15 DAYS LHASA – KAILASH TREK – EBC EXCURSION GROUP TOUR

6,788 Reviews

Region

Sightseeing Tours of Tibet

Duration

15 Days

Min Group Size

2 people

Lhasa Mount Kailash trek and EBC Excursion group tour is a 15 days tour created by Himalayan Social Journey for all those intrested candidate who wants to explore the rich culture of Tibet and the stunning tibetan plateau at the same time. In this journey, you will be traveling to the main city of Tibet; Lhasa to observe the artistic beauty and to observe the unique architecture of the building, monasteries and the statues and monuments. Furthermore, you will be traveling to the Gyantse, Darchen, Sighatse, Saga, Lhatse, Mt. Kailash, Mansarovar Lake and places like Dirapuk. More importantly, these places are completely different than the central Tibet. These places are remote with less population. Hence, the place offers unspoiled beauty with spectacular view of the Tibetan plateau. Also, the major highlight of the trip Mt. Kailash and Mansorovar is absolutely breathtaking. Mt. Kailash is sacred mountain hence has a very important meaning for the people who follow Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. Therefore, Mt. Kailash is one of the most visited pilgrimage site in the world. Moving forward into the journey, you will be driving along the Pekutso Lake and you will get to view the gorgeous view of Mt. Everest from the Everest Base Camp. Along with the view of mighty Everest you will also get to see Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Cho Oyu and many other peaks.

Outline Itinerary ( 15 Days )

1

ARRIVAL IN LHASA EITHER BY AIR OR TRAIN AND MEET WITH YOUR FELLOW TRAVELLERS IN LHASA

A short flight into Tibet give you a panorama of the snowy Himalayan ranges or the days of train ride over the high plateau by crossing mighty Thangu la ranges get you to Lhasa with beautiful sceneries along the route, your arrival at the Gonggar airport or Lhasa Train Station will be greeted by our Tibetan guide and driver and transfer to your hotel in Lhasa city, from the airport to Lhasa it is about 60km and it takes less than an hour through the recently built highway, from the train station it is only 25km and it takes about half hour, check in the hotel and may be meet with other fellow travelers, then take it easy for the rest of the day to acclimatize and alleviate the jet lag. Accommodation in Sheraton hotel (Note: If your arrival time is different from others then we will arrange private airport/train station pick up without any additional cost, so please let us know your arrival time and detail information of flights/train)
2

LHASA ESCORTED TOUR.

Attractions; Jokhang temple and bustling Bakhor street and Sera monastery. Today is the your first day on the high plateau and some of you may have little head ach which is very common for travelers by the high altitude, so drinking enough water and mild activity on the first few days is recommendable. In the morning our guide will meet you at the hotel and take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the center of the Old Lhasa city. Jokhang temple is one of the most scared temples in all over Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since from early days. After that you have time to walk around the Bakhor street which is the one of the most devotional circuit as well as crowded central market of Lhasa, during the old days it is the most famous local market but now it is changed to tourist gift shopping center. The amazing day will ended with a visit to the Sera Monastery, it is built in the fifteenth century by the Jamchen Choji Sakya Yeshi who is disciple of Tsongka pa, few different monastic colleges in Sera is home to several hundred monks from different part of Tibet, the famous Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks are happening every day in the afternoon except Sunday. Continues acclimatize and alleviate jet lag rest of the day. Accommodation in hotel
3

LHASA ESCORTED TOUR.

Attractions; Potala palace and Drepung monastery Today we will visit the famous Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture, it was first built by 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in 7th century and later in 17th century rebuilt by 5th Dalai Lama, since then it was home to the Dalai Lama and his government. Walking though the long steps are quite challenging but it is worthwhile to leave your footsteps in the spiritual palace of God of compassion, which listed in the world heritage in 1994. And in the afternoon, we will visit the Drepung monastery, once the world's largest monastery that housed for more than 10,000 monks, it was resident of the Dalai Lama prior to Potala Palace, but several destructions were taken place in different time but still you have lots of things to see by walking through numbers of narrow and twisted lane through the monks apartments is thrilling. Continues acclimatize and alleviate jet lag rest of the day. Accommodation in hotel
4

LHASA(3600m) - GYANTSE (3900m) - SHIGATSE(3900m), 350 km

Attractions; Yamdrok lake, Mt.Nyechen Kangsar glacier, Gyantse Kubum stupa and Pelkhor Choede monastery. We start drive toward south west, through the zigzag road climb up the Kampa la pass (4700m), from there you will be amazed by the breathtaking glimpse of the holy Yamdrok lake with its turquoise color and snow caped Mt.Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance, then continues drive along the lake for few kilometers get us to the lunch stop at Nagar tse. The rest of the day will be spent enjoying the many magnificent valleys and exquisite Tibetan villages that pass through; en route we will stop at Karo la (5150m) to see the holy mount Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. Arrival at Gyantse, we visit Kumbum stupa and Palkhor Choede monastery, this magnificent multi-door structure is the largest stupa in Tibet, it is not only well known for its architecture but also its old sculptures and paintings all around its inner walls, late afternoon drive to Shigatse which is only 90km. Overnight in hotel
5

SHIGATSE (3900m) – LHATSE (4200m), 150km

Attractions; Tashi lhunpo monastery and Sakya monastery. Today we will visit Tashi Lhunpo monastery in morning and guide will make his/her time to obtain the ATP permit from the local PSB, Tashi Lhunpo monastery is one of the largest functioning monastery in the western part of Tibet which has more than 600 years of history, it is a different experience by walking with local pilgrims through temples and twisted lanes within the old buildings in the campus. Then drive to Lhatse for the night, en route we will drive off the main road to Sakya monastery which is located in a small village, this area and monastery has a different architectural design and color. Sakya monastery was an important scholastic study center in the 13th century and under the leadership of Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen, Sakyapa ruled Tibet for decades during that period of time. Overnight in hotel.
6

LHATSE (4200m) – SAGA (4500m), 340km

Today we will drive straight to Saga through a long valley of Brahmaputra tributary, compare to the last few years, the road condition is much better as it is recently reconstructed and paved. Overnight at hotel
7

SAGA – DARCHEN (5000m), 520km

Attractions: View of Lake Manasarovar and Mt Kailash. Today the thrilling journey across the dry and vast plain with stunning views of great Himalaya in the south and Trans-Himalayan in the north, the moonscape plain of the region is home for sparse lone nomads whose lifestyle remains close to what it has been for centuries, and numbers of plateau wild lives. Different natural landscapes like sand dunes and picturesque mountain views are not only the great beauty of the day but also the holy lakes and mountains. Then we will reach to the Manasarovar Lake (victorious lake) in the late afternoon, which is one of the holiest lakes in Tibet and every year it receives hundreds of hundreds of pilgrims from all corner of Tibetan plateau, India and Russia. The lake is surround by several prominent peaks like Gurla Mandata (7760m). Then we will further drive to Darchen which is the starting point of the Mt Kailash (7762m) trekking, you will also have great view of the Kailash from the front. Darchen is a small nomadic village and now increasing number of guesthouses and restaurants make it more commercial. At your arrival you have plenty of time to explore around the town and prepare for the trekking, you can also hiking around the hills to get physically ready for the trekking. In the afternoon, your guide will arrange others trekking necessities like porters and yaks for your luggage transportation. You can find different restaurants according to your taste or your guide will help you to find some better ones. Overnight at hotel.
8

TREKKING TO DIRAPUK. 20km.

Attractions; the views on the both side of the valley that you are going to trek. Today our trekking start from Darchen and tracing the small trail in the clockwise circuit around the Peak on an average altitude of 4700m. You will encounter numbers of local Buddhist pilgrims doing along your way and several Bon believers in the anti-clockwise direction. After 4hours trek we will reach to Tamdin(4780m) where a nomadic tents serves simple lunch and boil water. From there it is only 4km to Dirakpuk monastery but between this stretches has the some of the best scenery of the entire kora. Dirakpuk was rebuilt in 1985 located on the north side of the Lha-chu River facing to the north face of the Mt. Kailash. Dirakpuk name originally comes from a word Dira that means female yak horn and Puk means cave that in a mythical story says a female yak opened the cave. Overnight at Dirapuk guesthouse
9

TREKKING TO ZULTUL PUK(4790m) 18km.

Attractions; the once and only chance of challenging to cross the Dikpala (5000m) and Dormala (5600m) next to Dikpala Today is the most challenging part of the trekking where we will cross two passes, though there are not too steep but the altitude make is more tiring and slow, after we cross Dikpala (5000m) & Dormala (5600m), the passes are remarked by heaps of prayer flags and cairns, It is worthwhile to spend some minutes on the pass to view and relax, as you are right backside of the Mt. Kailash and offers great view of the holy peak. Then we will climb down into the long valley and stop lunch at Shabjay Dakpo nomadic tent for lunch. Zuktul puk monastery (4790m) also calls the miracle cave that is built by two religious figure Milarepa and Naro Bonchung. And still you can see the footprint and handprint of Milarepa inside the cave. Overnight at Zultul Puk guest house
10

REKKING AND DRIVE TO LAKE MANASAROVAR. (12km trekking and 80km drive).

Attractions; close view of the Manasarovar lake and Thuktso lake. Today is an easy day trek to complete the circuit and your driver will pick you up from Tashi Do (which is also called as Dzongsar). Then continues drive to Lake Manasarovar and overnight at guesthouses near the lake.
11

TRACE THE ROAD BACK TO SAGA

Today we will trace the road back to Saga for the night. hotel
12

SAGA – EBC (5150m).

Attractions: Rongbuk monastery and Mt. Everest base camp. Today we will drive straight to EBC by driving along the Pekutso Lake, you will have a picturesque of Mt Shishapama and other peaks of mighty Himalayans too. Continues drive towards south-east, from Old Tingri you will amaze the spectacular Himalayan Ranges and its mighty peaks beyond 8000m, Mt.Makalu (8463m), Mt.Lotse (8516m), Mt.Everest (8844m) and Mt.Cho Oyu (8201m) from Left to right, drive off the main road and head into the valley to the south to the day’s destination - Everest Base Camp located near the Rongbuk valley. Rongbuk is the highest monastery in the world and it consist both monks and nuns. Rongbuk monastery guesthouse or tent.
13

EBC (5150m) – SHIGATSE, 350km.

After we enjoy the sunrise view of the Mt Everest, we will gradually drive back to Shigatse through the friendship highway, you will have beautiful hot shower at the hotel and rest. Overnight at hotel
14

SHIGATSE – LHASA, 450km/300km

Today we will drive back to Lhasa, in the afternoon you have some time to explore around the town and buy some gifts for your family and friends at home. Accommodation in hotel
15

LHASA AIRPOR/TRAIN STATION SENDS OFF.

Today our guide and driver will send you to the airport or train station and it is time to say your good bye and depart to your next destination. Before your departure, we will appreciate if you can spend a short time to evaluate our services either by filling the feedback form or simply send us an email.

Include

All necessary travel permits to Tibet;
Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the program;
Private transportation in Tibet:
Private guide: English speaking local Tibetan guide;
Oxygen cylinder for the group;
Lodging and meals for guide and drivers;
First aid kit;
Liability travel insurance;

Exclude

Travel insurance covers trip cancellation and emergency evacuation(recommended);
Expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc.);
International and domestic flight/train.(Note: we accept flights and train tickets bookings in advance);

FAQ's

How to get a visa for Nepal ?

There are three ways to get a visa for Nepal

Visa on arrival: You can get a visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu or other designated entry points. The visa fee is USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, or USD 125 for 90 days.
Online application: You can apply for a visa online through the Nepal Immigration website. https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np .The visa fee is the same as for visa on arrival.
Nepalese Embassy or Consulate: You can also apply for a visa at a Nepalese Embassy or Consulate in your home country. The visa fee may be different, so check with the embassy or consulate.

Visa requirements

Passport valid for at least six months from your planned entry date into Nepal.
Visa application form.
Passport-sized photo (Bring 4 )

Gratis Visa (Visa for Free)

Gratis Visa is issued free of cost in case of following categories of Visa applicants:

Children below 10 years except US citizens
Up to 30 days for SAARC Citizen - Bangladesh , Bhutan, India , Maldives , Pakistan , Sri-Lanka (except Afghanistan) visiting Nepal for the first time in a given visa Year. Afghan citizen are eligible for Gratis Visa on Arrival only upon the recommendation of Department of Immigration. If you are an Afghan citizen, you can request concerned institution inviting you to Nepal for necessary paperwork with Department of Immigration to get you Gratis Visa 'On Arrival'.
Non Residential Nepalese(NRN) card holder ( issued by MoFA /Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad)
Chinese Nationals for 150 days

Nationals of following countries are requested to acquire Visa prior their arrival from their nearby Diplomatic missions (Embassies/consulates) of Nepal Government.

If your passport is not valid for at least six months, you will need to renew your passport before you travel to Nepal. You can renew your passport at your local passport office. The process of renewing your passport can take several weeks, so it is important to start the process early.

How to enter Nepal ?

By air:

Nepal has Three international airports: Kathmandu, Bhairawa, and Pokhara. Currently, Pokhara airport does not handle international flights. However, there are a few flights to Bhairawa from few countries. The main international airport in Nepal is Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), located in Kathmandu. You can search TIA airport to book your International flight.

By land: There are multiple land entry points along the borders of Nepal, India, and China. These entry points include Kakarvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalganj, Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar, and Kerung(china boarder)

Is there a pick-up service available for me upon my airport arrival?

If you've booked a multiday tour or trekking package with Himalayan Social Journey, we'll pick you up from the airport. Upon arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our representative will be there to greet you with a sign displaying your name and our company's name. We'll then take you to your pre-booked hotel.

To make the pick-up process smooth, kindly share your flight details, including flight number and arrival time. If there are any changes to your arrival plans, please inform us as soon as possible so we can arrange your pick-up accordingly. Travel with us for a hassle-free experience!

What is Airport condition in Nepal ?

Please keep this thing in your mind that there are some airport touts and scam artists who take advantage of tourists. They might offer to carry your luggage and they want a large amount of money. Sometimes they intimidate our drivers and even take away their signs. Anyway...if you want someone to help you with your luggage you can give them NOT MORE THAN 1 - 2 DOLLARS. This is a small hassle that tourists sometimes face upon arrival at the airport. Do not stress about this but just be aware not to give more than a few dollars for their luggage handling if you choose to take someone's services. Nepalese in general are very kind and hospitable people.

What currencies are accepted in Nepal?

The official currency of Nepal is the Nepalese rupee (NPR). Major foreign currencies such as USD, AUD, and EURO are accepted for VISA.

There are plenty of ATMs in these major cities, so you can easily withdraw cash from your foreign currency bank account. Credit cards are also accepted in some shops and restaurants, but they are not as widely accepted as cash.

On the trek, you will only need to use Nepali rupees. You can exchange your foreign currency for Nepali rupees at your hotel, money exchanges, or the airport. Himalayan Social Journey representatives will also be happy to help you exchange money.

Is there an Orientation Program?

If you have booked a trekking or multi-day tour with Himalayan Social Journey, the orientation meeting usually happens at your Kathmandu hotel around 4 or 5 pm. Our team will provide you with the specific details upon your arrival.

What if I arrive early or need to stay some extra night after trip?

If you're arriving early or leaving late, please ensure to arrange extra hotel accommodations by contacting reser[email protected]. Let us know if you'll be extending your stay in Nepal, and we'll book your additional nights. Also, kindly share your flight details with us to facilitate a smooth pick-up and drop process.

How many people will stay in each room?

When you book a trip with us, the standard accommodation arrangement is on a twin-sharing basis. This means two people will be staying in each room throughout the trip. However, if you prefer to have a room to yourself or if you're traveling alone, you can choose the "single supplement" option. By selecting this option, you'll have a private room during the trip, but please note that there will be an additional cost for the single room arrangement according to tour / trek.

How large is each group ?

For each tour date, there will be several separate groups, each with a maximum of 14 people and their own experienced English-speaking guide. During the trek, there will be a suitable number of porters available to carry your luggage. Additionally, if you prefer to do a private tour or trek with your own group, that is also possible.

When is best time to visit Nepal?

Nepal has five main seasons: summer, monsoon, spring, autumn, and winter. Each season offers unique experiences and weather conditions.

Winter (Late Dec - Feb): Cold temperatures, great for festival tours and special highlights.

Spring (Mar - May): Magical rhododendron blooms, ideal for trekking and peak climbing.

Monsoon (Jun - Aug): Low season with rain, but perfect for nature lovers and discounts on hotels.

Autumn (Sep - Nov): Peak season, clear weather, and popular trekking regions fill up fast.

You can check the live weather condition via this website https://www.accuweather.com

Will there be a place to store items/clothing not required for the trip?

The hotel in Kathmandu where you'll stay during the trip offers complimentary storage services. You can leave your luggage and extra clothing that you won't need for the trekking / tour. Rest assured, you can collect them once the trek and tour are over.

What type of plug is used in Nepal?

Don't forget to bring both TWO and THREE-pin travel adapters! If you don't have them, you can purchase them at supermarkets or electronic shops in Kathmandu. Our guide will be there to assist you if needed. You can get information about plug and voltage in below link.

https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/nepal/

Is there communication while we are on the trip?

Most places in Nepal are covered by mobile network providers, especially Ncell and Nepal Telecom. You can use data services for communication. You can buy a SIM card at the airport counter. There are also free and paid Wi-Fi services in most tea houses in Nepal during trek.

Here are some tips for staying connected while you are in Nepal:

Buy a SIM card as soon as you arrive in Nepal. This will give you access to data services and allow you to make calls and send text messages.
Check the coverage map of your mobile network provider before you travel. This will help you to know where you can expect to have good reception.
If you are planning on visiting remote areas and need to be in connected on Internet , you may want to consider renting a satellite phone. This will give you access to communication even in areas with no mobile network coverage.
There are many free and paid Wi-Fi hotspots in Nepal. You can find these at hotels, tea houses, restaurants, cafes, and even some temples.

What are the extra activities that I can book if I have extra time?

If you would like to book extra activities such as Paragliding, Bungy jump, Mountain flight, Heli Tour , Bhaktapur Sightseeing many more programs. You can find updated price and program detail in this link: https://hsj.com.np/tourtype/daytours. You can book by contacting us at [email protected] For longer excursions such as Bhutan, Tibet, India, and any other treks also, we can help but please contact us immediately at [email protected]

How do I redeem voucher?

If you have purchased a voucher from any deal company, please come in contact with us with the voucher code (redemption code) so that the voucher can be redeemed on time. Since we need time to purchase your domestic air ticket and make other arrangements, kindly confirm your spot with your suitable date at-least 2 months prior to the commencement of the tour. Your booking on a particular tour date is subject to availability of spots. You can redeem you voucher through this link too : https://hsj.com.np/voucher-redemption

What amount should I set aside for tips?

A typical suggestion for tipping is to allocate around USD 50-60 for the guide and porter if you're happy with their service. However, the amount you decide to tip is entirely up to you, and you can give whatever you feel is appropriate based on the excellent service they provided during your tour / trek

What should I bring?

Packing List for Tour:

Pack appropriate clothing for the weather conditions during your visit. Include comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Don't forget essential travel documents, a camera, and any necessary medications.

Packing List for Trekking

Hiking

Trekking Poles - 1
Daypack - 1
Backpack - 1
Packcover
Water Reservoir - 1

Sleeping

Sleeping bag - HSJ will provide
sleeping bag liner

Clothes

Miscellaneous

Sunglasses - 1
Books or E-reader (optional)

Hygene/Saftey

Electronices

Camera
Phone
Extranel Hardrive (optional )
Head touch
Power bank for charging Phone

Packing List for Climbing:

Clothing

First Aid

Diamox tablets
Sanitary pads and tampons
Anti-nausea Medicines
Band-aids
Mosquito and insect repellents

Toiletries

Soap
Toilet Paper
Shampoo
Sunscreen
Hand sanitizer

Accessories

Important Documents

Passport
Travel Permits

Peak climbing gears (HSJ will provide)

Climbing Helmet: Choose a good-quality climbing helmet. Make sure your warm cap fits under your helmet.
Climbing Boots: High-altitude, insulated, stiff-soled climbing boots.
Crampons: C2 crampons that fit the climbing boots.
Climbing Harness: Good-quality climbing harness.
Ascending device or Jumar
Descending or belay device
Tape sling: UIAA tested a 220cm open tape sling or a 2 x 120 cm closed tape sling.
Carabiners: 2 x lockable carabiners. 2 x non-locking carabiners
Prusik loop: Best quality Prusik loop
Ice ax: An ice ax with a wrist strap for climbing

What is cancellation policy of our tour/trek?

If you cancel the trip for any reason, the 20% deposit amount will not be refunded. If you have paid the full trip amount and need to cancel, you will receive your money back, but a cancellation charge of 20% will still apply.

For voucher holders who purchased vouchers from deal companies, we must adhere to their cancellation policy. However, under both circumstances, we are flexible and can reschedule your trip for a later date. To cancel any trip, please make sure to provide written notification of your cancellation.

What is refund policy for not completing trip?

Sometimes travellers are unable to finish the scheduled trek/tour due to the various reasons or they ended up not completing the trek/tour for health or personal reasons. In this case please realize that we cannot offer you any refunds for unused days on the tour. You have to understand that our costs are the same as we have an obligation to pay our guides , porters, drivers for the time they have committed.

What are the Risk and Liabilites?

Our commitment is to offer you an unforgettable journey with the best services. We take our responsibilities seriously and conduct all programs in Nepal according to the rules and regulations of Nepal Goverement. If needed, we can provide alternative itineraries for a delightful holiday experience. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. We're here to help!