Kailash and Guge Kingdom 17 Days Full Moon Trekking Tour

Day 1: Lhasa arrival

Upon arrival, our guide will be waiting for you at the airport/train station and welcome you and take you back to Lhasa city for check-in. You will see the Yarlung Tsangpo River and Lhasa River on the way back. After you arrive the hotel, the rest day is for you to rest and get acclimatized. If you feel well, it's OK to walk around or nearby but it's suggested to take good rest so you can be prepared for the sightseeing next day.

Day 2: Lhasa city tour

Today we will visit the famous Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery.
Drepung Monastery is the largest of all Tibetan monasteries that housed for more than 10,000 monks. It was the residence of the Dalai Lamas until the Great Fifth Dalai Lama constructed the Potala. It was known for the high standards of its academic study, and was called the Nalanda of Tibet. And then you also can visit the biggest monastery kitchen in the monastery and enjoy Buddhist sculpture carving workshop near Drepung.

Sera Monastery is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. We will watch the Monks Debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour  the Tibetan religious scripture printing house and see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha inside the Monastery.

Optional: If you want to, we can arrange the Wencheng Princess Show at night. Price starting from 60 USD.

Day 3: Lhasa city tour

Today we will visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.
Potala Palace 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.

Jokhang Temple is known as the center of the Tibetan Buddhism, features Buddhist prayer wheels, reclining deer, golden sutra streamers. Around the temple, you can see a great many of pilgrims praying in front of the temple. If you want to, we can do kora with local pilgrims.
  

We will stroll in the old alleys of Barkhor Street where you can drink the sweet tea, chat with locals and even bargain with the street vendors to understand the real life in Lhasa.

Later we will have welcome dinner together with the whole group members.

Day 4: Lhasa-Gyantse-Shigatse

Today we will drive from Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse. On the way, we will pass Gangbala Pass and have bird view of the beautiful Yamdrok Lake (1 of 3 Holy Lakes in Tibet). Later on we will pass Karola Glacier and Manda Dam on the roadside. After we arrive in Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and enjoy the far view of  Gyantse Fortress.

Day 5: Shigatse-Everest Base Camp

In the morning, we will visit the Tashilunpo Monastery-home of Panchen Lama. After passing Tsola and Gyatsola Pass, we will enter Everest Nature Reserve. At Jawula Pass, we will have astonishing view of the Himalaya Range. Afterwards, we will proceed to Everest Base Camp and stay the night at Rongbuk tenthouse. Weather permitting, we can watch the sunset of Everest from the base camp.

Day 6: EBC-Saga

Getting up early if you want to see the sunrise of Everest. In the morning, we will also visit the highest monastery with nuns and monks living together on earth-Rongbuk Monastery. Afterwards we will drive to saga. On the way, you can view of the worlds’14th highest peak Mt.Shishapangma (8012m), and  the amazing Lake Peikutso (4590m) from distance. On the highland, it's possible we can also see wild animals like Tibetan donkey, wild antelope and Tibetan yak, etc.

Day 7:Saga-Darchen

On the way to Darchen, we will pass through Saga Valley, appreciating the wonderful high plateau scenery with local villages scattering around. As we cross the Mayomla Pass (5112M), you can enjoy the spectacular vista of Mt. Naimonanyi (7694M).  Before reaching Darchen, we will pass by . Upon arrival, please take good rest and prepare for the trekking next day!

Day 8: Darchen-Drirapuk (Trek 13km)

In the morning, we will take eco-bus from Darchen to Sarshung valley. Then we will meet Yaks and porters at Sarshung village. If you need the rental service, please kindly tell our guide in advance. S/he will help with the arrangement but please kindly pay the rental fee onsite. The cost is around 50 USD/day (price subjects to change according to local people).  Afterwards, we will begain the trek from Sarshung to Drirapuk Monastery along the Lachu valley and rivers. You can enjoy the both west and north face of mountain Kailash today. 

Day 9: Drirapuk-Dzutrpuk (Trek 18km)

Today, we will trek over  Dromala Pass (5630m), the highest pass of the Kora. During the trekking, you can see local Tibetans and Indian pilgrims prostrating in the Kora path and beautiful Kadoe Lake when walk downhill. We may also visit Zutulpuk Monastery. Today is quite tough as we will trek about 18km. Please take it slowly and gradually.

Day 10: Dzutripuk-Darchen (Trek 7km)

On the last day of the trekking, you will trek 7km to Zongto where you can take the eco-bus back to Darchen. We will reach Darchen at around noon. The rest day is for you to relax and have free time on your own. A bath in the Lake Manasarova is suggested if weather permitting.

Day 11: Guge Kingdom

Today we will have full day around Guge Kingdom. The ruins take up an area of 720,000 square meters, consisting of 445 rooms, 879 caves, 58 pillboxes, 4 secret tunnels  and 28 Buddhist pagodas. The hundreds of rooms were piled up one after another till the top of the mountain. This is truly an unique imperial palace. Most of the cave palaces have grand domes and are differentiated for summer and winter functions.

Day 12: Guge Kingdom to Manasarova

In the morning, we will head back to Manasarova Lake, where you will visit the Chewu cave nearby and rest yourself.

Day 13: Manasarova Lake to Saga

Drive back from Manasarova Lake to Saga. If we are lucky, we can see plenty wild animals on the way.

Day 14: Saga-Sakya

Drive from Saga to Sakya

Day 15: Sakya-Shigatse

In the morning we will visit the Sakya Monastery with beautiful murals inside. It was built in Tubo Dynasty. The walls around this monastery were mainly in gray, but the top part of the walls was painted in red and white stripes. The most interesting thing in Sakya sect is that the sect does not believe in reincarnation and the head of Sakya sect will wear white cassock and also marry and have children.

Day 16: Shigatse-Lhasa

Today we will drive back from Shigatse to Lhasa following  the  Yalong Valley and enjoy the scenery of on the way.

Day 17: Tibet departure

Our guide will drop you to the airport/train station based on your departure time. Tour ends.