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Day01 Arrive in Lhasa
Today arrive in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, transfer to hotel. Stay at the hotel for adapting to the high altitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water. Overnight at 3*Thangka Hotel Day02 Lhasa BL
In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties. Overnight at 3*Thangka Hotel Day03 Lhasa BL
In the morning visit Drepung monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect., which was established in 1416 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. The "Buddhism Scriptures Debate" in Sera is very famous. Overnight at 3*Thangka Hotel Day04 Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse BL
Drive to Gyantse. On the Kamba La (4796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4,441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On arriving, visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the 15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. It is recorded 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameters contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. Afterwards drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang. Overnight at 3*Manasarovar Hotel Day05-07 Shigatse – Lhatse – Saga – Paryang BLD
In the morning visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. Today 600 monks live in the monastery. After the visit drive along the south route to enjoy wonderful landscapes on the way. In the south the snowy magnificent Himalayas rise, in the north line up the summits of the Trans Himalaya. We may see Kiangs and Antelopes running on this highland. The first day we reach Lhatse, the second day Saga and the third day Paryang. Overnight in 2*Shanghai Hotel in Lhatse, in simple guesthouse in Saga and Paryang. Day08 Paryang – Manasarovar Lake BLD
Drive to holy Lake Manasarovar. The fresh water lake is 4,588 meters high above sea level and covers an area of 330 square kilometers. The depth of the lake is 81.8 meters. The lake is situated between two snow-covered mountain ranges is extremely beautiful. It is an important part for the Tibetan pilgrims to orbit and take a bath in the lake. Overnight in tent near the Chiu Gompa in the north bank of the Lake. The small monastery Chiu Gompa standing on rock, offers a splendid view over the lake. Walking alone the holy lake. Overnight in tent or in simple guesthouse. Day09 Manasarovar Lake – Darchen / Kailash BLD
In the morning walking and sightseeing by the holy lake Manasarovar. In the afternoon drive to Darchen (4800 m), which is 6 km to the north of the main street. Here we enjoy nice view of the holy mountain Kailash. The Kailash is the holy place for four religions: the Hinduism, Buddhism, Jains and Bon. Short trekking at the foot of the holy mountain Kailash. Overnight at simple guesthouse or in tent. Day10 Darchen – Tirthapuri – Tsada BLD
In the morning keep drive to Tirthapuri, one of the holiest places in the west Tibet because there stand the medication caves of Padmasambhavas with his companion Yeshe Tsogyel. For Buddhism the mountain Kailash and the lake Manasarovar form a perfect religious unit. If this unit is reconstructed as internal experience, the pilgrimage way is completed. If the pilgrim can feel the unit with their heart, he must have gained something. Northwest from Trithapuri, in the middle of the canyon erosion landscape of the Sutlej River, lie the impressive ruins of Toling and Tsaparang – flourishing centers of the former Kingdom Guge. Tsaparang disappeared in the middle of 17. Century; the Toling monastery, our today’s goal was until the 1960's religious center. Fortunately, despite of devastations by the Culture Revolution some buildings and temple remained. Overnight at simple Hebei Hotel Day11 Tsada BLD
Early in the morning we drive to Tsaparang (10 km, 3.800 m), the oldest center of Guge Kingdom. A group of four temples surround the lower part of the fortress walls, one fifth of which lie above the remains of the city, the former Summer Palace of the kings. The coffered ceilings and carved bars of the temples are decorated in different designs. Parts of murals are well-preserved and complicatedly decorated. Overnight at simple Hebei Hotel Notice: Since a last local permit must be acquired and the groups must be accompanied by a representative on behave of the "culture office", it means this visit depends on the last decision. Day12 Tsada – Shiquanhe BLD
Experience various landscape on the way to Shiquanhe (280 km), the capital of Ngari Prefecture in West Tibet a city at the confluence of Indus and Gar. Shiquanhe River the main source of the Indus, originates from the Kailash. It is modern city and center of administration, business and shopping. Overnight at 2*Dianxin Hotel Day13 Shiquanhe – Pangong Tso – Dorma BLD
Drive northwards to Dorma. On the way we visit the Pangong Tso, a long and narrow lake, situated on the border of Indian and China. Fresh air with fantastic view. Overnight at simple guesthouse or tent Day14 Dorma – Dahongliuta BLD
Start driving early in the morning because the road becomes more difficult from Dorma. Soon after drive along a river valley we again stand on the land 5,000 to 5.300 m high. Now and then we have to try hard to deal with the rugged road resulted from the heavy trucks. Get across the Tialongtan La (about 5.000 m) and keep on driving 203 km in 7-8 hours to Dahongliutan. Overnight at simple guesthouse or tent Day15 Dahongliutan – Mazar BLD
We will drive 253 km to Mazar. How long it will take for the driving depending upon road and climate conditions. We are now on the Lingzi Thang Plains; the Kunlun mountain ranges are on the right and the Karakorum mountain range left. The road is very straight, and the landscape fantastic: out of the window scenery appears in brown and red alternatively; emerald small lakes shine under the sunlight. After crossing a high pass (4.950 m) we find a suitable place for tents camp. Overnight at simple guesthouse or tent Day16 Mazar – Yecheng – Kashgar BL
Soon after pass by Mazar we begin to cross the Kunlun mountains. The Chiragsaldi (4.960 m) is the last pass we have to cross on the way. Afterwards we drive downward along the Yecheng ravine to Xinjiang. Situated at the edge of the Taklamakan desert, Yecheng is a city with a pretty Bazar inhabited by Uigur and Han Chinese. Continue to drive about 250 km to Kashgar (1.300 m), the largest oasis of China. The tar road runs at the edge of the Taklamakan desert. On the way enjoy the landscape of the Kunlun. Grey-black rocks and sand dunes compose the major feature of the landscape of Taklamakan. On the last section of the way we pass by an expanded, watered field. The Islamic oasis city is coin-shaped and inhabited mainly by Uygur. It was once an important communication on the Silk Road, being the starting point of the northern and southern routes. In the evening arrive in Kashgar. Overnight at 4*Tianyuan International Hotel Day17 Kashgar BL
In the morning we visit the Sundays market of Kashgar, one of the largest weekly markets of Asia. In the morning the farmers drive with their sheep and goats to the market from all directions. The road is crowded with full-loaded donkey trucks carrying vegetable and fruit, men, children and women. We walk among them. Overnight at 4*Tianyuan International Hotel Day18 Leave Kashgar B
Transfer to the airport or the railway station, leave Kashgar.
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2024-04-18 22:06:11
