Tibet Tour with Mt. Kailash Trek – 14 days
Trip Highlights
- Visit Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most revered spiritual site
- Explore Barkhor Street, a vibrant pilgrimage circuit and artisan market
- Visit Sera Monastery and Drepung monastery and witness the lively monastic debates
- Visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum Stupa
- Enjoy views of vast plains, snow-covered peaks, and open skies along the journey.
- Enjoy panoramic views of Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, and the Himalayan range bordering Nepal.
- Cross Drolma La Pass at 5,630 meters—the highest point of the trek, symbolizing rebirth and liberation.
Summary
The 14-day Kailash Kora pilgrimage is a spiritually rich journey through Tibet, beginning with acclimatization and cultural exploration in Lhasa before traveling westward via sacred lakes and ancient monasteries to Mount Kailash. The three-day trek around the holy mountain includes crossing the high Dolma La Pass and visiting revered sites like Dirapuk and Zutulpuk. The journey culminates at Lake Mansarovar, followed by a reflective return through Saga and Shigatse, ending in Lhasa for departure—leaving pilgrims deeply transformed and blessed.
- Twin sharing accommodation as per the itinerary on bed & breakfast (BB) basis.
- English speaking Tibetan Guide.
- Transportation as per the itinerary by necessary vehicle.
- Monastery entrance fee
- Tibet Travel permits.
- Emergency mineral water in the vehicle.
- Emergency portable oxygen cylinder in the vehicle.
- Trip briefing by Tibet expert & entertain question.
- Trip Information pack.
- Gift pack (prayer flag or string of flag & paper prayer Lungtha).
- Tibet Visa Fee (Acceptable in US$ cash only).
- Any International Air ticket (Fare as per availability).
- Travel insurance.
- Expenses during any rescue operation.
- Lunch and Dinner
- Alcoholic beverages & bar bills.
- All expenses of personal nature, phone calls, laundry etc.
- Gratuity to staff.
- Services of Porterage and other vehicles in between in case of landslides and other natural calamities beyond our control and expenses incurred during rescue services.
- Additional portable oxygen cylinder
- Services not mentioned herein.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m)
- Pick up from Lhasa Gonggar Airport and transfer to hotel (1.5 hours)
- Rest and acclimatize to the altitude
- Welcome dinner with traditional Tibetan cuisine
Overnight at a hotel in Lhasa.
Day 02: Lhasa – Sacred Sites
- Potala Palace, the iconic winter residence of the Dalai Lama
- Visit Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most revered spiritual site
- Explore Barkhor Street, a vibrant pilgrimage circuit and artisan market
Overnight at hotel in Lhasa.
Day 03: Lhasa – Palaces and Perspectives
- Visit Sera Monastery and Drepung monastery and witness the lively monastic debates
- Explore chapels, murals, and panoramic rooftop views
- Optional: Tibetan calligraphy or incense-making workshop at additional cost
Overnight at a hotel in Lhasa.
Day 04: Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse (3,840m)
- Drive to Gyantse via Kamba La Pass and Yamdrok Lake (approx. 6 hrs)
- Stop at Karo La Glacier viewpoint
- Visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum Stupa
- Continue to Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city (approx. 2 hrs)
Overnight at a hotel in Shigatse.
Day 05: Shigatse – Lhatse-Saga
- Journey through the highland platueas to Lhatse, a quiet town nestled in the Himalayas.
- Enjoy views of vast plains, snow-covered peaks, and open skies along the journey.
- Saga, at 4,640 meters above sea level, is the final major stop before Mount Kailash.
Overnight at a local guesthouse with dormitory-style beds (shared accommodation, no private attached bathroom).
Day 06: Saga- Drongpa- Paryang- -Lake manasarova- Chiu monastery (4556m)
- Drive to Paryang (4,750m / 15,700 ft), located in the heart of western Tibet
- This region marks the glacial source of four major rivers of South Asia, including the Indus and Brahmaputra.
- Pass through the remote village of Dongba, offering glimpses of traditional Tibetan life.
- Continue on rugged roads toward Darchen (4,620m / 15,150 ft), the base town for Mount Kailash pilgrims.
- Enjoy panoramic views of Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, and the Himalayan range bordering Nepal.
Overnight at a local guesthouse with dormitory-style beds (shared accommodation, no private attached bathroom).
Day 07: Chiu - Darchen prepare Trek (4670m)
- Morning drive to Darchen, a remote and wind-swept settlement at the base of Mount Kailash.
- Darchen serves as the gateway for pilgrims beginning the sacred Kailash Kora.
- Use this day to rest, acclimatize, and prepare for the upcoming trek.
Overnight at a local guesthouse with dormitory-style beds (shared accommodation, no private bathroom).
Day 08: Dria-Puck Monastery 5-6hrs (20km) 5050m
- Begin the sacred Kailash Kora, a 53 km circuit completed over three days in a clockwise direction.
- The trail initially heads west, gradually ascending to a cairn at 4,730 meters.
- From this vantage point, enjoy the first dramatic view of Mount Kailash’s southern face.
- En route, visit Tarboche, the site of the annual Saga Dawa flagpole-raising ceremony—a significant spiritual event for Tibetan pilgrims.
Overnight at Dirapuk in a local guesthouse with dormitory-style beds (shared accommodation, no private bathroom).
Day 09: Trek to Zutul Puk Monastery- Time: 6-8hrs, Distance:18km, Altitude: 4820m
- Begin the most challenging and spiritually significant day of the Kailash Kora.
- Cross Drolma La Pass at 5,630 meters—the highest point of the trek, symbolizing rebirth and liberation.
- Descend to Gauri Kund Lake (5,608 meters), a sacred site where Hindu pilgrims worship and ritually bathe in its icy waters.
- Continue the trek through dramatic landscapes toward Zutulpuk Monastery, known for its meditation caves and spiritual legends.
Overnight at a local guesthouse in Zutulpuk with dormitory-style beds (shared accommodation, no private bathroom).
Day 10: Trek to Darchen and Drive to Saga
- Complete the final leg of the Mount Kailash Kora with an easy 2–3 hour walk (14 km) down to the Barga plain.
- Celebrate the completion of the sacred 3-day circuit.
- Drive back to Saga via the same route.
Overnight at a local guesthouse with dormitory-style beds (shared accommodation, no private bathroom).
Day 11: Rest Day in Saga
- Spend a relaxed day in Saga to rest and recover after the Kora.
- Optional short walks or quiet reflection.
Overnight at a local guesthouse with dormitory-style beds (shared accommodation, no private bathroom).
Day 12: Drive to Shigatse
- Retrace the route back to Shigatse, enjoying familiar landscapes from a new perspective.
Overnight at hotel in Shigatse.
Day 13: Shigatse to Lhasa
- Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in the 15th century by the First Dalai Lama and current seat of the Panchen Lama.
- Optional: Join the Kora around the monastery and explore the local market.
- Afternoon drive back to Lhasa.
Overnight at Hotel in Lhasa
Day 14: Departure from Tibet
- Enjoy your final morning in Lhasa at leisure.
Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel for your transfer to Gongkar Airport for your onward journey.
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