Mount Kailash and Guge Kingdom Tour

The Kingdom of Guge, founded in the mid 9th century and became a focal point for the preservation of Buddhism in Tibet until the 17th century. Tholing and Tsaparang are the ruined former capitals of the ancient Guge Kingdom of Western Tibet and are rarely visited by the western travelers. Tholing, once Western Tibet’s most important monastic complex exists today in ruins. It was founded by Rinchen Zangpo, an India returned scholar and the greatest Sanskrit translators who played the key role in reviving Buddhism across the Tibetan plateau. Tholing is accessible in one day by jeep from Mount Kailash. Tsaparang, about an hour's drive west of Tholing is most probably the greatest interest to those with some knowledge of early Buddhist art.

The ruins of Tsaparang extend along a ridge with two main areas of interest: the Red and White chapels and the Tsaparang Dzong. The ruins consist of ancient summer and winter palaces. The Red and White Chapels have the best of Tsaparang's murals.

We spend three nights in Lhasa a Buddhist Capital visiting the famous Potala Palace, the Jokhang, great monasteries and walk through the bustling Barkor market before taking drive towards Manasorvar. We drive through central Tibet via Turquoise Lake (Yamdrok Tso) and visit the cultural and religious centers of Gyantse and Shigatse.

We then drive across the wide-open spaces of the Tibetan Plateau to Lake Manasarovar. At Lake Manasarovara, you will have an extra day to explore the shores of the holy Lake. Religious travelers will perform rituals and meditation at the lakeside.

Itinerary

Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar tour (Drive in and Fly Out)
Day 01 Drive from Kathmandu to Kerong
Day 02 Drive to Saga
Day 03 Drive to Paryang
Day 04 Drive to Manasarovar
Day 05 Drive to Tirthapuri
Day 06 Drive to Tholing
Day 07 Morning drive to Tsaparang (Guge Kingdom), and drive back to Tholing by the evening
Day 08 Drive to Darchen
Day 09 Trek to Derapuk
Day 10 Dolma La pass (5600 meters.) and trek down to Zudulpuk
Day 11 Trek to near Darchen and drive to Manasarovar
Day 12 Drive to Paryang
Day 13 Drive to Saga
Day 14 Drive to Xigatse
Day 15 Drive to Gyantse
Day 16 Drive to Lhasa
Day 17 / 18 Lhasa Sightseeing tour.
Day 19 Early morning transfer to Gongar airport for your flight to Kathmandu.

Tours in Mount Kailash