Day
1 Arrive Lhasa
Days 2-4 Lhasa Sightseeing
Day 5 Gyantse
Days 6-7 Shigatse
Day 8 Sakya
Day 9 Saga
Day 10 Paryang
Days 11-12 Guge Kingdom
Day 13 Tirthapuri
Day 14 Darchen
Days
15-16 Kailash kora
Day 17 Complete kora - Lake Manasarovar
Day 18 Paryang
Day 19 Saga
Day 20Rombuk & Everest Base Camp
Day 21 Zhangmu
Day 22 Kathmandu
**2010 departures are 1 day longer - 23 days
Physical
Grading:
Challenging
Culture Shock Grading:
Moderate - high
Accommodation:
Hotel Twin
share (12 nights)
Guest House
Twin or Multishare as available (3-13 nights)
Camping (10 nights)
*Camping applies to groups of 5+ only
Transport:
4WD landcruisers, support truck private
bus
Group size:
2-11 (Fixed Departure)
Accompanied by:
Tour Leader &/or Tibetan Guide
(according to group size)
Meals:
11 days (B,L,D) Camping option ONLY
Guest house option - NO meals included.
Tibet Tour: Mount Kailash & the Guge Kingdom
Lhasa - Mount Kailash - Lake Manasarovar - Guge - Everest Base camp - Kathmandu
May 07 - 30, 2010
May 29 - June 19, 2011
Sacred spaces and stunning landscapes! Magnificent temples, mountain passes, snow-capped peaks, nomad camps, pilgrims – this is truly a journey to stir the senses and nourish the soul - of all the destinations in Asia, the most sacred and sublime. The days of travel are long, the roads are dusty and bumpy - and it is a world that will take your breath away.
Explore the heart of central Tibet, the great temples, monasteries and palaces of Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse & Sakya before traveling west, back in time and history through dramatic landscapes to Tibet's most sacred pilgrimage sites - Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, Tithapuri - and to the region that was once the heartland of Tibet, the ancient kingdom of Guge. The 3-day circumambulation of Mount Kailash is challenging due to altitude, but within the capabilities of any healthy person - and timed to coincide with the full moon, it is an incredible time.
Stunning views of Qomolangma (Mt Everest) and a day trip up to base camp are a fitting finale to this incredible journey before we leave the Tibetan Plateau behind, plunging into a lush green world as we descend almost 2000 meters in just 30kms to the border town of Zhangmu.
Of incredible geomantic power Kailash (Sanskrit) or Kang Rinpoche (Tibetan) marks the center of the Earth for Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Bon. To Buddhists it is the abode of Demchok, the wrathful manifestation of Buddha Sakyamuni. To Hindus it is the dwelling of Shiva, the destroyer and according to the Sanskrit tradition of Vishnu Purana it is a representation of Mount Meru, the cosmic mountain at the center of the universe. It is the place where the founder of Bon descended to Earth and where the founder of the Jain faith was spiritually awakened.
Kailash is also the geographical watershed of South Asia, here its great rivers are born - the Indus, the Sutlej, the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) and the Karnali / Ganges. At its foot lies the most venerated of Tibet's lakes, Manasarovar, believed by Hindu's to have been formed in the mind of Brahma.
Once the heartland of Tibet, the remains of Zhangzhung date back over 3,000 years. Later the kingdom of Guge flourished from the 9th to the 15th centuries, with its strong links to Ladakh and Kashmir it is extremely important in terms of Buddhist art history. The remains of this kingdom stand in a landscape so overwhelming as to defy description.
"We did indeed have an unbelievable and unforgettable time and very thankful to all of you at Tibetan Expeditions!
We hope you're doing well."
"Having a wonderful time is an understatement! And we loved and do love Tibet and all Tibetans no matter how dishevelled! I give bouquets to all the people that you organised to look after us"
Arrival options for this tour
Chengdu: Delight
in the successes of the Panda Breeding Sanctuary and discover Sichian's
ancient tea houses**
Beijing:Marvel at the vast expanses of Tiananmen and the Forbidden City**
Kathmandu:Explore
the religious centers of old Kathmandu. Extra day needed for visa processing.
** From Beijing or Chengdu you may prefer the option of the train to Lhasa rather than flight. Allow 1 extra day.
Group Departures 2010, 2011
May 07 - 30, 2010 (Confirmed)
(Saga
Dawa Festival)
August 07 - August 29 (confirmed)
September 08 - September 30 (confirmed)
October 07 - October 30
May 29 - June 19, 2011
(Saga
Dawa Festival)
July 30 - August 20, 2011
August 29 - September 19, 2011
September 28 - October 19, 2011
*all group departures are timed for full moon on the Kailash kora, except saga dawa, when full moon is on Saga Dawa Festival day - this trip operates to a slighly adgusted itinerary in order to coincide with saga dawa festival.
PRIVATE DEPARTURES
Are available at any time and may be tailored for you.
