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: Flight Chengdu – 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 (B/L/D)
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 (B/L/D)
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 (B/L/D)
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. 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 (B/L/D)
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 – Darchen (B/L/D)
Drive to Darchen (4800 m), which is 6 km to the north of the main street. In Darchen there are only a few stones houses. From Darchen we have panorama view of the holy mountain Kailash. Overnight accommodation in a simple guesthouse or in tent.

Day 10: Darchen – Manasarovar (B/L/D)
Drive across the Barkha plain to Manasarovar - the holiest lake in Tibet. According to ancient Hindu and Buddhist cosmology the four great rivers of the Indian Subcontinent, the Indus, Ganges, Sutlej and Brahmaputra, arise from Manasarovar. In reality, only the Sutlej River originates at the lake, though the headwaters of the other great rivers are in close proximity. Manasarovar has been circumambulated by Indian pilgrims at least since being extolled in the sacred Sanskrit literature called the Puronos written around 1700 years ago. The best place to start the Manasarovar circuit is at the north-west comer near Chiu Monastery. The small monastery Chiu Gompa standing on rock, offers a splendid view over the lake. Camping.

Day 11: Chiu Monastery - Hor Qu 7.5 hours (B/L/D)
As per Buddhist tradition, head in a clock-wise direction from Chiu, traveling east along the north shore. Pass by mani stones, caves, grassland into a small vale where we can see the ruins of Cherkip Monastery in two hours. From Cherkip to Langbona Monastery, a 90 minute walk. East of Langbona the route traverses a marshy plain to the settlement of Hor Qu four hours away. Camping.

Day 12: Hor Qu - Seralung Monastery 3 hours (B/L/D)
The trail from Hor Qu leaves the settlement in a south-westerly direction, avoiding the     extensive swamps abutting the lake. A little south of Hor Qu you cross the bridge over the Samui Chu - the main road east initially follows this valley. South of the swampy tracts, the trail rejoins the lake shore along a stone beach. Look out for white-and-black polished stones, sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. The route is squeezed between the water and a cliff before a side valley and the Seralung Monastery appear. The valley here is a good place to camp.

Day 13: Seralung Monastery - Trugo Monastery 7 hours (B/L/D)
At first the route south of Seralung stays near the lake shore but in about one hour the mountains retreat and a plain forms next to Manasarovar. The trail moves inland about 1km and crosses the bridge over the Tag Tsangpo about three hours from Seralung. Up this valley are extensive hot springs and geysers as well as ancient Boen and Buddhist sites. About three hours from the Tag Tsangpo bridge we’ll round the south side of Manasarovar and reach the ruined Yerngo Monastery situated in a broad plain. This is spacious country ideal for those looking for secluded campsites. South of the plain the massive flanks of the Gurla Mandata (7728m) massif rise up to a heavily glaciated summit. In Buddhist tradition Gurla Mandata (called Menmo Nanyi in Tibetan) is the dwelling place of the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. However, in the older Boen tradition the mountain is the home of the Queen of the Dralha, an important class of ancient warrior deities. We will reach Trugo Monastery after another hour. Trugo is the only monastery at either Kailash or Manasarovar belonging to the Gelugpa order. Trugo (Bathing Head) is so named because of its importance as a place for ritual bathing. Kailash seems to embrace the lake from this angle, lending credence to ancient myths which speak of the two representing a god and goddess in union. Camping.

Day 14-15: Trugo Monastery - Chiu Monastery 9 hours (B/L/D)
Two hours from Trugo we'll round the west side of the lake two hours from Trugo; continue walking along the beach for two more hours to Gossul Monastery. Gossul Monastery sits on top of a cliff and is best known as the place where the great Kargyud saint Gotsangpa meditated. Retreat caves are found on the circuit around the monastery. The kora follows the lake shore to the Tsering Madang valley three hours away. From here it is two more hours back to Chiu along the beach. Camping.

Day 16-19: Manasarovar Lake - Paryang – Saga – Shigatse – Lhasa (B/L/D)
Drive back mostly on the same way to Lhasa. 2 nights in guesthouses or in tent, 1 night Hotel in Shigatse, 1 night at Lhasa.

Day 20: Air Lhasa – Chengdu (B)
In the morning free. Transferred to the airport in the morning and fly back to Chengdu. End of tour.