16 Days China Adventure from Kashgar to Lhasa via Nagri

Welcome to the vibrant city of Kashgar! As you step off the plane, you'll be greeted by our friendly guide and whisked away to your hotel. Kashgar, a historical gem and cultural hub of Xinjiang, has long been a strategic gateway to other countries. It's a place where history breathes through every alley and market. After a warm welcome and a comfortable check-in, take some time to rest and gather your energy for the adventures that await.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel. Today, you'll dive into the heart of Kashgar's culture at the famous Sunday Bazaar. Wander through the bustling stalls, where vibrant colors and lively chatter fill the air. It's not just a market; it's a celebration of life and tradition. Here, you'll stock up on essentials like food, drinks, and fruits, as we're about to embark on a challenging tour through one of the world's most difficult routes.

After an exciting morning, we'll drive for about 4 hours to Zepu County. As we cruise along, take in the changing landscapes and the authentic local atmosphere. Upon arrival in Zepu, check into your hotel and savor a well-deserved rest. Remember, in the coming days, we'll be mostly on our own for meals, with picnic lunches becoming the norm. So, make sure to rest well and mentally prepare for the wilderness ahead.

Today, the real adventure begins! We'll drive towards Hongliutan, crossing several Daban Mountains. As the locals say, "Wearing a coat in the morning, a shirt at noon, and eating watermelons by a fire." This tour will take you through all four seasons in a single day. Our first stop is Kudi Daban, a mountain pass so steep that even monkeys struggle to climb it. After navigating through a military checkpoint, we'll head to Mazar Daban, the longest Daban on this route. In Uyghur, "Mazar" means "grace," and this road offers access to the magnificent K2, the world's second-highest peak and a natural border with Pakistan. It's the perfect spot to capture breathtaking views of K2.

Our tour continues to Heiqia Daban, one of the highest altitude points along the road at 4930m above sea level. At such heights, the air grows thin, so it's wise to have some altitude-sickness pills on hand. After about 30 minutes of driving, we'll arrive at our destination for the day. Enjoy a simple yet satisfying dinner and get a good night's sleep to recharge for the challenges ahead.

Rise and shine early! Today is going to be the toughest day of our tour. After a quick breakfast prepared yesterday, we'll set off towards Jieshan Daban, the highest and most dangerous point on our route at an elevation of 5245m. The road, though recently rebuilt, stretches about 300kms ahead of us. As we drive, we'll pass through Hero Valley, a place of profound significance. Many soldiers dedicated their lives to constructing the road connecting Xinjiang and Tibet, and now it serves as their final resting place. The altitude here is a staggering 5140m.

Continuing our tour, we'll pass by the stunning Lomcuo Lake and finally reach Jieshan Daban (5300m), the border between Tibet and Xinjiang. From here on, we're officially on Tibetan land. The road from Jieshan Daban to Duoma might be a bit rough, so take it easy and rest whenever you feel unwell. Keep your eyes peeled for Tibetan wild asses or kiangs roaming the wilderness. If we're lucky, we might spot not just a few but entire herds of these magnificent creatures.

After breakfast, we'll drive to Shiquanhe, the capital city of Ngari. Ngari, located in the western part of Tibet, is a land of towering mountains, pristine lakes, and vast grasslands. The Shiquanhe River, the main source of the Indus, originates from the sacred Mount Kailash. As we travel, we'll visit the picturesque Pangong-tso Lake, a long and narrow lake straddling the border of India and China. Here, the Himalayas, the Gradise, the Kulun Mountains, and the Karakoram Mountains converge, creating a breathtaking backdrop.

Ngari holds great religious significance for both Hindus and Buddhists. Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are considered the "Sacred Mountains and Holy Lake" of Buddhism and serve as the spiritual center for millions of devotees. 

The road to Shiquanhe is quite challenging, but we'll drive along the beautiful Dangong - ko, or Swan Lake with a long neck, which also lies on the India - China border. Breathe in the fresh air and soak in the stunning views. Later, we'll head to Tsaparang, the oldest center of the Guge Kingdom. You'll be greeted by vast grasslands and towering snow-capped mountains. We'll also visit the Ruins of the Guge Kingdom, located on a mountain in Zhabran Village, about 18 km west of Zhada County town.

Today begins with an early start as we drive to Tarchen. The road is in great condition, making for a smooth tour of about 150kms. Soon, we'll arrive at the serene Lake Manasarovar. At 4,588 meters above sea level, this lake covers an area of 330 square kilometers and has a depth of 81.8 meters. Nestled between two snow-covered mountain ranges, the lake's beauty is truly breathtaking. It's a sacred site where Tibetan pilgrims come to circumambulate and take a dip in the waters. Spend some time relaxing by the lakeshore, soaking in the tranquility and natural beauty. In summer, flocks of swans gather here, adding grace and life to the area. You'll also witness numerous Tibetans and Hindus praying and circumambulating the lake, with snow-capped mountains as a backdrop and hundreds of swans on the water. It's a scene that attracts thousands of tourists from around the world. In the late afternoon, we'll reach Tarchen, the starting point of the Mount Kailash Kora.

Traditionally, pilgrims embark on a 52km trek around Mount Kailash, starting and ending at Darchen (4574m). A few kilometers out of Darchen lies a valley called "Sarshung", where porters await with yaks and horses to carry your belongings. After a two-hour tour, you'll reach a grassy plain inhabited by nomads. Here, you can refresh yourself in a nomadic tent and enjoy some soft drinks. It will take at least another two hours to reach Drirapuk (4920m). You can choose to camp or stay in a guesthouse made of cement within the monastery, which offers slightly better facilities than others in Drirapuk. On the opposite side of Drirapuk, there's a small monastery with its own guesthouse.

The second day of trekking is the most challenging, as we'll tackle the Dolma-la pass, which lies 6.4km ahead and 762m above Drirapuk. The pass peaks at an elevation of 5630m above sea level. It's advisable to start early in the morning when the sun's rays begin to break over the ridges. After resting at the summit of Dolma-la pass, you'll descend along a staircase that brings you to the Lhachu valley floor in about an hour. From here, it's still a four-hour trek to today's destination, with no shelters along the way. It's better to walk on the right side of the river and finally arrive at Dzultripuk, home to the miraculous cave of Milarepa. It's wise to get there before other groups, as accommodation in Dzultripuk is limited. Rest well in your guest room and prepare for tomorrow's departure.

Early in the morning, visit the Zutrulpuk Temple (4790m). Milarepa's Cave, located in a north-facing room called Zhacang, isn't always open. You might need to make a small donation at the Lama Temple to gain entry. The return tour is relatively easy. As you exit the canyon where the stream meets the Baga plains, the riverbanks become steep, and you'll pass through colorful stones ranging from red to yellow, black to purple. This area is known as Trangser Trangmar, the golden and red stone walls. Then, take the right path along the foot of the canyon and return to the main route. After the first two days of trekking, the third day will feel like a breeze. Once you complete the Kora, drive back to Lake Manasarovar.

Today is a long but rewarding drive from Manasarovar to Saga Town. The rough road winds its way between the Himalayas and the Gangdisê Mountains. It's a tough day of driving, but the scenery will keep you captivated. Our destination, Saga Town, is a military town with a Chinese garrison that patrols the entire length of the Sino-Nepal border. In Tibetan, "Saga" means "happy land". It boasts a border line approximately 105 kilometers long and connects to several other counties and Nepal. Nestled in the northern part of the Himalaya Mountain Range and the southwestern part of the Gangdisê Mountains, it's the upper reach of the Yarlung Zangbo River. The G219 National Highway runs throughout Saga County. With a history of over 1000 years, Saga is also known for a type of Tibetan dance said to have been created for Princess Wencheng when she married Songtsen Gampo.

Ready to touch the Sky! Today, we'll drive to the magnificent Lake Peiku, located 4,591 meters above sea level on the Tibetan Plateau, just 18 kilometers south of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The lake stretches 27 kilometers in length and is 6 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. Surrounded by mountains reaching 5,700 to 6,000 meters, streams fed by glaciers cascade down to the valley floor but often disappear into alluvial deposits before reaching the lake. After exploring the lake, we'll head to Rongpuk, home to the Everest Base Camp.

Everest Base Camp refers to either of the two base camps on opposite sides of Mount Everest. The South Base Camp is in Nepal at an altitude of 5,364 meters, while the North Base Camp is in Tibet at 5,150 meters. These rudimentary campsites serve as essential stopovers for mountain climbers during their ascent and descent of Mount Everest. The South Base Camp is used for climbs via the southeast ridge, while the North Base Camp is for those attempting the northeast ridge.

Rise early and begin your drive to Lhatse, a tour that will take approximately 10 hours. The road follows the northern shore of Pelgu-Tso and then winds through a narrow gorge before climbing to a pass and steeply descending to a ferry crossing over the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The route continues across a vast plain offering stunning views of the Himalayas. Along the way, we'll pass by Peiku-tso Lake, located 40km east of Jirong county town and 250km from Tingri County. It's on the route to Ngari, between Zhangmu and Saga. At an elevation of 4,590 meters, Peiku-tso is the largest lake in the Shigatse area. As a light-salty lake with an area exceeding 300 square kilometers, it's surrounded by mountains on three sides and boasts a bright turquoise color throughout the year.

Upon arrival in Shigatse, visit the seat of the Panchen Lama, the magnificent Tashilumpo Monastery. Established in 1447, it's the highest-ranking Lama in the Gelukpa tradition and the seat of successive Panchen Lamas in Shigatse Prefecture. Take some time to explore the local market as well.

This morning, drive to Gyangtse, the fourth-largest city in Tibet, known for the Kumbum Stupa of the Pelkhor Monastery. Then, head to Lhasa, the cultural and administrative heart of Tibet. In the older parts of the city, especially near the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, you'll be mesmerized by the spinning prayer wheels, colorful flags, and traditionally dressed Tibetans engaged in their Buddhist practices.

The Kumbum Stupa, built after 1418, was a significant center of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. This religious structure contains 108 chapels across its four floors and is adorned with over 10,000 murals, making it the last of its kind in Tibet. While many of the new clay statues may not match the artistry of the destroyed originals, they remain spectacular to behold.

After breakfast, we'll visit the iconic Potala Palace, often referred to as the "golden feather upon the roof of the world." Tibetans take great pride in this magnificent structure, claiming it to be the greatest miracle since the creation of the world. The golden roof shines brightly in the sun, and as you spend an hour exploring the palace's interior, you'll discover the rooms once used by the Dalai Lama and numerous Buddhist icons.

In the afternoon, we'll step inside the Jokhang Temple. Like most large temple complexes, it houses numerous individual temples dedicated to specific enlightened beings, protectors, high lamas, or saints. The walls and ceilings are adorned with vibrant images of clouds, beings, mandalas, and decorative patterns. Colorful silk banners hang in various places, creating a rich tapestry of color and imagery. The central feature is a 30-foot-tall gilded statue of Maitreya Buddha. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll through the back alleys of the Barkhor area in Old Lhasa. The streets are filled with the scent of yak butter and incense.

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast, and then embark on a tour of the Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet, once home to over 10,000 monks. Here, you can witness the lively Buddhist debates that frequently take place. From a distance, the grand white structure resembles a heap of rice, hence its name, which means "Monastery of Collecting-Rice" in Tibetan. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks during your visit.

In the afternoon, visit the Sera Monastery, established in 1419 and renowned as an important Buddhist seminary. With its many rose bushes, it's also affectionately called "the court of wild rose". Over 200 lamas still reside here. Don't miss the chance to catch the famous debate session of the monks before heading back to downtown Lhasa.

Your tour concludes today, but the memories will last a lifetime. We'll escort you to the airport or train station, bidding you a heartfelt goodbye. Thank you for letting us share the magic of Xinjiang and Tibet with you—safe travels, and may your adventures continue!