[Ali Tour] Lhasa-Mt. Kailash-Guge Kingdom-Lhasa 14-day Tour

Welcome to Lhasa, upon arrival in Lhasa, our guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in downtown Lhasa via one-hour expressway drive (70 km). After checking in, we recommend you take some time to rest and acclimatize to the altitude to ensure a smooth start to your journey.

Begin your day with a visit to Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama. As you ascend its 365 steps,take in the grandeur of its halls, the intricate murals, sacred Buddha statues, and the breathtaking panoramic views of Lhasa.

Afterward, our guide will accompany you to the Tibetan Cultural Experience Center. Here, you can discover the art of Tibetan incense making and even try crafting it yourself. You'll also have the chance to write your name in Tibetan and explore the traditional art of woodblock printing. The incense and prints you create can be kept as memorable souvenirs of your journey.

Finally, enjoy a stroll along Barkhor Street, a lively circuit around Jokhang Temple, where Tibetan pilgrims perform kora, spinning prayer wheels as they move, immersing yourself in the vibrant pulse of local spiritual life.

Depart Lhasa and head towards Shigatse, stopping at two of Tibet's most spectacular natural wonders. Visit the YamdrokYumco Lake, one of Tibet's three sacred lakes, renowned for its dazzling turquoise waters.

Continue to Karola Glacier, where the massive glacier tongue extends down towards the roadside like a frozen waterfall. Along the way, we will pass Lake Manla and the ancient town of Gyantse, before reaching Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet.

Departing from Shigatse, journey westward along the Nyangchu River Valley-known as Tibet's "granary" -where wide stretches of farmland and grasslands unfold beneath the open sky. En route, pause at Sangsang Grassland, a seasonal treasure of the plateau. In summer, the fields turn lush and emerald, sprinkled with purple pedicularis and golden Galsang flowers. Yaks and Tibetan sheep graze freely, while eagles trace sweeping arcs overhead-a vivid portrait of Tibet's wild vitality. As the landscape gradually shifts from verdant meadows to the sun-bleached terrain of western Tibet, snow-dusted Himalayan peaks rise faintly on the horizon, guiding you toward the far reaches of the plateau.

By evening, you will arrive in Saga or Zhongba and check in for a well-deserved night's rest, preparing for the sacred lands ahead.

Departing Saga Town, your journey continues westward along the G219-a road that feels as though it threads between heaven and earth. The landscape gradually unfolds: snow-capped peaks on the horizon, shimmering lakes scattered like jewels across the plateau, and quiet Tibetan villages that seem untouched by time. Soon after passing Zhongba, the land transforms. The Colorful Desert appears-sands brushed with tones of red, yellow, and white, glowing beneath the sun like a vast silk tapestry.

Further along, the deep sapphire waters of Lake Gongzhucuo reflect the Gangdise Mountains in still perfection, offering a moment of serenity and awe. As the road bends toward the far west, an unforgettable sight emerges-Lake Manasarovar and the towering, sacred Mount Kailash. The mountain stands symmetrical and solemn, revered by Buddhism, Hinduism, Bon, and Jainism, while Manasarovar is believed to be the source of four great Asian rivers. Along the lakeshore, pilgrims can often be seen quietly walking in kora, rosaries in hand, their murmured prayers blending with the wind.

Your day ends in Darchen, the gateway to Kailash, where you check into your hotel and rest — gathering strength for the sacred trek that awaits.

From Darchen, a shuttle will take you to Prayer Flag Square, about 6 km from the entrance of Mount Kailash. In the valley below, yaks, horses, and porters are available for hire (at an additional cost) should you need support for the journey ahead.

Your Mount Kailash kora begins with a 14 km trek, gradually drawing you deeper into the sacred energy of this revered landscape. As you make your way through the canyon, you'll be surrounded by vast blue skies and towering snow-covered peaks. The western and northern faces of Mount Kailash come into view- one rising like a sheer, vertical wall, the other unfolding into a dramatic series of rugged ridgelines.

If luck is on your side, you may catch a rare glimpse of the elusive summit, a moment that for many leaves a profound and unforgettable connection to this holy mountain.

Your day ends at Driapuk Monastery, where fluttering prayer flags and the quiet strength of the valley welcome you into the heart of this sacred pilgrimage.

After a good night's rest, you will begin the most challenging stage of the journey- a 20 km trek. The trail from Driapuk Monastery climbs steadily toward the 5,650-meter Dolma La Pass, the highest point of the entire kora. Below the pass lies the serene Mercy Lake, its clear, jade-like waters shimmering quietly among the mountains.

After crossing the pass, the path descends toward tonight's stop at Dzultripuk Monastery. Along the way, you may encounter devoted Tibetan pilgrims performing full-body prostrations as they move toward sacred sites- a deeply moving expression of faith set against the dramatic Himalayan landscape.

Today marks the final day of our Mount Kailash kora as you make your way back to Darchen. As you descend to lower altitudes, the stark snowy terrain gradually softens into vibrant greenery. The last 10.6 kilometers of the trek open up to expansive grasslands and small, jewel-like lakes. If you feel fatigued, an eco-bus is available for the last 4km of the kora to take you back to Darchen. After a short rest, your journey continues onward to Zanda.

Our day begins with a major highlight-visiting the ancient Ruins of the Guge Kingdom. Standing high on the Ngari plateau, these ruins hold over 700 years of history from the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. After the fall of the Tubo Empire, Guge became an important center for Buddhism, and its murals, caves, and palace remains still tell its story today.

Next, we head to the Zanda Earth Forest-a natural "stone forest" formed over millions of years by wind and water. As we drive through, the clay towers look like castles and temples, creating a landscape that feels almost unreal. A scenic 77-kilometer drive then brings us to the Xiayigou Earth Forest. Here, colorful layers of rock glow under the blue plateau sky. A short walk lets us see these amazing formations up close-great for photos and quiet moments.

As evening approaches, we continue to Shiquanhe Town, the main city of Ngari. Check in to your hotel and rest well for tomorrow's journey.

Today, we travel east toward Geji Town through the dramatic landscapes of northern Tibet. The road takes us past red willow wetlands and wide alpine meadows, opening into the silent vastness of the plateau.

Along the way, we stop at Nyer Tso Lake, where sunlit salt crystals sparkle along the shore. We continue to Yanhu Town-once an important hub of the ancient salt trade-where traditional Tibetan life can still be felt in its streets. Further ahead, the Pero Tso Viewpoint offers stunning colors as the lake shifts between turquoise and deep green, and it's common to see Tibetan wild asses or antelopes grazing nearby.

After passing the peaceful waters of Wuma Tso Lake, home to migrating waterfowl, we reach Gaize Town in the late afternoon and check in for a restful evening.

After breakfast, we continue our journey across the vast northern Tibetan plateau. Our first stop is Tong Tso Lake, where still waters and open sky create a peaceful, untouched landscape. The road then leads us toward one of northern Tibet's most unforgettable sights-Tangra Yumco. Revered as the most sacred lake of the Bon religion, this 70-kilometer-long lake slowly reveals itself as you drive, shifting through layers of deep blue that reflect the snow-capped Dargo Mountains. It is a place where silence feels sacred and time seems to pause.

Following the visit, we head onward to Wenbu Nancun Village, where you will spend the night surrounded by the quiet beauty of the plateau.

Departing from Wenbu Nancun Village, the journey begins with Tangqung Co Lake to the north. Known as the "sister lake" of Tangra Yumco, its waters reveal a rare two-color phenomenon under the sun, shifting between emerald green and deep sapphire.

Next, explore the geological marvel of northern Tibet-the Tree of the Earth. From above, the eroded landforms form the unmistakable shape of a giant tree, complete with roots, trunk, and branches, a striking symbol of the raw, desolate beauty of the Ngari highlands.

Continuing eastward, arrive at Siling Co Lake, Tibet's second-largest lake. Its vast, shimmering surface is often dotted with black-necked cranes, Tibetan antelopes, and gazelles along the shoreline. A brief stop follows at Bangkog Co Lake, where pale blue and green waters merge seamlessly with the surrounding grasslands.

By late afternoon, reach Baingoin Town for check-in and a restful evening.

Leaving Baingoin Town, you drive approximately 200 kilometers to enter the Namtso National Scenic Area. Here, Namtso Lake-one of Tibet's three sacred lakes and the highest saltwater lake in China- stretches out in stunning azure, reflecting the majestic Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains. Colorful prayer flags flutter in the breeze, and traditional Tibetan houses dot the shoreline, creating a scene of serene beauty and spiritual resonance. Next, explore the scenic heart of the area, Tashi Dor Peninsula. This limestone promontory boasts unique karst formations, including the iconic "Welcoming Rock" (or Couple Stone), shaped like outstretched arms greeting visitors.

Continuing your journey, cross Nagenla Pass for a final panoramic view of Namtso Lake, where the sparkling waters and soaring mountains leave a lasting impression.

By late afternoon, arrive back in Lhasa, bringing your extraordinary journey through Tibet to a memorable conclusion.

Your remarkable journey through Tibet is coming to an end. At the scheduled time, we will transfer you to the airport or train station for your departure.

Thank you for traveling with us. Wishing you a smooth journey ahead, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Tibet in the future!