Day01 Arrive in Lhasa
Today arrive in Lhasa, the Capital of Tibet, transfer to hotel. Stay at the hotel 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. 3N at 3*Thangka Hotel Day02 Lhasa B/L
Full day guided tour in Lhasa. In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties. Day03 Lhasa B/L
In the morning visit Drepung monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect., which was established in 1416 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. 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". Day04 Lhasa – Nam Tso B/L/D
Check out in the morning and leave for Nam Tso lake. Meaning "Heaven Lake" in Tibetan, it is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet and the highest lake in the world with an elevation 4,718 meters above sea level. With a length of 70 kilometers from west to east and a width of 30 kilometers from north to south, it covers an area of 1,920 square kilometers. Nam Tso is acclaimed to be the largest lake in Tibet and the second largest salty lake in China. On arrival, we will visit the Tashi Island and a small nunnery by the lakeshore together with some fresco paitings and carvings on the cliff. Camping tonight Day05 Nam Tso B/L/D
Full day explore along the lake. We will hike from our camp on the Tashi Island to the E and N bank of the lake. Later in the afternoon we will reach a little but lovely hot spring before our arrival to two small Gompas where is the ideal location to get a fantastic view to the mighty mountain rage Nyenchentangla. Finally we retreat back our camp before sunset. Camping Day06 Nam Tso – Baingoin Tso - Serling Tso B/L/D
Leave in the morning for Serling Tso via Baingoin Tso. En route visit Baingoin Tso, which is 4522m above sea level and with extremely beautiful fowls of wild birds hovering above the white and soft salt mire by the lake. Keep driving to Serling Tso (4530), and Camping tonight by the lake Day07 Serling Tso - Kanglung Tso - Nyima B/L/D
We set off in the morning for Nyima, a small town in north Tibet. On the way we can see many rare wildlife. En route make a stopover at Kanglung Tso lake (4500m). Today is a 6-8hrs drive. Stay overnight at a basic guesthouse or camping Day08 Nyima - Dangra Tso B/L/D
Leave in the morning for Dangra Tso. Dangra Tso is 4500m above sea level and the home to many wild animals such as wild donkey, Tibetan antelope, and wild deer etc. The lake is also a divine lake to the local Bonpa believers. We can expect a warm hospitality when engaging with the locals who are in very unique costumes. Camping tonight by Dangra Tso Day09 Dangra Tso – Nyima B/L/D
Rest day in Dangra Tso before transfer back Nyima in the afternoon. We can hike along the lake to produce lots of photographs in the morning if desired. Stay overnight at a basic guesthouse or camping in Nyima
Day10 Nyima - Tong Tso – Gertse B/L/D
Leave in the morning after breakfast. Today we will drive to Gertse, a small town but big enough in the no-man-land of N Tibet. On the way, we will spend some time at DongTso lake a 4500m high blue gem on the plateau. 1N at a basic guesthouse or Camping in Gertse Day11 Gertse – Gerkyi – Shiquanhe B/L/D
Today we expedition continues westwards to Shiquanhe (GAR). It is an ealier drive today in car as tonight perhaps we can take a shower at hotel after days of Camping accommodation! Shiquanhe (GAR) is the capital of Ngari Prefecture in West Tibet a city at the confluence of Indus and Gar. Shiquanhe River the main source of the Indus, originates from the Kailash. It is modern city and center of administration, business and shopping. 1N at a simple Dianxin Hotel Day12 Shiquanhe - Tsada B/L/D
Check out in the morning and leave for Tsada. Northwest from Trithapuri, in the middle of the canyon erosion landscape of the Sutlej River, lies the impressive ruins of Toling and Tsaparang – flourishing centers of the former Kingdom Guge. Tsaparang disappeared in the middle of 17. Century; the Toling monastery, our today's goal was until the 1960's religious center. Fortunately, despite of devastations by the Culture Revolution some buildings and temple remained. 2N at simple Hebei Hotel Day13 Tsada B/L/D
Early in the morning we drive to Tsaparang (10 km, 3.800 m), the oldest center of Guge Kingdom. A group of four temples surround the lower part of the fortress walls, one fifth of which lie above the remains of the city, the former Summer Palace of the kings. The coffered ceilings and carved bars of the temples are decorated in different designs. Parts of murals are well-preserved and complicatedly decorated. Day14 Tsada – Tirthapuri – Darchen B/L/D
Leave for Darchen in the morning. On the way we will explore Tirthapuri, one of the holiest places in the west Tibet because there stand the medication caves of Padmasambhavas with his companion Yeshe Tsogyel. Late in the afternoon we arrive in Darchen (4.800 m), which is 6 km to the north of the main street. In Darchen there are only a few stones houses. Here we prepare for the Kailash orbiting. 1N at basic guesthouse or camping Day15-16 Mt. Kailashi trekking B/L/D
Trekking begins with the company of carriers and yaks. On the first two days we fulfill about 20 kilometers per day and on the third day only 8 kilometers. Pass by numerous stupas and mani stones we walk into the broad valley at the west of the mountain. Together with Tibetans and Indian pilgrimages we pass by the famous prayer flags at the "foot casting Buddhas" and at the former medication caves. After about 7 hours of trekking we reach the first mani stone piles at the altitude of 5,100 m. The second day is the most important stage, as we will reach the holiest place, the 5,600-meter Doelma La Pass. On the pass there are many prayer flags. The Kailash is the holy place for four religions: the Hinduism, Buddhism, Jains and Bon. It should be the holies place in the world. The Hindus believe that on the mountain the divinity Shiva live with his wife Parvati; the Tibetan Buddhist believers believe that the divinity Demchog live here. To walk around the Kailash is not only to release the sins, but also good for the reincarnation. From the big mani stone piles we need trekking 3-4 hours to the Doelma La pass. After the pass we come over the Thuji Zimbo Lake, which is called as Gauri-Kund by the Hindus and regarded as a holy place for them. Trek down along the slightly steep but good path. Altogether we need about 10 hours on the way. Camping Day17 Kailash trekking ended, drive to Manasarovar B/L/D
In the morning today we pass by many mani stones, which are usually marked with pictures or characters. In the early afternoon we reach Darchen and drive to Manasarovar Lake and explore little temples by the lake, Chiu Gompa and Trugo Gompa. The lake is situated between two snow-covered mountain ranges is extremely beautiful. It is an important part for the Tibetan pilgrims to orbit and take a bath in the lake. Camping Day18 Manasarovar B/L/D
Full day excursion along the lakeshore to discover the mysteries of the holy lake. We will re-visit Trugo Gompa and chat with the monks of Seralung Gompa. It is up to our own decision to do the visiting program today on foot or by our 4WD. Camping Day19 Manasarovar – Paryang B/L/D
Enjoy sunrise in the morning if weather is fine. Drive to Paryang in the afternoon, a small town on the south route of Tibet-Xinjiang highway. 1N at simple Zhuoga Hotel Day20 Paryang – Saga B/L/D
Keep driving to Saga and enjoy wonderful landscapes on the way. In the south the snowy magnificent Himalayas rise, in the north line up the summits of the Trans Himalaya. We may see Kiangs and Antelopes running on this highland. 1N at simple Saga Hotel Day21 Saga – Lhatse – Shigatse B/L
Check out and leave for Shigatse. En route we can take a hotsping bath in Lhatse if desired. PM arrive in Shigatse, the 2nd largest city in Tibet and the HQ of the Panchen Lama in traditional Tibet. Check in hotel and free. 1N at 3*Manasarovar Hotel Day22 Shigatse – Shalu – Gyantse B/L
In the morning visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. After the visit we proceed to Gyantse. En route make an excursion to big monastery Shalu (Xialu). 1N at 3*Gyantse Hotel Day23 Gyantse – Yamdrok – Lhasa B/L
Morning visit Pelkor Chode 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. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. PM we will leave Gyantse for Lhasa along the lake Yamdrok lake on the way. The holy lake of Yamdrok Yumtso (4441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On one of the peninsulas of the spear-shaped lake lies the holy Mt. Donang Sangwari (5,340m), and the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7,191m) and Jangzang Lhomo rise in the distance. Enjoy amazing views at the Kamba La pass both to the lake Yamdrok and snowy Peaks Nojin Gangzang and Jangzang Lhomo. 1N at 3* Thangka Hotel Day24 Leave Lhasa B
Check out in the morning and transfer to airport/railway station and see off. End of the adventurous expedition to Northern and Western Tibet.
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Danoe is one of the best guides I ever had in the time I travelled around the world for his excellent guide, euthusiasm and passion to service delivery. He was beyond expection for caring about our health and interest. He has shown a high level of professionalism and enthusiasm.
