Itinerary Details

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  Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa (3600m)

  Attractions: No
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Lhasa, 3★/4★

  Welcome to Lhasa! Upon your arrival at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport or Lhasa Railway Station, your tour guide and driver will meet you in the hall on time, holding a sign with your name.

  Then you’ll be transferred to your hotel downtown by the experienced driver. It only takes less than an hour through the Airport Expressway and takes about half an hour from the Railway Station to your hotel.

  After arriving at the hotel, your tour guide will help you check in. You can have a good rest to get used to the altitude.

  Stay overnight at Lhasa.

  Tips:
  1. For first-time visitors, it is common to get symptoms of altitude sickness like fatigue, headache, and vomiting.
  2. To adapt to the high altitude (over 3,600m), you are recommended to have a good rest in the hotel and avoid strenuous activities like running. Do not smoke or drink. Avoid showers for the first one or two days.
  3. Please drink sufficient water and eat more vegetables, fruits, meat, and eggs for sufficient energy intake
  4. Don’t hesitate to ask your guide or hotel staff for help if you feel unwell or need help.

  

  Lhasa Gonggar Airport Pick-up

  

  Lhasa Train Station Pick-up
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  Day 2: Lhasa City Tour

  Attractions: Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery
  Meals: B, Welcome Dinner
  Hotel: Lhasa, 3★/4★

  After breakfast at your hotel, your guide and driver will pick you up. You’ll begin your journey with Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet.

  Drepung Monastery

  Coqen Hall: the main assembly hall, located in the center of the monastery, where you can find a fine statue of Usnisa-sitapatra, a huge statue of Maitreya (Qamba Budda) and a mass collection of Buddhist sutras.
  Loseling College: the biggest one of the four colleges of Drepung Monastery, offering you an insight into the monks’ practices and studies.

  In the afternoon, you’ll continue your trip to visit another famous monastery.

  Sera Monastery

  Coqen Hall: the main assembly hall where you can see the statue of Shvakya-ye-shes, the founder of this monastery.
  Sera Je College: the largest college in Sera Monastery where you can visit the chapel of Hayagriva and pray for blessings.
  Tibetan Monks Debates: the debates among monks (15:00-17:00, from Monday to Friday) offer you a chance to see how they gain a better comprehension of Buddhist philosophy in this process.

  Enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers and then back to the hotel for a good rest. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

  

  Drepung Monastery

  

  Sera Monastery
• 

  Day 3: Lhasa City Tour

  Attractions: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
  Meals: B
  Hotel: Lhasa, 3★/4★

  After your breakfast at the hotel, you will head to the famous landmark Potala Palace.

  Potala Palace

  The Viewing Platform of Jag Pori: a popular photo spot where you may appreciate the splendid sunrise
  Treasure Hall of Potala: offering you an insight into Tibetan history and culture with precious artworks and cultural relics.
  Mountain Path to the Palace: climbing up along the zigzag mountain path with over 900 steps gives you a sense of fulfillment.
  White Palace: the Winter Palace of Dalai Lamas shows you Tibetan architectural
  Red Palace: the chapel housing stupas, tombs, and relics of Dalai Lamas where you can experience the sanctity and solemnity of religion.

  In the afternoon you will head to the oldest temple in Tibet

  

  Potala Palace

  

  Tibetan Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
• 

  Day 4: Lhasa-Gyantse (3900m)-Shigatse (3800m)

  Attractions: Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Simila Mountain Pass
  Meals: B
  Hotel: Shigatse, 3★/4★

  After breakfast, you will start your trip to Shigatse.

  Yamdrok Lake: drive southwest to the Gampala Pass where you can have a perfect view of the turquoise lake and the majestic Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m).

  Enjoy your lunch at Nagartse hosted by a local Tibetan family, where you can savor the local flavors and engage in conversation with the locals. Then, continue your trip to Gyantse.

  Karola Glacier: the largest glacier in Tibet for you to enjoy at a distance on the vehicle.

  Simila Mountain Pass: a stop where you can hang prayer flags.

  Upon your arrival at Gyantse, you can stroll down the streets and take some photos. From Gyantse to Shigatse, you will pass by green Tibetan barley fields in summer and golden ones in autumn, along with countless farms.

  You will reach Shigatse before nightfall. Check-in at the hotel and have a good rest. Stay overnight in Shigatse.

  

  Yamdrok Lake

  

  Karola Glacier
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  Day 5: Shigatse-EBC (5200m)

  Attractions: Tashilunpo Monastery, Gyawu La Pass, Mount Everest Base Camp
  Meals: B
  Hotel: EBC, guestroom

  After your breakfast, you will first visit the home of Panchen Lama.

  Tashilunpo Monastery

  Qamba Buddha Hall: a grand hall houses the tallest and largest bronze Qamba Buddha statue where you can appreciate Buddhist art.

  Then, you will head to Mount Everest.

  Gyawu La Pass (5250m): the best scenic spot providing you the first glimpse of Mt. Everest.

  Then, you will continue your journey towards Everest Base Camp along the winding road with the grand Everest drawing nearer.

  Everest Base Camp (5200m)

  Sunset View from EBC: a breathtaking spectacle that captivates your senses as you witness the sun descend toward the horizon, casting its golden hues on the towering peak.
  Milky Way: being situated at a high altitude, EBC has clear and unobstructed views of the night sky. You can enjoy a luminous band of stars, weaving its way through the darkness above the snow-white peak.
  5200 Monument: a monument typically marks the elevation of Everest Base Camp itself where you can take a photo to commemorate your trip to EBC.
  8848 Monument: a monument represents the elevation of Mount Everest about 500m from the tent area and the closest viewing spot to Mt. Everest. You can take photos here of the monument and the majestic Everest.

  Stay overnight at Everest Base Camp or in the local village near EBC.

  

  Panoramic view of Tashilhunpo Monastery

  

  Gawula Pass
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  Day 6: EBC-Saga (4500m)

  Attractions: Rongbuk Monastery, Mount Shishapangma, Peiku Tso Lake
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Saga Xibuyizhan Hotel or Mu Linsen Hotel

  Weather permitting, you may appreciate the sunrise of Mt. Everest, seeing the sunlight casting its golden glow on the towering peak.

  In the morning, you will visit a simple yet unusual monastery.

  Rongbuk Monastery (5009m): the highest monastery on the north side of Mt. Everest. Its Observation Deck is a perfect site to view the towering mountain.

  Then, you will head to Saga.

  Mount Shishapangma (8027m): faced with the world’s 14^th highest mountain covering a large area of glaciers, you cannot help but marvel at its lofty.

  Pelkhu Tso Lake (4591m): descending to lower elevations takes you to the beautiful Pelkhu Tso Lake. The golden glow of water and the white peaks of Mt. Shishapangma enhance each other’s beauty, offering you a breathtaking view.

  Stay overnight in Saga.

  

  Made it to Everest Base Camp

  

  Enough oxygen, water, and blanket for free
• 

  Day 7: Saga-Darchen (4675m)

  Attractions: Gongzhucuo Lake, Lake Manasarovar
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Darchen Chongqing Hotel

  On your way to Darchen, you may appreciate stunning landscapes along the drive.

  Saga Valley: a picturesque valley between the Gangdise Range and the Himalaya Range offers you the scenery of snow-capped peaks, vast grassland, and Tibetan villages.

  Driving on, another stunning lake will catch your eyes.

  Gongzhucuo Lake: a sapphire nestled in the wilderness, which reflects the surrounding mountains and sky like a mirror. You can enjoy its infinite charm from the vehicle.

  Also, Lake Manasarovar will greet you on the way. The view of the holy lake, together with Mt. Kailash at a distance, is awe-inspiring.

  Upon your arrival in Darchen, check in your hotel. Stay overnight in Darchen.

  

  Lake Manasarovar

  

  Darchen
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  Day 8: Darchen-Dirapuk Monastery (Trek Day 1: drive 7km, trek 13km, 4675-5080m)

  Attractions: Mount Kailash
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Dirapuk Monastery, guestroom

  In the morning, you will take an eco-bus to Darchen to Sarshung Valley, where you will begin your trek to Dirapuk Monastery via the Lachu Valley.

  Tarboche: one of the most important sites for the Saga Dawa Festival where you can see hundreds of pilgrims raising the flagpole.

  Choku Monastery: the first monastery on Mt. Kailash kora where you can see a sacred silver embossed conch shell and teapots.

  Dirapuk Monastery: the famous monastery is an ideal site for you to view the impressive western face of Mt. Kailash.

  Stay overnight in Dirapuk Monastery Guesthouse.

  

  Trekking towards Mount Kailash

  

  Capture a clear view of Mount Kailash
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  Day 9: Dirapuk Monastery-Dzultripuk Monastery (Trek Day 2: trek 24km, 5080-5648-4830m)

  Attractions: Mount Kailash
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Dzultripuk Monastery, guestroom

  In the morning, depart from Dirapuk Monastery and begin your second trek day.

  After a challenging 762-meter ascending, you will arrive at the highest pass of the kora.

  Dolma La Pass (5648m): reaching the pass gives you a sacred fulfillment because according to Tibetan Buddhist belief, ascending the pass can remove one’s sins.

  Cibei Lake (Gauri Kund): the emerald-green lake waits for you on your way downhills, which is said to be capable of purifying sins.

  Continue descending and arrive at Dzultripuk Monastery Guesthouse.

  

  Dromala Pass

  

  Lake of Compassion
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  Day 10: Dzultripuk Monastery-Darchen (Trek Day 3: trek 6km, drive 4km)

  Attractions: Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Darchen Chongqing Hotel

  On the last trek day, you will depart from Dzultripuk Monastery and head back to Darchen.

  In the morning, trek 6km to Zongto where you can take an eco-bus to Darchen, signifying the end of your trek.

  In the afternoon, you will take a 30-kilometer drive to the holy lake Manasarovar.

  Lake Manasarovar

  Lake View: the holy lake is set against the backdrop of Mt. Kailash, with crystal-clear water that can feast your eyes.
  Meditation: you can meditate at the peaceful and tranquil lakeside, letting its calm water purity your mind.
  Hot Springs (optional): soaking in hot springs or taking a foot bath is a great way for you to relax after a long journey.

  After that, drive back to Darchen and settle in your hotel. Stay overnight in Darchen.

  

  Zutulpuk Monastery

  

  Lake Manasarovar
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  Day 11: Darchen-Saga

  Attractions: Lake Manasarovar
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Saga Xibuyizhan Hotel or Mu Linsen hotel

  After breakfast, you’ll head back to Saga.

  On the way departing the Ngari Plateau, you can enjoy beautiful views including vast grasslands, rivers, valleys, and local villages. Once again, you can appreciate the beauty of Lake Manasarovar.

  Upon arrival in Saga, check in at your hotel and stay overnight here.

  

  Local Tibetans at Manasarovar

  

  Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar
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  Day 12: Saga-Gyirong

  Attractions: Gyirong Valley
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Pencuo Kangsang Hotel or Similar

  After breakfast, you’ll head to the Gyirong Valley.

  Gyirong Valley: the lowest spot in western Tibet offers you a different view. You can see pastoral terrain, dense forests, and canyon landscapes in this back garden of the Himalayas.

  Stay overnight in Gyirong.

  

  Gyirong Valley

  

  Paba Monastery
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  Day 13: Gyirong-Kathmandu

  Attractions: No
  Meals: B
  Hotel: No

  After breakfast, your guide and driver will take you to the Nepal border and see you off. Nepali staff will meet you at the border and transfer you to Kathmandu with local vehicles.

  It takes around 6-9 hours from Gyirong to Kathmandu. Take your time to enjoy the diverse landscapes on the Nepalese side of the Himalayas.

  Our tour service ends when you arrive in Kathmandu. Thank you for choosing Tibet Horizon for your Tibet tour. We are always here to extend a warm welcome for your return to Tibet!

  

  Send off to Gyirong Border

  

  Gyirong Border