11 Days Ultimate Soul-awakening Journey to Mt. Everest and Mt. Kailash from Lhasa

Tashi Delek! Welcome to holy Lhasa, the soul and heart of Tibet. After you exit the Lhasa Gonggar International Airport or Lhasa train station. Our welcoming local Tibetan guide will be expecting you with auspicious white Hada and whisking you off to the hotel in downtown Lhasa.

En route, you may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the longest and largest river in Tibet, and the Lhasa River.

After check-in, have a good sleep to acclimate to the altitude and unwind in your hotel.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Highlights:

Scenic hike in the Drepung Monastery (3,800m).

Watch the fiery monk debate in Sera Monastery (3,700m).

Awake to a day of brilliant sunshine. Let’s head to Drepung Monastery for a 3km leisurely hike/kora. The Drepung Monastery is one of the great three Geluga monasteries founded by a disciple of Tsongkhapa called Jamyang Chöje.

As you follow the pilgrim route towards Loseling College, you will see the iconic huge rock paintings depicting the Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Geluga Sect, and Buddhist mantras.

You can gather junipers and burn them as an offering to Buddha, drink refreshing mountain springs, or meditate alongside the local pilgrims beneath the rock face. At the mountaintop, the sweeping view of the enchanting Lhasa Valley will take your breath away.

In the afternoon, you will explore Sera Monastery, the second-largest Gelug monastery next to Drepung. You can appreciate the exquisitely made sand Mandala and admire Buddhist paintings.

The biggest highlight is to watch the dramatic monk debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). By clapping hands, jumping, yelling, and rolling Buddhist mala, the standing monk furiously debates with the other monk sitting on the ground about Buddhist philosophy.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Drepung Monastery
• Monk debate held in the courtyard of Sera Monastery

Highlights:

Explore the secret chambers of Dalai Lamas and tons of treasures in Potala Place(3,700m).

Worship the life-size statue of Buddha Sakyamuni in Jokhang Temple (3,650m). Experience the holy Barkhor Kora with local pilgrims.

Start your day with a visit to the fortress-like Potala Palace,, an architectural marvel, and the winter palace of Dalai Lamas.

You can explore the Dalai Lama’s living quarters, and ceremonial hall, and marvel at gilded buddhas, intricate mandalas, and jewel-encrusted tombs of generations of Dalai Lamas, and enjoy the panoramic view of Lhasa city atop Red Palace.

Next, roam over the Zhongjiao Lukang Park, nearby and view the Potala Palace from behind where you can take a glimpse of how locals spend their day lives, such as enjoying Guozhuang/circle dance, paddle boat in the pool, etc.

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the sacred Jokhang Temple,, the spiritual heart of Tibet. Follow a long line of pilgrims in the dimly lit chambers to worship the life-size statue of a 12-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni.

Then, walk clockwise with prostrating Tibetan pilgrims to experience the famous Barkhor circuit/kora, and unwind in a local teahouse to savor local obsessions,i.g. sweet tea, Tibetan noodles, Tibetan momos, Sha Phaley, or roam over the backstreet of Lhasa.

Stay Overnight in Lhasa.

• Potala Palace is always the No.1 attraction for travelers visiting Tibet.
• A Tibetan pilgrim is worshipping Jokhang Temple

Highlights:

Admire the panoramic view of turquoise Yamdrok Lake (4,441m) at Gangbala Pass (4,998m).

Savor the local Tibetan cuisines in a local family.

Enjoy the Karola Glacier and hang prayer flags at Simila Mount Pass (4,353m).

Marvel at the vista of the Gyantse Dzong fortress.

Today, you will travel southwest from Lhasa to Shigatse via enchanting Gyantse County. En route, you will stop at Gambala Pass to enjoy the sweeping view of turquoise Yamdrok Lake against snowy Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar (7,191m).

Next, go straight to Phukpa Village, situated near the lakeshore of Yamdrok Lake. You will savor the local Tibetan cuisines (Tibetan momo, Tsampa Yak soup, etc.) made by a local family. Then, stroll along the shore of serene Yamdrok Lake and indulge in tranquil meditation there.

Journey continues. From Nangartse to Gyantse, you can marvel at the Karola Glacier (5,400m) whose glacier tongue cascades from the mountain, and later hike to the Simila Mountain pass(4,353m) and hang auspicious Tibetan prayer flags to spread prayers to infinity.

In Gyantse, you can photograph the fortress-like Gyantse Dezong from afar before reaching Shigatse, the second-largest Tibetan city and a major gateway to Mount Everest and Nepal.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

• Enjoy the stunning view of turquoise Yamdrok Lake
• Hanging prayer flags in Tibet

Highlights:

Gaze at the stunning 26m statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha.

Visit the gold tomb of Panchen Lamas.

Watch monks chanting mantras in the assembly hall in Tashilunpo Monastery.

Marvel at the highest peaks of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass.

Admire the sunset of Mt. Everest at EBC if the weather permits.

Have an early rise to roam over the Tashilunpo Monastery, the main sect of Panchen Lama and the largest Tibetan Monastery in western Tibet. After you enter this massive monastery, you can see locals doing kora around iconic white stupas, while those beneath the tree are drinking sweat tea and chatting leisurely.

In the Maitreya Temple, you can admire the world’s largest statue of Maitreya (26m), made of 278kg of gold and 23,000kg of copper, and continue through peaceful alleys to visit the tomb of the 10th Panche Lama and sit on a cushion and mediate along with the monks in the tranquil Assembly Hall.

Next, hop on your tour vehicle for a rollercoaster ride to the magnificent Everest Base Camp (5,200m) . After you enter Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, at Gawula Pass (5,198m) , you admire the Makalu (8463m), Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Everest (8848.86m) and Cho Oyu (8201m) and Shishapangma (8012m) standing side by side along the majestic Himalayas.

Continue ascending, through dozens of adrenaline-packed hairpin bends, you will safely reach Everest Base Camp. If you are in luck, you can see that the sun will paint the summit of the north face of Mount Everest in a golden hue at sunset.

As night falls, the Milky Way arches gracefully overhead the Mount Everest. This is something that you can’t afford to miss. Of course, you need to brave the cold and headache venturing out of the cozy tent/hotel at night at EBC for an otherworldly view.

Stay overnight at Tibetan-run Yak tent hotel or hotels at Rongbuk Monastery

Insider Tips:

1. The visibility of Everest is subject to weather conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

2. During the winter season, typically from November to March, the tent hotels at Everest Base Camp are closed. Therefore, if you’re traveling in winter, your accommodation options are limited to the village near EBC.

• Drive along the zigzag road to Everest Base Camp
• Enjoy your group tour to Everest Base Camp

Highlights:

Explore Rongbuk Monastery(5,154m) and meditate there.

Catch a glimpse of turquoise Peiku tso Lake (4,590m) and the stunning vista of Mt. Shishabangma (8,027 meters).

Rise and shine. Begin your day by viewing the amazing sunrise over Mount Everest at EBC and enjoying breakfast on the roof of the world.

Then, it only takes around a 5-minute walk to reach Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest monastery. You can immerse yourself in a tranquil meditation there.

Continue the spiritual odyssey from EBC to Saga. En route, you will be able to appreciate the serene beauty of Peiku tso Lake and the awe-inspiring Mt. Shishabangma. You can stock up on personal supplies before heading to remote Darchen, the starting point of the epic Mount Kailash pilgrimage.

Stay overnight in Saga.

• Rongbuk Monastery, the higest monastery in the world
• Peiku Tso Lake with snow mountain

Highlights:

Enjoy the crystal-clear waters and tranquil shores of Lake Mansarovar (4,590m).

Meditate beside the lakeshore.

Expect a long and scenic ride from Saga to Darchen. You will be captivated by the vast and varied landscapes that unfold before you, from sprawling grasslands to towering Gandise mountain ranges.

After reaching the tranquil and holy Lake Manasarovar, you can stroll along the pristine Lake aginst the backdrop of sacred Mt. Kailsh and feel connected with nature and find inner peace in a soul-soothing meditation.

Around 40min’s drive, you will be at Darchen, where you can unwind in your hotel and get ready for the following 3-day Mt. Kailash trek.

Insider Tips:

If you need a porter for Mt.Kailash trek, kindly inform your guide on this day, and your guide will arrange one for you the following day. Please note that the cost of the porter requires an additional payment.

• Crossing the grasslands from Darchen to Saga.

Highlights:

Trek through the magnificent Sarshung Valley.

Visit Drirapuk Monastery.

Enjoy the view of Sacred Mount Kailash up close.

After breakfast, you are supposed to take an eco-bus from Darchen to Sarshung Valley, where to start today’s 13-kilometer trek around Mount Kailash.

The first 13 kilometers are relatively easy, guiding you through the valley at the foot of Mount Kailash. You can clearly see the southern and western slopes of the sacred Mount Kailash.

After reaching the foot of the western slope, you will check in at the guesthouse in Dirapuk Monastery.

For the remainder of the day, follow our guide to explore the ancient Dirapuk Monastery (also known as Zhire Temple). Capture unforgettable moments in front of the sacred stupas and the grandeur of the western slope of Mount Kailash.

Weather permitting, immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring spectacle of the sunset over Mount Kailash from Dirapuk Monastery. Witness the sun's afterglow delicately illuminating the steep cliffs of the western slope as night descends.

Stay overnight in Dirapuk Monastery Guesthouse.

• Start trekking from Sarshung Valley to Drirapuk Monastery
• You can see piles of Mani Stones in Kailash Kora

Highlights:

Trek across the Dolma La Pass (5,630m), the highest and most challenging pass during the 3-day trek.

Start your day early with a 4-kilometer trek from Dirapuk Monastery to reach 5430 meters. This section offers a rapid climb with a breathtaking view of the sunrise over the northwest slope of Mount Kailash.

Afterward, you’ll continue another 2-kilometer trek to Dolma La Pass, the highest point at an altitude of 5630 meters. Along this path, you’ll see prayer flags hanging everywhere on the pass.

(Notice: The high altitude means even in summer, the path is icy and scattered with rocks, requiring caution to prevent slipping.)

After successfully crossing Dolma La Pass, you’ll be greeted by the emerald-green Lake of Compassion (also known as Guri Kund), believed to purify a lifetime of sins with a dip. You’ll also witness the thick glaciers on the northwest slope of Mount Kailash.

Following the Lake of Compassion, a gradual descent leads you to the valley beneath the southeast foot of Mount Kailash, where Zutulpuk Monastery (also known as Dzutripuk Monastery) is located. Here, you may encounter adorable wild animals and find a peaceful resting spot on the grasslands.

Stay overnight in Zutulpuk Monastery Guesthouse.

• Trek over Dromala Pass (5630m), the highest pass of the Kora
• You can enjoy the stunning view of Guri Kund.

Highlights:

Finish the final leg of the Mt.Kailash trek.

Embrace natural hot springs around Lake Manasaroar to relax.

In the morning, you’ll trek back from Zutulpuk Monastery to Darchen, the starting point of Kailash Trek.

To relieve the sore muscles and fatigue after the long trek, we can drive you back to Lake Manasarovar where you can enjoy the natural hot spring to clean your body and wash away the fatigue after the long trek with a few dollars. Then, again enjoy a tranquil moment of meditation beside the holy Lake Manasarovar.

After today’s tour, get back to Darchen.

Stay overnight in Darchen.

Today marks the end of your Tibet tour.

After breakfast, you will be transferred from Darchen to Ngari Gunsa Airport. (200km) and board the flight from Gunsa to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport, which takes around 1h20m to reach Lhasa.

Thank you for choosing Tibet Vista, and we extend a warm welcome for your return to Tibet in the future.