Kailash Group Tour

On your first full day on the plateau, you may experience mild headaches, nausea, and drowsiness due to high altitudes. These symptoms are normal and usually subside within a day or two as your body adjusts. Sufficient rest, hydration, and mild activity can help alleviate these symptoms.

The day begins with visits to the famous Jokhang Temple, the most sacred Buddhist temple in Tibet, and the vibrant Barkhor Street, which encircles the temple and is the largest market in Lhasa. Join the pilgrims on a walk around the kora and explore the bustling street for great bargains.

In the afternoon, visit the Sera Monastery, a 15th-century university monastery associated with the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism. With over 600 resident monks, the monastery hosts monastic debates in the courtyard every afternoon (except Sundays). Overnight stay in Lhasa.

Your third day in Tibet begins with a visit to the iconic Potala Palace, the majestic building that served as the government seat of the Dalai Lama. Built in the 17th century, the palace stands on the site of an ancient fortress, with remnants still preserved inside. The hike up the palace steps, situated high above the city on Moburi Hill, rewards you with panoramic views. Take your time and rest whenever needed during the ascent.

In the afternoon, explore the vast Drepung Monastery, which was once a prominent seat of power for the Dalai Lama in Tibet. It is one of the largest monasteries on the plateau, with narrow lanes and beautiful structures. At its peak, the monastery housed over 10,000 monks. Overnight stay in Lhasa.

After two days exploring Lhasa, it’s time to embark on a scenic journey across the plateau. Our road trip begins by winding through the Gampa La Pass at 4,794 meters. From there, you will catch the first glimpse of the stunning Lake Yamdrok, one of Tibet’s Great Three Sacred Lakes, with the sacred Mount Nyenchen Khangsar’s snow-capped peak in the distance. Pause for a brief stop at the lakeshore before continuing to Nagartse for lunch. Afterward, make a short stop at Karo La (5,150m) to witness the breathtaking Nyenchen Khangsar glacier.

The journey then takes you to Gyantse, once the largest town in Tibet, home to the Pelkor Chode Monastery and its renowned Kumbum Stupa. The impressive 32-meter-tall structure contains 108 small chapels, making it a unique treasure in Tibet. In the late afternoon, continue to Shigatse for an overnight stay.

In the morning, visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the largest functioning monasteries in western Tibet, while your guide obtains the Alien’s Travel Permit (ATP) from the local Public Security Bureau (PSB). Founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama, this monastery serves as the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama and holds the tombs of seven former Panchen Lamas.

En route to Lhatse, our overnight destination, we will take a detour to Sakya Monastery. Explore the winding alleys alongside Buddhist pilgrims in this important 13th-century scholastic study center. Divided into two parts, the active monastery lies on the southern side of the river, while the northern part now lies in ruins. Overnight stay in Lhatse.

On this day, we will embark on a scenic drive from Saga to Darchen, covering a distance of 520km. As we traverse the vast plains, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the great Himalayas to the south and the Trans-Himalaya range to the north. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the traditional lifestyle of nomads who have preserved their customs for centuries. The region is also home to a diverse range of plateau wildlife. Prepare to be amazed as we pass by sand dunes, mountains, and picturesque sandstone valleys. In the late afternoon, we will arrive at the holy Lake Manasarovar, one of the four sacred lakes in Tibet. The serene lake attracts thousands of pilgrims from Tibet, India, and Russia each year. Finally, we’ll drive to Darchen, a small nomadic village and an important starting point for pilgrimages around Mt. Kailash. Upon arrival, our guide will make arrangements for yaks and porters if necessary. You can spend the afternoon exploring the village, seeking dinner options, or seeking recommendations from our guide. Overnight stay at Darchen.

Our trekking adventure begins from Darchen, following a small trail in a clockwise circuit around Mt. Kailash at an average altitude of 4700 meters. Along the way, you’ll walk alongside local Buddhist pilgrims who are also on the same route. You’ll also encounter Bon pilgrims walking in a counter-clockwise circuit. After approximately 4 hours of trekking, we will reach Tamdin (4780m), where we will have a simple lunch inside a nomadic tent. From there, it’s only a 4km hike to Drirapuk Monastery, where we will stay at a nearby guesthouse for the night. This 4km stretch offers some of the most breathtaking scenery of the entire Kora. Drirapuk Monastery, rebuilt in 1985, is located on the north side of the Lha-chu River, facing the majestic north face of Mt. Kailash. According to legend, the name Drirapuk originates from the words “Dri-ra” meaning “female yak horn” and “Puk” meaning “cave,” as it is believed that a female yak used her horn to create the cave. The guesthouse at Drirapuk Monastery offers basic accommodation. Overnight stay at Drirapuk.

This day will prove to be the most challenging day of our trekking journey. The Dikpa La (5000m) and Dolma La (5630m) passes, although not steep, will be physically demanding due to the high altitude. However, the effort will be rewarded with a front-row view of the sacred Mt. Kailash. After a brief rest at the summit, we will descend into a long valley and stop for lunch at the Shabjay Dakpo nomadic tent. We will then continue our trek to Dzultripuk Monastery, where we will spend the night. Dzultripuk Monastery (4803m) holds great religious significance as it was built by two important religious figures, Milarepa and Naro Bon-Chung. Inside the monastery’s cave, you can see the handprint and footprint of Milarepa. Accommodation at the local family guesthouse in Dzultripuk Monastery is basic. Overnight stay at Dzultripuk Monastery.

On this day, we complete the circuit with an easy day of trekking. Your driver will pick you up from Tashi Do (also known as Dzongsar), and we will drive to Lake Manasarovar, where guesthouses near the lake await us. If time permits, you may visit the Chiu Monastery by walking up a small hill. Overnight stay at Lake Manasarovar.

In the morning, we head towards Everest Base Camp in the Rongbuk Valley. Along the way, you’ll be treated to picturesque views of Mount Shishapangma and other majestic peaks of the Himalayas, including Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Everest, and Mt. Cho Oyu. We’ll pass by Old Tingri, and as we approach the base camp, you’ll have a chance to witness the tallest peaks of the Himalayas. Upon arrival, we’ll settle in the tent guesthouse community dedicated to tourists. If you’re visiting between November and March, when the tent guesthouses are closed, accommodation will be available at the Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse. We recommend bringing your own sleeping bags, as the accommodation at the tent guesthouses is basic. Overnight stay at Everest Base Camp.