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The journey starts from the holy city Lhasa and then to Shigatse, where you can feel the different lifestyle and existing culture on the roof of the world. Monasteries and shrines are the centre of their religious practice, which plays an important role in their day to day life since from thousand years. Then rest of the days the journey come across the great Jangtang (Northern Plain) into Far-west Tibet passes through a land greatest extremes of dryness. The landscapes are huge and like a treeless moonscape. Lone groups of nomads dwelling in low, black tents, tend flocks of sheep and goats as well as herds of the yak. Heavily eroded sandstones and sand-dunes are beautiful along the road. The extraordinary peak of Mount Kailash is the prime focus of the journey, which lies at the heart of the region. It is the pilgrimage destinations of Buddhists, Bon, Hindus and Jains. Further within the heavily eroded sandstone canyon and valleys of the upper Sutlej river are numerous ruins of ancient cities that once comprised the kingdom of Guge, temples in that area are still intact and contain exquisite murals and decorative motifs having history of more than 10,000 years, continuous drive to Ali and through the Northern Kailash route, your camera will be busy with stunning view of lakes, typical nomads and happy wild animals.
Upon arrival at Lhasa airport or train station, to be met and transferred to your hotel / hostel in Lhasa. Afternoon have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude. Overnight at Lhasa.
(B)=breakfast
Today is your first day of sightseeing on the high plateau, so we have purposely arranged only to visit Jokhang temple and Potala Palace. Jokhang temple is the most scared shrine in Tibet which was built in 7th century and located at the heart of old town in Lhasa, the circuit around it called Barkhor street, which is a good place to purchase souvenirs. Potala Palace is the worldwide known cardinal landmark of Tibet. The massive structure itself contains a small world within it. Mostly it is renowned as residence of the Dalai Lama lineages (Avalokiteshvara). Both of them are the focal points of pilgrims from entire Tibetan world, multitudinous pilgrims are circumambulating and prostrating in their strong faith. Overnight at Lhasa.
Today you will be arranged to visit Drepung, Sera monasteries and Summer Palace - Norbulingka palace. Both Drepung and Sera monasteries are Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect monastic colleges. Drepung monastery was the seat of the Government prior to Potala, it was once the world largest monastery in the history with 10,000 monks hailed from different monasteries all over Tibet. Sera monastery is famous for its Buddhism philosophical debate practice, the clapping sound and aggressive expression of the monks are well worth to see. Norbulingka is the summer palace of Dalai Lama, you can visit the residences of different lineages of the Dalai Lama. The park is crowded with picnickers and traditional activities during the Shoton (Yogurt festival) in August. Overnight at Lhasa.
Morning drive up to Kampala pass (4794m), you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso and spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance, the turquoise coloured Lake Yamdrok Yutso is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, the unforgettable vista of pincer-shaped turquoise water of the lake and amazing spectacle of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar glacier from Karo la pass is wonders of the day. Then along the Friendship southern Hwy drive to Gyantse, visit the famous stupa - Gyantse Kumbum, the most stunning architectural wonder in Tibet. Late afternoon drive to Shigatse. Overnight at Shigatse.
Morning you will be arranged to visit Tashilunpo Monastery and the spectacular tombs of Panchen Lamas, monks of this monastery are nice looking with their home-made traditional shoes. Then drive to Sakya, visit Sakya Monastery, which is the main monastery at Sakyapa, hike around the monastery northern ruins. Late afternoon drive to Lhatse. Overnight at Lhatse.
Today drive from Lhatse to Saga, pass several high plateau lakes, towns, herders tents and along the route with plateau mountain ranges, diverse forms of mountains are overlooking through the valley. Overnight at Saga.
Morning drive from Saga to Lake Manasarovar via Paryang, you weave your way through small dusty town of Zhongba amidst enchanting panoramic views, dotted nomads tents are mingled with their herds of animals on the open plateau. Pass numbers of villages and camps of Yak herders with the distance view of snow capped mountains, cross the Mayun-la pass (5216m), if lucky might see many wild animals at the plateau grasslands. After arrival at Lakeside, make a walk to Chiu Monastery which is the best point to see Lake Manasarovar. Overnight at Chiu Monastery village guesthouse. (guest house, dorm bed without bathroom).
Manasarovar is the lake of compassion, tranquility and bliss. After completing the memorable morning bath and Puja, we will be heading towards Darchen, the tiny village of Darchen is the starting and ending point of the Mt. Kailash trekking, in the afternoon prepare for the trekking and guide will arrange needed yaks and porters. Overnight at Darchen (Guest house, dorm bed).
The first day's trekking is start from the Sershong and a gradual walk with multitudes of other local pilgrims chanting and praying. From the valley you can see the Choku Monastery up on the hillside. The trail leads to few ups and downs till we reach our camp at Dirapuk (4,750 m). You will meet many more Bon pilgrims going in the opposite direction (Anticlock-wise), because Mt. Kailash is being worshipped by four different religions, viz Buddhisms, Bons, Hindus and Jains. Overnight at Dirapuk guesthouse.
Today our trekking leads to much higher side of the holy path just beneath the Mount Kailash. The walk will bring us to one of the highest point at Drolma La, 5,200 m, and the pass is quickly descending to the gradual field towards Dzutul-puk - in Tibetan means magical cave, this small monastery is connected to a interesting story of talent competition between Great Yogi Milarepa (Buddhist) and Naropa (Bon). Overnight at Dzutul-Puk guesthouse.
The winding gradually comes out of the valley and the river allows to follow in to the Barka plain, the trekking stops at Trangser Trangmar and your car take you to Darchen. Overnight at Darchen (Guest house, dorm bed).
Drive from Darchen to Zanda along the Xinjiang-Tibet Hwy, and drive off the main Hwy after 150Km, go across a few mountain passes, you will see the magnificent Tholing Forest. Afternoon visit Tholing Monastery. Overnight at Zanda.
Morning drive to Tsaparang Guge Kingdom ruins, in the vast valley of Sutlej river you can find ruins of ancient famous Guge kingdom among the remarkable sand-dunes, a number of temples are still intact and contain exquisite murals and decorative motifs, some are dating back more than 10,000 years, make a half day tour at there. Afternoon drive back to Zanda and have a rest or look around Zanda town. Overnight at Zanda.
Drive from Zanda to Ali, the 200km road will take about 5-6 hours. The road is equally scenic. Following the Sutlij river after the Guge Kingdom and truned north back into the clay canyons. Along the zig-zagged road up and cross over 3 high passes, you will enter the Gar valley flat where you will pass the new airport -Kunsha airport in Ali. Once in the valley join the tarred road, another 70km will lead you to Ali. Overnight at Ali.
Drive to Gegye in the afternoon and through the valley follows its way to Gegye, it's a gently looping river spreading out in multiple channels across teh valley floor.Gegye is the best and most reliable place to spend the night untill Gertse. Overnight at Gegye (Guest house, dorm bed).
Drive from Gegye to Gertse, the road becomes wider. Today you will be driven on Tibetan Northern nomad's land, have great view of the wild animals and fantastic landscapes, before you get to Gertse, you will pass several small lakes set in a wide plain. Overnight at Gertse (Guest house, dorm bed).
Drive from Gertse to Tsochen, on the way you will see some small lakes, today pass beautiful valleys one after another and turquoise water lake Dawa tso is wonderful part of the day trip. Overnight at Tsochen (Guest house, dorm bed).
Drive from Tsochen to Raka, along the valley, pass Songma-la pass (5500m), then you will see Tagyel-tso, and other small lakes, Raka is situated on the junction of the road with Northern road to Ali or Mt.Kailash. Overnight at Raka (Guest house, dorm bed).
If you head to Kathmandu after this trip, then suggest you drive another 60km to Saga and stay there for one night.
Saga to Zhangmu via moutain Shishapangba and Peikutso Lake (280km, 7-8 hours)
Drive about 120km takes about 5 hours.
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