17 days Mount Kailash Group Tour with Guge Kingdom Ruins

Altitude: 3,650 m / Highlights: Airport pickup, acclimatization
Upon your arrival at Lhasa Gonggar airport or Lhasa railway station, you will be greeted by your Tibetan guide and transferred you to your hotel in the city. From the airport to Lhasa is 68 km (42 mi), roughly an hour drive to your hotel. After checking into the hotel, you will have the remainder of the day to rest and acclimatize to the high altitude.

Altitude: 3,650 m / Highlights: Largest monastery in Tibet, monk debates

Today is your first sightseeing day in Lhasa, you will be arranged to visit two renowned monasteries: Drepung Monastery in the morning and Sera Monastery in the afternoon.

Drepung Monastery was once the world's largest and the governmental seat before the Potala Palace, historically housed up to 10,000 monks. It's renowned for its significant role in Tibetan culture, religion, and education.

Sera Monastery is another the great Gelug university monasteries of Tibet. Renowned for its lively monk debates between 3 pm to 5 pm (daily except on Sunday) on Buddhist philosophy, the monastery is an important center for learning and culture.Your guide will provide a detailed explanation of how Tibetan monks participate in debates to acquire knowledge and progress in their academic studies.

You will have a welcome dinner with your fellow group members tonight.

Altitude: 3,650 m / Highlights: Dalai Lama’s former residence, sacred pilgrimage route

In the morning start your Lhasa city highlight tour to visit Potala Palace. It is most renowned as the residence of the lineage of Dalai Lamas (Avalokiteshvara), though the massive structure contains a small world within itself. It was first built by 33rd ruler of his dynasty, King Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century, but still is in surprisingly good repair because of continual rejuvenation projects.

Then proceed to visit Jokhang temple, it is the most scared building in Tibetan Buddhism, located in the heart of Lhasa old town. It is the most sought after pilgrimage destination for all Tibetans.
The Barkhor Street, a renowned Kora (holy walking path) encircling the Jokhang Temple, is constantly bustling with Tibetan faithful. Visitors will discover the unique experience of mingling with local pilgrims along Barkhor Street. It also serves as a vibrant shopping district, offering the perfect opportunity to purchase gifts for your loved ones.

Following your sightseeing adventures, join your guide at one of Lhasa's most vibrant Tibetan sweet tea houses. Here, you can enjoy sipping traditional Tibetan sweet tea while sitting among local Tibetans. Your guide will provide valuable insights into Tibetan social dynamics and daily life, offering a deeper understanding of the culture.

Route: Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Gyantse – Shigatse | 360 km, ~7 hours
Altitude: Up to 5,100 m / Highlights: Holy Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Gyantse town

Make your first day's drive towards Everest, with today's highlights including Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, and Gyantse ancient city.

Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holiest lakes in Tibet, is easily accessible from Lhasa. Upon reaching Gampala Pass (4790m), you will get your first glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m). The lake is encircled by numerous snow-capped mountains and offers breathtaking views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m), the tallest mountain near Lhasa. You will drive along the lakeshore for about half an hour, during which time you can step out of the car to touch the lake's blue waters and take photos. At the end of the lake, enjoy your lunch at a local Tibetan family.

Karo La Glacier, at an altitude of 5,100 meters, provides a stunning overlook of Mt. Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. A brief stop is scheduled here for an excellent photo opportunity.

Gyantse ancient city, referred to as the 'Hero City', is a historically significant town in Tibet, renowned for its well-preserved ancient architectural wonders. You will spend some time taking photos of Gyantse ancient city. 

Enjoy a beautiful drive along the Tibetan barley fields and farmland from Gyantse to Shigatse. Check into Shigatse, the 2nd largest city in Tibet. 

Route: Shigatse – Shegar – Everest Base Camp | Distance: 340 km | Duration: 7–8 hours
Altitude: Up to 5,250 m / Highlights: Gyatsola Pass, Gawula Pass, Everest panoramic view

Today, you'll undertake an exciting drive to reach Mount Everest Base Camp, immersing yourself in the stunning landscapes of valleys and mountains in the western part of Tibet, including the spectacular Himalayan range.

Start early to drive towards Shegar. En route, weather permitting, you'll catch your first glimpse of Mount Everest at Gyatsola Pass [5,280 m]. Lunch will be in Shegar, the last town before heading to Mount Everest.

In the afternoon, as you enter Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, the winding road takes you to Gawula Pass [5,250 m]. Here, you'll experience breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayas, including a remarkable view of Mount Everest, which stands at 8,844 meters. You'll also see four other majestic peaks over 8,000 meters: Mt. Makalu (8,463 m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m), Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201 m), and Mt. Shishapama (8,020 m).

You will switch to the local sightseeing bus at Tashi Zong Village, and from there, it is another hour's drive before you reach Everest Base Camp (E.B.C.).
Arrive at Everest Base Camp in the late afternoon, just in time to witness a splendid sunset (just depending on the weather).

Stay overnight at the tent guest house at E.B.C or the monastery guest house near Rongbuk. 

Route: Everest Base Camp – Pelku Tso – Saga | Distance: 300 km | Duration: ~8 hours
Altitude: 4,610 m / Highlights: Everest sunrise, Rongbuk Monastery, Pelku Tso Lake

If the weather is favorable, you'll have the opportunity to witness a magnificent sunrise at Everest, with the first rays of sunlight turning the mountain into a glowing red spectacle.

Morning visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest-altitude monastery at 5154 meters above sea level.

Then continue today's travel to Saga in Ngari Prefecture, where you will visit the scared Mountain Kailash and lake Manasarovar in the following days. En route, you'll pass by the tranquil Pelku Tso Lake, nestled in the grasslands and famous for its crystal-clear waters and scenic backdrop against the towering Shishabangma Mountain (8,027m) in the Himalayas. After enjoying the lake's serene beauty, you will drive an additional 70km to reach Saga, where you will stay overnight.

Saga is a small town, serves as a pivotal transfer hub for journeys into far western Tibet. Beyond this town, your adventure towards Mount Kailash continues at an average elevation of 4,500 meters. It's advisable to stock up on essentials in Saga for the upcoming days of your travel.

Route: Saga – Paryang – Darchen | Distance: 520 km | Duration: ~9 hours
Altitude: 4,670 m / Highlights: Mayum-la Pass, first view of Mt. Kailash, nomadic herders

Today is a day to enjoy the beauty of the remote areas of far Western Tibet, including the numerous snow-capped peaks, vast grasslands, stunning lakes, nomad herders with their animals, and wildlife.

During your morning drive from Saga to Paryang, you will pass through the small, dusty town of Zhongba amidst enchanting panoramic views. Dotted nomad tents, mingled with their herds of animals, are scattered across the open plateau. You will pass numerous villages and camps of yak herders, with distant views of snow-capped mountains. Crossing the Mayun-la pass [5,216 m], you may be fortunate enough to see many wild animals in the plateau grasslands. You will also have the first sight of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. Finally, you will reach the small village of Darchen, which serves as both the starting and ending point of the Mt. Kailash trek. Stay overnight at Darchen.

Route: Darchen – Zanda | Distance: 300 km | Duration: ~5 hours drive
Altitude: 3,700 m / 12,140 ft, / Highlights: Toling Monastery & Guge Kingdom Ruins

This morning, depart Darchen for Zanda across the Ngari Plateau. Along the way, you’ll pass striking earth forest formations, vast open landscapes, and enjoy views of snow-capped mountains, with the chance to spot wildlife in the wilderness.

Upon arrival, visit Toling Monastery, once the cultural and religious center of western Tibet. Known for its exquisite Buddhist murals, the monastery combines Indian, Nepali, and Tibetan architectural styles. Surrounded by 83 ancient stupas, it retains a solemn and timeless atmosphere.

Continue to the Ruins of the Guge Kingdom, which dominated western Tibet for over 700 years before its mysterious vanished 400 years ago. The fortress-like remains reveal caves, temples, statues, and remarkably preserved murals, including the renowned “Guge Silver Eyes.” Exploring the ruins offers a fascinating insight into the art, faith, and history of this once-powerful kingdom. Overnight in Zanda.

Route: Zanda – Darchen | Distance: 260 km | Duration: ~4-5 hours
Altitude: 4,675 m / 15,340 ft / Highlights: Donggar & Piyang Caves

This morning, drive from Zanda to the Donggar and Piyang Caves (about 30 km / 1 hour). Known as the largest Buddhist cave complex in the world, these sites include ancient monasteries, fortresses, grottoes, and pagodas carved into the cliffs. Inside, you’ll find vivid murals depicting Buddhas, celestial beings, and everyday life, reflecting a cultural legacy that stretches from prehistoric times to the height of Buddhist civilization.

After exploring these remarkable cave sites, continue the drive back to Darchen. After settling into your hotel, your guide will help prepare everything necessary for the upcoming three-day trek.

Tips: If you require a porter for your Kailash trekking, please decide today and inform your guide. Hiring a porter will incur an additional cost, which you will need to pay on your own.

Route: Darchen – Sershong – Dirapuk | Distance: 13 km | Duration: ~6 hours trekking
Altitude: 5,080 m /Highlights: Tarboche Flagpole, west face of Mount Kailash

In the morning, take a local eco-bus from Darchen to Sershong Monastery, where you will begin the first day's trek (about 13km). It will be a gradual walk, accompanied by the chants and prayers of many other local pilgrims. From the valley, you can view the Choku Monastery perched on the hillside. The trail will have a few ups and downs until you reach the camp at Dirapuk monastery [4,750 m], located at the foot of the western slope of Mount Kailash. Along the way, you will encounter many Bon pilgrims traveling in the opposite direction (anti-clockwise). This is because Mt. Kailash is revered by four different religions: Buddhism, Bon, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Check into the guesthouse at Dirapuk Monastery, and, if the weather permits, enjoy the awe-inspiring spectacle of the sunset over Mount Kailash from this vantage point.

Route: Dirapuk – Drolma La Pass – Zuthulpuk | Distance: 22 km | Duration: 7–8 hours trekking
Altitude: 5,630 m / Highlights: Drolma La Pass, sacred lakes, rugged landscapes
 

On the second day of your Mount Kailash trek, you will face the most challenging part of the route. The trek will lead you along a higher section of the holy path just beneath Mount Kailash, and you will ascend to the trek's highest point - Drolma La [5,630 m]. This part involves a steep uphill climb. After reaching the pass, you will encounter a steep and rocky descent, where at times you may need to jump from stone to stone. Upon reaching a sandy hill, you might consider to take a short break and drink some warm tea at the rest stop. Then following the path through gradual fields, you will reach Dzutul-puk for an overnight camp. Dzutul-puk, meaning "magical cave" in Tibetan, is a small monastery linked to an intriguing story of a talent competition between the Great Yogi Milarepa (Buddhist) and Naropa (Bon).

Route: Zuthulpuk – Darchen – Lake Manasarovar | Distance: 14 km trek + short drive
Altitude: 4,560 m / Highlights: Finish the kora, visit Lake Manasarovar, hot springs (optional)

Today's trek is an easy walk back towards Darchen, taking only about 3 hours in total. The path gradually winds out of the valley, and you'll follow the river into the Barka plain. The trekking journey finally concludes at Darchen. Congratulations, you have just completed a lifetime spiritual trek!

After the trekking, you will drive about half an hour to visit the Lake Manasarovar. Manasarovar is the lake of compassion, tranquility, and bliss. Enjoy your relaxing moment at the holy lake or spend several dollars to enjoy the hot springs at the lake side. 
Return to Darchen for overnight. 

Route: Darchen – Saga | Distance: 450 km | Duration: 6–7 hours
Altitude: 4,610 m / Highlights: Scenic views, rest day

Today, as you drive back to Saga retracing the same route, you will have your last view of Mt. Kailash along the way. Overnight at Saga. 

Route: Saga – Gyirong Town | Distance: 180 km | Duration: 4–5 hours
Altitude: 2,700 m / Highlights: Gyirong Valley, Sherpa villages, alpine forests
In the morning, you will start your journey to Gyirong Valley, a hidden gem on the Tibet Nepal border. As the altitude decreases, the scenery along the roadside transitions from snow-capped mountains and wastelands to dense forests and canyon landscapes.

Upon reaching Gyirong Town in the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to explore Gyirong Valley, described by British explorer Howard-Bury as "the most beautiful valley in the world" in his book 'Mount Everest: The Reconnaissance'.

In the Gyirong Valley, you will visit Sherpa villages and admire the dense forests, serene villages, and beautiful snow peaks above the woods.

You will stay overnight in Gyirong.

Route: Gyirong – Border OR Gyirong – Shegar | Distance: 340 km | Duration: 6–7 hours
Altitude: 4,300 m / Highlights: Flexible route

This morning, you will have some free time at your hotel, while some members of the group will be dropped off at the border to continue their journey to Kathmandu in Nepal.

After lunch, you'll begin your journey back to Shegar in Shigatse. As you ascend the plateau of the Himalayan region, once again, you will be treated to breathtaking views of the Himalayas.

Check into a hotel in Shegar for an overnight stay.

Note: If you plan to travel to Kathmandu after Mount Kailash, you can depart this morning.

Route: Shegar – Shigatse – Lhasa | Distance: 500 km | Duration: ~8 hours
Altitude: 3,650 m / Highlights: Tashilhunpo Monastery, Yarlung Tsangpo River

Morning drive back to Shigatse from Shegar, in Shigatse, you will visit Tashilhunpo monastery, the home of the Panchen Lama, features grand and magnificent halls that occupy an entire hillside. It is the spiritual heart of the Tibetan people in Shigatse and houses the world's largest statue of Maitreya Buddha.

In the late afternoon, you will drive back to Lhasa via the northern friendship highway. This scenic route, which runs alongside the Yarlung Tsangpo River, offers a diverse array of landscapes that are sure to capture your attention.

Route: Lhasa – Airport/Train Station
Altitude: 3,650 m / Highlights: Transfer out

Today is your last day of this 15 days Mount Kailash group tour in Tibet, your guide and driver will see you off at the Lhasa Airport or Train Station, which concludes the tour.