SAGA DAWA PILGRIMAGE KORA TOUR -(25LKK)

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa [3650m] 
Arrive in Lhasa by flight or by train. Upon arrival, you will be greet by local Tibetan tour guide and driven to Lhasa old town. it takes around 1hrs from airport to Lhasa for 60Km and around 20-30minute from Train station to old town for 15km, rest in Lhasa to acclimatize the elevation. The guide will introduce the do and don’t to avoid being suffer from altitude sickness.

Overnight at kyichu or Similar, which is a Tibetan style hotel located in Lhasa city center 

Day 2: Lhasa guided tour
City sightseeing schedules are coordinated based on the timing of pre-booked tickets for the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. As a result, the itinerary may be adjusted to ensure that visitors are able to enter these attractions at the designated times. However, the travel company assures that all four sightseeing attractions listed in the itinerary will still be visited, even if the order of the visits is adjusted. So, even if there are changes to the schedule, travelers can still expect to see all of the sights that were originally included in the itinerary.

We can start with visit to Summer palace, Norbu lingka is developed as the summer palace of the Dalai Lama from the mid-18th century, it is divided into three areas:palace, the government buildings and the opera grounds, its comprises of hundreds  of  different species of trees and flowers and few amazing Tibetan architecture palaces with amazing murals and small beautiful lakes park. In after lunch  we can visit Sera monastery which is one of six biggest monastery of Gelug sect, its was found during the beginning of the 15th centuries, you can sit somewhere in debating courtyard with your tour guide and experience the buddhist philosophy debate and take the photo of monks debate.

Overnight at kyichu or Similar, which is a Tibetan style hotel located in Lhasa city center

Day 3: Lhasa guided tour
In the morning we can visit  Potala palace which is winter resident of the Dalai lama which is build in 7th century and rebuild to present size during the 5th Dalai lama in 17th century, it is most majestic building all over Tibetan plateau with several thousand of statues and different funeral tombs of Dalai lama and different chapels. In the afternoon we can visit Jokhang temple which is founded same time as potala palace by king Songtsen Gampo during 7th century and thousand of local pilgrims visit monastery every day, after visiting temple you can have free time to go around monastery or spend time to famous local tea house.

Overnight at kyichu or Similar, which is a Tibetan style hotel located in Lhasa city center

Day 4: Lhasa –Gyangtse [280Km, 3940m]
You can start tour earlier than usual because  route from Lhasa to shigatse is one of most beautiful in world which is mentioned in lonely planet it take 10-12 hrs to reached shigatse , First we can see Brahmaputra River along with way to Yamdrok lake, When we reach Gampa-la Pass [4797m]we can see the Yamdrok lake  and then Karo-la Pass (5050m) where Mt. Neychen Kangsang [7206m] An enormous glacier rises nearly straight up from the road as the trip passes Karo La pass. Then drive continue to Gyantse town along with valleys and alpine yak pasture along the way. We will reach Gyantse by late afternoon, rest at hotel.

Overnight at Yeti Hotel or similar

Day 5: Gyantse – Shigatse [120Km, 3840m] 

In the morning  we can visit the Palchoe Monastery within compound there is certain different monastery of different sect and Kumbum stupa, which is famous for its ancient painting and statues and great view Dzong (fortress) from monastery, then drive to shigatse, on way we can visit Shalu monastery.After some rest at hotel we can visit Tashi Lhunpo- The prime seat of successive  Panchen Lama, build in 1447 by the 1st Dalai lama Gedhun Drup, it was one of six biggest monastery with many chapels contains funeral stupa  of 4th-10th Panchen Lama and world biggest statue of future Buddha Matriya.

Overnight at Gesar Hotel

Day 6: Shigatse – New Tingri [250Km, 4300m]

After breakfast at hotel we can drive along the wonderful Friendship Highway enjoying the spectacular views of this desert plateau then detour visit to ancient city of Sakya, Sakya monasteries unique medieval Mongolian architecture and tricolour wall makes spectacular view of town. It was founded in 1073 and became a one of major sect in Tibetan Buddhism then drive continue to friendship highway after passing through the small town of Lhatse the journey crosses Gyatso La pass (5248m )which is the highest pass on our trip. The land quickly descends to plains after Gyatso La pass. While driving through the plains we will observe many nomadic herders, beautiful countryside, and secluded monasteries.

Overnight at Roof of the World Grand Hotel

Day 7: New Tingri-Everest Base Camp [120Km, 5000m]

We will drive only a short while before turning off the wonderful the entrance of Himalayan Nature Reserve. There is only 3-4hours driving he drive will take us south towards the main Himalayan range through 90km to winding road in the mountains while passing over Gyawu la Pass. If it is in clear weather, The view from the top of the pass is just marvelous, you can see the panorama view of Himalaya ranges among them  4 mountains are more than above 8000m  including Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Everest (8848m), Mt. Cho Oyu(8201m) and Mt Makalu (8463m), after then we descend into Tashi zom to take Eco-Bus to the Rongbuk valley and visit Rongphu monastery which is called world highest monastery which belongs to the Nyingma Sect,.

Overnight at Guesthouse/tent (dorm bed without bathroom). Sleeping bag is recommended

Day 8: Rongbuk – Saga [300Km, 4490m]

Drive through old Tingri nomadic grasslands toward the far west of Tibet, on the way we can enjoy picturesque view of Mount Shishapangma and other peaks of the mighty Himalayas. Mount Shishapangma is the only Peak above 8000m that is fully located in Tibet. We will also pass by Peikutso Lake, it is the largest lake in Shigatse area with more than 300 square kilometers surface area. This clear, sapphire blue lake is a heaven for the wild animals on the plateau. Then continue to Saga, if we are lucky enough, you are very likely to see wild animals like the ‘Kyang’ a wild donkey, wild antelope, etc.

Overnight at Yarlung Tsangpo grand hotel or similar

Day 9: Saga -Darchen via Lake Manasarovar [465km,4556m]

After breakfast we drive to the Darchen, a small town at foothills of Mt Kailash, which is Base camp for Mt Kailash kora trek, though it’s long drive today You’ll have stunning landscape views of the great Himalayans to the south and Trans-Himalayan to the north as we drive across the nomadic vast plains and its sand dunes. At about 50km from today’s destination Darchen, we will make a small detour to Lake Manasarovar The holy lake for Hinduism. We can visit Chiu monastery and relax around the lake shore and experience the natural beauty of the lake. In late afternoon, we will reach out destination Darchen, our guide will help to arrange yaks and potter for Kailash trek if there is need.

Overnight at Local hotel (Facilities in this area is not good as Lhasa and shigatse)

Days 10: Mt. Kailash Kora [52Km (whole kora), max. altitude 5630m]
We begin the Pilgrimage Kora of Mount Kailash, most sacred mountain in Asia. Tibetans and Hindu people from all over the World come here for religious reasons.

Trek to Dira-Puk Monastery [20Km, 5-6h, 5050m]. First day of the trek from Darchen to Dira puk monastery. It takes 6 hours walk. Further ahead, verdant meadows and picturesque streams lie enroute to Lha Chu Valley. The trail overlooks turquoise river cascading over a narrow canyon with high steep cliffs. En route, north face of Kailash comes into vision. The trail will approach 13th century monastery of Dira-Puk. We recommended you visit the Dira-Puk monastery and from there you can have nice view of Mt Kailash. Eventually, you will conclude the trek of the day at Dira-Puk after memorable Mount Kailash tour and trek.

Overnight at Guesthouse dorm bed without bathroom during trekking, sleeping bag recommended. 

Days 11: Trek to Zutul Puk Monastery, [18Km, 6-8h, 4820m]
Today is the most challenging day of the trekking, we will cross highest Dolma la pass (5630 M) and Gauri Kund Lake (5608 m). From the top of the Dolma la pass you can have view of Thukpe Dzingbu Lake, known as the Lake of Compassion, at the summit, you realize that this tough and challenging ascent has indeed been very worthwhile and fruitful. Further on, the trail descends to the flat fields of Zutul-Puk monastery, several fascinating caves. The caves at this locale are most popular for meditation; Milarepa’s cave being one of them with Milarepa’s footprints and elbow prints believed to be imprinted all over this cave of mani stones. 

Overnight at Guesthouse dorm bed without bathroom during trekking. Sleeping bag recommended

Day 12:Trek to Darchen [14Km, 3-4h, 4670m]
The third and final trek of Mt Kailash it is an easy 2-3hrs walk down you follow the trail through Bharkha plain leading to Darchen crossing several streams along the picturesque gorge. Enchanting view of Mount Kailash accompanies through this Mount Kailash tour and trek and finely reach to Darchen. After the Circumambulating of Kailash Kora’ its s good time to take good shower and relax

Overnight at Local hotel. (Facilities in this area is not good as Lhasa and shigatse)

Days 13: Darchen – Saga [495Km, 4490m]

We will take long driving road back as rest time after 3 days of the incredible trek. We will make some stops along the way to take photos of the natural scenery, rural cattle and sheep, wild animals, and unknown flowers all over the mountains all the way.

Overnight at Yarlung Tsangpo grand hotel or similar 

Day 14: Saga -Kyirong [135km, 3840m]

Embark on a day of exploration as we journey from Saga to Kyirong. Our first stop in Gyirong town will be the historic Phagba Lhakhang temple, offering insight into Tibetan culture and spirituality. Afterward, we’ll continue to the charming Kepu village, where we’ll engage with locals, learn about their traditions, and admire the unique architecture. Explore the village’s narrow streets lined with colorful prayer flags, surrounded by majestic mountains and lush greenery. Whether you’re capturing scenic photographs or simply soaking in the tranquil atmosphere, Kepu promises a memorable experience. 

Overnight at Phuntsok Rabsel hotel or similar  

Day 15: Depart Tibet

Your tour guide will accompany you to exit China and bid farewell at the Gyirong border. We can arrange a jeep for your transfer from Gyirong to Kathmandu, but please note that this service is not included in the package. Alternatively, you have the option to take a bus to Kathmandu, which typically costs around 40 US$ depending on your negotiation with the driver. However, it’s important to consider that the road conditions are subpar, and the journey from the border to Kathmandu city takes approximately 10 hours. Therefore, taking a bus may not be the most recommended option.