Mount Kailash Kora 14-Day Pilgrimage Trek from Lhasa

Walk a circle that Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bon believers have walked for over a thousand years. Mount Kailash (6,638m) is the most sacred mountain in Asia, and the 52-kilometer kora trek around its base is the centerpiece of one of the world's great pilgrimages. This 14-day expedition takes you from Lhasa across the entire western Tibetan plateau to Darchen, then on foot over the 5,630m Drolma La pass, and back. It is hard, cold, thin-aired and unforgettable.

You'll start in Lhasa (3,650m) with three nights of proper acclimatization, then drive west via Shigatse, the Tingri grasslands, and the lake country of Manasarovar before reaching Darchen, the dusty trailhead town at Kailash's foot. The three trekking days follow the traditional clockwise route used by Tibetan Buddhists and Hindus (Bon walkers go counterclockwise). All Tibet Travel Permits, Alien Travel Permits and military permits for the Ngari (Ali) region are handled by our Tibet-licensed local operator — these are mandatory for every foreign traveler and cannot be self-applied.

Itinerary outline:

• Day 1 — Arrive Lhasa (3,650m); rest, hydrate, no exertion
• Day 2 — Lhasa acclimatization day; gentle walk around the old town
• Day 3 — Lhasa cultural day at the main palace and monastery complexes
• Day 4 — Drive Lhasa to Shigatse (3,840m) via Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier
• Day 5 — Shigatse to Saga (4,640m); long plateau drive
• Day 6 — Saga to Lake Manasarovar (4,590m); first sight of Kailash on the horizon
• Day 7 — Manasarovar to Darchen; pre-trek briefing at your overnight lodge
• Day 8 — Kora Day 1: Darchen to Dirapuk (~20km, gentle climb to 4,900m)
• Day 9 — Kora Day 2: Dirapuk over Drolma La pass (5,630m) to Zutulpuk (~22km, the hardest day)
• Day 10 — Kora Day 3: Zutulpuk back to Darchen (~10km, mostly downhill)
• Day 11 — Darchen to Saga
• Day 12 — Saga to Shigatse
• Day 13 — Shigatse back to Lhasa
• Day 14 — Departure transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport

Who this is for: Experienced high-altitude trekkers, pilgrims, and adventurous travelers in good cardiovascular health. Minimum age 16. Not for anyone with heart conditions, severe asthma, or first-time altitude exposure. You should already have done a 4,000m+ trek elsewhere or be confident at altitude.

Logistics: Tibet Travel Permit, Alien Travel Permit and Ngari military permit all included. Private 4x4 vehicle with Tibetan driver and English-speaking Tibetan guide. Twin-share guesthouse and basic lodge accommodation (no en-suite during the kora). Yak porter and pack support available on request. Oxygen on the vehicle. Maximum 6 trekkers per departure so the group can move at one pace.

Local Roads. Global Eyes. We coordinate with a Lhasa-licensed Tibetan operator for every permit and on-the-ground logistic. Questions on dates, fitness, or permit timing? WhatsApp +86 139 1764 3020 or [email protected].

Free cancellation is available on most tours up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact cancellation terms for this tour are shown during booking.