Trekking Around Mount Kailash

MOSCOW – BEIJING/CHENGDU – LHASA. On the first day of our journey, we will travel to the capital of Tibet—Lhasa! After flying from Moscow, we will gather at Chengdu Airport and take a connecting flight to Tibet. Upon arrival, we will be greeted and transferred to our hotel for check-in.

Note: Dinner is not included on this day, but you are free to dine at any local restaurant or order a buffet dinner at the hotel.

LHASA. In the morning, we will visit the Tibet Museum in Lhasa—an official museum of China, opened in 1999 as the first large modern museum in the Tibet Autonomous Region. It houses a collection of over 520,000 artifacts, including ceramics, jade, and Buddha statues, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

After lunch, we will visit Sera Monastery, one of the "Great Three" Gelug university monasteries of Tibet. Founded in 1419, this monastery is famous for its traditional monk debates, held in the afternoon as a way of studying Buddhist scriptures.

*** Important: The Tibet Museum is closed on Mondays, so we will adjust our schedule if needed.

LHASA. In the morning, we will visit the Potala Palace, originally built in 637 AD by King Songtsen Gampo and later expanded into the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a breathtaking landmark filled with intricate murals, Buddhist statues, and sacred scriptures.

After lunch, we will visit Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism. Built in 647 AD, it is the oldest wooden-and-stone structure still standing in Tibet. We will also stroll along Barkhor Street, a bustling market surrounding the temple, where you can experience authentic Tibetan culture.

LHASA – SHIGATSE (360 km). Today, we travel to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, located at 3,900 m above sea level.

Along the way, we will stop at Yamdrok Lake (4,441 m), one of Tibet’s four sacred lakes, offering stunning views of its turquoise waters and the mystical Mount Donang Sangwari (5,340 m).

We will also pass by Karola Glacier, an awe-inspiring glacier close to the road, making it an easily accessible yet breathtaking sight.

Arrival in Shigatse in the evening.

SHIGATSE – SAGA (500 km). Today, we head to Saga, stopping at Lhatse, a small town where roads to Everest and Kailash diverge. This is a common lunch stop for travelers heading to both destinations.

Our route follows the famous G219 National Highway, winding between the Gangdise and Himalayan mountain ranges. Along the way, we may witness natural hot spring eruptions.

Saga, meaning "Happy Land" in Tibetan, is located at 4,650 m and serves as a strategic intersection for multiple Tibetan routes.

SAGA – DARCHEN (500 km). We continue to Zhongba, the "land of wild yaks," where we may encounter rare wildlife such as blue sheep, Mongolian gazelles, and Tibetan antelopes.

After lunch in Parayang (4,622 m), a small town on the Tibetan grasslands, we will reach the sacred Lake Manasarovar, revered in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Bon traditions.

We then proceed to Darchen (4,575 m), the starting point of our trek around Mount Kailash.

DARCHEN – DIRAPUK MONASTERY (5,080 m). We begin our 52 km trek around Mount Kailash, ascending 1,000 meters.

Pious pilgrims believe that circumambulating Kailash purifies the soul and brings good karma. Accompanied by pack horses or yaks, we will pass stupas, prayer flags, and sacred mani stones.

Trek distance: 15 km (6-8 hours).

For those who prefer a challenge, a longer route can be arranged.

TREKKING & RETURN TO DARCHEN.Today, we face the most challenging section of the trek.

We ascend to Dolma La Pass (5,600 m), the highest point of the pilgrimage, marked by countless prayer flags. Afterward, we descend towards Lake Gauri Kund, a revered site in Hinduism.

Trek distance: 12-20 km, depending on whether you take a transfer for part of the route.

TRANSFER TO ZANDA (220 km). We visit Kyunglung, the "Silver Palace of the Garuda Valley", an ancient cave complex once part of the Shangshung Kingdom. These caves were likely used for rituals rather than dwellings.

Later, we explore the Eroded Castles of Zanda, a natural wonder shaped by wind and rain into castle-like formations, towers, and figures.

ZANDA – ALI (250 km). We visit the Ruins of the Guge Kingdom, a lost Tibetan empire that flourished from the 10th to the 17th century. The ruins include over 600 structures, stupas, and caves spread across a vast mountain complex.

Later, we arrive in Shiquanhe (Ali), the capital of the Ngari Prefecture, at an altitude of 4,250 m.

ALI – LHASA – CHENGDU. Трансфер в аэропорт Али Куньша для перелета CA3936 10:40/12:50 в аэропорт Лхаса Гонга. После приземления пересадка на рейс в Чэнду.

We transfer to Ali Kunsha Airport for a flight to Lhasa, followed by a connecting flight to Chengdu.

If we have a long layover in Lhasa, a short city tour can be arranged.