Trip Destination: Lhasa and Mt. Kailash (Tibet)
Entry & Exit Point: Lhasa
Max Elevation: 5,600m, Dolma La Pass
Trip Duration: 14 Days
Group Size: Minimum 16
Trekking Mode: Tea House/Lodge
Trip Activities: Pilgrimage & Adventure tour
Best Season: April – October
Ali Kunsha Airport, also Known as Ngari Gunsa Airport, lies at an elevation of more than 4,200m and is one of highest elevated airports in the world. Ali Kunsha airport is operated for dual-use military and civil airport and due to its unique geographic location, there is only one operating flight Lhasa to Kunsha. Mount Kailash is only 200km from Ngari Gunsa Airport, Lhasa Ali Kailash Tour is one of accessible and convenient option for the travelers.
Hindu devotees defines Mount Kailash (6,714m) as the holy adobe of supreme lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. They believe that Mt. Kailash Prikrama (circuit) is an ultimate way to attain spiritual pursuit. Different religious belief defines it in different way. Buddhist calls it as the home of Lord Shakyamuni, Jains worship as the place where great guru attained Liberation and Bon believes it as the Jewel of Snow. Kailash parikrama distance is about 54 km which is challenging and sometimes technical.
Kailash Mansarovar Tour via Lhasa Ali is a life-changing experience which thousands of pilgrims undertakes every year to attain their spiritual pursuits. For devotees to this secluded, timeless, breathtaking and spiritual site is the journey of life-time.
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu International Airport and transfer to your hotel
Day 02: Kathmandu: Exploration of historic sites and trip preparation day
Day 03: Flight: Kathmandu – Lhasa by CA407 Airline and rest for acclimatization. Overnight in 3 star hotel
Day 04: Sightseeing of cultural, historic and religious site at Lhasa. Rest overnight in Lhasa for acclimatization. Overnight in 3 star hotel
Day 05: Sightseeing of cultural, historic and religious site at Lhasa. Rest overnight in Lhasa for acclimatization. Overnight in 3 star hotel
Day 06: Flight: Lhasa airport to Kunshal Airport Ngari (Ali) (4,400m) and drive to capital Ngari-Shichen-he (Ger). Overnight in 3 star hotel.
Day 07: Drive from Shiche-he (4,300m) to Darchen (250km). Overnight in hotel Kailash
Day 08: Exploration of Mansarovar and Puja (holy performance)/holy bath followed by Kora around the lake in Bus. If time permits, you will visit Chiu Gompa. In the evening, drive back to Darchen (4,600m). Overnight in hotel Kailash.
Day 09: Today, we start Mt. Kailash Kora from Darchen Pass, the first prostration point, Tarboch Flag Pole to Drira-Puk (4,765m). Overnight in Guesthouse or in tented camp.
Day 10: Continue circumambulate (Kora) from Drira-Puk to Zuthul-Puk (4,700m) via Drolma-la Pass. You can enjoy the view of stunning Gauri Kund just beneath the Drolma-la Pass. Overnight in guesthouse or in tented camp.
Day 11: Walk across the third and last prostration point, Zutul-Puk monastery and trek back to near Darchen. Drive back to the hotel and stay overnight.
Day 12: Drive from Darchen to Kunshal Airport and fly back to Lhasa. Overnight in 3 star hotel.
Day 13: Flight: Lhasa Airport – Kathmandu by CA408 airlines
Day 14: Drive to Tribhuvan International Airport for final departure
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m/4,428ft)
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), you will be received by our airport representative and transferred to the hotel. In the evening, you will join welcome dinner organized by Alpine Kailash.
Overnight in Kathmandu
Meals: Dinner
Day 02: Kathmandu: Exploration and preparation for the trek
After breakfast, we set for guided city sightseeing tour. We explore the cultural, historical and spiritual landmarks of Kathmandu. We visit the ancient Durbar Square, Pashupatinath (revered Hindu sites), Swyambhunath (famous 2,000 years old monkey temple) and Boudhanath (largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal). Interestingly, these all sites are protected under UNESCO heritage sites.
After the tour, we get our gears checked by our Kailash tour experts and make necessary preparation for next day trip.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight in Kathmandu
Day 03: Flight: Kathmandu – Lhasa by CA407 Airline and rest for acclimatization. Overnight in 3 star hotel
Today, we fly from an hour long trans-Himalayan flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa that fly over Everest (8,848m), Kanchenjunga (8,536m) and other soaring Peaks and glaciers. Upon arrival in Lhasa, we meet our rest of staffs and make an hour long drive to our designated hotel in Lhasa. We are suggested to make sufficient rest for proper acclimatization and minimize the altitude risk.
Overnight in Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 04: Sightseeing of cultural, historic and religious site at Lhasa. Rest overnight in Lhasa for acclimatization. Overnight in 3 star hotel
Today is the first scheduled acclimatization and sightseeing day at Lhasa. We hike around to visit the stunning Potala and Norbulingka Palaces. Built in 17th century, it portrays the ancient architecture and amazing views of entire city. It was the winter residence of Dalai Lama. Like, we explore Norbulingka which was summer palace of Dalai Lama. The palace comprises the largest man-made garden in Tibet.
Further, we make visit of traditional hospital which is the re-known for treatment, training, research and production of Tibetan medicine.
Overnight in Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 05: Sightseeing of cultural, historic and religious site at Lhasa. Rest overnight in Lhasa for acclimatization. Overnight in 3 star hotel
Today is second scheduled acclimatization day at Lhasa. We stay active throughout the day. After breakfast, we visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street. Built in 14th century, Drepung Monastery used to be the common home for 10,000 monks but the number has decreased to only few hundreds. The culture, tradition and belief of local Tibetan is closely associated with this marvelous monastery.
Likewise, Sera Monastery is fascinating monastery with white-washed and golden roofs. Jhokhang temple holds great cultural and religious importance for Tibetan. Strolling around quaint Barkhor streets allows you to encounter some local Tibetan and witness there way of living.
Overnight in Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 06: Flight: Lhasa airport to Kunshal Airport Ngari (Ali) (4,400m) and drive to capital Ngari-Shichen-he (Ger). Overnight in 3 star hotel.
After breakfast, we drive to Lhasa airport to make a trans-Himalayan flight to Kunsal Airport (Ali) (4,400m). We fly over “top of the world” enjoying the panorama of mighty peaks and arid landscapes. Upon arrival at Kunshal Airport located nearby the China-India border, we drive to capital Ngari-Shichen-he (ger). We explore the pristine nature and majestic surroundings in the capital.
Overnight in Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 07: Drive from Shiche-he (4,300m) to Darchen (250km). Overnight in hotel Kailash
After breakfast, we drive from Shiche-Pe to Darchen with frequent switchback. Driving in arid land of Tibet is always an incredible experience. Upon arrival at Darchen, we drive to hotel Kailash where we rest overnight.
Overnight in Darchen
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 08: Exploration of Mansarovar and Puja (holy performance)/holy bath followed by Kora around the lake in Bus. If time permits, you will visit Chiu Gompa. In the evening, drive back to Darchen (4,600m). Overnight in hotel Kailash.
Lake Mansarovar is the one of the highest elevated freshwater lake in Tibet fed by the gigantic glaciers of Mt. Kailash. It is revered site for Hindu, Buddhist, Bon and Jain followers.
Today, we drink the holy water of Lake and take a dip inside the lake to perform the religious ceremony. It is believed that bathing in this holy lake cleanses all the sins of lifetime. Next, we make a Kora (Circle) of the Lake which is also the part of religious act. The Kora also allows us to savor the beauty of the lake and surrounding area from different angles. If we have more time, we make a visit to Chiu Gompa which is built on a cliff of hill next to Mansarovar shore. The ancient cave in Chiu Gompa was built in 8th century and it houses many ancient shrines and monasteries.
After exploration, we drive back to hotel Kailash located in Darchen.
Overnight in Darchen
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 09: Today, we start Mt. Kailash Kora from Darchen Pass, the first prostration point, Tarboch Flag Pole to Drira-Puk (4,765m). Overnight in Guesthouse or in tented camp.
Most of Tibet completes the Mt. Kailash Kora in single day but foreigner usually takes three days. The Kora trek starts from the charm-free village of Darchen, pass mani wallsand skirting the foot of the Mt. Kailash. To the left of Kora trail is massif treeless Barkha Plain which is dotted with white nomadic tents and herds of sheep and goat.
As we walk beyond the first prostration point, we get the glimpse of tantalizing south face of Mt. Kailash. We walk across the famous Tarboche Flagpole and reach the magical Lha Chu valley. It is flat glacial valley receding between the vast, sculpted red towers and huge scree slopes.
We reach our overnight destination (Dira-Puk) by the mid-afternoon. Above it is famous north face of mountain some 1,700 m of rock, ice and snow.
Overnight in tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Continue circumambulate (Kora) from Drira-Puk to Zuthul-Puk (4,700m) via Drolma-la Pass. You can enjoy the view of stunning Gauri Kund just beneath the Dromla-la Pass. Overnight in guesthouse or in tented camp.
The second of Mt. Kailash is quite strenuous through high valleys, Shiwa-Tsal charnel ground where pilgrim leaves a part of clothing or offer (part of hair, teeth or blood) to represent their past life to Dromla-la pass (5,630m) dotted with prayer flags all over.
Day 11: Walk across the third and last prostration point, Zutul-Puk monastery and trek back to near Darchen. Drive back to the hotel and stay overnight.
Today, we climb down steeply; walk along the turquoise revered lake to reach the beautiful and valley of Zutul Puk. Further, walking through leveled and plain route, we trek back to Darchen.
Overnight in Darchen
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Drive from Darchen to Kunshal Airport and fly back to Lhasa. Overnight in 3 star hotel.
Today, we drive back to Kunshal Airport to catch a flight to Lhasa. Today is the last day in Tibet so we enjoy visiting un-explored landmarks of Lhasa.
Overnight in Lhasa
Day 13: Flight: Lhasa Airport – Kathmandu by CA408 airlines
Today, we fly back to Kathmandu via CA408 airlines. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, we drive back to hotel, we take a rest day off. After refreshment, we stroll around the bustling city, Thamel and probably catch last minute shopping.
We attend farewell dinner organized by Alpine Kailash to enjoy the successful completion of our trip.
Overnight in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 14: Drive to Tribhuvan International Airport for final departure
Your journey in Tibet and Nepal ends today. Our airport representative will escort you to the Tribhuvan International Airport for your final departure.
.jpg "Visa Card")
