LHASSA & MOUNT KAILASH
Tibet 2024
LHASA, MOUNT KAILASH
Discovery trip and trek in 16 days
Level: SUPPORTED
Maximum altitude: 5,700 m
Optimal season: May to June and September
HIGHLIGHTS
- The tour of Kailash in the footsteps of pilgrims and the sacred lake Manasarovar
- The essentials of the heart of Tibet: Lhasa Gyantse and Shigatse
- Kingdom of Guge
LHASA, MOUNT KAILASH
Discovery trip and trek in 16 days
Level: SUPPORTED
Maximum altitude: 5,700 m
Optimal season: May to June and September
- The tour of Kailash in the footsteps of pilgrims and the sacred lake Manasarovar
- The essentials of the heart of Tibet: Lhasa Gyantse and Shigatse
- Kingdom of Guge
Gallery
Itinerary
For your next trek with us in the Himalayas, travel light and aware: Base Camp offers you a biodegradable soap made in Nepal, to leave no trace ...
Day
Arrive at Gongkar airport, welcome by your driver and your Tibetan guide then transfer to Lhasa, depending on the weather and your fitness, and go for a stroll in the old Barkor district.
Lubhum Tsang Boutique Hotel or similar B&B
Lubhum Tsang Boutique Hotel or similar B&B
Morning visit to Potala Palace, Lhasa's most imposing attraction, once the center of the Tibetan government and the winter residence of the Dalai Lama. Discovery in the afternoon of the Jokhang monastery, built in 647 when Buddhism was introduced to Tibet, the supposed cradle and sacred house of Tibetan Buddhism. Free time then for a pleasant stroll in the fascinating Barkhor street surrounding the Jokhang temple, as well as a nunnery and the Ramoche temple.
Lubhum Tsang Boutique Hotel or similar B&B
Lubhum Tsang Boutique Hotel or similar B&B
Morning visit to Potala Palace, Lhasa's most imposing attraction, once the center of the Tibetan government and the winter residence of the Dalai Lama. Discovery in the afternoon of the Jokhang monastery, built in 647 when Buddhism was introduced to Tibet, the supposed cradle and sacred house of Tibetan Buddhism. Free time then for a pleasant stroll in the fascinating Barkhor street surrounding the Jokhang temple, as well as a nunnery and the Ramoche temple.
Lubhum Tsang Boutique Hotel or similar B&B
Lubhum Tsang Boutique Hotel or similar B&B
Departure towards Gyantse passing by the superb Yamdrok Lake, one of the holy lakes of Tibet. Passage of 3 passes between 4500 and 5045m. View of a pretty glacier en route. Visit the lost monastery of Ralung. On arrival, visit the monastery of Pelkhor, a fusion of Nepalese, Tibetan and Han styles; it presents an impressive wealth of symbols and architectural elements. Then discovered the old town of Gyantsé and the ruins of Zhongshan, a citadel marked by the resistance against the British invasion of 1904 (visit according to time available, otherwise the next day).
Yeti Hotel or similar B&B
Yeti Hotel or similar B&B
Morning drive to Shigatse, with a stop on the way at the pretty village and monastery of Shalu Shalu (built in the 11th century and renovated in the 15th). In the afternoon, visit the Shigatsé market, as well as the Tashilunbo monastery: the residence of the Panchen Lama, it houses the largest bronze statue in the world, which was built in 1904 for the Buddha of the future Maitreya. Continuation to Sarga
Night at the hotel in Sarga (basic)
Night at the hotel in Sarga (basic)
We pass near Lake Manasarovar with Mount Kailash in the background, which we leave on our right and will return to after discovering the kingdom of Guge.
Guest house in Thirtapuri
Guest house in Thirtapuri
Excursion to the cave hermitages of Gurugyam and Thöling monasteries
Hotel in Toling
Hotel in Toling
Visit the ruined fortress of Tsaparang, the former capital of the kingdom of Gugé and a major archaeological site located in the Khyunglung valley, in the western Tibetan desert. It contains remarkable Buddhist frescoes because the kingdom of Gugé sheltered a brilliant civilization and was one of the sources of the Buddhist renaissance in Tibet. Its territory included the valleys of Zanskar, Upper Kinnaur, Lahul, and Spiti, currently in the Indian Territory (Himachal Pradesh). Its capitals were Tholing and Tsaparang. It was founded by the grandson of King Langdarma (803-841), the last ruler of the Yarlung dynasty of Tibetan kings. The Bengali sage Atisha, the architect of this renaissance, was invited there in the 12th century.
Visit the Bönpo monastery in Dungkar. Bön is a pre-Buddhist animist religion with similarities to Mongolian Tengrism which preceded and also influenced Tibetan Buddhism. We continue to Darchen the starting point of the Kora of Mount Kailash where we
- Accommodation: hotel in Dharchen
- Accommodation: hotel in Dharchen
On the pilgrimage route to the Kora (tower) of Mount Kailash, 3 days of walking to perform the ritual circumambulation and enjoy the exceptional atmosphere of this spiritual center for the Hindu and Bon Buddhist religions. The tour is completed in one day by some pilgrims, others in great prostration take much more time and still others settle down to practice meditation at the foot of the sacred mountain. We set up camp near the Diraphuk Monastery (4,910 m).
Basic guest house
Basic guest house
The highlight of our journey: the passage of Dolma La above 5700 m. Descent on sometimes uneven terrain to bivouac near the Milarepa cave.
Basic guest house
Basic guest house
3 hours of walking to reach the end point of the Kora at Dharchen where we find our vehicle. Short transfer to the banks of the sacred lake Manasarovar. Walk on the banks of the lake between Trugo and the monastery hanging on a rocky spur of Chiu Gompa.
- Accommodation: basic Chiu Gompa guest house
- Accommodation: basic Chiu Gompa guest house
Early morning on the banks of the lake where Indian saddhus sometimes perform their ablutions. We begin the return road due east to Saga.
- Accommodation: precarious guest house Night at the hotel in Sarga (basic)
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- Accommodation: precarious guest house Night at the hotel in Sarga (basic)
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Continue to Shigatse and visit Shigatse en route: The Tashilumpho monastery if time permits otherwise the visit to this monastery will be day 17 and night on site
Night at the Manasarovar Hotel in BB
Night at the Manasarovar Hotel in BB
Along the Yarlung Tsangpo road to Lhasa
Lubhum Tsang Boutique Hotel or similar B&B
Lubhum Tsang Boutique Hotel or similar B&B
NOTES
Prices & conditions (the year 2024 excluding the period from August 1 to October 8)Number of participants: 2 3/4 5/9
Price/person in US$ 3990 3350 2590
Price in € on 20/12/23 3730 3130 2420
What's included
- Stay in Tibet with accommodation according to the program (Tsetang****, Lubhum Tsang Boutique, Yeti***, Manasarovar****, etc.)
- Breakfasts in Tibet
- English-speaking Tibetan guide for the entire Tibet stay
- Permits and authorization to enter sites in Tibet
- Entrance fees and national park permits in Tibet
- Staff insurance
- Oxygen available in the vehicle.
- Delivery of permits to the transit point in China
What's not included
- Stay in Chengdu or another place
- China visa to be obtained in advance
- Flights
- Mandatory repatriation insurance
- Tips, personal expenses and equipment, drinks, etc.
Suppliments
> Single room option: US$690 (€645)/room (excluding Kailash region)
> French-speaking Tibetan guide option: 1190 US$ over 16 days (1113 € per group)
> Multi-risk insurance option CAP VacationChapka: subscribe
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