Embark on a transcendent 14-day journey through Tibet’s mesmerizing landscapes as we undertake the sacred Mount Kailash Kora trek. This extraordinary pilgrimage encompasses an array of awe-inspiring adventures, cultural explorations, and spiritual encounters that unveil the mystique of Tibet’s most revered peak. Each day of this exceptional experience offers a unique perspective, weaving together elements of faith, history, and unparalleled natural beauty.
From the sacred monasteries and palaces that dot the rugged terrain to the serene lakes and earth forests that seem to whisper tales of ancient civilizations, our expedition is an exploration of both the tangible and the intangible. As we trace the footsteps of countless pilgrims who have sought enlightenment and blessings, our path leads us through diverse landscapes, sacred sites, and hidden treasures, all under the watchful gaze of Mount Kailash.
Day 1 Lhasa Airport Pick Up
Today is a gathering day. Partners from all over the world will be flying into Lhasa Gonggar Airport. Our staff will be there to pick you up at the airport based on your flight’s arrival time and take you to your hotel in Lhasa, where you can rest.
Day 2 Lhasa: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Main attractions: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
In the morning, we’ll start our day by visiting the Potala Palace, which is the world’s highest ancient palace-style building complex. Situated on Red Mountain at an altitude of 3,700 meters, the Winter Palace of Dalai Lama is a testament to the wisdom and rich history of the Tibetan people, featuring towering palaces and a magnificent presence. After a break, you’ll explore the Potala with a professional tour guide, delving into its rich history and the strong religious atmosphere it exudes.
In the afternoon, we visit the Jokhang Temple, a sacred place for Tibetan Buddhists. It has a 1,300-year history and is highly revered. Follow your guide to learn about its history and spirituality. Before leaving, make sure to walk around the temple clockwise for good luck and to connect with Tibetan Buddhism.
While in Lhasa, take the time to slow down and enjoy a leisurely stroll. Explore the handicraft market on Barkhor Street, carefully selecting souvenirs, or simply wander aimlessly and discover a quaint tea house. Sit by the window, savour a cup of tea, and soak in the sunshine that shines through the transparent blue sky of Lhasa. It’s the perfect way to clear away any stress or negativity.
Thoughtful reminder:
Tickets for the Potala Palace must be bought in advance with specific visit time restrictions. The itinerary will be adjusted accordingly. There is a security check upon entry, so dangerous items are prohibited, and no photography is allowed inside.
Day 3 Lhasa – Yamdrok Yumtso – Karola Glacier – Gyangtse – Shigatse
Main attractions: Yamdrok Yumtso, Karola Glacier, Palkor Choede Temple
After breakfast, we will journey to Shigatse. We will ascend Gangangbala Snow Mountain at 4,900 meters and visit Yamdrok Lake at 4,400 meters. This lake is known for its beauty. Locals believe circling the mountain and lake brings blessings. The sky, clouds, and lake create an enchanting spectacle. The azure lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, including Norchen Kangsang Snow Mountain at 7,191 meters.
Our journey along the Yamdrok Lake shoreline will take us past the Karola Glacier, a location featured in the movie “Red River Valley.” This glacier, right by the road, presents a serene and majestic sight, nestled amidst towering snow-capped peaks. Continuing our adventure, we’ll reach Smila Mountain, where hanging a prayer flag and making a wish is believed to fulfil your dreams within your lifetime. Beyond this point, we arrive at Gyantse, an ancient city with a history spanning over 600 years, serving as a strategic transport hub from front Tibet to back Tibet.
We will begin by observing the Gyangtse Dzong Matyr Site and then visit the Palkor Choede Temple, a unique Buddhist temple known for its murals, sculptures, and 100,000 pagodas. After finding spiritual inspiration, we will explore the Gyantse forest’s lush greenery. Continuing our journey, we will arrive in Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city. In the summer, the landscape is adorned with yellow and green barley fields, creating a picturesque scene of dancing wheat waves under the vast blue sky and fluffy white clouds.
Day 4 Shigatse – Everest Base Camp
Main Attractions: Gawula Pass, Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp
Accommodation: Everest tent
Distance: 350 kilometers
In the early morning, our journey begins at the Tashilhunpo Temple, the residence of the Panchen Lama. As the largest temple in Shigatse, the Temple is alive with monks engaged in worship and sutra recitations. Filled with piety, we set forth for the famed Everest Base Camp, breaking for lunch in Latse.
Prepare to continue onwards as we pass through two significant mountain passes, namely Zola (at 4600 meters) and Gyatso La (at 5248 meters). These passages mark our official entry into the Everest Base Camp Scenic Area. Be sure to open your eyes wide and adjust your gaze to soak in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Himalayas, particularly the majestic Gyawula Mountain.
Our journey meanders along the winding mountain roads, and we soon arrive at the tent area of Mount Everest Base Camp. As dusk falls, golden sunlight bathes the camp in a warm glow, gradually yielding to the darkening sky as the setting sun disappears behind the mountains. As night falls, the dark sky twinkles with stars and a pure white Milky Way stretches diagonally across, providing a serene backdrop for those beneath to engage in conversations, either in small groups or in quiet contemplation. It’s a truly enchanting experience that merits savouring.
Day 5 Everest Base Camp – Shishapangma – Pekutso – Saga
Main Attractions: Xixia Bangma Reserve, Pekutso
Accommodation: Three-star hotel in Saga
Distance: 450 kilometers
Don’t let the early rays of Mount Everest’s sunshine go to waste; rise early and step outdoors to welcome the dawn as it bathes the Earth in its gentle light. Mount Everest, cloaked in the morning glow, appears like a resplendent goddess donned in her finest attire, gracing the grand and meandering Himalayan mountains with a majestic and ethereal presence.
With the sunrise, our next destination is the world’s highest monastery, Rongbuk Monastery (weather permitting; please be mindful of potential danger during rain or snow). Rongbuk Monastery, a Nyingma sect temple in Tibet, stands at an altitude of approximately 5,100 meters. Its lofty and frigid location is counterbalanced by its exquisite surroundings. Below the sacred mountain, amidst the towering peaks, you can engage in the silent recitation of a Tibetan Buddhist sutra, introspection, and dialogue with your inner self, an experience that is profoundly enriching no matter how you approach it.
With fond memories in our hearts, we journey westward to Saga County. As we drive along the road, the straight highway seems to extend into the heavens. Occasionally, lone yaks graze in the ochre-yellow earth and stone grasslands by the roadside. Taking in the surroundings, the snow-capped mountain peaks and white clouds appear to seamlessly merge into one, creating a view that is almost inseparable. In this vast expanse of sky and earth, a closer look reveals the world’s 14th highest peak, Shishapangma (at 8012 meters), nestled peacefully alongside Pekutso Lake (at 4590 kilometres).
The sky mirrors the lake’s vibrant blue hue, with the tranquillity broken only by the leisurely grazing of wild donkeys and the hurried flight of black-necked cranes, red-billed gulls, and other birds. At a glance, one could easily mistake Pekutso Lake for a piece of the blue sky that has fallen to Earth. Such scenes can’t help but inspire the imagination, leading one to ponder the possibility of becoming a small fish or bird, descending into this sapphire jewel adorned with white clouds.
Day 6 Saga – Drongba – Paryang – Tarchen
Main Attractions: Kailash, Manasarovar, Laangtso
Accommodation: Three-star hotels in Tarchen
Distance: 450 kilometers
In the early morning, as the first rays of sunshine grace the land, we embark on our journey to Tarchen in the west. Nestled between the Gangdise Mountains and the Himalayas, the Shaga Valley stretches out like a colourful ribbon, weaving its way through the mountains, and showcasing nature’s mysteries. The vast grasslands, the leisurely Tibetans, and the seamless blend of sky, earth, and people create a harmonious tapestry, a life perpetuating itself in the most authentic manner.
Gazing at the distant Namunani Peak (at 7694 meters), the steep and enigmatic snow-capped mountain holds a special allure, drawing countless devotees from Nepal, India, and China who follow the Buddha’s footsteps to this sacred land. At the mountain’s base lies the holy Manasam Yumco Lake, so pristine in its azure depths that you can see right to the bottom. It’s often referred to as the “Medicine Lake of the West” in Xuanzang’s “The Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty.” Devotees worship fervently here, bathing and baptizing themselves in its waters, seeking redemption for the sins of their lives and hoping for their souls to ascend to heaven.
Day 7 – Holy Mountain Kailash Kora (Tarchen to Zhire Temple, 22 km)
Accommodation: Zhire Guest House
Distance: 22 kilometers
In the early morning, we embarked on our journey deep into the valley from Tachen, taking an environmentally friendly bus in preparation for our mountain hike. The valley is populated with yaks and horses, allowing visitors to experience the local culture. There are also luggage porters available to assist those carrying heavy bags. (Please note that the tour fee does not include charges for horse riding, yak riding, or potter.) Adjust your breathing, brace yourself, and explore this pristine land with your own feet.
As you traverse the valley, the backdrop of blue skies and snow-capped mountains accompanies you throughout your journey. You’ll occasionally encounter winding rivers, marvelling at nature’s extraordinary artistry in its purest form. Along the way, you’ll catch glimpses of the “Gang Rinpoche Peak,” with one side soaring high into the clouds and the other displaying layered, endless terrain. It’s an adventure that grants you a unique perspective, reshaping your perception of what’s truly extraordinary.
After roughly 13 kilometres of uphill trekking, we reached the Zherepu Temple. Amidst the colourful prayer flags, we took a well-deserved rest, falling asleep with a deep sense of faith and reverence for nature.
Day 8- Holy Mountain Kailash Kora (Zhire Temple to Zutru Temple, 20 km)
Accommodation: Zutru Guest House
Distance: 20 kilometers
Following a night of rest and rejuvenation, we embarked on a new day of hiking. Today, we’ll reach the highest point of our mountain tour, the Dolma La Pass (5630 meters). Along the way, we’ll encounter many devout Tibetans bowing in prayer. The ice-covered path can be slippery, and the sound of gravel rolling down the valley fills the air, making the journey a bit challenging. What appears as a mountain trail is actually the sacred path where Tibetans have stepped over time, creating a connection between the ice, snow, and gravel through their devotion.
While the sacred route is demanding, you can take a break at a teahouse to regain your strength. Prayer flags flutter in the breeze at the Dolma La Pass, and at the valley’s bottom lies a beautiful small sea, Tuoji Tso, a lake of compassion, resembling a piece of transparent white jade set amidst towering mountains. After crossing the Dolmala Pass, the descent begins, requiring much less physical energy. where we spent the night in the Zutru guest house.
Day 9 – Mount Kailash Kora (Zutru Temple to Tarchen, 15 km), Tarchen to Zada
Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Zada
Distance: 300 kilometers
On the third day following our mountain ascent, as we descended in altitude, the landscape gradually transitioned from snow-white to emerald green. Small animals amidst the shrubs started to come to life, filling the air with the vibrant spirit of life. Stacks of Mani stones, painted in various colours, adorned the snow-capped mountains and grasslands, resembling monks deep in prayer.
After covering the final 10 kilometres of our hike, we reached noon. Our tour bus was already waiting to welcome the accomplished mountain climbers. From there, we embarked on our journey to Zada.
Day 10 – Zada to Guge to Tarchen
Main Attractions: Guge Dynasty, Tuolin Temple
Accommodation: Three-star hotels in Tarchen
Distance: 300 kilometers
Zada County is renowned for its spectacular soil forest landform, a unique landscape within the Ali region. The earth forest is a special landform shaped by ancient geological forces. Over time, layers of sediment at the lake’s bottom were carved and eroded by flowing water, creating “trees” within the soil forest that reach heights of up to tens of meters. These formations exhibit various shapes and styles, each with a unique charm, making it feel as if you are encircling the soles of giants’ feet as you journey through this remarkable terrain.
We visit the Guge Kingdom Ruins in the morning, a fascinating landmark in Ali. The ruins blend with the earth forest and were established in the 9th century by the Tubo Dynasty descendants. The Guge Dynasty became a dominant power in western Tubo, ruling the Ali region. It played a key role in the resurgence of Tibetan Buddhism. However, it disappeared overnight, leaving a mystery behind.
The Guge Kingdom Ruins are a magnificent site, with palaces, temples, towers, pagodas, and caves. Spread across a steep slope, there are over 300 houses and 800 caves. The palaces and castles tower over 300 meters, showcasing the kingdom’s former grandeur.
Tuolin Temple
Tuolin Temple boasts a history of over 900 years. It was the first Buddhist temple constructed by the Guge Kingdom in the Ali region. The temple’s architectural style and Buddhist statues combine elements from Indian Kashmir, Ladakh, and Nepal. Around the temple, you can find over 100 pagoda ruins, while ancient murals inside the temple offer a glimpse into its former splendour.
Day 11 – Tarchen to Saga
Main Attractions: Scenery along the northern Tibetan grassland
Accommodation: Three-star hotel in Saga
Distance: 450 kilometers
After breakfast, we head towards Lhasa. The scenery changes to a captivating landscape of icy peaks, snow ridges, and cliffs, characteristic of the plateau style that has fascinated many explorers, inviting them to conquer, experience, and appreciate its beauty. It’s a day that makes us feel intimately connected to the heavens.
Saga, in the northwest of Shigatse Prefecture, has a 105-km border. National Highway 219 connects it to Shigatse, Lhasa, Ali, Puran, Jilong County, and Nepal. Located in the Himalayas and Gangdise Mountains, Saga is known for its plateau landscape with mountains, lakes, grasslands, and yaks. With an average altitude above 4,600 meters, it experiences a continental plateau climate with cold winters, short summers, thin air, abundant sunshine, and temperature fluctuations.
Day 12 – Saga to Shigatse
Main Attractions: Scenery along the northern Tibetan grassland
Accommodation: Three-star hotels in Shigatse
Distance: 500 kilometers
Today’s journey doesn’t feature specific scenic spots; instead, the beauty lies within the landscapes you encounter along the way. Everywhere you look, paradise-like scenery unfolds on either side of the road. Open your eyes, open your heart, and embrace the gifts bestowed upon us by nature.
D13 – Shigatse to Tashilhunpo Monastery to Lhasa
Main Attractions: Tashilhunpo Temple
Accommodation: Three-star hotels in Lhasa
Distance: 320 kilometers
After breakfast, our day begins with a visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery, which serves as the resting place of the Panchen Lama’s soul. It is one of the six major monasteries of the Yellow Sect, and it once functioned as the political centre of Tibet. The temple is renowned for housing the world’s largest seated bronze Buddha statue, “Jamba Buddha” (Maitreya Buddha), standing at an impressive 28 meters in height. Following this visit, we return to Lhasa.
D14 – Lhasa Airport Drop-off
After your journey, it’s time to take a flight or train on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway back to the warmth of your home.
As our 14-day Mount Kailash Kora journey comes to a close, we leave with hearts full of awe and reverence for the majestic landscapes and profound spirituality that we’ve encountered. This sacred pilgrimage has been a remarkable tapestry woven with the threads of tradition, devotion, and natural beauty. The Mount Kailash Kora trek is not just an adventure; it’s a transformative experience that lingers long after the journey’s end.
Join us on this extraordinary expedition to explore Tibet’s mystical wonders and create lasting memories of a lifetime. May your spirits be lifted and your hearts enriched by the magic of Mount Kailash and the enchanting landscapes of Tibet.
