Itinerary
- Day 1
Frankfurt to Chengdu
You'll depart Frankfurt on a direct flight heading to Chengdu. The tour operator can help arrange additional train or flight connections to Frankfurt if you need them, so just mention this when you register.
Optional Activities
- Book additional train or flight to/from Frankfurt
- Day 2
Chengdu to Lhasa
Landing in Chengdu early morning, you'll catch a flight over the Tibetan plateau to Lhasa with your Tibet entry permit in hand. From the airport, you'll drive through Yarlung Valley, cross the Brahmaputra River, and arrive in Lhasa (3,600m/11,811ft) by afternoon. After checking into your hotel in the old town, you'll walk around Jokhang Temple on Barkhor Road to experience Tibetan spirituality. Dinner features momos and thenthuk at a local Tibetan restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Tibetan restaurant meal featuring momos (dumplings) or thenthuk (hearty soup with noodles, vegetables and yak meat))
Included Activities
- Flight from Chengdu to Lhasa over Tibetan plateau
- Drive through Yarlung Valley
- Pilgrimage walk around Jokhang Temple on Barkhor Road
- Tibetan restaurant meal with guide explanation of Tibetan culture
Landmarks Yarlung Valley Brahmaputra River Mount Kailash Jokhang Temple Barkhor Road - Day 3
Lhasa
Starting with narrow alleyway walks back to the Barkhor, you'll watch pilgrims performing rituals and prostrations. Your Tibetan guide takes you through Jokhang Temple to see the holiest Buddha statue. You'll feel the atmosphere of yak butter, mantras, and believers in this sacred space. The afternoon is yours to explore Lhasa's old town at your own pace, taking it easy given the 3,600m altitude.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Jokhang Temple with Tibetan guide
- Observation of pilgrims and rituals on Barkhor Road
Optional Activities
- Explore Lhasa's old town independently
Landmarks Jokhang Temple Barkhor Road - Day 4
Lhasa
You'll head to Potala Palace, a landmark towering over the city with remarkable architecture. Climbing numerous steps with your guide, you'll see mandalas, murals, and Buddhist shrines inside this former residence of the Dalai Lamas. Walking the adjacent pilgrimage path, you'll watch believers turn prayer wheels. Lunch comes at a Tibetan teahouse in the park behind the palace, then the afternoon is free to rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Tibetan teahouse near Potala Palace)
Included Activities
- Visit to Potala Palace with guide
- Walk along pilgrimage path
- Lunch at Tibetan teahouse near Potala Palace
Optional Activities
- Try turning prayer wheels
Landmarks Potala Palace Marpo Ri (Red Mountain) - Day 5
Lhasa to Drak Yerpa
This day trip takes you east of Lhasa to Drak Yerpa monastery, a quiet place with few tourists. You'll follow locals visiting small meditation caves where important Tibetan Buddhist figures once meditated for years. The altitude here reaches around 4,400m/14,435ft, giving you another elevation adjustment during the day. You'll return to Lhasa for your final night there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Drak Yerpa monastery
- Visit to meditation caves
Landmarks Drak Yerpa Monastery - Day 6
Lhasa to Shigatse
Leaving early on the Friendship Highway toward Shigatse, you'll pass Khamba La Pass (4,794m/15,728ft) with views down to Yamdrok-Tso. There's time for a hike along the shore. Crossing Karo La (5,000m+/16,404ft+), the day's highest point, you'll then reach Gyantse and visit Pelkhor monastery with its famous kumbum. Arriving in Shigatse by evening, you'll spend the night there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Khamba La Pass with views of Yamdrok-Tso
- Hike along Yamdrok-Tso shore
- Visit to Pelkhor monastery and kumbum
Landmarks Khamba La Pass Yamdrok-Tso (Scorpion Lake) Karo La Gyantse Pelkhor Monastery - Day 7
Shigatse to Everest Region
You start at Tashilhunpo Monastery, exploring halls filled with statues, murals, and Buddhist art. From there, you'll head toward the Everest region via Gyatso La pass (5,248m/17,218ft). Winding up to Pang La, you'll see six of the world's 14 eight-thousand-metre peaks including Everest, Cho Oyu, and Shishapangma. Descending to Tashi Dzom (4,080m/13,386ft), you'll overnight in a simple guesthouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery
- Drive to Pang La viewpoint
- Panoramic views of six 8,000-meter peaks
Landmarks Tashilhunpo Monastery Gyatso La Pang La Mount Kanchenjunga Mount Makalu Mount Lhotse Mount Everest Mount Cho Oyu Mount Shishapangma - Day 8
Tashi Dzom to Everest North Base Camp
After Tibetan breakfast, you head to Everest's northern flank. Mount Everest is already visible from Rongbuk Monastery. You'll spend the night in a stationary communal tent with beds at a camp near the monastery (5,000m/16,404ft). This evening, you'll share travel adventures around a warm stove with other travelers.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Tibetan breakfast), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Rongbuk Monastery (view of Everest)
Optional Activities
- Rongbuk Monastery visit
Landmarks Rongbuk Monastery Mount Everest - Day 9
Everest North Base Camp to Tingri
Leaving the tent at sunrise, you'll gaze at Everest's northern flank (8,848m/29,029ft), known locally as Qomolongma. You'll spend considerable time viewing it under different light conditions and finding good photo opportunities. Later, you'll drive to Tingri for fantastic distant views of Everest, Cho Oyu, and snow-capped mountains. Overnight comes in a simple hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing of Mount Everest North Face
- Drive to Tingri with mountain views
Landmarks Mount Everest Mount Cho Oyu 
- Day 10
Tingri to Peiku Tso
You'll drive westward about 90 kilometers before leaving the Friendship Highway for lonely paths through high mountain landscape. Nepal's Langtang Himal towers to the south, and soon Mount Shishapangma (8,013m/26,335ft) comes into view. Reaching Peiku Tso lake, you'll see excellent views of surrounding mountains. You'll set up tents and have free time to explore the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through high mountain landscape
- Arrival at Peiku Tso lake
Optional Activities
- Explore surrounding area around Peiku Tso
Landmarks Langtang Himal Mount Shishapangma Peiku Tso - Day 11
Peiku Tso to Paryang
Crossing the Tibetan highlands, you'll spot yaks, sheep, antelopes, foxes, and black-necked cranes. The Yarlung River (Brahmaputra) accompanies you on the left for a stretch. Reaching Paryang by evening, you'll set up camp surrounded by grazing yaks, green meadows, sand dunes, and snowy peaks of the Nepalese Himalayas.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive across Tibetan highlands with wildlife viewing
Optional Activities
- Wildlife spotting (antelopes, foxes, black-necked cranes)
Landmarks Tibetan Highlands Yarlung River (Brahmaputra) - Day 12
Paryang to Lake Manasarovar
You'll catch first sight of holy Mount Kailash as you reach beautiful landscape regions. Arriving at Lake Manasarovar at the foot of Gurla Mandata (7,694m/25,243ft), you'll see this freshwater lake sits at 4,560m/14,961ft, the highest of its kind. The lake's sun shape and crescent-shaped Raksa Valley form a natural mandala with Kailash at center. Before dinner, you'll visit sites around the lake and ascend to Chiu Gompa for Kailash views. Optional hot springs are available for a soothing bath.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Lake Manasarovar
- Visit to Buddhist monasteries around lake
- Ascent to Chiu Gompa with Kailash views
Optional Activities
- Soothing bath in local hot springs below Chiu Gompa
Landmarks Mount Kailash Lake Manasarovar Gurla Mandata Raksa Valley Chiu Gompa - Day 13
Lake Manasarovar to Khyunglung
Continuing westward on the main route toward the Sutlej River, you'll reach Thirtapuri (4,330m/14,206ft), entrance to legendary Garuda Valley. This important pilgrimage site holds meditation sites of Indian Guru Rinpoche. You'll explore sacred sites on foot, visit the rebuilt Bon monastery of Gurugyam, then continue along the Sutlej River to remote Khyunglung. You'll spend two nights in tent.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Thirtapuri sacred sites
- Visit to Gurugyam Bon monastery
- Exploration of Garuda Valley
Landmarks Thirtapuri Garuda Valley Gurugyam Bon Monastery Sutlej River Khyunglung - Day 14
Khyunglung Exploration
Huge ruins of chortens mark the entrance here. You'll explore Buddhist caves in the impressive canyon, making Khyunglung one of western Tibet's most interesting places. Researchers believe this was capital of the Shangshung kingdom over 2,000 years ago. Development hasn't reached here like central Tibet, so you'll experience original ways of life with field work and livestock. The inhabitants follow ancient shamanistic Böm faith. You'll spend the whole day exploring ruins with free time for personal exploration or journaling.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Exploration of Khyunglung ruins and Buddhist caves
Optional Activities
- Complete travel diary
- Personal exploration of ruins
Landmarks Khyunglung Shangshung Kingdom ruins - Day 15
Khyunglung to Tsaparang
You'll take a spectacular ride to what may be the Sutlej Canyon's most beautiful viewpoints. Wind and water have carved surreal landscapes over millions of years. Mountain ranges of the Indian Himalayas loom on the horizon, with sacred Nanda Devi (7,816m/25,643ft) and striking Kamet visible on clear days. Reaching Tsaparang in the former Guge kingdom by late afternoon, you'll have free time and overnight with a friendly Tibetan family.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through Sutlej Canyon viewpoints
Optional Activities
- Explore Tsaparang on own
Landmarks Sutlej Canyon Nanda Devi Kamet Tsaparang Guge Kingdom - Day 16
Tsaparang and Guge Kingdom Ruins
In this unique gorge landscape, you'll explore ruins of the sunken Guge kingdom, over 900 years old. Searching through the former capital, you'll see temples, fortress wall remains, and the former summer palace. The well-preserved wall paintings are considered among the most delicate Buddhist icon paintings. You'll take an easy short hike through a gorge back to your guesthouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Exploration of Guge Kingdom ruins
- Visit to temples and fortress ruins
- Hike through gorge back to guesthouse
Landmarks Guge Kingdom ruins - Day 17
Tsaparang to Darchen
Driving eastward, you'll return to Darchen, the starting point for the Kailash Kora circumnavigation. In the evening, you and your guide will discuss the trek for the next three days. Overnight comes in a simple guesthouse with external and optional shower facilities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Darchen
- Evening briefing on Kailash Kora trek
Landmarks Darchen - Day 18
Kailash Kora Day 1
Getting up early, you'll join the stream of pilgrims from various religions including Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers. Beginning at Mani Lakhang in Darchen heading westward through the Valley of the River of the Gods, you'll pass chortens and Mani stones to Tarpoche, the famous flagpole. Circling this sacred place, you'll enter an awe-inspiring gorge with steep walls and waterfalls. Reaching Chuku Monastery on a steep slope, you'll continue to camp near Diraphuk monastery (just over 5,000m/16,404ft) with a view of Kailash's north face.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Join pilgrims at Mani Lakhang
- Walk through Valley of the River of the Gods
- Visit Tarpoche flagpole
- Enter gorge with Amithaba Buddha realm
- Visit Chuku Monastery
- Arrival at Diraphuk monastery camp
Landmarks Mount Kailash Mani Lakhang Valley of the River of the Gods Tarpoche Flagpole Chuku Monastery Diraphuk Monastery - Day 19
Kailash Kora Day 2
Watching Kailash's north face illuminate at sunrise, you'll begin the longest stage of circumnavigation after breakfast. Ascending with the mountain on your right, you'll pass Shiva Tsal halfway up where believers acknowledge their sins. The steep final ascent reaches the pass at 5,636m/18,491ft, the bardo or state between death and rebirth. Crossing this sacred place adorned with yak horns and prayer flags, you'll descend through the valley associated with Milarepa. Hiking to Zutrulphuk monastery with Milarepa's meditation cave, you'll overnight at 4,790m/15,715ft.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing of Kailash north face
- Ascent to Dölma La pass at 5,636m
- Pass Shiva Tsal charnel ground
- Descent through Milarepa valley
- Visit Zutrulphuk monastery and Milarepa meditation cave
Landmarks Mount Kailash Shiva Tsal Dölma La Pass Gaurikund (Lake of Compassion) Zutrulphuk Monastery - Day 20
Kailash Kora Day 3
Completing the circumnavigation with a leisurely half-day tour, you'll go slightly downhill with small river crossings through a fairytale canyon. Returning to Barkha plain, you'll catch sight of Gurla Mandata and the two lakes as dark blue stripes in the distance. Reaching Darchen, your kora is complete. Mentally refreshed and physically tired, you can shower (external, optional) and enjoy a leisurely dinner. You'll stroll through this small pilgrimage village on your own before overnight in a simple guesthouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Leisurely dinner in Darchen)
Included Activities
- Completion of Kailash Kora circumnavigation
- Return to Barkha plain with lake views
- Return to Darchen
- Leisurely dinner
Optional Activities
- Shower in Darchen (external, optional)
- Explore Darchen pilgrimage village
Landmarks Mount Kailash Barkha Plain Gurla Mandata Lake Raksastal Lake Manasarovar Darchen - Day 21
Darchen to Saga
Leaving the Kailash region behind, you'll head east on well-maintained roads, making good progress. Checking into your hotel in Saga, you'll enjoy dinner together to wrap up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Drive from Kailash region to Saga
- Dinner together
- Day 22
Saga to Sakya
Leaving Saga, you'll drive to Sakya on paved roads via a different route than your outbound journey. You'll take the southern route from the Everest region this time. Stretching your legs with numerous stops in beautiful countryside, you'll slowly say goodbye to the Tibetan highlands. After Lhatse, you'll leave the Friendship Highway for a worthwhile detour to Sakya. Your guide offers an optional walk through the northern part of Sakya Monastery upon arrival.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to Sakya through beautiful countryside
Optional Activities
- Optional walk in northern part of Sakya Monastery
Landmarks Sakya Monastery - Day 23
Sakya to Shigatse
You'll explore the Flower Sect, another mainstream of Tibetan Buddhism. Sakya monastery houses numerous cultural assets including a library with over 84,000 documents, often called the Second Dunhuang. Originally built as a fortress against the Mongols, it spans over 600 years of history. After a joint tour, you'll have free time to explore on your own, walking monastery walls or buying souvenirs. Returning to Shigatse, you'll enjoy a leisurely farewell dinner in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Leisurely farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Tour of Sakya Monastery
- Visit to monastery library with 84,000 documents
- Farewell dinner in Shigatse
Optional Activities
- Walk along monastery walls
- Shop in pilgrim stores at Sakya
Landmarks Sakya Monastery - Day 24
Shigatse to Gongkar Airport
After a restful night in Tibet's heart, you'll slowly head home. Following breakfast, you'll drive to Gongkar Airport near Lhasa and enjoy Himalayan views from your return flight via Beijing or Chengdu.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to Gongkar Airport
- Return flight with Himalayan views
- Day 25
Arrival
You'll arrive home carrying unforgettable impressions from your Tibet adventure.
