[Ali Tour] Lhasa-EBC-Mt. Kailash-Guge Kingdom-Lhasa 16-Day Tour

Welcome to Lhasa, upon arrival in Lhasa, our guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in downtown Lhasa via one-hour expressway drive (70 km). After checking in, we recommend you take some time to rest and acclimatize to the altitude to ensure a smooth start to your journey.

In Lhasa, immerse yourself in traditional Tibetan handicrafts. Your guide will take you to the Tibetan Cultural Experience Center, where you'll learn how Tibetan incense is made and even try making it yourself. You'll also have the opportunity to write your name in Tibetan and practice woodblock printing. The handmade incense and printed items can be kept as souvenirs from your Tibetan journey.

In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery, best known for its unique monk debates, where monks engage in animated discussions in the courtyard, using expressive gestures to challenge each other's philosophical viewpoints. (Debates are held Monday to Saturday at 3:00 PM, except on Sundays.)

Begin your day with a visit to Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama. As you climb its 365 steps, admire its grand halls, ancient murals, sacred Buddha statues, and breathtaking views over Lhasa.

Next, visit Jokhang Temple, Tibet's most sacred pilgrimage site, where the 12-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha statue is enshrined. Then, take a walk along Barkhor Street, a vibrant market where Tibetan pilgrims perform kora (ritual circumambulation), spinning prayer wheels as they walk.

Depart Lhasa and head towards Shigatse, stopping at two of Tibet's most spectacular natural wonders. Visit Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's three sacred lakes, renowned for its dazzling turquoise waters.

Continue to Karola Glacier, where the massive glacier tongue extends down towards the roadside like a frozen waterfall. Along the way, we will pass Lake Manla and the ancient town of Gyantse. Explore the unique Palcho Monastery (also known as Kumbum Monastery), a site remarkable in Tibet for being a place where different Buddhist sects practice together. Its famed Kumbum(1427) dazzles with unique architecture and myriad Buddha statues. The day ends in Shigatse, Tibet's second city.

After breakfast, embark on a breathtaking journey toward Mount Everest, the world's highest peak. Today's drive through the highlands brings you to the Gyawula Pass (5,198m) for a panoramic view of the Himalayan giants, with Everest on the horizon. We'll then visit the unforgettable Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world. This peaceful and remote monastery offers an unparalleled view of Everest, making it a perfect place for quiet contemplation.

By late afternoon, arrive at Everest Base Camp (EBC), where you'll witness the majestic north face of Everest. If weather permits, enjoy a stunning sunset over the mountain, a truly unforgettable sight.

(During winter, when EBC tented lodges are closed, accommodations will be arranged in Basong Village.)

Wake early for the chance to witness a breathtaking sunrise over Mount Everest, as the first light slowly reveals its icy summit. While this experience depends on the weather, it is truly unforgettable when the skies are clear.

Your journey then continues toward Shishapangma, the only peak over 8,000 meters located entirely within China. Along the way, you will pass the stunning Pelkutso, where turquoise waters meet snow-capped mountains to form one of Tibet's most iconic and tranquil landscapes.

After taking time to enjoy the lake's beauty, you will continue onward to Saga for your overnight stay.

Our journey of a lifetime continues with a scenic drive from Saga to Darchen, the gateway to Mount Kailash. Along the way, we will stop at a small monastery known as "Old Drongpa," located in a quiet village beside the main road. Here, you can observe intricately carved yak skulls engraved with sacred sutras and mantras-an enduring expression of local devotion. The route reaches its highlight as you approach the sacred Lake Manasarovar, where shimmering turquoise waters reflect the timeless grandeur of Mount Kailash. This unforgettable panorama marks one of the spiritual pinnacles of the entire journey. After taking in the beauty of the lake and mountain, you will continue on to Darchen for your overnight stay.

From Darchen, a shuttle will take you to Prayer Flag Square, about 6 km from the entrance of Mount Kailash. In the valley below, yaks, horses, and porters are available for hire (at an additional cost) should you need support for the journey ahead.

Your Mount Kailash kora begins with a 14 km trek, gradually drawing you deeper into the sacred energy of this revered landscape. As you make your way through the canyon, you'll be surrounded by vast blue skies and towering snow-covered peaks. The western and northern faces of Mount Kailash come into view- one rising like a sheer, vertical wall, the other unfolding into a dramatic series of rugged ridgelines.

If luck is on your side, you may catch a rare glimpse of the elusive summit, a moment that for many leaves a profound and unforgettable connection to this holy mountain.

Your day ends at Driapuk Monastery, where fluttering prayer flags and the quiet strength of the valley welcome you into the heart of this sacred pilgrimage.

After a good night's rest, you will begin the most challenging stage of the journey- a 20 km trek. The trail from Driapuk Monastery climbs steadily toward the 5,650-meter Dolma La Pass, the highest point of the entire kora. Below the pass lies the serene Mercy Lake, its clear, jade-like waters shimmering quietly among the mountains.

After crossing the pass, the path descends toward tonight's stop at Dzultripuk Monastery. Along the way, you may encounter devoted Tibetan pilgrims performing full-body prostrations as they move toward sacred sites- a deeply moving expression of faith set against the dramatic Himalayan landscape.

Today marks the final day of our Mount Kailash kora as you make your way back to Darchen. As you descend to lower altitudes, the stark snowy terrain gradually softens into vibrant greenery. The last 10.6 kilometers of the trek open up to expansive grasslands and small, jewel-like lakes. If you feel fatigued, an eco-bus is available for the last 4km of the kora to take you back to Darchen. After a short rest, your journey continues onward to Zanda.

Our day begins with a true highlight: stepping back in time at the Guge Kingdom ruins. Set against the highlands of Ali, these silent walls tell an extraordinary 700-year story spanning China's Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. Following the decline of the Tubo Kingdom, Guge rose as its successor and became a crucial sanctuary for Buddhism. Not far away lies the enchanting Torling Monastery, a hidden gem renowned for its murals. The adventure then turns almost otherworldly as we enter the Zanda Earth Forest, a "stone forest" of towering clay pillars sculpted over millennia into whimsical and surreal forms. Driving among them feels like weaving between the feet of sleeping giants, offering a humbling and unforgettable experience.

Today, our journey to Saga carries us across vast plains dotted with tranquil pastoral villages. Herds of sheep and cattle graze like scattered pearls across the pastures, set against a backdrop of towering, snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear lakes that mirror one another. This scene comprises what can only be described as Tibet's most quintessential landscape. A moment's pause here allows you to immerse yourself fully in the profound peace and grandeur of the meeting between earth and sky.

The journey east from Saga to Sakya immerses you in the epic landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau. The road winds through vast, high-altitude pastures and meanders along river valleys, with sweeping mountain ranges always on the horizon. If the weather is clear, you may be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Mount Shishapangma—the only 8,000-meter peak located entirely within China.

Today you will explore Sakya Monastery, the spiritual heart of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. Home to more than 3,000 remarkable murals, the monastery presents an astonishing range of themes. Its walls illustrate Buddhist scriptures, mythic legends, historical events, and the lineage of the Sakya tradition, alongside vivid landscapes, delicate floral designs, auspicious creatures, and intricate decorative patterns. Together, these artworks form a sweeping visual archive of Tibetan religious, cultural, and social life.After this enriching visit and with warm impressions of Sakya Monastery, we continue our journey to Shigatse.

Today, you will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the largest monastery in western Tibet and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. This magnificent monastery is home to the world's largest gilded statue of Maitreya Buddha, as well as beautifully preserved Buddhist murals and ancient stupas of the Panchen Lamas.

After exploring the monastery, you will travel back to Lhasa, following the scenic route along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, one of Tibet's most important waterways. The journey offers breathtaking views of deep river valleys, traditional Tibetan villages, and terraced farmlands, giving you a deeper appreciation of the region's natural beauty.

Your remarkable journey through Tibet is coming to an end. At the scheduled time, we will transfer you to the airport or train station for your departure.

Thank you for traveling with us. Wishing you a smooth journey ahead, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Tibet in the future!