Journey to Lhasa and Kailash

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Swayambhunath. Located on a lovely little hill, Swayambhunath Stupa is one of the fascinating architectural jewels of the country. This Buddhist shrine is said to have been built around 250 b.c. The white dome, the main feature of the Stupa, is identified with the spotless, pure jewel of Nirvana, and is crowned by a thirteen-tiered golden spire of conical shape. On the cube at the base of the spire is a pair of the Buddha’s all-seeing eyes, painted on all four sides. The Stupa stands on a typically stylized lotus mandala base, believed to have surfaced (self-originated) years ago from the lake that initially filled the Kathmandu Valley.

From the hilltop one can enjoy a panorama of Kathmandu and the rest of the Valley. A long stairway reaches the Stupa up the wooded hillside and past statues of the Buddha. But watch out for the monkeys! At the top, you’ll see devotees making rounds of the Stupa, spinning the praying wheels as they go around and around.

Other significant things to be seen here is a magnificent two-tiered golden temple of Harati, the grandmother deity of children and smallpox, believed to be an Ogress until later converted into Buddhist and to be a great caretaker of the children. Next to the temple is the Dewa Dharma Monastery, noted for a bronze icon of Buddha and traditional Tibetan paintings, destroyed by the 2015 earthquake and reconstructed.

The huge gold-plated Vajra, set on the Dharmadhatu mandala at the side of the Stupa, the priestly symbol of Vajrayana Buddhism, is worth a close look.

Then we’ll head on to Patan. Patan, located at a distance of 7-kilometres, was once an independent Buddhist city-state, and a rival of Kathmandu, from which it was separated by the Bagmati River. It is also called Lalitpur, literally the city of the Arts. The old centre has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Patan boasts a multitude of temples and wonders of art in and around its Durbar Square (Palace square). We’ll visit the Royal Palace, which occupies one side of the square, where works of art in every piece of wood, stone, and metal are in the exhibit in the open air. We also visit the temple of Krishna, the temple of Jagat Narayan, the Golden Temple and the Temple of Thousands Buddha, among other sites.

At around the end of the tour, we’ll also visit the Museum of Patan, located inside the medieval Palace, is a must for anyone interested in Asian Art, history of Nepal, curatorial science, or religion.  It is a world-class museum that displays the traditional sacred art of Nepal in an illustrious architectural setting. Its home is an old residential part of Patan Durbar, one of the royal palaces of Malla kings of the Kathmandu Valley. The gilded door and window face one of the most beautiful squares in the country.

The museum also exhibits a long span of Nepal’s cultural history and some rare objects. Buddhism and Hinduism are explained in detail in extensive labels within the living traditions and context.

In the evening we’ll visit Basantapur, Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old palace complex exhibits the multitude of temples and palaces. The main attractions are the Gaddi Baithak Durbar, a Palace constructed in the Rana style in 1908, Basantapur Durbar, the main building of the old Royal Palace, Kumari Chowk, the residence of the Living Goddess and Kumari Bahal, where the family of Kumari resides.

Some two hundred years ago, a Western visitor wrote that there were as many temples as there were houses and as many idols as there were people, in the city. Indeed, Kathmandu boasts one of the largest assemblages of magnificent historical monuments and shrines ever built. Duly recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Kathmandu Durbar Square lies in the heart of the city. Locally, it is also called Hanuman Dhoka Palace Square. The fascinating part of this Palace complex is the towering Nine Storey Palace, overlooking the beautiful cityscape and the vast Basantapur Square. In 1768 A.D., King PrithiviNarayan Shah built a mansion to commemorate his conquest of the Valley is known for intricately carved wooden doors, roof struts and massive lattice windows full of mythical figures.

Finalize the tour and exit through Ason Bazaar, an old city centre and market, where one can see and experience a bit of what the Nepalese use in their daily life. The walk takes us until the hotel.

After breakfast we’ll set off to Pashupatinath temple, considered one of the holiest of Hindu shrines. Pashupati has remained the presiding deity of all Hindu Nepalese royalty.  The precinct occupies an area of 281 hectares. The main temple, displaying a golden tiled roof, is off-limits to non-Hindus. To view the main temple and one of its few main gates you’ll have to cross the river and climb steps to the terrace lying opposite. Along the way, you may come across Hindu sadhus and Santas there on a pilgrimage. These ghats (cremation group) along the Bagmati River are where the bodies of recently deceased Hindus of the Valley are cremated.

The trip takes us on to Bhaktapur.  Bhaktapur, located about 15-kilometres east of Kathmandu, is the third major city of the Valley. Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon, literally “the City of Devotees”, is truly a living museum. There is the 55-windowed Royal Palace, the temple of Taleju, the Palace of the Kumari, the temple of Pasupati, the main square of Taumadhi Tole, Nyatapola (the temple of the Five Pagoda Roofs, the tallest such in all of Nepal), the temple of Akash Bhairab (the second most important temple of Bhadgaon). We will also visit the square of DhaHateya and the Square of the Potters. UNESCO recognizes Bhaktapur as a World Heritage Site. Finalize the tour and drive back to Kathmandu.

Transfer to the airport for the flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa on China Southwest Airlines. This one-hour trans-Himalayan flight will allow you to have an aerial view of the Mt. Everest and other Himalayan peaks. We’ll arrive at Gonggar airport at around 1.30 p.m., local time. After clearing immigration and customs, it will be a one hour drive to cover the 90 Kilometres to Lhasa. Arrive at Lhasa and check into your hotel. The rest of the time is to

Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, is located between 290 36’N and 190 06’E at the north bank of Kyichu river, a tributary of the YarlungTsangpo river, at an altitude of 3650 meters above the sea level. The Lhasa has a history of more than 1300 years and has been the centre of politics, economy, culture, and religion in Tibet since ancient times. “Lhasa” in Tibetan means “the land of Gods”. In Lhasa, there is a plentiful of scenic spots and historical attractions, among which Potala Palace, a thirteen-story, 1000 room Palace of the Dalai Lama, Norbulingka, the summer Palace of the Dalai Lama, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple, the holiest shrine of Tibet, and the famous Ramoche temple.

Breakfast and pay a visit to the Jokhang Temple, situated in the centre of the old section of Lhasa called Barkhor, was built in the mid-7^thcentury AD. It was extended later by successive rulers and has now become a gigantic architecture complex. Located in the east, and facing the west, Jokhang is a four-storeyed temple with splendid golden roofs. Its architecture features art from the Tang Dynasty but also assimilated many features from both Nepalese and Indian Buddhist temples. The murals in the temple depict the life stories of historical and religious characters. The temple houses many ancient relics, including statues of King ShrongtsenGompo, Princess Wencheng, Princess Brikuti Devi (Nepalese). Princess willow (a tree), and the uncle–Nephew Alliance Tablet. Jokhang is Tibet’s spiritual centre and the holiest destination for Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. It contained a sitting statue of Shakyamuni when he was 12 years old.

We then continue to Potala Palace, one of the most famous architectural works of the Tibetan World, which sits on top of the red hills in Lhasa. It was built in the 7^th century after the Tibetan King ShrongtsenGampo married Princess Wencheng of the Tang court. The Palace was built to provide a court with a place of worship and meditation. In the mid 17^th century, it was rebuilt by the 5^th Dalai Lama to its present size and became the winter Palace of the Dalai Lamas. The construction took fifty years from beginning to completion.

The Potala Palace is divided into two sections, namely, the red Palace and White Palace. The total height of the Potala is 117 meters spanning thirteen stories.  The length of the Palace from east to west is 400 meters, and the breadth from south to north is 350 meters. The building was constructed with stone and timber with golden roofs. It is a majestic architectural masterpiece.

In the evening we visit Barkhor Street, the holiest pilgrimage site in Lhasa, with innumerable shops, and wayside peddlers intermingle with devotees walking clockwise around the Jokhang. There are four huge prayer flags in each corner of Bhakor square, known respectively as GadhenDharchen in the northeast, JuyakDharchen in the west, KelsangDharchen in the southwest and Shar KyaringDharchen in the southeast. An evening walk (Kora) around the Jokhang Temple, together with the Tibetan pilgrims is a lifetime experience.

Today we will visit the Drepung Monastery, situated on the slope of Wuze Hill, five kilometres northwest of Lhasa. It was built in 1416 and is the largest of the monasteries of the Gelugpa sect. It covers an area of 250,000 square meters. In its heyday, it had more than 10,000 monks. 

Finalize the visit to the Drepung and proceed to the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama and currently a museum.

At around 14:00 hours visit the Sera Monastery located about 3km north of Lhasa and at the foot of Tatipu Hill. Sera is one of the most important monasteries and sacred to the Gelugpa sect, founded by TsongKhapa or yellow hat sect, a branch of Tibetan Buddhism, in 1419, once had 7,000 monks. It has several buildings, the main ones being the Salón Coquen and the specialized schools. Inside the monastery there are preserved sacred scriptures written with gold dust, murals and unique statues, with main statue of Hayagriva, the Horse-headed (protector of the Dharma). This monastery is famous for the monk’s debate for a few hours each afternoon. There is a question-and-answer session during this ritual where a senior monk asks a junior with grimaces, applause, and feigned threats. The important part of this ritual must go through the knowledge of the theosophical questions of the Tibetan lamaistic Buddhist. A very curious moment for the tourist.

Breakfast and depart from Lhasa early in the morning. On the way, we’ll see the Yamdrok holy lake, NyochenKansang, and its glaciers and Kumbum Chorten in Gyantse. Yamdrok Lake is one of the biggest and beautiful lakes in Tibet. We pass by this lake about a 2 hours drive along its bank. Yamdrok means turquoise in blue during the good weather days. This freshwater lake, unlike other Tibetan lakes, is sweet and non-saline, extending for 624 sq.km., in the shape of two pincers of a large scorpion. You can have a short stop at its bank and enjoy photography here.

After a short drive, reach Nagartse, our lunch place. After lunch, we continue the journey through a narrow valley and cross the NyochenKansang mountain, a lovely area. We stop here for essential photography and continue toward Gyantse, a small Tibetan town between a monastery and fort and rich in agriculture and famous for its wool, carpets and its Kumbum stupa monastery.

In Gyantse, we visit the Kubum Stupa and Palchoe monastery. PhalkorChoide Chorten with a unique structure, built-in 1414, in collaboration with Newari artists from Nepal & Tibetan artists, with nine stories, 108 doors and 77 chapels containing clay sculptures and various murals. The pagoda is said to have 100,000 images, either sculptured or painted, the reason for its name “100,000 Image Pagoda”. It is topped by thirteen rings, which symbolize the stages of advancement towards Buddhahood. There are 108 halls inside, each with frescoes and Buddha Shrines. Just to the next the Phalkor Monastery founded by Kedup Je of the Gelugpa sect and RabtenKunsang of Sakyapa sect in 1418, the Phalkor Monastery has a special influence over Tibet’s Buddhism owing to its unification of three different sects, the Gelugpa, the Sakyapa and Bhuton sects, in a single monastery.

After the visit, continue the drive to Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city, located 355 kilometres west of Lhasa. This town lies between 290 02 ‘N and 880 08’E in the southwest of the Tibet Autonomous Region where the Nyangchu river joins the YarlungTsangpo river. Shigatse is the centre of transportation and distribution of agriculture and husbandry products from the southeast part of Tibet. Shigatse in Tibet means the “Estate that fulfills one’s wishes.” Arrive at Shigatse and check into the hotel.

In the morning visit its famous Tashilhunpo Monastery. This monastery is the biggest Gelugpa monastery in the Tsang region of Tibet. It is located in the town of Shigatse and was founded by GedunDrup, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelugpa sect. GedunDrup is recognized as the first Dalai Lama. It was first built in 1447 and continuously expanded by the successive Panchen Lamas. The most amazing image in this monastery is the statue of the giant Maitreya (Future Buddha) erected by the 9^th Panchen Lama in 1914. It took four years to build this monumental statue which stands twenty-six meters high and is composed of 275 kg of solid gold, and a great number of precious things such as pearls, turquoise, coral and amber. The 4^th Panchen Lama’s funeral stupa was built in 1662, and it stands eleven meters high and is covered in solid gold and silver.

Finalize with the visit and start the journey of the day. Today we will visit one of the most valuable monasteries of Tibet, the Sakya Monastery.  Sakya monastery is one of the most important historical sites of Tsang. Highlights the peculiar colour of the buildings, painted in ash grey with red and white vertical stripes to symbolize the trinity of Sakya, the Manjusri, Avalokiteshvara and Vajradhara. Its main claims are its northern and southern monasteries, located on both banks of the Trum-Chu (river).

Today there are only ruins in the northern monastery. The Southern Monastery was built in 1268 as a fortress and surrounded by a moat. They have a collection of numerous writings, murals of the Yuan dynasty, more than 3,000 Thangkas (tapestry or Buddhist flag), titles, stamps, crowns, porcelain items, embroidery of the Song and Yuan dynasty, clothing and ornaments and a Great Vermilion Pillar presented by the King Kublai Khan during his visit to Sakya. Kublai Khan, the grandson and the successor of Genghis Khan is the fifth emperor of the Yuan Mongol dynasty and reigned 1260–94.  Kublai Khan completed the conquest of China,  begun by Genghis Khan, in 1279 and became the first Yuan ruler of all of China.

After visiting one of the most important monasteries in Tibet, we continue to New Dingri, an old Tibetan settlement with typical clustered Tibetan styled housing at the foot of the small hillock. A short exploration in the village can expose you to a typical remote Tibetan lifestyle. Right from the roadside of Dingri, you can see Mt. Everest toward the southern direction.

This morning, try to wake up early in the morning to see the sunrise on Everest and take essential photographs, and drive towards Rongbuk monastery and Everest base camp. Shortly after the departure Dingri, turn off the Friendship Highway by the Pang La 5150m pass with incredible views stretching uninterrupted from Makalu to Shishapangma. Below the pass, Everest remains hidden from view, but as we reach the corner of Rombuk Valley, it reappears more impressive than ever.

The Rongbuk Monastery, at an altitude of 5000 meters above sea level, is the only monastery located at such an elevation in the World. It is built on the foot of Chomolungma, better known as Mount Everest, where a small community of monks and nuns live compared to other monasteries in Tibet. In the late afternoon, drive back to Shegar.

After a sightseeing stop at Everest Base Camp we transfer to Saga. The road traverses along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape with a view of Jo Oyu. Everest in the distance on the way if the weather is clear, the most beautiful lake of Pekutso and a beautiful view of Shisha Bangma on your right-hand side. Before reaching Saga County, we will cross the Brahmaputra River which has started from the source of Kailash, flows through the western part of Tibet including Shigatse and finally empties into the Bay of Bengal.

After Saga, we continue driving through a vast grassland of the western plateau and Tibetan nomad camp. The drive continues on the wide valley following rivers and grazing land of yaks and sheep. Far south you can see snow-covered peaks nearby you, lots of Rocky Mountains and dunes giving you an ideal World. On the way, we will visit a monastery at Old Zongba village at an elevation of 4,600m.

The drive continues with excitement. You can have the first sight of Holy Kailash and Manasarovar. Holy Manasarovar Lake situated at an elevation of 4,504 metres is the highest Lake of fresh water with turquoise complexion, full of fishes and swans, in the World. The Holy Mountain Kailash, Mt. Gurla-Mandhata, Lake Rashekshi are lying on its surroundings. The whole region is considered rich for gold and other mines, hot springs and hundreds of wild creatures. You will arrive in Mansarovar lake by around late lunchtime, have lunch andrest.

Breakfast, visit Manasarovar. Manasarovar is the lake of tranquillity, compassion, and bliss, so in the morning, until lunch, we spend time around the corners of the lake, which offers some magnificent scenery, especially before lunch. After lunch, leave for Tarchen, which is about 27 kilometres away. Before reaching Tarchen, visit the SerlungGonpa, Rakshas Tal (the Monster Lake) and Chiu Gonpa. Weather permitting, one can have a great view from Chiu Gonpa.

We wake up early, have tea and breakfast, and drive 8 kilometres to Tarboche. Tarboche is a very special place where an important event takes place: raising the Prayer Pole during the full moon day of Saga Dawa. Tarboche is also the base camp for the Holy Mount Kailash Kora and meets the yaks and horses for Kailash Kora.

Leave the vehicle and start walking for Kora (circumambulation of Kailash). This starting point is considered the Yama Dwar, the gate of Yama. Yama is the lord of death in Hinduism. In Buddhist mythology, Yama is a Dharmapala (wrathful god) who is said to judge the dead and preside over the Narakas (“Hells” or “Purgatories”) and the cycle of rebirth. The Buddhist Yama has different myths and functions than the Hindu Yama. He has spread far more widely and is known in every country where Buddhism is practised, including China and Japan.

For lay people, Yama Gate means the auspicious gateway to the Mt. Kailash circuit. The area of Yama Dwar is the biggest sky burial site of Kailash. From here, you can see the closest view of Mt. Kailash and start trekking to make the Kora of Holy Mount Kailash. The day leads ahead with beautiful rocky cliffs, Tibetan pilgrims, waterfalls, and an easing face of Kailash appearing from time to time. An 18 km trail takes 5-7 hrs. Overnight in a tented camp.

A person in good shape walking fast would take 15 hours to complete the 52 km trek, which we will accomplish in 3 days.

Lha Chu Valley fades as you turn towards Drolma Chu Valley. Anticipating the majestic Mount Kailash, you conquer the ascent to Drolma La 18600ft, the pinnacle of the circuit. Here, devotees offer their prayer flags, and you’re rewarded with a breathtaking view of ThukpeDzingbu Lake, the Lake of Compassion. Standing at the summit, you’ll feel a surge of triumph, knowing that this arduous and challenging climb has been worth every step—a cluster of prayer flags flutters in the wind, a testament to your achievement.

Continuing on, the trail leads to the serene flat fields of Zutul-Puk, home to a monastery and a collection of captivating caves. These caves are renowned for their tranquillity and are perfect for meditation. Among them is Milarepa’s cave, where the footprints and elbow prints of the revered Buddhist saint Milarepa are said to be imprinted on the mani stones.

A lifetime journey to one of the holiest parts of the World is supposedly completed. We then take a thrilling drive back to Paryang through the village of Hor. On the way back we get to see a large collection of prayer flags beside the road, offered by pilgrims to Mount Kailash. We stop here for the last view of holy Kailash and continue to Gunggyo Tso (Lake), ascend to Maryum La 5,140 metres. We again make a brief stop for mountain views across the vast Tibetan plateau from the pass.

We further continue our drive to Saga passing through the town of Zhongba and some minor passes. The road passes through vast open areas full of herds of grazing yaks. The views of the snow-capped Nepalese Himalayan range fill the skyline horizon to the south. After crossing the villages of  Drongpa and a small pass, we reach Saga, a small town intermingling of Chinese and Tibetan dwellings.

Today you drive to Kyirong town, which is a newly opened border between Nepal and Tibet. The old border was closed due to the earthquake of April 2015. The entire trail is scenic with views of snow-capped mountains including Shishapangma, which is the only 8 thousand metres located in China/Tibet. The highest pass that we come over is Gongtang-la 5000m. On the way, we also get to admire a fantastic view of Lake Peikutso and the mountain behind the valley. The day is scenically rewarding and provides plenty of photographing opportunities.

We’ll leave Kyirong in the morning and head to the Nepalese border. Your guide and driver will help you to pass out from China customs and immigration. On arrival at the border meet our Nepali Guide and get assistance to fulfil Nepalese immigration formalities and change the cars. From Kyirong we’ll enjoy driving through the beautiful Nepalese countryside. The Nepal side roads are not that good as in Tibetan plains and driving 150 kilometres could take a minimum of 3-4 hours! Arrive and check into the hotel. In the evening, welcome and farewell dinner at Kathmandu.

Breakfast and free time till the time limit. In the indicated time our office representative and vehicle arrive at your hotel to serve you till the airport. Drive to Kathmandu international airport, see off formalities and departure.