Mount Kailash Kora
14-Day Tibet Pilgrimage
Lhasa · Everest · Ngari · 52km Kora
A journey across the Tibetan Plateau to one of the world's great pilgrimage circuits.
Why This Trip
Not just a Tibet tour.
This journey is built around one goal: completing the Mount Kailash Kora.
Before reaching Kailash, the route gradually takes you higher through Lhasa, Shigatse, Everest Base Camp and Saga, giving your body time to adjust to the altitude.
Along the way you experience some of Tibet's most extraordinary landscapes and cultural sites — the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera and Drepung monasteries, Yamdrok Lake, the Karola Glacier, Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp, Lake Manasarovar and Rakshastal.
The final challenge is a three-day, 52-kilometre circuit around Mount Kailash, including the crossing of the 5,360-metre Drolma La.
This is not a beginner hiking trip.
You will spend multiple days above 4,500 metres, sleep in basic guesthouses during parts of the journey and complete three consecutive days of high-altitude walking. Previous high-altitude experience is strongly recommended.
Duration
14 Days / 13 Nights
Kora Distance
52 km
Highest Point
5,360 m
Walking Days
3
Starting Point
Lhasa
Ending Point
Lhasa
Recommended Season
June – September
Fitness Level
Challenging · High-altitude experience recommended
Trip Highlights
Eight reasons to travel this route
01
The Mount Kailash Kora
Walk the complete 52-kilometre pilgrimage circuit over three days.
02
Cross the Drolma La
Reach the highest point of the journey at 5,360 metres.
03
Everest from Tibet
See Everest from the Tibetan side and spend a night near Everest Base Camp.
04
Seven Days of Acclimatisation
Travel gradually from Lhasa towards western Tibet before beginning the trek.
05
Sacred Tibet
Visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung, Sera and Tashilhunpo monasteries.
06
Lake Manasarovar & Rakshastal
See two of western Tibet's most extraordinary lakes beside Mount Kailash.
07
Yamdrok Lake & Karola Glacier
Cross the Tibetan Plateau through turquoise lakes, glaciers and high mountain passes.
08
Remote Ngari
Travel deep into one of the most isolated regions of the Tibetan Plateau.
The Kora at a Glance
Three days on foot around Mount Kailash
Kora Day 1
22 km
Darchen → Drirapuk
- Approx. 6 hours
- Highest overnight altitude: 4,920 m
Kora Day 2
20 km
Drirapuk → Drolma La → Zutulpuk
- 7–8 hours
- Highest point: 5,360 m
- Hardest day
Kora Day 3
14 km
Zutulpuk → Darchen
- 3–4 hours
Total Kora
52 km
Walking Days
3 Days
Entirely
Above 4,500 m
Highest Point
5,360 m
Day by Day
Fourteen days across Tibet
Day 1
Arrival in Lhasa
Altitude: 3,650 m
Arrive in Lhasa and transfer to your hotel.
No sightseeing is planned today. The first day is deliberately kept completely free so you can begin adapting to the altitude.
Overnight Lhasa
Day 2
Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor
Visit the Potala Palace in the morning.
Continue to Jokhang Temple, Tibet's most sacred temple, before walking the traditional Barkhor pilgrimage circuit around the temple.
Overnight Lhasa
Day 3
Drepung & Sera Monastery
Visit Drepung Monastery and take part in traditional Tibetan activities including incense-making and woodblock printing.
In the afternoon visit Sera Monastery to see the famous monks' debating courtyard.
Overnight Lhasa
Day 4
Lhasa → Yamdrok Lake → Karola Glacier → Shigatse
Approx. 380 km / 7 hours
Cross the Kamba La and look down over the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Tso.
Continue past the Karola Glacier before travelling through Gyantse to Shigatse.
Overnight Shigatse
Day 5
Shigatse → Everest Base Camp
Approx. 340 km / 7 hours
Cross Gawu La at approximately 5,200 metres, where on a clear day you can see several of the world's highest mountains.
Visit Rongbuk Monastery before continuing towards Everest Base Camp.
Overnight Tented guesthouse or simple accommodation near Everest Base Camp
Day 6
Everest Sunrise → Shishapangma → Peiku Tso → Saga
Approx. 320 km / 7 hours
Wake early for sunrise over the north face of Everest.
Continue west beneath Shishapangma and past Peiku Tso before reaching Saga.
Overnight Saga
Day 7
Saga → Lake Manasarovar → Rakshastal → Darchen
Approx. 500 km / 8 hours
Travel deep into western Tibet.
Visit Lake Manasarovar and neighbouring Rakshastal before arriving in Darchen at the foot of Mount Kailash.
This is your first close view of Mount Kailash.
Overnight Darchen
Day 8
Kora Day 1 — Darchen → Drirapuk
Walking: approx. 22 km / 6 hours · Altitude: 4,574 m → 4,920 m
Begin the Mount Kailash Kora.
Pass Tarboche and continue through the western valley before following the Lha Chu river towards Drirapuk.
The guesthouse has extraordinary views of the north face of Mount Kailash.
Optional: porters, horses and yaks can be arranged locally at additional cost.
Overnight Basic guesthouse / shared dormitory at Drirapuk
Day 9
Hardest DayKora Day 2 — Drirapuk → Drolma La → Zutulpuk
Walking: approx. 20 km / 7–8 hours · Highest altitude: 5,360 m
This is the hardest day of the entire journey.
Climb steadily towards the Drolma La, the highest point of the kora.
After crossing the pass, descend steeply into the valley and continue towards Zutulpuk.
Overnight Basic guesthouse at Zutulpuk
Day 10
Kora Day 3 — Zutulpuk → Darchen
Walking: approx. 14 km / 3–4 hours
Complete the final section of the kora through the eastern valley and return to Darchen.
You have now completed the full 52-kilometre circuit around Mount Kailash.
Overnight Darchen
Day 11
Darchen → Saga
Approx. 500 km / 8 hours
Begin the long journey east across the Tibetan Plateau.
Overnight Saga
Day 12
Saga → Shigatse
Approx. 500 km / 8 hours
Continue east following the Yarlung Tsangpo towards Shigatse.
Overnight Shigatse
Day 13
Tashilhunpo Monastery → Lhasa
Approx. 340 km / 7 hours
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas.
Return to Lhasa for your final evening in Tibet.
Overnight Lhasa
Day 14
Departure from Lhasa
Transfer to Lhasa airport or railway station for your onward journey.
Who This Trip Is For
Is this trip for you?
Good For
- Experienced travellers
- Strong hikers
- People comfortable with basic accommodation
- Travellers with previous high-altitude experience
- People specifically wanting to complete the Mount Kailash Kora
- Travellers looking for a serious adventure rather than a comfortable sightseeing holiday
Not Ideal For
- First-time hikers
- Travellers wanting luxury accommodation throughout
- Anyone uncomfortable with long driving days
- Anyone who struggles significantly at altitude
- Travellers looking for a relaxed sightseeing itinerary
Where You Sleep
Accommodation
Accommodation varies considerably during this journey.
Lhasa & Shigatse
Hotel accommodation.
Near Everest Base Camp
Tented guesthouse or simple accommodation with shared/basic facilities.
Saga & Darchen
Simple local accommodation.
During the Mount Kailash Kora
Very basic guesthouses, usually with shared dormitory-style rooms and limited washing facilities.
Important Information
This journey reaches extreme altitude.
The itinerary is deliberately designed with gradual acclimatisation before the Mount Kailash trek.
Anyone experiencing serious altitude symptoms must follow the advice of the local guide.
Before Booking
Tibet Travel Permits
Independent travel in Tibet is not permitted for international travellers on this route.
A Tibet Travel Permit is required, with additional permits required for travel towards Everest and Ngari / Mount Kailash.
Passport and Chinese visa information must therefore be provided in advance.
Permit arrangements will be organised as part of the booking process.
Please enquire early. Late bookings or last-minute passport / visa changes may not be possible because of permit processing requirements.
Inclusions
What's Included
Full inclusion details will be confirmed with your quotation.
- Selected breakfasts
- Selected dinners
- Accommodation during the itinerary
- Airport / railway station transfers in Lhasa
- Local guided travel and overland transportation
- Permit support / arrangement
Exact hotel properties, room categories, meals and final arrangements will be confirmed before departure.
Optional Extras
Porters, horses and yaks can be arranged locally for the Mount Kailash Kora at additional cost.
Price
On Request
Pricing depends on departure date, group size and final arrangements.
Tell me your travel dates, number of travellers and hiking experience, and I'll help you check availability and build the right version of this journey.
Want to change the route?
This is a reference itinerary and can be adapted around your interests, pace and travel dates. Whether you want extra time in Lhasa, different accommodation, additional acclimatisation days or help combining Tibet with another part of China, tell me what kind of trip you have in mind.