Overview
Pilgrim for Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar from Lhasa to Zhangmu
Ngari, means “A Fast Western Highland in Tibet”, is the remotest corners, the vast and less populated prefecture of Tibet. Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar are exactly located in this remote and huge region. With the altitude of 6,714 meters above the sea level, Mt. Kailash is the highest peak of the massive Gangdise Ranges. It is also called Gang Renpoche in Tibetan language, meaning “snow mountain of the gods”, or the “treasures of snow mountains”. In Indian, it is called as “Kailash”. The mountain is said to be the gathering place of masses of gods, respectively from Lamaism, Bon Sect. Buddhism and Hinduism. This causes no surprise why many Tibetan, Indian or Nepali pilgrims come to here to worship and circumambulate (Kora) the mountain every year, they esteem the mountain as the “Heart of the World” and described it as the “earth’s navel”. In a year during May or June, it is the Saga Dawa Festival time that hundreds of pilgrims and tourists will swarm to the mountain. During this particularly festival, you may get deep insight of religious spiritual time and Tibetan customs. Around the mountain, it is the large area around more than hundred square kilometers. Here, in addition to Mt. Kailash, there is another high peak Mt. Namnani at the opposite of it, which has an altitude of 7,728 meters and also gains the name of “Mt. Goddess”. Two lakes of Lake Manasarovar (Mambum Yumtso in Tibetan) and the Demon Lake (Lanang Tso in Tibetan) are separately located on the parallel spread areas between the two mountains. A few rivers are passing around or even arise from here. Meaning the “source of rivers” in Tibetan, Gangdise Ranges originates for many large rivers. Shiquanhe River (Sengge Zangpo in Tibetan), back to Mt. Kailash, is the upper branch of the Indus; Xiangquanhe River (Langchen Zangpo in Tibetan), at the side of Gang Renpoche, is the source of the Sutlej and finally joint into the Ganges; Maquanhe River (Damchu Zangpo in Tibetan), is believed as the source of Yarlung Zangpo River. Till 2011, the southern route to Ngari from Lhasa is all paved in tar road, this great improvement is unthinkable before and makes the tour to there easier and accessible.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival Lhasa (D)
Day 02 Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Day 03 Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Day 04 Shigatse via Yamdrok Yumtso Lake & Gyantse
Day 05 Lhatze via Sakya Monastery (B)
Day 06 Lhatze to Saga (B)
Day 07 Saga to Paryung (B)
Day 08 Paryung to Tarchen (B)
Day 09 Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar View or Optional Kora (B)
Day 10 Tarchen return to Paryung (B)
Day 11 Paryung return to Saga (B)
Day 12 Rongbuk Monastery & Everest Sunset (B)
Day 13 Everest Base Camp & Drive to Tingri (B)
Day 14 Border of Zhangmu (B)
Day 15 Zhangmu exit for Kathmandu (B)
Get Inspired
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Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Lhasa (D)
Upon arrived at Lhasa Gongga Airport or the Lhasa Train Station, our local guide and driver will pick you up there and then drive to Lhasa downtown and check in the hotel located at Barkhor quarter. Rest time is free for altitude acclimation. Dinner will be served as the welcome dinner, with Tibetan food during Tibetan singing and dancing performances.
Day 02: Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Morning visit the Potala Palace, the world's highest construction. With the 13 stories and 119 meters in height, Potala Palace is composed by the two parts of the White Palace and the Red Palace with the different functions. The White one is used for Dalai Lamas’ living, working and studying. The Red one consists mainly of various chapels and stupas. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Monastery, which is located in the heart of Lhasa’s old section of Barkhor. Built in seventh century, Jokhang Monastery is the oldest monastery and is the earliest timber construction in Tibet. It is also the spiritual focus for the Tibetans, where you can see the most devotional pilgrims and worships from morning till dark. Encircling of the Jokhang, here is Barkhor Street, the pilgrims are walking around the temple for centuries already. Leisure walk around this crowding medieval street to witness the local lifestyle.
Day 03: Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Morning visit Norbulingka, literally means “Jewel Garden”, was the summer palace for the Dalai Lamas. The palaces are shaded by the flourish and green trees, the murals on the main hall’s walls show a long history here. Later visit Drepung Monastery, one of the most important monasteries of Gelugpa sect. in Tibet. Built in 1416, Drepung Monastery gains the name of “Heap of Rice” due to its white structure appearance. Then visit Sera Monastery, one of the three largest monasteries in Lhasa. Except the treasures and well-preserved original murals in the monastery, you will also have a great chance to view the heated scriptural debates of the monks.
Day 04: Shigatse via Yamdrok Yumtso Lake & Gyantse
Drive out of Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok Yumtso Lake and Gyantse. At 4,990m Gangpa La Pass, the indescribably beautiful Yamdrok Yumtso Lake will come into the eyesight, the Karola Glaciers (5,030m) takes on later. At Gyantse, visit Pelkhor Chode and Kumbum Pagoda, a remarkable monastery coexisting three Tibetan Buddhism sects of Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Kahdampa. With extra 1.5 hours driving, we arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet, explore the town and the interesting local market.
Day 05: Lhatze via Sakya Monastery (B)
Take road westward to Lhatze. On the route, make short detour to the southeast to visit Sakya Monastery. This grand Sakyapa sect. monastery boasts for its countless scriptures and precious mural paintings, mostly of the thirteenth century. Visit the monastery of the southern part, and hike around the northern ruins. Later the short drive to Lhatze and overnight there.
Day 06: Lhatze to Saga (B)
The road to Saga will feast your eyes on a several high mountains, include Xishiabungma Peak (8,027m), Mt. Everest (8,848m), Labgyekung Peak (7,367m), Nam Lhari Peak (6,404m) and Yungri Peak. The farmland scenery and upper of Yarlung Zangpo River is breathtaking too. Overnight in the guesthouse of Saga, a two-streets small town, but an important transport hub into west Tibet.
Day 07: Saga to Paryung (B)
Today the scenery is presenting a picture of primitive, desolate but more spectacular after Saga. The continuous and winding Himalayas unfold at the south. En the route, you will see Ropo Kangri Peak (7,095m), one of peaks of Gangdise Ranges at the north. While the wide Maquanhe River (Damchu Zangpo in Tibetan) will come to your eyesight, which is believed as the source of grand Yarlung Zangpo River. Later drive across a small desert area, then we will get into the Paryung Grassland, you will see the yaks and sheep dotted on the grassland. Paryung is a typical town at the west of Tibet. Enjoy the dusk beauties of this small town and nearby grassland scenery.
Day 08: Paryung to Tarchen (B)
Continue to the west to Tarchen. You may see the wild animals of Kiangs or black-necked cranes at the road side marshland. You will pass by some high mountain passes, small or big dazzling blue alpine lakes, across the basin meadows where the authentic Tibetan nomads widespread set their black yak tents. As approach to Tarchen, Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarover will come into view, majestic Gangrenpoche Peak (6,714 meters), Mt. Namnani (7,728 meters), Xishiabungma Peak (8,027m) and Mambum Yumtso Lake could be viewed in a clear day. Overnight in Tarchen, a tiny town at the foot of Mt. Kailash, is the place that the pilgrims must pass through, and also the starting and ending point for mountain Kora (circumambulate).
Day 09: Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar View or Optional Kora (B)
Today you will have a full day paced time for sightseeing at Tarchen, to appreciate the legendary Mt. Kailash (6,714 meters) to the north and Mt. Namnani (7,728 meters) to the south, possibly view the sunrise, golden sunglows and sunset. Mt. Kailash is often gathered clouds above the peak, so the clear days are thought to be a kind of blessing by the believers. Seen it from the south, you could view the great symbol of Mt. Kailash, a huge Bhuddhist sign “卐” formed with the horizontal rock and the vertical ice down from the summit. Excursion at Lake Manasarovar, one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet, and also the highest freshwater lake in the world.
Optional Kora:
It need extra three days if you are fond of Kora (circumambulate) around Mt. Kailash. Please contact our trip advisor for more details.
Day 10: Tarchen return to Paryung (B)
Drive back to Paryung from Tarchen along the original route.
Day 11: Paryung return to Saga (B)
Drive back to Saga from Paryung along the original route.
Day 12: Rongbuk Monastery & Everest Sunset (B)
Today drive to Rongbuk Monastery passing by Peigu Tso Lake. Stop at Peigu Tso Lake for sightseeing, which is surrounded by hills in the three sides with a vast terrain. Excursion at the lake side and overlook majestic Xishiabungma Peak (8,027m). Roads to Everest Base Camp become zigzags, while is full of challenging and fun. Rongbuk Monastery is the world’s highest monastery. Gains the favorable distance to Mt. Everest, Rongbuk is the best and closest view for the Everest and becomes the base camp for the mountaineers who will climb the Qomolangma Peak at its north face. Enjoy the sunset of Mt. Everest. Overnight at Rongbuk simple guest house (dorm bed).
Day 13: Everest Base Camp & Drive to Tingri (B)
Wake up early morning, enjoy the spectacular sunrise of Mt. Everest and possibly the wonder of “Banner Clouds”, the thick clouds and fog, waving like the flags. You can get a view for the records of those past mountaineers at Rongbuk; trek (about 2 hours) or take the cable car (about 15 minutes) to E.B.C, where you would possible view the sunset that the peak looks like a white pyramid miraculously shined by the sunglows; have a look for shapes of Rongbuk glaciers, the ones as bridges or pagoda. After visiting, we drive to Tingri. Rest time is free explore at this tiny town.
Day 14: Border of Zhangmu (B)
Hit the road southward down to the border town Zhangmu via Lhalong La Pass and Nyalam. The trail is set amidst at the cliff of the mountain and is very twisting and twining through the valleys, whilst the scenery in this portion is stunning and incredible greens that reveal the sense all quite different with the rock mountainous areas in Tibet you have past. Arrives this trip’s last stretch Zhangmu, explore this bustling border town.
Day 15: Zhangmu exit for Kathmandu (B)
Morning the guide will help you for the customs clearance and cross the Friendship Bridge to Nepal side. End the wonderful journey.
Experiences & Activities
- Get into Nyari in far-western highland in Tibet
- Kora around majestic Mt. Kailash & scared Lake Manasarovar
- Get insight into remote villages, nomads, wild animals and unspoiled landscapes
- Experience the breathtaking views of Himalayas & Everest Base Camp
- Visit main sites in Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Sakya
