15 Day Mount Kailash

Upon arriving at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, our friendly Tibetan guide and driver will greet you warmly at the exit gate, holding a name board for easy identification. You will hear your first Tibetan phrase, “Tashi Delek,” a heartfelt greeting that means good luck and blessings. You will also receive a traditional Khata, a white scarf symbolizing purity and goodwill.

The drive from the airport to your hotel in Lhasa’s old city is about 70 kilometers and takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic. Along the way, you will enjoy your first glimpses of Tibet’s landscapes, including the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) and a first roadside view of the Potala Palace.

After checking into your hotel, you will need to rest and allow your body to acclimatize to Lhasa’s high altitude

Start the day with breakfast at your hotel (available from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM), then join your guide on a short walk to the Jokhang Temple, one of Tibet’s most sacred religious sites.

Located in the heart of old Lhasa, Jokhang temple is a spiritual site that draws pilgrims from all across Tibet.

The temple is surrounded by Barkhor Street, a kora (pilgrimage circuit) filled with colorful shops, pilgrims spinning prayer wheels, and locals in traditional dress. You will witness the deep devotion of Tibetan Buddhists performing prostrations along the street.

In the afternoon, visit the Sera Monastery, one of Tibet’s great monastic institutions founded in the 15th century by Jamchen Choji Sakya Yeshi, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. If you visit around 3 PM, you can witness the monk debates: an energetic display of learning and logic held in the monastery courtyard.

Begin your day with a visit to the majestic Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the winter residence of the Dalai Lama.

Perched high above Lhasa, its red and white towers offer beautiful views of the city.

It was built originally by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and later expanded by the 5th Dalai Lama. Potala Palace is a spiritual, cultural, and architectural marvel.
Climbing its steps can be physically demanding due to the altitude, so regular rest stops are recommended.

In the afternoon, step into the Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in Tibet, home to over 10,000 monks in its prime.

Have a glimpse into centuries of tradition: this monastery is a very rich source of Tibetan Buddhist art and history.

In the evening, savor a home-cooked Tibetan dinner prepared by our local team. Share stories, and dive into conversations about Lhasa’s culture and your journey so far.

Depart Lhasa in the morning and travel westward through mountain landscapes. The first stop is Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s three holiest lakes, known for its turquoise waters and surrounded by snow-covered peaks. The lake stretches over 72 kilometers and you can enjoy its best view from Gambala Pass (4,790m).

Next, continue to Karola Glacier, one of Tibet’s three major continental glaciers. The glacier is easily visible from the roadside and has a wonderful sight.

The final stop of the day is at Gyantse’s Kumbum Stupa at Pelkor Chode Monastery, a unique multi-tiered stupa built in 1427. Its name (Kum-bum) means one hundred thousand holy images. This wonder has nine levels and 77 chapels, representing a three-dimensional mandala of the Buddhist cosmos.
Then settle for the overnight stay in Shigatse.

Start your day at Tashilhunpo Monastery, the historic seat of the Panchen Lama, founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama.

This vast monastery is one of the most significant religious sites in Tibet and has the tombs of several Panchen Lamas.
While your guide secures your Alien’s Travel Permit (ATP) required for the next part of your journey, explore the monastery’s grand halls and sacred statues.

On the way to Lhatse, visit the Sakya Monastery, known for its medieval Mongolian-style architecture and vast library of ancient scriptures. Although some parts of the monastery are now damaged, the section on the southern side of the river remains active and is rich in history.

Enjoy an overnight stay in Lhatse.

Travel from Lhatse to Saga (4,600m), covering approximately 312 km in about 6 hours. Road are well-paved, and it will be a smooth journey surrounded by the beauty of Tibet’s far west.

Rest and recharge with an overnight stay in Saga.

Drive from Saga to Darchen through the beautiful Saga Valley, between the Gangdise Range and the Himalayas. See green grasslands and small villages where locals live simply. At Mayomla Pass (5,112m), enjoy an amazing view of Mt. Naimonanyi (7,694m).

Pass the holy Lake Manasarovar, a special place for pilgrims, then finally arrive at the foot of Mt. Kailash, Tibet’s most holy mountain.

Stay overnight in a local guesthouse in Darchen.

The Mount Kailash pilgrimage trek begins with a short eco-bus ride to Sershong Valley. Optional yak and porter services are available there for carrying your luggage or gear (at an extra cost).
We will walk side-by-side with local Buddhist pilgrims following the same route and pass by Bon pilgrims walking a counter-clockwise circuit.

After about a four hours trek, we will reach Tamdin (4,780m), where you will have a simple lunch in a nomadic tent. From there it’s just a 4km hike to Dirapuk Monastery, with some of the most beautiful views of Mount Kailash’s north face along the way.
Built in 1985 on the north bank of the Lha-chu River, Dirapuk Monastery faces Mount Kailash’s north side. Its name comes from “Dri-ra” (female yak horn) and “Puk” (cave). Legend has it that a female yak used her horn to create the cave.
Stay overnight in one of Dirapuk Monastery's simple guesthouses.

Start the second day of your Mount Kailash trek from Dirapuk, heading up a little steeper climb toward Drolma La Pass (5,630m), the highest point of the kora. Take your time, resting as needed. After a short break at the pass, descend into a long, scenic valley and stop for a simple lunch at Shabjay Dakpo nomadic tent.

Then, Continue to Zutulpuk Monastery (4,803m), where you’ll spend the night in a simple guesthouse. Built by the revered figures Milarepa and Naro Bon-Chung, you will be able to see Milarepa’s handprint and footprint, a sacred sight for pilgrims.

On the final day of the trek, you will enjoy an easier descent toward Darchen, completing the sacred Kailash Kora.
After finishing the trek, we will drive to Lake Manasarovar and stay overnight by the lake.

Spend the morning walking along the lake’s boundary, capturing photos of the scenery.
Then drive back to Saga, where we will spend the night in a local guesthouse.

Today’s drive takes you toward Everest Base Camp (EBC) via the Peiku Tso Lake, with excellent views of Mount Shishapangma (8,013m), Tibet’s only 8,000-meter peak located entirely within its borders.

Upon reaching Rongbuk Monastery, known as the "official" world’s highest monastery, you will rest in the monastery’s guesthouse. If the skies are clear, you can have spectacular views of the peaks.

After a simple Tibetan breakfast (often tibetan noodles and bread), you will have a final chance to photograph Everest’s north face.
Return to Shigatse for a restful evening at your hotel.

Travel back to Lhasa via a shorter route.

In the evening, you will enjoy a home-cooked farewell dinner with our local team, featuring traditional Tibetan dishes like yak momo. We will also teach you how to make yak momo. For this delightful evening, conversations are mainly on how we work as a team, your experience in Tibet, and feedback on how to improve our service.

Your guide and driver will take you to the airport or train station according to your departure schedule. We always hope in our heart that you had a wonderful time during your visit and our service are up to your satisfaction.

We appreciate your feedbacks which help us continue what we do and what we always try to achieve, which is to provide a real authentic Tibetan tour service in Tibet for all the overseas travelers who dream of coming to Tibet.