Kathmandu to Guge via Lhasa and Kailash: A Himalayan Epic
This epic journey takes you through some of the most stunning and sacred landscapes in the Himalayas. You’ll start in Kathmandu, Nepal, and travel overland to Lhasa, Tibet. From there, you’ll trek to Mount Kailash, one of the most sacred mountains in the world. After circumambulating Mount Kailash, you’ll continue on to Guge, a remote kingdom in western Tibet. Along the way, you’ll experience the vibrant cultures of Nepal and Tibet, and marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas.
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
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Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, you’ll have some free time to explore the city. Be sure to visit Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to some of Kathmandu’s most famous temples and palaces.
Day 2: Drive to Lhasa
Today, you’ll begin your drive to Lhasa. The drive will take approximately 8 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 3: Arrive in Lhasa
Arrive in Lhasa and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, you’ll have some free time to explore the city. Be sure to visit the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the home of the Dalai Lama.
Day 4: Trek to Drepung Monastery
Today, you’ll trek to Drepung Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in Tibet. The trek will take approximately 2 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 5: Visit Jokhang Temple
Today, you’ll visit Jokhang Temple, the most sacred temple in Tibet. The temple is home to the Jowo Shakyamuni statue, which is said to be the most sacred statue in Tibet.
Day 6: Trek to Sera Monastery
Today, you’ll trek to Sera Monastery, another one of the largest monasteries in Tibet. The trek will take approximately 1 hour. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 7: Drive to Shigatse
Today, you’ll drive to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. The drive will take approximately 4 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 8: Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery
Today, you’ll visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the most important monasteries in Tibet. The monastery is home to the Panchen Lama, the second-highest-ranking lama in Tibet.
Day 9: Drive to Gyantse
Today, you’ll drive to Gyantse, a small town in central Tibet. The drive will take approximately 3 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 10: Trek to Pelkor Chode Monastery
Today, you’ll trek to Pelkor Chode Monastery, one of the most important monasteries in Tibet. The trek will take approximately 1 hour. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 11: Drive to Lhatse
Today, you’ll drive to Lhatse, a small town in western Tibet. The drive will take approximately 3 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 12: Trek to Darchen
Today, you’ll trek to Darchen, the starting point for the Mount Kailash trek. The trek will take approximately 3 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 13: Trek to Dira Puk Gompa
Today, you’ll begin your trek around Mount Kailash. The trek will take approximately 6 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 14: Trek to Zuthulpuk Gompa
Today, you’ll continue your trek around Mount Kailash. The trek will take approximately 7 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 15: Trek to Darchen
Today, you’ll complete your trek around Mount Kailash. The trek will take approximately 5 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 16: Drive to Saga
Today, you’ll drive to Saga, a small town in western Tibet. The drive will take approximately 6 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 17: Drive to Dzong
Today, you’ll drive to Dzong, a small town in western Tibet. The drive will take approximately 4 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 18: Drive to Guge
Today, you’ll drive to Guge, a remote kingdom in western Tibet. The drive will take approximately 4 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 19: Visit the Guge Kingdom
Today, you’ll visit the Guge Kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The kingdom was once one of the most powerful kingdoms in Tibet. Today, it is a ghost town, but its ruins are still impressive.
Day 20: Drive to Darchen
Today, you’ll drive to Darchen, the starting point for the Mount Kailash trek. The drive will take approximately 4 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and turquoise lakes.
Day 21: Depart from Lhasa
Today, you’ll depart from Lhasa.