Day 1 – Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m)
Arrive in Lhasa from cities around the world. Transfer to the hotel and rest for altitude adjustment.
Day 2 – Lhasa → Zhaji Temple → Tashilhunpo Monastery → Shigatse (3,800m)
Driving: 270 km · ~6 hrs
Visit Zhaji Temple, the only Wealth Deity temple in Tibet. Continue to Tashilhunpo Monastery, the largest in Shigatse, belonging to the Gelug sect.
Overnight in Shigatse.
Day 3 – Shigatse → Lhatse → Gawula Pass (5,210m) → Everest Base Camp (5,200m)
Driving: 350 km · ~7 hrs
From Gawula Pass enjoy panoramic views of five 8000m peaks: Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma.
Arrive at Everest Base Camp (5,200m), the closest point ordinary visitors can reach.
Overnight at EBC.
Day 4 – Everest Base Camp → Shishapangma → Peigucuo Lake → Saga (4,485m)
Driving: 380 km · ~7 hrs
Enter the remote Ali region (Ngari), elevation consistently above 4,500m.
Spot wildlife such as Tibetan antelope, wild yaks, wild donkeys, and black-necked cranes. Visit Peigucuo Lake before arriving at Saga County.
Overnight in Saga.
Day 5 – Saga → Mayomu La Pass (5,200m) → Lake Manasarovar → Ghost Lake → Darchen (4,800m)
Driving: 500 km · ~8 hrs
Scenic drive along the Himalayas, crossing Mayomu La Pass.
Visit sacred Lake Manasarovar, then continue to Darchen, the traditional starting point of the Kailash Kora.
Overnight in Darchen.
Day 6 – Darchen → Chugu Monastery → Zhire Monastery (5,100m)
Hiking: 22 km · +300 m · ~7 hrs
Take the shuttle for 7 km to the Prayer Flag Square. Begin trekking into the Lachu Valley.
Arrive at Zhire Monastery Hotel (5,100m) with direct views of Mount Kailash from your room.
Overnight in Zhire.
Day 7 – Zhire Monastery → Sky Burial Site → Drolma La Pass (5,630m) → Darchen (4,800m)
Hiking: 32 km · +530 m / –830 m · ~12 hrs
The most challenging day of the Kora.
Start at 4 a.m. with headlamps, pass the sky burial platform, and ascend to Drolma La Pass—the sacred highest point of the pilgrimage (5,630m).
Descend past Toji Lake and continue through the valley toward Darchen.
Optional paid transport available for the final kilometers if needed.
Overnight in Darchen.
Day 8 – Darchen → Lungkar La Pass → Zanda Earth Forest → Guge Kingdom → Zanda (3,600m)
Driving: 260 km · ~5 hrs
Travel along the Gangdise Range and descend into the massive Zanda Earth Forest.
Visit the ancient Guge Kingdom ruins.
Overnight in Zanda.
Day 9 – Zanda → Payang (Colorful Beach) → Gongzhuo Lake → Saga (4,485m)
Driving: 700 km · ~10 hrs
A long but spectacular driving day across wildlife-rich grasslands and quiet lakes, passing wild yaks, gazelles, donkeys, and antelope.
Overnight in Saga.
Day 10 – Saga → Lang Lake → Shigatse (3,800m)
Driving: 450 km · ~7 hrs
Drive past Lang Lake, formed from glacial melt. Scenic pastures and open landscapes.
Continue to Shigatse for the night.
Day 11 – Shigatse → Gyantse → Karola Glacier → Lake Yamdrok → Lhasa
Driving: 370 km · ~6 hrs
See Noijin Kangsang Peak, Karola Glacier, and holy Lake Yamdrok.
Return to Lhasa.
Day 12 – Tour End
See you next time.
Tibet Kailash Kora via Everest Base Camp
Starts
Lhasa City Hotel
Any time on Day 1
Ends
Lhasa City Hotel
Any time on Day 12