The Secrets of Guge Kingdom

A thousand years ago, there was a kingdom in western Tibet called Guge, with a glorious civilization and once at the peak of power. The kingdom, however, was obscured from the world over three hundred years ago, with only its remains looking towards the sky. The isolated gorgeous Guge Palace, located on a hillside of 300 meters, is surrounded by a vast expanse of desolate snowy mountains. Many people have never heard of Guge, but since its discovery made by a British explorer in 1912, the ancient kingdom has come to people ‘s attention. It is often mentioned along with the Mayan civilization and Pompeii, since the three shared the same fate they were all abruptly destroyed at their peak of civilization. The sudden destruction has left Guge well preserved. Its existence was unknown for centuries. Some attribute the downfall of the kingdom to the clash in the royal family members who embraced different religious faiths. The result was a conflict between Christianity brought by the 17th century Portuguese missionaries and local Buddhists, but no one knows for certain. You will travel around the holy mountains and sacred lakes, and pay a visit to Yamdrok Lake and Manasarovar Lake, two of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. You will also visit the base of Mount Everest and Kangrinpoche, the two holy mountains. Enjoy the enchanting beauty of Tibet at the world ‘s highest and most mysterious place.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Lhasa : In the morning, you will visit the Potala Palace after breakfast. The Palace used to be the seat of government of the old Buddhist theocratic government and is now the largest museum in Tibet. It was originally built around 640 AD and comprised of the Red and White Palace. Here a large number of precious cultural relics and wall paintings are preserved. After lunch we will go to the Jokhang Temple, which exhibits the most magnificent architecture during the Tubo Period, or the period when ancient Tibetan kings ruled. The temple is seen by Buddhists as the most sacred place and where the Jowo Shakyamuni Buddha statue is housed. The statue is of the same size of the Buddha at age twelve, and was brought by Princess Wencheng from Chang an, capital of ancient Tang Dynasty. Then you will stroll around Barkhor Street, the most ancient street in Lhasa, where Indian and Nepali craftwork, as well as local specialties, are for sale.

Day 3

Lhasa?Yamdrok Lake?Gyantse?Shigatse (Bus): Your journey of discovery will begin after breakfast. You will first climb over Ganbala snow mountain with an altitude of 4990 meters and then march towards Yamdrok Lake, the world ‘s highest salt water lake. En route you will have a breath-taking glimpse of Karola Glacier. After lunch at Gyantse town, you will leave for Shigatse along China Nepal Friendship Highway, where you will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the center of Tsang Buddhism and the residence of Panchen Lamas for centuries. During the day, you will see Buddhists trudge on the snow-covered plateau towards their sacred city, making bows every three steps and measuring the pilgrimage on their own.

Day 4

Shigatse?Lhartse?Saga County (Bus) : You will set out after breakfast to explore the vast countryside. The scenery will feature plateau desert and expansive grassland. You will pass Langcuo, a small lake, and have lunch at Sangsang. You will explore the sparsely populated grassland and its rural people. You will reside for the Saga at night.

Day 5

Saga County?Zhongba County?Huoer Village?Holy Mountains (Bus) : You will drive to Ngari Prefecture home to some of the wildest scenery in China, with vast grassland, plenty of snow-crapped mountains and lakes. We will also see the kiang, Tibetan gazelle and, with luck, Tibetan antelope. In the afternoon you will see the Holy Mountain of Kangrinpoche and the Sacred Lake of Manasarovar which are revered by people of Tibet and India You will weave around the tall imposing mountain range and meet Buddhist pilgrims.

Day 6

Darchen?Qugu Temple?Zhire Temple (Bus): On your way to visiting the holy Tibetan temples of Qugu and Zhire, you will be facing sheer cliffs and carved roads throughout the mountains. In Tibet where the natural environment is perilous, the ride will be breathtaking in many ways.

Day 7

Darchen Holy Mountains?Zanda county?Guge Kingdom (Bus): You will rise early to see the sunrise at Lake Manasorovar and then you will drive to Zanda Tsaparang, with the scenery of Gangdise Valley below you. You will watch the sunset at the site of Guge Kingdom, as well as Tholing Monastery and its 108 pagodas. The site of Guge Kingdom is one of the most visited places in Ngari Prefecture. Its unique light rays, tall forest, and glorious history are genuinely impressive.

Day 8

Guge Kingdom?Shiquan River (Bus) : The morning starts at sunrise at the site of Guge Kingdom, seven kilometers from the county center. You will watch the cluster of castles in quiet and wait for the sun to shine through the forest on to the Guge Kingdom. The Palace of Guge is located amongst mountains and forests, quite similar to scenes in the movie The Lord of the Rings. The palace is comprised of the royal palace, temples, fortress, pagodas and caves. The castles were built against the mountain with a commanding view of the surrounding mountains, forests, and lakes. There are tunnels inside the castles extending in all directions. Defensive walls along the exterior guard its impressive interior.

Day 9

Shiquan River?Gegyai?Gertse (Bus): You will start after breakfast and head for Gertse, and see the salt lakes, Nyer Tso and Darao Tso en route.

Day 10

Gaize?Dong Tso?Tsochen county?22 Highway Maintenance ‘squad?Sangsang?Lhartse (Bus) : You will leave for Lhartse after breakfast, by way of Dong Tso, 22 Highway.

Day 11

Lhartse, Shigatse, Lhasa (Bus) : After a day of traveling, you ll have an opportunity to rest before your departure.

Day 12

Departure