Overland Travel from Tibet via Everest BC and Kailash to Xinjiang

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15 Days Private Tour Lhasa – Yamdrok – Gyantse – Shigatse – Rongbuk / Everest BC – Paiku Tso / Xixiabangma - Saga – Paryang – Manasarovar – Darchen / Kailash – Tirthapuri – Tsada – Shiquanhe – Bagong Tso – Domar – Dahongliutan – Mazar – Yecheng – Kashgar

From Lhasa via Tsada to Kashgar, the road is about 3200 km. Among the last 1535 km way from Shiquanhe to Kashgar, 150 km are 5000 m above sea level, and 915 km are 4000 m above sea level. With at least two paths over 5400 m (5406 m Jieshan Pass and 5432 m Kudi Daban), the Tibet - Xinjiang Highway is the highest road in the world. This is one of the biggest Himalayan adventures. In 2 weeks, the group has traveled almost the entire areas of the Himalayas and Karakorum.

During the adventurous drive to Everest, we will see the magnificent landscape between Himalayas and Transhimalaya.

Rongbuk Monastery with Everest Base Camp, locates at the foot of the spectacular north of Everest, is a highlight of our journey. From the Tibetan side, Everest is a lot more imposing than from the south.

Kailash, the holiest mountain in the world, is worshiped by the followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jain, and the ancient Bon religion. It is the center of the world. The most magnificent is that the largest rivers of Asia flows in its vicinity and flow in all directions like the spokes of a wheel. Short hiking at holy mountain Kailash with the pilgrims.

Highlights

Overland Travel from Tibet via Everest BC and Kailash to Xinjiang

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

Potala Palace

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. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. The "Buddhism Scriptures Debate" in Sera is very famous.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Debate in Sera Monastery

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

Palkhor Monastery

DAY
5

Shigatse – Shegar – Rongbuk / Everest BC

Tashilhunpo Monastery, Rongbuk Monastery, Sunset on Qomolangma (Everest)

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. Then drive to Shegar, crossing the paths to Yalung La (4.520 m) and Gyathso La (5.220 m). Continue (90 km, 2 hours) to the Rongbuk Monastery (5,154 m) and the Everest Base Camp, where you can see the steep north side of Qomolangma. On the way at Pang La (5150 m), the view is magnificent: from left to right are Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Nuptse and Cho Oyu. Rongbuk is the largest monastery in this region and was built at the beginning of the 20th century. You can also admire the spectacular sunset on Everest (Qomolangma) in good weather.

334 km
6 hours 6 minutes
Overnight at simple Rongbuk Guesthouse

Breakfast

Tashilunpo Monastery

DAY
6

Rongbuk – Paiku Tso – Saga

Sunrise over Qomolangma, Rongbuk Monastery, Paiku Tso Lake

Today you will wake up early to have a clear view of the unforgettable sunrise over Qomolangma (Everest). Then drive via Paiku Tso Lake and Xixiabangma Mountain to Saga. Paiku-Tso Lake covers an area of 300 square kilometers, is the largest lake in Shigatse. Paiku-Tso locates between three mountains, is rich in fish. There live various wild animals such as wild horses, wild donkeys and yellow ducks, etc.

473 km
11 hours
Overnight at Bramaputra Hotel

Breakfast

Mountain Everest

DAY
7

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).

450 km
7 hours
Overnight in a simple guesthouse

Breakfast

Manasarovar Lake

DAY
8

Manasarovar Lake – Darchen - Tsada

Manasarovar Lake, Tirthapuri Meditation Cave Padmasambhavas

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). The village of Darchen only consists of a few stone houses, which are located about 6 km north of the main road. Easily hike at the foot of holy mountain Kailash. Continue to Tsada, on the way visit Tirthapuri. 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.

272 km
5 hours 22 minutes
Overnight at 2*Tulin Castle Hotel

Breakfast

Holy Mountain Kailash

DAY
9

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
10

Shiquanhe – Pangong Tso – Dorma

Bangong 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

West Tibet

DAY
11

Dorma – Dahongliuta

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

South Xinjiang

DAY
12

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

South Xinjiang

DAY
13

Mazar – Yecheng – Kashgar

Heika pass, city of Mazar, view from Qogir mountain

Breakfast

Kashgar

DAY
14

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

Id Gagh Mosque

DAY
15

Leave Kashgar

Travel to next destination

Today transfer to airport or railway station, leave Tibet.

Breakfast

Kashgar

Tailor-make this tour

This trip can also be tailor-made, please let us know your travel idea: travel date, duration, number of travelers, child (2 - 12 years old), baby (0 - 2 years old), other travel destinations, meals, accommodation category, boutique hotel, special interest ...

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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 bolsos replicas and 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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