May 20th, 2018.
Day 1: Lhasa arrival [3650m]
Upon arrival in Lhasa you will be welcomed by your English-speaking Tibetan Guide and Tibetan Driver who will bring you to your hotel. Acclimatization to high altitude: please, drink lots of water and take plenty of rest in order to minimize altitude sickness.
Overnight at Shambhala Palace or House of Shambhala Hotel, which is a Tibetan style hotel located in Lhasa city center (Barkhor)
May 21st, 2018.
Day 2: Lhasa sightseeing
We begin visiting Jokhang Temple, the most sacred monastery in Tibet. It was founded in the 7th century by the first great Buddhist king Songtsen Gampo. Later you can explore the surrounding Barkhor old quarter and spend time walking around Jokhang Temple following pilgrims from all over the Tibetan plateau. In the afternoon we go to Sera Monastery, one of three great universities of Gelugpa Sect. We will attend the debating session of the monks.
Overnight at Shambhala Palace or House of Shambhala Hotel
May 22nd, 2018.
Day 3: Lhasa sightseeing
Today we visit the beautiful Potala and Norbulingka Palaces. Potala winter palace was built in the 17th century by the fifth Dalai Lama. Provides amazing views of the entire city and houses the private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Norbulingka Palace is the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, built in the 18th century by the seventh Dalai Lama. It’s tradition to do picnic in its beatiful garden and perform opera dances during Shoton Festival (August-September).
Overnight at Shambhala Palace or House of Shambhala Hotel
May 23rd, 2018.
Day 4: Lhasa – Shigatse [354Km, 3840m]
Adventure starts: we drive West to reach second largest city in Tibet. First we cross Kampa-la Pass [4797m] and then Karo-la Pass [5050m], where Mt. Noijin Kangsang [7206m] glacier lies near the road. In the middle, we enjoy the unreal turquoise waters of holy lake Yamdrok-Tso. Then we stop in Gyantse town, where we visit the considered best tibetan art paintings in Kumbum Stupa inside Pelkor Chode Monastery. Also, we admire the majestic Gyantse Dzong (fortress) overlooking the valley. Finally, we reach Shigatse before dinner.
Overnight at Gesar Hotel
May 24th, 2018.
Day 5: Shigatse – New Tingri [250Km, 4300m]
The journey to New Tingri involves crossing the high pass of Gyatso La [5220m] and the opportunitty to view Mt. Everest and the Himalayas for the first time. Before, we visit Sakya Monastery which is is the principal seat of Sakyapa Sect founded in 1073 and one of four major Schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Its powerful abbots governed Tibet during the whole of the 13th century until they were eclipsed by the rise of the Gelukpa Sect. Its Mongolian architecture is different from that of temples in we seen before.
Overnight at Roof of the World Hotel
May 25th, 2018.
Day 6: New Tingri – Everest Base Camp [120Km, 5000m]
Exciting day today: we reach one of the major highlights of our trip, Mt. Everest North Base Camp [5200m] (trekking or take bus). From New Tingri we continue driving towards Rongbuk Monastery, located at the foot of the Everest and the highest monastery in the world. We enjoy amazing views of several peaks like Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Mount Everest from the top of the Pang-la pass [5150m]. Overnight at tourist camp site located a few km after Rongbuk Monastery and from where we have direct views of Mt. Everest.
Overnight at guesthouse tent (dorm bed without bathroom). Sleeping bag is recommended.
May 26th, 2018.
Day 7: Rongbuk – Saga [300Km, 4490m]
After spending some time at the base of Mt. Everest we drive North West crossing high passes with enchanting views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks like Shishapangma and wild Peikutso lake.
Overnight at The Grand Hotel of Western Post or similar
May 27th, 2018.
Day 8: Saga – Mapam Yumtso lake [465Km, 4556m]
Today early morning we enter in the semi-nomadic regions of Tibet’s far west. We will enjoy the authentic Tibetan landscapes during this long drive journey through the biggest and highest plateau in the world. We follow Yarlung Tsampo river West (also called Brahmaputra in India) until the lake Manasarovar (Mapam Yumtso in tibetan language), one of the three most sacred lakes in Tibet. Hindus believe that whoever bathes in it will clean all their sins and provide good karma.
Overnight at guesthouse (dorm bed without bathroom). Sleeping bag is recommended.
May 28th, 2018.
Day 9: Mapam Yumtso Lake – Darchen [35Km, 4670m]
In the morning we enjoy sunrise at the beatiful holy waters of Lake Manasarovar. After visiting Chiu monastery we drive to the little city of Darchen, at the foot Mount Kailash, where we will get ready for the trek.
Overnight at Himalaya Kailash Hotel
May 29th-31st, 2018.
Days 10-12: Saga Dawa Festival & Mt. Kailash Kora [52Km, max. altitude 5630m]
We begin the Pilgrimage Kora of Mount Kailash, most sacred mountain in Asia. Tibetans and Hindu people from all over the World come here for religious reasons. First we go to an important pilgrimage area called Tarpoche where Saga Dawa Festival takes place every 15th day of the 4th month in the tibetan calendar to celebrate the day Lord Buddha Sakyamuni was born, achieved enlightenment and passed away. Saga Dawa is the most important festival in Tibet and for this reason we all tibetans are willing to visit Mt. Kailash and complete its kora during this time. Today, full moon, a giant pole is raised with thousands of prayer flags (lungta) that are hunged by crowds of pilgrims. Monks from the near Monastery perform a special ritual during the celebration. Once the pole is rised, around midday, we start trekking around the mountain:
Trek to Dira-Puk Monastery [20Km, 5-6h, 5050m]
Trek to Zutul Puk Monastery, [18Km, 6-8h, 4820m]
Trek to Darchen [14Km, 3-4h, 4670m]
Overnight at guesthouse dorm bed without bathroom during trekking (2 nights). Sleeping bag is recommended.
In Darchen, overnight at Himalaya Kailash Hotel
June 1st-2nd, 2018.
Days 13-14: Darchen – Saga – Shigatse [935Km]
We drive East again through arid landscapes of sand dunes and wonderful views of the Himalaya Range.
Day 13: Overnight at The Grand Hotel of Western Post or similar
Day 14: Overnight at Gesar Hotel in Shigatse.
June 3rd, 2018.
Day 15: Shigatse – Lhasa [272Km]
We visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in the 15th century by the first Dalai Lama. Nowadays seat of the Panchen Lama. We recommend to do Kora around Tashilhunpo Monastery. Also, you can walk around local market. After we finish visits go back to Lhasa.
Overnight at Shambhala Palace or House of Shambhala Hotel
June 4th, 2018.
Day 16: Tibet departure
Enjoy your last hours in Tibet exploring Lhasa by your own until your guide and driver meet you at the hotel to transfer you to the airport.
End of our services.
Consider extending your trip spending extra days in Lhasa city or surroundings. Like one-two more days visiting holy Namtso lake in North Lhasa (250Km, 4-5 hours drive, one way).
Please, contact us for further information about any available extension of your trip.
Saga Dawa is celebrated on May 29th, 2018 at Mt. Kailash. This is a special moment to be there. As we do every year, we are organizing our most special trip for this big celebration, starting on May 20th. We do Kora during that time because its meaning for us. We celebrate birth, death and enlightment of Buddha and we all tibetans want to do Kora for a better next life. There will be lots of pilgrims.
This is an original itinerary designed by us after many years of experience and excellence of our guides who have been leading hundreds of our now beloved friends from all over the world.
All participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements to Lhasa. We take care of all VISA process if coming from Nepal. The size of the group is between 4-12 people and the kind of transportation varies according to the size of it: minivan or minibus. Rates shown above include all permits, english speaking tibetan guide, confortable accomodation, transportation and entrace fees ONLY.
Hotel in Lhasa is Shambhala Palace / House of Shambhala in Barkhor area; outside Lhasa we selected best accomodadion available. ALWAYS in double room sharing basis with bathroom and breakfast, except Mt. Everest campsite tent, Manasarovar (Mapam Yumtso) lake and during Kailash Kora. Single room occupancy supplement: 360EUR. Please, contact us for further details. You can also check our upcoming departures if these dates don’t fit your travel plans.
Saga Dawa Festival day at Tarboche is fixed by our tibetan lunar calendar.
This are the dates for the upcoming years:
Year 2019: Saga Dawa is celebrated on June 17th. Tour dates: June 8th – 23rd
Year 2020: Saga Dawa is celebrated on June 5th. Tour dates: May 27th – June 11th
Year 2021: Saga Dawa us celebrated on May 26th. Tour dates: May 17th – June 1st
Would you like to extend your trip to the remote, enigmatic and very less know ancient Guge Kingdom in Tsaparang? Then let us know and we will list new group including this option from May 20th to June 7th (from 2400EURO per person).
Please, check our 19 days itinerary including Mt. Everest North Base Camp, Mt. Kailash Pilgrimage Kora and Guge Kingdom for further details.
This are the dates for the upcoming years including Guge Kingdom exploration:
Year 2019: Saga Dawa 2019 is celebrated on June 17th. Tour dates: June 8th – 26th
Year 2020: Saga Dawa 2020 is celebrated on June 5th. Tour dates: May 27th – June 14th
Year 2021: Saga Dawa 2021 is celebrated on May 26th. Tour dates: May 16th – June 3rd
Year 2022: Saga Dawa 2022 is celebrated on June 14th. Tour dates: June 4th – 22nd
Year 2023: Saga Dawa 2023 is celebrated on June 4th. Tour dates: May 25th – June 12th
Year 2024: Saga Dawa 2024 is celebrated on May 23rd. Tour dates: May 13th – 31st
Year 2025: Saga Dawa 2025 is celebrated on June 11th. Tour dates: June 1st – 19th
Consulte salida especial con Tour Leader español: del 19 de mayo al 7 de junio (20 días).
Price varies according to the number of people in your group, category of hotel, transportation and other services you request. Please contact us with these important details first.
All borders are open to international tourists. Please contact us by email to check the latest group availability and any further information during 2024. ➜ Read more