13 Days Lhasa Mt. Everest Mt. Kailash and Kathmandu Adventure Tour
Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Mt. Everest - Mt. Kailash - Lake Mansarovar - Gyirong Port - Kathmandu
Trip Overview:
This 13-day adventure tour includes almost the major attractions of Tibet, and is full of everything you’ll need to have an unforgettable memory of the unique place. For this journey from Lhasa to Mt.Everest, Mt. Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, and Kathmandu, you’ll begin your tour by exploring the capital city of Lhasa and its many ancient monasteries and temples, including the famous Potala Palace. From Lhasa, you will then travel to the beautiful Yamdrok Lake before visiting Shigatse. Shigatse is the second largest city and home to Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet. From there, you will go to the North Face Everest Base Camp Region where you will get a close look at the world’s highest peak. After that, you will move to the sacred Manasarovar and the holy Mt. Kailash. Here, you will spend 3 days trekking around Kailash with local pilgrims. Then, you will continue your journey to Kathmandu via the Sino-Nepal Border - Gyirong.
Tour Code:
TTO-GT-LK13
Max Altitude:
5,630 m
Tour Type:
Small group tour (less than 12 people) with fixed departure
Phisycal Demand:
Phisycal Demand Level Guide:
1. Easy (1 point) - suitable for all level of fitness, family with kids and senior groups.
2. Moderate (2-3 Points) - suitable for those having average level for fitness, family with kids bigger than 12 years.
3. Moderate to Strenous (4 Points) - suitable for those physically fit and have experiences of high altitude trekking.
4. Strenuous (5 Points) - suitable for adventures and individual with physically fit and healthy.
Season:
SpringSummerAutumn
Highlights:
Fully explore the sunlight city Lhasa with its well-known palace of Potala and holy monasteries of Jokhang and Sera.
Follow monks, mendicants and fellow pilgrims around the Barkhor, Lhasa’s fascinating medieval pilgrim circuit.
Marvel at the turquoise waters of Yamdrok-tso, one of Tibet’s most sacred lakes.
Sleep in nomad tents and gaze upon the north face of Mt. Everest.
Have a deep discovery of the two important cities of Tsang, Gyantse and Shigatse, climb the dazzling Gyantse Kumbum, and worship before a 26m gold Buddha at Tashilhunpo Monastery.
Join the pilgrims looking to erase the sins of a lifetime on the three-day trek around holy Mt. Kailash.
Hike the sandy shores of scared Lake Manasarovar, or just marvel at the turquoise waters and snow-capped mountain backdrop.
Photos & Videos
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa, get the first impression of Tibet
Welcome to Tibet! Upon arrival, be greeted by our local guide at airport or train station and be presented with traditional Tibetan White Scarf to wish you good luck!
After group photo at airport, you will board on the coach and transfer to your 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 2: Lhasa Day Highlights - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & 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 Barkhorarea 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.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 3: Lhasa Day Tour - Dadong Village and Sera Monastery
Today, we firstly go to Dadong Village, which is known as the most beautiful village in Lhasa. It is only around 25 kilometers away from Lhasa city center. Here we will first visit the Nyimatang Monastery. Then go for a leisure trek to visit the local Tibetan family. You can experience the country life of local Tibetans, and enjoy authentic Tibetan food here at lunch.
The afternoon is spent touring Sera Monastery, have a little hike for the beautiful valley scenery nearby and picnic there, in the afternoon, visit Sera monastery, which 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 debate session of the monks before returning back to Lhasa.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 4: Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse
After fully explore Lhasa, you’ll have a chance to get lost in the endless Tibetan landscape while you take a short hike along the turquoise waters of Lake Yamdrok, one of the four holy lakes in Tibet. This dazzling lake is normally first seen from the summit of the Kamba-la (4700m). The lake lays several hundred metres below the road, and it is shaped like a coiling scorpion. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangstsang (7191m). Afterwards pass by the 5,010 m high Karo-la and the Simi La forward to Gyantse (3,950m).
Visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse.
In the afternoon drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3,880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang.
Stay overnight in Shigatse.
Day 5: Shigatse to Rongbuk Monastery
Today we have an early start to drive westwards the Friendship way to Rongbuk. On the road, the drive is full of magnificent scenery and crosses some extremely high passes including Gyatsola (5248m). The road to Everest diverts off the newly paved Friendship highway near the town of Shegar and turns into bumpy gravel trail, which is still 90km to get to Rongbuk.
If it is in clear weather, you can have a glimpse of 4 mountains which is 8000m high or more, such as: Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Everest (8848m), Mt. Qowowuyag (8201m), Mt Mayalu (8463m).
Stay Overnight in Rongbuk guest house.
Day 6: Rongbuk Monastery to Saga
Get up early for sunrise. The morning is frigid and as the wind howl your fingers must be frozen trying to take pictures of the iconic Mt. Everest but it is worth the pain to view such an amazing site. Then we will drive to Saga.
Stay overnight in Saga.
Day 7: Saga to Darchen
In the morning, we will first driving about 167 km from Saga town to Drongpa County, which is at the sources of Brahmaputra River.
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 twon.
Day 8: 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 9: Trek Day Two - Drirapuk to Zutulpuk
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 10: 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 Darchen.
Day 11: Drive Back to Saga
Today, we will drive back to Saga.
Stay overnight in Saga.
Day 12: Saga to Gyirong
Today we will drive Gyirong from Saga. Today's driving is amazing with excellent views of Himalaya Mountains, a lot of wildlife including wild horses, wolves, foxes, deer, gazelle, black-necked cranes as well as yaks and sheep.
Stay overnight in Gyirong.
Day 13: See you off at Nepalese Border
Our Guide will drop you off in the morning at the border bridge, You are kindly required to hike on your own to cross the border bridge which is 50m long, then check in Nepal side, you can get the Nepal visa upon arrival with US$ 30, please prepare one photo at passport size to get Nepal Visa. Next step, you need to find a car or bus towards Kathmandu, 50m ahead from border bridge, dozens of car or bus are parking here to pick up travelers; 3,000 Nepali Rupee for a taxi rental to Kathmandu (around US$ 50) , 50 Nepali Rupee(around US$ 1) for a bus seat. Tour ends at the border in Tibet side.
Optional Service: Our company provide Kodari (Nepal border) to Kathmandu private transfer service at 150USD/car, if you need, please ask it from your travel adviser.
1. Free shuttle between airport/train station and Lhasa City (3 times a day)
2. Excellent local Tibetan English-speaking tour guide
3. AC tourist vehicle all through the trip in Tibet
4. All permits application service, and delivery the permit to your hotel in China before getting into Tibet
5. Drinking water provided daily
6. Welcome dinner at local Tibetan restaurant
7. Admission fee of all tourist attractions listed in Itinerary, including Potala Palace ticket booking service
8. Tibet tourist map & eco-friendly drinking bottle
9. Special dedicated authentic local custom experience: visit local teahouse, stone caving market, Tibetan farmer’ mill, etc
10. Charge of handing all services in your tour, government tax
11. Hotels in Shigatse, Sakya and Darchen
12. Unique lodging arrangement: local farmers Everest Base Camp Guest House & pilgram’s tent house at Kailash
14. Kora Trek Around Mt. Kailash
What’s excluded?
1. International flight to and out of China
2. Domestic flight / train to and out of Lhasa (If you need ticket booking service, please leave your requirements in the Online Inquiry form.)
3. Meals (Tour guide will organize the dinning for you but please pay on site for around 3-5 USD per meal.)
4. Accommodation in Lhasa (You are high recommended to book your favorite hotel in Lhasa online, or choose our hotel package from only 8 USD a night)
5. Tips and gratitude to the guide and driver. If you are satisfied with their service, you may consider tipping them at an amount you find it suitable
Trip Notes:
1. Tibet Travel Permit
Tibet Travel Permit is a must for Tibet tour. Its cost is included in the tour quotation. Send your passport and China visa copies to us 20 days in advance, and we will apply for the permit after you book a Tibetan tour with us. Shortly after we get your permit from Tibet Tourism Bureau, we will inform you and mail it to your hotel in China via express.
In some extreme cases, our staff will hand it over to you at the airport or railway station. In our experience, we can virtually guarantee to get your permit during times when Tibet is open to foreign travelers.
2. Accommodation
Tibet is never known for its 5-star luxury resorts, though you can find some like Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise, St.Regis Lhasa Resort, Sheraton hotel, etc in Lhasa. Overall, the accommodation facilities and services are not as good as those in coastal and central parts of China. However, from cheap and clean youth hotel, to distinct Tibetan style 3-star and international 5-star luxury hotel, you will find one that suits your interest and pocket in Lhasa.
We’ve handpicked cozy and safe hotels in the central area of Lhasa, where you will find Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street are just steps away from you. You can easily experience more of the local life and culture. Normally, as you travel to remote areas in some parts of Shigatse like Tingri, or EBC, Ngari, Nagqu, etc. the accommodation would be much poorer. Some may have air-conditioning in the hotel;others may only have electric blanket in the guesthouses. And the food is also very basic.
3.Guiding and Tipping
Our English-speaking guides are natives of Tibet with good knowledge of Tibetan culture, history, and Buddhism. Most are trained to offer Western-standard service. Throughout your stay in Tibet, we will minor your health and provide prompt help to you. If you run into any trouble, please do not hesitate to reach them or our customer service manager.
Travelers’s tipping to Tibetan guide and driver is taken as an extra gratitude to their good service, just like what you do in the west. Normally, a tipping of 7 USD/day is acceptable. The basic rule is good service for good pay.
4.Shuttle Bus Service between Your Hotel and Airport/Train Station
The distance between Lhasa Gonggar airport and downtown Lhasa is 70km.
We can only offer free shuttle service to pick up/drop off tourists between hotels and Gongga airport twice a day at a designated time.
Some of the tourists may have to wait for others for a longtime beyond our designated time, and we advise our clients could book the flights to match our shuttle service time.
The free airport pick-up time is as follows on the day the itinerary begins (From airport to hotel, Fixed departure):
Pick up tourists at 09:30 am; 13:30 pm; 16:30 pm
The free airport drop time is as follows on the day the itinerary closes (From hotel to airport, Fixed departure):
Pick up tourists at 06:30 am; 08:30 am; 12:30 pm
All the shuttle service from/to the train station on the date of tourists' arrival and departure would be free.
Exception:
If tourists' picking-up/dropping-off time is beyond our fixed schedule, they are required to pay private transfer from 60USD/car.
If passengers are less than 3 per transfer, we may use publish transportation like public airport bus or Taxi instead of using our shuttle service.
5. Toilet
Admittedly, to many western tourists, using toilets in Tibet is the most dreadful experience. So, please down play your expectation. If you take Tibet train to Lhasa, both western toilet and squat toilet are available in the train. If you stay in hotel above 3-star hotels in Lhasa, Shigatse, etc. you will have no complaining using standard western flash toilet.
However, if you visit some of the attractions like Yamdrok or Namtso, EBC outdoor, mostly you will see the smelly and filthy pit toilet.It's better to carry enough toilet paper.
6. Tibet Weather
One of the biggest features of weather on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the dramatic temperature change between day and night. The annual temperature in Lhasa is -2℃-- 12℃(spring), 9℃-- 22℃(summer), 7℃-- 19℃(fall), -7℃-- 9℃(winter). Do wear clothes properly such as thermal tops, fleece jacket, breathable underwear, down jacket, jeans, beanie, etc.
Of course, sun screen, lip balm, sun glasses are essential to shield you from powerful blinding sunlight on the plateau. Do drink more water and eat more vegetable as you travel in Tibet. It can prevent you from dehydration.
7. Acclimatization to the High Altitude
For the first timer to Tibet, either by flight or train, a good rest is a must for quick acclimation to the high altitude in Lhasa. Never rush to tour the street or attractions on your own. Walk slower and do not exert yourself like running or jumping. Spending at least two days in Lhasa is a good way to get acclimatized before heading to Shigatse or Namtso. If you have any discomfort, do tell it to your guide,and he will help you out.
8. Other Dos and Don'ts
Normally, taking photos is forbidden in the monastery. If you want to take photos of Tibetan pilgrims, a gentle ask of permission would be appreciated or you can do it from a long distance. Swimming and fishing are not allowed in holy lakes in Tibet; Do not talk about sensitive topics like politics; International tourists are not allowed to travel alone in Tibet according to the policy; Walk clockwise around Barkhor Street; Never venture into the unknown trails; do as much as you can to protect the fragile eco-system in Tibet, etc.
As Tibetan Buddhism is deeply-rooted in every facet of Tibetans' life, always follow and respect the unique customs in Tibet. If you are uncertain about something, it’s advisable to ask your guide before you do it at will.
If you couldn't find a suitable tour deparing on your preferred date, you can send us an inquiry and tell us your travel plan. We can add your travel plan to the calendar so that other like-minded travelers can join in your group.
Spring
Summer
Autumn
