20 days trip
Wonders of Western Tibet
Sacred Lakes, Ancient Monasteries, and Majestic Kailash
Overview
20-Days Spiritual and Natural Marvels of Western Tibet
This 20-day journey through Western Tibet offers a unique blend of spiritual exploration and breathtaking landscapes. Starting in Kathmandu, explore Tibet’s rich culture with visits to iconic monasteries, ancient ruins, and sacred sites such as Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. The adventure includes the famous Kailash Kora trek, where you’ll walk around the holy mountain, regarded as one of the world’s most spiritual journeys.
Trip Summary
Duration
20 days
Difficulty
Moderate
Max Elevation
5943m
Start point
Kathmandu
End point
Kathmandu
Daily Activity
5-6 hrs
Group Size
1-50 participants
Best Season
Autumn, Spring
Trip Outline
- Day 1Arrival in Kathmandu
- Day 2Sightseeing in Kathmandu: 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Day 3Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa
- Day 4Lhasa Sightseeing: Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple, and Potala Palace
- Day 5Lhasa Sightseeing: Norbulinka and Drilung Valley
- Day 6Drive to Gyantse to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake, sightseeing of Pelkor and Kumbum
- Day 7Morning Sightseeing of Tashilunpho, transfer to Saga
- Day 8Drive from Saga to Moincer Village
- Day 9Visit Garuda Valley and Tirthapuri
- Day 10Moincer Village to Tholing via Dungkar and Phyiang Cave Cities
- Day 11Sightseeing of the Tholing Monastery and Tsaparang
- Day 12Transfer to Manasarovar, rest by the lake
- Day 13Kailash Kora to Dira Phuk
- Day 14Kailash Kora to Zutrul Phuk via Drolma La
- Day 15Parikrama Ends, Transfer to Manasarovar
- Day 16Free Day at Manasarovar, Inner Kora Available
- Day 17Transfer to Zhangmu
- Day 18Cross the Border to Nepal, Transfer to The Last Resort
- Day 19Transfer to Kathmandu
- Day 20Final Departure
Included
- Trekking conservation permit
- Trekking Register Certificate
- Equipped and insured trekking porter
- Experienced and first aid trained license holder trekking guide
- Tea House accommodation during the trek in double occupancy
- All meals during the trek (B=breakfast, L=Lunch, D= Dinner)
- Sleeping bag (only if required)
- Government taxes and service charges
Not Included
- Drinks and Bar Bill (beverage) in the tea house trek
- Helicopter evacuation/rescue in case of emergency
- Personal Insurance
- Personal use trekking equipment
- Tipping to guide and porter
Wonders of Western Tibet
Get started on your journey
Detailed itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal's vibrant capital, and transfer to your hotel. Relax and acclimatize.
Travel duration
-
Elevation
1350m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
3-5 Stars
Day 2
Sightseeing in Kathmandu: 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Explore Kathmandu’s famous heritage sites, including Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Patan Durbar Square.
Travel duration
5-6 hours
Elevation
1350m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
3-5 Stars
Day 3
Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa
Fly over the Himalayas to the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, where you will begin acclimatizing.
Travel duration
-
Elevation
3650m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 4
Lhasa Sightseeing: Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple, and Potala Palace
Visit Tibet’s cultural highlights, including the iconic Potala Palace, the sacred Jokhang Temple, and the ancient Drepung Monastery.
Travel duration
5-6 hours
Elevation
3700m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 5
Lhasa Sightseeing: Norbulinka and Drilung Valley
Tour the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, Norbulingka, and explore the ancient ruins in the Drilung Valley.
Travel duration
-
Elevation
3650m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 6
Drive to Gyantse to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake, sightseeing of Pelkor and Kumbum
Take a scenic drive through the Tibetan plateau, passing Yamdrok Lake, and visit the Pelkor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa.
Travel duration
6-7 hours
Elevation
3900m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 7
Morning Sightseeing of Tashilunpho, transfer to Saga
In the morning, visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse before driving to Saga, with a scenic backdrop of the high Tibetan plains.
Travel duration
-
Elevation
4600m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 8
Drive from Saga to Moincer Village
A full day of driving to reach the remote Moincer Village, passing through stunning landscapes.
Travel duration
6-7 hours
Elevation
4324m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 9
Visit Garuda Valley and Tirthapuri
Explore the ancient Garuda Valley, rich with historical and religious significance, and visit the hot springs of Tirthapuri.
Travel duration
-
Elevation
4324m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 10
Moincer Village to Tholing via Dungkar and Phyiang Cave Cities
Drive to Tholing, visiting the cave cities of Dungkar and Phyiang, renowned for their ancient murals.
Travel duration
-
Elevation
3800m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 11
Sightseeing of the Tholing Monastery and Tsaparang
Explore the ruins of Tsaparang and the historic Tholing Monastery, the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Western Tibet.
Travel duration
-
Elevation
3800m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 12
Transfer to Manasarovar, rest by the lake
Head to the sacred Lake Manasarovar and relax by its shores, revered in multiple religions.
Travel duration
-
Elevation
4590m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 13
Kailash Kora to Dira Phuk
Begin the Kailash Kora, a spiritual trek around Mount Kailash, with an overnight stop at Dira Phuk Monastery.
Travel duration
5-6 hours
Elevation
5120m
Meal
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Tea House
Day 14
Kailash Kora to Zutrul Phuk via Drolma La
Cross the Drolma La Pass, the highest point on the Kora, and descend to Zutrul Phuk.
Travel duration
6-7 hours
Elevation
5650m
Meal
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Tea House
Day 15
Parikrama Ends, Transfer to Manasarovar
Complete the Kailash Kora and drive back to Manasarovar for another peaceful day by the lake.
Travel duration
-
Elevation
4590m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
Tea House
Day 16
Free Day at Manasarovar, Inner Kora Available
Relax or opt for the inner kora, a more intense spiritual circuit around the sacred Mount Kailash.
Travel duration
-
Elevation
4590m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
Tea House
Day 17
Transfer to Zhangmu
Drive to the border town of Zhangmu, with breathtaking views of the Himalayan range.
Travel duration
-
Elevation
2300m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 18
Cross the Border to Nepal, Transfer to The Last Resort
Cross the Tibet-Nepal border and transfer to The Last Resort for relaxation or adventure activities.
Travel duration
-
Elevation
1215m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 19
Transfer to Kathmandu
Return to Kathmandu for some final exploration or relaxation.
Travel duration
-
Elevation
1350m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
3-5 Stars
Day 20
Final Departure
Transfer to the airport for your onward journey or flight back home.
Travel duration
-
Elevation
1350m
Meal
Breakfast
Accommodation
-
Wonders of Western Tibet
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