Overland Tour from Tibet to Xinjiang with Trekking around Kailash

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17 Days Private Tour Lhasa – Yamdrok – Gyantse – Shigatse – Lhatse – Saga – Paryang – Manasarovar – Darchen - Kailash Trekking – Darchen - Tirthapuri – Tsada – Shiquanhe – Bagong Tso – Domar – Dahongliutan – Mazar – Yecheng – Kashgar

At first we will spend two full days for sightseeing in and around Lhasa, the holy land and religious center for pilgrims from all parts of the country. Afterwards we travel along the south route to West Tibet. During the long driving on bad roads we enjoy the unforgettable fantastic landscapes between Himalaya and Trans-Himalaya. We’ll pass by the beautiful Yamdrok Lake and cross over the Karo La (5.010 m) (La=Pass) and Simi La before we reach Gyantse and Shigatse, where we visit the famous and beautiful monasteries of monasteries Pelkor and Tashilunpo to enjoy the magnificent religious constructions, great Buddhist statues and excellent murals.

Kailash (6.714 m) is regard as "center of the world" by Hinduism and Buddhism. We get across the 5.600 m high Doelma La (La=Pass), decorated with fluttering prayer flags and mani stones, we trek around the snow-crowned dome of the glacier mountain along the pilgrimage path in three days. Before the trekking we visit Manasarovar - the holiest lake in Tibet. The enormous canyons appear along the Sutlej River. Here the ruins of Tsaparang, the capital of the former Guge Kingdom stands.

After the visit of these 900-year old places by the deep ravine of the Sutlej River drive northwards to Kashgar in the Southwest of Xinjiang. On the way we enjoy the landscape of oasis, Taklamakan desert the grandiose Kunlun mountain ranges. In Kashgar the largest oasis city of China we experience prosperity and minority folkways of Uigur in the Sundays market.

Highlights

Overland Tour from Tibet to Xinjiang with Trekking around Kailash

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Arrive in Lhasa

Welcome in Tibet – the roof of the world

Today arrive in Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet, transfer to hotel. Stay at the hotel for adapting to the high altitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Barkhor Street

DAY
2

Lhasa

Potala Palace – landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang and Barkhor Street

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. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. 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.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Jokhang Monastery

DAY
3

Lhasa

Panoramic view over Potala, Norbulingka, Debate in Sera

In the morning visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain, was built in the 7th century. It is 22m high and from here you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala palace. 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. It is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelugpa. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. You have the opportunity to experience the famous monks' "Buddhism scriptures debates". Public religious debates are part of the education of monks.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Norbulinka

DAY
4

Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse

Karo La Pass and Glacier, holy lake Yamdrok, Palkhor with Pagoda Kumbum

Drive to Gyantse. On the Kamba La (4796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4,441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On arriving, visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the 15th 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. It is recorded 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameters contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. Afterwards drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang.

356 km
6 hours 41 minutes
Overnight at 4*Mulunlazong Hotel

Breakfast

Yamdrok Lake

DAY
5

Shigatse - Lhatse - Saga

Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse

In the morning visit the Tashilunpo, "Mountain of Happiness". Tashilunpo is also one of the six major temples of the Gelug Sect. Shigatse is the seat of the Pantschen Lama. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China. In the afternoon continue to Saga.

447 km
7 hours 19 minutes
Overnight at Bramaputra Hotel

Breakfast

Tashilunpo Monastery

DAY
6

Saga - Paryang - Manasarovar lake

Kiangs (wild ass) and antelopes, Manasarovar lake

Continue along the south route and enjoy beautiful views while visibility is clear. During the south route the Himalayas rising gradually in the north, and the mountains stand side by side. Sometimes, especially on the last stretch of road, kiangs (wild ass) and antelopes can be seen. Drive to Manasarovar lake. Overnight in a simple guesthouse near the Chiu Gompa on the north side of Manasarovar Lake (4588 m).

495 km
6 hours 53 minutes
Overnight in a simple guesthouse

Breakfast

Manasarovar Lake

DAY
7

Manasarovar Lake - Darchen

Walking and rest by Manasarovar Lake

Manasarovar Lake is 330 square kilometers, 81.8 meters deep. The lake is nestled between two snow-capped mountain ranges. The area is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Tibet. For Hindus, Manasarovar is a sacred lake. Therefore,Walking around the lake and washing and purifying themselves with the lake became the most important goal of the pilgrims. Short hike and visit at Manasarovar lake. Enjoy the views of the eight monasteries on the shores of the northern Kailash and Manasarovar Lake. Then continue in about 1 hour to Darchen (4,800 m, starting point of the Kailash Circumnavigation).

49 km
42 minutes
Overnight at simple The Faraway Home Hotel

Breakfast

Holy Mountain Kailash

DAY
8

Trekking to Kailash, about 22 km

Start a 3-day trekking tour of Kailash

The village of Darchen only consists of a few stone houses, which are located about 6 km north of the main road. Accompanied by carriers and yaks, you will start a 3-day tour in Kailash. For Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bon, the mountain is the most sacred place in the world. It is the cosmic axis, the "navel of the world". Past numerous chorten and Manimauern the path leads into the broad valley on the west side of the mountain. Along with Tibetan and Indian pilgrims, you will pass the famous prayer flagpole, the “Buddha's Footprints”, and abandoned hermit clauses. After about 7 hours of walking, on the first day of the tour you will reach our campsite at 5,100 m altitude.

Trekking 22 km
Overnight in a simple guesthouse

Breakfast

Trekking around Kailash

DAY
9

Trekking around Kailash, about 20 km

Crossing the 5,600 m high Dolma-La

The most important part of the circumnavigation around Kailash involves crossing the most sacred spot, the 5,600m high Dolma-La, the highest point of the Parikrama, where there is a "holy" stone adorned with prayer flags , according to legend, that is the place where the goddess Dolma disappeared. Trek down a slightly steep but good path. Soon you will pass Thuji Zimbo Lake, which the Hindu Gauri call it Kund and consider sacred. The total walking time on the second day is 7 to 8 hours.

Trekking 20 km
Overnight in a simple guesthouse

Breakfast

Trekking around Kailash

DAY
10

Trekking um Kailash, Fahrt Darchen – Tirthapuri – Tsada

Kailash Kora ends, Tirthapuri meditation cave of Padmasambhava

The third stage needs past numerous mani walls with stone tablets back to Darchen, which means the circle of your circumnavigation ends. In Darchen you get into the vehicle, which brings you to Tsada. On the way visit Tirthapuri. Next to Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash, Tirthapuri is the most important place of pilgrimage in western Tibet, because here is the meditation cave of Padmasambhava and his companion Yeshe Tsogyel. The place is also known for its hot springs.

Trekking 11 km
234 km
4 hours 13 minutes
Overnight at 2*Tulin Castle Hotel

Breakfast

Mani Stones

DAY
11

Tsada – Shiquanhe

Tsaparang, the monastery Toling, earth forest in Tsada

In the morning drive about an hour to Tsaparang (about 10 km, 3,800 m), the oldest center of the kingdom of Guge. Four temples around the lower fortress walls, the fifth is located above the city, in the remains of the former summer palace of the kings. Various motifs adorn the coffered lattice ceilings and carved beams of the temples. Partly well-preserved murals with numerous details decorate the walls. Lama Anagarika Govinda calls these works of art "prayers and meditations in color and form, every stroke is carefully completed". Then visit the Toling Monastery. Drive to Shiquanhe (4300 m), capital of the Ngari district with 20 years of history. The area Ngari is called as "roof on the roof of the world". On the way Admiring Tsada Earth Forest. Walking in the quiet valley of the Tsada forest, you feel like you are in the ruins of a huge old city, and can see a wild and imposing picture.

192 km
3 hours 42 minutes
Overnight at 2*Hanjin Boya Hotel

Breakfast

Ruins of Guge Kingdom

DAY
12

Shiquanhe – Pangong Tso – Dorma

Pangong Tso Lake

Drive to Domar, the Ngari district of Tibet. On such a high altitude you could suffer from serious illness. On the way walk around Bangong Tso Lake. In the middle of the lake there is a bird island, in summer days many gulls from the Mediterranean come here. The Fantastic thing is, in the same Bangong Tso, fresh water is in the Tibetan part, but salt water is in the part of Kashmir.

228 km
3 hours 43 minutes
Overnight in a simple guesthouse

Breakfast

Pangong Tso Lake

DAY
13

Dorma –Dahongliutan

Crossing from the 5406 m Jieshan Pass

Cross the 5406m Jieshan Pass to Dahongliutan.

342Km
5 hours 43 minutes
Overnight in a simple guesthouse

Breakfast

Xingjiang - Tibet Highway

DAY
14

Dahongliutan – Mazar

Heika pass, city of Mazar, view from Qogir mountain

Via the Heika Pass you will arrive in Mazar, in the Karakorum area. While on the Heika Pass you can admire the magnificent view from the Qogir mountain.

245 km
4 hours 42 minutes
Overnight in a simple guesthouse

Breakfast

Xingjiang - Tibet Highway

DAY
15

Mazar – Yecheng – Kashgar

The passes Mazar and Kudi, knife city Yecheng

After crossing the Mazar and Kudi you reach the city Yecheng. On the Mazar Pass you have a nice view over the summit of Qogir. The route over the Kudi Pass is the hardest within the trip, you drive on mountain road in the form of "S". Yecheng is an important station for climbing the 8611 m mountain Qogir. From Yecheng you can walk for 6 days to the 3924 m base camp. Continue through Gobi to Kashgar.

513km
10 hours 53 minutes
Overnight at 4 * Tianyuan International Hotel

Breakfast

Kashgar

DAY
16

Kashgar

Sunday Bazaar in Kashgar, Id Gagh Mosque, the Akba Khojia Mausoleum

The Sunday bazaar of the Uyghurs living here, is one of the largest and most colorful in Central Asia, is also undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip. Visit the Id Gagh Mosque and the Akba Khojia Mausoleum, where the "Scented Concubine," a Uighur national heroine, is buried.

Overnight at 4*Tianyuan International Hotel

Breakfast

Kashgar

DAY
17

leave Kashgar

Travel to next destination

Today transfer to airport or railway station, leave Kashgar.

Breakfast

Kashgar

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Private travel, great experiences! Please contact us for your tailor-made travel offer.

With individual China Tibet travel, you can decide when, where and how you go on tour by yourself. What's more, you can choose the length of travel and whom you go with.

Information

Hotel, program and itinerary are subjected to change with prior notice.
We must point out that you counter a basic tourism infrastructure in this region. You stay overnight mostly at simple hotel/guesthouse. Long journeys on bad roads and trekking on high altitude and delays require good physical fitness, resilience and flexibility of the participants. Program and route changes due to unforeseen events are expressly reserved. If you desire the unknown and have an understanding of contingency, this is the right trip for you.

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