+977-9741470101
info@nepalchallenge.com
Overview Embarking on a 15-days Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar is a remarkable pilgrimage that offers a profound spiritual and natural experience. Nestled in the majestic Himalayas, Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar also hold deep religious significance for various cultures, attracting devotees and adventurers alike. The trip begins with a sense of anticipation as travelers venture into the breathtaking landscapes of the region. As the journey progresses, participants also immersed themselves in the rich tapestry of Tibetan culture, encountering friendly locals and witnessing age-old traditions. The pristine beauty of the surrounding mountains, vast valleys, and crystal-clear rivers provides a serene…
Embarking on a 15-days Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar is a remarkable pilgrimage that offers a profound spiritual and natural experience. Nestled in the majestic Himalayas, Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar also hold deep religious significance for various cultures, attracting devotees and adventurers alike.
The trip begins with a sense of anticipation as travelers venture into the breathtaking landscapes of the region. As the journey progresses, participants also immersed themselves in the rich tapestry of Tibetan culture, encountering friendly locals and witnessing age-old traditions. The pristine beauty of the surrounding mountains, vast valleys, and crystal-clear rivers provides a serene backdrop throughout the expedition.
Mount Kailash, revered as a sacred peak by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon practitioners, stands tall with its snow-capped summit, exuding an aura of divine energy. Pilgrims also undertake the arduous yet fulfilling Kailash Parikrama, a circumambulation around the mountain that symbolizes spiritual enlightenment and liberation. The demanding trek also challenges both physical endurance and inner strength, fostering a sense of introspection and self-discovery.
Lake Manasarovar, located at the base of Mount Kailash, captivates with its tranquil beauty and mythological significance. Pilgrims partake in spiritual rituals, cleansing their souls and seeking blessings from the holy waters. The lake’s serene ambiance also inspires deep contemplation and introspection, offering a respite from the bustling world.
Throughout the journey, travelers are also treated to the warm hospitality of local communities and are exposed to their unique way of life. Traditional Tibetan cuisine also tantalizes taste buds, and engaging conversations shed light on the region’s cultural heritage and spiritual practices.
As the trip draws to a close, participants carry with them a sense of fulfillment and transformation. The sacred Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar have left an indelible mark on their hearts and minds, deepening their understanding of spirituality and leaving them with cherished memories.
The 15-days Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar is an extraordinary odyssey that combines physical challenges with spiritual exploration. It is a transformative journey that connects individuals with the magnificence of nature, the power of faith, and the richness of human connection.
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.
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 area 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.
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.
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 (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang.
Today, you will visit the famous Tashi Lhunpo monastery, the seat of Tibet’s second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama. In this monastery, you can see the well preserved largest statue of Jampa (future god) in the world.
After visiting Tashilhunpo Monastery, you’ll drive to the Sakya County where you can visit the famous Sakya monastery. The Sakya sect is quite different from other sects in Tibet. The sect in Sakya does not believe in reincarnation and the head of Sakya sect will wear white cassock and also marry and have children.
Then continue the journey to Tingri, the entrance of Himalayan Nature Reserve via the world highest pass Gyatso-la pass with 5200 m above sea level.
Stay Overnight in Tingri.
After breakfast, taking a 2-3 hours driving from Tingri to Rongpuk through 90 km new winding road in the mountains. While passing through the torrent and soaring mountains and the wild grassland, you can enjoy the stunning mountain scenery.
If weather permits, you can have a panorama view of Himalaya range with the top 4 highest mountains that are over 8,000m, including Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Everest (8848m), Mt. Qowowuyag (8201m) and Mt Mayalu (8463m). And you may even see the majestic golden summit of Mount Everest at sunset.
Stay overnight in Ronguk Guest House or local Tibetan Tent
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.
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 Manasarova 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 twon
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.
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.
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.
Drive back to Saga along the incoming road.
Drive back to Lhasa along the incoming road.
Our guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board.
From Lhasa, you will head to Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s most stunning natural wonders, before continuing to Gyantse and Shigatse to explore the region’s rich history and culture. You will then make your way to the remote and breathtakingly beautiful region of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, which is considered one of the most sacred places in Asia.
During the tour, you will have the opportunity to trek around the holy Mount Kailash, which is believed to be the center of the universe by several religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. You will also visit Lake Manasarovar, which is said to be the source of four major rivers in Asia.
Throughout the tour, you will learn about the unique culture and traditions of Tibet and have the chance to interact with local people. You will also have the opportunity to participate in spiritual activities such as prayer and meditation, and enjoy the stunning natural landscapes of the region.
Overall, the Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar Small Group Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime journey that offers a unique opportunity to explore the spiritual and natural wonders of Tibet in a group setting.
Trip Notes:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
