15-Day Everest Base Camp & Kailash Pilgrimage Trek with Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake

A local tour guide will welcome you at the airport or train station when you arrive in Lhasa, then you will be transfer to the hotel. Please take a rest and acclimatize the high altitude in the hotel and no need to rush for sightseeing. Please aware: The tour is also available for tourists who start in Lhasa and end in Kyilong border, so if the group has members to exit Tibet from Kyilong, we will see them off at the Sino-Nepal border, thus the itinerary from the Day 11 will be done with a small detour with one extra destination Kyilong Valley, which is considered the most beautiful green valley at the foot of of Himalaya Mountain Range. Please note this route usually only have one group each month, the expect dates are 26 April, 16 May, 13 June, 16 June, 14 July, 12 Aug, 10 Sep, 6 Oct, 11 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, but please contact us for the exact date, thank you.

This small group-joined tour departs on fix date and request minimum number of people to form the group, if you want to decide your own tour date, please contact with us to check, highly recommended don't issue the tickets in advance by yourselves without checking with us for dates and permit, based on long-term good relationship with airlines, we can guarantee to get tickets for you, even with very good discount. It's also possible for arranging you go to Lhasa one or two days before tour date to get acclimatized to high altitude, of course, need to pay accommodation and picking up with guide service extra. The tour economy class which hotels in the cities are 3 and basic dormitory at Mt. Everest Base Camp, if you want to upgrade to 4 or 5* hotel (only possible in Lhasa), please contact with us for available and cost. If you are solo traveler, we will try to arrange you share the room with other odd people, but if not possible, you need to pay single supplement to get your own room.

Your tour will begin from UNESCO World Heritage site - Potala Palace. As you approach Potala Palace, marvel at the 13-story fort, which dominates the Lhasa Valley at an altitude of 12,140 feet (3,700 meters). Established in the 7th century during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo, Potala Palace was built as a winter palace of the Dalai Lama. The complex, built on Red Mountain, covers 101 acres (41 hectares) and includes many sutras and painted scrolls -- a treasure of traditional Tibetan culture and Buddhism. Pass through the massive walled gates and turrets with your guide and visit the private rooms, shrine room and audience hall of the present Dalai Lama on the uppermost level of the White Palace. View the most sacred shrine, the Phakpa Lhakang Temple, as well as the entombed stupas of past Dalai Lamas. Marvel at the Namgyal Monastery assembly hall and its fascinating murals!

Designated as part of the same UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jokhang Temple Monastery is a spiritual center for Buddhists in Tibet. . A renowned pilgrimage destination for Tibetans, the Buddhist religious complex was founded by Queen Bhrikuti in the 7th century. Look with awe at the temple’s rich ornamentation, beautiful murals and harmonious integration with the striking landscape. Your guide will take you to the temple's most important chapels and point out the sacred Jowo Sakyamuni Buddha statue, which represents the Buddha at the age of 12.

Next, continue to Barkhor Street, which runs through the heart of the old city and filled with pilgrims and street vendors. Life here has changed little over the centuries. As you walk in a clockwise direction along the circuit, you’ll find stalls selling everything from traditional Tibetan clothes to knives to prayer wheels and thangka, Tibetan scroll painting. In the evening, enjoy the welcome dinner before retiring to your hotel.

In the morning, visit Drepung monastery ---- the home temple of the Dalai Lama and known as one of the “three greet” Gelug monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1416. Drepung monastery used to be a seat of central government until the 5th Dalai Lama built Potala Palace.

In the afternoon visit Sera Monastery---It was one of the “three great” Gelug monasteries of Tibet and developed over the centuries as a renowned place of scholarly learning. Admire the imposing complex, built in 1419 by one of the eight disciples of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelugpa sect. As you explore the site, your guide will explain the significance of the picturesque green and gold design, typical of Tibetan architecture. Learn about the 1959 revolt that destroyed some of the monastery structures and caused many surviving monks to seek refuge in Mysore, India, where another Sera Monastery was established. The highlight will be monks debate around 3 pm - 5 pm.

Today, you will go to Gyantse from Lhasa. On the way, you will drive by the Gampala pass (4790 m),and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok Yumtso Lake (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and be impressed by the spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m) in distance, the highest mountain near Lhasa. Escape from the noisy city and just enjoy the incredible nature at the moment.

Later, you will visit the Karola Glacier----the closest glacier to the road and one of the three major continental glaciers in Tibet. The glacier originates at Mt. Noijin Kangsang 7,191m which is one of the four holy mountains of Tibet.

Known as the only religious art museum in China, Palkhor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa combines architecture, painting and sculpture together. Built in 1436 and surrounded by a battlement wall, the monastery and temples been well protected and wonderful setting. Enjoy the peaceful here and feel stepping back in time.

After about 1.5h driving, you will reach Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. Take a break and relax in the evening.

Drive to Lhatse where you can have lunch. Then explore the Tashilunpo monastery. Founded by the 1st Dalai Lama in 1447,considered as the home of Panchen Lama and the largest monastery in the area. It display the biggest gilded Maitreya (Future Buddha) in the world and a tomb of all the Panchen Lama with jewels and gold here.

Everest in distance on the way back down. On the way, you will pass Pang la Pass(5050m), one of the highest passes in Tibet. From the pass, enjoy the stunning view of the five highest peaks in the world. After 4 to 6 hours, you'll arrive at Rongbuk Monastery.

In the morning, appreciate the sunrise of Everest Peak at the lodging area before visit the Rongbuk Monastery – It's a small and simple Monastery but has the most amazing views because of the Himalayas and known as the unique highest monastery with nuns and monks living together. Later on, head to Saga, you can view of the worlds’14th highest peak Mt.Shishapangma (8012m), and  Turquoise Lake Peiku tso(4590m).

On the way to Tarchen, you will have a chance to appreciate the stunning view of the Saga valley between Gangdise Range and Himalaya Range. Meanwhile, the beautiful grassland and local's villages can also be seen. As we cross the Mayomla Pass(5112M), you can enjoy the spectacular vista of Mt. Naimonanyi(7694M). Then we are supposed to pass by the holy Lake Manasarover and finally arrive at the southern foot of Mt.Kailash, the most holy mountain in Tibet.

In the morning, you will take eco-bus from Tarchen to Sarshung valley. Then we will meet Yaks and porters at Sarshung village(the cost of hiring yaks, horses, and porters are not included in the package). After that, begain to trek (around 13km) from Sarshung to Drirapuk Monastery along the Lachu valley and rivers. You can enjoy the both west and north face of mountain Kailash today. Finally, arrive and visit Drirapuk Monastery.

Today, you will trek over Dromala pass(5630m), the highest pass of the Kora. On the way you can have a rest in a teahouse. All the way, you can see locals Tibetans prostrating in the Kora path and beautiful Kadoe Lake when walk downhill and visit Zutulpuk Monastery.

On the day three of the Kora. you will trek 7km to Zongto where you can take bus to Tarchen. Along the Kora, you can see piles of Mani Stones. We will end the Trek around noon and then rest in the lodging place.

Today will drive from Tarchen to Saga via Lake Manasorova.

Today will drive from Saga to Sakya.

In the morning, you will visit ancient Sakya town and appreciate Sakya Monastery with amzing murals and huge collection of scriptures and statues.Then will drive from Sakya to Shigatse.

We will follow Yarlong Valley back to Lhasa. On the way, you can stand on the viewing platform to view the vast Yarlong river bed and visit Water Mill making Tibetan Incense material (in Summer if time permits) and you will be drop-off at hotel in Lhasa.

Transfer from hotel to airport(at specified time) or train station(anytime).