Luxury Kailash Mansarovar Tour
- Duration:
- 11 Days
- Price:
- From USD4660
- Route:
- Lhasa - Shigatse - EBC- Saga - Kailash - Shiquanhe - Lhasa
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Private Tour
Overview
The luxury journey from Lhasa to Mount Kailash blends spiritual purification with comfort amidst the secluded beauty of the Himalayas. Your journey begins in the sacred city of Lhasa, where you'll explore iconic landmarks such as the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. After gradually acclimating to the high-altitude region, you'll head west, passing by Yamdrok Lake and Karola Pass to reach Everest Base Camp. Standing beneath the world’s highest peak, you may feel something different. Continuing west, you’ll witness the sacred beauty of Lake Manasarovar, eventually arriving at Mount Kailash. You can admire the northern face of Mount Kailash up close. Finally, you will fly back to Lhasa from Ngari.
| Day | Route | Attractions & Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m) | Pick up and transfer to the hotel |
| 2 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Norbulingka, Thangka workshop, Drepung Monastery |
| 3 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street |
| 4 | Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse, 360km, Approx. 7hrs | Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Palkhor Chode Monastery |
| 5 | Shigatse - EBC, 350km, Approx. 8hrs | Tashilhunpo Monastery, Gawula Pass, Everest Base Camp |
| 6 | EBC - Saga, 450km, Approx. 9hrs | Rongbuk Monastery, Lake Peikutso |
| 7 | Saga - Manasarovar, 480km, Approx. 8hrs | Lake Mansarovar |
| 8 | Manasarovar - Darchen, 46km, Approx, 1hrs, Mt Kailash Kora①: Darchen - Dirapuk, Trek 10km, Approx. 6~7hrs | Mt.Kailash Kora |
| 9 | Mt Kailash Kora②: Dirapuk- Zutulpuk, Trek 22km, Approx. 11~14hrs | Mt.Kailash Kora |
| 10 | Mt Kailash Kora③: Zutulpuk- Darchen, Trek 9km, approx. 2~5hrs; Darchen- Shiquanhe Town, Drive 250km, Approx. 3.5hrs | Mt.Kailash Kora |
| 11 | Departure from Gunsha Airport | Send off to the airport |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseTashi Delek (Tibetan greetings)! Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at Lhasa Gonggar Airport. The drive from the airport to downtown takes about 1 hour. After settling into your hotel, your guide will show you around, take you to an authentic Tibetan teahouse, and suggest some renowned local restaurants for you to enjoy. To help you acclimate to the high altitude, it's recommended to take a good rest.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
In the morning, you will visit Norbulingka, a perfect spot for those newly arrived in Lhasa due to its abundant oxygen. This royal garden, built in typical Tibetan style, was also the Dalai Lama’s summer retreat. Afterward, you can visit a Thangka workshop to experience the art of Thangka painting. As an intangible cultural heritage, Thangka is both exquisite and solemn. When the tip of your brush touches the colors, the culture becomes alive.
In the afternoon, you will visit Drepung Monastery, which attracts countless devotees with its solemn architecture and deep spirituality. The white halls are scattered on the hillside, resembling a clean city made of rice piles. There are many sacred Buddhist relics here, such as the large statue of Mahakala in the Zangchung Hall, said to have been created by Tsongkhapa himself, and some naturally formed statues of Tara.
In the evening, we will offer a welcome dinner. If you wish, our guide can take you to a boutique Tibetan restaurant to experience the local traditional cuisine.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Today, you will visit the most famous Potala Palace, which is the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. Potala Palace was the winter palace of successive Dalai lamas. It was built by the 33rd great king of Tibet - Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th Century. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.
In the afternoon, you will go to visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the old town of Lhasa. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet for housing a statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of 12, which was consecrated by Sakyamuni himself. After that, you will take a walk around the Barkhor Street - one of the most devotional circuits, as well as a crowded central market of Lhasa. Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple. As a symbol of Lhasa, it's also a must-see place for visitors.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Today you will set off for Shigatse. En route, you will pass by Khamba-la Pass (4,790m), and from there you will be amazed by the breathtaking glimpse of the holy Yamdrok Lake with its turquoise color and snow-capped Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. About two hours away from Yamdrok Lake, there is Karola Glacier. It isn’t a big glacier, but the white glacier looks spectacular from the highway, and it's close enough (about 300 yards) from the highway. Arrival at Gyantse, we visit Palkhor Chode Monastery. This magnificent multi-door structure is the largest stupa in Tibet, not only well known for its architecture but also for its old sculptures and paintings all around its inner walls.
Then head to Shigatse via the fertile Nyangchu Valley, a wide agricultural plain where colorfully decorated yaks and horses are used by Tibetan farmers to till the land.
Stay overnight in Shigatse
- Meals:
- Breakfast
In the morning, you will visit the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilhunpo Monastery, which was founded by the 1st Dalai Lama in 1447, a culturally important monastery in Shigatse. Then you will leave Shigatse for Lhatse for lunch.
After a short rest, you will go ahead to Tingri. You will pass through Gyatsola Pass (5,248m), with countless prayer flags flying in the wind. Here you can also hang your prayer flags and spread Longda, letting the wind carry your blessings to heaven.
Afterward, you will keep ascending to Gawula Pass (5,198m), where you can enjoy the panorama of the Himalayas. Then you will drive along the zigzag road to the Everest Base Camp (5,200m) to stay overnight. You can see the glorious Everest sunset if the weather is good.
Stay overnight at Everest Base Camp
- Meals:
- Breakfast
You can get up early and enjoy the sunrise of Everest Peak if the weather is good. After that, you will go to the Rongbuk Monastery, which is the highest monastery in the world. Then drive to Saga, on the way, you can view the world’s 14th-highest peak, Mt.Shishapangma (8,012m). Later, you will have a far view of the huge sapphire-like Lake Peikutso (4,590m) beneath the Shishpangma peaks, and finally arrive in Saga (4,600m). If lucky, you are very likely to see wild animals like the wild donkey, wild antelope, etc.
Stay overnight in Saga
- Meals:
- Breakfast
After breakfast, we will depart westward from Saga and drive toward the world’s highest freshwater lake—the sacred Lake Mansarovar. Along the way, you will have your first glimpse of the holy Mt. Kailash. In Tibetan Buddhism, Mansarovar holds a very high status, and pilgrims often come here to circumambulate the lake. Whether for sightseeing or photography, this place offers a breathtaking experience. On the hillside next to Chiu Monastery, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Manasarovar, which is also recognized as the best viewpoint.
Stay overnight at the lakeside of Mansarovar
- Meals:
- Breakfast
In the morning, you will head to Darchen, which is located at the foot of Mt.Kailash. After entering the scenic spot, you will take an eco-bus (included in the cost) to Sarshung Valley and start the Mt. Kailash trek from there. Then you will meet your porters and yaks at Sarshung Valley (the cost of hiring yaks, horses, and porters is not included in the package). You’ll trek about 15 km from Sarshung Valley to Drirapuk Monastery (4,700m) along the Lachu River Valley. During your trek today, you can see both the west and north faces of Mt.Kailash. Finally, you will visit Drirapuk Monastery and stay overnight nearby.
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Today is the most challenging day of the trek, you’ll climb over the highest pass of the Kailash Kora, the Dolmala Pass (5,630m). After a short rest at the top, we will climb down into the long valley and stop for lunch at the Shabjay Dakpo nomadic tent. On the way, you can have a rest in a teahouse. Then you will continue to the Zultulpuk (4,790m), built by two important religious figures, Milarepa and Naro Bonchung. At last, you will visit Zutulpuk Monastery. You will find the footprint and handprint of Milarepa inside the cave.
Stay overnight near Zutulpuk Monastery
- Meals:
- Breakfast
It's an easy day of the trek. You'll trek 9km to complete the Kora, then take the eco bus back to Darchen. According to Buddhist theory, doing a kora around a holy mountain for one circle can get rid of sins and miseries for the whole life. Only after going through lots of hardships can you feel the happiness and gratification brought by Kora. Then you take the shuttle bus back to Darchen, about 3km.
In the afternoon, you will drive to Shiquanhe Town, which is the closest town to Ngari Gunsa Airport, around 55km away.
Stay overnight in Shiquanhe Town
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Cost
Tour Price and Service
From US$4660 p/p
Based on 5-star hotels for 2 people in ordinary seasons. Price varies according to travel season, number of people and level of accommodation.
Inclusions
* Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
* All entrance tickets fee for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary;
* Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
* Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee; If you prefer, we can upgrade a 4WD Land Cruiser for you at an extra cost.
* Luxury 5-star international hotel in Lhasa and Shigatse, comfortable 4-star hotel or best available accommodations in counties and remote areas;
* All breakfasts are included, plus a welcome dinner;
* Pick-up & Drop-off service from airport;
* Shuttle Bus fee during Kailash Kora;
* Travel Agency Liability insurance;
* Government tax;
* Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);
* Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
* Oxygen tank for emergency use;
* The free use of sleeping bags;
* Two bottles of mineral water per person per day.
EXCLUSIONS
- Yaks & herders during 3-Day Mt Kailash Kora;
- Shuttle Bus fee at Lake Manasarovar: USD 43/person;
- International flight to and out of China;
- Domestic flight/train to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
- Chinese Visa/China Group Visa; (Note: we could help you by providing the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies for your Chinese Visa or the invitation letter for your China Group Visa)
- Lunch and dinner are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 5-15 USD per person for each meal.
- While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them 8-15 USD/day in total;
- All the commissions and taxes charged by PayPal, banks, and the government when making payments. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone calls, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
- Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.
I am well thankyou. It turned out to be a great trip. I have two excellent guides and the driver. Especially as Lakdun (not sure how to spell her name) was there to help me at the airport when my flight got cancelled. You might also be interested to know that I run spiritual retreats and pilgrimag ....
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