Kailash Tour from Lhasa

Short Kailash tour Itinerary

12 May 2027 Day 01: Arrival Gonggar Tibet and drive Lhasa
13 May 2027 Day 02: Sights in Lhasa includes Potala Palace
14 May 2027 Day 03: Drive Lhasa to Shigatse 3782m.- Hotel 
15 May 2027 Day 04: Drive Shigatse to Saga 4640m. & hotel 
16 May 2027 Day 05: Drive Saga to Prayang & overnight stay
17 May 2027 Day 06: Drive to Prayang, Hor and Darche, stay
18 May 2027 Day 07: Drive Yam Dwar & start walk to Dirapuk
19 May 2027 Day 08: Trek to Dolma La 5636m. and Zuthulpuk
20 May 2027 Day 09: Walk to Chongdo, drive to Manasarovar 
Full moon night in Manasarovar
21 May 2027 Day 10: Drive Mansarovar Lake to Saga Bazaar
22 May 2027 Day 11: Drive from Saga to Shigatse & overnight
23 May 2027 Day 12: Drive to Lhasa town and stay overnight 
24 May 2027 Day 13: Transfer to Gonggar airport, fly to China

Full Kailash MansarovarItinerary

12 May 2027 (Wednesday) Day 01: Arrival Lhasa Gonggar airport, the Tibetan tour guide welcomes all Kailash Yatri with Tibetan Khata (white garland). From the airport, everyone is driven to Lhasa city in a minibus or bus. We travel about 62.5 km away from Gonggar airport and it takes about an hour or bit more. We enjoy the amazing views of the naked hills, the settlements at the bottom of the hills and the agricultural land full of crops along the way. Check in at the hotel.

13 May 2027 (Thursday) Day 02: Morning takes breakfast and start sightseeing in Potala Palace. Lhasa is the capital as well as the biggest city of Tibet. This city with wide road ways, sky kissing buildings is not less attractive than any developed western countries. Besides this, the palace of Dalai Lama: The Bharkhor Bazaar itself and Bharkhor surrounding are other worthy and attractive places to visit at Lhasa. Lhasa City is at an altitude of 3,600 meters above sea level. The Potala Palace lies at the central part of Lhasa city and it is situated in a place at 150 meters' height. This palace is also the adjoining place of meditative office building and administrative office building. The Red Palace symbolizes meditation whereas the white Palace signifies transparent administration. In Tibetan language, ‘Lhasa’ means ‘The Land of Gods and Goddesses’.

We can see different varieties of magical Buddha idols of Buddhist religion in the red Palace whereas; there are meditation room, living room and meeting room for foreign guests of Dalai Lama in the white Palace. Lhasa city is a valley which is also the adjoining place of two sacred rivers namely, Lhasa and Brahmaputra. According to Buddhists, it is believed that one can obtain ‘Nirvana’ meaning ultimate salvation, by having divine view (Darshan) of Potala Palace and visit at least once in the lifetime.

The Potala Palace was built at the time of Songchang Gampo in the 7th century; the 5th Dalai Lama extended the palace to its present size. At this time, it also succeeds in becoming the residing, the main political and religious palace of the Dalai Lama. The main palace was divided into two sections: the white palace and the red palace. It is 115.703 meters high with thirteen stories, including living quarters, temples, tomb stupas and monk dormitories. The countless cultural relics in the palace are images, murals, sutras, etc, which are of incredible value. These magnificent Tibetan arts and culture are not only classified as national treasure but are also listed by the state council as one unit of the important cultural relics to be specially protected.

There is gold plated entombment place of 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th Dalai Lama at Potala Palace. All these can be seen besides 13th Dalai Lama’s. Entombment of 6th Dalai Lama is yet unknown and mysterious. Likewise, experts say that the funeral rites of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Dalai Lama was done at Jokhang Monastery and then the ashes were kept safely there. There are one thousand rooms at The Potala Palace among which 27 rooms are been exposed for general public such as bed room, living room, study room, meeting room & the entombment Place of Dalai Lama. The current 14th Dalai Lama is living in India since from 1959.

14 May 2027 (Friday) Day 03: After spending two nights at the Lhasa capital city of Tibet, our journey to Kailash Manasarovar begins by traveling in our tourist coach. Overland tours from Lhasa to Shigatse are highly popular, offering spectacular Tibetan landscapes, the historic Tashilhunpo monastery (the seat of the Panchen Lama), and a comfortable experience. In order to participate in these tours, non-Indian passport holders usually need to be members of an organized group of Kailash Manasarovar Yatri. It is best to visit during the pleasant months of May to September.

The Panchen Lama's seat at Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse is a must-see, especially because of the monastery's historical and cultural significance. It is the 2nd biggest city after Lhasa. There are fine Luxury hotels for lodging and we have arranged meal for our pilgrims in a Nepali Restaurant. Here is a huge monastery which is popularly known as Tashilimphu Monastery. The section from Lhasa to Shigatse is around 271 kilometers and it takes 4 to 5 hours’ drive.

15 May 2027 (Saturday) Day 04: Morning take breakfast and drive to Saga via Lhatse, the journey today passing 2 high passes with fine view of country side in Tibet. Shigatse to Lhatse is 160KM road able distance and takes 3 hours. We do stop for Lunch. After lunch towards Saga, here divide 2 roads and one go to New Tingri way to Everest Base camp and another road goes to Saga directly which is we are fallowing the sandy and rocky land Tibet. Other thinks like Lake, nomad chasing thousands of Yaks and Sheep grazing grass on the way Saga Bazaar. Lhatse to Saga is 300KM and takes 5 hours driving. Reach Saga, check hotel and Overnight Saga.

Team Leader, guides staff and food: The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra / tour is taken from Lhasa route from Kathmandu with Nepali team leader, guide or if the tour starts from Lhasa - Kailash – Lhasa who comes direct home country via mainland China. The Nepali team leader and tour guide will arrive in Lhasa before Kailash Yatri lands and is received at Gonggar airport. Delicious pure vegetarian meals are provided at Lhasa city, while the meals in Shigatse will be provided at Nepali restaurants every day. We meet all Nepali staff in Saga including the chef and team members of staff who will travel by road from Kathmandu. From Saga and onward, Monterosa Treks and Expedition staff makes delicious pure vegetarian food breakfast, lunch and dinner for all Kailash Manasarovar Yatri.

Watch Kailash Tour Video

16 May 2027 (Sunday) Day 05: Drive from Saga to New Dongba takes approximately 3 hours by Tibetan / Chinese tourist bus. Drive from New Dongba to Prayang is 95 kilometers along the G219 National Highway and takes another 2 hours by bus. As the road traverses' high-altitude plains and the scenic Mayumla Pass region, it usually takes about two hours to reach the destination from New Dong to Prayang city. Depending on available hotel occupancy, we'll stay in New Dongba or Prayang. You drive through the stark Tibetan plateau on the way from Saga to New Dongba and Prayang.

You will encounter the nomadic lifestyle, traditional yak-herder camps, ancient chortens, vibrant prayer flags, and deeply spiritual atmosphere of remote Trans-Himalayans. Mount Shishapangma and the Brahmaputra River are sacred geographical and spiritual landmarks along Tibetan and Himalayan pilgrimages. The trip by road from Saga to New Dongba or Prayang takes about 5 to 6 hours, covering approximately 255 kilometers. Several sections on the route are bumpy or unpaved, especially in the immediate vicinity of towns or during seasonal melts, but the route generally traverses high, arid, and scenic Tibetan plains on well-paved, high-altitude highways.

17 May 2027 (Monday) Day 06: The distance from New Dongba to Darchen is approximately 390km / Prayang to Darchen is 255km. The drive passes through small towns and the stunning Tibetan plateau, offering glimpses of the majestic Mount Kailash and the sacred Lake Mansarovar, one of the world's highest freshwater Lake.

For pilgrims from Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Shikha, the sacred circumambulation or Pradakshina around the holy Lake Manasarovar is a spiritually significant ritual. Taking a circular journey around the expansive, high-altitude freshwater lake is believed to bring blessings, good fortune, and purification. As part of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra pilgrimage, pilgrims make a circle around Lake Manasarovar, which has a circumference of 102 kilometers. Driving Dongba to Manasarovar, reach to the adjoining point of Brahmaputra River. Brahmaputra is basically formed from the amalgamation of two rivers: One, flowing from Gangdici river of Himalayan Range and other is Tima Yangjong River flowing from Tibetan Himalayan Ranges and flow through Saga, Shigatse and other places at Tibet and ultimately gets mixed into the Gulf of Bengal. We carry hot lunch boxes and, on the way, stop somewhere and take Lunch. We will make a half complete rotation of Manasarovar Lake in about 2 hours from hor. You can see 8 of Buddhist monasteries during the circumambulation and finally reach top hills and same time you can see Rakshas Lake & Manasarovar. Rest some time in nearby Lake, otherwise drive to Darchen for overnight stay.

Mount Kailash: The Scared religious place, Kailash Parbat is located on the height of 6714meters above sea level. This region is supposed to be the purest religious place. It is supposed to be the central part of the world and origin of the world before the origin of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Kailash Parbat is glorified in the holy books like Ramayana and Mahabharata. According to the ancient Asian stories, the civilization is incomplete without the description of Kailash Parbat. Kailash Parbat is located in Tibet. Scientific research of this region is not satisfactory. This religious Parbat is extended from Brahmaputra in the east to Karakoram in the west.

Different religious groups like Shaiba, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Bon-Po are respecting Kailash equally, though they explained it differently. In the Shaiba and Buddhist traditional literature, Kailash is described as the part of Sumeru which is supposed to be the center of the world. It is believed to be the residence of Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati as per Hindus. Buddhist respects it in the name of Kang Rimpoche. Buddhists have accepted Kailash and Manasarovar as great natural Mandala. Mandala for them is the means of respect and salvation, Jain worship as Astpada for this isolated peak.

The founding father of this religion Rishavadev had got spiritual salvation in the same place. There are various logics to claim this Parbat as sacred. This isolated Parbat is also source to big rivers like Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Indus and Karnali. The total periphery of Mount Kailash is 53 km and pilgrims should walk 38 km within 3 days and if add Charan Sparsh (Touch Kailash) tour than it will be 4 days Kora. As described in Hindu myth, a person who moves around the Kailash Parvat will be free from all the sins made in life time. If they move round the Parbat for 108 times, they directly get Nirvana. It is also said that a person who moves Nandi once, he/she gets return as equal of moving round the Kailash for 13 times.

Kailash Parvat is regarded as the form of Lord Shiva and the water flowing from its snowy tip is worshipped as holy river Ganges. Mount Kailash can be observed more beautifully from the side of this Monastery. Observing from Dirapuk, Mount Kailash is seen in between Mount Manjushree at right side and Mount Bajrapani at left side. River Ganges, originated from Mount Kailash meets Lachhu River and gets mixed into Rakshas Lake. Every river formed from Kailash Himalayan Ranges gets mixed into Rakshas Lake. The river formed from the junction of Rakshas Lake is called Karnali. Water from Rakshas Lake escapes via Karnali River but water of Manasarovar is stored in the form of Lake.

18 May 2027 (Tuesday) Day 07: We drive to Yam Dwar and walk 12 kilometers to Dirapuk (heights 4890 meters. This is the first day of Kailash Parikrama / Pradakshina. Yam Dwar is only 6km away from Darchen and it takes by tourist bus 20 minutes to reach it. The place is also known as Yam Dwar. We traveled around it three times. The Hindu religion considers this place to be the gate to the God of Death (Yam Dwar). A temple built in the shape of a chorten is located here. There are three bells hanging inside the temple and these bells are called Varma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar.

This temple makes a 3-time circuit outside of temple., enter door and get out and walk continue to Kailash Kora. Start walking or riding a pony to Dirapuk on the first day of Parikrama after belling inside of Yam Dwar (Journey on foot begins from Yam Dwar). The pilgrims who are physically disabled pay homage to Kailash Kora and return to Darchen because Yam Dwar is considered to have equal religious significance as Kailash Parbat itself. Nepali workers, pilgrims, horses, porters, yaks, and local porters are mostly present on this path / trail at the moment.

Yam Dwar in Kailash: There is a belief that Yam Dwar represents a spiritual portal where the worldly concerns are replaced with spiritual concerns. Sacred circumambulation of Mount Kailash begins at Yam Dwar, which means "Gateway of the God of Death." The holy mountain is a significant spiritual site. A spiritual threshold on Mount Kailash, where pilgrims leave the mundane world and embark on a spiritual journey of purification and enlightenment, it serves as the starting point for parikrama (circumambulation) of the mountain.

We stopped for lunch after walking along the riverside path for three hours. Kailash Parvat can be seen clearly from lunch place. On the bottom of the Kailash Parvat, we can see a large elephant-shaped stone. It is believed that God Indra rides on it. After a two-hour walk, we can reach Dirapuk from here. This place was named after the Dirapuk Monastery, which is situated on the edge of Lha Chhu River. In this monastery, you will find a height of 5200 meters above sea level. Overnight stay here in Guest house or Mud house.

Information first Day of Kailash Kora: In order to reach Dirapuk, Yam Dwar must travel approximately 12 km (8 miles) away from Yam Dwar on the first day of Parikrama. The pilgrims ascend to Dirapuk, offering breathtaking views of Mount Kailash's north face, often assisted by horses, symbolizing a spiritual journey from earth to heaven. Dirapuk is a sacred holy place on the first day of the Kailash circle, located at the foot of Mount Kailash's north face and serving as an overnight stop for pilgrims.

The highest resting point on the circuit, at 4900 meters (16,665 feet), it offers unforgettable, breathtaking views of the mountain's north side and is a spiritual hub for Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Bonpo. Mount Kailash is a sacred peak in the Kailash range of the Tibet Autonomous region, China, considered the abode of the Hindu god Mahadeva and the holy center of the world. There are pilgrims who perform Pradkshina (circumambulations) around the mountain, believing this will lead to spiritual liberation, and who visit the sacred Holy Lake Manasarovar nearby to wash away sins.

From here, the Dirapuk scene of Kailash appears as if it were in heaven. There are thousands of pilgrims who come to Dirapuk every day riding on horses or walking. For the 3 day's journey, some Yatri prefer riding a pony and taking a local porter. If you would like to take a pony and porter, you should inform your Tibetan guide or Nepali guide in Saga advance.

Charan Sparsh / Touch Kailash officially closed: After breakfast, Pilgrims Walk for 4 hours (5kms) from Dirapuk to touch the feet of Mount Kailash which is known as Charan Sparsh. They feel like they have been blessed by Lord Shiva by actually touching the base of Kailash Mountain. Pilgrims offer Pooja and seek blessing from lord Shiva. While returning back, takes around one and half hour to 2 hours and it is day tour / Yatra from Dirapuk. Charan Sparsh and touching Kailash are prohibited in August of 2024; Accordingly, the accident totally closed now.

“Charan” means “feet” and “Sparsh” means “to touch”. Together they meaning to touch one’s feet”. It has been a tradition since time immemorial to touch the feet of Kailash Parbat. There is a scientific basis to “Charan Sparsh”. Since the human body is releasing vibrations touching the feet which encourages flow of energy and blessings, happiness and successful life. This exchange of energy gives one vigor, self-confidence and contentment. One experiences an inner glow. The blessings received after “Charan Sparsh” are like invisible amour. They motivate and give strength.

19 May 2027 (Wednesday) Day 08: The most moderate, yet rewarding day on Mount Kailash circle / Pradkshina is the walk from Dirapuk to Zuthulpuk, approximately 22 km (13.7 miles). As pilgrims descend from the Dolma La Pass (around 5,636m. / 18,500ft), they often visit the sacred Gauri Kund Lake, before reaching the Zuthulpuk Monastery. There is steep ascent, stunning panoramic views of the hills and Mount Kailash, small mountains, and a deeply spiritual atmosphere before the final descent to Sapchedatok and Zuthulpuk. Dolma La Pass: There are many prayer flags hanging from this pass since it is one of the highest points along the Kailash Kora. It reaches around 5,630 meters (18,471 feet) in altitude.

Ganesh Kund (Sarovar): Nearby Ganesh Kund, about 45 minutes before to reach to Dolma La Pass 5636m. (Kailash circuit) on right hand side of the walking trail, there is holy Ganesh Kund. It is 15 minutes away from walking trail. The shape of the Kund looks like lord Ganesh where he bathes.

The Legend of Gauri Kund: Hinduism is Sanatana Dharma, according to its mythology there is story about Gauri Kund which has been mentioned in the legend of Shiva Puran. The Puran says that Gauri Sarovar is for purify and compassion, it purifies the mind, body and speech of Kailash Yatri. So almost all the Yatri of Kailash Manasarovar tour includes their tour program.

This Gauri Kund is for holy bath to Goddess Parvati Mata where Gauri Mata had acquired her beloved son Ganesh, she had molded a picture of her son Ganesh from cleaning agent frothing on her body and resuscitates it. She placed Ganesh at the path to stop unknown to enter during her holy deep, at the same time Lord Shiva came to his residence Mount Kailash but Ganesh ji didn't recognize then Lord Shiva became furious and cuts off the kids head then Mata Parvati despairing stricken by seeing it and requested to Lord Shiva that child need to be brought again to the life restored so Parvati had her son back. This real story not only fascinates Kailash tour Yatri.

The Meaning Significance to visit Gauri Kund: The large number of Kailash Yatri visits this holy Kund during their Parikrama or Kora to purify their minds, body and speech by splashing the Jaal on their heads. They offer TARPANA and Jaal (holy water) to their ancestors to have peace in the heaven. Many of them bring holy water from the Kund to their home.

Where is the Gauri Kund Located? After crossing steep descends of Dolma La pass, the highest pass during Kailash Manasarovar Yatra tour, the round turquoise colored round shaped GAURI KUND is located at 5608m. above the sea level but walking trail has not yet made, have to walk on massif Rock.

20 May 2027 (Thursday) Day 09: The first thing you do in the morning is drink tea or coffee while eating a light breakfast in Zuthulpuk, walk about three hours to reach Chongdo, pick up by tourist coach, drive to Darchen and take full breakfast. This is a key crossroads in western Tibet's Ngari Prefecture called Barga village (also called Barkha). This junction lies approximately 22 kilometers south of Darchen, dividing the route between Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, Purang, Chiu Monastery, and Hor. A major entry point for travelers completing the Kailash Kora. This is a major entry point for travelers completing the Manasarovar Kora. You may start Manasarovar Kora from Barga village (also known as Barkha), then travel to Hor and Chiu Gompa, where you will find guest houses and mud houses near Manasarovar Lake.

After 2018 AD, pilgrims will not be able to take holy dips in Lake Manasarovar. During the pilgrimage, our staff will bring holy water from the Lake and take holy baths. Rudrabhishek, Rudra Hawan and Aarti Poojas are performed by Nepali Pandit at the shrine. One can gain Shiva's blessings by praying, chanting Shiva mantras, and performing rituals such as Tarpan (offering holy water and flowers). A full moon night is considered auspicious and spiritually powerful for visiting Lake Manasarovar. Full moon reflections on the lake's surface are believed to enhance the lake's spiritual energy as well as provide pilgrims and visitors with a profound spiritual experience. In the evening, you will be able to see the full moon night as well as the reflection of the lights in Manasarovar.
Full Moon Night in Manasarovar Lake.

The Manasarovar Lake: There are glimpses of the majestic Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, one of the world's highest freshwater lakes, along the drive through small towns and the stunning Tibetan plateau. It is a spiritually significant ritual for pilgrims from Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Shikha to circumambulate around the holy Lake Manasarovar. It is believed that taking a circular trip around the expansive, high-altitude freshwater lake brings blessings, good fortune, and purification. Kailash Manasarovar Yatra pilgrims make a circle around Lake Manasarovar, which has a circumference of 102 kilometers. Essentially, the Brahmaputra River is formed by combining two rivers: the Gangdici River of the Himalayan Range and the Tima Yangjong River of the Tibetan Himalayan Range. The rivers flow through Dongba, Saga, Shigatse, and other places in Tibet before mixing into the Gulf of Bengal.

Manasarovar Lake, also known as Brahma’s Lake or Mapam Yum Tso Lake is situated at an elevation of 4850 meters above sea level. The word “Manas” means mind or consciousness and Sarovar means Lake. It has held deep spiritual influence and wide religious values among Hindus & Buddhists. Making round of the Lake and taking a holy bath in it is believed to purge one’s soul from sins and the body from sickness. Ancient Hindu scriptures indicate this Lake as a must visit place for someone who wants to attain salvation - the highest level of achievement in Hindu religion. The cascading waves of the Lake in the wind look very charming. As described in Ramayana, it is said that the person who moves around the Manasarovar Lake and baths with its pure water, reaches the heaven directly after death. Similarly, it is written that the person, who drinks the water of this lake, recognizes the “Shivalok” the palace of Lord Shiva. Kailash Parbat is situated about 58km. far in the north from Manasarovar Lake. Brahmaputra River flows from eastward of the Manasarovar Lake. So, many people who want to visit Kailash Parbat and Manasarovar Lake at least once in their life.

According to Hindu traditional hearsay, it is believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati take bath each day at 2 AM to 4 AM in this Lake as well as stars also come for bath in Manasarovar Lake. It is said that pilgrims who stay at this place at night; they can lively watch the God there. Mainly it is believed that people can see or visit the God Shiva and Goddess Parvati at the night of full moon. This Manasarovar covers a very large area that is pure place, it is mentioned in Hindu religious books that all the Hindus must reach there at least once in their life time.

Holy Hot Springs Place of Traditions: There is a natural hot spring at the bottom of Chiu Monastery, a monastery on a hilltop near Lake Manasarovar. The sacred lake itself is a place of cleansing, but the thermal springs at Chiu Gompa offer ritualistic bathing and spiritual renewal, with the water believed to be healing. Manasarovar is now protected by local Tibetans and includes a small bath house and a payment system for those who take natural hot water baths there.

Rakshas Tal (Demon King Ravana Lake) Sarovar: This lake is named on the basis of Hindu traditional story. Hindu people believe that carnivorous monsters are hiding into the dark water. On the basis of this belief, people called it Rakshas Tal and stay away from this lake believing it as the symbol of dark and destructive power. According to the traditional religious story, the water of this lake is poisonous and fatal. So, to replace the poisonous water of this lake a tunnel was made from Manasarovar Lake. The pure water of this lake & a golden fish was sent in this lake. Late, this fish was found alive.

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An auspicious day in Manasarovar occurs on the evening before the full moon or the next day morning when one or two Nepali Braman Pandit perform Rudrabhishek rituals and perform Hawan.

From it, people’s negative attitude towards the lake changed and they started to go nearer to it but they still don’t drink the water. According to Hindu mythology, in Treta Yug the monster Ravana has made Lord Shiva happy meditating in this Lake. Rakshas Lake lies in the west to Manasarovar Lake. It is situated at an altitude of 4,540meter above the sea level. In Manasarovar Lake, there are many birds including ducks but in Rakshas Lake (Demon King Ravana) there are no any birds at all.

The Khojarnath temple is located 85 kilometers south of holy Lake Mansarovar in a small Tibetan village known as Khojarnath. According to legend, Lord Rama, Sita Mata, and Lakshmana spent a night here during the Treta Yuga while on a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar. Khojarnath temple, built in the seventh century, house the idols of Lord Rama, Sita Mata, and Lakshmana, in memory of such a journey. A daily puja is held here. A journey of 170 kilometers from Mansarovar Lake go and back allows one to see images of Rama, Sita, and Lakshman in this temple. By car, it takes about 4 hours to make the round trip of 170 kilometers. The temple is located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

21 May 2027 (Friday) Day 10: Drive bottom of Chiu Gompa nearby Manasarovar Lake to Barga village 10km away from Manasarovar Lake and complete Manasarovar Kora from Barga village but you can follow Manasarovar Lake to Hor. Hor place is the last place where you can see Mount Kailash and Holy Lake Manasarovar. As you continue driving from Hor, you will reach Prayan, New Dongba and finally Saga Bazaar for stay overnight.

22 May 2027 (Saturday) Day 11: It takes 8-10 hours to drive from Saga to Shigatse valley. The journey primarily follows the G219 National Highway (and connecting provincial roads through Lhatse/Tingri areas depending on your exact itinerary), heading east from the Ali region back toward Tibet's second-largest city.

23 May 2027 (Sunday) Day 12: The drive from Shigatse to Lhasa covers roughly 271 kilometers, depending on whether you take the direct expressway or the scenic southern route. Traveling from Shigatse to Lhasa is considered light adventure or cultural overland travel rather than extreme adventure travel. Overnight stay in Lhasa city.

24 May 2027 (Monday) Day 13: The drive between downtown Lhasa to Gonggar Airport. The drive between Lhasa city center and Lhasa Gonggar International Airport is very scenic and takes about 45 to 60 minutes via a well-conditioned expressway. The road runs alongside the Yarlung Zangbo River (Lhasa River) and offers beautiful views of the Tibetan plateau, traditional barley fields, and towering mountains. You travel on a smooth, modern expressway that makes the commute fast and comfortable. Fly to mainland China around 2:PM local time and connecting flight to your final destination.