14-Day Tibet and Kailash Trek with Everest Base Camp from Lhasa

• Welcome to Tibet - the roof of the world.
• Today, arrive in Lhasa (3,650 m), the capital of Tibet, and transfer to your hotel. Stay at the hotel to adapt to the high altitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days and try to drink plenty of water.

Overnight at 3* Yak Hotel

• Potala Palace - a landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang, and Barkhor Street.
• In the morning, visit Potala Palace, originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of united Tibet. It was later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures, and rare treasures create a dense religious and artistic atmosphere that impresses every visitor.
• In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Monastery, the center of Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers. Thousands of pilgrims come to worship there every day. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure in Tibet.
• Walk along Barkhor Street surrounding Jokhang, a large free market with prolific stalls selling local specialities.

Overnight at 3* Yak Hotel

Breakfast

• Panoramic view over Potala, Norbulingka, and debate in Sera.
• In the morning, visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain. Built in the 7th century, it is 22 m high, and from here, you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over Potala Palace.
• Afterwards, visit Norbulingka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas.
• In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery, founded in 1419, which has always been an important Buddhist seminary. It is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelugpa. As roses are planted throughout the monastery, it is also called "the Court of Wild Roses." Today, 200 lamas live there. You can experience the famous monks' Buddhism scriptures debate. Public religious debates are part of the education of monks.

Overnight at 3* Yak Hotel

Breakfast

• Karo La Pass and Glacier, holy Yamdrok Lake, Pelkor, and Pagoda Kumbum.
• Drive to Gyantse. At Kamba La (4,796 m), enjoy a fantastic view of the holy Yamdrok Lake (4,441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowl in south Tibet.
• On arrival, visit Pelkor Monastery and the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both built in the 15th century and situated on the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only large building complex in Tibet in which old monasteries and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as monuments. It is recorded that 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high seated statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42 m high and 62 m in diameter and contains 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars worldwide.
• Afterwards, drive about 90 kilometres to Shigatse (3,880 m), the second-largest city in Tibet with 40,000 inhabitants and the traditional capital of Tsang.

356 km, 6 hours 41 minutes
Overnight at 4* Mulunlazong Hotel

Breakfast

• Tashilhunpo Monastery, Rongbuk Monastery, and sunset on Qomolangma (Everest).
• In the morning, visit Tashilhunpo, the "Mountain of Happiness." Tashilhunpo is also one of the six major temples of the Gelug Sect. Shigatse is the seat of the Panchen Lama. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China.
• Then drive to Shegar, crossing the passes Yalung La (4,520 m) and Gyathso La (5,220 m).
• Continue 90 km in about 2 hours to Rongbuk Monastery (5,154 m) and Everest Base Camp, where you can see the steep north side of Qomolangma.
• On the way to Pang La (5,150 m), the view is magnificent: from left to right are Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Nuptse, and Cho Oyu.
• Rongbuk is the largest monastery in this region, built at the beginning of the 20th century. In good weather, you can also admire the spectacular sunset on Everest (Qomolangma).

334 km, 6 hours 6 minutes
Overnight at simple Rongbuk Guesthouse

Breakfast

• Sunrise over Qomolangma, Rongbuk Monastery, and Paiku Tso Lake.
• Today, you will wake up early to see the unforgettable sunrise over Qomolangma (Everest).
• Then, drive via Paiku Tso Lake and Xixiabangma Mountain to Saga. Paiku-Tso Lake covers an area of 300 square kilometres and is the largest lake in Shigatse. Paiku-Tso, located between three mountains, is rich in fish. Various wild animals live here, such as wild horses, donkeys, yellow ducks, and more.

473 km, 11 hours
Overnight at Brahmaputra Hotel

Breakfast

• Kiangs (wild ass), antelopes, and Manasarovar Lake.
• Continue along the south route and enjoy beautiful views when visibility is clear.
• Along the south route, the Himalayas rise gradually in the north, and the mountains stand side by side. Sometimes, especially on the last stretch of the road, kiangs (wild ass) and antelopes can be seen.
• Drive to Manasarovar Lake.
• Overnight in a simple guesthouse near Chiu Gompa on the north side of Manasarovar Lake (4,588 m).

495 km, 6 hours 53 minutes
Overnight in a simple guesthouse

Breakfast

• Walk and rest by Manasarovar Lake.
• Manasarovar Lake covers 330 square kilometres and is 81.8 meters deep. The lake is nestled between two snow-capped mountain ranges, and the area is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Tibet. For Hindus, Manasarovar is a sacred lake. Therefore, walking around the lake, washing, and purifying themselves with its waters became one of the most important goals of pilgrims. Enjoy a short hike and visit at Manasarovar Lake, with views of the eight monasteries on the shores of northern Kailash and Manasarovar Lake.
• Then continue in about 1 hour to Darchen (4,800 m), the starting point of the Kailash Circumnavigation.

49 km, 42 minutes
Overnight at simple The Faraway Home Hotel

Breakfast

• Start of the 3-day Kailash trekking tour.
• The village of Darchen consists of only a few stone houses about 6 km north of the main road.
• You set off for the 3-day Kailash orbit, accompanied by porters and yaks. For Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bons, the mountain is the holiest point in the world, the cosmic axis of the world, the "navel of the world." Past numerous chorten and mani walls, the path leads into the broad gorge on the mountain's west side. Along with Tibetan and Indian pilgrims, you will pass the famous prayer flagpole, the Buddha's Footprints, and abandoned hermit caves.
• After about 7 hours of walking, you will reach your campsite at 5,100 m altitude on the first day of the tour.

Trekking 22 km
Overnight in a simple guesthouse

Breakfast

• Crossing the 5,600 m high Dolma La.
• The most important part of the circumnavigation around Kailash involves crossing the most sacred spot, the 5,600 m high Dolma La, the highest point of the Parikrama, where there is a holy stone adorned with prayer flags. According to legend, this is the place where the goddess Dolma disappeared.
• Trek down a slightly steep but good path.
• Soon, you will pass Thuji Zimbo Lake, which Hindus call Gauri Kund and consider sacred. The total walking time on the second day is 7 to 8 hours.

Trekking 20 km
Overnight in a simple guesthouse

Breakfast

• Kailash Kora ends.
• The third stage involves passing numerous mani walls with stone tablets back to Darchen, which means the circle of your circumnavigation ends.
• In Darchen, you get into the vehicle, which brings you to Paryang.

Trekking 11 km
259 km, 3 hours 43 minutes

Breakfast

• Return journey.
• Drive via Saga to Lhatse.

531 km, 8 hours 22 minutes
Overnight at the simple Nongmin Hotel

Breakfast

• Return journey.
• Drive via Shigatse back to Lhasa.

420 km, 7 hours 24 minutes
Overnight at the 3* Yak Hotel

Breakfast

• Travel to the next destination.
• Today, transfer to the airport or railway station and leave Tibet.

Breakfast