Kailash and Guge kingdom tour

After your arrival at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Lhasa. It is a 1-1.5-hour scenic drive, depending on road conditions and traffic. Along the route, you will get to see glimpses of the surrounding mountains and the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Upon checking into the hotel, you will take some rest and acclimatize to the high altitude. You are free to choose your own dining options at a variety of restaurants at your own expense. 
 

After having breakfast, we will head towards Potala Palace. It is 2.5 km from the hotel. Along the way to the palace, you will see traditional Tibetan architecture and bustling markets. Upon reaching the palace, you can see the panoramic views of the city and the surrounding landscapes. This morning, we will explore the grand Potala Palace, its architecture, murals, and religious artifacts. 

Subsequently, we will drive to Jokhang Temple. It is located about 2–3 km from the palace. The route takes you through the colorful Tibetan shops and street vendors. The temple is situated in the heart of the old town. Upon reaching the temple, you can see the lively, bustling market area with numerous people trading goods. 

Thereafter, we will explore Barkhor Street. The street encircles the temple. The street is near the temple and you can get there by foot. The street is a bustling marketplace where you can shop for traditional Tibetan handicrafts, souvenirs, and local foods. In the market, you can also have some Tibetan snacks or tea. 

After exploring some popular places in Lhasa, we will head towards the hotel we are staying at. There, we will have a delicious dinner and take a rest in the hotel rooms. 
 

Following breakfast, we will drive to Drepung monastery. It is a 20–30 minute scenic drive and takes you through the scenic Tibetan landscapes and traditional villages. Approaching the monastery, you will see the beautiful views of the surrounding areas. 

There are many things to explore in the Drepung monastery. You can explore the grand assembly halls, chapels, and intricate murals. Thereafter, we will return to Lhasa city for lunch. The journey to the restaurants is scenic, given the beauty of the urban landscapes of Lhasa. 

Later, we will drive to Sera Monastery. It will take approximately 15-20 minutes to get to the restaurant. The route takes you through the northern suburbs of Lhasa to the front side of the rolling hills where Sera Monastery is located. 

Approaching the monastery, you will get to see the beautiful architecture of the monastery. The monastery will give you the vibe of scholarly tradition and vibrant monastic life. Also, in the afternoon, you will get to witness the unique aspects of Tibetan Buddhist practice. 

After exploration, we will return to the hotel in Lhasa for relaxation. You can explore more of the city at your own pace if the time permits. Thereafter, we will enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. 
 

After having breakfast, we will drive through National Highway 318 to Gyantse. You can see the transition from the cityscape to open, highland terrain. En route, you will see panoramic views of the rolling hills, small villages, and distant mountains. We will visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum Stupa in Gyatse. You can see the unique architectural style and detailed murals. 

Following the exploration of the Gyantse, we will continue our journey to the Shigatse. It is a 2-3-hour scenic drive and takes you through the spectacular views of the Tibetan countryside with mountains, rivers, and traditional Tibetan villages.

On reaching Shigatse City, we will take some time to explore the city. You can explore the agricultural land, Tashilhunpo Monastery, and the scenic Tsola Pass. Later, we will go to the hotel and check in. 
 

Following breakfast, we will drive to Everest Base Camp. It is an 8-hour scenic drive that takes you through mountain passes, gigantic plateaus, and picturesque Tibetan villages. We will also pass through some of the picturesque areas, including Gyatso La Pass.

Thereafter, you will be blessed with stunning views of Mount Everest and its surrounding peaks upon reaching the base camp of Mount Everest. The stunning views of the Himalayas can also be seen from the Gyatso La Pass. 

After reaching the base camp, we will go to our accommodation. You will then rest in the room and acclimate to the high altitude. If the time permits, we will take a brief walk around the base camp to see the sunset views of Everest and its surrounding peaks. 
 

After having breakfast, we will drive to the Saga. It is an 8-hour drive and takes you through the Tibetan plateau. Along the way, you will get to see the jaw-dropping views of Mount Everest and the surrounding peaks. We will cross rugged terrain and high-altitude passes. We will stop at the various places for the photographs. 

Thereafter, we will take a brief stop to stretch and have some local snacks at Shelkar Settlement. After the break, we will resume our journey towards Saga. On the way, we will descend into the valley where Saga is located.

Following our arrival in the saga, we will check into the hotel and take a rest there. If there is time, you can explore the town at your own pace. Or, you can relax at the hotel. 
 

Following breakfast, we will drive towards Darchen through the rugged terrain and remote areas. The 8-hour scenic drive takes us from the high-altitude plains to the more varied landscapes. The route will follow National Highway 219. During the drive, you will get to see the distant mountain ranges and open valleys. 

We will stop at Lake Manasarovar for sightseeing and exploration of the area. We will capture some pictures of the crystal-clear blue waters with a dramatic and serene backdrop of the Himalayas. We will stay there sometime, appreciating the peaceful environment of the sacred lake. 

Then, we will resume our journey to Darchen. The 2-hour scenic drive offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the beginning of the Kailash region’s rugged terrain. Upon reaching Darchen, you will check into the guesthouse and rest in the evening. 
 

We will wake up early, have breakfast, and get ready for the drive to our next destination. We will drive towards the starting point of the trek.  The place we are heading towards is also the starting point of the circumambulation of Mount Kailash. From this point, we will start the trek of the journey. 

The route takes you to the rugged terrain of the Tibetan plateau. On the way, you will get to see the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and landscapes. Some of the sections have steep sections, which is difficult but as it is driven, it can be manageable. Upon reaching Dirapuk, we will go to the guesthouse where we are staying and rest in the room of the guest house. The local chef will prepare dinner for us in the guest house.
 

After having breakfast, we will start our trek towards the Dzutrupuk. At first, the trail begins with a steady ascent through the rugged and rocky terrain. Then the path goes through the steep climbs, traversing through rocky and uneven ground. 

Following that, we will descend slightly before reaching flatter sections of the trail. The descent is usually much easier than the steep ascents. After that, we will gradually ascend the rocky trails leading to the Dzutrupuk. 

Reaching the Dzutrupuk, you can see the remote settlements. We will go to the guesthouse and rest in a room there. From the Dzutrupuk, you can see the views of the nearby mountains and the surrounding terrain. 
 

Following breakfast, we will trek to the darchen. The route goes through a descent from Dzutrupuk with some rocky and uneven sections. Along the way, you will get to enjoy the views of the surrounding landscape. The paths become easier as we approach the Darchen settlement. 

Darchen is the starting and ending point for the trek around Mount Kailash. After arriving at Darchen, we will drive the remaining distance to reach the town. It is the short drive that takes us to the more developed area where we are staying. Upon reaching the guesthouse, we will check into the accommodations. Then, we will take a rest overnight. 
 

We will wake up early to leave for our destination. We will have some breakfast and leave for our destination. The route to the Guge Kingdom is rough and challenging, with bumpy rides and potential roadblocks. 

The day is full of exploration. Upon reaching the Guge kingdom, we will start with the Tholing monastery. You will get to explore the historical murals and religious artifacts. The next tour location is Tsaparang Fort. It is located near the main cave ruins. There, you will see the temple ruins, fortifications, and stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. 

The probable last destination of the day is Guge Kingdom Ruins. It is located in the central area of the Gulf Kingdom. At this place, we will explore the historical remnants of the Guge kingdom, like the ruins of temples, palaces, and fortifications. After exploring the places in the Guge Kingdom, we will return to the hotel. In the hotel, we will have dinner and take a rest overnight.
 

Early in the morning, we will have breakfast and leave for Lake Mansarovar. We will head towards Zanda town. The path to the Zanda is rugged, unpaved, and on high-altitude terrain. But the scenery is amazing. On the way, you will get to see the traditional Tibetan settlements and nomadic herders along the way. 

We will then continue our journey to the Purang settlement. The route goes through a mix of rugged and established roads. Along the journey, you will get to see the variation in landscapes, rivers, and vegetation. 

The final leg of the day is to travel to Lake Manasarovar. After spending some time in Purang, we will resume our journey to Manasarovar. The roads are maintained, with some parts being rough. Upon reaching the Manasarovar area, we will go to the nearby guesthouse and check into the guesthouse. 
 

Following breakfast, we will start our drive to Saga. The route goes through the Darchen and then to the saga. The road conditions to the Datchen from Manasarovar Lake are well maintained, with some parts of rough patches. 

From Darchen, we will continue our drive towards the Zhongba settlement. We may have to cross river crossings and rough patches. The roads are partially paved and partially unpaved. Along the journey to the saga, we will pass through the Tibetan villages where traditional farming is practiced. Upon arrival in the saga, we will head towards the accommodation where we are staying tonight. We will rest there overnight. 

We will wake up early in the morning and have a delicious breakfast. We will head towards the northwest on National Highway 219. The initial road sections follow the Brahmaputra river’s course. Along the way, you will pass through open plateaus and gentle valleys. 

Along the way, you will get to see Tibetan nomadic settlements and rural landscapes. From the settlements, we will continue our journey to the national highway 318. The national highway G318 leads towards Sakya. This section of the road involves driving through rolling hills and high-altitude plains. 

The way to Sakya presents mountain ranges, river valleys, and arid plains. As you approach the Sakya, you will start to see the ancient architecture and historical sites. Upon arrival at the Sakya, we will go to our accommodation for tonight. If time permits, we will explore the local area and visit the Sakya monastery. 
 

Following breakfast, we will drive towards Lhatse through the national highway 318. The road segment from Sakya to Lhatse is in high-altitude terrain with rolling hills and open plains. You will get to see the Tibetan plateau, with its wide open spaces and distant mountain views. 

From Lhatse, we will continue on the same highway. The views of the nearby river valleys and foot hills appear when we are near Shigatse city. After reaching the city, we will go towards our accommodation for tonight.

If time and energy permit, we will explore some of the destinations in Shigatse city, like Tashilhunpo Monastery and the local markets. 
 

We will wake up early and prepare for the journey to Lhasa. We will have breakfast and leave for Lhasa city. Along the way, we will cross the Gyantse and Yarlung Tsangpo Rivers. If you need a break, we can stop at Gyantse for some time. 

Along the way, we will get to enjoy the stunning views of the river valleys and surrounding mountains. As we continue our journey, we will approach the junction of the two popular rivers, the Yarlung Tsangpo and Nyangchu Rivers.  Upon arrival in Lhasa, we will head towards the hotel we are staying at tonight. We will rest in our hotel rooms. 
 

We will have breakfast early in the morning. After that, we will complete the checkout process at the hotel. Then, we will drive to the airport. It will take some time, but until then, enjoy the scenic Tibetan landscape. Upon reaching the airport, you will check in at the airport and go through security. Then you will say goodbye to Tibet and fly to your desired destination.