Duration: 16 Days
Price: From $5700
Overview
Destinations:Kashgar – Zepu – Hongliutan – Duoma – Zhada – Tarchen – Drirapuk – Dzultripuk – Lake Manasarovar – Saga – Rongpuk – Shigatse – Lhasa
Highlights
- Experience the vibrant culture ofKashgarat the famousSunday Bazaar, where colorful stalls and lively traditions offer a glimpse into the heart of Uygur life.
- Embark on an epic tour throughXinjiangandTibet, crossing high-altitude mountain passes likeJieshan Daban(5,245m) and witnessing breathtaking landscapes that change with the seasons.
- Explore the sacred sites ofNgari, including the holyLake ManasarovarandMount Kailash, revered by Buddhists and Hindus, and immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere of pilgrim rituals.
- Trek aroundMount Kailash, a challenging yet rewarding pilgrimage route, passing through dramatic valleys, high passes likeDolma-la(5,630m), and ancient monasteries steeped in legend.
- Discover Tibet’s cultural gems, from the iconicPotala PalaceandJokhang Templein Lhasa to the remote ruins of the Guge Kingdom, while encountering nomadic traditions and stunning Himalayan vistas.
Itinerary
Kashgar Arrival
Welcome to the vibrant city of
Kashgar
! As you step off the plane, you’ll be greeted by our friendly guide and whisked away to your hotel. Kashgar, a historical gem and cultural hub of Xinjiang, has long been a strategic gateway to other countries. It’s a place where history breathes through every alley and market. After a warm welcome and a comfortable check-in, take some time to rest and gathe
A Feast for the Senses
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel. Today, you’ll dive into the heart of Kashgar’s culture at the famous
Sunday Bazaar
. Wander through the bustling stalls, where vibrant colors and lively chatter fill the air. It’s not just a market; it’s a celebration of life and tradition. Here, you’ll stock up on essentials like food, drinks, and fruits, as we’re about to embark on a challen
Conquer the Legendary Daban Mountains
Today, the real adventure begins! We’ll drive towards
Hongliutan
, crossing several Daban Mountains. As the locals say, “Wearing a coat in the morning, a shirt at noon, and eating watermelons by a fire.” This tour will take you through all four seasons in a single day. Our first stop is
Kudi Daban
, a mountain pass so steep that even monkeys struggle to climb it. After navigating through a milit
The Ultimate Challenge
Rise and shine early! Today is going to be the toughest day of our tour. After a quick breakfast prepared yesterday, we’ll set off towards
Jieshan Daban
, the highest and most dangerous point on our route at an elevation of 5245m. The road, though recently rebuilt, stretches about 300kms ahead of us. As we drive, we’ll pass through
Hero Valley
, a place of profound significance. Many soldiers de
Mystical Lakes and Ancient Kingdoms
After breakfast, we’ll drive to
Shiquanhe
, the capital city of
Ngari
. Ngari, located in the western part of Tibet, is a land of towering mountains, pristine lakes, and vast grasslands. The
Shiquanhe River
, the main source of the Indus, originates from the sacred
Mount Kailash
. As we travel, we’ll visit the picturesque
Pangong-tso Lake
, a long and narrow lake straddling the border of Indi
A Spiritual Oasis
Today begins with an early start as we drive to
Tarchen
. The road is in great condition, making for a smooth tour of about 150kms. Soon, we’ll arrive at the serene
Lake Manasarovar
. At 4,588 meters above sea level, this lake covers an area of 330 square kilometers and has a depth of 81.8 meters. Nestled between two snow-covered mountain ranges, the lake’s beauty is truly breathtaking. It’s a s
Begin the Sacred Pilgrimage
Traditionally, pilgrims embark on a 52km trek around
Mount Kailash
, starting and ending at
Darchen
(4574m). A few kilometers out of Darchen lies a valley called “Sarshung”, where porters await with yaks and horses to carry your belongings. After a two-hour tour, you’ll reach a grassy plain inhabited by nomads. Here, you can refresh yourself in a nomadic tent and enjoy some soft drinks. It will
Conquer Dolma-La Pass
The second day of trekking is the most challenging, as we’ll tackle the
Dolma-la pass
, which lies 6.4km ahead and 762m above Drirapuk. The pass peaks at an elevation of 5630m above sea level. It’s advisable to start early in the morning when the sun’s rays begin to break over the ridges. After resting at the summit of Dolma-la pass, you’ll descend along a staircase that brings you to the Lhachu
Return to Civilization
Early in the morning, visit the
Zutrulpuk Temple
(4790m). Milarepa’s Cave, located in a north-facing room called Zhacang, isn’t always open. You might need to make a small donation at the Lama Temple to gain entry. The return tour is relatively easy. As you exit the canyon where the stream meets the Baga plains, the riverbanks become steep, and you’ll pass through colorful stones ranging from re
Along the Roof of the World
Today is a long but rewarding drive from Manasarovar to
Saga Town
. The rough road winds its way between the Himalayas and the Gangdisê Mountains. It’s a tough day of driving, but the scenery will keep you captivated. Our destination, Saga Town, is a military town with a Chinese garrison that patrols the entire length of the Sino-Nepal border. In Tibetan, “Saga” means “happy land”. It boasts a bo
Touch the Sky
Ready to touch the Sky! Today, we’ll drive to the magnificent
Lake Peiku
, located 4,591 meters above sea level on the Tibetan Plateau, just 18 kilometers south of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The lake stretches 27 kilometers in length and is 6 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. Surrounded by mountains reaching 5,700 to 6,000 meters, streams fed by glaciers cascade down to the valley floor but
Land of Monasteries
Rise early and begin your drive to
Lhatse
, a tour that will take approximately 10 hours. The road follows the northern shore of Pelgu-Tso and then winds through a narrow gorge before climbing to a pass and steeply descending to a ferry crossing over the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The route continues across a vast plain offering stunning views of the Himalayas. Along the way, we’ll pass by
Peiku-tso
A Cultural Finale
This morning, drive to
Gyangtse
, the fourth-largest city in Tibet, known for the
Kumbum Stupa
of the
Pelkhor Monastery
. Then, head to
Lhasa
, the cultural and administrative heart of Tibet. In the older parts of the city, especially near the
Potala Palace
and
Jokhang Temple
, you’ll be mesmerized by the spinning prayer wheels, colorful flags, and traditionally dressed Tibetans engaged in
Lhasa’s Crown Jewels
After breakfast, we’ll visit the iconic
Potala Palace
, often referred to as the “golden feather upon the roof of the world.” Tibetans take great pride in this magnificent structure, claiming it to be the greatest miracle since the creation of the world. The golden roof shines brightly in the sun, and as you spend an hour exploring the palace’s interior, you’ll discover the rooms once used by the
Monasteries and Debates
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast, and then embark on a tour of the
Drepung Monastery
, the largest monastery in Tibet, once home to over 10,000 monks. Here, you can witness the lively Buddhist debates that frequently take place. From a distance, the grand white structure resembles a heap of rice, hence its name, which means “Monastery of Collecting-Rice” in Tibetan. Learn about the lives of
What’s Included
- Private transportation through out the itinerary. SRT will arrange for all travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure based on your flight info.
- Shared accommodations in well located, tourist to superior class hotels include breakfast, service charge and government tax.
- All entrance fees(shuttle bus) sightseeing; excursions and activities as per the itinerary
- Preparation of high attitude condition (such as Oxygen bag etc)
- Private friendly and professional English-Speaking guides (French, Italy, Russian, German can be arranged per your request)
- Visa support letter for you to apply Chinese visa easily.
- Travel and health insurance when travel with us.
- 8, A 24/7 helpline while you are traveling.
What’s Excluded
- International and domestic flights not indicated.
- Food, Lunch or dinner not specified
- Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses and the other tours or activities not mentioned