Duration: 18 Days

18 days -Lhasa to Kashgar tour

Lhasa to Kashgar tour:The route leads through a magnificent mountain area, past many Tibetan villages. The tour offers you a spectacular landscape of Tibet and takes you sacred Mt. Kailash, which Hindus and Buddhists view as the “center of the world”. The mighty rock dome of Kailash comes closer. Together with pilgrims from far and wide, you follow the trail (Parikrama) across the Dolma La (5600m), which is adorned with countless prayer flags. It takes three days to circumambulate the snow-covered cupola of the 6714m tall mountain. In Tibetan tradition, you will conclude this pilgrimage in Tirthapuri – which is one of the most important pilgrim destinations along with Kailash and Lake Manasarover. Almost surreal appears the canyon-like valley of the Sutlej. Imbedded lie the ruins of Tsaparang, the capital of the former kingdom of Guge. After visiting the 900-year-old site our drive through the canyon of the Sutlej starts long the north route to Lhasa. The light and shadows of the summer clouds make for a magical atmosphere, dip the barren vastness in tinges of pastel green, yellow deep blue, and violet. En route, we visit two of the most sacred temples of Tibet: Tashilunpo in Shigatse and Kumbum in Gyantse. In Lhasa, the spiritual and secular center of Tibet, is visited by many pilgrims from all over the country.

Tour itineary

Day 01: Arrive at Lhasa

Day 02: Lhasa -Jokhang temple-Barkhore square

Day 03: Lhasa-Ramoche temple -Sera Monastery

Day 04: Lhasa -Potala Palace-Norbulingka summer Palace

Day 05: Lhasa Yamdrok lake-Gyangtse town-Shigatse(360km)

Day 06:Shigatse-Lhatse-Saga(487km)

Day 07: Saga-Paryang-Lake Manasarovar-Darchen(4950km)

Day 08 Darchen-Diraphuk monastery(Trek)

Day 09: Diraphuk monastery-Zutrulphuk monastery(Trek)

Day 10: Zutrulphuk monastery-Darchen-Tirthapuri hot spring (Half trek and drive(60km)

Day 11: Tirthapuri hot spring 0Tsada(240km)

Day 12: Tsada-Guge Kingdom(25km)

Day 14: Shiquanhe-Pangong tso-Dorma

Day15: Dorma-Dahongliutan

Day 16 : Dahongliutan-Mazar

Day 17: Mazar-Yecheng

Day18: Yecheng-Kashgar

18Days
Lhasa to Kashgar tour
Detail Tour package click here
Day 01: Arrive at Lhasa

Arrive at the train station (20km) or airport(60km) in Lhasa. Our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for acclimatization; you can have your free time hanging out in this holy city to get the first impression of Tibet.

Day 02: Lhasa Jokhang temple -Barkhore square

Morning visit the Jokhang temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet . In Tibetan language it refers to “Buddha’s house” because the main statue is said to be made by Buddha Sakyamuni himself time. The Jokhang temple is the convergence of Tibet’s spiritual and secular life. Here you can meet all kinds of tribes from the Tibetan plateau. The surrounding market is called “Bakhore”. One of the most important religious paths. Evening explore city by your self

Overnight night in Hotel(Lhasa)

Day 03: Lhasa-Ramoche temple -Sera Monastery

Morning visit the Ramoche temple is considered to be the sister temple to the Jokhang  which was completed about the same time. Tradition says that it was built originally to house the much revered Jowo Rinpoche statue, carried to Lhasa via Lhagang in a wooden cart, brought to Tibet when Princess Wencheng came to Lhasa.

Afternoon visit the Sera monastery: All the Gelugpa monasteries history is strongly connected to Master Lama Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), the founder of the Gelugpa order, the much venerated and highly learned guru in Buddhist scriptures. The Sera Monastery at the foot of Sera Uste Hill is located 2 kilometers northern of Lhasa. It is one of the “great three” Gelukpa university monasteries of Tibet

Overnight night in Hotel(Lhasa)

Day 04: Lhasa -Potala Palace-Norbulingka summer Palace

Morning visit the Potala palace towers above the city of Lhasa as the national landmark that allures the international visitors. The massive 13-storeyed building used to be the former abode for the Dalai lamas. It looks incredibly magnificent from a distance and could be viewed from various places around town. As the nation’s supreme relic, the palace dates back to the seventh century A.D.

Afternoon visit the Norbulingka summer palace the former summer palace of Dalai Lamas built in during the 18th century by seven Dalai lama. Explore the beautiful gardens and experience one of the most holy sites in Tibetan Buddhism while soaking up the rich history.

Overnight night in Hotel(Lhasa)

Day 05: Lhasa Yamdrok lake-Gyangtse town-Shigatse(360km)

ELEV:3900M

The first day we drive westwards to Mt.Kailash will reach Shigatse, which is the second biggest city in Tibet. on the way to Shigatse, we will pass kangpa-la with 4794m, from the top of the pass in clear weather, we can see the Yamdrotso lake in fabulous shade of deep turquoise, Just a few kilometers’ driving through the shore of lake yamdrok-yutso reaches Nangartse county and is the largest town on the lake side. and stop luch at Nangartse town and after finished lunch drive toward Gyangste, after half hours  you have to cross the 5050m karo-la pass  with its awesome roadside views of the Nanchan- Kangtsang glacier. in Gyantse city, you will explore the Kubum Monastery which is the town’s foremost attraction. The 35m-high chorten(stupa) with its white layers trimmed with decorative stripes and its crown-like goldendome, is awe-inspiring. drive to Shigatse only 2 hrs drive

Overnight in Hotel(Shigatse)

Day 06:Shigatse-Lhatse-Saga(487km)

ELEV:4610M

Morning drive from Shigatse to Saga, enjoying the stunning landscape along the way. Drive through typical Tibetan villages where you can see how normal Tibetans live surviving.. Saga’s altitude is 4,640m above sea level. Saga is the last stop for pilgrims and travelers on their way to Mt. Kailash

Overnight night in Hotel or Guest house(Saga)

Day 07: Saga-Paryang-Lake Manasarovar-Darchen(4950km)

ELEV:4670M

Today the thrilling journey across the dry and vast plain with stunning views of great Himalaya in the south and Trans-Himalayan in the north, the moonscape plain of the region is home for sparse lone nomads whose lifestyle remains close to what it has been for centuries, and numbers of plateau wild lives. Different natural landscapes like sand dunes and picturesque mountain views are not only the great beauty of the day but also the holy lakes and mountains. Then we will reach to the Manasarovar Lake (victorious lake) in the late afternoon, which is one of the holiest lakes in Tibet and every year it receives hundreds of hundreds of pilgrims from all corner of Tibetan plateau, India and Russia. The lake is surround by several prominent peaks like Gurla Mandata (7760m). Then we will further drive to Darchen which is the starting point of the Mt Kailash (7762m) trekking, you will also have great view of the Kailash from the front. Darchen is a small nomadic village and now increasing number of guesthouses and restaurants make it more commercial. At your arrival you have plenty of time to explore around the town and prepare for the trekking, you can also hiking around the hills to get physically ready for the trekking. In the afternoon, your guide will arrange others trekking necessities like porters and yaks for your luggage transportation. You can find different restaurants according to your taste or your guide will help you to find some better ones.

Overnight night in Guest house(Darchen)

Day 08 Darchen-Diraphuk monastery(Trek)

ELEV:5080M

6HOURS/20KM/200M ASCENT

First day of the trek from Darchen to Dira puk monastery. It take 6 hours walk.Further ahead, verdant meadows and picturesque streams lie en route to Lha Chu Valley. The trail overlooks turquoise river cascading over a narrow canyon with high steep cliffs. En route, north face of Kailash comes into vision. The trail will approach 13th century monastery of Dira-Puk. We recommended you to visit the Dira-Puk monastery and from there you can have nice view of Mt Kailash. For the accommodation in here is tent guesthouse, Shishpangma hotel and monasteries guesthouse

Overnight night in Guest house(Dira puk)

Day 09: Diraphuk monastery-Zutrulphuk monastery(Trek)

ELEV:4820M

7-8HOURS/18KM/550M ASCENT/600M

Today we cross Drolma la pass (5630 M) and Gauri Kund Lake (5608 m). From the top of the Dromala pass you can have view of Thukpe Dzingbu Lake, known as the Lake of Compassion, at the summit, you realize that this tough and challenging ascent has indeed been very worthwhile and fruitful. Further on, the trail descends to the flat fields of Zutul-Puk monastery and  several fascinating caves. The caves at this locale are most popular for meditation; Milarepa’s cave being one of them with Milarepa’s footprints and elbow prints believed to be imprinted all over this cave of mani stones. Accommodation here is quite simple and you can have local guesthouse or monastery guesthouse.

Overnight night in Guest house(Zutrul puk)

Day 10: Zutrulphuk monastery-Darchen-Tirthapuri hot spring (Half trek and drive(60km)

ELEV:4610M

3-4HOURS/14KM/150M DESCENT

The third and final trek of Mt Kailash it is an easy 2-3hrs walk down you follow the trail through Bharkha plain leading to Darchen crossing several streams along the picturesque gorge. Enchanting view of Mount Kailash accompanies through this Mount Kailash tour and trek  and finely reach to Darchen and drive to Tirdapuri where there is a hot spring. Pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash is not complete without visiting Tirdapuri for the Tibetan Buddhists.

Overnight night in Guest house(Tirthapuri hotspring)

Day 11: Tirthapuri hot spring 0Tsada(240km)

ELEV:3760M

Northwest from Trithapuri, in the middle of the canyon erosion landscape of the Sutlej River, lie the impressive ruins of Toling and Tsaparang – flourishing centers of the former Kingdom Guge. Tsaparang disappeared in the middle of 17. Century; the Toling monastery, our today’s goal was until the 1960’s religious center.

Overnight night in Hotel or Guest house(Tsada)

Day 12: Tsada-Guge Kingdom(25km)

Early in the morning we drive to Tsaparang (10 km, 3.800 m), the oldest center of Guge Kingdom. A group of four temples surround the lower part of the fortress walls, one fifth of which lie above the remains of the city, the former Summer Palace of the kings.

Day 13: Tsada-Shiquanhe

Experience various landscape on the way to Shiquanhe (280 km), the capital of Ngari Prefecture in West Tibet a city at the confluence of Indus and Gar. Shiquanhe River the main source of the Indus, originates from the Kailash .( Overnight in Shiquanhe)

Day 14: Shiquanhe-Pangong tso-Dorma

Drive northwards to Dorma. On the way we visit the Pangong Tso, a long and narrow lake, situated on the border of Indian and China. Fresh air with fantastic view

(Overnight in Dorma)

Day15: Dorma-Dahongliutan

Start driving early in the morning because the road becomes more difficult from Dorma. Soon after drive along a river valley we again stand on the land 5,000 to 5.300 m high. Now and then we have to try hard to deal with the rugged road resulted from the heavy trucks. Get across the Tialongtan La (about 5.000 m) and keep on driving 203 km in 7-8 hours to Dahongliutan. ( Overnight in Dahongliutan)

Day 16 : Dahongliutan-Mazar

We will drive 253 km to Mazar. We are now on the Lingzi Thang Plains; the Kunlun mountain ranges are on the right and the Karakorum mountain range left. The road is very straight, and the landscape fantastic: out of the window scenery appears in brown and red alternatively; emerald small lakes shine under the sunlight. (Overnight in Mazar)

Day 17: Mazar-Yecheng

Soon after pass by Mazar we begin to cross the Kunlun mountains. The Chiragsaldi (4.960 m) is the last pass we have to cross on the way. Afterwards we drive downward along the Yecheng ravine to Xinjiang. Situated at the edge of the Taklamakan desert, Yecheng is a city with a pretty Bazar inhabited by Uigur and Han Chinese. ( Overnight in Yecheng )

Day18: Yecheng-Kashgar

Early in the morning we drive about 250 km to Kashgar (1.300 m), the largest oasis of China. The tar road runs at the edge of the Taklamakan desert. On the way enjoy the landscape of the Kunlun.

In the afternoon we visit the Sundays market of Kashgar, one of the largest weekly markets of Asia.

(Overnight in Kashgar)

Tour includes:
- All the necessaries Tibet Travel Permit
- All the necessaries entrance fees
- Your accommodation with included breakfast
- Tibetan English Speaking guide
- Car and driver for the whole trip
- Agency service fee
- guide and driver accommodation and meal
- permit shipping fee
Tour Excludes:
- Your lunch and dinner
- your flight or train ticket both way
- personal expenses
- guide and driver tips
Feel free to ask if you have any further questions.