12 Days Sacred Manasarovar & Kailash Yatra 2020/2021

12 Days Lake Manasarovar-Mt. Kailash Parikrama Day by day arrangement

Special 2020-2021 offers are available upon email to service@tibetctrip.com or Kailash tour online inquiry. 

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa After you arrive in Lhasa either by train or flight, your guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. You will spend the rest of the day acclimatizing to the high altitude. If you feel like going out, you may take a stroll on Potala Square or in the historic center of Lhasa. It is important to have a good night of sleep and not rush to the attractions. Overnight in Lhasa. Hotel options as per above

Day 2: Lhasa highlights: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Bakhor Streets We visit the single most iconic architecture in Tibet, Potala Palace, which is the winter palace of Dalai Lama. You will see both the public offices and residential quarters of Dalai Lama, as well as a massive collection of artworks and religious treasure, including stupas of past Dalai Lamas and a statue of Tsongkhapa. After lunch, we will head to Jokhang Temple, the most important and sacred temple in Tibet. The architecture of the temple displays influences from Indian, Tibetan and Nepalese design. Numerous famous Buddhist teachers have also conducted teaching there. Today, it houses a variety of Buddhist scriptures and objects. Surrounding the temple are Bakhor streets, a busy and lively area for dining, shopping and entertainment. You will also encounter many local Tibetans performing pilgrimages and ritualistic prostrations. Overnight in Lhasa, Hotel options as per above

Day 3: Lhasa-Yamdrok-Karola Glacier-Gyantse-Shigatse(360km)  We head west towards the second largest city in Tibet, Shigatse. On our way, we cross Kampala Pass (4797 m) and then Karola Pass (5050 m). We will first encounter the stunning holy lake of Yamdrok-Tso and then Karola Glacier only steps off the main road. We will visit Pelkhor Chode Monastery in Gyantse that houses the most important Tibetan paintings in Kumbum Stupa, and the majestic Gyantse Dzong (fortress) that overlooks the valley. We will finally reach Shigatse before dinner. You will have plenty of time to rest. Overnight in Shigatse, hotel option as per above

Day 5: Saga-Lake Manasarovar (500km)-Guesthouse near Chiu Monastery 

We will depart from Saga county early around 8:00 am. Following the Yarlung Tsampo River (Brahmaputra in India) to the west, you will reach Lake Manasarovar Chiu Monastery around 4 pm, after check in the basic monastery guesthouse, you may do some chanting beside the holy lake. After long hours driving journey and the spiritual activity, you may take some holy water from the lake and take a wooden hot-spring bath nearby the guesthouse. Overnight in basic guesthouse at Manasarovar lakeshore.

Day 6: Lake Manasarovar (Parikrama by vehicle covering about 100 km)-Darchen (70km) The Parikrama drive around the Lake Manasarovar takes about 4 to 5 hours. You will have chances to stop at each of the 5 monasteries along the holy Parikrama. Then after a lunch at Chiu monastery area, you will continue the spiritual driving journey to Darchen in about 70 minutes (70 kms). After your arrival at Darchen, the foot of Mt. Kailash, your guide and you will prepare for the upcoming trekking days. You will want to organize your belongings, reconfirm the porters or poney/horses rental if some of you need this support. Overnight stay in Darchen. Accommodation option ranges from basic guesthouses to the best hotel-Himalaya Kailash Hotel (see the prices option)

The walking beside/or around the Manasarovar lake is lovely and spiritual experience, however it takes 4-5 days to finish the lake Parikrama, while 4-5 hours by driving (it begins and ends with Chiu Monastery).

The two and half days full kora covers about 52 kms if you begin and end with Darchen, however travelers can also have options to take local environmental vehicle from Darchen to Tarboche (6 km) to begin the trekking, while, on the 3rd day travelers can also take the environmental vehicle for 4 km transfer back to Darchen (so normally travelers can get back to Darchen around 12 o'clock by walking, or around 11 am if with the vehicle support on the last day). 

Day 7: Mt. Kailash Trek Day 1: Darchen – Dira-Puk Monastery (5050m) about 20 km, 6-8 hours We begin the Mt. Kailash Pilgrimage in the clockwise direction. 4km into the path, we reach the height of 4790m and the first prostration point that marks the first views of Mt. Kailash’s southern façade. The next important landmark is Tarboche flagpole (4750m), where the main rituals of Saga Dawa Full Moon Festival takes place here every year (on full moon date-It is special day of Full Moon Buddha Jayanti Purnima). Coming up next is Chuku Monastery (4820m), where you can find a revered marble statue inside. After some break time when you can take in more views, we will head towards the second prostration point, where you see prayers flags and views of the west side of Mt Kailash. The second Buddha footprint is a short distance ahead. There are several trails to reach our final destination of the day: Dira-Puk Monastery (5080m). It faces the north side of Mt. Kailash, and also provides viewpoints for peaks in other direction, you will take lots of fascinating photos of the holy montain with the full moon possibly. Overnight stay at guesthouse (dorm bed without bathroom) near Dira-Puk Monastery. Sleeping bag is recommended.

Day 8: Mt. Kailash Trek Day 2: Dira-Puk Monastery - Zuthul-Puk Monastery (4790m) about 18 km, 8-10 hours We continue on the main Kora path towards the east. We pass through Kangkyam Glacier and Jarok Donkhang (5210m) meadowland. A short distance above is Shivatsal (5330m). Pilgrims go through a symbolic death here and are reborn at Drolma-la pass (5630m), which is half an hour away. After some rest and refreshments, we soon arrive at lake Gauri Kund. We gradually descent to the grand valley of Lha-chu, and begin a long journey in the grassland. The day concludes at Zuthul-Puk Monastery. Overnight stay at guesthouse (dorm bed without bathroom) near Zuthul-Puk Monastery. Sleeping bag is recommended.

Day 9: Mt. Kailash Trek Day 3: Zuthul-Puk Monastery- Darchen (4670 m) 14 km, 3-4 hours, Darchen-Saga (500 km, 8 hrs) We follow the river and then climbs the Gold & Red Cliffs. Pilgrims search for holy stones on these cliff walls. We will see prayer flags across the river, and Lake Rakshas Tal in the far distance. After reaching the fourth prostration point, the final walk back to Darchen is quite easy. Return from Darchen to Saga. Overnight stay in Saga.

Day 10: Saga-Shigatse(450kms) Return to Shigatse from Saga. Overnight stay in Shigatse.

Day 11: Shigatse-Lhasa(280kms) Return to Lhasa from Shigatse. You will have time for shopping gifts and souvenirs to bring home. Overnight stay in Lhasa.

Day 12: Depart from Lhasa You will enjoy your last moments in Tibet. Our guide and driver will then pick you up and transfer you to the airport or train station. We hope you have gathered precious memory of your time in Tibet, and we wish you the best on your future adventure.

If you  hold Indian passport wanting Kailash journey, there is special and different permits requirement, for these travelers, there are more booking restrictions and price will be slightly more expensive. Please specify your nationality as shown on passports and email us for more information: service@tibetctrip.com