Our representatives greet your arrival at the airport/train station and it is a short drive to the holy Lhasa city along the Lhasa River within a valley enclosed by barren mountains. Far before reaching to the city you will have the first glimpse of tremendous Potala Palace appearing out from the rest of the city by perching on the red hill.
Check in hotel and take rest for acclimatization. You will experience mild symptoms of the altitude sickness such as headache, dizziness, disorientation, breathlessness etc but it should go away in a day or two. Please, drink plenty of water and consume liquid food. In the following 2 days we have thoughtfully arranged few but worthy visit to some world heritages and sites of breathing Tibetan Buddhists along acclimation and alleviating Jet-lag. You have plenty of time to walk shoulder to shoulder with devoted local pilgrims in the bustling Bakhor street, it is also a real pleasure to explore the busy cobbled lanes twisting around the aged buildings in the supernatural Drepung and Sera monastery, and our knowledgeable guides enhance your experiences with a thorough historical and cultural explanation. These days are flexible and easy to do on your own exploration around the town and hang around the Bakhor Street during your leisure.

Today is your first day on the high plateau and some of you may have little headache which is very common, so drinking enough water and mild activity on the first few days is recommendable. In the morning our guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the centre of the Old Lhasa city. Jokhang temple is one of the most scared temples in all over Tibet and is always bustling with local pilgrims since from early days. The holiest shrine is Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in the central chapel. After that you have time to walk around the Bakhor Street which is one of the most devotional circuit as well as crowded central market of Lhasa, will take a stroll in the pilgrimage path of Barkhor that surrounds the Jokhang Temple. Barkhor area is truly Tibetan flavour, with Tibetan shops lining up on the either sides of the street and that the streets packed with Tibetan devotees with their prayer wheels spinning or beads counting with utterance of sacred mantra and some in prostration. From here, we head to Norbulingkha Garden to see the summer palaces of the Dalai Lama. Of all the palaces, current Dalai Lama, the 14th’s palace is the major attraction. We visit his private chambers, audience hall and the golden throne along with wall paintings of current Dalai lama family and Lord Buddha life history. We conclude the first day with a visit to Sera Monastery is one of Lhasa's two great Gelugpa institutions, second only to Drepung. Founded in the early 15th century by Sakya Yeshe-a disciple of Tsongkhapa, Sera Monastery was once home to more than 5000 monks. The monk population is now limited to 500 or so. As the chapels start closing at 3 p.m., we first explore the various chapels of the monastery and then attend the debating ceremony of the monks which takes place between 3 pm and 5 pm. If you are not interested seeing chapels, you can take hike on the pilgrimage path of the monastery which takes less than an hour.

Today we will visit the famous Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture, it was first built by 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in 7th century and later in 17th century rebuilt by 5th Dalai Lama, since then it was home to the successive Dalai Lamas and his government. Walking though the long steps are quite challenging but it is worthwhile to leave your foot steps in this palace which listed in the world heritage in 1994. Situated atop Marpo Ri, 130m high hill, with a commanding view of all Lhasa, Potala Palace is one of the great wonders of world architecture. The complex has two palaces-White Palace and the main Red Palace. The White Palace houses the throne rooms of the 13th and 14th Dalai Lamas, a reception hall, meditation room and the bedroom of Dalai Lamas. The Red Palace has various chapels and the tombs of Dalai Lamas. And in the afternoon, we will visit the Drepung monastery which lies 8km from city centre, Drepung Monastery-the largest, richest and the most powerful of the three major Yellow Sect monasteries of Tibet, once the world's largest monastery that housed for more than 10,000 monks; it was resident of the Dalai Lama prior to Potala Palace. Drepung commanded the administration of Tibet before establishment of Potala Palace. Drepung Monastery offer lots of things to see by walking through numbers of narrow and twisted lane through the monk’s apartments is thrilling and of course the main assembly hall and kitchen is something not to miss.

Today, we drive to Gyantse town which still maintains Tibetan characteristics. After couple of days acclimation, you 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 numbers of switch-backs, from the pass you will amaze by the breathtaking view of the holy Lake Yamdrok and snow capped Mt. Nyenchen Kangsar in the background and the follows the bank of Yamdrok Tso Lake for more than 40 miles. Yamdrok Tso Lake is one of the four holiest lakes of Tibet and has turquoise green water. As we leave the lakeshore behind, the road climbs to Karo La (16,500ft), once again offering breathtaking views of the mountain and vast Tibetan plateau. 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.

After breakfast, we will visit the Pelkor Chode and Kumbum Monastery-the main highlights of Gyantse City. Kumbum Stupa is the landmark of Gyantse and can be spotted from a long distance. If you are a hiking enthusiast, you may also attempt hiking the historical fortress of Gyantse. View from the fortress over to the city is just superb. From Gyantse, it is less than 2 hrs drive to Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet. About 13 miles (20 km) before Shigatse, we take 4 km side trip of Shalu Monastery-the first of the major monasteries to be built by noble families of the Tsang Dynasty during Tibet's great revival of Buddhism, and was an important centre of the Sakya tradition. Upon arrival in Shigatse, we check in hotel and later pay a visit to famous Tashi lunpo Monastery, is the principal seat of Panchen Lama-the second most revered religious leader of Tibet after Dalai Lama.

Today we cross two gentle mountain passes Tso-la (4500m/14760ft) and Tropu-la(4950m/16,236ft) and at Sakya village turn off, we take left to the Sakya Monastery, which lies 25 km/16 miles from the main road. Sakya Monastery is the principal monastery of the Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and was the power centre of Tibet from 1268 until the power fell to the hands Kagyugpa order in 1354. We visit the southern monastery and stroll in the township before we ride back to the main road and we overnight in Shegar which is about 10km/6.30 miles from Sakya turn off.

A few kilometers beyond Lhatse, we cross the Brahmaputra River and after the crossing, the road enters a river valley with scattered villages. This is a beautiful area for photographs. We continue on, past the turn-off for the northern route, and arrive at Saga. We will 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. As the road condition getting better, so as the overnight accommodation facilities are upgrading too, tonight we will stay in local good hotels.

We continue across the vast dry plains to the small Tibetan town of Dongba. We have photogenic views of the sand dunes, lake and mountains comes in 60 km from Dongba. Today's drive involves crossing of several sandy rivers (Most rivers have bridges now) but has some of the most panoramic scenery of the trip. We cross a high pass of Mayum-la (5216m/17108ft). Tonight we will refuge in local guest house near by the sacred Manasarovar Lake which according to Hindu mythology was formed in the mind of Brahma-the creator of the world. Today, we will have the first glance “Darshan” of holy Mt. Kailash from Horqu.  The perspective view of 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.

Altitude 4660m/15,285 ft, distance 30km/19miles, about 2 hrs drives.
Following breakfast at guest house, we spent the morning time in the lake Manasarovara for acclimatization, rituals and exploring the lakeshores. Chiu Gompa monastery has the fabulous location atop a craggy hill overlooking the sapphire blue lake Manasarovara and offers spectacular views of lake and on a clear weather day, Mount Kailash. Pilgrims perform rituals and take a dip in the holy waters of the lake and clean the sins of lifetime! Hindu travelers will even care to collect some water in the bottles and bring back home for their families and friends. At reasonable time, we drive to Darchen, the base camp for trekker to Mt. Kailash. We check in the local guest house and prepare for the 3days trekking. Your guide will help arrange Yaks and Yak man to transfer luggage (if yaks fee is included).  

Altitude (4910m/16,102 ft), 20km/12.5 miles, about 6 hrs trek
Tarboche, marked by Tibetan flags is the starting point for kora and it is the site for Tibet's most important annual Saga Dawa festival. We walk up the Lha Chu Valley through beautiful green meadows and streams with Mt Kailash towering above us. We follow the river, which enters a narrow canyon with high, steep cliffs and spectacular waterfalls. Continuing up the valley, the north face of Kailash comes into view before we reach the 13th century monastery at Dira-phuk.

Altitude (4790m/15,711 ft), 18km/11 miles, about 6-7 hrs trek
Bid farewell to Lha Chu Valley and prepare to fight the toughest part of the kora. You will enter the Drolma Chu Valley, heading up towards a high pass, the Drolma La [5,630m/18,466 ft] that is marked Tibetan prayer flags. The rest of the day's walk is mostly downhill and flat land. On descent, you will pass by one of the highest lakes in the world, Thukpe Dzingbu Lake (Gauri Kunda), known as the Lake of Compassion. Zuthulphuk monastery is built at the site of a famous cave, which is believed to have been created as a result of contest between Milarepa (Buddhist Yogi) and Naro Bonchung (Bon Saint).

Altitude 4300m, Trekking distance 14km/9 miles, about 3-4 hrs trek, Tirthapuri drive 75km (2 hrs).
The final end of the parikrama is an easy walk down to where the river emerges on to the Barga plain. We complete the circuit trek of Mt. Kailash and drive to Tirthapuri Hot springs. Tirthapuri has close association with Guru Rinpoche and it’s customary for pilgrims to take bath in Tirthapuri Hot springs after Mount Kailash kora.

DAY 13/14: RETRACE TO SAGA, THEN TO SHIGATSE

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 following the Brahmaputra River to Lhasa, in the afternoon you have plenty of the time to continue explore the hustling Bakhor Street and you may need to buy some souvenirs for your family and friends at home.

it is your last day on the Tibet plateau. 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.