Kailash Trekking with Guge Kingdom Trip

Day One: Arrive in Lhasa (3658m)

Arrive in Lhasa either by train or by plane where your driver will receive you and deliver you to your accommodation in the city. Day 1 is an important acclimatization day and you will want to make sure to take it easy by resting and drinking plenty of water. Overnight: Ganggyen Hotel (4-star)

Day Two: Sight-seeing in Lhasa City (3658m)

Today your guide will give you a tour of Lhasa City, where you will have a chance to see some of Tibet’s most important and iconic sites, like the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa’s famous Barkhor Square, the renowned Potala Palace, and Ramoche Monastery. Overnight: Ganggyen Hotel (4-star)

Day Three: Lhasa’s Surrounding Monasteries

Today you will have a chance to see two of Tibet’s most famous Gelugpa monasteries, Sera and Drepung. Located just north of Lhasa on Mt. Gambo Utse, Dreqpung once housed ten thousand monks. Meander your way through the dormitories and prayer halls before making a visit to the former home of the state oracle at Nechung Temple. In the afternoon, take a trip to Sera Monastery, best known for its lively tradition of debate. Take a walk around the monastery or catch the monks debating in the late afternoon before returning to Lhasa City and preparing to hit the road the following morning. Overnight: Ganggyen Hotel (4-star)

Day Four: Day trip to Drak Yerpa (4800m)

Today we will take a day trip out of Lhasa City to Drak Yerpa Hermitage, a spiritual power center for the whole valley surrounding Lhasa and home to more than 80 meditation caves. Overnight: Ganggyen Hotel (4-star)

Day Five: Lhasa (3658m) – Shigatse (3750m)

A day of adventure awaits as us as we leave Lhasa for Shigatse. Experience breathtaking views as we cross the Kamba Pass (4795m) where we will have an opportunity to stop at the sacred Yamdrok Lake. After crossing the Karo Pass (5010m) we will arrive in Gyantse, stopping to visit Pelion Chode monastery and Kumbum Stupa. From Gyantse to Shigatse, only 90km of driving remain. Overnight: Gesar Hotel (4-star)

Day Six: Shigatse (3750m) – Saga (4560m)

Before leaving Shigatse, we will make a morning visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery, the historic residence of the Panchen Lama lineage of reincarnate lamas. Today we catch our first glimpses of the Himalayas as we traverse the gorgeous countryside. Depending on the time of year, you may even see nomad camps in the valleys below. Late in the afternoon we will cross the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River and arrive in Saga. Overnight: Xibu Yizhan Hotel (Best choice)

Day Seven: Saga (4560m) – Lake Manasarovar (4590m)

Today we will finally see Mt. Kailash as we head out west. On the way we explore the holy Lake Manasarovar, a large, high altitude fresh water lake which, like Mt.Kailash, is sacred for followers of Buddhism, Bon, Hinduism, and Jainism. Overnight: Local guesthouse (Limited facilities)

Day Eighth: Lake Manasarovar (4590m) – Dharchen (4700m)

We will spend the morning at the lake before driving to Dharchen, our campsite for the night and the starting point for our trek. Overnight: Himalayan Hotel (Best choice)

Day Nine: Trekking Day 1, Dharchen (4700m) – Dirra Puk (4800m)

• Highest Altitude: 4800m
• Distance: 18km

We will begin our korra route leaving Dharchen and travelling along the north side of Mt. Kailash. Today’s path is easy and we will gradually ascend, passing through Choku Gompa where the Buddha Shakyamuni is said to have meditated, before arriving to Dirra Puk Monastery. Overnight: Local Dirra Puk Guesthouse

Day Ten: Trekking Day 2, Dirra Puk (4800m) – Zultrul Puk (4700m)

•  Highest Altitude: 5700m (Droma-la Pass)
• Distance: 22km

Day 2 is a tough one. We set out from Dirra Puk Monastery and cross the highest point of our trip on the Dolma Pass (5700m), a holy pass where monks perform rituals for souls caught the spaces between death and rebirth and where pilgrims leave mementos in their wake. After crossing the pass, we will head down into a long valley, the location of Zultrul Puk Monastery; home to a meditation cave of Tibet’s most famous yogi-bard, Milarepa. Overnight: Zultrul Puk Monastery Guesthouse

Day Eleven: Trekking Day 3, Zultrul Puk (4700m) – Manasarovar (4560m)

Kailash Kora Path map

•  Highest Altitude: 4700m (Zultrul Puk)
• Distance: 13km

Our last day will be an easy walk back to Dharchen from Zultrul Puk Monastery where our driver will pick us up and take us back to Lake Manasarovar to spend the night. Overnight: Local guesthouse (Limited facilities)

Day Twelve: Manasarovar (4600m) – Tsaparang (4600m)

Today we will head out west further into the province of Ngari towards the ancient town of Tsparang. Drive through the earthen forest. Overnight: A medium range hotel

Day Thirteen: Day trip to Guge Kingdom (4800m)

Today we take a day trip to the historically rich ruins of the ancient Kingdom of Guge. Founded after the collapse of the Tibetan empire in the 10^th century, Guge was a cultural and intellectual hub for 200 years. Overnight: A medium range hotel in Tsaprang

Day Fourteen: Back to Saga

Spend the day returning to Saga with opportunities to stop for photos along the way. Overnight: Xibu Yizhan Hotel (Best Choice)

Day Fifteen: Back to Lhasa

Spend the day returning to Lhasa with opportunities to stop for photos along the way. Overnight: Ganggyen Hotel (4-star)

Day Sixteen: Departure

Today your driver will transport you to either the airport or the train station. Good luck on the rest of your journey! Hope you enjoyed Kailash Trekking with Guge Kingdom Trip.