Kailash Tour with Lhasa - Drive In/Fly Out

  • Trip Duration Trip Duration 14 Days
  • Trip Grade Trip Grade Moderate

About Kailash Tour with Lhasa - Drive In/Fly Out

14 DAYS KAILASH TOUR - DRIVE IN/FLY OUT

The first part of the proposed 14 days Kailash tour with Lhasa starts first, from Kathmandu taking you through the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway and gets diverted to Trishuli (new route to Trishuli). From Trishuli township, an uphill drive starts taking you all the way to the border using the same route used by the trekkers to the Langtang valley area in Nepal. It is so scen

ic that you will remain busy in your photography all around

After the border formalities on both the Nepal and Tibet sides, you are required to change the vehicle to the Tibetan ones. After the formal introduction, our Nepali guide hands you over to our Tibetan guide and driver. They will welcome you to their vehicle and will be driven to the hotel/guest house in Kerung township where you will have overnight with full rest for acclimatisation.

Next day, your drive will be through the Tibetan plateau where you will encounter a completely different landscape with rugged-sandy-graveled topography. Green vegetation is so rare with hardy plants where you will see yaks and sheep grazing. Your route involves an overnight in Dzongba and then in Manasarovar.

During the Kailash tour with Lhasa, your first encounter with Manasarovar is overwhelmingly magnificent with the Mt Kailash on its back drop. The following morning will keep religious people busy in organizing a dip or bath in the lake and ‘puja’ on its bank. Strolling around with a visit to Chiu Gompa is quite interesting and rewarding. In the afternoon, you will be driven to Darchen, a base camp for the circumambulation (parikrama or kora) around Mt Kailash.

After your careful preparation, you will be driven to Tarboche from where your walk starts. This is the core part of Kailash tour with Lhasa. The scenery side by side with the might presence of Mt Kailash on your right is always accompanying you till the end of the kora. High pass of Droma La (5,650 m) is a challenge to all on the second day of the kora. Comparatively, the second day is the longest and toughest one in all sense, while the third day is easier and shorter as you are picked up after about a 3-hour walk by our vehicles and driven back to Manasarovar for your nice rest and recapitulation of the trip.

way back is the same until Saga from where we take straight route to Lhatse in continuation of our drive to Lhasa. We will have an overnight in Xigatse. With sightseeing of various interesting sites and monasteries in Xigatse and Gyantse, we continue our drive to Lhasa passing by another beautiful lake called Yamadroke Lake (lake with turquoise colour). Today, we reach Lhasa by crossing Brahmaputra River once again. Lhasa – a Tibetan capital and cultural centre, not only offers a comfortable stay, but also a variety of food options in different restaurants compelling you to forget all the hassles you underwent so far in your trip. Sightseeing trip to the major sites like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery in Lhasa is so impressive that it is beyond our words.

Remember any tour to Tibet without a visit to Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet is never complete. So, please join this 14 days Kailash tour with Lhasa. You will have a great time with us. No words more than this from our side.


Trip Highlights

  • Colorful prayer flags beautifully flapping on the kora trail, on each Tibetan house, on the high passes and on each monastery
  • Highly scenic and rewarding overland tour to holy Kailash with Lhasa
  • Holy city of Lhasa, cultural centre of Tibet with Potala Palace with 13 floors, 1,000 rooms and 10,000 steps,
  • Extremely picturesque drive on the Tibetan plateau,
  • Excellent road from the Nepal border to Kailash and Lhasa
  • Accompaniment of a good English speaking Tibetan guide throughout the tour
  • Good food (both veg & non-veg) available throughout the tour
  • Memorable 2½ day circumambulation (kora) around Mt Kailash on foot
  • Holy bath in the Manasarovar

Itinerary

  • 1
    Day 01: KATHMANDU (1,300 m) – RASUWAGADHI – KERUNG – (3,200m: 185 km/7-8 hrs)

    Early morning, start a scenic drive from KATHMANDU to KERUNG using about 50 km drive on the KATHMANDU-POKHARA HIGHWAY. Then, continue drive with a right hand side turn to Trishuli from where our uphill drive starts by using popularly used route by the trekkers going for LANGTANG VALLEY & GOSHAINKUNDA exploration. We pass by Dhunche and Syabrubesi townships on our way to Rasuwagadhi (Nepal side immigration point) and Kerung (Tibet side immigration point). After completing custom and immigration formalities, our Tibetan guide will take you to Kerong township where we will overnight

    • KERUNG
    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • GUEST HOUSE
  • 2
    Day 02: KERONG – DZONGBA – (4,440 m: 310 km/6-7 hrs)

    Today, we drive on the Tibetan plateau encountering a completely different landscape which is arid and rugged, but extremely scenic and colourful. Our drive passes by a beautiful lake called PEIKU TSO (4,591 m) and reach SAGA (4,400 m) by crossing over the Brahmaputra river for the first time. After lunch there, we continue our drive to DZONGBA – a small growing Tibetan township – Overnight.

    • DZONGBA
    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • GUEST HOUSE
  • 3
    Day 03: DZONGBA – MANASAROVAR (4,560 m: 280 Km/5-6 hrs)

    Scenic drive to LAKE MANSAROVAR by crossing over the MAYUM LA (5,225 m). The drive passes through the MAYUM LA (5,225 m) Also, en route, we pass by a beautiful lake called HANUMAN LAKE (Nyogze lake) – The LAKE MANSAROVAR is believed to be created by the BRAHMA (the HINDU creator deity) as a reflection of the depth of HIS soul – manas. Overnight at LAKE MANASAROVAR – Guest House.

    • MANASAROVAR
    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • GUEST HOUSE
  • 4
    Day 04: MANASAROVAR – DARCHEN (4,500 m: 40 KM/1 hr)

    AM: Exploration with puja and holy bath in MANASAROVAR with a visit to CHIU GOMPA near by until late afternoon. PM: Late afternoon, scenic drive to DARCHEN (4,560 m), the base camp area of Mt Kailash. Start preparation for the next 3 day trek (kora: circumambulation) around MT KAILASH– Guest House.

    • DARCHEN
    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • GUEST HOUSE
  • 5
    Day 05: START TREK AROUND MT KAILASH - DHIRAPHUK (4,900 m)

    Morning drive to TARBOCHE (4,600 m: 9 km: 30 min) where there is YAMA DWAR (taken as the door to heaven). Right here, SAGA DAWA festival (birth day celebration of Lord Buddha) is observed by the local Tibetans from different corners of Tibet. From here, going through the YAMA DWARA, we start kora around MT KAILASH and reach DHIRA PHUK (10 km: 5-6 hrs). The total distance of the kora: Parikrama from DARCHEN to DARCHEN is of 53 km and overnight at DHIRA PHUK – Tented Guest House

    • DHIRAPHUK
    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • TENTED GUEST HOUSE
  • 6
    Day 06: TREK FROM DHIRAPHUK TO ZUTULPHUK (4,800 m)(16 km: 7-8 hrs)

    Today, better to start earlier so that we could overcross the high pass called DROLMA LA (5,600 m) before noon. There is a high chance of getting windy with bad weather after noon. Continue trek to ZUTULPHUK exploring GAURI KUNDA on the way. Today is the most challenging day with a long day walk. However, as it is a downhill walk from the DROLMA LA. It is comparatively easier – overnight at Tented guest house at ZUTULPHUK.

    • ZUTULPHUK
    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • TENTED GUEST HOUSE
  • 7
    Day 07: END TREK – DRIVE BACK TO MANASAROVAR

    Continue kora/parikrama until mid day with about a 10 km walk (2-3 hrs) on the plane terrain. End trek at a point where our vehicle will be waiting to pick us up and drive to DARCHEN (8 km: 45 min) on the plane terrain. Then, continue drive back to MANASAROVAR (1 hr) – Rest for recapitulation of the 3 day kora or stroll around with your own interest – Overnight at Guest House.

    • MANASAROVAR
    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • GUEST HOUSE
  • 8
    Day 08: MANASAROVAR – SAGA ( 4,400 M: 480 km/5-6 hrs)

    Today, we drive back to SAGA repeating the same way back via MAYUM LA, DZONGBA & PARYANG. This way back drive offers the 2nd time opportunity to enjoy the scenery both hand side of the road which some people could have missed because of their ill health before. Enjoy the photography and question/answer session with your guide during your drive. Overnight at SAGA at Guest House/hotel.

    • SAGA
    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • GUEST HOUSE
  • 9
    Day 09: SAGA – SHGATSE (3,900 m: 310 km/5-6 hrs)

    This is the place we split from our way back to KATHMANDU via KERUNG and continue our drive to LHASA via LHATSE (3,900 m). We pass by scenic landscape with sporadic appearances of small typical Tibetan villages encountering the Tibetan nomads with their migratory camping sites along with herds of yaks and sheep. Finally, we reach SHIGATSE, the 2nd biggest township of Tibet getting modern day by day. Overnight at SHIGATSE at Hotel.

    • SHIGATSE
    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • HOTEL
  • 10
    Day 10: XIGATSE – GYANTSE (3,950 m: 90 KM/1½ hrs)

    Morning visit to TASHILUMPO MONASTERY (the most beautiful monastery in Tibet belonging the PANCHEN LAMA, the 2nd highest Lama in Tibet after Dalai Lama) and afternoon scenic drive to GYANTSE (1½ hrs) through the green lush farmland and visit KUMBUM STUPA and PHALKHOR MONASTERY – Hotel in GYANTSE.

    • GYANTSE
    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • HOTEL
  • 11
    Day 11: GYANTSE – LHASA (3650 m: 261 KM)

    Drive from GYANTSE to LHASA via YAMADROK LAKE (holy turquoise lake) over crossing the high passes like KARO LA (5,010 m) and KHAMBA LA (4,890 m) and BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER (the lifeline river of Tibet) once again with frequent stops for photography and else – Hotel in Lhasa.

    • LHASA
    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • HOTEL
  • 12
    Day 12: IN LHASA

    AM: Visit POTALA PALACE (the winter palace of Dalai Lama with its majestic presence in the middle of the city). PM: Visit JOKHANG TEMPLE (central Buddhist cathedral in Lhasa) & BARKHOR BAZAAR (old downtown Tibetan bazaar) - Hotel

    • IN LHASA
    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • HOTEL
  • 13
    Day 13: IN LHASA

    Full day sightseeing tour to DREPUNG MONASTERY (the biggest monastery in Tibet sheltering more 10,000 monks one time) and SERA MONASTERY (the 2nd biggest monastery in Tibet where one can witness live debate going on among the monks competing from different monasteries of Tibet). Please make sure to be there only in the afternoon to catch the debate - Hotel.

    • IN LHASA
    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • HOTEL
  • 14
    Day 14: LHASA – KATHMANDU (1,300 m):

    After breakfast, transfer to GONGAAR AIRPORT (45 min) – Fly LXA/KTM trans-Himalayan flight of about an hour with the fantastic mountain view including Mt Everest (8,848 m) – Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, pick up and transfer to your hotel. Rest for the day.
    END OF THE TOUR

    • KATHMANDU
    • BED & BREAKFAST

Cost Includes

NOTE: The cost given in the price tag is based on 2 persons minimum basis with 3 star hotel in Lhasa and Xigatse and guest houses.

  • Twin sharing accommodation in respective hotel in Lhasa and Xigatse with guest houses as per itinerary in the rest of the places
  • Meal plan in all hotels and guest houses on BED & BREAKFAST basis
  • Good English speaking Tibetan Guide
  • Transportation as per itinerary by a 4WD Good Jeep in Nepal and a Good Van in Tibet for the group from 2 - 4 persons and a good bus for the group above 5 persons
  • Monastery entrance fees
  • Tibet Travel permit fee
  • Yak and Yak man (1 yak for 2 men’s luggage for kora)
  • Oxygen bottle (1 each: 800 ml)

Cost Excludes:

  • Tibet visa fee US$ 89 net per person (Extra payable)
  • Air fare KTM/LXA US$ 330+97 (Extra payable: Subject to change as per airlines)
  • All insurances & rescue expenses
  • Extra costs due to natural or political disturbance which is beyond our control
  • Personal expenses such as drinks, tips, porter charges, etc.
  • All trekking & camping arrangement like sherpa, cook, main meals, truck, equipments, etc.

FOR GROUP PRICES FOR ABOVE 2 PERSONS, PLS SEE THE COST DETAILS BELOW.

FOR LOW SEASON: APR, MAY, JUN & OCT – 2018

(IN US$/NETT PER PERSON)

BASIS

3 STAR HOTELS+GUEST HOUSES

02 – 03 pax

$ 2,430

04 pax

$ 1,775

05 - 08 pax

$ 1,710

Single supplement

$ 340

 

FOR HIGH SEASON: JUL, AUG & SEP – 2018

(IN US$/NETT PER PERSON)

BASIS

3 STAR HOTELS+GUEST HOUSES

02 – 03 pax

$ 2,630

04 pax

$ 1,845

05 - 08 pax

$ 1,810

Single supplement

$ 340

 

NOTE: Tibet visa fees vary from nationality to nationality. Please check with us before you confirm the tour. 

Useful info

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

  •  Higher the number of participants in the group, the cost will be lower.
  • The tour is based on guest houses & 3 star hotels (where available and recommendable) with breakfast only. Lunch and dinner are easily available in each guest house and hotel en route.
  • The guest houses on the Kailash side are basic with common toilets. So, all are requested not to have a high expectation.