Tibet - Journey to the Far West
Itinerary
- Day 01- DUBAI / BEIJING / LHASA
Fly Dubai / Beijing EK 306 0410/1525 – Daily (7h 15m) Beijing / Lhasa TV 9816 1705/2140 – Daily (4h 35m) Upon arrival in Lhasa, met and transfer to your hotel.
At 3500m, it is advisable to take the rest of the day easily for better acclimatization.Sightseeing is not recommended.
Meals included: NA
- Day 02 - LHASA
Make an excursion to Ganden Monastery. You will also enjoy a short hike around the surrounding villages to experience the Tibetan rural life.
After a packed lunch, we drive back to Lhasa to visit Sera Monastery, which is one of the best-preserved monasteries in Tibet. Catch the interesting monk debating session (every Mon to Fri afternoon only).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 03 - LHASA/GYANTZE
Today will be another incredibly scenic drive. Stop for a picnic lunch at Yamdrok Tso with the snow-capped ranges of Himalayas as the backdrop. Stop at Karo La Pass, the highest point on this drive, at 5,050m with a view of the Karo La glacier and Simi La Pass, at 4,360m.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 04 - GYANTZE/ SHIGATSE
Visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum, an oversized chorten with 100 000 Buddha images.
Drive 60km or about 2 hours to Xigatze and visit the impressive Tashilungpo Monastery.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 05 - SHIGATSE/SAGA
Drive approx. 7hrs to Saga at 4490m. Along the way, stop by the turquoise-coloured waters of Ngamring Lake. Continue on to Lhatse and explore Lhatse Chode Monastery as well as learn more about the local Tibetan farming culture.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 06 - SAGA/ PARYANG / LAKE MANASAROVAR
Drive 8hrs to Lake Manasarovar the “Immortal Lake of Jade” at 4,590m and the most sacred lake in Tibet, via Paryang, passing by the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River and past vast expanses of grassland, home to numerous yaks and sheep. Be captivated as the impossibly breathtaking scenery rushes by you.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Extension: 3D2N Mt. Kailash Kora Trekking
Day 07 - Lake Manasarovar / Darchen / Zutrulpuk – 15km / 3hrs
Start your circumambulation of the Holy Mount Kailas with an approx. 3hr trek back to Darchen from Lake Manasarovar. End the day at your eventual campsite at Zutrulpuk Monastery at 4,790m, near the cave of miracles where Milarepa meditated. You have the option of camping outdoors or staying at a guesthouse (shared room) with basic facilities.
(Breakast, lunch, dinner included)
Day 08 - Zutrulpuk / Dolma-La / Dirapuk – 4,790m / 20km / 6-7hrs
Today will be your most challenging day of trekking as you cross rocky trails culminating in Dolma-La Pass at 5,630m. You will also visit the important Gauri Kunda. You have the option of camping outdoors or staying at a guesthouse (shared room) with basic facilities.
(Breakast, lunch, dinner included)
Day 09 - Dirapuk/ Tarpuche / Darchen – 4,909m / 18km / 7-8hrs
Start at Dirapuk Moastery and hike through several rivulets petering out of beautiful cascades, complemented with a view of the holy Mount Kailash, visiting Chukku Monastery en route. Pass by the stupas (chortens) and the sky burial site of the 84 Mahasiddas. End the hike about Tarpuche, and drive to Darchen for an overnight stay.
(Breakast, lunch, dinner included)
- Day 07 - LAKE MANASAROVAR/ DARCHEN/ ZANDA
Drive approximately 7hrs via Darchen to Zanda. The town of Darchen is the starting point of the Mt. Kailash kora, where pilgrims and hikers from all over the world converge. En route, visit the Chiu Monastery.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 08 - ZANDA / TSAPARANG / ZANDA
Explore the Tholing Monastery in Zanda. Continue on to the mystical Guge Kingdom at Tsaparang, 21km west of Zanda. Have the whole day to explore the surreal ruins of this ancient kingdom.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 09 - ZANDA / ALI/ LHASA
Early morning, drive 4 hours to Ali for your flight back to Lhasa.
Fly Ali / Lhasa TV 9808 1050/1230 (1h 40min) – Daily
On arrival, be transferred for lunch before checking into your hotel in Lhasa.Meals included Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 10 - LHASA
Visit the Potala Palace. Please note that Potala Palace restricts the visiting time to one hour inside the palace/museum.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Jokhang monastery. Also, visit a nunnery. You will have free time to explore Barkhor Square – the bustling market in the heart of old Lhasa with its narrow streets.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 11 - LHASA / DUBAI
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight.
Fly Lhasa / Beijing TV 9815 1215/1605 – Daily (3h 50m) Beijing / Dubai CA 941 1740/2220 – Daily (8h 40m) OR EK 307 2355/0420+1 – Daily (8h 25m)
Meals included: Breakfast
