Responsible Tourism

Tibetan Expedition- Mount Kailash Pilgrimage / Kailash & the Guge Kingdom

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Highlights of this tour.

From the great monasteries and temples of Lhasa and central Tibet take a pilgrimage to and around the sacred mountain at the heart of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cosmology, spend a night on the shores of the vast blue Lake Manasarovar - legendary birthplace of the great rivers of Asia.

The 3-day circumambulation of the world's most sacred mountain is tough - relax afterwards beside Lake Manasarovar, legendary source of the four great rivers of South Asia. Cross the vast grasslands for a spectacular close-up view of the world's highest mountain.
And, for a fitting finale - the colour and chaos of Kathmandu's busy streets.
Extend your trip - travelling through stunning landscapes to explore the religious and artistic heritage of the historic kingdom of Guge, on the banks of the Sutlej River.

Example of the itinerary.

Days 1-2 Chengdu or Kathmandu
Delight in the successes of the Panda Breeding center and city temples of Chengdu or explore the ancient city center of Kathmandu and the hilltop monkey temple. Arrival from Beijing may also be arranged.

Days 3-6 Lhasa
The lure of Lhasa, capital on the roof of the world, cannot be under-estimated and it is truly a fascinating city, fully justifying its reputation. Dominated by the awe-inspiring grandeur of the Potala Palace and bustling with pilgrims circling the sacred Jokhang Temple it is a feast for the senses.

Day 7 Gyantse
Leaving Lhasa, it is a long, yet spectacular drive to Gyantse. From the top of the Kamba Pass (4794m) the views of the turquoise lake, Yamdrok-Tso are unforgettable. Once of major importance as a trading center on the routes between India, Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet and China, its imposing fort, Gyantse Dzong, dominates views of the town. Here you will visit Pelkor Choede and the fascinating Gyantse Kumbum.

Days 8-9 Shigatse
Tibet's second largest town and site of Tashilhumpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama and one of the most important monasteries of the Gelukpa order

Day 10 Sakya
The fortified monastery of Sakya is powerful testament to a long and volatile history and the political supremacy it once enjoyed.

Day 11-12 Saga - Pasum
Set out to fully experience the splendour, enormity and isolation of western Tibet. Magnificent valleys, herds of grazing yak, goats and sheep, passes topped by prayer flags and few permanent settlements mark your journey towards Tibet's ancient heartland.

Day 13-14 Tirthapuri & Khyunlung
En-route to Guge the dramatically situated gompa and hot springs at Tithapuri are closely linked to Padmasambhava and are traditionally visited in conjunction with a Kailash kora. Nearby are the remains of the cave settlements of Zhangzhung, magnificent hot springs and a Bon monastery.

Days 15-16 Guge
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.

Days 17-19 Darchen & Kailash Kora
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.

Day 20 complete Kailash kora - Lake Manasarovar
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.

Day 21-23 Paryang - Saga - Lao Tingri
Having completed the kora retrace the route as far as Saga before turning south across the Brahmaputra and on via Paiku Tso (lake)and Xixiapangma (8014m) to the small town of Lao Tingri.

Day 24 Rombuk (Everest Base Camp)
Some of the most stunning views of the world's highest mountain are from the tiny Rongbuk Monastery (5000m) seven kilometers below Everest Base Camp.

Day 25-26 Nyalam - Kathmandu
At Nyalam you reach the edge of the Tibetan Plateau and the road descends sharply towards the Nepal border, some 40kms and 2000 meters below. Moisture returns to the air, the colors change, trees appear, lush green vegetation and the Bhoti Kosi river thunders below. Rich in cultural and artistic heritage blending traditional and modern, Kathmandu is a vibrant, chaotic, colorful city - one not to be missed.
*Saga Dawa departure is one day longer, spending an extra day at Kailash for the celebrations.

Mount Kailash - 20 day itinerary. Description as above excluding days 13-16
Days 1-2 Kathmandu or Chengdu/ Days 3-6 Lhasa / Day 7 Gyantse / Day 8 Shigatse / Day 9 Sakya /Day 10 Saga /Day 11 Paryang /Day 12 Darchen / Days 13-14 Kailash Kora / Day 15 complete kora - Lake Manasarovar / Day 16 Paryang / Day 17 Saga / Day 18 Lao Tingri / Day 19 Everest Base Camp - Lao Tingri / Day 20 Kathmandu

The benefits you bring in taking this tour. 

 

As a Lhasa based company with 98% Tibetan staff we are actively involved in both providing local job opportunities and the ongoing training of Tibetan staff in guiding and management positions within the tour agency and also in associated hotels. Traditionally tourism in Tibet has been dominated by Nepali companies, we are actively involved in promoting tourism in Tibet organised and operated by Tibetans to bring not only greater economic benefit, but to preserve and promote Tibetan language, history and culture.
This trip also travels to the remoter areas of western Tibet and, with camping departures particularly, is involved with developing camping/trekking services and support and promoting environmental awareness and considerations.

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