West of Tibet lies the true essence of Tibet

You'll absolutely regret not taking this lesser northern route in Ngari, Tibet! This Ngari Small Northern Loop is hands down the most rewarding route in Tibet, showcasing the region's most breathtaking landscapes. If you have 9 days, don’t miss this adventure! ⭐ Highlights - Condenses all the essence of the 12-day Ngari Grand Loop into 9 days - Stunning "lake after lake" scenery along the northern route - Pilgrimage to multiple sacred mountains and holy lakes - Off-road adventures through uninhabited wilderness - 100% chance of spotting wild Tibetan donkeys and Tibetan antelopes - Sunrise, sunset, and starry skies at the "Third Pole of the World" - Zhada Earth Forest and Zhongba Sand Dunes - The vanished kingdom of Guge... 📍 Itinerary **D1** Lhasa → Yamdrok Lake → Karola Glacier → Manla Reservoir → Shigatse Activities: Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier (one of Tibet's three continental glaciers). **D2** Shigatse → 5,000km milestone on Highway 318 → Lhatse → Everest National Park → Gawula Pass → Everest Base Camp → Basong Village (Zhaxizong Township) Activities: Gawula Viewpoint (only place to see five 8,000m+ peaks simultaneously), golden sunset on Everest, stargazing at Everest. **D3** Basong Village → Everest Ancient Fort → Shishapangma Peak → Peiku Tso (picnic) → Saga County Activities: Shishapangma (the only 8,000m+ peak entirely within China), Peiku Tso (largest inland lake in Everest Reserve). **D4** Saga → Zhongba Sand Dunes → "Gateway to Heavenly Ngari" → Lake Manasarovar → Mount Kailash → Darchen (view Kailash without trekking) Activities: Sacred Lake Manasarovar (one of Tibet’s three holy lakes), Mount Kailash (one of Buddhism’s four sacred mountains). **D5** Darchen → Zhada Earth Forest → Guge Kingdom Ruins → Zhada County Activities: Vast Tertiary-era eroded earth formations, the mysteriously vanished Guge Kingdom. **D6** Zhada County → Mount Kailash → Zhongba → Saga Activities: Mount Kailash pilgrimage. **D7** Saga → Dagejia Hot Springs → Tsochen → Tso Ngonmo → Lake Tangra Yumco → Wenbu South Village Activities: Tibet’s third-largest lake and China’s second-deepest lake. **D8** Wenbu South Village → Nyima County → "Sky Tree" → Siling Co → Bangor County Activities: Drone vistas, national nature reserve. **D9** Bangor County → Namtso Lake loop → Nagela Pass → Lhasa Activities: "Final destination of Tibetan scenery," one of Tibet’s "Three Holy Lakes." 💡 Tips - **Altitude prep**: Arrive in Lhasa 2 days early; avoid strenuous activity; carry portable oxygen and glucose. - **Essentials**: Bring a neck pillow and snacks for long drives between distant attractions. - **No signal**: Download offline maps and music for areas without coverage.