Travel from Lhasa’s monasteries, Potala Palace and Barkhor Street toward Yamdrok Lake, Shigatse and the Everest Base Camp area. Continue west past Pekutso Lake and Saga’s grasslands to Tarchen for a three-day Mount Kailash kora, followed by Lake Manasarovar. The return passes through Saga and the lower Kyirong Valley before the long drive to Lhasa. This fifteen-day circuit combines Tibetan heritage and mountain landscapes with demanding high-altitude walking and several full days on the road.
What makes this route special
Explore Lhasa’s palaces, monasteries and tea-house culture.
Travel through Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse and Shigatse toward Everest.
Cross the plateau past Pekutso Lake and the grasslands of western Tibet.
Walk the three-day Mount Kailash kora via Drolma La Pass.
Visit Lake Manasarovar after the trek.
Return through Kyirong Valley and the Yarlung Zangbo landscape.
Your day-by-day itinerary
Arrive in Lhasa and rest
Meet your Lhasa airport or railway-station transfer and check in to your hotel. Lhasa is approximately 3,650 metres above sea level; the day is reserved for rest.
- Transport
- Airport arrival transfer: approximately 70 km / 1 hour.
- Free time
- Rest after arrival; no sightseeing is scheduled.
Drepung and Sera monasteries
Visit Drepung Monastery in the morning and Sera Monastery in the afternoon, with a planned monks’ debate visit. Attend a welcome dinner in the evening.
Potala Palace and Lhasa’s old town
Visit the Potala Palace, Zongjiao Lukang Park, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, with a sweet-tea-house experience.
Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse and Shigatse
Travel via Yamdrok Lake and Gyantse to Shigatse. A lakeside family visit and farmhouse lunch are planned, with Karola Glacier and rural scenery along the way.
- Transport
- Approximately 360 km / 8 hours by road.
Toward Everest via Tingri
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, then travel through Tingri to the Everest Base Camp area. Everest views from the planned viewpoints and sunset stops depend on weather.
- Transport
- Approximately 340 km / 8 hours by road.
Pekutso Lake and onward to Saga
Continue from the Everest area past Pekutso Lake toward Saga, with Himalayan scenery and views toward Shishapangma along the route when conditions allow.
- Transport
- Approximately 380 km / 7 hours by road.
Cross the plateau to Tarchen
Travel across the western plateau grasslands from Saga to Tarchen, with the first views toward Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash.
- Transport
- Approximately 490 km / 8 hours by road.
Kailash kora: Tarchen to Driapuk
Begin the kora from Tarchen toward Driapuk, passing Seshong and the mountain’s western rock walls. Festival-related ceremonies are only possible when your dates coincide with them.
- Transport
- Walking: approximately 13 km / 5 hours.
Kailash kora: cross Drolma La Pass
Walk from Driapuk to Dzultripuk via Drolma La Pass at approximately 5,630 metres. This is the longest and most demanding walking day in the planned itinerary.
- Transport
- Walking: approximately 24 km / 10 hours.
Complete the kora and visit Manasarovar
Continue from Dzultripuk to Tarchen, then visit Lake Manasarovar. The walking section is approximately 12 km, with a sightseeing-vehicle option to be confirmed.
- Transport
- Walking: approximately 12 km / 4 hours; onward lake transfer.
Return from Tarchen to Saga
Travel east from Tarchen back to Saga across the plateau.
- Transport
- Approximately 490 km / 8 hours by road.
Descend to Kyirong Valley
Continue to Kyirong Valley at approximately 2,800 metres, with time for rest and light walking. Any separate onward journey toward Nepal requires prior arrangements.
- Transport
- Approximately 200 km / 3 hours by road.
Kyirong to Tingri
Travel from Kyirong to Tingri for the next stage of the return journey.
- Transport
- Approximately 260 km / 5 hours by road.
Return to Lhasa
Spend the day driving back to Lhasa through barley-growing country and the Yarlung Zangbo Valley.
- Transport
- Approximately 500 km; full-day road journey.
Depart from Lhasa
Transfer to Lhasa airport or railway station for your departure.
- Transport
- Lhasa airport or railway-station drop-off.
Payment & cancellation
| Payment due | Share of trip price |
|---|---|
| On trip confirmation | 30% deposit |
| One month before the trip | 70% balance |
| Time before arrival | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|
| More than 45 days | Only costs incurred for flights, cruises and other exceptional services. |
| 45–30 days | 25% |
| 29–16 days | 50% |
| 15–7 days | 80% |
| Less than 7 days | 100% |
| Percentage fees are based on the total trip price. | |
Questions and answers
VISAS
For the latest information on visa procedures, processing times and requirements, please kindly refer to website https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/
INSURANCE
We will arrange essential insurance coverage for your trip to Mainland China. Meanwhile, we strongly recommend you purchase separate comprehensive travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, medical expenses, luggage loss, repatriation and other associated additional costs. As a minimum requirement, the insurance policy must include medical coverage, which including medical evacuation and repatriation. For this part, you are free to select your preferred insurance provider.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
If you are traveling during a Chinese public holiday, please note that while tourist attractions remain open, they may be crowded with domestic visitors. Festivities often span several days, during which some businesses may close, and coach, air, and train services could be impacted. The major Golden Week holidays occur annually around 1 to 5 May and 1 to 7 October.
ACCOMMODATION
Your accommodation is chosen for its convenience, comfort, or character. Hotels are generally of a four-star standard in major cities. Please note, there is no international classification system, so facilities and quality may differ from those in your home country.
LUGGAGE
Each traveller is permitted a maximum of two pieces of luggage: one suitcase with a maximum weight of 20kg and one piece of hand luggage with a maximum weight of 5kg. This requirement applies to domestic trains and flights. We recommend packing only what you can carry independently, as you will be responsible for handling your luggage on and off trains or air-checked. Please note: If your luggage exceed the limits, kindly inform your travel designer in advance, and we will arrange a suitable vehicle for you.
TRAVEL MONEY IN CHINA
We recommend having access to multiple sources of money while traveling. A combination of payment methods, including mobile payment apps, cash, and cards, will offer the most security and flexibility. Mobile payment apps like WeChat and Alipay are often more widely accepted than international cards or cash in China. You will need an internet connection when in China to use the apps.
