Holy Mountain Everest And Mysterious Ngari Explorer Trip

Day 1

Place & Transport: Arrive in Lhasa, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Airport Transfer (Lhasa)

Day 2

Place & Transport: Lhasa
Today's Activities: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Kechu Hotel

- Barkhor Street (2 hours): Built about 1,300 years ago, The Barkhor (pilgrims' circuit) is found in the heart of Lhasa encircling the Jokhang Temple. In the past, it was a designated circumambulation circuit, "a saint's road" in the eyes of Tibetans. Many people call the Barkhor "the window of Tibet" as it exhibits typical Tibetan life. Watch the pilgrims, wearing their local dress from many different parts of Tibet, as they circle clockwise around Jokhang Temple with prayer wheels, or prostrate them near the front gate. Join the locals and visitors to shop for local goods at the colourful stalls, or relax in a coffee shop or tea house to enjoy the passing parade.
- Jokhang Temple (2 hours): Smaller and more manageable than the Potala, this 4-storey, golden-roofed temple is at the heart of a rich and living Tibetan Buddhism. Many locals pray here regularly; the Temple is surrounded by Barkhor Street and thronged with pilgrims and visitors. Yak butter lamps burn in front of rich statuary that includes the Sakyamuni Buddha brought to Tibet by Princess Wen Cheng in the 7th Century.
- Potala Palace (1 hour): Former winter home of the Dalai Lama, a vast, awe-inspiring maze of corridors and stairs leading through countless rooms of richly decorated statues, tombs, murals and antiques. You will climb past the White Palace into the Red Palace, where the file of pilgrims offering silk scarves, coins or yak butter to burn in the shrines combine to make this an unforgettable experience. Note: you need to be fit for climbing up the long stairways.
- Kechu Hotel : Located near Jokhang Temple,The Kechu hotel and restaurant has a beautiful garden and provides Tibetan and Nepal food.

Day 3

Place & Transport: Lhasa
Today's Activities: Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka, Sera Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Steak House Restaurant

- Drepung Monastery (3.5 hours): Drepung Monastery lies in west of Lhasa under Mt. Gambo Utse, clustered round by the black mountain, its white grand buildings shining under the sunlight. Built in 1416, it is considered as one of the largest monasteries in the six principle monasteries of Gelu Sect in China. Drepung Monastery used to be the living palace of Dalai Lamas before the reconstruction of Potala palace (after the 5th Dalai Lamas was bestowed by Qing emperor Qianlong). The grand Shonton Festival is held in the early part of August every year. That is the busiest day there with crowds of people. It is an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of this festival.
- Norbulingka (2.5 hours): Norbulingka means "Jeweled Garden". Constructed as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama, it later served the whole government administration. It was built by the 7th Dalai Lama and served both administrative and religious purposes.
- Sera Monastery (3 hours): Located in the northern suburbs of Lhasa, The Sera Monastery is a complex of 4 structures; the Great Assembly Hall and three colleges. It was founded in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey of Sakya Yeshe of Zel Gungtang (1355–1435), a disciple of Tsongkhapa. 'Sera' means wild roses and was called this because the monastery was surrounded by wild roses. One of the three main monasteries of Lhasa, it is here that the monks "famous daily debates" take place.
Tips: Every day (except Mondays) at 15:00, there is a debate about Buddhist doctrines among the monks at Sera Monastery. The debating is held in the grounds and is a necessary way of learning sutras and scriptures. Visitors can watch the debate, but it is advised to keep quiet.
- Steak House Restaurant: Steak House is near the Potala Palace and serves mainly Western and Tibetan cuisine. Surrounded by the alluring landscape, it is a great dining experience while traveling in Tibet.

Day 4

Place & Transport: Lhasa to Gyantze to Shigatse
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Lhasa to Gyantze, Yomdrok Lake, The Palgor Chorten, Our guide and driver will escort you from Gyantze to Shigatse
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

- Yomdrok Lake (2 hours): Dotted with a dozen islands and abundant in natural resources, Lake Yamdrok has the highest power station in the world, and is also the largest habitat for water birds in Tibet, attracting countless swans and gulls every summer.
- The Palgor Chorten (1.5 hours): Pelkhor Choede (Kumbum), also named Palcho Monastery, is very different from other monasteries. Built as a Tibetan monastery, its structural style is very unique, reputed as the lord of Tibetan stupas. In addition, it is famous for the architecture, sculpture, and mural painting art. It lies about 270 kilometers (168 miles) south of Lhasa and 100 (62 miles) east of Shigatse at the foot of Dzong Hill.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 5

Place & Transport: Shigatse to Lhatse to Sakya
Today's Activities: Sakya Monastery, Our guide and driver will escort you from Shigatse to Lhatse, Our guide and driver will escort you from Lhatse to Sakya
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

- Sakya Monastery: Sakya Monastery is the first Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism created by its initiator Khon Konchog Gyalpo in 1073. The monastery has a colossal collection of highly valuable art pieces, including abundance handwriting sutra copied by all the Tibetan calligraphists. Sakya's collection of treasures also contains 3,000 pieces of sutras that have thousands of years of history.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 6

Place & Transport: Sakya to Saga
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Sakya to Saga
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 7

Place & Transport: Saga to Payang
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Saga to Payang, Mapam Yumco Lake(Lake Manasarovar)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

- Mapam Yumco Lake(Lake Manasarovar): Mapam Yumco Lake lies 20 km southeast of Mt Kailash and is north to Namnani Peak. It is the highest freshwater lake in the world. With an altitude of 4,588 meters, the lake covers an area of 412 sq. km and has a maximum depth of 70 meters.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 8

Place & Transport: Payang to Darchen
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Payang to Darchen, Mt.Kailash, Lhanag-tso---the Ghost Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

- Mt.Kailash: It is considered the sacred mountain and the center of the world by four religions. With a height of 6638 meters above sea level, it is snow capped all year round, looking magnificent and unconquerable under sunshine.
- Lhanag-tso---the Ghost Lake: It is located 10 km west to Mapam Yumco Lake, with an altitude of 4,573 meters and an area of 70 sq. km.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 9

Place & Transport: Darchen to Tsada
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Darchen to Tsada, Ruins of Guge Kingdom Palace
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

- Ruins of Guge Kingdom Palace : The Guge Kingdom was founded in about the 10th century by a descendant of King Glang Darma and played an important role in the second renascence in Tibet. A lot of sculpture works and mural paintings were unearthed and many of them are preserved in good condition, although they are hundreds of years old.The ruins of Guge Kingdom are located on a mountain in Zhabran Village, which is 18 km west of the county town of Zhada.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 10

Place & Transport: Tsada
Today's Activities: Tholing Monastery, Zanda County
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

- Tholing Monastery: It is located in northwest to the county town of Zhada County. It is 300 meters from the rest house opened by the Department of the Armed Forces (Wuzhuangbu in Chinese).
- Zanda County: Go straight toward south from Shiquenhe along the Rutog-Ngari highway, and after 255 kilometers you will arrive in Elephant Spring River Valley, where is the Zanda County.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 11

Place & Transport: Tsada to Darchen
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Tsada to Darchen
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 12

Place & Transport: Darchen to Saga
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Darchen to Saga
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 13

Place & Transport: Saga to Lhatse
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Saga to Lhatse
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 14

Place & Transport: Lhatse to Dingri
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Lhatse to Dingri
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 15

Place & Transport: Dingri to Zhangmu
Today's Activities: Entrance Fee for Mount Everest, Everest Base Camp, Rongbuk Monastery(with Mt.Everest), Our guide and driver will escort you from Dingri to Zhangmu
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

- Entrance Fee for Mount Everest: Mt. Everest, called Mount Qumulangma in Tibetan Language, is the highest peak of the Earth and probably the most coveted mountain in adventurous travelers’ eyes. Journey to Mt. Everest Base Camp is a both physical as well as psychological challenge to you --5200mt (17000ft), but it will definitely reward you with the most unparalleled views – a panorama of Himalayan peaks - and never-forgotten beautiful memories.
- Everest Base Camp: Mt. Everest, called Mount Qumulangma in Tibetan Language, is the highest peak of the Earth and probably the most coveted mountain in adventurous travelers’ eyes. Journey to Mt. Everest Base Camp is a both physical as well as psychological challenge to you --5200mt (17000ft), but it will definitely reward you with the most unparalleled views – a panorama of Himalayan peaks - and never-forgotten beautiful memories
- Rongbuk Monastery(with Mt.Everest) (1.5 hours): Rongbuk Monastery is the highest temple at an altitude of 5,100 meters (16728 feet). Mt. Everest, called Mount Qumulangma in the Tibetan Language, is the highest peak on the Earth and probably the most coveted mountain in adventurous travelers' eyes. A journey to the Mt. Everest Base Camp is a both physical as well as psychological challenge to visitors, but it will definitely reward them with the most unparalleled views – a panorama of Himalayan peaks - and never-forgotten beautiful memories. On May 8, 2008, the Olympic Torch for the 2008 Beijing Olympics was taken to the peak and lit by a group of Chinese mountaineers, making it the first time ever for the Olympic torch to be lit on the "top of the world".
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 16

Place & Transport: Depart Zhangmu
Meals: Breakfast