Lhasa Guge Kingdom Tour

Lhasa Guge kingdom tour is three weeks long adventure in remote villages of Tibet. trip starts with magnificent  Flight to Lhasa, Visit the highlights of Lhasa such as Potala Palace, Jorkhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Drepung and Sera Monasteries. Drive to Tibetan town of Gyantse via the Southern Friendship Highway. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Himalayas and from Kamba La (4, 704m) and Karo La (5,045m). The road runs more than 40 miles along the bank of beautiful Yamdrok Tso Lake, which is the most scenic part of this trip. visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery and Kumbum Stupa and drive to Shigatse-the second largest city of Tibet. Visit Shalu Monastery which is about 20km before Shigatse and about 4 km off the highway. Upon arrival in Shigatse, check in hotel and visit Tashilunbo Monastery-the principal seat of Panchen Lama.

Sakya Monastery is the principal seat of Sakyapa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism that once ruled Tibet, prior emergence of powerful Gelugpa Sect in 17th century. We continue on, past the turn-off for the northern route, and arrive at Saga, From Saga it is 145 km to Zhongba. The road is good and the trip can be completed in 4-5 hrs. From Zhongba onwards the southern road condition deteriorates but you are well compensated with the panoramic views of mountains on either side of the road.

Lake Manasarovara , there will be several river crossings. Bridges are under construction. Drive past Mayum la (4600 m). The scenery is stunningly beautiful with panoramic views of the Himalayas. Explore the shores of the Lake Manasarovara. Visit Chiu Gompa and take sulfur hot spring bath. drive to Darchen, the trail head and finish point. Take your time to visit the monastery at Darchen, while the crews assemble gears, arrange yaks, buy the fresh produce and so forth.  Commence the Circumambulation Trek-This Kailash circuit covers 53 kms and can be done in 3 days. We head west in clockwise direction and after a few kilometers the trail climbs up to a cairn at 4730 m from where the southern face of Mt. Kailash comes in to view. Overnight camp nearby Driraphuk Gompa.

Lhasa Guge kingdom tour continue with an easy 2-3 hrs walk down to where the river emerges on to the Barga plain. We complete the circuit trek of Mt. Kailash and drive to Tirthapuri Hot springs. For pilgrims, Tirthapuri visit is a part of Mount Kailash pilgrimage and considered incomplete if you skip it.
The road into Tholing, once the most important monastic complex in western Tibet, is a awesome sight. Below stands the first capital of Guge whilst the skyline comprises a vast sweep of the Ladakh Himalaya. Guge’s later capital at Tsaparang is of even greater significance in the history of Buddhist art, its fantastic wall murals displaying evidence of close links with Ladakh and Kashmir . On the afternoon of Day 17 we arrive in Manasarovar for rest. we head back to Kathmandu to end Lhasa Guge kingdom tour , a trip of a life time.. Feel free to ask about Lhasa Guge kingdom tour.

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Trip Highlights

• Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jorkhang Temple and Barkhor Street in Lhasa.
• Yamdrok Tso Lake
• Views of the Himalayas from Kamba La ( 4794m) and Karo La (5,045m)
• Gyantse Kumbum
• Tashilunbo Monastery at Shigatse
• Rongbuk Monasery & Everest Basecamp
• Views of Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, Sishapangma and other majestic peaks.
• Lake Manasarovara
• Mount Kailash
• Ruins of the Tsaparang and Tholing-the capitals of ancient Guge Kingdom.

Itinerary

Day 1

Flight to Lhasa (3,595m)

Meet the guide at the airport and transfer to hotel. Take rest for acclimatization. Overnight hotel Dhod Gu or similar.

Day 2-3

At Lhasa

Visit the highlights of Lhasa such as Potala Palace, Jorkhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Drepung and Sera Monasteries. Overnight Hotel Dhod Gu or similar.

Day 4

Drive to Gyantse.( 3,950m, 260km, 6 hrs)

Drive to Tibetan town of Gyantse via the Southern Friendship Highway. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Himalayas and from Kamba La (4, 704m) and Karo La (5,045m). The road runs more than 40 miles along the bank of beautiful Yamdrok Tso Lake, which is the most scenic part of this trip. Overnight Gyantse Hotel.

Day 5

Drive to Shigatse (3,900m, 90km, 2 hrs)

After breakfast, visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery and Kumbum Stupa and drive to Shigatse-the second largest city of Tibet. Visit Shalu Monastery which is about 20km before Shigatse and about 4 km off the highway. Upon arrival in Shigatse, check in hotel and visit Tashilunbo Monastery-the principal seat of Panchen Lama. Overnight Manasarovara Hotel.

Day 6

Drive to Lhatse (4,050m, 150km, 5 hrs)

Drive to Lhatse via couple of gentle mountain passes. About 24km before Lhatse, take Sakya turn off. Sakya Monastery is the principal seat of Sakyapa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism that once ruled Tibet, prior emergence of powerful Gelugpa Sect in 17th century. Overnight Lhatse farmers hotel.

Day 7

Drive to Saga (4,600m, 306km, 7-8 hrs)

A few kilometres beyond Lhatse, we cross the Brahmaputra River and after the crossing, the road enters a river valley with scattered villages. This is a beautiful area for photographs. We continue on, past the turn-off for the northern route, and arrive at Saga, having covered 306km during the day. Today, you will meet Nepali crews and enjoy the hot meal prepared by them in dinner.

Day 8

Drive to Paryang (4750 m, 250 km, 8 hrs)

From Saga it is 145 km to Zhongba. The road is good and the trip can be completed in 4-5 hrs. From Zhongba onwards the southern road condition deteriorates but you are well compensated with the panoramic views of mountains on either side of the road. Overnight camp.

Day 9

To Lake Manasarovara (4,560m, 260 KMS, 8 hrs)

There will be several river crossings. Bridges are under construction. Drive past Mayum la (4600 m). The scenery is stunningly beautiful with panoramic views of the Himalayas. Overnight camp.

Day 10

An extra day in the Lake Manasarovara

Explore the shores of the Lake Manasarovara. Visit Chiu Gompa and take sulfur hot spring bath. Overnight guesthouse.

Day 11

To Darchen (4,560m, 30 km)

It’s a short drive to Darchen, the trail head and finish point. Take your time to visit the monastery at Darchen, while the crews assemble gears, arrange yaks, buy the fresh produce and so forth. Overnight guesthouse.

Day 12

Commence the Circumambulation Trek (6 hrs)

This Kailash circuit covers 53 kms and can be done in 3 days. We head west in clockwise direction and after a few kilometers the trail climbs up to a cairn at 4730 m from where the southern face of Mt. Kailash comes in to view. Overnight camp nearby Driraphuk Gompa.

Day 13

At Driraphuk Gompa

Take an extra day in the Driraphuk Gompa for proper acclimatization. Explore the area around. Pilgrims perform rituals and meditation here. Overnight camp.

Day 14

Trek to Zuthulphuk Gompa (4,790, 6 hrs)

Today we cross Drolma la pass (5630 M) and Gauri Kund Lake (5608 m) where Hindus worship and immerse themselves in the icy waters of the lake. Overnight camp.

Day 15

Finish trek and drive to Tirthapuri

The final end of the parikrama is an easy 2-3 hrs walk down to where the river emerges on to the Barga plain. We complete the circuit trek of Mt. Kailash and drive to Tirthapuri Hot springs. For pilgrims, Tirthapuri visit is a part of Mount Kailash pilgrimage and considered incomplete if you skip it.

Day 16-17

Explore the ruins of Guge Kingdom

The road into Tholing, once the most important monastic complex in western Tibet, is a awesome sight. Below stands the first capital of Guge whilst the skyline comprises a vast sweep of the Ladakh Himalaya. Guge’s later capital at Tsaparang is of even greater significance in the history of Buddhist art, its fantastic wall murals displaying evidence of close links with Ladakh and Kashmir . On the afternoon of Day 17 we arrive in Manasarovar for rest.

Day 18-20

Drive back to Saga

Drive back to Saga via Lake Manasarovara and Paryang.

Day 21

To Nyalam Drive back

To Nyalam Drive back and re-join the Friendship Highway near Tong La (5,120m). Cross the pass and descend to Nyalam, the last Tibetan town. Overnight guesthouse.

Day 22

Drive to Kathmandu

Drive to Zhangmu where you complete Chinese immigration/custom formalities and exit Tibet. Hop on Nepali transport and drive to Kathmandu.

Day 23

Service Ends.

Cost & Dates