Mt Kailash Kora with Mt Everest Tour (19Night/ 20 Days)
A journey shaped by the landscapes, people and experiences of Nepal.
Offered by Journey DMC
NEPAL · TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
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The Mt. Kailash Kora and Mt. Everest Tour is a profound journey that weaves through the heart of the Himalayas, offering a unique fusion of spiritual significance and the breathtaking grandeur of nature. The Mt. Kailash Kora, a hallowed pilgrimage circuit, guides travelers around the sacred Mt. Kailash, a mountain believed to purify the soul of its sins. Along this path, you'll be greeted by awe-inspiring mountain vistas and tranquil lakes. The tour often includes a visit to the Everest Base Camp, where you can behold the mesmerizing beauty of the world's highest peak, Mt. Everest. This expedition harmoniously blends spiritual devotion with the wonder of the natural world, creating a transformative experience that bridges the earthly and the divine amid the Himalayan splendor.
The memorable moments
DAY1 Arrival in Lhasa (3650m) HOTEL [-/-/D] DAY2 Lhasa sightseeing HOTEL [B/-/D] DAY3 Lhasa sightseeing HOTEL [B/-/D] DAY4 Lhasa- Gyantse(4040m)- Shigatse(3840m), 360km, Approx. 7hrs HOTEL [B/-/D] DAY5 Shigatse –EBC(5100m) ) GUESTHOUSE [B/-/D] DAY6 EBC-Saga (4600m), 450km, approx. 9hrs GUESTHOUSE [B/-/D] DAY7 Saga - Manasarovar DAY8 Manasarovar - Darchen GUESTHOUSE [B/-/D] DAY9 Mt Kailash Kora: Darchen - Dirapuk (4700m), Drive 5km, Trek 15km, Approx. 7-11hrs GUESTHOUSE [B/-/D] DAY10 Mt Kailash Kora: Dirapuk - Zutulpuk (4790m), Trek 22km, Approx. 11-14hrs GUESTHOUSE [B/-/D] DAY11 Mt Kailash Kora: Zuktulpuk- Darchen, Trek 9km, Approx. 2-5hrs GUESTHOUSE [B/-/D] DAY12 Moincer - Tsaparang - Zanda HOTEL [B/-/D] DAY13 Rutog - Pangongtso - Gar - Gegye HOTEL [B/-/D] DAY14 Shigatse – Lhasa, 280km, approx 5hrs HOTEL [B/-/D] DAY15 Gegye - Gertse Gegye to Gertse HOTEL [B/-/D] DAY16 Gertse - Tsochen HOTEL [B/-/D] DAY17 Tsochen - Raka HOTEL [B/-/D] DAY18 Raka - Lhatse - Sakya - Shigatse HOTEL [B/-/D] DAY19 Shigatse - Lhasa HOTEL [B/-/D] DAY20 Final Departure [B/-/-]
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa (3650m) — Upon your arrival in Lhasa, whether by train or flight, a seasoned guide will warmly welcome you and ensure a smooth transfer to your hotel. As you journey into the city, you'll have the opportunity to take in the breathtaking views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, also known as the Brahmaputra River, the longest and largest river in Tibet. You'll also pass by the Lhasa River, adding to the scenic beauty of your arrival.
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Day 2: Lhasa Tour — Your second day in Lhasa begins with an exploration of the illustrious Potala Palace, a grand architectural wonder that serves as the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. This majestic palace complex, initially constructed in the 7th century by the 33rd great king of Tibet, boasts a rich history and holds immense cultural significance. Inside the Potala Palace, you will encounter invaluable treasures such as the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet. It's a place where history and spirituality converge, offering you a profound glimpse into Tibetan heritage.
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Day 3: Lhasa Tour – Visit Dadong Village and Sera Monastery — Your third day in Lhasa will lead you to the picturesque Dadong Village, celebrated as one of the most beautiful villages in the region. Located approximately 25 kilometers southwest of Lhasa's bustling center, Dadong Village is a well-preserved ancient Tibetan settlement nestled in scenic valleys. Upon your arrival, your exploration will commence with a visit to the Nyimatang Monastery, a sacred site that traces its origins back to the 11th century. Here, you'll immerse yourself in the spiritual ambiance of this historical place.
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Day 4: Lhasa- Shigatse via Gyantse 360km — Your day kicks off with a picturesque drive from Lhasa to Shigatse, offering a journey through diverse landscapes and encounters with some of Tibet's most captivating natural and cultural wonders. Along the way, you'll ascend the Gampala Pass, standing at an elevation of 4,790 meters. From this vantage point, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the stunning Yamdrok-Tso, or Yamdrok Lake, situated at an altitude of 4,400 meters. The lake's serene waters are framed by the backdrop of majestic snow-capped mountains, with Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, rising to a towering height of 7,191 meters, as the highest mountain near Lhasa.
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Day 5: Shigatse to Everest Base Camp (3900m-5200) — Your day begins with a visit to the esteemed Tashilunpo Monastery, which holds the distinction of being the traditional residence of the Panchen Lama, a spiritual leader of great importance in Tibetan Buddhism. This grand monastery, founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama, stands as a symbol of both history and cultural significance in Shigatse.
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Day 6: EBC-Saga (4600m), 450km, approx. 9hrs — The sixth day of your journey begins with a truly mesmerizing experience: a sunrise view of the majestic Mount Everest from the iconic Everest Base Camp. This awe-inspiring sight, however, is contingent upon favorable weather conditions, so you're in for a real treat if nature smiles upon your endeavor.
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Day 7: Saga - Manasarovar — Your journey from Saga to Manasarovar offers a unique and diverse experience. Along the way:
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Day 8: Manasarovar - Darchen — On the eighth day, in the morning, your journey will take you to the holy Lake Manasarovar, situated at an elevation of 4558 meters. Among the three holy lakes in Tibet, Manasarovar Lake is revered as the holiest. It is believed that the sacred waters of Manasarovar have the power to cleanse the soul of troubles and obstacles. Here, you can partake in various spiritual activities, such as leisurely "kora" (a circumambulation or pilgrimage walk) around the lake, meditation in the serene lakeside setting, or even take a holy dip to experience the purifying properties of the water.
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Day 9: Mt Kailash Kora: Darchen - Dirapuk (4700m), Drive 5km, Trek 15km, Approx. 7~11hrs — The ninth day begins with an eco-bus ride (included in the package) to Sarshung Valley, marking the start of your trekking adventure. In Sarshung Valley, you'll meet up with your team of porters and yaks (additional costs apply), which will be instrumental in the days ahead. This trek covers approximately 15 kilometers, following the path along the picturesque Lachu River Valleys.
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Day 10: Mt Kailash Kora: Dirapuk - Zutulpuk (4790m), Trek 22km, Approx. 11~14hrs — The tenth day is the most challenging segment of the Kora, with the ascent to the Dromala Pass, standing at an impressive 5630 meters, demanding endurance and determination. At the pass's summit, you'll take a well-deserved break, savoring the breathtaking vistas. The descent leads you into a sprawling valley where you'll pause for a nourishing lunch at the Shabjay Dakpo nomadic tent, offering a taste of local hospitality. Along the way, you'll find respite at a teahouse, refueling for the journey ahead.
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Day 11: Mt Kailash Kora: Zuktulpuk- Darchen, Trek 9km, Approx. 2~5hrs; Drive from Darchen -Manasarovar (4560m)-Zhongba, 340km, Approx. 5.5hrs — The eleventh day marks the final leg of the trek, offering a well-deserved break as it's a relatively easy 9-kilometer hike to complete the Kora around the sacred Mt. Kailash. According to Buddhist beliefs, encircling a holy mountain like this can absolve one of sins and miseries, and the hardships endured on this journey add to the sense of happiness and fulfillment.
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Day 12: Moincer - Tsaparang - Zanda — On the 12th day, your morning journey will take you on a 4-hour drive to the Guge Kingdom (Tsaparang) via Zanda. As you approach Zanda, you may start to feel like you're entering a world that resembles an "earth forest," where the landscape takes on an otherworldly appearance.
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Day 13: Zanda - Gar - Rutog — On the thirteenth day, the road will lead you through the Earth's Forest, a terrain that might remind you of driving on the surface of Mars. The Earth Forest in Zanda Valley is a breathtaking and imposing natural wonder, with its unique rock formations. Following this, you will enter a plateau meadow, with snow-capped mountains in the distance, inviting you to explore their majestic beauty. This plateau meadow is not only scenic but also a habitat for Tibetan wild asses, which are easily spotted large wild animals on the plateau.
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Day 14: Explore Rutog - Pangongtso - Gar - Gegye — Pangong Tso is a stunning lake situated on the western Tibetan plateau, located approximately 12 kilometers northwest of Rutog County. The lake spans the border between China and Kashmir, with the eastern and western sections of the lake falling within Chinese territory. Pangong Tso is perched at an elevation of 4,241 meters and covers an expansive area of 413 square kilometers. The name "Pangong Tso" has a poetic meaning in Tibetan, translating to "long-necked swan," which alludes to the unique shape of the lake. The waters of Pangong Tso are crystal clear, and it is home to the world's highest bird island. This makes it a sanctuary for a variety of bird species, including black-necked cranes, bar-headed geese, and brown-headed gulls. The lake is enveloped by snow-capped mountains, creating an exceptionally beautiful and serene landscape.
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Day 15: Gegye - Gertse — On this day, your journey is still quite lengthy, taking approximately 7 hours, but the good news is that the road is in excellent condition and fully paved. Starting your day with breakfast, you'll depart from Gegye County and head towards Salt Lake City. Along the way, you'll be surrounded by countless snow-capped mountains and beautiful lakes.
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Day 16: Gertse - Tsochen — As you leave Gertse, you'll be greeted by the magnificent sight of snow-capped mountains. These majestic peaks will accompany you for a significant portion of your journey, stretching across the landscape for dozens of kilometers. This dramatic backdrop set against the blue sky and white clouds creates a stunning and picturesque scene that you won't want to miss.
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Day 17: Tsochen - Raka — On the seventeenth day, as you traverse the valley, you will reach the Songma-la Pass, which stands at an elevation of 5,500 meters. This pass offers stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape and is a significant point along your route.
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Day 18: Visit Raka - Lhatse - Sakya - Shigatse — Your morning itinerary involves a return journey from Raka to Lhatse and then a further southward drive back to Shigatse. Along the way, you will make a detour to visit the remarkable Sakya Monastery. Here are the key details of your visit to Sakya Monastery.
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Day 19: Shigatse – Lhasa — In the morning, your itinerary will begin with a visit to Tashilunpo Monastery, the traditional home of the Panchen Lama.
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Day 20: Departure from Lhasa (B) — After breakfast, transfer to the airport.
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What's included in your experience
Included
- Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit (TTB) and all other necessary permits for Tibet
- All entrance ticket fees for tourist attractions are listed in the itinerary
- Experienced local English-speaking tour guide
- Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee
- All lodging listed in the itinerary
- All meals listed in the above itinerary
- Pick-up and drop-off service from the Airport/railway station
- Travel Agency Liability insurance
- Government tax
- An express delivery fee of Permit
- Food & lodgings for guide & driver
- Oxygen tank for emergency use
- Free use of the sleeping bag
- Two bottles of mineral water per person per day.
Not included
- International flights to and out of China
- Chinese Visa/China Group Visa
- Domestic flight/train to and out of Lhasa
- Meals are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements.
Essential trip information
Fitness & eligibility
1
Meeting point
Lhasa
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