11 Days Tibet Ngari Kailash Guge EBC Namtso Tour without Trekking and Lhasa City

On leaving from Lhasa, we will firstly drive southwest towards the beauty of Lake Yamdrok taking the winding road up to the crest of the Gampa La pass at 4794 meters. From the pass you get the first glimpse of the beauty of Lake Yamdrok below ringed by snowy mountain peaks and stretching out across the whole landscape before you. In the distance, the holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar stands tall in the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain Range. We will drop down to the lake shore for a closer look before continuing on to Nagartse for a delicious local lunch.

After lunch, on the way to Gyantse, we cross over the pass at Karo La (5159m) where we can view the beautiful glacier that falls from the slopes of Mount Nyenchen Khangsar. In Gyantse we will stop at the Pelkor Chode Monastery to explore both the monastery and the outstanding 32-meter stupa that is the highlight of the day. Known as the Kumbum Stupa, this one-of-a-kind stupa has nine floors and 108 chapels which contain thousands of images and statues throughout. Then we will continue to reach Shigatse before nightfall.

Overnight at Shigatse.

After breakfast in the hotel, you will drive from Shigatse to Saga along National Highway G318 and firstly to Lhatse county. The scenery will be more and more beautiful.  

After Lhatse, continue to drive westwards along the G219 National Highway (Xinjiang to Tibet way), and soon you will see a blue lake named Langcuo Lake. The lake is 4300 meters above sea level. The lake surface often has a variety of colors,. Sometimes it is like a peacock on the screen, attracting travelers’ attention and stop.

Overnight at Saga.

On the way to Darchen, you will have a chance to appreciate the stunning view of the Saga valley between Gangdise Range and Himayala Range. Meanwhile, the beautiful grassland and local's villages can also be seen. As we cross the Mayomla Pass(5112M), you can enjoy the spectacular vista of Mt. Naimonanyi (7694M). Then we are supposed to pass by the holy Lake Manasarover and finally arrive at the southern foot of Mt. Kailash, the most holy mountain in Tibet.

Overnight at Darchen.

On the way from Darchen to Zhada, you will pass the Mount Kailash, which is said to be the center of the world. Mount Kailash is the second main peak of the Gangdise Range which is called “Gon Rinpoche” in Tibetan language, meaning that it is the treasure of the snow-capped mountains.

Today's tour will focus on the attractions around the Guge Kingdom, such as Tirthapuri monastery, Tsaparang, and Dungkar cave city, etc. Tsamda county is the current name for the region and was known as Guge kingdom. The capital of the county is located at Toling. The toling monastery, founded by Richen zangpo in the 10th century, was once Ngari's most important monastic complex. It was due to the influence of Richen Zangpo that Toling became the main religious center of the Guge kingdom after inviting the great Indian master ATISHA. The kings of Guge replaced the city as a political center of power by establishing capital slightly closer to the Indo-Tibetan trade routes. But the monastery is still an important cultural heritage of Ngari.

Overnight at Zada.

In the morning, a long drive takes you back to the enchanting Manasarovar via Mount Kailash and Lake Lhanag-tso and then to Saga.

Overnight at Saga.

In the morning, you will start from Saga and drive to EBC.  If you are lucky enough, you are very likely to see wild animals like wild donkey, wild antelope etc. On the way you will view  the worlds’14th highest peak Mt.Shishapangma (8012m), and Turquoise Lake Peiku tso(4590m). In late afternoon, you will arrive at the Everest Base Camp and enjoy the sunset if weather permits.

Overnight at EBC.

In the morning, we can enjoy the sunrise of Everest Peak at lodging area if weather permits, and visit the famous Rongbuk Monastery which is the official highest Buddhist monastery in the world. Housing both monks and nuns the monastery was a regular stopping point for explorers heading for Mount Everest in the early days after it was first discovered.

Then drive back to Shigatse on the Zhufeng Road over the Gawu La Pass (5250m) from which you get an amazing view of the Himalayan panorama. The view of the peaks includes several mountains above 8000 meters including Mount Everest (8848m) Mt. Lhotse (8516m) Mt. Makalu (8463m) Mt. Shishapangma (8020m) and Mt. Cho Oyu (8201m).

Overnight at Shigatse.

After breakfast we will spend the first part of the morning touring around the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery the seat of the Panchen Lama before driving to Namtso Lake via Damxung. Almost all ways are along Yarlung Zangbo Rive. The barley land and neat Tibetan houses on the roadside are good subjects for photography. Along the way, we will see flocks of yaks on the grasslands of northern Tibet. The scenery is very beautiful.

On the way, you can see snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Ranges and lots of nomads and their tent with grazing yak and sheep densely-populated on the flourishing grassland in summer. Besides, you can enjoy the view of Sky-Road Railway with snow mountain background; while standing at the famous Nagenla Pass(5190m), you can view the stunning overlooking of sacred Namtso Lake.

Overnight at Namtso village.

Today, you will enter into Namtso Lake site to visit. It is the highest saltwater in the world with an altitude of 4718 meters and the second largest saltwater lake in China (after Qinghai Lake). In Tibetan languag, Namtso means Heavenly Lake, so it is also considered as on of the Three Great Holy Lakes in Tibet, together with Yamdrok Lake and Lake Mansarovar.

At moon, you will drive back to Lhasa hotel.

Overnight in Lhasa.

Today is free for you until you are escorted to the airport or railway station for departure and the guide will help you get on board.