The Guge Kingdom was founded in the 10th century by a successor of the King Lang Darma, who fled from Lhasa after the collapse of the Tubo Kingdom. The Guge Kingdom survived about 700 years and disappeared mysteriously in the 17th century. The Guge Kingdom, as symbol of a primordial Kingdom, became a crucial point for the conservation of Buddhism in Tibet until the 17th century. After the elimination of anti Buddhist King Langdarma in 9th century, the Buddhism in Tibet was completely snuffed out for nearly 100 years. This place can be visited, combining with Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, via the northern route (Ali) or the southern route via Saga - Paryang and Manasarovar.

The main highlight of this tour is tour to make the "eventual pilgrimage" to holy Kailash and Manasarovar. The tour usually starts from Kathmandu in Nepal & the tour includes travelling overland to the sacred Manasarovar Lake and Mount Kailash. The Mt. Kailash - Guge Kingdom tour offers the abundant chance to camp by the wraithlike waters of the holy lake Manasarovar and to take part in a 3-days ‘Kora’ around Mt. Kailash. The Mt. Kailash - Guge Kingdom tour includes precise overland driving, trekking and camping through remote regions of western Tibet, at altitudes of 2,745m/9,000ft and 4,880m/16,000ft, hiking to a maximum of 5600m/18,400ft. The main magnetisms of Mt Kailash - Guge Kingdom are the Hidden Guge Kingdom, Guge Valley, Tsaparang Castle, Tholing Monastery, Palaces and Monasteries under Guge Kingdom, Zhada country, holy Mt. Kailash, Trekking around Mt. Kailash, Manasarovar Lake, high passes, Land and golden hills on the way to Guge, walking and camping in Tibet etc.

Itinerary in Details

Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu
You are welcomed by hospitable meeting and then you will be transferred to hotel. Our airport representative will explain briefly the program upon arrival. Overnight at hotel

Day 02: Trek Preparation and Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour
Sightseeing of world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley including, Kathmandu Darbar square, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa & Pasupatinath Temple. Overnight at hotel, inclusive of breakfast

Day 03:  Drive Kathmandu to Nyalam 3750 m (150 km)
After early breakfast we drive through Bhaktapur,  Dhulikhel  and reach Friendship Bridge (i.e. Nepal-China border). From here we walk for about 10 minutes to cross Friendship Bridge and meet our Tibetan guide and land cruiser drivers. After all the  immigration and custom formalities at the Chinese check post here, our journey continues for another 35 km which can take almost 3 hours through the up-winding road to Nyalam  with beautiful scenery. Then, you will be transferred to the guest house in Nyalam (3700m). The facilities of the guesthouse are very simple and basic. Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 04: Nyalam –free for acclimatization
Today is free for acclimatization. We will be going for short trek which is in preparation for Kailash Parikrama and it helps us to acclimatize fast. Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 05: Nyalam – Saga (4450 m) 240 km (passing through Lalung-La 5050 m)
Early breakfast and drive to Saga. First long drive over the sandy and rocky land of Tibet, other things like lake, nomads chasing thousands of yaks and sheep keeping you busy. Today you will be passing through the first highest pass Lalung-La 5050m. Stop and stay for about 10 minutes at Lalung-La and experience how you feel at an altitude of 5050 m. You can see the superb view of Gaurishankar, Shishapangma to Langtang Himal. Continue drive through Khunmen Tso, Sinling, Karru Ongchen and Peigutso Lake   (4400m). We will be crossing River Brahmaputra (Tibetan name “Yarling Tsangpo”) to reach Saga. Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 06: Saga – Paryang (4600 m.) 185 km
After breakfast drive to Paryang. Passing through many villages and camps of yak herders. Far south you can see snow- capped mountain peaks. Most of the time you will be driving on plains, hence a comfortable drive. Arrive in Paryang and enjoy hot tea. Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 07: Paryang – Mansarovar 4558 m (277 km)
Early breakfast and get ready for longest driving day. Late afternoon you can have first view of Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. Hore – a small village is situated near Holy Mansarovar Lake. Holy Mansarovar (14950 ft/4558m) – the highest lake of fresh water with turquoise complexion in the world is full of fishes and swans. Holy Mt. Kailash, Mt. Gurula-Mandala, Lake Rakshash are lying on its surrounding. The region is considered rich for gold and other mines, hot springs and hundreds of wild living creatures. Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 08: Mansarovar – Tarchen (40 km)
Holy Mansarovar is the lake of compassion, tranquility and bliss. After completing the memorable morning bath and puja we will be heading for Holy Mansarovar Parikrama by land cruiser with packed lunch and continue drive towards Tarchen (Darchen). If time   permits, we visit Chui Gompa. Tarchen is considered as a base camp for Holy Kailash Parikrama. During the auspicious pilgrimage time, this place will be flooded with pilgrims with hundreds of tents all around. Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 09: Tarchen-Tarboche (13km drive)-Derapuk (4860m) (7km trek) 5 – 6 hrs
After breakfast drive to Tarboche – starting point of Kailash Parikrama. Tarboche is also   known as outer “Asthapath”. It is one of the exciting days walking along the beautiful   rocky cliffs; waterfalls with some clouds in the clear blue sky make you feeling that    Great God Shiva is everywhere with tons of blessing to you. Time to time the face of Kailash Parbat will be kept on appearing. Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 10: Derapuk – Zuthulphuk (4760 m) (18 km trek / 9-10 km)
Today you will be climbing to Dolma-la (Dolma-La 18600 ft) and then descending  gradually to  Zuthulphuk (4760m). Yamasthal should be crossed to reach the Shiva-sthal while your steps go closer to the pass. Today is the most difficult day of the trek. Once you reach the top, just do the holiest offering and sit down for meditation to forget in eternity. Once your steps go down, Parvati-stal and Gauri Kunda are on the way. By late afternoon you will arrive in Zuthulphuk (the cave of Miracles, the great ascetic Milerappa is supposed to have preformed miracles here). Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 11: Trek to near Darchen, and drive to Tirthapuri (hot spring). Overnight guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 12: Drive to Tholing. Overnight guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 13: Morning drive to Tsaparang (Guge Kingdom) and drive back to Tholing by the evening. Overnight guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 14: Drive back to Darchen (250km, 7-8 hours). Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 15: Drive to Paryang. Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 16: Drive to Saga. Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 17: Drive to Nyalam. Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

Day 18: Drive to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel, inclusive of full board meals

Day 19: Final departure to your onward destination."Farewell!"

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DURING THE TRIP:

1. Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop by private car / van / bus
2. Three night’s accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
3. Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private vehecle inclusive of all entrance fees
4. All accommodation during Tibet tour on twin sharing basis at lodges, guesthouses and tented camp
5. All your standard meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the tour in Tibet
6. Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, medicine for all staff
7. Japanese Land cruisers (4WD, 4500 model) and support truck during the tibet Tour
8. Tibet Tourism Board (TTB) approved guide.
9. Nepal-Tibet border (Friendship Bridge) transfers and pick up by bus/jeep
10. Tibet entry travel permit and Chinese visa
11. Monasteries entry fees and Kailash permit for group
12. Enough Oxygen cylinder entire of tour
13. Yaks and Yak-men to carry baggage while Kailash parikarma
14. All government taxes and official expense

OUR SERVICES EXCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DURING THE TRIP:

1. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
2. Travel insurance
3. International airfare
4. Nepal entry visa: you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (a multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
5. All cold drinks such as: alcoholic beverages, mineral water, Coke, Fanta, juice, etc.
6. Hot and cold showers during the trek
7. Personal shopping and laundry
8. Personal trekking equipments
9. Tips for trekking staff and driver (Tipping is appreciated but it is not mandatory)