Tibet Mount Kailash Tours: Small Group and Private

WindhorseTour has been organizing Mount Kailash tours since 2007. Located in remote Ngari, far western Tibet, Mount Kailash (Gang Rinpoche in Tibetan) is revered by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Bon followers as the spiritual center of the universe. Together with Lake Manasarovar, it is the highlight of every Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

2026 is the Year of the Horse, the most auspicious year in the 12-year Tibetan zodiac cycle for the Kailash Kora. Pilgrims believe one circuit brings the merit of 13 in ordinary years. The next Horse Year is not until 2038. Book early — Saga Dawa season departures are filling fast.

Our Mount Kailash tour packages range from 11 to 22 days, starting from Lhasa or Kathmandu. Choose a focused trip combining Lake Manasarovar and the 3-day Kailash Kora, or extend to include Everest Base Camp, the Guge Kingdom ruins, or the Changtang Plateau. The best time to visit is May to October, with peak season during the Saga Dawa Festival in late May to early June.

Mount Kailash Small Group Tours

Join our small group Mount Kailash tours for an affordable way to complete the Kailash Kora. Limited to 12 travelers, with guaranteed departures, local Tibetan guides, and all permits included. Start and finish in Lhasa, or end in Kathmandu.

Lhasa ⇀ Shigatse ⇀ Mount Everest ⇀ Saga ⇀ Mount Kailash Kora ⇀ Manasarovar Lake ⇀ Gyirong Border ⇀ Shigatse ⇀ Lhasa
15 days
∙ Group, maximum of 12 person(s) ∙
Overland

Join a 15 day Mount Kailash group tour with and Everest from Lhasa. Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Everest Base Camp before journeying to Lake Manasarovar and completing the sacred Kailash Kora trek with local Tibetan guides.

From
CNY 14,600
Lhasa ⇀ Shigatse ⇀ Mount Everest ⇀ Saga ⇀ Mount Kailash Kora ⇀ Manasarovar Lake ⇀ Gyirong Border ⇀ Kathmandu
13 days
∙ Group, maximum of 12 person(s) ∙
Family focused

Join this Mount Kailash Group Tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu, a once-in-a-lifetime journey across the Tibetan Plateau. Visit the Potala Palace and Everest Base Camp, trek the Kailash Kora, see the sacred Lake Manasarovar, and end your Tibet adventure at the Gyirong border before reaching Kathmandu.

From
CNY 14,600
Lhasa ⇀ Shigatse ⇀ Mount Everest ⇀ Saga ⇀ Zanda ⇀ Mount Kailash Kora ⇀ Manasarovar Lake ⇀ Gyirong Border ⇀ Shigatse ⇀ Lhasa
17 days
∙ Group, maximum of 12 person(s) ∙
Overland

Join our Mount Kailash Group Tour with Guge Kingdom Ruins, explore Lhasa’s sacred sites, journey to Everest Base Camp, visit the ancient Guge Kingdom and Toling Monastery, and complete the epic Kailash Kora with holy Lake Manasarovar. Tour can ends at Gyrong border or Lhasa.

From
CNY 16,400

Private Mount Kailash Tours

Travel at your own pace with a dedicated Tibetan guide and private vehicle. Choose your dates, starting point, and route, from a classic Lhasa to Kailash tour to an extended journey that combines Everest Base Camp, the Guge Kingdom, or the Changtang Plateau.

Lhasa ⇀ Shigatse ⇀ Mount Everest ⇀ Manasarovar Lake ⇀ Mount Kailash Kora ⇀ Saga ⇀ Gyirong Border ⇀ Kathmandu
14 days
∙ Private ∙
Overland

Take a 14-day Mount Kailash Tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu. Visit Lhasa’s Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, see Everest Base Camp (North face), and trek the 3-day Kailash Kora, and relax by Lake Manasarovar before crossing the scenic Gyirong Valley into Nepal.

From CNY 11,660
CNY 10,600
Lhasa ⇀ Shigatse ⇀ Saga ⇀ Manasarovar Lake ⇀ Mount Kailash Kora ⇀ Saga ⇀ Mount Everest ⇀ Shigatse ⇀ Lhasa
15 days
∙ Private ∙
Overland

This 15-day Tibet private tour to Mount Kailash and Everest Base Camp combines spiritual discovery and adventure. Visit Lhasa and Shigatse’s top monasteries, see Mount Everest’s north face, and complete the 3-day Kailash Kora around Mount Kalash, Tibet’s holiest mountain.

From CNY 25,650
CNY 22,300
Lhasa ⇀ Shigatse ⇀ Saga ⇀ Manasarovar Lake ⇀ Mount Kailash Kora ⇀ Guge Kingdom Ruins ⇀ Saga ⇀ Lhasa
17 days
∙ Private ∙
Overland

This 17-day Tibet Mt Kailash tour takes you on an in-depth journey through Far Western Tibet, featuring Mount Kailash trekking, the Guge Kingdom, Mount Everest, monasteries, and stunning landscapes. This tour starts and ends in Lhasa.

From
CNY 12,500
Kathmandu ⇀ Gyirong Border ⇀ Saga ⇀ Manasarovar Lake ⇀ Mount Kailash Kora ⇀ Saga ⇀ Gyirong Border ⇀ Kathmandu
11 days
∙ Private ∙
Overland

Take an 11-day Mount Kailash Tour from Kathmandu, traveling overland into Tibet’s sacred west. Visit holy Lake Manasarovar and complete the 3-day Kailash Kora trek, a spiritual journey through Tibet’s remote highlands.

From CNY 10,584
CNY 9,800
Lhasa ⇀ Shigatse ⇀ Mount Everest ⇀ Saga ⇀ Manasarovar Lake ⇀ Mount Kailash Kora ⇀ Zanda ⇀ Guge Kingdom Ruins ⇀ Ali ⇀ Gertse ⇀ Tsochen ⇀ Namtso ⇀ Lhasa
22 days
∙ Private ∙
Natural scenery

This Mount Kailash and Changthang Overland Loop Tour takes you from Mount Everest, Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar to the Guge Kingdom ruins and across the remote Changthang Plateau with snow capped peaks, pristine lakes, vast grasslands, and abundant wildlife.

From
CNY 20,200
Lhasa ⇀ Shigatse ⇀ Mount Everest ⇀ Saga ⇀ Manasarovar Lake ⇀ Mount Kailash Kora ⇀ Saga ⇀ Shigatse ⇀ Lhasa
15 days
∙ Private ∙
Festival

This private 15-day Mount Kailash tour departs May 23, 2026, timed to arrive at Kailash for the Saga Dawa Festival on May 31. In 2026, the festival coincides with the Year of the Horse, the most auspicious time in 12 years for the Kailash Kora.

From
CNY 12,000
Lhasa ⇀ Shigatse ⇀ Saga ⇀ Mount Kailash Kora ⇀ Zanda ⇀ Guge Kingdom Ruins ⇀ Ali ⇀ Yecheng ⇀ Kashgar
20 days
∙ Private ∙
Natural scenery

This Mount Kailash Overland Tour from Lhasa to Kashgar takes you explore Lhasa’s sacred sites, trek the 3-day Kailash Kora, visit Lake Manasarovar and the ancient Guge Kingdom, and journey along the Tibet Xinjiang highway by acrossing the vast western plateau to reach Kashgar, oasis city on China Silk Road.

From
CNY 15,500

Mount Kailash Tour FAQ

1. Why is climbing Mount Kailash forbidden?

Mount Kailash is one of the most sacred sites in the world, revered by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Bon followers as the spiritual center of the universe and the home of deities including Lord Shiva and Demchok. Out of respect for these traditions, climbing is prohibited. Instead, travelers complete the 52km Kailash Kora, a sacred circuit around the mountain.

2. What permits and visas are required to visit Mount Kailash?

Foreign travelers need a valid Chinese visa plus three Tibet permits: the Tibet Travel Permit, Alien’s Travel Permit, and Military Permit for the Ngari region. Citizens of many nationalities can now enter China visa-free for up to 30 days, but all Tibet permits are still required regardless. WindhorseTour arranges all permits once your tour is confirmed. Book at least 45 to 60 days in advance to allow enough processing time.

3. How much does a Mount Kailash tour cost?

Our most popular 15-day Mount Kailash Group Tour with Everest Base Camp starts from USD 2,140 per person for group tours of up to 12 travelers. Private tours for the same itinerary start from USD 3,400-3,800 per person for 2 travelers, dropping to USD 2,300-2,600 per person for groups of 4 to 6. Prices include Tibet permits, transport, guide, entrance tickets, and accommodation. Chinese visa, international flights, and meals are not included.

4. How long does a Mount Kailash tour and trek take?

Most Mount Kailash tours from Lhasa take 13 to 15 days, covering Lhasa sightseeing and acclimatization, overland travel to Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, the 3-day Kailash Kora trek, and return to Lhasa or onward to Kathmandu. Tours starting from Kathmandu or flying into Ali (Ngari Gunsa Airport) can be shorter at 10 to 11 days.

5. When is the best time to visit Mount Kailash?

May, June, September, and early October offer the most stable weather and the best conditions for the Kailash Kora. Late April and July to August are also possible but summer rains can occur. 2026 is the Year of the Horse, the most auspicious time in the 12-year Tibetan zodiac cycle — the Saga Dawa Festival in late May to early June marks the spiritual peak of the pilgrimage season.

Mount Kailash Travel Guides & Tips

How to Plan Your Mount Kailash Tour (2026 Guide)

A trip to Mount Kailash is one of the most remote and sacred journeys in Tibet, and it requires more planning than a typical Tibet tour. Most Kailash tours last for 13–15 days from Lhasa. You’ll need to book a tour through a licensed Tibet travel agency, arrange permits in advance, and be physically prepared for the 3-day Kailash Kora. With over 18 years of experience organizing these journeys, WindhorseTour has guided thousands of travelers to Mount Kailash. This guide covers everything you need to plan your Mount Kailash Tour — best time, routes, permits, altitude preparation, the 3-day Kailash…

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Mount Kailash and the Kora: A Sacred Journey of Faith and Pilgrimage

Mount Kailash, located in the remote far west of Tibet, is one of the world’s most sacred and awe-inspiring mountains. Standing at 6,638 meters, this striking pyramid-shaped peak is revered as the spiritual center of the universe by four major religions—Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Bon. Every year, thousands of pilgrims and trekkers journey to this holy site to complete the Mount Kailash Kora, a challenging yet profoundly spiritual circuit around the mountain. In this complete travel guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to plan your journey—route details, travel permits, best seasons, cultural insights, packing tips, and…

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Best Time to Visit Tibet

Wondering when is the best time to visit Tibet? The answer depends on what you want most from your journey. Known as the “Roof of the World,” Tibet sits on the world’s highest plateau, where sunshine is strong, the air is thin, and the landscapes shift dramatically with each season. The overall best time to visit Tibet is from April to November, when the weather is more stable and temperatures are generally comfortable. Among these, May, June, September, and October are considered the most favorable months. During this time, travelers can expect clear blue skies, mild daytime temperatures, excellent visibility for mountain views and…

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How to avoid high-altitude sickness in Tibet

When planning a trip to Tibet, many travelers worry about altitude sickness, and for good reason. Often called “the Roof of the World,” Tibet sits on the planet’s highest plateau, averaging 4,500 meters (14,764 feet) above sea level. Even Lhasa, the capital city and one of the lowest points in Tibet, is at 3,650 meters (12,000 feet). Destinations like Mount Everest Base Camp rise even higher, reaching over 5,200 meters (17,060 feet). At these altitudes, the risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS) is real and can affect anyone, regardless of age, fitness level, or prior high-altitude experience. In this guide,…

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Must-See Attractions on a Mount Kailash Tour

Far Western Tibet / Ngari prefecture

Far Western Tibet / Ngari prefecture

Far western Tibet mostly refers to Ngari prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region, with an average altitude of over 4,500m (14,764 ft.), Indisputably, it is the roof of Tibetan Plateau. Also, due to its vast territory, but sparsely populated, it is considered as one of the most inaccessible and remotest corners…

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Mt. Kailash Tibet

Mt. Kailash Tibet

Mt. Kailash is located in Burang (Purang) County. It is the highest peak of Gangdise Mountain, with an altitude of 6714m. Mount Kailash has a hulking shape – like the handle of a millstone, according to Tibetans- and its year-round snow-capped peak, it stands apart from the pack. Its four…

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Guge Kingdom Ruins Tibet

Guge Kingdom Ruins Tibet

Quick facts about the Guge Kingdom Location: Western Tibet, in the Ngari Prefecture, near the present-day town of Zanda (also known as Tsamda). Chinese Name: 古格王国 (Gǔgé Wángguó) Tibetan Name: གུ་གེ་རྒྱལ་པོ། (Guge Gyalpo) Founded: Around the 10th century CE. Capital: Tsaparang, located on a strategic hilltop. Altitude: Approximately 4,000 meters…

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Lake Manasarovar

Lake Manasarovar

Quick Facts About Manasarovar Lake Location: Manasarovar Lake is situated near the town of Burang, close to Mount Kailash. Altitude: The lake sits at an altitude of approximately 4,590 meters (15,060 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. Religious Significance: Manasarovar Lake…

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