is the vast freshwater Yamdrok Tso or Turquoise Lake, while to the south the snow-capped ranges merge with the main Himalayan range. We drive along the western shores of the lake before crossing the Karo La (5045m) to reach Gyantse.
Here we visit Pelkhor Choede monastery famous for its Kumbum Pagoda; an 8-storey, 3-dimentional mandala containing 100,000 images. This is the only monastery in Tibet which is not home to a single sect of Tibetan Buddhism. After visiting we continue our journey to Shigatse (3836m). On the way, we shall visit a local family for a glimpse of their everyday Tibetan life.

Accommodation:
• Tangka Hotel Shigatse or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

Today is another long days’ drive of 480km. It will take 9-10 hours to get to Saga where we spend the night. After only 20km you cross the Brahmaputra River and head west across vast highland grasslands interspersed with lakes and small rivers. The region supports a wealth of bird life as well as rarer Tibetan antelope, wild Yak …
Roads in Tibet are under continual development and are quite different from what you might expect. Virtually all roads you will travel are paved, but there can be delays due to roadworks (the climate makes maintenance ongoing). This is all part of the adventure, Arrival late in the afternoon to the typical Chinese and Tibetan town of Saga (4640m).

Accommodation:
• Saga Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

Another travel day across the vast highland plain toward Darchen, our base for the Kora Trek. All day the views are of the great Himalayan range to the south and, to the north, the vast dry Changtang Plateau (which turns briefly and stunningly green with the summer monsoon) and which is home to nomads whose lifestyle remains almost unchanged by the centuries. In the afternoon you will be rewarded with the first spectacular views of Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.
We arrive at Manasarovar Lake, one of the holiest lakes in Tibet, in the late afternoon. Sacred to Buddhist, Hindu and Jain; every year it receives thousands of pilgrims from all corners of the Tibetan plateau and India. The lake is surround by several prominent peaks like Gurla Mandata (7694m). We will continue to drive to Darchen (4675m), a small village the starting point of the Mt Kailash kora.

Accommodation:
• Himalaya Kailash Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

In the morning, we will take the bus from Darchen to Sarshung Valley where we will we start our trek. We walk the path with pilgrims who have saved money their whole lives to have this moment. After 4 hours we reach Tamdin (4780m) where nomadic tents serve a simple lunch and boiled water. From here it is only 4km to Dirakpuk monastery, but this stretch has some of the best scenery of the entire kora. Dirakpuk (5210m), located on the north side of the Lha-chu River facing the north face of Mt. Kailash, was rebuilt in 1985. The name of Dirakpuk originates from the word Dira which means female yak horn and Puk a cave. Legend says a female yak opened the cave. We will visit Drirapuk and stay overnight in a basic local guesthouse.

Accommodation:
• Dirapuk Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

Today is the most challenging part of the kora as we cross the Drolma-la (5630m). Although not too long or steep an ascent, it feels very tough due to the altitude. Climbing to the Drolma-la the many pilgrims on the kora will undergo a symbolic death until they reach the pass and are symbolically reborn. One of the toughest parts of the Drolma-la is the very steep descent – take care! Finally reaching the long valley we rest and have lunch at Shabjay Dakpo nomad tent. It is then a long hike down the valley to Zutrul Phuk monastery where we overnight in the local guest house.

Accommodation:
• Zutrul Puk Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

Today is an easy trek back to Darchen to complete the Kailash kora. From Zutrul Puk follow the ever- widening valley alongside lines of mani walls and prayer flags. After reaching Darchen it is just a short drive back to Lake Manasarovar where you will overnight at a guest house near the lake.

Accommodation:
• Himalaya Kailash Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

Retrace the outward drive back to Saga for the night. Overnight stay at Saga Hotel or similar class.

Accommodation:
•Saga Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

From Saga turn south across the grasslands surrounding lake Paiku-tso. Crossing the Friendship Highway it is a steep climb to Rombuk; a day of stunning scenery. The world’s highest monastery, at 5000m, was first built in 1902 by a Nyingma Lama and originally housed more than 500 monks. Today, only about 50 monks and nuns remain, sharing a prayer hall, but maintaining separate residences. The nuns here are great fun and will be delighted to have you join their evening prayers. From here the view is directly up the valley to Base Camp and Qomolangma/Mount Everest (8849m) beyond.

Accommodation:
• Rombuk Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

Follow the Friendship Highway back to Shigatse for the night. On arrival there is time to visit the vast monastery complex of Tashilumpo, seat of the Pachen Lama.

Accommodation:
• Tangka Hotel Shigatse or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast & lunch

After breakfast follow the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) back to Lhasa airport for departure flights after 15:00
Please note that the departure flight from Lhasa is not included. We can help to book flight tickets to Beijing, Chengdu or other Chinese cities or to arrange additional nights’ accommodation in Lhasa if you would like to stay longer.

Meals Included:
• Breakfast