15 Day Mount Kailash Group Tour: Ngari+Lake Manasarovar+Lhasa+Yamdrok Lake+E.B.C.+Shigatse

Reach to Lhasa

You can choose the recommended flight and buy your own ticket to Lhasa. You will meet in Lhasa on the same day. The tour guide and driver will pick you up at the airport. You will then be driven along the Lhasa River Scenic Belt to Lhasa City to feel the pure air of the plateau. After arriving in Lhasa, check in to the booked hotel. After arriving in Lhasa, try to avoid going out and have a good rest to adapt to the altitude sickness. You can visit the night view of the Potala Palace in the evening.

Potala Palace—Jokhang Temple—Barkhor Street

In the morning, you will visit the Potala Palace, the highest ancient palace-style building complex in the world, the residence of the Dalai Lamas of all generations and the center of political and religious power in Tibet. It contains the golden stupa that holds the Dalai Lamas of all generations and a large number of precious murals, thangkas and Buddha statues, which are the concentrated embodiment of Tibetan culture.

After lunch, you will visit the Jokhang Temple, the earliest Buddhist temple built during the Tubo Dynasty. The temple enshrines a twelve-year-old life-size statue of Sakyamuni that accompanied Princess Wencheng into Tibet. It is the most sacred and effective Buddha statue in the hearts of Tibetan people. Here you can see the piety of the people in worship, and you can also turn the prayer wheel and pray with the people.

Lhasa—Yamdrok Lake—Karola Glacier—Shigatse

In the morning, we will depart from Lhasa and drive to Yamdrok Lake, one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet with dazzling colors. Yamdrok Lake means "Jade Lake" in Tibetan. Then we will go down the mountain to get close to Yamdrok Lake. The azure blue water is connected to the snow-capped mountains in the distance.

In the afternoon, we will pass by Karola Glacier: feel its majestic grandeur. Glaciers are the geological history written by flowing years and ice and snow, and are great works of art sculpted by time.

Then we will go to Shigatse to check in.

Shigatse—Tingri—E.B.C.—Basong Village

In the morning, you will drive to the new Dingri County seat - Xieger via Lazi. Along the way, you will cross the Jiacuo La Snow Mountain at an altitude of 5,220 meters. When you are about to reach Xieger, you can see the majestic appearance of Mount Everest from afar. Along the way, you will cross the Jiacuo La Snow Mountain Pass at an altitude of 5,220 meters, stop for a while and rush to Dingri.

In the afternoon, you will arrive at the world's highest Mount Everest Nature Reserve. Looking south from the world's highest temple - Rongbuk Monastery, it is recognized by the world as the best place to look up at Mount Everest. The white pagoda stands tall and the colorful prayer flags flutter. Afterwards, you will take an environmentally friendly car to the Mount Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 5,200 meters, where you will dance with the world's highest peak, Mount Everest.

Basong Village—Tingri—Shishapangma Nature Reserve—Peiku Co—Saga

After breakfast, we will continue our journey by car, enjoying the scenery surrounded by mountains, passing Peiku Co, a plateau lake on the roadside, overlooking the 8,013-meter-high Shishapangma Peak, and entering the vast uninhabited area of Saga. Saga is located in the northwest of Shigatse. The county border is 105 kilometers long, and National Highway 219 runs through the entire county.

Saga is located at the north foot of the Himalayas and the southwestern edge of the Gangdise Mountains, and the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River. There are plateau scenery such as sacred mountains and holy lakes in the territory. The average altitude of the county is above 4,600 meters, with thin air, sufficient sunshine, and a large temperature difference between day and night.

Saga—Zhongba—Maquan River Marsh—Darchen

After breakfast, we will drive along National Highway 219, passing through Payang Town in Zhongba County. This is a town with a strong western style and the highest town in the world, with an altitude of 4,700 meters. We will enjoy the Maquan River Basin along the way, gradually walk into the embrace of the sacred Mount Kailash and the holy lake Manasarovar, and head to the ghost lake Laangcuo, and stay overnight at Darchen.

Darchen—Mount Kailash—Zhire Temple

In the morning, we will take an eco-friendly bus from Taqin and go deep into the valley to prepare for the circumambulation of the mountain. There are yaks and horses in the valley for people to experience, and there are also luggage porters (Note: the cost of the services mentioned here is at your own expense). Go up the valley and experience the wonders of nature with the most realistic perception.

Along the way, you will also see the west and north sides of Mount Kailash, one side is high into the clouds, and the other side is stacked. After about 22 kilometers of circumambulation, you will arrive at Zhire Temple. Among the colorful flying prayer flags, you will rest and fall asleep with a piety for faith and awe of nature.

Zhire Temple—Zuchu Temple

After a night of rest and replenishment, we will start a new day of trekking. Today we will cross the highest point of this pilgrimage, Zhuoma La Pass (5630 meters above sea level). Along the way, we will meet many devout Tibetans who bow their heads and worship. The so-called pilgrimage road is actually the traces of holiness left by the Tibetans with their bodies and feet among the ice, snow and gravel, and the sedimentation of years.

The road to the sacred is a little difficult to walk, and you can stop by the teahouse to rest and adjust your physical strength. In the breeze, Zhuoma La Pass is full of colorful prayer flags flying. There is a beautiful small lake at the bottom of the valley, Toji Co. This is a lake of mercy, like a transparent white jade, inlaid between the towering mountains. After passing Zhuomala Pass, we started to go downhill, which consumed less energy. We hiked back to Zhire Temple and stayed overnight at the guesthouse of Zuchu Temple.

Zuchu Temple—Darchen

On the third day of the pilgrimage, as the altitude decreases, the surrounding colors gradually change from snow-white to emerald green, and the small animals in the bushes begin to become active, full of a strong breath of life. Piles of colorful Mani stones are stacked between the snow-capped mountains and grasslands, like monks praying in deep thought. After completing the last 10 kilometers of trekking, at noon, our tour bus will pick up friends who have completed the pilgrimage. Then drive to Darchen to check in.

Darchen—Lake Laangcuo—Zhongba—Saga

After breakfast, we will go to Lake Laangcuo. To the west, a beautiful crescent-shaped blue lake is drawn, and the shape of Manasarovar is like the sun. Their original shapes show a kind of harmony and the ultimate realm of the beauty of the Vajra. Then we will go to Lhasa. The scenery that comes into view along the way is all the unique plateau scenery of ice peaks, snow ridges, cliffs and steep cliffs. This will be the day when we are closest to the sky.

Saga is located in the northwest of Shigatse. The border of the county is 105 kilometers long. National Highway 219 runs through the whole county. From here, it goes to Shigatse and Lhasa in the east, Ali and Purang in the west, and is adjacent to Gyirong County and the Kingdom of Nepal in the south. Saga is located at the northern foot of the Himalayas and on the southwestern edge of the Gangdise Mountains, in the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River.

Saga—Tagejia Fountain—Dajiacuo—Gerongcuo—Parucuo—Coqen

After breakfast, we will pass the Dagjia Fountain in Qier Township, Angren County along National Highway 219. From a distance, the fountain mouth looks like a huge "high-pressure pot", with layers of mist emanating outward and drifting to the clouds with the airflow. When the fountain erupts, it will produce boiling hot water, vents and hot water explosions, which is a spectacular sight. On the plateau, the boiling point of water is about 85℃, while the boiling point of the Dagjia Fountain is as high as 100℃. A raw egg can be cooked in less than 10 minutes.

Then we passed Dajiacuo, which is located in a mountain basin. The periphery of the basin is a high mountain with an altitude of more than 5,200 meters, and some of the tops are covered with snow all year round. Dajia under the snow-capped mountains is full of animals and the scenery is picturesque.

Leaving Dajiacuo and driving on the plateau, you can see the scene of raining in the east and sunny in the west. Passing Garongcuo and Parucuo, there are many water birds, Meiduo Village and the lake behind the village, a small river flowing into the distance, and Coqen in the distance.

Coqen—Zhari Namco—Dang Reyongcuo—Dangqiongcuo—Nyima

After breakfast, you will often see herds of wild donkeys, Tibetan antelopes and other wild animals along the way from Cuoqin County to Zharin Nam Co. You will pass through Dangre Yongcuo and arrive at Wenbu South Village. The altitude is only 4,600 meters. It seems to be a place that enters the "so easy" mode. This village has a unique feature, that is, the villagers do not believe in Tibetan Buddhism, but Bonism. In Tibet, there are not many people who believe in Bonism. The village is located next to the holy lake Dangre Yongcuo. It is a happy thing to live by this holy lake. Dangqiongcuo used to be the same big lake as Dangre Yongcuo. Later, due to climate change, the water level dropped and it was divided into two.

On the lakeside is another ancient village-Wenbu North Village. After a short stop in Wenbu North Village, we set off for about two hours north to Nima County, the youngest county in Tibet.

Nyima—Dazecuo—Qiaguicuo—Selincuo—Baingoin

After breakfast, we will head eastward from Nima County along National Highway 317. From afar, we will see Dazecuo, not far from the county, and the snow-capped mountains along the coast, which are particularly beautiful in the morning sun. The most famous thing about Nima County on the Internet is the "Sky Tree" on the side of National Highway 317, which is also a must-see place for those who take this road.

This "Sky Tree" is located near the 2442th milepost of National Highway 317. It is a rift formed by water erosion. It is very common in this uninhabited area and is generally not noticed. Its roots are connected to National Highway 317, as if this national highway is the land that nourishes it, and the traces of water erosion constitute its body and branches, and even the forked parts of the leaves are clearly visible. Next to the Sky Tree is Dazecuo. Dazecuo has two water systems entering the lake, Bochang Zangbu and Naruoqugang. Bochang Zangbu originates from the Balingangri Snow Mountain, flows from west to east, and flows into Dazecuo. Leaving Dazecuo, continue along National Highway 317 to Selincuo, the largest lake in Tibet.

Before reaching Selincuo, a lake appears on the right side of the road: Qiaguicuo. It is connected to Selincuo, the largest lake in Tibet, through a river about 1 kilometer long and 100 meters wide. Because of its clear blue water and beautiful natural scenery, Qiaguicuo is described as a beautiful and shy Tibetan girl, lying quietly in the arms of the mountains. Qiaguicuo and Selincuo are integrated in the water system, but unlike Selincuo, Qiaguicuo and its nearby Wurucuo are both freshwater lakes, while Selincuo is a saltwater lake. Moreover, Qiaguicuo and Wurucuo are now connected as one. With National Highway 317 as the boundary, there is a small but particularly colorful lake to the south of Selincuo: Cuo'e. It is called the satellite lake of Selincuo. The lake surface is 4,562 meters above sea level and the lake area is about 244 square kilometers. On the side of National Highway 317, there is also a satellite lake with an area of ​​108 square kilometers below Selincuo: Yagencuo. Yagencuo was separated from Selincuo before, and it was connected with Selincuo more than ten years ago.

We will stay in Bange County at night.

Baingoin—Tashi Dor—Laken Pass—Mount Nyainqentanglha—Lhasa

After breakfast, we will enter Namtso Lake from Bango. Namtso Lake is located in the central part of Tibet Autonomous Region. It is the second largest lake in Tibet and the third largest saltwater lake in China. It is one of the "three holy lakes" in Tibet. After visiting Namtso Lake, we will pass through the Nagen La Pass on the way back to Lhasa. The background of Namtso Lake is located on the north side of the Nagen La Pass. In Tibetan folk songs and legends, Nyainqentanglha Mountain and Namtso Lake are lovers who depend on each other for life and death. Then we will return to Lhasa.

Drop-off in Lhasa

After breakfast, we will send you to the airport or station, ending your pleasant journey. Tashi Delek!