Lhasa Mt Kailash Kathmandu Group Tour
| Duration: | 12 Days |
|---|---|
| Price: | From USD1990 |
| Route: | Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse - EBC - Kailash Trek - Lake Manasarovar – Zhongba - Gyriong |
| Season: |
|
| Tour Type: | Group Tour |
| Group Size: | Max 12 |
Overview
This 12-day Lhasa Mt.Everest & Mt Kailash Kora Pilgrimage group tour is for travelers who'd like to have three days trekking around Mt.Kailash and an overland tour to Kathmandu. This tour starts from Lhasa, and you can visit the best holy part of Lhasa city like the world heritage Potala Palace, the sacred Jokhang temple, etc. Then, you will drive to the west of Tibet, Ngari, via Shigatse and Saga. Along the way, you will visit the deep turquoise Yamdroktso Lake, the world's highest peak - Mount Everest, and famous monasteries. When you arrive in Darchen, you will start three days Mt Kailash Kora from here. The altitude would be 4,700m. Your three days of trekking would be at this altitude, more or less 100m around. After that, you will drive to the Gyirong border.
| Day | Route | Attractions & Activities | Accommodation | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m) | Pick up and transfer to the hotel | Lhasa, 3★/4★ | |
| 2 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Drepung Monastery, Tibet Museum, Norbulingka | Lhasa, 3★/4★ | B |
| 3 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street | Lhasa, 3★/4★ | B |
| 4 | Lhasa- Gyantse- Shigatse, 360km, Approx. 7hrs | Yamdroktso Lake, Karola Glacier, Pelkor Chöde Monastery | Shigatse, 3★/4★ | B |
| 5 | Shigatse - Tingri - EBC, 350km, Approx. 7hrs | Sunset of Golden Everest Peak | Nomad Tent (Dorm Bed) / Guesthouse | B |
| 6 | EBC - Saga, 450km, Approx. 9hrs | Rongbuk Monastery, Far view of Peikutso Lake | Saga, Guesthouse | B |
| 7 | Saga - Darchen, 493km, Approx. 8hrs | Sand dunes, beautiful grassland and local's villages, Far view of Mt. Naimonanyi | Darchen, Guesthouse/4★ | |
| 8 | Mt Kailash Kora①: Darchen- Dirapuk, Drive 5km, Trek 15km, Approx. 7~11hrs | Mt.Kailash kora | Guesthouse (Dorm Bed) | B(only 4★) |
| 9 | Mt Kailash Kora②: Dirapuk- Zutulpuk, Trek 22km, Approx. 11~14hrs | Mt.Kailash kora | Guesthouse (Dorm Bed) | |
| 10 | Mt Kailash Kora③: Zutulpuk- Darchen, Trek 9km, Approx. 2~5hrs; Drive from Darchen- Zhongba, 340km, Approx. 5.5hrs | Manasarovar Lake | Zhongba, Guesthouse | |
| 11 | Zhongba - Gyirong Town, 344km, Approx. 7hrs | Gyirong Valley | Gyirong, Guesthouse/4★ | |
| 12 | Gyirong to Nepal border | Send off to Gyirong border |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseOur staff will greet you at Lhasa Airport/Railway to transfer you to the hotel. From Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa, usually, it takes about one hour. It’s about 20 mins drive from Lhasa Railway Station to your hotel. In order to adapt to the high altitude in Tibet, you'd better have rest and don’t do strenuous exercise. If you feel good, you can visit the Potala Palace Square, a far view the Yaowang Mountain and take a panoramic view of the Potala Palace. Remember to drink lots of water, and eat light and high carbohydrate foods to adapt to the high altitude better.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
After breakfast in the hotel, the tour guide will take you to Drepung Monastery, the biggest Tibetan monastery that housed more than 10,000 monks in the past. Drepung means Rice Heap in the Tibetan language. The entire monastery is large in scale and the white buildings cluster and cover the hillsides. It's the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect.
In the afternoon you will first visit the Tibet Museum. Here you can see life scenes, exquisite clothing, house architecture, and festival customs, etc. to explore the special and mysterious Tibetan customs. Then you will visit Norbulingka, which is a typical Tibetan-style royal garden, the summer resort of the Dalai Lama.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Today, you will visit the most famous Potala Palace, which is the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. Potala Palace was the winter palace of successive Dalai lamas. It was built by the 33rd great king of Tibet - Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th Century. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.
At noon, the tour guide will bring you to a good restaurant to have lunch and have a rest. In the afternoon, you will go to visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the Lhasa old town. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since the early days. After that, you will take a walk around the Barkhor Street - one of the most devotional circuits as well as a crowded central market of Lhasa. Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the locals are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, it‘s also a must-see place for visitors.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
- Meals:
- Breakfast
We will pass by Kampala Pass (4,790m) on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse and visit Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Standing at the lakeside, you can see its blue water shimmering with charming light, as well as the snow-capped holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7,191m) in the distance.
Next we will pass and enjoy the Karola Glacier on the roadside. It is about 300m from the main highway on your way to Gyantse.
Then visit the main monastery in Gyantse - Pelkor Chode Monastery, famous for its exquisite architecture and intact murals and statues.
Stay overnight in Shigatse
- Meals:
- Breakfast
In the morning, you will drive to Lhatse, a small town located 150 km from Shigatse, and you may have lunch in the local restaurant. After a short rest, you will go ahead to Tingri by passing through Tsola Pass (4,600m) and Gyatsola Pass (5,248m), with countless prayer flags flying in the wind. In the late afternoon, you enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve. Afterward, you will ascend to Gawula Pass (5,198m), where you can enjoy the panorama of the Himalayas. Then you will drive along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp (5,200m) to stay overnight. If the weather is good, you can have a clear view of the sunset of Golden Everest Peak.
Stay overnight in Nomad Tent (Dorm Bed) / Guesthouse
- Meals:
- Breakfast
You can get up early and enjoy the sunrise of Everest Peak if the weather is good. After that, you will go to the Rongbuk Monastery, which is the highest monastery in the world. Then drive to Saga, on the way, you can view the world's 14th-highest peak - Mt.Shishapangma (8,012m). Later, you will have a far view of the huge sapphire-like Lake Peikutso (4,590m) beneath the Shishpangma peaks, and finally arrive in Saga (4,600m). If you are lucky, you are very likely to see wild animals like the wild donkey, wild antelope, etc.
Stay overnight in Saga, Guesthouse
Today, you will spend a lot of time on the way, but it’s worth seeing the landscape along the way.You’ll have stunning views of the great Himalayas to the south and Trans-Himalayan to the north as we drive across the vast plains. This region is home to nomads, you’ll see the beautiful grassland and local's villages. As we cross the Mayomla Pass (5,112m), you can enjoy the spectacular vista of Mt. Naimonanyi (7,694m).
During this thrilling journey, you’ll pass by sand dunes, mountains, and sandstone valleys before we reach the Darchen (4,560m), a small nomadic village and an important launch point for pilgrimages around Mt. Kailash. Upon your arrival, you can explore the Darchen town on your own. If you need porters and yaks, your tour guide will arrange it for you this afternoon.
Stay overnight in Darchen
In the morning, you will take an eco-bus (included in the cost) to Sarshung Valley and start the Mt. Kailash trek from there. Then you will meet your porters and yaks at Sarshung Valley (the cost of hiring yaks, horses, and porters is not included in the package). You’ll trek about 15 km from Sarshung Valley to Drirapuk Monastery (4,700m) along the Lachu River Valleys. During your trekking today, you can see both the west and north face of Mt.Kailash. Finally, you will visit Drirapuk Monastery and stay overnight here.
Stay overnight in Guesthouse, Dorm Bed
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Today is the most challenging day of the trekking, you’ll climb over the highest pass of the Kailash Kora, the Dromala pass (5,630m). After a short rest at the top, we will climb down into the long valley and stop for lunch at the Shabjay Dakpo nomadic tent. On the way, you can have a rest in a teahouse. Then you will continue to the Zultulpuk (4,790m), built by two important religious figures, Milarepa and Naro Bonchung. At last, you will visit Zutulpuk Monastery. You will find the footprint and handprint of Milarepa inside the cave.
Stay overnight in Guesthouse, Dorm Bed
It's an easy day of the trek. You'll trek 9km to complete the kora, then take the eco bus back to Darchen. According to Buddhist theory, doing a kora around a holy mountain for one circle can get rid of sins and miseries for the whole life. Only after going through lots of hardships can you feel the happiness and gratification brought by Kora. Then you take the shuttle bus back to Darchen, about 3km. We will drive you from Darchen to Mansarovar (4,560m), the top holy lake in Tibet. It’s 40km to the southwest of Darchen. If the weather is good, you can see the splendid scenery of Lake Manasarovar. If you feel good, you can do a trek along the shore of the lake for a while. And then you'll head to Zhongba.
Stay overnight in Zhongba
Today we will drive to Gyirong town from Zhongba. In the afternoon, you will pass through Gyirong Valley, which is regarded as the backyard garden of the Himalayas. You will see the forest and breathe fresh air. You will be amazed by the creator's masterpiece that 4 seasons exist in such a narrow valley. Gyirong, in the Tibetan language, means comfort or happiness. It's said Gyirong was named by Padma Sambhava Buddha when he entered Tibet from here.
Stay overnight in Gyirong
Your tour guide will assist you in exiting China and see you off at the Gyirong Port. We can organize a jeep for transfer from Gyirong to Kathmandu, but it's not included in the package. Or you can take a bus to Kathmandu, which costs about 40 US$, depending on your negotiation with the driver. The road condition is not good, and it takes 8-10 hours from the border to Kathmandu. Thus, taking a bus is not recommended.
Cost & Calendar
All prices are in US Dollar / Person
Economic Class (3-Star Hotels)
|
2026-04-01 ~
2026-05-23 |
2026-05-24 |
2026-05-25 ~
2026-06-30 |
2026-07-01 ~
2026-10-10 |
2026-10-11 ~
2026-10-31 |
| USD1990 | USD2210 | USD2170 | USD2280 | USD2100 |
Comfortable Class (4-Star Hotels)
|
2026-04-01 ~
2026-05-23 |
2026-05-24 |
2026-05-25 ~
2026-06-30 |
2026-07-01 ~
2026-10-10 |
2026-10-11 ~
2026-10-31 |
| USD2110 | USD2330 | USD2260 | USD2380 | USD2200 |
Schedule
Discount Policy
You may only enjoy one of the advantageous policy, not both.
| Option A: | 3 or More from You Join Together | $105 Off / person |
| Option B: | Tour in Apr~Oct |
|
Our Service
Inclusions
* Comfortable Hotel Accommodations as listed in the itinerary;
* Breakfasts provided by hotels & 1 welcome dinner;
* Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fees;
* Lhasa Railway Station transfer at all times on the first & last day;
* Pick-up from Lhasa Gonggar Airport to your hotel at 9:30 am, 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm on the first day;
* Shuttle Bus fees go to Kailash: USD10/person;
* Shuttle Bus fees back from Kailash: USD10/person;
* Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
* All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary;
* All necessary permits to Tibet;
* Sleeping bags;
* Travel Agency Liability Insurance;
* Government Tax;
* Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF Express);
* Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
* Oxygen tank for emergency use;
* Two bottles of mineral water per person per day;
EXCLUSIONS
* Yaks & herders during 3-Day Mt Kailash Kora;
* Shuttle Bus fee at Lake Manasarovar: USD 43/person;
* International flight to and from China;
* Domestic flight/train to and from Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.);
* If you miss the free transfer schedule due to flight delay or cancellation, then you are required to pay a private transfer from USD 80/vehicle/time;
* Transfer from Gyirong to Kathmandu;
* Nepali Visa;
* Lunch & Dinner are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes USD 5-15/person for each meal;
* While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them USD 8-15/day in total;
* All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payment. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
* Personal expenses;
* Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions;
Note
* Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit (TTB) & Military Permit usually takes about 30 working days to apply. If you couldn’t provide the required docs & info on time, an extra handling fee will be charged. Please consult your travel consultant for details;
* During the 3-day Mt Kailash Kora—
Lodgings: clean dorm-bed guesthouse; in peak season, we provide the tent in case the guesthouses are fully booked by Indian pilgrims;
Food: locals sell Tibetan noodles (USD 5) & instant noodles(USD 2) along the way;
Luggage: leave most of your luggage in our vehicle, bring only the necessary;
* We reserve the right to change the itinerary order and attractions in Lhasa;
* If you prefer to book your own hotels over those included in our group tour, please meet the rest of the group at their daily hotel on time. Transfers to and from your own hotels are not included;
* The accommodation condition at EBC is kind of basic due to the geographic and climatic situation. If you want a better tour experience, Rongbuk Hotel will be our recommendation for you. However, there are limited rooms, especially during the peak tourist season. Thus, if you want to stay at Rongbuk Hotel, please contact us in advance, as there's some price difference, and we can upgrade the hotel for you;
* We need to pick up and drop off all members of the group on the first & last day from Lhasa Airport/Railway Station, thus there may not always be a guide's presence but a driver;
* Due to the special nature of Tibet travel, any unforeseeable and unavoidable objective circumstances, including but not limited to natural disasters, war, terrorism, riot, civil commotion, strikes, public health emergencies, government action, major traffic jams, delay or cancellation of flight/train, or attractions temporarily closed. etc., resulting in a change of itinerary, the increased cost will be paid by travelers; if any attraction visits have to be canceled due to the same reasons above, GTT won't be held responsible for a refund, except for certain attraction entrance fees, which will be solely decided by GTT;
* Single Supplement: our quote is based on twin rooms. For single travelers, a single supplement is required at the time of booking. If there is another traveler to share the room with you, the single supplement will be refunded;
First of all, let me thank you and your team for the very nice trip I had in/around Chengdu and Tibet. All went very well and smoothly and I enjoyed it a lot. Sophie was a real joy to have as a guide, very kind, helpful and enthusiastic - big thanks to her for making me feel very comfortable ....
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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by SABA***
I’ve been dreaming of a trip to Kailash Manasarovar for over a decade, and I’m finally considering making it a reality. I’m looking for a reputable tour operator who can provide a safe and enjoyable experience. I’m also hoping to travel with some good company to make this a truly unforgettable adventure.
Dear Saba***,
Thank you for sending us an inquiry! This is Neil from Great Tibet Tour at your service. Great Tibet Tour, a Lhasa-based tour operator, is recommended by Lonely Planet and recognized as a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2025 winner.
We will try our best to meet your requirements.
Asked by Mano***
Would you obtain travel permits for Lhasa for this package and how long in advance must it be booked; Having US passport would it be delayed?
Dear Mano****,
We can arrange the 15 Days Lhasa Mt Kailash Kathmandu Group Tour in August for you.
Yes, we will handle the Tibet Travel Permit for you. You need to apply for the China tourist visa at nearby Chinese Embassy 3 month advance, then we can apply for the Tibet Permit with the copy of your China Visa and passports. The application for the permit to Kailash is usually submitted about 1 month in advance.
During your China Visa application, if Chinese embassies request more details of your tour, we are happy and capable of providing you with the supporting docs for you to apply for a China visa, like an itinerary and an invitation letter.
Asked by Alex***
Hello we are looking to book the 12 day Mt. kailash group tour on May 4th. I was wondering if for the trekking if there was option to pay for one of us to ride a donkey/horse for the trekking portion of the trip. Other than that we are ready to book the trip!
Dear A****,
During the trek, you can rent a horse. Usually, the travelers rent a horse upon arrival in Darchen, and the tour guide will help. The local people operate the rental, and you need to pay for it on-site.
Asked by Свет***
Did I understand correctly that this tour will take us around the sacred mountain Kailash ? and we will also be able to see Mount Everest
Dear Свет****,
Yes, the group tour includes EBC visit and the Kailash kora.
Asked by Ram ***
Hello,
I would like to do the 12-day Lhasa-EBC-Kailas-Kathmandu(Gyirong tour starting on May 25, 2026. I will be obtaining my China visa in January 2026.
(1) I would like to book my own hotels (single occupancy) in Lhasa and Shigatste. Or you can book for me at Garden Inn (Lhasa) and Hilton (Shigatse)
(2) I would like to upgrade to a room at Rongbuk guesthouse.
(3) I would like single-occupancy accomodation in Saga and Darchen.
(4) Can you deliver the Tibet permit to my address in USA? If so, how much is the cost? I
(5) I would like Transport arranged from Gyirong border crossing to Kathmandu om the final day. Please specify the price and type of vehicle.
Thank you for the information.
Dear Ram***,
We have a 12-day Lhasa Mt Kailash Kathmandu Group Tour departing on 24 May 2026 for the Saga Dawa Festival. Is the date available for you?
(1) Is Garden Inn (Lhasa) "Hilton Garden Inn Lhasa"? Hilton Garden Inn Lhasa is unable to accept foreign tourists. Please double-check. We can help you book a room at the Hilton Shigatse Hotel.
(2) At EBC, we can book Rongbuk guesthouse. The guesthouse has limited rooms, and this group tour is during the Saga Dowa Festival. So, it's better to book a room 4-6 months in advance.
(3) We can arrange a single room for you in Saga and Darchen. If you prefer, we can also book a single room for you in Zhongba and Gyirong. Please note that only dorm beds in a shared room are available during the trek.
(4) The Tibet permit is an official document that cannot be delivered outside of China.
(5) Usually, we'll arrange a shared jeep for four clients from the border to Kathmandu. We'll arrange the same/similar jeep. If you prefer, we can arrange a private jeep for you at an extra cost.
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