Top 4: 15 Days Kailash Pilgrimage Group Tour

Arrive in Lhasa 

Our Tibetan guide and driver will greet you at Lhasa Railway or Lhasa Gongkar Airport with a big smile and present a white hada to welcome you in Tibetan style. Transfer to hotel in downtown Lhasa. You will have the rest of the day to yourself. A light stroll at Potala Square is recommended, but pray not to exhaust yourself for the first day’s well rest helps tremendously with high altitude acclimatization in Tibet highland. 

Overnight in Lhasa. 

Lhasa sightseeing

Attractions: Summer Palace Norbulingka, Sera Monastery

We start the day by visiting Norbulingka, the summer palace of Dalai Lamas, a palace with its surrounding garden. The most dramatic and popular area inside Norbulingka called the Lake Palace. Norbulingka hosts celebrations of several Tibetan festivals where local people gather here to sing, dance and perform Tibetan opera. After lunch we will visit Sera Monastery. The highlights of our visit include touring the main architectural structures of the monastery and watching a monk-debating session in the main courtyard. Inside the halls, you can find delicate religious objects and decorations such as scriptures in gold powder, colorful statues, and narrative murals. During the debate session, you will see hundreds of red-robed monks assemble in small groups striking different poses as a way to engage in religious topics.

Overnight in Lhasa. 

Lhasa sightseeing: Attractions: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Streets 

We visit the single most iconic architecture in Tibet, Potala Palace, which is the winter palace of Dalai Lama. You will see both the public offices and residential quarters of Dalai Lama, as well as a massive collection of artworks and religious treasure, including stupas of past Dalai Lamas and a statue of Tsongkhapa. After lunch, we will head to Jokhang Temple, the most important and sacred temple in Tibet. The architecture of the temple displays influences from Indian, Tibetan and Nepalese design. Numerous famous Buddhist teachers had also conducted teaching there. Today, it houses a variety of Buddhist scriptures and objects. Surrounding the temple are Barkhor Streets, a busy and lively area for dining, shopping and entertainment. You will also encounter many local Tibetans performing pilgrimages and ritualistic prostrations.

A welcome group meal of Tibetan cuisine will be arranged tonight to welcome you in Tibet.

Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 4

Lhasa > Yamdrok > Karola > Gyantse > Shigatse (360km) 

Attractions: Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Pelkor Chode Monastery with Gyantse Kumbum

Our adventure into the grand Tibetan plateau starts today! We head west towards the second largest city in Tibet, Shigatse. On our way, we cross Kampala Pass (4797 m) and then Karola Pass (5050 m). We will first encounter the stunning holy lake of Yamdrok-Tso and then Karola Glacier only steps off the main road. We will visit Pelkhor Chode Monastery in Gyantse that houses the most important Tibetan paintings in its Gyantse Kumbum Stupa, and the outlook of Gyantse Dzong/Fortress that overlooks the Nyang-chu Valley. We will finally reach Shigatse before dinner. Sun sets very late in Tibet, so you will have plenty of time to explore Shigatse town on your own.

Overnight in Shigatse.

Shigatse-Everest Base Camp(340km)

We arrive below the stunning north face of Mt. Everest (8844.43 m), the highest mountain on earth. To have the closest view, you can trek 4km or take the local environment tour vehicle to the final milestone. We pay a visit to the nearby Rongbuk Monastery, also the highest monastery in the world. Overnight at Everest Base Camp guesthouse.

Everest Base Camp-Saga (330km)

We drive west to the direction of Mt. Kailash. We will pass Mt. Shishapangma and discover the turquoise water of Lake Peikutso. Overnight at Saga Hotel or similar.

Saga-Darchen(500km)

We will enter the nomadic regions of Tibet’s far west today. We will appreciate the Tibetan landscapes during this long drive journey. We follow Yarlung Tsampo River west until we reach Darchen just below Mt. Kailash. For the rest of the day we will get ready for our upcoming 3-day trek. Overnight at Himalaya Kailash Hotel or similar.

Mt. Kailash Trek Day 1: Darchen – Dira-Puk Monastery 20 km, 5-6 hours

We begin the Mt. Kailash Pilgrimage in the clockwise direction. 4km into the path, we reach the height of 4790m and the first prostration point that marks the first views of Mt. Kailash’s southern façade. The next important landmark is Tarboche flagpole (4750m), where the main rituals of Saga Dawa Full Moon Festival takes place here every year. You can pay a visit to the nearby Chorten Kangnyi and Sky-Burial Site of the 84 Mahasiddhas. Coming up next is Chuku Monastery (4820m), where you can find a revered marble statue inside. After some break time when you can take in more views, we will head towards the second prostration point, where you see prayers flags and views of the west side of Mt Kailash. The second Buddha footprint is a short distance ahead. There are several trails to reach our destination of the day: Dira-Puk Monastery (5080m). It faces the north side of Mt. Kailash and provides viewpoints for peaks in other direction. Overnight at guesthouse near Dira-Puk Monastery. Sleeping bag is recommended.

Mt. Kailash Trek Day 2: Dira-Puk Monastery - Zuthul-Puk Monastery 18 km, 6-8 hours

We continue the main Kora path towards the east. We pass through Kangkyam Glacier and Jarok Donkhang (5210m) meadowland. A short distance above is Shivatsal (5330m). Pilgrims go through a symbolic death here and are reborn at Drolma-la (5630m), which is half an hour away. After some rest and refreshments, we soon arrive at lake Gauri Kund. We gradually descent to the grand valley of Lha-chu and begin a long journey in the grassland. The day concludes at Zuthul-Puk Monastery. Overnight at guesthouse near Zuthul-Puk Monastery. Sleeping bag is recommended.

Mt. Kailash Trek Day 3: Zuthul-Puk Monastery- Lake Manasarovar 14 km, 3-4 hours

We follow the river and then climbs the Gold & Red Cliffs. Pilgrims search for holy stones on these cliff walls. We will see prayer flags across the river, and Lake Rakshas Tal in the far distance. After reaching the fourth prostration point, the final walk back to Darchen is quite easy. We then drive to holy lake Manasarovar. Overnight at guesthouse near Lake Manasarovar. Sleeping bag is recommended.

Lake Manasarovar-Saga(500km)

Full day of landscape driving. Return to Saga from Lake Manasarovar. Overnight at Saga Hotel or similar.

Saga-Sakya(400km)

Full day of landscape driving. Overnight at local guesthouse.

Sakya-Shigatse(110km)

We visit Sakya Monastery today, a Sakyapa Sect monastery with a unique Mongolian architectural style. We then arrive at New Tingri only 100km from the Everest and rest. Overnight at Shigatse Gesar Hotel or similar.

Shigatse-Lhasa(280km)

We will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery in the morning and explore the local market. Afterwards, we head our way back to Lhasa and spend the rest of day relaxing in the capital city. Overnight at Tashi Nota Hotel or similar.

Departure Day

You will enjoy your last moments in Tibet. Our guide and driver will then pick you up and transfer you to the airport or train station. We hope you have gathered precious memory of your time in Tibet, and we wish you the best on your future adventure.