Mount Kailash, Everest Base Camp and Lhasa Overland Tour – 14 Days

Spend a full day in Kyirong to help your body adjust before traveling to higher elevations. A gentle walk around the town or surrounding valley may be taken if you feel comfortable.

Avoid strenuous activity, alcohol, and smoking. Drink sufficient water and inform the guide immediately if you experience persistent headaches, nausea, dizziness, unusual fatigue or difficulty breathing.

Leave Kyirong and climb toward the open landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau. The scenery changes from the green border valley to high passes, grasslands, and distant mountain ranges.

Continue to Saga, an important settlement near the Yarlung Tsangpo River. After checking into the hotel, rest and allow your body to continue adjusting to the altitude.

Spend the morning beside sacred Lake Manasarovar. There will be time for personal prayer, meditation, photography, or peaceful exploration. Religious ceremonies may be arranged when requested in advance and permitted by local authorities.

Later, drive to Darchen, the starting point of the Mount Kailash kora. Overnight at Darchen.

Take the local shuttle from Darchen to the designated kora starting point near Yam Dwar. Begin walking through the broad Lha Chu Valley, following the pilgrim trail toward Dirapuk.

The path climbs gradually, but the altitude can make even moderate walking difficult. On arrival at Dirapuk, enjoy the magnificent view of Mount Kailash’s north face, weather permitting.

Accommodation is in a basic monastery guesthouse with shared dormitory rooms and public toilets. Blankets are normally provided, but travelers should use their own sleeping bags and carry toilet paper and toiletries.

A horse and horse handler may be hired at an additional cost, subject to local availability. Advance requests are recommended, but horse availability cannot be guaranteed.

Option to End the Kora at Dirapuk

Travelers who do not wish to cross Dolma La Pass may return to Darchen using locally available transport. The guide will assist with the arrangements, but the pickup charge, transportation, and additional Darchen hotel night are not included.

Start before sunrise for the most demanding day of the journey. The trail climbs steeply from Dirapuk toward Shiva Tsal and continues to Dolma La Pass, the highest point of the Mount Kailash kora.

After crossing the pass, descend carefully along a steep, rocky and sometimes icy trail near Gauri Kund. The route eventually becomes gentler as it enters the Zuthulpuk Valley.

The monastery guesthouse provides basic dormitory accommodation and public toilets. Carry a warm sleeping bag, toilet paper, wet wipes, and necessary toiletries.

Some exceptionally fit travelers may prefer to continue beyond Zuthulpuk and complete the kora on the same day. This should only be considered after consulting the guide and assessing the traveler’s physical condition, daylight, trail conditions, transport and room availability in Darchen. Additional accommodation and transport costs will be paid separately.

Complete the final and comparatively gentle section of the kora. Walk to the designated finishing point and take the local shuttle back to Darchen.

After meeting the driver and reorganizing the luggage, begin the long return drive to Saga. This is one of the longest days of the tour because it combines the final kora walk with an extended road journey. Arrival in Saga may be late in the evening.

Travel east from Saga through the high Tibetan Plateau, passing Peiku Tso and continuing toward the Everest region. On clear days, the route offers distant views of the Himalayan range.

Enter the Mount Everest nature reserve and continue to Rongbuk, situated below the north face of Mount Everest. Accommodation is basic and may consist of shared rooms, dormitory beds, and public toilets. Hot showers should not be expected.

Visit the authorized Everest Base Camp visitor area in the morning. Access is normally provided by a regulated environmental bus or other locally approved transport. A short walk may be possible depending on current regulations, weather, and physical condition.

This is the visitor area on the Tibetan north side of Everest. It is different from the multi-day Everest Base Camp trekking route in Nepal and the restricted camp used by mountaineering expeditions.

After enjoying the view of Everest, return to the vehicle and drive through Tingri and Lhatse to Shigatse. The lower elevation and comfortable hotel provide a welcome rest after several nights in remote areas.

Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama and one of Tibet’s most important religious institutions.

Continue toward Gyantse and follow the scenic road across central Tibet. Depending on the schedule, stop around Gyantse before continuing past Karo La Glacier and the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake.

Cross the high mountain route and descend toward the Lhasa Valley. Arrive in Lhasa and check into the hotel for a three-night stay.

Begin the exploration of Lhasa with a visit to the Potala Palace, Tibet’s most recognizable historical landmark. Timed entry and security procedures apply, so the exact sightseeing order may be adjusted by the guide.

Continue to Jokhang Temple, one of the most sacred destinations in Tibetan Buddhism. Walk through Barkhor, where pilgrims perform a traditional clockwise circuit around the temple. There will also be time to observe local life and explore the surrounding lanes and shops.

Visit Drepung Monastery, once one of Tibet’s largest monastic institutions. Explore its courtyards, assembly halls and hillside setting while learning about its historical and religious importance.

Continue to Sera Monastery, another of the major monastic universities of Tibet. When the monastery schedule permits, visitors may observe the traditional monks’ debating session.

Return to the hotel after sightseeing and prepare for the following day’s departure.