Pilgrimage to Tibet «Rebirth»
30 september – 10 october 2024
Arrival in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Meeting participants, transfer to hotel for rest and acclimatization. The altitude of Lhasa is 3650 meters above sea level. Therefore, we will spend the next few days walking around the city and sightseeing freely. We need to gain strength for the kora (pilgrimage) around the sacred Mount Kailas.
Today we will visit the Pothala Palace, the symbol of Tibet. Pothala Palace was the main residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The height of the palace is 113.7 meters with thirteen floors.
Lhasa, the historical capital of Tibet, is located in a picturesque river valley. The gorge, clenching the road to Lhasa, gradually gives way, and the valley opens up and is filled with a string of white-walled houses, and around the corner appears a majestic structure, towering on a hill above the city - the Pothala Palace.
This place is among the most majestic temples of Tibet, interesting from the point of view of pilgrimage and esoteric tourism, and is also included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Drepung and Sera monasteries are monastic colleges of the Gelugpa sect (yellow-steppers). Sera Monastery is known for its philosophical debates on Buddhism. Drepung, on the other hand, was the seat of government before the Pothala was built. It was once the world's largest monastery in history with 10,000 monks.
Then we take a high-speed train and drive to Shigadze - 3,780 meters above sea level
In the morning we will visit Tashilunpo Monastery, it is considered one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, which is also fully functional to this day, being the residence of the Panchen Lama. The Panchen Lama is traditionally the Dalai Lama's mentor and is given the power to rule the state if the Dalai Lama is too young to do so.
Tashilunpo Monastery was erected in 1447 on a hill, it was founded by a disciple of the great preceptor Tsongkapa, who was recognized after his death as the First Dalai Lama. There is a golden eleven-meter stupa of the Fourth Panchen Lama, erected in 1666. The stupa is made of pure gold and decorated with precious stones. It took 614 kilograms of gold, 868 precious stones and over 246,000 semi-precious stones to make the stupa.
Later we will take a drive of 8-9 hours (450 km) to Saga - 4610 meters above sea level
The second long drive today is about 9 hours. Luckily, we have our private comfortable LandCruisers PRADO. We are moving to Dharchen village - 4,670 meters above sea level, located at the foot of Mt. Kailas and preparing for the pilgrimage next day.
Having asked for a blessing on the kora, we begin our journey to the Dirapuk Gompa monastery, where the meditation cave of Master Milarepa (5080 m) has been preserved. On the first day we cover 13 km, about 6–8 hours on the road.
Trek to Zutulpuk (4910 meters above sea level). Here are the most important meditation caves of Milarepa, where the Great Teacher contemplated the flight to Kailash.
The second day of the pilgrimage is the most difficult physically - we have to walk about 15 km, which takes about 8-9 hours. We also have to overcome the rocky Dhorma-la pass (5500 m).
On this day we will proceed through the Death Valley, Shivatsal cemetery, overcome the Green Tara pass, pass by Lake Gaurikund, see the Ax of Karma, and finally will arrive to the Zutulpuk monastery. Overnight at the monastery shelter.
A 14 km descent awaits us, about 4–5 hours to go. The road lies through the picturesque Barkha Valley, and along the way we will be able to reflect on the path we have traveled. We return to Darchen (4910 meters above sea level) and will move to the city of Saga. On the way we visit the Chiu Monastery near the famous Lake Manasarovar. Night in Saga
We head back - again 8-9 hours of driving in our jeeps towards Shigatse, from where we will take a high-speed train to Lhasa.
Overnight in comfortable hotels in Lhasa
We don’t really plan anything special for this day, except for a walk around the city and a traditional dinner. You will be able to buy souvenirs and have dinner with the group you walked this path. We are sure this is just the beginning...
Places to visit: Jokhang Temple is the most sacred shrine in Tibet, built in the 7th century. Barkhor Street, a good place to buy souvenirs.
5 625$
A 50% deposit of the travel cost is required to reserve a seat. The remaining 50% is due 45 days prior to start date of the trip
If you pay in full before May 30, 2024, you will receive a 3% discount ($170)
For friends and couples – 5% off for 2nd person ($280)
Discounts are summarized
From May 31, 2024 – raising prices
Travel author and host: Margo Bekker
- 4* hotels in the cities (double room)
- Accommodation in gesthouses on the rest of the route
- Transfers, train tickets
- Comfortable LANDCRUISER PRADO jeeps for long drives
- Kora (pilgrimage) around Kailas
- All necessary permits and fees for trekking in Tibet
- English and Russian speaking guide
- All entrances to monasteries and parks on the program
Single room – 815$ extra
- Airplane tickets
- Visa to China
- Meals on the whole itinerary except for hotels in the cities
- Personal expenses
- Porter, yak or horse for the duration of trekking and kora
- Insurance
