Itinerary Details

• 

  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 Railway Station Pick-up
• 

  Day 2: Lhasa City Tour

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

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

  Potala Palace

  1. The Viewing Platform of Jag Pori: a popular photo spot where you may appreciate the splendid sunrise
  2. Treasure Hall of Potala: offering you an insight into Tibetan history and culture with precious artworks and cultural relics.
  3. Mountain Path to the Palace: climbing up along the zigzag mountain path with over 900 steps gives you a sense of fulfillment.
  4. White Palace: the Winter Palace of Dalai Lamas shows you Tibetan architectural
  5. 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.

  Jokhang Temple
  1. Main Hall: the central hall serves as the main point for worship and houses the precious statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve.
  2. Golden Roof: an ideal site to overlook Jokhang Temple Square and Potala Palace.

  After viewing the holiest temple, you can visit Barkhor Street encircling it.

  Barkhor Street
  1. The Circumambulation Road: an essential pilgrim route where you can join pilgrims to do a kora around the Temple.
  2. Shops and Restaurants: you can eat local food and buy handcrafts like prayer beads, prayer wheels, and thangkas in this old market.

  Back to your hotel and stay overnight in Lhasa.

  

  Potala Palace

  

  Jokhang Temple
• 

  Day 3: Lhasa City Tour

  Attractions: Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery
  Meals: B
  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
  1. 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.
  2. 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

  1. Coqen Hall: the main assembly hall where you can see the statue of Shvakya-ye-shes, the founder of this monastery.
  2. Sera Je College: the largest college in Sera Monastery where you can visit the chapel of Hayagriva and pray for blessings.
  3. 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.

  Stay overnight in Lhasa.

  

  Drepung Monastery

  

  Sera Monastery
• 

  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
• 

  Day 5: Shigatse-Saga

  Attractions: Scenery along the Drive
  Meals: B
  Hotel: Saga Xibuyizhan Hotel or Mu Linsen Hotel

  Today you will head to Saga County. The newly paved road is in good condition, making the drive faster and safer.

  Throughout the journey, you'll be treated to stunning views of Tibet’s diverse landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, rugged valleys, expansive grasslands, and pristine lakes. Keep your camera handy to capture the beauty of the Tibetan plateau.

  Stay overnight in Saga.

• 

  Day 6: Saga-Lake Manasarovar

  Attractions: Saga Valley, Mayum La Pass, Gongzhucuo Lake, Lake Manasarovar
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Hotels near Lake Manasarovar

  After your breakfast, you will head to the holy Lake Manasarovar. 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.

  After passing the Mayum La Pass (5,211m), you’ll enter the Ngari Plateau. Driving on, another stunning lake will catch your eye.

  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.

  Moving on, the serene Lake Manasarovar becomes visible. The view of the holy lake, together with Mt. Kailash at a distance, is awe-inspiring.

  Stay overnight near Lake Manasarovar.

  

  Local Tibetans at Manasarovar

  

  Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar
• 

  Day 7: Lake Manasarovar-Darchen (4675m)

  Attractions: Lake Manasarova
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Darchen Chongqing Hotel

  In the morning, you will enjoy a short trek around Lake Manasarovar and enjoy some peaceful hours at the shore of the holy lake. You can enjoy some peaceful hours at the shore of the holy lake.

  Then, you’ll head to Darchen for your Mount Kailash trek.

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

  Tips: Porters and grooms can be easily found in Darchen. If you need a porter or a yak to carry your luggage during your trek, or you want to ride a horse, please contact your travel guru to arrange those services for you.

  

  Lake Manasarovar

  

  Darchen
• 

  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
• 

  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
• 

  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

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

  Drive back to Darchen and settle in your hotel. Stay overnight in Darchen.

  

  Zutulpuk Monastery

  

  Lake Manasarovar
• 

  Day 11: Darchen-Zanda (3660m)

  Attractions: Zanda Earth Forest, Tholing Monastery, Guge Kingdom Ruins
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Zanda Tulin Castle Hotel

  After breakfast, your guide and driver will take you to Zanda County. Along the drive, you can see the wandering wildlife and the unique landscape of the earth forest.

  Upon arrival at Zanda, you’ll begin your exploration of ancient sites.

  Zanda Earth Forest: you can admire the magnificent scenery of striking canyons and eroded earth structures.

  Tholing Monastery: the oldest monastery in Ngari Prefecture where you can appreciate precious and exquisite murals.

  Guge Kingdom Ruins: the stunning royal palace complex offers you an insight into the once-flourishing kingdom.

  After your visit, drive back to Zanda for accommodation. Stay overnight at Zanda.

  

  Zanda Earth Forest

  

  Guge Kingdom Ruins
• 

  Day 12: Zanda-Pangong Tso Lake

  Attractions: Shiquanhe Town, Pangong Tso Lake
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Camp at the Lakeside

  Today, you’ll head to the beautiful Pangong Tso Lake.

  Along the drive, you can take your time to appreciate the natural beauty of the Ngari Prefecture.

  Shiquanhe Town: the main town and administrative seat of Ngari Prefecture, where you can see the Shiquanhe River, the source stream of the Indus River.

  Then you will continue your journey to Pangong Tso Lake, a high-altitude saltwater lake of which one part of the lake is inside the Tibetan area and the other part is situated inside India.

  Pangong Tso Lake

  1. Breathtaking Scenery: the lake itself is the main attraction, known for its mesmerizing shades of blue. Spend time simply taking in the panoramic views of the lake surrounded by majestic mountains.
  2. Bird Watching: If you're interested in bird watching, Pangong Tso is home to a variety of bird species, especially during the migratory season. Keep an eye out for species like bar-headed geese, Brahmini ducks, and seagulls.

  Camp by the lake and stay overnight there.

  

  Pangong Tso Lake

  

  Pangong Tso Lake
• 

  Day 13: Pangong Tso Lake-Dorma-Dahongliutan

  Attractions: Jieshan Daban Pass
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Dahongliutan, guestroom

  Today, you’ll continue moving towards Xinjiang along the Tibet Xinjiang Highway.

  First, you’ll drive to Dorma, Rutog County. The road condition is not ideal and is even worse after passing Dorma. You’ll cross over many mountain passes along the way.

  Jieshan Daban Pass: one of the famous passes with an altitude of 5341m, serving as the last pass before entering Xinjiang.

  After that, it still takes around 8-9 hours to reach Dahongliutan.

  Stay overnight in Dahongliutan.

• 

  Day 14: Dahongliutan-Mazar

  Attractions: Kunlun Mountain range, Karakorum Mountain range, Mazar Pass
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Mazar, guestroom

  Drive along G219 to Mazar and enjoy on the road. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful Kunlun Mountain range on the right side, and the Karakoram Mountain range on the left side.

  Mazar Pass: a long mountain pass with numerous turns where you can see the desolate view of winding roads, rocks and cliffs, and towering mountains.

  Stay overnight in Mazar

• 

  Day 15: Mazar-Yecheng

  Attractions: Scenery along the Way
  Meals: No
  Hotel: Hotels in Yecheng

  Drive past the Mazar Pass and cross over the Kunlun Mountain range. Then, you’ll drive downward along the Yecheng ravine to Xinjiang.

  After reaching Yecheng, check in at your hotel and have a good rest.

  Stay overnight in Yecheng

• 

  Day 16: Yecheng-Kashgar

  Attractions: Taklamankan Desert, Sunday Market
  Meals: B
  Hotel: No

  Today, you’ll drive about 250km to Kashgar to visit the edge of the Taklamakan Desert. The road condition is good and you can enjoy the desert landscape.

  Taklamankan Desert

  1. Desert Scenery: the edge of the Taklamakan Desert offers unique desert landscapes featuring vast sand dunes, grey-black rocks, and barren plains.
  2. Yarkand Oasis: Yarkand oasis is located on the southern fringe of the Taklamakan Desert. This fertile land is irrigated by the Yarkand River, providing you with a lush contrast to the surrounding desert landscape
  3. Ancient Silk Road Sites: The Taklamakan Desert was a significant stop along the ancient Silk Road trade route. You can explore some ancient sites and ruins to learn about the history of trade and cultural exchange in the region.

  Don’t miss out on exploring Kashgar as well! If you happen to be there on Sunday, you can go to the Sunday Market.

  Sunday Market: a vibrant and bustling bazaar where you'll find a wide variety of items for sale, from traditional handicrafts to spices, and even livestock. It's a great opportunity to experience the local culture and pick up some unique souvenirs.

  End tour at Kashgar.

  Thank you for choosing Tibet Horizon for your Tibet to Xinjiang tour. We are always here to extend a warm welcome for your return to China!