Mt. Kailash Trekking Tour

MAIN ATTRACTION:

Barkhor Street , Potala Palace , Palkhor Monastery , Kailash Peak , Lake Manasarovar , Yamdrok Lake

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa:

We will pick you up at the airport or railway station. We will drive to Lhasa along the Yarlung Zangbo River and the Lhasa River and enjoy the Tibetan-style dwellings. Then we will rest and adapt ourselves to the plateau environment after arriving at our hotel.

Accommodation: 3-star Standard Hotel Meals: None

Day 2: Potala Palace – Jokhang Temple – Barkhor Street:

We will visit the highest ancient castle-style architectural complex above sea level – Potala Palace in the morning. It was the residence of the Tibetan Dalai Lamas and the political, educational, and religious center of Tibet.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Jokhang Temple, which is widely accepted as the spiritual center of Tibet. The precious Statue of 12-year Sakyamuni (the founder of Buddhism) was brought to Tibet by the Princess of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, and the statues of some eminent Buddhists are enshrined in the monastery. Then we will take a ramble on Barkhor Street, which around the Jokhang Temple. It is a free market and a famous circumambulation in Tibet.

Accommodation: 3-star Standard Hotel Meals: None

Day 3: Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Palkhor Monastery – Shigatse:

The whole journey is 360 km, and the highest altitude is about 5100 meters. We will make our way to the largest city in Tsang – Shigatse, via Yamdrok Lake, Karo-la Glacier, and Manla Reservoir (which was praised as Little Yamdrok Lake). We can also take an overview of Zongshan Castles and visit Palkhor Monastery in Gyantse.

Accommodation: 3-star Standard Hotel Meals: None

Day 4: Shigatse – Saga:

Saga is an important transfer station in Ngari Prefecture. We can take an overview of Mt. Gosainthan and Mt. Everest and enjoy the amazing natural landscapes on our way.

Accommodation: Guesthouse in Saga Meals: None

Day 5: Saga – Payam - Lake Manasarovar (Mapam Yumtso):

Payam is a small town with a rich Tibetan flavor on the grassland. You can enjoy the Tibetan dwellings and characteristic folk clothes. It presents you with an idyllic landscape with flocks and herds. Then we will make our way to Lake Manasarovar, a famous holy lake in Tibet.

Accommodation: Guesthouse or Tent Meals: None

Day 6: Lake Manasarovar – Darchen:

We will appreciate the sunrise at Lake Manasarovar in the morning. Then we will drive to Tarchen.

Accommodation: Guest house or Tent Meals: None

Day 7: Circumambulate around Mt.Kailash:

We will start our circumambulation around the holy mountain, Mt.Kailash. We will circumambulate the mountain by yaks. Mt. Kailash means “treasure of the snow mountain” in Tibetan.

Tarchen is the start point and the finish point of the circumambulation. Our circumambulation route is Tarchen - Lhach Valley – Chorten - Darboche Flag Pole – Seshon – Chugu Monastery – Drire Monastery – Sky Burial Lacation – Dromala Mountain Pass – Menchug River – Drucu Monastery – Exit – Tarchen.

Accommodation: Guesthouse or Tent Meals: None

Day 8: Circumambulate around Mt.Kailash:

We will start our circumambulation around the holy mountain, Mt.Kailash. We will circumambulate the mountain by yaks. Mt. Kailash means “treasure of the snow mountain” in Tibetan. Tarchen is the start point and the finish point of the circumambulation.

Our circumambulation route is Tarchen - Lhach Valley – Chorten - Darboche Flag Pole – Seshon – Chugu Monastery – Drire Monastery – Sky Burial Lacation – Dromala Mountain Pass – Menchug River – Drucu Monastery – Exit – Tarchen. Accommodation: Guesthouse or Tent Meals :None

Day 9: Circumambulate around Mt.Kailash:

We will start our circumambulation around the holy mountain, Mt.Kailash. We will circumambulate the mountain by yaks. Mt. Kailash means “treasure of the snow mountain” in Tibetan. Tarchen is the start point and the finish point of the circumambulation. Our circumambulation route is Tarchen - Lhach Valley – Chorten - Darboche Flag Pole – Seshon – Chugu Monastery – Drire Monastery – Sky Burial Lacation – Dromala Mountain Pass – Menchug River – Drucu Monastery – Exit – Tarchen.

Accommodation: Guesthouse or Tent Meals: None

Day 10: Tarchen – Saga:

Back to Saga.

Accommodation: Guesthouse Meals: None

Day 11: Saga – Shigatse:

Back to Shigatse.

Accommodation: 3-star Standard Hotel Meals: None

Day 12: Shigatse – Lhasa:

We will visit the residence of the Panchen Lama - Tashilhunpo Monastery in the morning. Then we will go back to Lhasa along the Yarlung Zangbo River Valley.

Accommodation: Guest house Meals: None

Day 13: Leave Lhasa:

We will transfer you to the airport or railway station.

Accommodation: None Meals: None

PRICE INCLUSIONS:

Transfers between airport/train station, hotels, and Scenic Spots while the whole sightseeing is by air-conditioned vehicle with a driver and English-speaking guide.

Guide: English-speaking local tour guide, your kind friend in Tibet

Entrance fees are listed in the itinerary

Accommodation: 3 to 4-star hotel in Lhasa, Shigatse, according to your request, guesthouse or tent in other areas, according to the specific condition

Travel Permits: All Tibet traveling permits

Travel Insurance

PRICE EXCLUSIONS:

Transportation to and from Tibet

Meals

Single Room Supplement

Personal Expenses like beverages, mini bar, laundry, telephone cost, etc

Tips for the driver and tour guide are as you wish.

Notes For Your Tibet Tours

Before you go

Permits:

Passport, Tibet Entry Permit, Aliens’ Travel Permit, Military Allowance.

Health Care:

Tourists should take care of their bodies before you enter into Tibet. People who have caught a severe cold, respiratory system diseases, heart diseases, hypertension, or asthma are not advised to travel to Tibet.

Personal Belongings:

Portable and practical. Forbidden objects and dangerous goods are banned. A flashlight is rather needed since sometimes you have to set off early in the morning and back to your hotel till late at night. You should also bring some daily necessities with you since the accommodation conditions might be pretty poor. The Multifunctional Cross-shaped Knife could be used to peel the fruits, open the drinks, and open canned food.

Enough Cash:

There are only a few banks in Lhasa and Shigatse, such as the Bank of China, China Construction Bank, and Agricultural Bank of China, due to the limited conditions.

Thus, tourists are advised to take enough cash instead of a credit card. You can exchange for cash in such banks, but foreign currency exchange service is only offered by the Bank of China and a few hotels. It’s not convenient to withdraw money in other areas of Tibet, and even only cash can be accepted.

While on Travel

High Altitude Sickness:

The high altitude sickness is a normal phenomenon on a plateau, and you shouldn’t be too worried about it. Generally, these symptoms would disappear in one or two days after you adapt to the plateau environment. You should sleep enough and drink a lot of water. During the adjustment period, you should not do any violent activities; appropriate clothes should be worn to protect yourself from the cold.

Political Issues:

Political issues are very sensitive in Tibet. It is not advisable to discuss the Tibet issue with the local Tibetans.

Not Do in Photography:

You should also realize that not all Tibetans would like to be photographed, especially the Tibetan women. You’d better ask for their permission before you take pictures.

Traditions and Customs:

The tour guide will detail the folk customs and taboos of Tibetan nationality and the Hui nationality, which we couldn’t violate.