Kailash Bon tour is a unique tour specially designed for Bon followers around the world. We are the only travel agency in Tibet that has decades of experience in operating the Kailash Bon tour.
Bon (Bön) was the old religion of Tibet before the arrival of Buddhism in the 7th century AD, dating back more than 3800 years. Bön is spelt either Bön or Bon and is sometimes called Bonism. There are still some monasteries and the people who worship the Bon religion in Tibet, and especially many doing the kora around Bonri and Mt. Kailash.
Based on the extensive and profound ancient Shangshung culture, absorbing the cultural essence of the surrounding areas, the Bon religion formed the unique Tibetan religious culture. We are the only agency that has decades of experience in operating the Bon tours in Tibet, and we know about the Bon better than anyone else.
Lhasa Gongkar Airport (Google Map)
Upon arrival at the Lhasa (3500m) Gongkar Airport, our client will be warmly welcomed by our Tibetan local tour guide and the driver with a traditional Tibetan white scarf. Driving for about an hour from the airport to the hotel. After checking the hotel, the guide will brief the tour itineraries for the next day and relax in the hotel for the rest of the day to acclimate to the high altitude.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive about an hour to Drak Yerpa Hermitage and afternoon, we will go to visit the Lukhang Temple (The Naga King Temple).
Today is the scenic drive with breathtaking high passes and the holy lake. Driving along the Lhasa river till the Lhasa Airport, and we cross Kampa-la Pass [4797m] and then Karo-la Pass [5050m], where Mt. Noijin Kangsang [7206m] glacier lies near the road. In the middle, we enjoy the unreal turquoise waters of holy lake Yamdrok-Yumtso. Finally, we arrive at Gyantse town, where we stop for lunch. Also, we admire the majestic Gyantse Dzong (fortress) overlooking the valley.
Then we drive North-West to reach the second largest city in Tibet Autonomous Region – Shigatse. There, we visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in the 15th century by the first Dalai Lama. Nowadays is the spiritual seat for the successive Panchen Lamas. We recommend doing Kora around Tashilhunpo Monastery if times allow, because of having an incredible panorama view of the valley and an impressive Dzong (fortress).
It’s a whole day’s drive from Shigatse to Saga, crossing 9 passes at an elevation of around 5000m. Most of the road we drive through nomads’ area because we are gaining altitude and wonderful, great natural mountains and rivers from western Tibet along the way.
Driving almost the whole way to reach Darchen Town.
The Highlight of the trip is three days of conversion (52km) of the sacred Mt. Kailash. The trek starts from today, and only 12km to Zutrulpuk Cave is the easiest part of the Kora.
Today we set out from Zutrulpuk cave early morning to cross the Dolma La pass. About 4km ascending up to the Dolma La pass and a descent of 6km is the toughest part of the whole trek. After that, we reach the Dirapuk cave, where we have the best and most stunning view of the north face of Mt. Kailash.
The trek starts from Dirapuk cave, and 10 km after leaving the lodge, we reach the spot Tarpoche, the large prayer flag pole in honour of Buddha at the entrance to Kora for the Buddhists. The walk for today is easy, as decent down to Darchen.
After enjoying the last view of Kailash from Darchen, we drive back to Saga the same way.
Drive the same route back to Shigatse.
Today, we drive back to Lhasa through the G318 Friendship Highway along the Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra) for 3 hours. After arrival in Lhasa, you will have a half day of free time for shopping and exploring around.
Our Kailash Bon tour officially ends today. Have a safe journey after that.
