12 Days Lhasa Mt Everest & Mt Kailash Kathmandu Group Tour

After breakfast in the hotel, the tour guide will take you to Drepung Monastery, the biggest Tibetan monastery that housed more than 10,000 monks in the past. Drepung means Rice Heap in the Tibetan language. The entire monastery is large in scale and the white buildings cluster and cover the hillsides. It's the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect.

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In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery, which is reputed as the most beautiful Tibetan Monastery. The biggest feature is the Monks' debate from 3 pm to 5 pm. As a part of the study, lamas should participate in debates to further their comprehension and proceed to more advanced levels of Buddhism.  

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Stay overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★

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Meals: Breakfast

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. 

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At noon, the tour guide will bring you to a good restaurant to have lunch and have a rest. In the afternoon, we will go visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the Lhasa old town. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since the early days. 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 and the locals are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, it‘s also a must-see place for visitors.

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Stay overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★

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Meals: Breakfast

We will pass by Kampala pass(4,790m) on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse and visit Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Standing at the lakeside, you can see its blue water shimmering with charming light, as well as the snow-capped holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar(7,191m) in the distance.  

Next we will pass and enjoy the Karola Glacier on the roadside. It is about 300m from the main highway on your way to Gyantse.

Then visit the main monastery in Gyantse - Pelkor Chode Monastery, famous for its exquisite architecture and intact murals and statues.

Stay overnight in Shigatse, 3★/4★

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery and then drive to Lhatse, a small town located 150 km from Shigatse, and you may have lunch in the local restaurant. After a short rest, you will go ahead to Tingri. You will pass Tsola Pass(4,600M), and Gyatsola Pass(5,248M). In the late afternoon, you enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve. You can enjoy the panorama of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass (5198m). Then we drive along the New Zigzag road to Everest Base Camp to stay overnight. If the weather is good, you can have a clear view of the sunset of the Golden Everest Peak.

Stay overnight in a guesthouse or Nomad Tent (Dorm Bed)

Meals: Breakfast

You can get up early and enjoy the sunrise of Everest Peak at Everest Base Camp if the weather is good. Then you will visit Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, also a holy place at the foot of Mt.Everest.

After that, drive to Saga, on the way, you can view the worlds’14th highest peak Mt.Shishapangma (8,012m). Later, you will reach Lake Peikutso(4,590m) and have a rest there. Then continue to Saga, If you are lucky enough, you are very likely to see wild animals like the wild donkey, wild antelope, etc.

Stay overnight in Saga, Guesthouse

Today, you will spend a lot of time on the way, but it’s worth seeing the landscape along the way. You’ll have stunning views of the great Himalayas to the south and Trans-Himalayan to the north as we drive across the vast plains. This region is home to nomads, and you’ll see the beautiful grassland and local villages. As we cross the Mayomla Pass (5,112M), you can enjoy the spectacular vista of Mt. Naimonanyi (7,694M).

During this thrilling journey, you’ll pass by sand dunes, mountains, and Darchen sandstone valleys before we reach the Darchen, a small nomadic village and important launch point for your Kailash pilgrimage. Upon your arrival, you can explore Darchen town on your own. If you need porters and yaks, your tour guide will arrange it for you this afternoon.

Stay overnight in Guesthouse/4★

In the morning, you will take an eco-bus (included in the cost) to Sarshung valley, which is the starting point of your Kailash kora. Then you will meet your portDuring your trek today, you can see both the west and north faces of Mt.Kailash.ers 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 along the Lachu River Valleys. During your trekking today, you can see both the west and north face of Mt.Kailash. Finally, you will visit Drirapuk Monastery and stay overnight there.

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Stay overnight in Guesthouse, Dorm Bed

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Meals: Breakfast

Today is the most challenging day of the trek as you’ll climb over the highest pass of Kailash Kora - the Dromala 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, built by two important religious figures, Milarepa and Naro Bonchung. At last, you will visit Zutulpuk Monastery. You will find the footprints and handprints of Milarepa inside the cave. 

Stay overnight in Guesthouse, Dorm Bed.

It's an easy day of the trek. You'll trek 9km to complete Mount Kailash 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 the 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. We will drive 40km from Darchen to Mansarovar Lake, the top holy lake in Tibet. If the weather is good, you can see the splendid scenery of the lake Manasarovar. If you feel good, you can do a trek along the shore of the lake for a while. Then, you'll head to Zhongba.

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Stay overnight in Zhongba, Guesthouse.

Today you will get to Gyirong town from Zhongba. In the afternoon, you will visit Gyirong Valley, which is regarded as the backyard garden of the Himalayas. You will see a lust forest and breath fresh air. You will be amazed by the creator's masterpiece that 4 seasons exist in such a narrow valley. Gyirong, in Tibetan language, means comfort or happiness. It's said Gyirong was named by Padma Sambhava Buddha, when he entered Tibet from here.

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Stay overnight in Gyirong, Guesthouse/4★

Your tour guide will assist you with exiting China and see you off at the Gyirong border. We can organize a jeep transfer from Gyirong to Kathmandu at 80 US$, but it's not included in the package. Or you can take a bus to Kathmandu, which costs about 40 US$, according to your negotiation with the driver. The road condition is not good, and it takes about 8 hours from the border to Kathmandu city. Thus, taking a bus is not recommended.