19 Days Ngari Loop Tour with EBC Kailash Namtso

When you arrive in Lhasa, your tour guide will hold a board with your name on it at the exit to welcome you. A private car will take you to the reserved hotel. You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/Bhamaputra River (the longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River on the way to Lhasa.

Tips: For the new visitors of Tibet, it is better to have a good rest in hotel because it helps you a lot to get acclimatized to the high altitude in Tibetan Plateau.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you’ll pay a visit to the famous Potala Palace, the world culture heritage. You can explore its audience halls, the jeweled and golden burial chortens (stupa tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.

Then tourists will head to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Songtsen Ganpo's reign by Princess Wencheng of Tang dynasty, 647 A.D. Here you can observe sincere pilgrims making prostration in front of the temple and see the holiest statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of 12. Around the temple is the famous Barkhor Street, where you can do the kora with pilgrims and locals. And then we’ll go to explore the old market and you may have chance to see the traditional jewelry trading between people from different parts of Tibet.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you will visit two important monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera. Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet, was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. Situated at the foot of Gebeiwoze Mountain, it was once home to more than 10,000 monks. Here you can see the biggest monastery kitchen inside and then pay a visit to the Buddhist Sculpture Carving Workshop near Drepung.

After having lunch, you’ll continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most interesting thing is to see monks debating in the courtyard at around 3-5 pm in the afternoon. Besides, you can also see the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha and the three sand Mandalas and then visit the Tibetan religious text printing house.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Optional: After the sightseeing, you may visit Tibetan Handicraft Art Center or Tibetan Traditional Medicine Center with your guide if time permits. Besides, you can enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD).

Today, we will drive from Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse. On the way, we’ll drive over the Gampala Pass (4,790m) to view Yamdrok Lake and Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar. Besides, you can also appreciate Korola Glacier on the roadside. At Manak Dam Lake, tourists can hang prayer flags at Simila Mountain Pass.

Then we’ll go to the heritage town Gyantse and explore its old street, Pelkor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. Here you can catch the far view of Gyantse Fortress.

Later, we’ll arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. And tourists can visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field in summer.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. It is largest monastery of the Gelug Sect in Rear Tibet, and the main stage where generations of Panchen Lamas carried out religious and political activities. After getting your Alien’s Travel Permit, we will leave Shigatse and then drive to Lhatse for lunch.

After that, we’ll drive over Tsola Pass (4,600m), and Gyatsola Pass (5,248m). At Gawula Pass (5,180m), tourists can view the panorama of Himalaya. Then we’ll drive along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp and get closer to Mt. Everest peak. You are lucky enough to catch the sunset of golden Everest peak if time and weather permits at the lodging area.

Stay overnight at tent guesthouse.

In the morning, you can enjoy the stunning sunrise of Everest peak at lodging area if weather permits. While we drive towards Saga, you can catch the view of the world’s 14th highest peak Mt. Shishapangma (8,012m) and the beautiful turquoise Lake Peikutso (4,590m). Chances are that you can see wild animals like wild donkey, wild antelope etc.

Stay overnight in Saga.

In the morning, you can appreciate the stunning view of the Saga Valley between Gangdise Range and Himayala Range. Meanwhile, you can also view the beautiful grassland and local's villages along the way. While crossing the Mayomla Pass (5,112m), you can catch the far view of Mt. Naimonanyi (7,694M). Then we’ll pass by the holy Lake Manasarovar and finally arrive at the southern foot of Mt. Kailash, the holist mountain in Tibet.

Stay overnight in Darchen.

In the morning, tourists can take environment friendly bus from Darchen to Sarshung Valley. And you’ll meet yaks and porters at Sarshung Village (The cost of hiring yaks, horses, and porters are not included in the package).

After that, you can start the trek (around 13km) from Sarshung to Drirapuk Monastery (5,080m) along the Lachu Valley and rivers. Today, you can see both west and north face of Mount Kailash (6,638m). Finally, we’ll pay a visit to Drirapuk Monastery.

Stay overnight in guesthouse.

Today, we’ll trek over Dromala Pass (5,648m), the highest pass of the Kora. On the way, you can have a break in a teahouse. Besides, you’ll meet the locals prostrating along the Kora path. When walking downhill, you can see beautiful Kadoe Lake (5,568m). Then we’ll visit Zutulpuk Monastery (4,835m).

Stay overnight in guesthouse.

Today, we’ll trek 7km to Zongto where you can take bus to Darchen. Along the Kora, you can see piles of Mani Stones. Finally, we’ll end the trek around noon and have a rest at the lodging place. 

Optional: Take a bath in Lake Manasarovar and enjoy hot spring around it.

Stay overnight in guesthouse.

Today, you will enter Stujey Valley and arrive at Zanda County to visit Guge Kingdom and Tholing Monastery there. Zanda County is the current name for the region of Guge Kingdom, and the county's capital is Tholing. Tholing Monastery, the oldest monastery in the Nagri Prefecture, was founded by Richen Zangpo in the 10th century. It was also the main religious center of Guge Kingdom after inviting the great Indian master ATISHA.

Stay overnight in Zanda.

Today, you will travel from Tsada/Zanda to Shiquanhe Town. You will see the stunning Clay Forest (also known as Zanda Earth Forest) formed by crustal movement in Xiangquan River Canyon. Shiquanhe Town is the capital of Ngari Prefecture as well as the last big town during the big loop tour of Ngari. You can tour Shiquanhe Town and replenish yourself for the following travel.

Stay overnight in Shiquanhe Town.

Today you will visit Pangongtso Lake (4242m). It is the world’s highest birds’ habitat and home to more than 20 kinds of wild birds like bar-headed goose, brown-headed gull, etc. On the way back to Shiquanhe Town, you will stop at Ritu County to visit the famous Ritu Rock Painting. The paintings involve the sun, the moon, mountains, locals, and animals, vividly presenting the livelihood of ancient Tibetan nomads around Pangong Tso Lake.

Stay overnight in Shiquanhe Town.

You will pass Gégyé on the way from Shiquanhe Town to Gerze. Shortly after entering into the Changthang Grassland of Gégyé County, you can see a variety of Tibetan animals like wild donkeys, Tibetan antelopes, Tibetan gazelle, etc. You will also appreciate a number of picturesque nameless lakes, mountain passes, and snow-capped mountains. Besides, you can see a big salt lake and trucks preparing to load supply from here. Keep driving for over 200km from the salt lake, you will arrive at your destination today, Gerze.

Stay overnight in Gerze.

On the way from Gerze to Wanpo South Village, you have a chance to see a variety of rare animals that can only be seen in remote areas of western Tibet such as Tibetan gazelle, marmot, black-necked crane, and wild donkey. After passing Coqen County, you can see many colorful mountains like red, green, and yellow, and the colors are largely due to the abundant mineral resources hidden inside the mountain.

The road gets bumpier on the way from Coqen to Zhari Namco Lake, which is widely-known as the largest saline lake with the highest altitude in Ngari region. In the afternoon, you will arrive at Tangra Yumco Lake, the holiest lake in Bon religion which is believed as sacred as Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. It’s said that the color of the lake can change three times within a single day. After visiting the lake, you will head for Wanpo South Village.

Stay overnight in Wanpo South Village.

Wanpo South Village (4500m) is known as “Wanpo Paradise” for its picturesque and harmonious environment. The village faces Tangra Yumco Lake and Dagoer Snow Mountain, and is a secluded place with charming pastoral scene. Villagers here are half-nomadic and half-farming, and live a peaceful and pastoral life. You can have a good rest in the village and visit Dangchung Monastery in Wanpo North Village if you like.

Stay overnight in Wanpo South Village.

Today, you will pass by Nima, a world of Tibetan gazelles, and arrive at Serling Tso around noon after passing numerous small lakes. Serling Tso, which is believed to be a “Demon Lake” by Tibetans, is the second largest saline lake in northern Tibet after Namtso Lake.

You will head for Namtso Lake in the afternoon. On the way, you will traverse close-wise along the north bank of Serling Tso and see many Tibetan antelopes and gazelles grazing leisurely at lakeside. After arriving at Tashi Island of Namtso, you can enjoy the stunning view of Namtso Lake and climb the Tashi Island to have a panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Never miss the chance to view the starry night at the bank of Namtso Lake. It is definitely one of the highlights during this long journey.  

Stay overnight at Namtso.

Appreciate the stunning sunrise of the Namtso Lake. Then head back to Lhasa via Yangpachen and enjoy a bath in the famous Yangpachen Hot Spring (optional: 25USD/person).

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

The driver will take you to airport or train station.

Service ends.