20 Days Spiritual Trekking Odyssey
Is this trip for me?
Price: from 3120 USD Explain>>2. Comfortable hotels in cities and guesthouses in some remote places.
3. Flight and train are not included.
4. Tour cost is only for reference, please inquire for detailed quotation.
5. The more people, the cheaper cost.
Explain>>
In order to make it easier for you to choose the right trip, we have graded our trips with certain Trip Level System from 1 to 4 according to the degree of activities and altitude. We have also suggested the most suitable groups or individuals for each Trip Level.
In the Trip Overview of each itinerary there is also a brief description of what the Trip is like.
Our staffs at the Explore Tibet are always happy to answer any questions you have and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests and level of fitness.
1. Easy
Light walking and hiking that is suitable for all level of fitness, generally altitude range between 3500m/9800ft to 4000m/13000ft. Hotels and guesthouses accommodation.
Suitable for family with kids and senior groups.
2. Moderate
May included moderate level of hiking, biking, horse riding and maximum altitude of 5000m/16000ft. Hotels and guesthouses accommodation.
Suitable for family with kids bigger than 12 years, individual having average level for fitness.
3. Moderate to Strenuous
May include high altitude hiking up to 6 hours, long hour driving and sometimes overnight at around 5000m/16000ft, require a moderately high level of fitness, camping and basic lodging facility.
Suitable for adult family, individuals physically fit and have experiences of high altitude trekking.
4. Strenuous
May include high altitude trekking and mountaineering, camping and basic lodging facilities, altitude range from 3600m/9800ft to 6000m/19000ft.
Suitable for adventures and individual with physically fit and healthy.
Click on the map to enlarge
| Day | Trip Outline | Activity | Accommodation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Lhasa (3680m) | Pick up and transfer to hotel, rest at hotel. | Hotel in Lhasa | |
| Day 2 | Lhasa sightseeing | Bakhor street, Johkang Temple, Potala Palace | Hotel in Lhasa | |
| Day 3 | Lhasa sightseeing | Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery | Hotel in Lhasa | |
| Day 4 | Lhasa-Shigatse (3900m), 370km, approx 7hrs | Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Kumbum Stupa | Hotel in Shigatse | |
| Day 5 | Shigatse-Lhatse (4000m), 200km, approx 4hrs | Tashilhunpo monastery, Sakya monastery | Farmer's hotel | |
| Day 6 | Lhatse-Saga (4600m), 312km, approx 6.5hrs | Wild landscapes of western Tibet | Local guesthouse | |
| Day 7 | Saga-Manasarovar lake (4560m), 606km, approx 8hrs | Sand dunes, Manasarovar lake, great view of Mt.Kailash | Local guesthouse | |
| Day 8 | Trek from Chewu-Seralung (4560m), 16km, approx 6hrs | Seralung monastery | Local guesthouse | |
| Day 9 | Trek from Seralung-Trugo (4560m), 22.5km, approx 7hrs | Trugo monastery | Local guesthouse | |
| Day 10 | Last day trek back to Chewu monastery (4560m), | Chewu monastery | Local guesthouse | |
| Day 11 | Manasarovar lake-Darchen (4560m), 80km, approx 1hr | Mysterious view of Mt.Kailash | Local guesthouse | |
| Day 12 | Trek from Darchen-Dirakpuk (4700m), 20km, approx 4hrs | Wild landscapes around Mt.Kailash | Local guesthouse | |
| Day 13 | Trek from Dirakpuk-Zuktulpuk (4790m), 18km, approx 6hrs | Wild landscapes around Mt.Kailash | Local guesthouse | |
| Day 14 | Trek from Zuktulpuk-Darchen (4560m), 12km, approx 3hrs | View of Duktso lake | Local guesthouse | |
| Day 15 | Darchen-Guge (4500m), 270km, approx 5hrs | Guge kingdom | Local guesthouse | |
| Day 16 | Guge-Darchen (4560m), 270km, approx 5hrs | The earth forests | Local guesthouse | |
| Day 17 | Darchen-Saga (4600m), 550km, approx 9hrs | Sand dunes | Local guesthouse | |
| Day 18 | Saga-Lhatse (4000m), 312km, approx 7hrs | Deserty part of Tibet | Farmer's hotel | |
| Day 19 | Lhatse-Lhasa (3680m), 520km, approx 9hrs | Yarlung Tsangpo | Hotel in Lhasa | |
| Day 20 | Depart from Tibet | Send off to train/airport |
Tour Cost Includes:
- All necessary travel permits to Tibet;
- Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the program;
- Private transportation in Tibet: Ranging from 4WD land cruiser to bus depending on the group size and trip route (car gasoline is included), SEE VEHICLE PHOTOS HERE;
- Private guide: English speaking local Tibetan guide;
- Lodging: available from 5 star hotels to budget guesthouses, SEE HOTEL PHOTOS HERE;
- Pick-up and send-off services at the beginning/end of the tour;
- Oxygen canisters: 2 canister for each person;
- Lodging and meals for guide and drivers;
- First aid kit;
- Liability travel insurance;
- Basic camping gears: tents, mattresses and sleeping bags;
- Yaks and porters during the trekking days;
- Cook and cooking gears; (Optional)
- Full board meals during the trekking days; (Optional)
- Travel insurance covers trip cancellation and emergency evacuation(recommended);
- Expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc.);
- International and domestic flight/train.(Note: we accept flights and train tickets bookings in advance, please check the updated cost and ticket availability with your travel consultant);
- Meals that are not specified in the itinerary (Averagely a meal in Tibet cost USD5 per person);
- Gratuities for the guide and driver:
DAY 04 – 05. After a couple of days acclimation, you are daring to drive over the Gampa la pass and Karo la pass to Gyantse and Shigatse in the western Tibetan plateau, along the upstream of the Brahmaputra river we climb up the Gampa la(4900m) through the numbers of switch-backs, from the pass you will amaze by the breathtaking view of the holy Lake Yamdrok and snowcapped Mt.Nyenchen Kangsar in the background, then further to Gyantse and Shigatse via bloomy glaciers and scattered villages. Both Gyantse and Shigatse are well known for its historical and religious value since from ancient time, Gyantse is known as hero’s town as the British troops defeated by Gyantse guerrilla in 1904, moreover, these regions haveslightly different culture and tradition than in Lhasa, there we will visit Gyantse Kubhum stupa and Tashi Lhunpo monastery. Before we head into the long journey to the far-west plateau we visit the famous Sakya monastery and pause a night at Lhatse.
DAY 06 – 07. Following the footstep of pilgrims to the far-west Tibet, traverse several high passes within the moonscape terrain of western plain, through the region where the lifestyle remains close to what it has been for centuries, the enliven and lone groups of nomads families dwelling in the low, black tents are tending flocks of sheep and herds of ubiquitous yaks over the pastures, nevertheless, the abounding wild lives can be found in this region like herds of wild ass, Tibetan gazelle, wild yaks and so on. Finally the perspective view of the supernatural peak of Kailash can be achieved from the Lake Manasarovar, spend a night on the holy lake side by absorbing the striking beauties of mystical lake. Hike up to Chiu monastery perching on a small hill offers a breathtaking panorama of the lake Manasarovar.
DAY 08 – 10. Before the tough Mount Kailash Trek around Kailash, we can embark the easy and astonishing circumambulation around the mystical lake Manasarovar along the pristine trail. Following the footsteps of pilgrim and pass through several historical monasteries and ruins left by Cultural Revolution, this trekking covers about 87km on a perfectly flat route with an average altitude of 4560m, herds of wild asses are grazing in the alpine meadows and stunning views of Lake Manasarovar lead the trail back to Chiu monastery along the lakeshore.
DAY 11 - 14. Darchen the formerly important sheep station for the local nomads and their cattle is now populated with numbers of guesthouses and restaurants, it is located right in front of white sentinel Kailash and it is also the starting and ending point of Kailash Trekking circuit, the 58km circumambulation follow the footstep of devoted pilgrims with the alpine valley, blooming glacier and spectacular view of the great north face of Kailash can be seen end of the day, after cross the challenging Dolma la pass(5600m), the trail descent the steep and rock-strewn valley to Dzultrul puk and then on the next day a easy trek to Darchen.
DAY 15 – 16. Drive further south-west towards Ali, then turn off to Zanda at Moincer, through a long zigzag road down and up incredibly eroded gorges and gullies, sooner the capital of the ancient kingdom of Guge can be seen down below in the valley floor. From various vantage points on the descent into Toling town, there are some of the spectacular views of canyons and sand dunes in the upper Sutlej valley. The vast sweep of the Himalayans is discernible, as the range turns north west from Nepal and along the Indian border as far as Ladakh and Kashmir are spanning several hundred kilometers. Moreover, ruins of temples and caves of the ancient Guge kingdom still breathing with exquisite murals and decorative motifs that dating back more than 1000 years.
DAY 17 – 19. Retrace the road back to Lhasa and replenishing the remarkable plateau sceneries that you missed on the way up. Through the northern friendship highway you will follow the Brahmaputra river to Lhasa, in the afternoon you have plenty of the time to continue exploring the hustling Bakhor street and you may need to buy some souvenirs for your family and friends at home.
DAY 20. Today it is your last day on the Tibet plateau. Before your departure, we will appreciate if you can spent a few minutes to evaluate our services for future improvement and you can either leave the feedback form to your guide or just write us a email, at your departure, your guide and driver meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer you to the airport/train station per your schedule. The trip officially ends
Tour Cost Includes:
- All necessary travel permits to Tibet;
- Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the program;
- Private transportation in Tibet: Ranging from 4WD land cruiser to bus depending on the group size and trip route (car gasoline is included), SEE VEHICLE PHOTOS HERE;
- Private guide: English speaking local Tibetan guide;
- Lodging: available from 5 star hotels to budget guesthouses, SEE HOTEL PHOTOS HERE;
- Pick-up and send-off services at the beginning/end of the tour;
- Oxygen canisters: 2 canister for each person;
- Lodging and meals for guide and drivers;
- First aid kit;
- Liability travel insurance;
- Basic camping gears: tents, mattresses and sleeping bags;
- Yaks and porters during the trekking days;
- Cook and cooking gears; (Optional)
- Full board meals during the trekking days; (Optional)
- Travel insurance covers trip cancellation and emergency evacuation(recommended);
- Expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc.);
- International and domestic flight/train.(Note: we accept flights and train tickets bookings in advance, please check the updated cost and ticket availability with your travel consultant);
- Meals that are not specified in the itinerary (Averagely a meal in Tibet cost USD5 per person);
- Gratuities for the guide and driver:
In order to make your trip worry free and indisputable, here we have carefully collected all the essential information that will give you a clear image of the trip as well as logistics during your stay in Tibet, this also will be helpful for your trip preparation before you leave, so please go through it and make sure you are well prepare for the trip, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our tour consultant or write us on sales@exploretibet.com
Legitimate Claim;
As we mentioned above, Tibet is politically very sensitive and any political activities are restrictedly prohibited, so we always advising our clients to keep away from any political conversations or activities that bound against the policy of People’s republic of China. Your involvement in such activities would influence the whole group as well as future of all your guides, driver and the company. If any one does, then we have the full right to cancel the trip and we are not responsible for so caused hassle and costs.
Emergency contacts:
Being a responsible company, we are always available for 24 hours a day, in case if you need any emergency help. It is best to first call your designated travel coordinator or sales person (whose contact numbers are will be listed on your tour agreement), for any reason if you are not able to reach to him/her then please ring us on the below numbers;
Lhasa Head Office: (0891)-6329441 (the area code 0891 is not necessary if you are calling from Lhasa)
Chengdu Office: (028)-86262365
Note: office working time is 9am – 7pm from Monday to Friday.
Sonam Jamphel (Sales Manager) 0158890904080 or 013398000993 (Available for 24 hours a day)
Chinese Visa
Every one should have the valid passport (with minimum 6 months validity) and Chinese visa to travel into China and the Chinese visa is also valid in Tibet, generally the Chinese visa is can be applied either by your self or use a visa service agency in your home country, but the visa application and requirements are little vary in different countries, so please check with your regional Chinese Embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements.
NOTE; It is your responsibility to obtain the Chinese visa, so just for your information it is better not to list Tibet as your travel destination on your visa application form, just list Chengdu or Beijing, whichever your in-bound city is as your travel destination. If you enter Tibet from Nepal then you don’t need the Chinese individual visa and please check the next line for what you need.
If You Enter Tibet From Nepal
If you enter Tibet from Nepal, then the permit and Chinese visa formalities are slightly different, to enter from Nepal, you don't need the Chinese individual visa and instead you should obtain the Tibet group visa from Chinese Embassy in Nepal, you can’t apply it directly and you should have a local Nepalese agency to apply for it, so our Nepalese partner agency will assist you for that application, normally the application takes 2 to 5 working days for different cost and it only can be applied when you arrive in Nepal, because your original passport is needed along the application. More about the Tibet Group Visa and cost please check here
Tibet Travel Permit and Its Process
Tibet travel permit is compulsory for all the travelers to visit Tibet and it can be obtained within 15 days prior to the trip starting dates, once you have booked the tour with us, we will obtain it for you which is included in the tour package. We need clear scan copies of your Chinese visa and passports to apply for the permit.
For more detail and latest permit updates, please check here
Etiquettes and Taboos:
Cultural Considerations: Be aware that your cultural values may differ from those of locals. These may include different concepts of time, personal space, communication, etc., which are not wrong or inferior, just different. Making the extra effort to respect local customs and cultural differences will enhance your interactions with locals during your time in Tibet and contribute to building mutual respect between locals and tourists.
Appropriate attire: Most Tibetans are pretty conservative from our western perspective so it is always polite to wear long pants at all times (guys and girls). If you wear shorts in rural villages or in the Bakhor district in Lhasa you will definitely get stranger looks than normal! Women should wear long pants or skirts. Shirts should not be revealing and bras should be worn. Unfortunately, many tourists ignore these cultural norms and can be seen in towns and villages wearing shorts and revealing summer attire; while it may be comfortable, it is not appropriate, especially when visiting monasteries. Don’t be shy to inform other tourists of the proper dress for monasteries; perhaps they are not aware of the cultural considerations and etiquette.
Itinerary Disclaimer
Generally we adhere to the original itinerary that we described but sometimes little alterations can be born due to the situations that are beyond our control. On the other hand, in order to make our trip for your personal experiences and flexible, we allowed our clients to make minor changes by discussing with us (office staff) and guide (field staff). The trip detail itinerary is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destination or activities is by no means of guarantee that they will be encountered or carried due to the local circumstances and climate.
Keeping in touch with folks at home
If your family members or colleagues or friends want to connect with you during the tour, then you can either provide your guide mobile number to reach you during the trip or if you don’t know your guide number at the time, please don’t feel hesitate to provide our company contact numbers listed in the Emergency Contact section and we can find a way to reach you through guide mobile.
Meals
In order to provide you the maximum flexibility of what, where and when to eat, we generally doesn’t include meals in the tour cost except breakfast included at the hotels, but our local guide will suggest you good local restaurant per your requirements. In the cities like Lhasa, Tsedang, Gyantse, Shigatse and Zhangmu you can find good restaurants serve wide range of Tibetan food, continental food, Nepalese food, Indian food and Chinese cuisine, but in Tingri, EBC and in remote places, there is a limited choice for noodles and pan cakes. Approximate cost of a meal in Tibet is USD3 – USD10 per person/meal depending on your individual requirement.
Destination Guide & Recommended Reading List:
Tibet is a unique travel destination with some special considerations. It is highly recommended that you undertake some background reading before travel to Tibet. The more you learn about your destination, the more rewarding your travel experience will be. While we include a recommended reading list, which you can refer to for in-depth information, the following is a recommended reading list that might be helpful for you.
| Tibetan History | Tibetan Culture & Arts | Tibetan Religion |
Lhasa and the TAR:
- Tibet: The Lonely Planet Country Guide
- Trekking in Tibet: A Traveler's Guide by Gary McCue
- Tibet Handbook: Moon Travel Guide
- Fodor's Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan: Expert Advice and Smart Choices: Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore On and Off the Beaten Path
- To a Mountain in Tibet by Colin Thubron
- The Mount Kailash Trek by Constance Roos/Sian Pritchard-Jones
- Trekking Tibet by Gary McCue/George Schaller
- The Heart of the World, A Journey to the Tibet's Lost Paradise by Ian Baker
- My Journey to Lhasa by Alexandra David-Neel
Kham and Amdo regions:
- Footprints Tibet Handbook by Gyurme Dorje
- Lonely Planet China (See Yunnan, Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu Provinces)
- Bradt Guide Tibet by Michael Buckley
Domestic Flights and Trains to Tibet
There is only one international flight to Tibet, which is from Kathmandu (Nepal), and then there are lots of flights from different cities in Mainland China like Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai and so on. Please Check Flight Schedule and Cost Here
There is no international train to Tibet and all the trains are from Mainland China like Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xining and so on. Please Check Train Schedule and Cost Here
Responsible Tourism Initiative:
Tourism has the potential to have positive and negative effects on the local environment and peoples. Making a conscious decision about how you travel can make a difference. Whether you are traveling to the Amazon rainforest or to Mt. Everest Base Camp, taking the initiative to reduce negative impacts and help sustain local communities is the responsible thing to do. Read more how we practice Responsible Travel
How & What To Pack
It is important to pack light and effectively, specially when you travelling to a new place, you need to know some necessary items should be carry with, depending on the length of your trip and where you go, you can get away with a minimal amount of clothing. One medium-large backpack or rolling duffle and a day pack should be just right for a 2-4 week trip. We suggest you to check our packing guideline here
Complaint & Feedback
We are always trying to provide the best service that can achieve a memorable Tibet tour for you, but sometimes you might be dissatisfied with some arrangement as different people has various aspirations and requirement, so please let us know instantly and we will try to solve everything right away to avoid repeating mistakes unknowingly. As we are looking for every single opportunity to improve our services, so your valuable suggestions and constructive complaints are very much appreciated.
“Tashi Delek Sonam!
We had a wonderful time traveling in Tibet and I thank you for making our trip so fabulous
You are an amazing and special man Sonam.
I thought you might like some copies of the photos I took when we went out with you.
Your mother is a beautiful person.
Thank you again”
-------Amon and Margaret. Traveled in 28th April,2012.
“We enjoyed our trip and the experiences were above expectations. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!”
---From Paola Erba & family (Italy) , traveled on 8th August, 2012.
“Our guide and driver were excellent always glad to help, went out their way to make our experience the best”.
----From Alberto Zuniga (Costa Rica), traveled on 24th May, 2012.
“Visiting Tibet was a dream comes true for us, and particularly for Colin, who has wanted to visit the Potala Palace since he was a child. We've been to other Buddhist countries and regions -- Sikkim, Nepal, and all over Southeast Asia -- but Tibet seems particularly remote and starkly beautiful. We don't know anyone else who has been to Tibet."
-- From James & Colin (USA). Traveled in Oct 2012.
“We were extremely pleased with our guide and itinerary, our guide gave us good suggestions for activities when we were on our own, responded well to our requests and was adaptable, and was good company for these few days. he talked with local people and monks to give us more interesting experiences.”
----From Ruth Rosenfeld and her son (USA), traveled in May, 2011.
“Overall very enjoyable experiences, thanks to our knowledgeable and caring guide. We look forward to coming back next time.”
----From QuynhTien Cao & Gia Chan Vuong (Australia), traveled in December, 2011.
“Base camp was very nice. The stay with a Tibetan family very interesting. “
----From Silke Neumann (Germany), traveled on 15th May, 2012.
“Overall had a great trip and were very happy with the driver and the guide. Especially Phurtse was always available to help and was very knowledgeable, especially on the monasteries and temples. Greatly enjoyed the personal touch on my birthday from Phurtse and Explore Tibet. Thank you.”
----From Janie Neumann (Germany), traveled on 15th May, 2012.
“We had a wonderful time travelling in Tibet and i thank you for making our trip so fabulous.”
----From Margaret (Australia), traveled in April, 2012.
“We had a wonderful time traveling in Tibet and i thank you for making our trip so fabulous. You are an amazing and special man Sonam Jamphel.”
