Trekking to Mount Kailash

You will be warmly greeted at the Lhasa airport by your guide, and then you will set off on the 100 km drive to Lhasa town. There won’t be a dull moment on the drive, as you peer at stunning landscapes through the windows and pause en-route to admire the beautiful local villages. On arrival, you will enjoy a hearty meal before settling down to rest at your Hotel in Lhasa.

Today you will explore the historical streets of Lhasa. You will admire the magnificent Potala Palace, former home of the Dalai Lama, sitting proudly above the rest of the city. You will have the chance to enter the palace alongside your guide, enjoying one of the most beautiful spiritual structures in the world. After checking out the palace, you will visit the 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple, the most sacred of Tibet, breathing in the earthy smells of incense. You will finish your day with a gentle walk, meeting some of the pilgrims that have travelled to this sacred city of the Buddhist world.

Today you will set out for the Ganden monastery, built on the slopes of the mountain of Wanggo in the early 15th century. This sacred Tibetan site is home to the Gelugpa school of Buddhism and offers gorgeous views of the gardens and craggy landscapes. You will take a hike along the mountain ridges to soak up the valley views. After recharging with a picnic lunch and rest you will continue to hike through the upper kora before returning to Lhasa for a well-earned rest at your hotel.

Before heading out for another day of hiking, you will have the change to visit the historical Pawang monastery, the birthplace of the beautiful Tibetan calligraphy. As you set out for your hike, you will pass the Sky Burial site, where the old tradition of leaving passed loved ones to the birds of the mountain prevails today. You will hike between multiple ancient monasteries as you explore a landscape that’s been largely untouched by the passage of time.

Prepare yourself for an early start as you travel 360 km by car to reach Shigatse. Although the drive is long, you will be rewarded with extraordinary views of the snow-capped Himalayas and glittering blue waters of Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake). Passing through valleys and mountains alike, you will pause to explore the unique Pelkhor monastery and visit the home of a local Tibetan family to learn more about this magical culture. After a long journey, you will be relieved to unwind in your hotel at Shigatse.

Expect another long day on the road as you travel to the typical Tibetan town of Saga. You will cross stunning mountain scenery, the magnificent Brahmaputra River and take the highland road that winds through lakes and grasslands. The roads of Tibet will be a bizarre experience for some, as you share the bumpy roads with some surprising characters, like the shaggy local yaks. You will arrive in Saga in the late afternoon, where you can relax and unwind in your hotel.

You will continue to travel through stunning Tibetan landscapes to reach the base for the Kora Trek. Today’s long journey will take you through pretty grasslands and impressive mountains. You will also travel through the nomad plains, famous for its moon-like scenery. You will stop to visit the holy lake of Manasarovar, nestled in beautiful mountains and a popular destination for Russian, Indian and Tibetan pilgrims alike. On arriving in the nomadic village of Darchen you will explore the streets to stretch your legs as your guide arranges porters and yaks to support you on your upcoming hike.

Today you will set out on your Mount Kailash trek. After hiking throughout the morning, you will stop for a simple, nutritious meal in the lunch tent. Afterward, you will head on for the final stretch to Dirapuk monastery with fellow pilgrims, many of whom have been saving throughout their lives in order to make this sacred journey. After visiting the riverside monastery, you will spend the night in a local guesthouse.

Prepare to challenge yourself as you head out on the most difficult day of the trek. The terrain itself won’t be too demanding but reaching the high altitude of 5,000 m takes some adjusting to. You will summit Dikpala Pass (5,000m) and then Dormala Pass (5,600m), where the pilgrims undergo a spiritual ‘death’ before being ‘reborn’ at Dormala Pass. You will enjoy your simple food in the lunch tent once again, before descending a little to reach Zutrul Phuk monastery where you will stay at a nearby guesthouse.

Today’s shorter trek will be much less challenging than the day before. You will trek across the open plains, stopping to admire the colorful, fraying prayer flags being battered around by the wind. After returning to the small town of Darchen, you will be transferred to Lake Manasarovar and enjoy a well-earned rest at your guesthouse by the water.

After an incredible 3-day trek through the mountains, you will head back to Saga. Rest your tired body on the long drive back to the town, enjoying the lovely landscape and having a much-deserved snooze. You will spend the night at your hotel in Saga.

Today you will take the journey to Rongbuk, spending around 8 hours on the road. When you arrive, you will visit Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world. The numbers of monks and nuns have been dwindling over the years, but the 50 remaining brothers and sisters will give you a warm welcome and, if you wish, include you in their evening prayer ceremony. You will head on to your destination of Rongbuk valley, to the south of Everest Base camp. You will spend the night in the guesthouse run by the local monastery.

You will make the journey to Shigatse today, where you can visit the impressive Tashilump monastery. This enormous monastery was built in the early 15th century and has 8 stories crammed with shrines, chapels and statues. After exploring the hidden corners of this wonderful building, you will head to your hotel in Lhasa.

Your incredible journey through Tibet has sadly come to end. After enjoying one last breakfast with your group and guide you will be driven up the Yalong Valley to reach the airport. You can stop along the way to enjoy stunning views of the riverbed, before arriving at the airport to make your onward journey.