14-Day Ngari Grand Northern Loop: Mt. Kailash Trekking & Guge Kingdom Ruins – The Ultimate Adventure
14
Days
13
Nights
Overview
Step into the wild heart of the "Roof of the Roof of the World." This 14-day exploration takes you deep into the Ngari (Ali) Prefecture, the most remote and mysterious region of Tibet. This is not just a tour; it is a profound spiritual and physical expedition through a landscape of high-altitude deserts, sapphire-blue "demon lakes," and the legendary ruins of lost civilizations.
From the sacred kora (trek) around Mount Kailash to the surreal clay forests of Zanda and the ghost-like ruins of the Guge Kingdom, this itinerary covers the most desolate and beautiful terrain on Earth. If you are looking for the ultimate test of spirit and the ultimate reward in scenery, the Ali Grand Northern Loop is your destination.
Trip Highlights
- Mount Kailash Kora (3-Day Trek): Participate in the world’s most sacred pilgrimage. Join thousands of pilgrims in a 52km trek around the "Center of the Universe," crossing the formidable 5,630m Dolma La Pass.
- The Holy & Ghost Lakes: Witness the dramatic contrast between the sacred Lake Manasarovar (the lake of light) and its neighbor, Lake Rakshastal (the lake of shadows).
- The Guge Kingdom Ruins: Explore the 1,000-year-old mud-brick palaces and secret tunnels of a vanished civilization, carved directly into the towering orange cliffs of the Zanda Earth Forest.
- Wild Wildlife of the North: Traverse the Changtang Grasslands, home to wild Tibetan antelopes, wild yaks, and the elusive Tibetan wild ass (Kiang).
- Hidden Gems of the Northern Loop: Experience the "Third Pole" solitude at Dangra Yumco Lake and stay in the remote Wenbu South Village, one of the most authentic and untouched villages in all of Tibet.
- The "Demon Lake" Seling Tso: Marvel at the impossible blue of Tibet’s largest saltwater lake, a massive inland sea that seems to touch the sky.
Tour Plan
Day 01 :
Arrival in Lhasa – Acclimatization
- Welcome: Meet your guide at the airport or train station for a traditional Hada welcome.
- Transfer: Private transfer to your hotel (approx. 1–1.5 hours).
- Activity: Dedicated rest to adapt to the high altitude (3,650m).
Pro Tips: Do not shower or exercise on the first night. Drink plenty of water and maintain a calm pace.
- Potala Palace: Explore the iconic winter palace of the Dalai Lama.
- Cultural Experience: A hands-on workshop including Tibetan incense making, woodblock printing, and learning to write your name in Tibetan calligraphy.
- Barkhor Street: Walk the ancient pilgrimage circuit surrounding Jokhang Temple and explore local markets.
- Yamdrok Lake: View the turquoise sacred lake from the Gampala Pass (4,950m).
- Karola Glacier: See the massive "hanging" glacier just meters from the highway.
Stay: Shigatse, the historic seat of the Panchen Lama.
- Landscape: Leave the city behind and enter the vast Western Tibetan plateau.
- Sangsang Grassland: A sea of green dotted with yaks, sheep, and nomadic black tents.
Stay: Saga or Zhongba, a vital supply town for the journey west.
- Gongzhu Co: A sapphire-blue lake reflecting the Gandise Mountains.
- Lake Manasarovar: The "Eternal Jade Lake," sacred to four religions. Watch pilgrims circling the shore.
- Arrival: Reach Darchen (4,675m), the gateway to Mt. Kailash.
- Trek: ~14km (7–8 hours). Elevation gain to 5,100m.
- Scenery: Walk through the Lha-chu Valley with stunning views of the Western and Northern faces of Mt. Kailash.
Stay: Basic guesthouse near Drirapuk Monastery.
- Trek: ~20km (10–11 hours).
- Challenge: Cross the Dolma La Pass (5,650m), the highest point of the trip, covered in prayer flags.
- Gauri Kund: View the "Lake of Compassion" below the pass.
- Stay: Basic guesthouse near Zutulpuk Monastery.
- Trek: Final 6.6km walk to the exit point, then drive to Zanda.
Transition: Watch the snowy peaks give way to the surreal clay formations of the Earth Forest.
Day 09 :
Zanda – Guge Kingdom – Shiquanhe
- Guge Kingdom Ruins: Explore the 10th-century citadel carved into the hills. See ancient murals and secret tunnels.
- Xiayigou: A "hidden gem" section of the earth forest with vibrant red and yellow minerals.
Stay: Shiquanhe (Ali), the administrative capital of Ngari.
Day 10 :
Shiquanhe – Salt Lakes – Gaize
- The Loop Begins: Turn north toward the "Grand Northern Route."
- Salt Lakes: Visit Nie'er Co, where salt crystals shimmer like silver.
Viewpoints: Stop at Bieruozuo Co for panoramic views of blue-green waters against golden desert.
- Wilderness: Drive through the Qiangtang Nature Reserve—home to wild donkeys and antelopes.
- Dangra Yumco: The deepest and most sacred lake of the Bon religion.
Stay: Wenbu South Village, a primitive Tibetan village nestled between the lake and red mountains.
- Sky Tree: Visit the natural salt-crust patterns that look like a giant tree from above.
- Siling Co: Tibet’s second-largest lake—a vast inland sea teeming with birdlife.
Stay: Baingoin County.
- Namtso Lake: Visit the Tashi Peninsula to see karst caves and the "Husband and Wife Rocks."
- Nagenla Pass (5,190m): One final look at the "Heavenly Lake" before descending back to Lhasa.
Stay: Lhasa (final farewell dinner).
Day 14 :
Departure from Lhasa
Farewell: Transfer to the airport or train station according to your flight time.
Include/Exclude
- • Transportation: * Licensed tourist vehicles (7–26 seats) for all scheduled land travel.
- o Note: For Lhasa city sightseeing with fewer than 4 people, local taxi transfers will be arranged and paid for by the agency.
- • Accommodation: * 8 nights in standard twin-share rooms (based on double occupancy).
- o Note: Single "King" rooms are not guaranteed. Breakfast is not provided for children or guests not occupying a dedicated bed.
- • Meals: * 8 Hotel Breakfasts + 2 Specialty Feature Dinners.
- o Complimentary Bonus Meals: Authentic Lulang Stone Pot Chicken and a Lhasa Specialty Meal (Tibetan or Nepalese cuisine). Note: These are gift meals and are non-refundable if skipped.
- • Professional Staff: * Expert guides fluent in English, Chinese, or Bilingual (English/Chinese).
- • Entrance Fees: * All-inclusive access to: Kading Valley, Lulang Forest, Basum Tso, Tibetan Culture Experience, Sera Monastery, Potala Palace (including reservation service), Jokhang Temple, Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, and Tashilhunpo Monastery.
- • Travel Permits: * Full handling of the Tibet Travel Permit (TTP), Alien's Travel Permit, and any necessary Military/Regional documents.
- • Insurance: * Comprehensive 3-tier coverage: Travel Accident Insurance, Vehicle Seat Insurance, and Travel Agency Liability Insurance.
- • Transfer Service: * Complimentary airport/station pickup and drop-off on the official group start and end dates.
- • Health & Comfort Extras:
- o One portable oxygen bottle per person.
- o Two bottles of mineral water (300ml) per person, per day.
- o One emergency medical oxygen tank (4L) equipped in the vehicle for backup.
- • Single Supplement: Prices are based on twin-sharing. A surcharge applies for solo travelers requesting a private room.
- • Room Forfeiture Fees: Due to full pre-payment of hotel bookings, any mid-trip changes resulting in room cancellations are the responsibility of the traveler.
- • Personal Expenses: Laundry, phone calls, faxes, pay-per-view TV, beverages, snacks, alcohol, and other personal incidentals.
- • Force Majeure & Emergencies: The agency reserves the right to cancel or modify the itinerary due to uncontrollable factors (natural disasters, strikes, pandemics), airline changes, or insufficient group numbers. Any additional resulting costs will be the responsibility of the traveler.
- • Gratuities (Tipping): We suggest a tip of 30 RMB per person, per day for the driver and the guide respectively.
- • Major Transport: Round-trip airfare or train tickets to and from Tibet are not included. We can assist with these bookings for a separate service fee.
