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TIBET PILGRIMS ROUTE

Travel to the holiest mountain in the world – Mount Kailash, holy to both Hindus and Tibetans – and join many other pilgrims during the 2011 Saga Dawa Festival, when the pilgrims circumambulate around the mountain along the pilgrims’ route: that’s three days trekking in high forbidden slopes (Kailash is 6,714 metres high) alongside a straggle of pilgrims, mostly outlandish Tibetan characters. The Saga Dawa Festival itself precedes the pilgrimage, and it offers a great photo opportunity – for starters, you get to see exotic Tibetans in full traditional costumes. After the festival and the pilgrimage, we then drive across scenic mountain to Lhasa and other cities in southern Tibet, where we explore the famed palaces and monasteries that are quintessential Tibetan sights.

Highlights of Tour:  

• Saga Dawa Festival at Kailash in 2011
• Doing the three-day circumambulation of holy Mount Kailash with the pilgrims
• Temples and other sights in Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse
• Scenic roadtrip across some of the most spectacular mountains in the world
• Walking along the shores of the divine lake of Manasarovar

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Tuesday, 7 Jun; arrive in Lhasa

Arrive in Lhasa, settle in the hotel and take it easy to begin to acclimitise to the high altitude (Lhasa sits at 3,650 metres high). Stay at the three-star Thangka Hotel

Day 2: Wednesday, 8 Jun; Lhasa

Full day guided tour in Lhasa: in the morning, we visit the Potala Palace, the winder residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet; in the afternoon, a visit to Jokhang monastery, one of the most important monasteries in Tibet, which teems with pilgrims. More bustle is found in the perimeter Barkhor Street, which is cluttered by market stalls selling religious trinkets and local food. Accommodation at the three-star Thangka Hotel. 

Day 3: Thursday, 9 Jun; Lhasa

A varied day, first visiting the Drepung monastery – the sacred nerve centre of the Gelug Sect – and afterwards we go to Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. And in the afternoon you can see the playful philosophical debates of the monks in Sera Monastery, which has an important Buddhist seminary, and it is home to about 200 monks. Accommodation at the three-star Thangka Hotel

Day 4: Friday, 10 Jun; Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse

After a scenic drive along the Kyichu River, the spectacle reaches its zenith when we negotiate the Kamba La pass that, at 4,796 metres, offers great vistas over the holy lake of Yamdrok Yumtso, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat for waterbirds in south Tibet. We enjoy the scenery as we drive on, with mountains rising in all directions, including the snowy peaks of Nojin Gangzang, which tower to 7,191 metres. Eventually we make it to the intriguing Pelkor Chode Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. These are superlative monuments, and after exploration we continue on our journey, reaching Shigatse on the afternoon, where we settle for the night at the three-star Manasarovar Hotel

Day 5–6–7: Saturday–Monday, 11–13 Jun; Shigatse – Lhatse – Saga – Paryang

After a visit to Tashilunpo monastery, one of Tibet’s grand monasteries, home to the giant statue of Maitreya Buddha and 600 monks, we head south in a drive that reveals a passing vista of the Himalayas, as well as antelopes galloping in the meadows. We stop to explore sights and scenery along the way, going through Lhatse (overnight in the two-star Shanghai Hotel), then Saga and Paryang (we stay in basic guesthouses in these two latter towns).

Day 8: Tuesday, 14 Jun; Paryang – Manasarovar Lake

Lake Manasarovar, which sits at an altitude of 4,588 metres and covers an area of 330 square kilometres, is on the circuit of Tibetan pilgrims, who bathe in the lake on their way to Kailash holy mountain. You can do the same; in any case, you will have plenty of time to marvel at the lake, and explore the Chiu temple on the northern shore, where we set up our camp.

Day 9: Wednesday, 15 Jun; Manasarovar Lake – Darchen

We reach our penultimate destination – Mount Kailash – as the festival would be in full swing. The festival coincides with the 15^th day of the fourth moon in the Tibetan calendar. The ceremony revolves around the Tarboche flagpole, a huge pole erected on the so-called Kailash kora. Pilgrims throng Kailash – and we will join them – as a new flagpole is erected (the pole is changed every year). The ceremony is led by monks, and the pole is put straight – the superstition is that Tibet will be in trouble unless the pole is perfectly upright.

Day 10–12: Thursday–Saturday, 16–18 Jun; Trekking around Kailash, then drive to Paryang

The pilgrimage around Kailash takes three days, going over trails that are swaddled in prayer flags and marked by piles of mani stones, and rising to the highest point at the Doelma La pass. The path is good, the views are incredible, and the presence of the outlandish Tibetan pilgrims adds emotional resonance – it’s an experience you will never forget.

Day 13–15; Sunday–Tuesday, 19–21 Jun; long scenic drive back to Lhasa

In the final leg of our journey, you can sit back in the car and watch the drama unfolding outside: the drive through the bleak mountains and large sky and sparkling lakes is one of the most dramatic roadtrips in the world. The ever-changing vista is mesmerizing, and we pause along the way to stretch the legs and soak in the air and enjoy the visa. On the first night we sleep in a guesthouse; and we stay in three-star hotels in the second and third nights – which is when we reach Lhasa.

Day 16: Wednesday, 22 Jun; end of tour

Our tour ends on the 16^th day in Lhasa, when we drop you off at the airport or train station, depending on the mode of travel you would be taking.

Tour date: 7 Jun–22 Jun 

Tour price: USD1,913 per person (single supplement adds $277)

Tours are all-inclusive

NOTE: If you form your own group of at least 6 travellers, you can travel in your own private tour based on the itinerary above at the same price per person quoted here.