- Witness pilgrims replace the tarboche flagpole
- Hike the ancient kailash kora
- Visit spectacular palaces and incredible monuments
- Arrive at everest base camp
Journey overland to Tibet and cross the "roof of the world" to Kailash — Asia's most sacred mountain — in time for the amazing Saga Dawa Festival. You'll embark on a demanding multi-day trek around the holy mountain, which is said to bring good luck to whoever completes it, then join pilgrims and celebrate the renewal of the Tarboche flagpole. Explore Lhasa and experience unparalleled vistas of Mt Everest at its base camp. Full of cultural treasures, remarkable Buddhist monasteries, and the colourful markets of Kathmandu, this adventure truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
43,058 G Adventures Travel Reviews & Ratings
Has very high quality customer experiences and demonstrated commitment to responsible travel practices. read more
100% Recommend
L
Larry
Trip was remarkable, covered alot of ground in china. Guide was a real encyclopaedia on china. Although some of the experiences were challenging challenging they were priceless. December 2015
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
Operator G Adventures
C
Cornelia
Met nice people. Special tour programs, not usually. December 2015
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
Operator G Adventures
H
Hannah
After being in Nepal when the earthquake hit I could not have asked for a better guide, Dawa. With lack of phone signal to contact managers of G, Dawa was very calm and reassuring. December 2015
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
Operator G Adventures
A
Agnes
Two primary reasons: 1) I love the idea of pairing travel with gaining knowledge about and being able to support local project(s) - in this case the Sisterhood of Survivors, Nepal. 2) The great care, organization and dedication of the CEO, the driver and the driver's assistant on this trip was bar none the best, especially in the aftermath of the earthquake during our trip. Anyone can organize a good tour, but the greatness of a tour company and its staff is reflected during unexpected emergencies. In our case, they showed extreme calmness, care and dedication in light of the ongoing events: earthquake, rock slides, ongoing aftershocks, power outages, limited communication via internet and phone etc. December 2015
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
Operator G Adventures
L
Lorina
The tour was so well organised, everything ran so smoothly. Our guide BK was absolutely brilliant, so patient and provided us with so much information about local cultures and customs. BK was so patient, and loads of fun... Definately the best tour guide out! When my hubby and I became sick from the altitude he was so caring, so full of advice, and helped us down to a lower altitude with a Sherpa, constantly checking on us and making sure we were okay. By the end of the tour he was one of us, a friend that we've made. Thank you for the best trip ever BK! December 2015
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
Operator G Adventures
Day 1 Beijing
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
Day 2 Beijing
Set out early for the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Spend the day wandering from tower to tower along this magnificent feat of construction. Opt to see a Shaolin Monk Kung Fu Show, the Beijing Opera, or the Beijing Acrobats. Included Activities: Great Wall Mutianyu Visit Transport: Travel out to the Great Wall and back. Private Vehicle
Days 3-4 Beijing/Lhasa
Enjoy learning about Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City before using some free time to explore more of the capital. In the evening, depart on a 48-hour train journey to Lhasa. Enjoy watching the scenery completely change as you climb onto the Tibetan Plateau. Additional Notes: We aim to get the best sleeping berths available on each train journey. During peak season (summer) we cannot guarantee which beds will be available. Included Activities: Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Tour Transport: The train trip is a long, yet rewarding, journey through the heart of northern China then south across the Tibetan Plateau. The spectacular scenery make this a once-in-a-lifetime train journey. Basic overnight train (beds) (48.00 hour(s))
Day 5 Lhasa
Arrive in Lhasa in the evening. Take an orientation walk around Barkhor Square and start acclimatizing to the altitude.
Days 6-8 Lhasa
Over three days, explore all Lhasa and the surrounding areas have to offer. Visit Barkhor Square, the Jokhang Temple, the Potala Palace, and either Sera or Drepung Monastery. With free time, opt to visit the local markets or find a teahouse to spend a few hours relaxing. Included Activities: Barkhor Square Orientation Walk Potala Palace Tour Jokhang Temple Tour Sera Monastery Tour
Day 9 Lhasa/Gyantse (1B)
The drive to Gyantse is a spectacular one, crossing three passes over 5,000m (16,404 ft) and skirting the shores of the beautiful turquoise lake, Yamdrok Tso. Transport: Private Vehicle (8.00 hour(s), 267km)
Day 10 Gyantse/Sakya
Sakya is the base of the once politically powerful Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Its huge fortified walls are testament to the turbulent past of the region. There is time in the late afternoon or early morning to explore the monastery and the ruins of north Sakya across the river. Additional Notes: Accommodation in these areas can be quite basic. Be prepared for shared toilet facilities, no running water, and often only multi-share rooms available. Included Activities: Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum Visit Sakya Gompa Visit Transport: Private Vehicle (6.00-7.00 hours, 242km)
Day 11 Sakya/Rongbuk
Travel to Rongbuk Monastery, the highest in the world. Additional Notes: Rongbuk is the highest monastery in the world and its guesthouse offers very basic accommodation, but the views that surround it more than compensate. Lie in bed and watch the moonlight illuminate the mountain. Included Activities: Rongbuk Monastery Visit and Stay Transport: Private Vehicle (5.00-6.00 hours, 233km)
Day 12 Rongbuk/Saga
Hike to Everest Base Camp in the morning. Later, make the scenic journey to Saga. Included Activities: Everest Base Camp (North) Transport: Private Vehicle (10.00 hour(s), 293km)
Day 13 Saga/Tarchan
Take another travel day to reach Darchen, home base for the Kora Trek. Follow the road across grasslands for the first spectacular view of Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. Transport: Private Vehicle
Day 14 Tarchan/Kailas Range
Begin the kora from Darchen. Staying in basic guesthouses, the full kora takes 2.5 days to complete. The experience and scenery are well worth the effort. Additional Notes: If you are unable to participate in the kora, it is possible to remain in Darchen with our drivers. Accommodation on the kora is extremely basic and food options are limited in their variety. It is a good idea to bring snacks. Included Activities: Kailash Kora Day 1 Transport: Hike 20km (12.4 mi) from Darchen around the base of Mt Kailash. Hiking (20km)
Day 15 Kailas Range
Continue on the kora for the toughest stretch of the hike. Included Activities: Kailash Kora Day 2 Transport: Hike 18km (11.2 mi) to the highest pass of the trek and back down into the valley. Hiking (14km)
Day 16 Kailas Range
After completing the kora, relax in Chiu Gompa for the evening. Included Activities: Kailash Kora Day 3 Lake Manasarovar Visit Transport: Hike the last 14km (8.7 mi) to make it to Chiu Gompa. Hurrah! Hiking (14km)
Day 17 Kailas Range/Saga
Stop in Saga for the evening and reflect on the magical experience you've had before continuing on. Additional Notes: Please note: the departures of this trip starting May 16 2018 will visit the Saga Dawa Festival on Day 14 prior to starting the Kailash Kora hike. Included Activities: Saga Dawa Festival Transport: Private Vehicle
Day 18 Saga/Xigazê
Travel from Saga to Shigatse. Transport: Private Vehicle (10.00 hour(s), 488km)
Day 19 Xigazê/Lhasa
Visit Tashilumpo in the morning. Later, head back to Lhasa. Included Activities: Tashilunpo Monastery Visit Transport: Private Vehicle (8.00 hour(s), 200km)
Day 20 Lhasa/Kathmandu
Transfer to the airport and fly to Kathmandu, Nepal. Enjoy some free time to get to know the city. Included Activities: Border Crossing (Tibet - Nepal) Transport: Plane
Day 21 Kathmandu
Depart at any time.
- Local Living: Rongbuk Monastery Visit and Stay
- Rongpu Si
- Great Wall entrance
- Forbidden City tour
- Trans-Tibetan railway
- Kumbum visit
- Potala Palace visit
- Jokhang Temple visit
- Sera Monastery visit
- Yamdrok Tso visit
- Tashilunpo Monastery visit
- Sakya Monastery visit
- Pelkhor Chode Monastery visit
- Kailash kora
- Lake Manasarovar visit
- Saga Dawa festival experience
- Everest Base Camp visit
- Border crossing support
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Solo Notes
Age Notes
Min. Age: You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.
Important Notes
1. ALTITUDE SICKNESS This trip operates at altitudes over 3500m (max altitude 5630m). Whilst we travel slowly allowing plenty of time to acclimatise you may experience headaches, nausea, lethargy on arrival in Lhasa and on the Kailash kora. It is important to be aware of the affects of altitude on one's tolerance especially on long driving days. 2. PARTICIPATION IN KAILASH KORA If anyone is unable to participate in the Kailash kora they may remain in Darchen with our drivers. 3.ACCOMMODATION Accommodation in western Tibet (particularly on the Kailash kora) and at Everest Base Camp) is extremely basic - only multishare rooms may be available and little or no running water. Basic pit toilets. 4. WEATHER The sun is intense - hat and sun screen are essential as well as drinking plenty of water as altitude exacerbates dehydration.
Meals
Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. Included breakfasts will usually be asian style consisting of noodles or congee (rice porridge) or bread and eggs. Vegetarians will be able to find a range of different foods, although in some areas the choice maybe limited. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets. Food in Western Tibet is limited in variety - we recommend bringing snacks, museli bars etc for snacks on the Kailash kora.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Trip ID#: gadventure-22784
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