Day 01: Arrive in Chengdu
Today we arrive in Chengdu, the capital of province Sichuan, the hometown of Panda, transfer to hotel. Overnight at Chengdu.

Day 02: Fly to Lhasa (B/L)
In the morning transfer to airport, fly to Lhasa, the Capital of Tibet. Upon arrival at the Gongga airport, take another 1.5-hour-drive to the city proper (3650 m). On the way you will enjoy the spectacular scenery, and the typical Tibetan villages as well as the Yak-skin-boat cruising on Yalung Tsangpo River. After lunch stay at the hotel for adapting to the high attitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water just and now. Overnight at Lhasa.

Day 03: Lhasa (BLD)
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. 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. Overnight at Lhasa.

Day 04: Lhasa (BLD)
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 Lhasa.

Day 05: Lhasa – Gyantse - Shigatse (BLD)
In the morning drive to Gyantse along the Kyichu River. On the Kamba La (4.796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake of Yamdrok Yumtso (4441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On one of the peninsulas of the spear-shaped lake lies the holy Mt. Donang Sangwari (5,340m), and the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7,191m) and Jangzang Lhomo rise in the distance. The lake and the Yarlungtsangpo River (3570) are separated by a mountain and the shortest distance between them is only 6 kilometers. Pass by the 5.010 m high Karo La and the Simi La to Gyantse (approx. 3.900 m). In the afternoon visit Pelkor Chode Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. In the afternoon 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 Shigatse.

Day 06-08: 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 simple guesthouse or in tent.

Day 09: Paryang – Manasarovar Lake (BLD)
Today come to the Manasarovar lake. 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. 

Day 10: Manasarovar Lake - Darchen (BLD)
In the morning walking and visiting by the lake. The small monastery Chiu Gompa standing on rock, offers a splendid view over the lake. In the afternoon take the jeep to Darchen (4.800 m), which is 6 km to the north of the main street. In Darchen there are only a few stones houses. Here we prepare for the Kailash orbiting. Overnight accommodation in a simple guesthouse or in tent.

Day 11-13: Trekking around Kailash (BLD)
Trekking begins with the company of carriers and yaks. On the first two days we fulfill about 20 kilometers per day and on the third day only 8 kilometers. Pass by numerous stupas and mani stones we walk into the broad valley at the west of the mountain. Together with Tibetans and Indian pilgrimages we pass by the famous prayer flags at the “foot casting Buddhas” and at the former medication caves. After about 7 hours of trekking we reach the first mani stone piles at the altitude of 5,100 m. The second day is the most important stage, as we will reach the holiest place, the 5,600-meter Doelma La Pass. On the pass there are many prayer flags. The Kailash is the holy place for four religions: the Hinduism, Buddhism, Jains and Bon. It should be the holies place in the world. The Hindus believe that on the mountain the divinity Shiva live with his wife Parvati; the Tibetan Buddhist believers believe that the divinity Demchog live here. To walk around the Kailash is not only to release the sins, but also good for the reincarnation. From the big mani stone piles we need trekking 3-4 hours to the Doelma La pass. After the pass we come over the Thuji Zimbo Lake, which is called as Gauri-Kund by the Hindus and regarded as a holy place for them. Trek down along the slightly steep but good path. Altogether we need about 10 hours on the way. On the third day we pass by many mani stones, which are usually marked with pictures or characters. In the early afternoon we reach Darchen and drive to Tirthapuri by jeep. It is 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. Overnight in tent.

Day 14: Tirthapuri - Tsada (BLD)
Northwest from Trithapuri, in the middle of the canyon erosion landscape of the Sutlej River, lies 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 Tsada.

Day 15: 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 Tsada.

Day 16: 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 Shiquanhe.

Day 17-20: Shiquanhe – Gakyi – Gertse – Tsochen – 22 Daoban (BLD)
Please note: the program and the camping place are not strictly fixed and may change depending upon the local conditions (e.g. road conditions). We drive eastward along the Indus River to Gertse. In the summer many nomads come here in order to sell wool and buy themselves some necessary consumables in the market. Then we drive southward to Tsochen, on the way we have chance to see game donkeys, horses, Antilope, sheep and goats. We head for Thagyatso over 5.550 m pass. While driving we have opportunity to see animals again and again. Also we pass by some hot springs on the way. If everything goes as planned, we can reach the south route to the Kailash in 4 days. 4 nights in tent or in simple guesthouse.

Day 21 22: Daoban - Lhatse (BLD)
Get across the wide Tibetan plateau and drive to Lhatse, a small city to the west of Shigatse. Overnight at Lhatse.

Day 22: Lhatse – Shigatse – Lhasa (BLD)
Drive back to Lhasa. Overnight at Lhasa.

Day 23: Air Lhasa – Chengdu (B)
Transferred to the airport in the morning and fly back to Chengdu. End of tour.