16 Days Lhasa-Shigatse-Mt Everest-Mt. Kailash & Guge Kingdom Tour

After breakfast, your group continues the journey along the scenic G219 Highway. The landscapes along the way are endlessly captivating. You will pass the Maqu River Wetland before reaching Payang Town in Zhongba County, a small settlement full of western plateau charm and one of the highest towns in the world at an elevation of about 4,600 meters.

Farther ahead, you will encounter the sacred lake Manasarovar (4,588 m). Its crystal-clear waters mirror the silhouettes of Mount Kailash and Mount Naimonanyi. Revered by Tibetan Buddhism, Bon, and Hinduism, Manasarovar is honored as the “eternal and undefeated turquoise lake.”

As you continue, you will gradually enter the embrace of the holy mountain Mount Kailash, the main peak of the Gangdise Range, rising to 6,638 meters. Widely recognized as one of the world’s most sacred mountains, Kailash is considered the spiritual center of the universe by Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, Bon, and ancient Jainism. Although not the tallest peak in the region, it is the only one whose summit remains perpetually covered in snow, glowing mysteriously under sunlight. Its unique pyramid shape sets it apart from the surrounding mountains, inspiring profound reverence and awe. Facing Mount Naimonanyi across a distance of about 100 km, the two sacred peaks are flanked by the holy lakes Manasarovar and Rakshas Tal.

Arrive in Darchen (4,670 m), the starting point of the Mount Kailash Kora (pilgrimage circuit). Check in to your hotel and rest well as you prepare for tomorrow’s spiritual journey.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Darchen

Starting Point: Darchen (4,675m)
Finishing Point: Driapuk/Gangga (5,100m)
Distance: about 20km, Eco-bus to Prayer’s Square (Taboche) 6km + trekking 14km
Trekking Hour: about 7-8 hours
Trekking Difficulty: **

Mount Kailash, is a towering peak that rises to 6,638 meters and dominates the landscape of Western Tibet. Revered by four major religions - Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, Bon, and Jainism, this holy mountain is considered the spiritual center of the world. In Tibetan Buddhism, it is believed to be the abode of Demchok, the deity symbolizing supreme bliss. Each year, countless pilgrims make the arduous journey here to walk the 52-kilometer kora (circumambulation) around the sacred mountain, a deeply spiritual act believed to cleanse one’s sins and bring enlightenment.

Day One Trek: Darchen - Tarboche - Dira-puk Monastery
This morning, your group will take a short sightseeing bus ride from Darchen Town to Tarboche (Prayer Flag Square, 6km from the town). This is the official starting point of the kora and one of the most sacred ritual sites in Tibet. Every year during the Saga Dawa Festival ("Fourth Month" in the Tibetan calendar), hundreds of pilgrims gather here to raise the towering flagpole adorned with prayer flags, celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha Sakyamuni.

Now, begin your first day of trekking, following the Lha Chu River valley westward. The route is graced by blue skies, snow-capped peaks, and slopes dotted with mani stones engraved with sacred mantras. Along the way, you’ll see Tibetan pilgrims performing prostrations as they slowly make their way around the mountain - a moving testament to faith and devotion. This section is both physically demanding and spiritually rewarding, offering magnificent views of Mount Kailash’s western and northern faces.

As you venture deeper into the valley, the north face of Mount Kailash gradually reveals itself in full grandeur, an awe-inspiring sight that few places on Earth can rival. After trekking about 14 kilometers, you’ll arrive at Dira-puk Monastery, your destination for the day. This monastery, belonging to the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism, sits directly opposite the north face of Mount Kailash, providing an unparalleled view of the sacred mountain. You will spend the night in a local guesthouse near Dira-puk Monastery.

Travel Notes:
1. Local Tibetans around Mount Kailash offer optional services such as horse or yak rides, and luggage transport by yaks or porters (not included in the tour price).
2. The number of people doing the Kora in the Tibetan Horse Year is relatively large; tourists with needs can inform the tour guide in advance to help make reservations.
3. During the kora, accommodation is very basic, typically in shared guesthouses or tents at Dira-puk and Dzultripuk, with limited facilities (multi-bed rooms, shared toilets, one bed per traveler).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Dira-puk

Starting Point: Driapuk/Gangga (5,100m)
Challenge: Dolma-la Pass (5,650m)
Finishing Point: Dzultripuk (4,880m)
Distance: trekking about 20km
Trekking Hour: about 10-11 hours
Trekking Difficulty: ***

Start your trekking early in this morning. Today marks the most challenging and spiritually significant day of your Mount Kailash Kora. The trail leads you on a strenuous ascent of more than 550 meters to the sacred Drolma-la Pass (5,650m) - the highest point of the entire circuit.

This demanding section tests both body and spirit. According to Tibetan Buddhist belief, successfully crossing the Drolma-la Pass symbolizes the purification of one’s sins from a lifetime. Despite the thin air and rugged terrain, pilgrims consider this moment a deep act of faith and renewal.

At the summit, you’ll be greeted by a breathtaking sight - thousands of colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind, blanketing the pass in a sea of sacred colors. Many pilgrims pause here to rest, pray, and add their own mani stones to the growing piles of devotion.

The descent that follows is steep and rocky, leading into the Lhachu Valley. Along the way lies the shimmering Gauri Kund, a glacial lake revered in Hinduism as the bathing place of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. Its jade-like waters glisten serenely beneath the towering peaks.

After a short rest, continue your trek for another four hours along the riverbank until you reach Dzultri-Puk Monastery (4,810m), known as the “Miracle Cave of Milarepa.” This sacred monastery, belonging to the Sakya sect, holds ancient murals, scriptures, and legends of the great yogi Milarepa.

Spend the evening resting at the guesthouse near Dzultri-Puk. Have a good rest and prepare for the final leg of the Kora tomorrow.

Meals: /
Accommodation: Dzultripuk

Starting Point: Dzultripuk (4,880m)
Trekking Finishing Point: Zongdui (4,680m)
Finishing Point: Darchen (4,675m)
Distance: about 10.6km, trekking about 6.6km + environment car 4km
Trekking Hour: about 2-3 hours
Trekking Difficulty: * 

Today marks the final leg of your Mount Kailash Kora - a day of completion and quiet reflection. After breakfast, you will leave Dzultri-Puk Monastery, and begin a gentle descent as the altitude gradually lowers. The stark white of the high mountain snows slowly gives way to vibrant greens of grass and shrubs, signaling your return to the realm of life and movement.

Along the trail, you may spot small animals (like groundhogs) darting among the bushes, while countless mani stones - prayer-carved rocks stacked in colorful mounds - line your path like silent guardians, echoing the devotion of generations of pilgrims. The air feels lighter, and each step brings a sense of relief and fulfillment.

After walking the final 6.6 kilometers, you’ll reach Zongdui, where your Mount Kailash circuit officially comes to an end. Here, you can board the Eco-sightseeing bus that will take you back to Darchen Town.

By midday, you’ll arrive in Darchen - tired yet deeply content - having completed one of the world’s most sacred pilgrimages. Yes, you did it! Great job! 

In the afternoon, your journey continues toward Zanda, located in the heart of Ngari Prefecture. 230 kilometers, roughly 4.5 hours. As you leave Darchen behind, the rugged landscapes unfold into a mesmerizing panorama of eroded canyons, barren cliffs, and river valleys - a stark yet captivating portrait of Tibet’s remote western frontier.

Upon arrival in Zanda County, you’ll find yourself surrounded by an otherworldly terrain carved by wind and water over centuries. This region is not only a geological wonder but also a cultural treasure, home to the legendary Guge Kingdom ruins and the ancient Tholing Monastery, both offering deep insight into Tibet’s forgotten civilizations. Stay overnight in Zanda.

Meals: /
Accommodation: Zanda

Today, your group will first enjoy Zanda County, delving into both its ancient history and dramatic landscapes. Begin with a fascinating visit to the Ruins of the Guge Kingdom, one of Tibet’s most mysterious archaeological sites. Flourishing between the 10th and 17th centuries, Guge was once a powerful kingdom that played a vital role in spreading Buddhism across western Tibet. The site features remarkable frescoes, sculptures, and carvings that vividly depict Buddhist teachings, royal life, and historical events. As you explore, you’ll visit the Red Palace, once a major religious center with temples and monks’ quarters, and the White Palace, the royal residence of the Guge kings. The blend of Tibetan, Indian, and Chinese architectural influences is evident in the intricate murals and carvings that still adorn the walls. From the top of the ruins, enjoy a sweeping panoramic view of the entire valley - a breathtaking reminder of the kingdom’s former glory.

Afterward, continue about 20 kilometers to the awe-inspiring Zanda Earth Forest, a geological masterpiece formed by centuries of wind and water erosion. Stretching for over five kilometers along the Elephant Spring River, this surreal landscape of natural sculptures resembles warriors, galloping horses, and meditating monks. The play of light and shadow across the ridges creates endless photo opportunities.

The final stop for today is Tholing Monastery, which dates back to the 10th century. As one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, it played a vital role in the spread of Buddhism and the flourishing of art during the era of the Guge Kingdom. The name “Tholing” means “hovering in the sky forever,” and the monastery is renowned for its well-preserved ancient frescoes and cultural treasures. During your visit, you will explore the Main Hall, home to a large statue of Buddha Shakyamuni; the Assembly Hall, used for important ceremonies and featuring a statue of Guru Rinpoche; and the Scripture Hall, where monks gather to study and recite Buddhist teachings.

After the visit, be transferred back to Darchen for overnight accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Darchen

After breakfast, your journey continues as you travel from Darchen back toward Zhongba or Saga Town along the G219 National Highway.

Saga is located in the northwestern part of Shigatse Prefecture. The G219 Highway runs through the entire region - connecting eastward to Shigatse and Lhasa, westward to Ali and Burang, and southward toward Gyirong County and Nepal. Situated between the northern foothills of the Himalayas and the southern edge of the Gangdise Mountains, Saga lies along the upper reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The region offers expansive plateau scenery, including sacred mountains, holy lakes, vast grasslands, and herds of yaks. With an average elevation of over 4,600 meters, it features a typical high-altitude continental climate: cold, dry, with strong sunlight, thin air, long winters, and short summers.

Travel Tip: Due to limited accommodation options in this remote region, tonight’s stay may be arranged in either Saga or Zhongba.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Zhongba/Saga

PLAN A (WITHOUT clients going to Gyirong Border)
After breakfast, your group will continue the journey along the G219 National Highway. In the distance, the snow-capped peaks of the Longbukangri Range accompany you as you ascend the Tujila Mountain Pass, where colorful prayer flags flutter in the wind. The road gradually leads into the expansive Sangsang Grassland, where endless meadows stretch to the horizon like a green carpet. Herds of yaks dot the landscape like black pearls, while smoke rising from nomadic tents mingles with blooming wildflowers, creating a tranquil pastoral scene carried softly by the Tibetan breeze.
As you continue eastward, the altitude begins to drop, and you eventually arrive in Sakya. Here, the renowned Sakya South Monastery stands like a fortress-style mandala, its red walls and white eaves glowing under the evening sun. Inside, the magnificent “Wall of 80,000 Scriptures” and exquisite Yuan-dynasty murals gleam under soft light - a perfect cultural finale to a day of grand natural landscapes, earning Sakya its nickname “The Second Dunhuang.” Stay overnight in Sakya.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sakya

 

PLAN B (WITH clients going to Gyirong Border)
After breakfast, your group will depart from Saga and continue toward the China–Nepal border. Along the way, you will pass through Gyirong’s beautiful “back garden”, a region influenced by Nepali culture. Here, you’ll find charming local villages, stunning border-area scenery, snow-capped mountains, lush forests, deep gorges, and cascading waterfalls. The whole group will drive together into Gyirong Valley, where you’ll visit the gorge and its suspension bridge.
After the visit, travelers who need to exit China and enter Nepal will proceed directly to the Gyirong Border in the afternoon to complete border formalities and end their trip. The rest of the group will stay overnight in Gyirong Town.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Gyirong

PLAN A (WITHOUT clients going to Gyirong Border): Sakya-Shigatse
On this day, you will visit the renowned Sakya Monastery, a site of immense historical and cultural significance. Located in Sakya County, about 127 kilometers west of Shigatse, it is regarded as the original and most important monastery of the Sakya school, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
Founded in 1073, Sakya Monastery is not only a vital spiritual center but also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its distinctive fortress-style architecture, deep-rooted history, and extraordinary collection of Buddhist scriptures. As you explore the complex, you will walk through imposing walls, quiet courtyards, and beautifully decorated halls. Inside, you will find impressive statues, vibrant Thangkas (Buddhist scroll paintings), ritual artifacts, and tens of thousands of ancient texts. A unique highlight is the Burde Gyaimalung, known as the largest book in the world. During your visit, you may observe the monks’ daily routines, witness prayer rituals, and gain a deeper understanding of monastic life in Tibet.
Afterward, continue your journey from Sakya to Shigatse. The drive is about 150 km and takes about 3 hours. Stay overnight in Shigatse.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shigatse

 

PLAN B (WITH clients going to Gyirong Border): Gyirong-Sakya
After breakfast, it is time to leave Gyirong Town and begin your exploration of Tibet.
After a long drive, your group will arrive in Sakya, where you will visit the renowned Sakya Monastery, a site of immense historical and cultural significance. Located in Sakya County, about 127 kilometers west of Shigatse, it is regarded as the original and most important monastery of the Sakya school, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
Founded in 1073, Sakya Monastery is not only a vital spiritual center but also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its distinctive fortress-style architecture, deep-rooted history, and extraordinary collection of Buddhist scriptures. As you explore the complex, you will walk through imposing walls, quiet courtyards, and beautifully decorated halls. Inside, you’ll find impressive statues, vibrant Thangkas (Buddhist scroll paintings), ritual artifacts, and tens of thousands of ancient texts.
A unique highlight is the Burde Gyaimalung, known as the largest book in the world. During your visit, you may observe the monks’ daily routines, witness prayer rituals, and gain a deeper understanding of monastic life in Tibet.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Gyirong

 

In Shigatse, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the spiritual heart of the city.

Founded in 1447 by Gyalwa Gedun Drup, the 1st Dalai Lama and a disciple of Tsongkhapa, Tashilhunpo Monastery is the largest monastery in Tibet’s Tsang region and one of the six great Gelug monasteries, alongside Drepung, Sera, Ganden, Labrang, and Ta’er. It has long been the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas, the second-highest incarnation lineage in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama.

At its height, the monastery housed more than 5,000 monks and included over 3,000 rooms, 50 affiliated temples, and 30 manors and pastures. Today, you can still feel its grandeur as you explore the vast complex of prayer halls, courtyards, and golden roofs glinting under the sun.Highlights of Tashilhunpo Monastery:1. Admire the Maitreya (Future Buddha) Chapel, which enshrines a magnificent bronze statue of the Maitreya Buddha - made with over 115 tons of copper, 250 kg of gold, and adorned with more than 1,400 precious jewels including diamonds and pearls.2. Pay respect to the sacred stupas (reliquary chortens) of successive Panchen Lamas, exquisitely crafted with gold, silver, coral, pearls, turquoise, and silk.3. Enjoy a panoramic view of Shigatse city and the serene monastic life, where monks in crimson robes chant sutras echoing through the halls.

After visiting Tashilhunpo Monastery, drive back to Lhasa along the scenic Friendship Highway, following the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The journey takes about 4.5–5 hours (270 km). Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax for the night.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lhasa

 

Today you will have free time until your tour guide escorts you to the Lhasa train station or airport for your departing train or flight from Lhasa. This will end your tour services in Tibet.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: /