Mount Kailash - 20 days

A Pilgrimage to the sacred mountain of Tibet

Detailed Itinerary: (What you will see and do)

Days 1 & 2 - Flying into Kathmandu is an unforgettable experience with the Himalaya spread out before you. You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. On day 2 a full day tour introduces to some of the wonders of Kathmandu.
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Days 1 & 2 - Chengdu, the bustling capital of Sichuan Province is home to some of the best (and spiciest!) food in the world. It is also a city of temples, gardens and teahouses. An early morning visit to the Breeding and Research Center sees the magnificent Giant Pandas and Red Pandas at their most active. In the evening discover a little of Sichuan's rich cultural heritage at a tea-house performance of opera, acrobatics, puppetry and 'changing faces'.

Day 3 The flight to Lhasa is spectacular. From Gongkar airport it is about a 90 minute drive to Lhasa, first along the Yarlung Tsangpo then into the Kyi Chu Valley.

Days 4, 5 & 6 - With a relaxed pace to allow for the effects of altitude, explore this fantastic city on the roof of the world. The spiritual heart of Tibet is the Jokhang Temple and every morning is full of life as pilgrims bring offerings of butter and barley flour. The Potala Palace rises above the city and, more than any other sight, symbolizes the history and culture of Tibet. Nearby are the huge monastic universities of Drepung and Sera - still active institutions.

Day 7 - A long, yet scenic day's drive across the Khamba La and Kora La (passes), along the shores of Lake Yamdrok Tso to Gyantse. Once an important trading town, Gyantse retains a feel of 'old' Tibet.

Day 8 - In the morning visit Gyantse's monastery - Pelkor Choede - and the justifiably famous Kumbum, within the same complex. There may also be time to visit the dzong (fort) that towers above the town. In the afternoon we make the short (2-3 hour) drive along the valley to Shigatse.

Days 9 & 10 - Tashilhunpo is the seat of the Panchen Lama, second only in importance to the Dalai Lama. Its numerous halls contain a 26-meter statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha and elaborate, jewel encrusted reliquary chorten. The fortified monastery of Sakya suffered during the Cultural Revolution, but was once the political center of Tibet.

Days 11, 12 & 13 - Magnificent valleys, herds of grazing yak, goats and sheep, passes topped by prayer flags and few permanent settlements mark the journey towards Tibet's ancient heartland.

Day 14, 15 & 16 - The 53-kilometer kora of Mount Kailash is one of the most sacred of pilgrimage circuits in the world. Kailash (Kang Rinpoche in Tibetan) is the earthly manifestation of Mount Meru and is sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, Bonpo and Jains - the entire route is lined with prostration points, places to check you sin-level, drink or immerse yourself in sacred waters, make offerings and hang prayer flags. The high point, both physically and spiritually is the Drolma Pass (5636m) on the second day. On day 16 it is a short walk to Darchen before heading to Chiu Gompa on the shores of Lake Manasarovar to soak in the hot springs.

Days 17 & 18 - Retrace the route as far as Saga before turning south via the mirror-like Piku Tso (lake) towards Nyalum.

Days 19 & 20 - Awesome passes are followed by the dramatic descent to Zhangmu and on to Kathmandu.