Where Earth Meets Heaven
Tibet is not merely a destination. It is a calling.
For devout pilgrims and spiritual seekers, for adventurers and dreamers, the sacred circuit of Mount Kailash, the lost kingdom of Guge, and the holy city of Lhasa represent the ultimate journey to the “Roof of the World.”
This 19-day odyssey takes you across the vast, windswept Tibetan Plateau – past turquoise lakes, ancient monasteries, and nomadic camps – to the foot of Kang Rinpoche (Mount Kailash), the most sacred mountain on Earth. For Hindus, it is the celestial abode of Lord Shiva. For Buddhists, it is where Guru Rinpoche triumphed over evil. For Jains and Bönpo, it is the center of the spiritual universe.
To walk the Kora – the 52-kilometer ritual circuit around Kailash – is believed to cleanse the sins of a lifetime. To stand in the shadow of its icy flanks is to feel the pulse of eternity.
This is not a tour. It is a pilgrimage.
Trip Highlights
Spiritual & Cultural
- Mount Kailash Kora (3 days): Circumambulate the world’s holiest mountain
- Potala Palace (Lhasa): Iconic winter residence of the Dalai Lamas
- Jokhang Temple (Lhasa): Spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism
- Sera & Drepung Monasteries: Great Gelugpa monastic universities
- Barkhor Square: Living pilgrimage circuit and bustling bazaar
- Tashilhunpo Monastery (Shigatse): Seat of the Panchen Lama
- Norbulingka Palace: Summer residence of the Dalai Lama
- Boudhanath & Swayambhunath (Kathmandu): UNESCO stupas
Natural & Scenic
- Lake Manasarovar (4,550m): The highest freshwater lake in the world, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists
- Rakshas Tal (Demon Lake): Mysterious turquoise waters beside Manasarovar
- Guge Kingdom Ruins: Ancient lost capital carved into desert cliffs
- Tholing Monastery: 11th-century spiritual center of the Guge Kingdom
- Dolma La Pass (5,660m): The highest point of the Kailash Kora
- Yamdrok Lake: Turquoise jewel ringed by snow peaks
- Himalayan panoramas: Everest, Shishapangma, and the Gurla Mandhata range
- Tibetan nomadic camps: Yak herders on the Changtang grasslands
Necessary Information
1. Visa & Entry Procedure
Via Kathmandu (Most Common)
We arrange a group visa for Tibet.
Passport copy required at least 30 days prior to trip start.
Visa office of the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu processes visas Monday–Friday (9:00–11:00 AM).
Processing takes 3+ days.
Your original passport must be submitted for visa processing day.
Via Mainland China
You must obtain a Chinese visa in your home country before traveling.
Contact us for specific guidance.
Note: Tourism regulations in Tibet change frequently. We will guide you through the current process.
2. Best Time to Visit
| Season |
Conditions |
| May–September |
Best time – Stable weather, warmer temperatures, clear skies. Kora is accessible. |
| July–August |
Possible brief afternoon showers; wildflowers in bloom on the plateau. |
| October–April |
Very cold; Kora may be closed due to snow. Not recommended. |
Nights are very cold at high altitudes (especially during the Kora). Pack thermal layers, down jacket, hat, gloves.
Important Travel Tips
| Tip |
Advice |
| Acclimatization |
Lhasa at 3,650m; Kailash Kora reaches 5,660m. Rest days, hydration, and slow movement are essential. |
| Kora Difficulty |
The 52km circuit over 5,660m is strenuous. Excellent physical fitness and prior high-altitude experience are strongly recommended. |
| Altitude Sickness |
Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue. We carry oxygen and first aid. Notify your guide immediately if unwell. |
| Respect Local Customs |
Always walk clockwise around stupas, monasteries, and Kailash. Ask permission before photographing pilgrims or monks. |
| Sun Protection |
UV is intense at altitude. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat. |
| Photography |
Interior photography is prohibited in most monasteries. No drones near Kailash without special permits. |
| Packing |
Warm layers, sturdy trekking boots, waterproof jacket, sleeping bag, water bottles, snacks, basic first aid. |
| Kora Support |
Porters and ponies available for hire (additional cost). Book in advance. |
Why This Journey?
“Some journeys take you to places. This one takes you to yourself.”
- Spiritual completion – Circumambulate the most sacred mountain on Earth.
- Historical depth – Walk the ruins of the lost Guge Kingdom.
- Cultural immersion – From Lhasa’s great monasteries to remote nomadic camps.
- Natural grandeur – Turquoise lakes, desert canyons, and the highest plateau on Earth.
- Seamless logistics – Permits, guides, transport, and accommodations – all arranged.
Brief Itinerary
-
Arrive Kathmandu → Transfer to hotel
1,350m
-
Kathmandu sightseeing: Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa
1,350m
-
Kathmandu: Half-day Patan sightseeing + expedition preparations
1,350m
-
Drive Kathmandu → Timure (1,800m). O/N lodge
1,800m
-
Cross Rasuwagadhi border → Enter Tibet → Drive to Kyirong (2,750m)
2,750m
-
Drive Kyirong → Saga (4,450m) – 230 km / 6 hours
4,450m
-
Drive Saga → Lake Manasarovar (4,550m) – 460 km / 9 hours → Explore Chiu Gompa
4,550m
-
Drive Manasarovar → Zanda (Guge Kingdom) via Tirthapuri
3,700m
-
Explore Guge Kingdom ruins + Tholing Monastery
3,700m
-
Drive Zanda → Darchen (4,520m) – gateway to Mount Kailash
4,520m
-
Drive to Shershong → Begin Kora → Trek to Dhiraphuk (4,860m)
4,860m
-
Kora Day 2 – Cross Dolma La Pass (5,660m) → Trek down to Zuthulpuk (4,760m)
5,660m (pass)
-
Kora Day 3 – Complete Kora → Drive to Darchen → Continue to Saga
4,450m
-
Drive Saga → Shigatse (3,950m) – 375 km / 7 hours
3,950m
-
Drive Shigatse → Gyantse → Lhasa (3,656m) – 360 km / 7 hours
3,656m
-
Lhasa sightseeing: Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace, Barkhor Square
3,656m
-
Lhasa sightseeing: Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery
3,656m
-
Transfer to airport → Fly Lhasa → Kathmandu
1,350m
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