Once arrived in Gonggar the guide will wait for you after immigration. The guide will greet you in a traditional way offering you Khada. From the airport you will go directly to your hotel in Lhasa. The drive from the airport to Lhasa takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The guide will help you with the hotel check in. For the remaining part of the day we advise you to take a rest in order to acclimatize to the altitude at 3600 meter above sea level. 

Today we have a busy day ahead. After our breakfast we start with a visit to the Potala Palace. This is the  winter home of the Dalai Lamas and a famous landmark in the world. Potala Palace is build on the mountain Marpori (the red mountain). You have probably seen the Potala Palace on photos, but today you will experience that the palace is in real life even more impressive. We start our visit with a walk up the stairs and through the gardens. Once we enter the palace we will find our way through the labyrinth of small corridors and tiny staircases.  Not all parts of the Potala Palace are open for tourists, but you will get the opportunity to visit some if its chapels including the audience hall and the golden burial Chorten (Tomb) of Past Dalai Lamas. You will see a  tremendous number of murals, painted scrolls, sculptures, carpets, canopies, porcelain and more on your way through the palace. We will use the whole morning to visit the palace. 

After lunch it is time to visit the Jokhang Temple. This temple is an important sacred site and is seen as the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism.  King Songtsen Gampo built this temple in 652 for his two brides; Princess Wencheng of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and Princes Bhrikuti of Nepal. Based on stories we believe that both brought important Buddhist images and statues from their home countries as part of their dowries. The rest of the afternoon you will have time to explore the surroundings of Barkhor. Bhakor is a busy market area, but also the area where pilgrims walk the clockwise circuit around the temple. Explore Lhasa a bit more by walking around the narrow alleys. 

Today we drive to the Drepung Monastery 8 km northwest of Lhasa. The Drepung Monastery is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. This monastery was  founded by Jamyang Choje in 1416. The Drepung Monastery was the winter palace for hundreds of monks from all Gelug monasteries in Tibet. There is enough place for as many as 10.000 monks. Nowadays only a couple of hundred monks live in this monastery. 

In the afternoon we drive to the Sera Monastery. This is also one of the “ great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet and was founded three years later than the Drepung Monastery. The monastery is well known for the debates that take place each afternoon in the garden of the monastery. Observe the way the monks clap their hands during the debate. Can you guess what the claps mean?

We leave Lhasa today. Our final destination today will be Shigatse, but we will visit several places before we reach there in the late afternoon or early evening. Our first destination is Yamdrok Lake. On our way we will go over the Khambala pass at 4790 meters. Yamdrok Lake is a sacred lake and is one of the three biggest holy lakes in Tibet. The views are stunning. The turquoise lake is 72 km long and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. In the distance, you can see the holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m).
From the lake, we will continue our journey to Gyantse, the third largest city in Tibet, driving over the Karola Pass at 5050 meters and Simila Pass at 5000 meters. Once we arrive at Gyantse, we can enjoy the far view of Gyantse Fortress. 

Here we will visit Khumbum Stupa and Pelkhor Chorten. Khumbum Stupa is the only Nepalese-style Stupa built in Tibet. The name means ‘hundred thousand images of Buddha, and that name reflects the decorations of the Stupa. The giant octagonal Stupa is one of the outstanding architectural achievements built and decorated by a Gyantse Prince. Rising 35 meters high, the Stupa is said to have 108 Cells in the 9 levels/floor surmounted by a golden dome and contains 77 chapels that line its walls.

Pelkhor Chorten is located next to the Stupa and was built in 1418. The monastery is a mix of Han, Tibetan, and Nepalese architecture. This monastery consists of 15 different chapels and halls and houses three different orders of Tibetan Buddhism. The main temple of the monastery is the Tsulaklakang. This temple has three floors, and you will find murals and images from the 15th century.

The last leg of today’s trip is a drive to Shigatse. This journey will take you about two hours further drive from Gyantse.

After breakfast, we will start with a visit to Tashilimphu Monastery. This monastery was built in 1447 at the time of the 1st Dalia Lama Gendun Drupa, a disciple of Tsongkapa. Hence the monastery is also one of the biggest functioning monasteries of Gelugpa. 

The name of the monastery means ‘heap of glory’. The monastery was attacked by Nepalese Gurkha in 1791, but they were driven out again by the Chinese. The monastery has white walls and golden roofs. You will find the biggest statue of sitting Maitreya Buddha in one of the chapels of this monastery. 

After visiting the monastery, we will see the local markets for shopping and local sightseeing. You will have time to experience daily Tibetan life in the local market. Smell the different fragrances and observe the colors of the local products. Mingle with locals and get a feel of Tibetan life before we drive to Shegar.

The small town of Shegar, also called New Tingri is situated along the Friendship Highway, the main road connecting Lhasa to Kathmandu. The second-largest city in Tibet, Shigatse, is roughly 240 kilometers southwest of it. This place has a dry, chilly environment as it is situated at an elevation of about 4300 meters above sea level. Shegar is a well-liked destination for tourists going to Mount Everest Base Camp and other locations in the Everest region.

We continue our drive uphill driving over Pang La pass (5150m) from where we can see an incredible view of the Himalayan range stretching from Mt. Malaku to Mt. Shisapangma. Before we reach the highest point of our trip to the Everest Base Camp at 5,200 meters. This is as close as we will get to the highest mountain in the world. 

But before we do so we will first visit the famous Rongbuk Monastery. Rongbuk is the highest monastery in the world at 4,980 meters. From the monastery, you will have stunning views of the Mount Everest. Before the monastery was built here nuns had been living in this area of meditation. You will still find meditation caves all around the monastery and valley. Walk on the left side of the mani stone walls carved with sacred syllables and prayers.

After a wander around the Base Camp taking in the breathtaking views of Everest and other surrounding mountains we will return to Shegar or stay overnight in Rongbuk.

After breakfast, we will start our long drive to Saga. Saga is a small town in western Tibet near the bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra River). It serves as a hub for pilgrims and visitors traveling to Lake Manasarovar and the holy Mount Kailash. Saga provides tourists with basic facilities and conveniences despite its remote location. Standard hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, retail shops & stores, and healthcare facilities are among them. It is one of the few places in this remote region where travelers can restock supplies and obtain necessities.

Even though it's a lengthy drive, the recently surfaced road will make it safer and faster for us to travel.

After breakfast, we travel to Lake Manasarovar, which is around 450 km away and takes about 6 to 7 hours of drive. Stunning views of the Tibetan plateau, snow-capped mountains, and wide grasslands can be seen during the journey. A well-maintained highway will make the journey comfortable in the rugged terrain. The route follows the Brahmaputra River for a certain part of the journey, providing beautiful views of the river and the surrounding countryside and the high Pass (Mayum La 5210 meters). You can see the magnificent Gurla Mandhata Mountain, which is 7,694 meters high, as you get closer to Lake Manasarovar.

In Buddhism, Jainism, Bon, and Hinduism, Lake Manasarovar is regarded as one of the holiest lakes. Pilgrims believe that drinking or bathing in its waters can cleanse sins and bring spiritual merit. Lake Manasarovar is well known for its tranquil surroundings and pristine blue water. Situated at a height of 4,590 meters, the lake spans an approximate area of 320 square kilometers. Traveling from Saga to Lake Manasarovar provides an unforgettable cultural experience. Travelers may feel the region's mysticism, see the small monastery, and encounter nomadic Tibetan herders. 

Near Lake Manasarovar there is also another lake named Rakshastal Lake, also referred to as the "Demon Lake", the myth says, this is the place where Ravana met Shiva and prayed. It is frequently visited by pilgrims and is regarded as sacred.

We will have breathtaking views here. The best time to take photos is just before and after sunrise and sunset. As we stay here overnight we will have two opportunities.

The morning after breakfast, the guide will take you to the bus station to take a hop-in and hop-out electric bus to explore Lake Manasarovar from all directions as well as visit the monastery around the lake. You will not have enough time to explore all the monasteries, visit the major monasteries as suggested by the guide. Seralung Gompa, Trugo Gompa, and Gossul Gompa are the monasteries worth it to visit.  After completion of the trip, we drive 45 kilometers, or around a 1-hour drive to Darchen. Darchen is a small town that serves as the primary gateway for pilgrims and trekkers heading to Mount Kailash. This small town is also known as the base camp of the Mount Kailash.

Today we will start with our three-day kora. Do you know that some of the Tibetans do this kora in one day? This is one of the most challenging koras especially due to the location at 5000 meters above sea level. We will take our time at this high altitude which will also give us ample opportunities to take in the stunning scenery of this remote and rugged area. As Mount Kailash is considered a very sacred place we will meet a lot of pilgrims during the trek. 

After a good breakfast, we travel roughly 13 km to the Tarboche. In Hinduism, it is also known as Yam Dwar, the gateway to the deity of death. It is the starting point of the kora located on the southern side of Mount Kailash. Tarboche is particularly well-known for its flagpole, which is a crucial component of the Saga Dawa celebration, honoring Buddha Sakyamuni's birth, enlightenment, and death. Tarboche provides a glimpse of breathtaking natural scenery, which includes the towering view of Mount Kailash above us.

Today, we have to walk 7 kilometers around the mountain on this first day of Kora. It might take 5 – 6 hours. The trail continues into the Lha Chu Valley, providing breathtaking views of the Lha Chu River and the surrounding mountains. This stretch of the trail is flatter than the others, so the walk is more comfortable. You'll pass Chuku Monastery, which is set on a slope, about halfway. It's a nice place to relax and enjoy the scenery. The monastery offers a calm setting for meditation as well as an insight into regional religious customs. The final section is increasingly difficult to climb as you get closer to Dira Puk. Dira Puk is located on the north side of Mount Kailash. The trail becomes steeper, and the altitude may start to take a toll. Ensure you pace yourself and stay hydrated. The facilities at Dira Puk are basic, with few guesthouses and guesthouses run by the monastery. They provide essential services only. We should pack appropriately for the cold and bring any required supplies.

Trekking to Dira Puk is an essential part of the kora around Mount Kailash, offering pilgrims and trekkers a deeply spiritual and physically demanding journey.

Those who wish not to go for a kora around Kailash can return to Darchen from Tarboche and wait for the Kora group to return.

Today is the second day of the Kora around Mount Kailash. It is considered the toughest part of the expedition. We hike from Dira Puk to Zhutul Puk today, which is a roughly 18-kilometer trip, and depending on our walking pace, it might take 9 – 10 hours to hike. 

The journey starts with a strenuous climb up to Dolma-La Pass, 5,650 meters high, the highest point of the kora. This portion of the journey requires a gradual, steady pace due to its physical demands. Before reaching the Dolma La Pass, you will pass Shiva-stal, a famous place where pilgrims undertake symbolic gestures, such as leaving behind old goods to symbolize the shedding of sins and former lives.

Just beyond the Dolma La Pass is Gauri Kund, a turquoise lake sacred to Hindus. It is believed that drinking its waters or taking a bath in this Pond will purify one’s soul.

Especially when there is snow, the descent from Dolma-La Pass can be steep and slippery. Trekking poles and careful footing are essential in this part of the trek.

On your descent, you will enter a stunning valley that is popularly called the Valley of Shambhala because of its quiet and stunning scenery. Views of Mount Kailash, especially its east and south faces, are seen today. 

The facilities at Zhutul Puk are basic, with few guesthouses and guesthouses run by the monastery. They provide essential services only. We should pack appropriately for the cold and bring any required supplies.

Trekking to Zhutul Puk is an essential part of the kora around Mount Kailash, offering pilgrims and trekkers a deeply spiritual and physically demanding journey.

Today is the final day of Kora. We hike from Zhutul Puk to Darchen today, which is a roughly 10-kilometer trip, and depending on our walking pace, it might take 4 – 5 hours to hike. On the final day of the kora with a moderate descent, the journey follows the river valley with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and landscapes. The trail continues alongside the river. This is a quiet area with rocky terrain, the walk gets more flat and the valley progressively opens up as you go, making it a more leisurely hike. Along the walk, there will be several prayer flags and little stupas to indicate the path's spiritual significance. The village will become visible in the distance as you approach Darchen, indicating the finish of the kora. Completing the kora is a significant spiritual achievement. Take time to celebrate and reflect on your journey. Finishing the kora is a significant spiritual achievement. Give yourself some time to enjoy and consider your journey then resume our journey back to Saga after lunch. We travel the same route back to Saga. After a quite lengthy journey, relax in the hotel.

We will start our journey back to Lhasa. Today, we drive up to Shigatse via the western route and conclude our journey. Even though it's a lengthy drive, the recently surfaced road will make it safer and faster for us to travel.

The morning is the busiest and most lively time to explore the Tashilimphu area and Shigaste's local market. Observe the economy, culture, and daily life of the locals as they go about their daily routines and perform the kora of Tashilimphu Monastery.

It is time to head back to Lhasa. This time we will take the northern route. This is the shortest road between Lhasa and Shigatse. The road offers a spectacular view of the Tibetan Plateau and drives along the famous river called “Yarlung Tsangpo”.

Once you've reached Lhasa, check into your hotel and either relax there or explore Barkhor.

Today is already the last day of your trip. We will drive to Gonggar Airport where you can catch your flight back to Kathmandu or to onward destination.