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14-Day Tibet Tour with Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar

Pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash — "Center of the World"

14-Day Tibet Tour including Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar

Mt. Kailash, 1,220 km (730 miles) distant from Lhasa, is regarded as the 'Father Mountain' and the center of the world by Tibetan Buddhists. Even when it has nothing to do with religion or beliefs, many travelers are still attracted by the area's remote beauty, atmosphere of reverence, and extreme scenery.

The Ali (Ngari) Prefecture area where Mt. Kailash is located is considered to be"the Tibet of Tibet". It is one of the areas with the lowest population density in the world. The holy mountain and the holy lake stand aloof from the world there, where the mysteriousGuge Kingdomflourished and fell. It is alsoa paradise for the plateau’s wild animals.

With this 14-day Tibet tour includinga 3-day Kailash kora (pilgrimage circuit) and a visit to Lake Manasarovar, you can experience the most primeval and extreme beauty of Tibet.

Tour 'Wow' Points

Make a Once-in-a-LifetimeKailash Kora

Pilgrimage to the holy mountain worshipped in Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, Jainism, and Bonism. Do a 3-day trek to witness the mysterious phenomenon of this mountain, which cannot be explained.

Kailash Mountain and red pagoda
Trekking around Kailash

Stand betweenHoly Lake and Ghost Lake

Enjoy the tranquility and pureness of Lake Manasarovar and the gloomy color and windless waves of Lake Rakshastal — 'the Lake of Ghosts'.

Lake Manasarovar
Ghost Lake

Find Traces of theLost Guge Kingdom

Climb up the soil cliff to discover the remains (earth fort walls) of a splendid kingdom that disappeared overnight.

The remains of Guge Kingdom
The Tuolin Temple

Feast Your Eyes on the Unique“No-Man’s Land” Landscape

Stand in front of the unbelievable "soil forest", which has never been seen by most travelers.

white cars driving at soil forest
soil forest

Stray intothe Wild Animals' Plateau Paradise

Driving across the vast grasslands, yaks, Tibetan antelope, and Tibetan donkeys might be running right by your side.

Tibetan donkeys
Tibetan antelope

See Premonitions on the Sutra Wall inthe Most Mysterious Monastery

Discover Sakya Monastery to learn the history of how Tibet was incorporated into China's territory in the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). Witness the mysterious sutra wall, which is believed to show signs of disasters in the world.

A Tibetan laday in Sakya Monastery
Sutra wall

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Itinerary Quick Look

Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.

DAY 1Arrive in Lhasa (elevation 3,650 m / 12,000 ft)

Your private guide and driver will pick you up at Lhasa's airport or train station and accompany you to your hotel.

DAY 2Lhasa | The Holy City and Its People

Pilgrimage to thePotala Palacein the morning. Discover this architectural marvel created by the hands and wisdom of Tibetan people. Admire the treasures housed in the palace and you may be intrigued by the stories behind every piece of art work. View the palace from four expertly-chosen angles to fully enjoy its beauty.

Enjoy a walking tour in the afternoon. You may be moved by the devoted pilgrims prostrating themselves atJokhang Temple.

Then walk alongBarkhor Streetto experience Tibetan daily life in a local market. Learn the history of Tibet at a Qing Dynasty ministerial office site and a wealthy merchant’s residence — the Pandatsang Compound.

Finally, have a rest and enjoy a cup of Tibetan sweet tea in less-touristyAni Tsangkhung Nunneryat the end of the day's touring.

DAY 3Lhasa to Shigatse | The First Vistas of Plateau Scenery

You will get out of Lhasa and travel into the west on day 3. First, you will stop atLake Yamdrok, which has a charming blue color, and then you can enjoy the fabulous scenery of the Karola Glacier up close.

When you stop at Gyantse town, visit the town's top attraction:Palcho Monastery. The huge white pagoda is very impressive. It is a monastery containing the three main sects of Tibetan Buddhism.

DAY 4Shigatse to Saga | Deeper into the Wilderness

Drive west from Shigatse City to Saga County Town. Enjoy the scenery of rivers, lakes, snow-capped mountain, and pasture along the way.

DAY 5Saga to Darchen | Holy Lake and Ghost Lake

Continue driving to the west on day 5 with the magnificent Himalaya mountains on your left-hand side along the way.

You will get toLake Manasarovarin the afternoon. In Tibetan people’s hearts, Manasarovar is the “sweet dew” granted by the Buddha. The prayer stones on the lake bank show the respect of believers. Kailash can be seen in the middle distance. The holy mountain and the holy lake have accompanied each other for millions of years, according to geologists.

Don't miss 'ghost lake' (Lake Rakshastal)right by the holy lake. It is also attractive and full of the air of mystery. Let your guide explain why it is called 'ghost lake'.

DAY 6Darchen |凯拉什科拉琴(13公里/ 8英里)

You will start the 3-day kora trek on day 6. First, you will go by car to a prayer square. Colorful prayer flags are tied on the prayer stones. There is an important ceremony on April 15th every year to change the prayer flag pole. This is a place where you can see a good view of Kailash from close by.

From the square, you will hike downhill into a valley. Walk along the river toDirapuk Monastery. During your day's trekking, you can see the west and north faces of Mt. Kailash. You will sleep in the guest house of the monastery.

DAY 7Darchen | Kailash Kora (18 km / 11 miles)

Day two of the trek is the most challenging day. You will ascend about 700 meters (2,100 feet) to climb over a pass, which is the highest place in this trek at altitude 5,600 m (18,400 feet). Then descend to another valley where a beautiful lake with green water will come into sight. You might see devoted pilgrims prostrating themselves on their koras.

You will visitZutulpuk Monastery, which was built by two important religious figures, and sleep in the guest house of the monastery.

DAY 8Darchen | Kailash Kora (7 km / 4 miles)

The third day of the trek is the easiest. You will just have 7 km (4 miles) left to finish the Kora. At the end of the trek, you will take a bus back to Darchen. Have a rest in the afternoon, and get ready for the westernmost destination of this trip on the next day.

DAY 9Darchen to Zanda | The Lost Civilization

Driving northwest along the Gangdise (Kailash) mountain range, you will discover the evidence of an old civilization existing in Ali (Ngari) more than 1,000 years ago. The unique landscape there —the soil forest— is a masterpiece of Himalayan orogenic (mountain-forming) movement. Rain and wind have shaped the hills into "towers, camps, castles, and palaces".

You will visitTholing Monastery, which was the first temple built by the Guge Kingdom, to see its old and beautiful murals.

The remains of theGuge Kingdomstill stand on the cliffs, telling people of its glory days. It is nice to climb up to the top of the hill before sunset. The sunlight colors the soil forests golden. The broken soil walls have a kind of mystic and desolate beauty.

DAY 10Zanda to Paryang | The Paradise of Wild Animals

On day 10, you will drive eastward on your return trip to Lhasa. Enjoy the scenery of snowy mountains, grasslands, lakes, and the animals running in their paradise.

Stay overnight in Paryang, which is a little town in Zhongba County in the far west of Shigatse Prefecture.

DAY 11Paryang to Sakya | Traditional Tibetan Knife Making

You will drive from Paryang to Sakya County Town via Lhatse County Town. Stop at Lhatse and visit a traditional Tibetan knife workshop to discover the old and exquisite skills of Tibetan knife-making.

DAY 12萨迦寺记者团|神秘而灿烂的Monasteries

Explore the most mysterious monastery —Sakya Monasteryin the morning. The murals on its yellow walls, the woman ghost statue tied by iron chains, and the mysterious sutra wall are the highlights you should not miss.

Drive from Sakya to Shigatse. Visit splendidTashilhunpo Monasteryin the afternoon. Admire the architectural beauty of Tashilhunpo monastery: its golden roof, red walls, and white pagodas. Figure out the relationship between Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas.

DAY 13Shigatse to Lhasa | Tibetan Incense Making

Drive along the Yarlung Zangbo Canyon to Lhasa. Enjoy the marvelous scenery on the way. See plateau lakes, rivers, snowy mountains, and traditional Tibetan villages. Stop at a small village that is famous for Tibetan incense making. Experience producing hand-made Tibetan incense. Get a small box of incense as a gift. Its fragrance when burning will remind you of your great experiences in Tibet.

DAY 14Lhasa Departure

Your guide and driver will take you to Lhasa's airport or train station on time for your departure.

Hotel Selection

—the Icing on the Cake

精品酒店推荐来丰富你的交易vel experience.

lhasa shangri-la hotel

the hotel room with Potala Palace view
FromCNY25,970 / USD3,989p/p Based on a private tour for 2 people. Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people and chosen hotel

Price includes:

  • Tibet Travel Permits
  • 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

Tour code: xz-34

Start planning your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.

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