LHASA-GYANTSE
It is about 270km from Lhasa to Gyantse, En road, you will appreciate the holy Lake of Yamdrok Yumtso Lake.The sacred lake of Yamdrok Yutso is one of the four holy lakes of Tibet and revered as a talisman, supporting the life-spirit of Tibet. It is said that should its waters dry, Tibet will no longer be habitable.
On the way to Gyantse, have a look at the Karola Glacier. Visit the Pelkhor monastery for its famous Kumbum Pagoda. Besides Pelkhor, we will also visit a Nunnery to watch the chanting.
GYANTSE-SHIGATSE
Morning visit the historical city Gyantse, you will have great chance to appreciate the Old Town's sunrise at Dzong Castle. Drive about 90km to Shigatse which is the second largest city in Tibet, It’s also the home town of Banchen Lama.
En route, visit Shalu monastery, which the construction was started in 1027. Its architecture is of typical combination of the Tibetan and Chinese styles with archways, carved pillars, tilled roofs and the Song and Yuan style murals. In Shigatse, you will drop a visit of Tashilumpo monastery.
FROM SHIGATSE TO LHATSE
A short drive will take us to the small town of Lhatse. Along the way we will visit the beautiful Sakya monastery. Towering walls surround this intricate maze of ancient monasteries and red and white striped buildings. After exploring for a while we will spend the night in Lhatse.
LHATSE TO SAGA
Our final destination today is the small town of Saga. We will cover many miles during the day but also encounter alluring river valleys and scattered villages.
SAGA TO PARYANG
Even more gorgeous Tibetan Landscape will surround us as we drive to Paryang. Today is arguably one of the most beautiful days of our entire journey.
PARYANG TO MANASAROVAR
From Paryang to Lake Manasoravar is a long drive of 10 hrs or more. There will be several river crossings and we drive past Mayum La Pass (4,600 M). The scenery is stunningly beautiful with panoramic views of the Himalayas.
LAKE MANASORAVAR TO DARCHEN
Experience the magic of this holy site. We will take it easy but also meet with local pilgrims and visit the beautiful Chiu Monastery. Mt. Kailash looms in the distance.After only a 35 km drive we will reach Darchen. Darchen marks the start of our religious 53 km trek around the mountain. Finally we have arrived!
TREK TO DIRA-PUK 10 Hours/ 20km
This Kailash circuit covers 53 kms and can be done in 3 days. We head west in clockwise direction and after a few kilometers the trail climbs up to a cairn at 4730 m from where the southern face of Mt. Kailash comes to view. En route visit Tarboche where annual flagpole raising ceremony takes place during Saga Dawa.
TREK TO ZUTUL-PUK 6-7 Hours/ 18km
We now leave the Lha Chu Valley and enter the Drolma Chu Valley, heading up towards a high pass, the Drolma La [5630m]. It's a tough climb to the summit which is festooned with prayer flags but from there it is all downhill or flat to Zutul-puk, with views of one of the highest lakes in the world, Thukpe Dzingbu Lake, known as the Lake of Compassion. As well as the monastery at Zutul-puk, there are several meditation caves and another cave containing an image of Milarepa.
TREK TO DARCHEN 3-4 Hours/ 14km
On the final day of the kora we cross several streams, and follow an impressive gorge. Along the way we are once again treated to magnificent views of Kailash. We then enter the Bharka plain and it's about an hour's walk through this desert-like landscape to Darchen.
DRIVE FROM DARCHEN TO ZANDA (270 KM, AROUND 6-7HOURS)
Drive from Darchen to Zanda along the Xinjing-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.
Zanda / Guge Kingdom ( 23KM, 40 minutes )
Morning drive to Tsaparang Guge Kingdom ruins, make a half day tour at there. Afternoon drive back to Zanda and have a rest or look around Zanda town. Overnight at Zanda.
Zanda / Ali ( 200Km, 7-8 hours)
Drive from Zanda to Ali, pass Laochi-la and Lalung-la over 5000m, the road is equally tough going. Overnight at Ali ( Guest house, dorm bed).
Ali / Rutok / Dormar, 270km, 6-7hours
Drive to Rutok in the morning, visit Pangong-tso. Overnight at Dormar Army station ( Guest house, dorm bed).
Dormar / Dahongliutan, 358Km, 8-9hours, 4200m
Drive about 2 or 3hours on the desert over 5000m, start to pass over Jieshandaban which is 6700m high(The real high altitude should be around 5400m). Overnight at Dahongliutan Army station(Guest house or camping, dorm bed).
Dahongliutan / Mazar, 253kM, 6-7hours
How long it will take for the driving depending upon road and climate conditions. You are now on the Lingzi Thang Plains; the Kunlun mountain ranges are on the right and the Karakorum mountain range left. The road is very straight, and the landscape fantastic: out of the window scenery appears in brown and red alternatively; emerald small lakes shine under the sunlight. After crossing a high pass (4.950 m) , you will reach Mazar, overnight at Mazar Army station local guest house (Dorm bed) or camping.
Mazar / Yecheng, 234KM, 5-6hours
Soon after pass by Mazar you begin to cross the Kunlun mountains. The Chiragsaldi (4.960 m) is the last pass you have to cross on the way. Afterwards drive downward along the Yecheng ravine to Xinjiang. Situated at the edge of the Taklamakan desert, Yecheng is a city with a pretty Bazar inhabited by Uigur and Han Chinese.
Yechang / Kashgar, 250KM, 4-5hours, 1300M high (B)
Morning drive about 250 km to Kashgar (1.300 m), the largest oasis of China. The tar road runs at the edge of the Taklamakan desert. On the way enjoy the landscape of the Kunlun. Grey-black rocks and sand dunes compose the major feature of the landscape of Taklamakan. On the last section of the way we pass by an expanded, watered field. The Islamic oasis city is coin-shaped and inhabited mainly by Uygur. It was once an important communication on the Silk Road, being the starting point of the northern and southern routes. Upon arrival at Kashgar, check into your hotel. Afternoon free on your own.
Railway station or airport dropping off, end this long adventure trip.
Take the train or flight from Kashgar for the capital city of Xinjiang-Urumqi.
