Tibet Kailash

Departure by scheduled flight from Italy. Meals and overnight stay on board.

Arrival at Kathmandu airport, hotel accommodation, and rest of the day at leisure.

Day available for obtaining Tibet visa.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport for the flight to Lhasa. Rest of the day at leisure.

Lhasa, the heart and soul of Tibet, residence for centuries of the Dalai Lama and destination of pilgrimages, is still a city of great charm. In the 7th century AD, it became an important center of administrative power and the Yarlung kings ruled it for about 250 years. Since 1642 it is the capital of Tibet, and most of the historical sites dating back to this era. The Potala with its white and ocher colors dominates the panorama of the city; although its symbolic meaning is strong, the spiritual center is Jokhang the most sacred and popular temple in Tibet. The Barkhor surrounds it with the kora, the animated pilgrimage circuit of devotees who run it clockwise, the street musicians, and the stalls selling sacred objects. City tour, free meals, overnight stay.

The important monasteries of the order Gelugpa di Sera and Drepung rise on the low hills surrounding the city. Sera was founded in 1419 and housed an immense monastic population and five colleges for teaching; Drepung, founded in 1416, was once the largest monastery in the world with over 10000 monks, today it houses about 600. In 1530 it became the residence of the Dalai Lamas until the Potala was built. Near Drepung there is the Nechung Monastery, until 1959 it was the seat of the state oracle, no decision would have been made by the Dalai Lama before having consulted it, and it remains a place full of mystery. Free meals, overnight stay.

In the morning departure for Gyantse, located 280 km south-west of Lhasa and at an altitude of 3950 m. Along the way, you meet the shining Yamdrok lake (4488 m a.s.l.), which with the clear sky takes on a wonderful intense turquoise color. It is a winding lake, several hundred meters deep, and is one of the four sacred lakes in the country. Arrival in Gyantse which literally means "100000 images", it's famous for its kumbum and contains splendid Tibetan paintings and sculptures. The kumbum is a Tibetan chorten, or stupa, which is used as a reliquary. It was commissioned in 1427 by one of the first princes of Gyantse. The chorten is 35 meters high and is topped with a golden dome, the climb touches ever-higher levels of the tantric path, visits, and overnight stays.

In the morning transfer to Shigatse, visit of the fascinating complex of Tashi Llumpo, located near Shigatse, founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama Gandun Drup, is historically the seat of the Pachen Lamas since this "dynasty" was created in 1642. Afterward, you proceed with a visit to the market at the foot of the Dzong, made up of two uninterrupted rows of stalls where it is possible to buy food and various items, among them the Kampa women who sell traditional ornaments.

Rest of the day at leisure. Free meals. Overnight stay.

Day dedicated to the transfer to Saga, rest of the day available. Free meals and overnight stay.

Day dedicated to the transfer to Lake Manasarovar, the lake represents the female aspect, a symbol of fertility and auspice, a reason that pushes the Tibetans to perform their Kora.

The circuit of Lake Manasarovar runs alongside the lake basin, it is a path that develops off the road, about 110 km long, mostly flat.

Morning dedicated to the excursion of the lake, in the afternoon transfer to Darchen. Overnight stay in guest house.

Transfer to the starting point for the start of the trek. Rest of the day dedicated to trekking with arrival at the monastery of Dira-Puk, rebuilt in 1985, soge on a hill in a splendid position where you can admire Mount Kailash. Overnight stay in guest house. (about 6 hours - 20km)

Another day dedicated to trekking with destination the monastery of Zhtul-puk, (about 8 hours - 18 km)

Last day dedicated to trekking, following the road back to Darchen. (about 4 hours - 14 km) Return to Saga.

Day dedicated to the transfer to the Shagatse, rest of the day free.

Timely transfer to Lhasa. Rest of the day at leisure.

In the morning transfer to Kathmandu.

Breakfast at the hotel Transfer to the airport for return flights.