Day 1: Arrival Beijing, please go to our reserved hotel by taxi by yourself
When international flight lands in Beijing, please take a taxi by yourself to our reserved hotel. The rest of the day free for you to be on your own.
Stay overnight in Beijing.
Day 2: Beijing - Day tour to explore ancient Beijing, visit Forbidden City, Imperial Ancestral Temple, Beihai Park
Today, you will first visit the world-famous Forbidden City which once served as the imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty. It is the most complete imperial palace in China. Then, you will leave for the Imperial Ancestral Temple. It was a place where sacrificial ceremonies in honor of the imperial family’s ancestors were held.
After that, you will tour Beihai Park. Beihai Park also known as the Winter Palace, is a public park and former imperial garden located in the northwestern part of the Beijing.
Stay overnight in Beijing.
Day 3: Beijing - Day tour to Mutianyu Great Wall
The Great Wall tour proves that China was one of the strongest countries in its history. Stretching thousands of kilometers, the Great Wall protected the ancient Chinese against the invasion of the enemy from its north side for more than 1000 years. The Great Wall was listed as one of the world's eight wonders. Mutianyu Great Wall, featured “graceful”, enjoy the best quality among all Wall sections, 80km north-east of Beijing with 22 ancient watchtowers, about one every kilometer. (Cable car is optional if you do not want to walk)
After the tour, you will be transferred to Beijing West Station for the Train No. Z21 to Lhasa. The train departs at 8:00pm. It will take you 40 hrs 45 min. and across the 5200 meter high mountain pass amidst the grand vistas of surreal mountain range and uniquely shaped Tibetan Landscape. It would be an unforgettable expedition across full bosomed clear streams cascading down beautiful mountain ranges, sharing kisses with glistering dew drops, an amorous ride with nature.
Stay overnight on the train.
Day 4: On the Train to Lhasa
Today is the first day on the Tibet train. You will pass through two important cities in northwest China, which is Lanzhou and Xining.
From Xining, the beginning of Qinghai-Tibet railway, you could see the scenery of countryside and cities in northwest China along the rail line.
Stay overnight on the Train.
Day 5: Breathtaking Views along the Tibet Railway, and Arrive in Lhasa at Noon
Today, you are going to witness the most beautiful scenery of Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Along the way to Nagchu, you could see Tanggula Pass come and go, almost indistinguishable from the rest of the high land. You could find villagers gaze at the passing train and yaks bolted off the tracks. Up here, every few minutes another range of snow-capped peaks with glaciers streaming down their sides appeared on the horizon.
After the whole morning on the train enjoying the views outside, the train finally arrives in Lhasa at about 12:45.
Upon arrival, be greeted by local guide at the train station and be presented with traditional Tibetan White Scarf to wish you good luck! After group photo at the station, board on the vehicle and transfer back to hotel, you will enjoy the spectacular scenery and the typical Tibetan villages on the way.
Stay at the hotel after arrival for adapting to the high attitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water just and now.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 6: Lhasa Sightseeing - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
After breakfast, we go to the Potala Palace, a golden feather upon the roof of the world, which Tibetans proudly claim to be the prime miracle since the creation of this world. It is visible from any distance, with the golden roof shinning in the sun, spend one hour wondering around the inside of this magnificent building exploring the rooms previously used by the Dalai Lama and the many Buddhist icons within.
In the afternoon we go inside of the Jokhang Temple. The Jokhang, like most of the larger temple structures have numerous individual temples within it dedicated to specific enlightened beings, protectors, high lamas, or saints. Images, both sculpted and painted, are everywhere. Every inch of wall and ceiling is brightly painted with images of clouds, beings, mandalas, or decorative patterns. Colorful silk banners, three stories high, hang in various places. Color, pattern, and images crowd in around you. The central image inside the building is a 30-foot high gilded image of Maitreya Buddha.
Then stroll around the back alleys of the Barkhor Street of Old Lhasa. The streets smelled of yak butter and incense while hordes of pilgrims shuffled along the main Kora (circumambulations) around Jokhang Temple. If someone just walked at a normal pace, one kora would take about 15-20 minutes.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 7: Lhasa Sightseeing - Drepung and Sera Monastery
In the morning have a tour for Drepung Monastery, the ever largest monastery with more than 10 thousand monks, Buddhist debates often occur there. Seen from afar, its grand, white construction gives the monastery the appearance of a heap of rice. As such, it was given its name which, in the Tibetan language, means Monastery of Collecting-Rice. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks there.
In the afternoon, you are going to visit Sera Monastery, and have a little hike for the beautiful valley scenery nearby and picnic there. Sera monastery was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. Catch the famous Monks Debate (from 15:00 to 17:00) before returning to Lhasa.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 8: Lhasa (3650m) to Shigatse (3900m) via Gyantse
In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse. On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and tourists will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m). The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance clients can have spectacular views of Holy Mount NyenchenKhangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa. Gyantse was historically Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse). In Gyantse, tourists will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum. After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, tourists will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Tibet's second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama.
Stay overnight in Shigatse.
Day 9: Shigatse (3900m) to Everest (5200m) via Tingri
Drive to Lhatse, it is a small town where tourists can have lunch. Then, head to Shegar and if the weather is clear enough then on the way down to Shegar tourists will view the Mt. Everest in the distance. After 4 to 6 hours’ drive, tourists will arrive at Rongbuk Monastery but on the way, they will pass one of the highest Passes in Tibet (pang la pass height 5050m) from that’s pass they will view the whole five highest peaks in the world.
Stay overnight in Rongbuk Tent Guest House.
Day 10: Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Base Camp, and then drive to Saga
In the morning, you may see the sunrise appearing on the summit of Mount Everest and you can get to Everest Base Camp by local bus or trekking.
After visiting EBC, we need to drive to Saga Country via the old Tingri road, which passes through the desolate plain of Digur Tang. You can see the snow peaks of mount Everest and Mout Shishapangma(8012m) en route. Then descending into the depression of Pelkhu tso Lake(4600m).
Finally, we will drive to Saga, a small town that is 69 km away from Pelkhu tso Lake.
Stay overnight at a local guesthouse of Saga.
Day 11: Saga to Darchen via Lake Manasarovar
In the morning, we will first driving about 167 km from Saga town to Drongpa County, which is at the sources of Brahmaputra River.
Next, we will make a small detour to the Lake Manasarovar, the holy lake of both Tibetan and Hinduism. You can a relaxing trip around the lake shore and experience the natural beauty of the Lake Manasarovar with snow capped mountains on the background. You may also see many pilgrims praying and circling around the lake shore.
In late afternoon, we will reach Darchen, a small town at the foot of Mount Kailash. Our Tour guide will assist you to arrange trekking yaks and porters and doing some preparation for your following 3 days trekking around Mt. Kailash.
Stay overnight at local guesthouse in Darchen town.
Day 12: Trek Day One - Darchen to Drirapuk
Today is the first day of your Mount Kailash trekking. We will firstly take the environment-friendly bus from Darchen to Sarshung village, where your porters are waiting for you. The 8 kilometers’ journey takes about 40 minutes by bus. Then we start to trek.
After two hours, we come upon a grassy plain populated by nomads. For this turn in the valley it is another two hours at least before reaching Drirapuk (4920m).
Stay overnight at the tent guesthouse of monastery.
Day 13: Trek Day Two - Drirapuk to Dzultripuk
Today, start the hardest and most tough circuit with the Dolma-la pass, which is lying 6.4km ahead but 762m above Drirapuk.
It is better to set off early in the morning as the sun rays break over the ridges above the peak of Dolma-la pass at 5630m above the sea level.
After taking a rest at the peak of Dolma-la pass, you will take about one hour from the pass down to Lhachu valley floor, from which there is still four hours trekking to today’s final destination with no shelters on the way. It is better to walk on the right side of the river and finally get to Dzultripuk (with miracle cave of milarepa).
Take a good rest in the guest room and prepare for next morning's departure.
Stay overnight at the tent guesthouse of monastery.
Day 14: Trek Day Three - Dzultripuk to Darchen
The last trekking day starts from a trip to Milarepa’s Cave, where the temple and shrines have been built around. Then we walk back to Darchen is easy and the exit from the valley can be reached within three hours.
At the ending point of the valley, the driver will come to pick you and take you back to Darchen.
Stay overnight at the local guesthouse at Tarchen.
Day 15: Drive from Darchen to Saga
Drive back to Saga along the incoming road.
Day 16-17: Saga to Shigatse to Lhasa
Drive back to Lhasa along the incoming road.
Day 18: Depart from Lhasa
Our guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board.
