PILGRIMAGE TRIP TO MOUNT KAILASH

In the morning, we climb up to the great monastic university of Drepung which once housed more than 7000 monks in a maze of chapels, dormitories, and temples. In the afternoon, we visit the Monastic University of Sera where rhetorical contests and philosophical debates take place all the time.
- Accommodation: Same as the previous day

This day, we drive to the big town of Shigatse. Going up a mountain road, we cross the Kampa La Pass and the Karo La Pass at more than 5000m, at the foot of the glaciers.
We walk into the small town of Gyantse and visit its monastery and the famous Kumbum Stupa. Then we continue on to Shigatse, 280 km southwest of Lhasa.
- Duration of drive: 6 hr.
- Distance: 350km
- Accommodation: Same as previous day

We hit the road towards Sakya (‘Gray Earth’ in Tibetan). We first go on to the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, the seat of the Panchen Lama. It was founded in 1447 by the 1^st Dalai Lama. We then move on to Sakya Monastery. This was the seat of power of the Sakyapa school that once ruled Tibet in the 13^th and 14^th centuries. It has an impressive but strange Mongolian style and its library is arguably the largest in Tibet.
- Duration of drive: -3-4 hr
- Distance: 150km.

We follow the trail of Mount Kailash and enjoy breathtaking scenery along the way.                                                                                                                                                                                   We spend the night in the village of Drongba.
- Duration of drive: 7-8 h.
- Distance: 485km
- Accommodation: Hotel

We drive to Lake Manasarovar, the most sacred lake in Tibet. The spectacular environment of Manasarovar is awe-inspiring and one of the most extraordinary in Tibet. We come across many pilgrims collecting pebbles or filling bottles with holy water.
- Duration of drive: 6 hr.
- Distance: 340km.
- Accommodation: Guest House

We follow the pilgrims and undertake the 3- day walk to perform the ritual circumambulation of the mountain and take time to immerse ourselves in the spirituality of this extraordinary place. Some pilgrims do the kora (circumambulation) of Kailash in one day, others take longer by prostrating themselves at every step, while some may set up tents to meditate at the foot of the sacred mountain. We spend the night at Diraphuk.
- Duration of hike: 4-5hr
- Accommodation: Guest House

The highlight of our journey today is the Dolma La Pass (5,700 m).
Thereafter, we descend through rugged terrain and set up camp near the Milarepa Cave.
- Duration of hike: 8 hr
- Accommodation: Guest House

We spend the early morning on the shores of the lake where sometimes Indian sadhus do their ablutions. We then drive back towards the East to Baryang.
- Accommodation: Guest House

We drive through the Tibetan plains and mountains to reach Shigatse. After crossing several mountain passes, we suddenly see Tibetan villages emerging and farmlands where people live off agriculture. We cross the large mountain pass of Tso La (4,500m) and come across some beautiful villages.
- Duration of hike 8-9 hr.
- Distance: 440km.
- Accommodation: Hotel

Drive back to Lhasa
- Duration of drive – 6 hr.
- Distance 350km.
- Accommodation: Same as the previous day.

Transfer from Lhasa to Gonggar Airport for your return flight.
- Duration of drive: 1 hr
- Distance: 60 km