Guge Kingdom & Manasarovar lake

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.

Day 1: Lhasa arrival
Pick up and transfer to your hotel
Day 2-3: Lhasa sightseeing
Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Potala Palace, Norbulingka (Summer Palace)
Day 4: Lhasa – Shigatse
Yamdrok Tso, Karola Glacier, Gyantse Monastery
Day 5: Shigatse – Everest North Base Camp
Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp ( take bus, 5100m)
Day 6: Rongbuk – Saga
Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Peiku-tso lake
Day 7: Saga – Mapam Yumtso lake-Darchen
Sand dunes, Lake Manasarovar (Mapam Yumtso)
Day 8: Darchen – Zanda
Chiu Monastery, Tirthapuri
Day 10: Toling – Mapam Yumtso lake
Day11: Yumtso lake Mapam -Saga
Day 12 : Saga- Shigatse
Day 13: Shigatse – Lhasa
Tashilompo Monastery
Day 14: Leave Tibet

Read Full Itinerary
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)

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

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

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

Day 5: Shigatse – Rongbuk [334Km, 5000m]

The journey to Rongbuk involves crossing the high pass of Gyatso La [5220m] and the opportunitty to view Mt. Everest and the Himalayas for the first time. Onced arrive to 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 in Rongbuk. Afew Kilometer from the real EBC and from where we have direct views of Mt. Everest (Qomolangma). Since 2018 tourist are not allowed to visit EBC used by climbing expeditions. Over night at Tent Guest house dorm bed without bathroom.

Day 6: Rongbuk – Saga [300Km, 4490m]
If you would like start early your day, enjoy sunrise with Everest peak views in the horizon [8848m]. After breakfast we visit Rongbuk Monastery where we will take last look at Mt. Everest North Face and then we drive North West crossing high passes with enchanting views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks like Cho Oyu and Shishapangma and wild Peikutso lake.

Over night at local Guest house.

Day 7: Saga – Darchen [490Km, 4670m]
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 little city of Darchen, at the foot Mount Kailash, Over night local Guest house

Day 8: Darchen – Guge Kingdom [250Km, 4670m]
We have a long day drive along rough road where we will enjoy beautiful views of the unique landscapes until we finally reach the oasis town of Zanda. We explore Tholing monastery and Tsaparang citadelle. Tholing, which was once the most important monastic complex in western Tibet, is a awesome sight. Below stands the first capital of Guge whilst the skyline comprises a vast sweep of the Ladakh Himalaya. Guge’s later capital at Tsaparang is of even greater significance in the history of Buddhist art, its fantastic wall murals displaying evidence of close links with Ladakh and Kashmir. We will rediscover the cave dwellings, secret twisting paths tunnels linking the palaces.

Overnight at Gu Ge Hotel or similar.

Day 10 Tholing – Mapam Yumtso lake [250Km, 4556m]
Today begins the end of your tibetan journey through the most sacred Buddhist monasteries and greatest mountains on earth. After breakfast we drive back until 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. Before, we make a short detour to Tirthapuri, place where pilgrims traditionally come to bathe in their hot springs after completing the kora of Mt. Kailash.

Overnight at guesthouse (dorm bed without bathroom). Sleeping bag is recommended.

Day 11-12: Mapam Yumtso lake – Saga – Shigatse [935Km]
In the morning we enjoy sunrise at the beatiful holy waters of Lake Manasarovar. After visiting Chiu monastery we continue driving East to Shigatse; today stopping at Saga for one night. We travel through arid landscapes of sand dunes and wonderful views of the Himalaya Range and the Tibetan Plateau.

Day 11: Overnight at MuLinSen hotel or similar.
Day 12 Overnight at Gesar Hotel 5 or similar.

Day 13: Shigatse – Lhasa [272Km, 3650m]
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 Lhas Our last day of our tibetan traverse goes along the Yarlung Tsampo (Brahmaputra) River. This is the most direct route to Lhasa and part of the Friendship Highway. Free time in Lhasa.

Overnight at Shambhala Palace or House of Shambhala.

Day 14 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 walking the wonderful ancient route between two of our most important Monasteries: The Ganden to Samye Trek. It’s also possible to spend one-two more days visiting holy Namtso lake in North Lhasa (250Km, 4-5 hours drive, one way). Or even take a relaxing day in Lhasa on your own! Please, contact us for further details.