English Speaking Guide
Max Group size of 12 people
All accomodations included
Our tours get great reviews!
We have over 15 years experience
Price of tour: $1970*
* (Price can be 10% lower or higher depending on the season. Please tell us your preferred travel month in the booking form)
Embark on the ultimate spiritual and adventure journey with this 15-day tour of Lhasa, Everest Base Camp, and a trek around Mt. Kailash—Tibet’s holiest mountain. Start in Lhasa, discovering iconic sites like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and lively Barkhor Street.
Cross dramatic highland landscapes en route to Gyantse and Shigatse, where you’ll visit historic monasteries and the impressive Tashilhunpo Monastery. Witness breathtaking scenery and Tibetan culture as you make your way to the mighty Everest Base Camp, catching sunrise (or sunset) over the world’s highest peak.
Continue along ancient pilgrimage routes to serene Lake Manasarovar, a sacred site for Buddhists and Hindus. The highlight of your adventure is the challenging but unforgettable 3-day trek (kora) around Mt. Kailash. Pass through rugged valleys, cross high-altitude passes, and join pilgrims from around the world as you circle one of Asia’s most revered mountains.
Each evening, rest in carefully chosen hotels or simple guesthouses. Enjoy the support of an experienced English-speaking Tibetan guide, daily breakfasts, private transfers, and all main permits and admission fees. This expedition is ideal for spiritual seekers and adventurers yearning for Himalayan landscapes, sacred sites, and the journey of a lifetime—all meticulously arranged for you.
Upon your arrival in the sacred city of Lhasa, our warm and friendly staff will greet you with a traditional Hada offering, symbolizing a gesture of goodwill. A one-hour drive will bring you to your selected accommodation within the city. Take it easy and allow yourself time to acclimatize to the high altitude, ensuring a comfortable start to your remarkable journey in Lhasa.
Embark on a cultural odyssey with a visit to the revered Drepung Monastery, an iconic Tibetan Buddhist site steeped in tradition. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the vibrant debates at Sera Monastery, where monks engage in spirited discussions, accompanied by enthusiastic hand-clapping and animated arguments. Gain an insightful perspective into the ancient traditions of Tibetan Buddhism as you absorb the spiritual atmosphere and passion surrounding these profound rituals. Please note that a welcome dinner, hosted in a Tibetan restaurant, is planned either on this day or the next. Our guide will coordinate and provide details accordingly.
Marvel at the awe-inspiring grandeur of the Potala Palace, an architectural masterpiece perched atop Marpo Ri hill. A symbol of Tibetan history and culture, the palace unfolds a narrative of religious devotion and political significance. In the park beneath the Potala Palace, witness and perhaps join in the traditional dances. Continue your journey to the spiritual heart of Lhasa. Explore the sacred Jokhang Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stroll through the lively Barkhor Street, an ancient circuit that encircles the Jokhang Temple, where traditional Tibetan goods and handicrafts abound. Finally, experience with a visit to a sweet tea house, a cherished element of Tibetan social culture. Savor the distinct flavors of Tibetan tea and engage in social interactions with locals and fellow travelers.
Wake up early and have breakfast at your hotel in Lhasa before checkout. Load your bags into your vehicle, and start the scenic journey from Lhasa to Shigatse. En route, be captivated by the breathtaking beauty of Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s sacred lakes with crystal-clear waters surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Pause at a quaint farmhouse situated along the tranquil shores of Yamdrok Lake, where you’ll relish a home-cooked Tibetan meal amidst the stunning rural landscapes. Continue your exploration to the awe-inspiring Karola Glacier, a radiant symbol of Tibet’s rugged allure. By late afternoon, arrive in Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, concluding a day rich in natural wonders and cultural discovery.
In the morning, explore the grandeur of Tashilhunpo Monastery. As the principal seat of the Panchen Lama, Tashilhunpo holds immense religious significance for Tibetan Buddhists. It serves as a center for Buddhist learning, meditation, and religious ceremonies.
The Tibetan Everest Base Camp is located at an elevation of approximately 5,200 meters above sea level. En route to Everest Base Camp, stop at Gawula Pass, a designated viewpoint that provides breathtaking vistas of Mount Everest and the adjacent Himalayas peaks. Transition to an eco-friendly bus Everest Base Camp, designed to navigate the winding roads with minimal environmental impact. Weather permitting, the climax of your day awaits as you reach Everest Base Camp. Witness the sun bidding farewell to the world’s highest peak. As the daylight fades and the stars emerge, relish the tranquility and majesty of this remote Himalayan sanctuary, creating a connection with nature that resonates deeply.
Visit Rongbuk Monastery, initially established as a meditation retreat for monks and currently shared by both monks and nuns. After that, pack up your belongings and bid farewell to the world’s highest base camp. Winding along the Friendship Highway, soak in evolving mountain scenery. We will make a stop at Pekutso Tso, a high-altitude peacock blue lake revered in Buddhist tradition. Catch glimpses of snow-capped Mount Shishapangma towering in the distance(weather permits). As you continue westwards, vast grasslands emerge peppered with yaks and sheep tended by nomads against a backdrop of arid desert landscapes. Absorb the raw natural beauty of this high-altitude environment. Finally, Saga comes into view in the late afternoon, the county seat is located at an average elevation of 4,500 meters above sea level.
After breakfast, we begin our journey westwards. Take in spectacular views of the crystal clear Tutto River winding through immense grasslands along the way. Upon reaching in Darchen, spend time preparing for the sacred Kailash Kora pilgrimage that we will do at first light tomorrow. Only pack very lightweight bags with bare essentials, as we will be trekking around the holy mountain. Should you need assistance carrying luggage, porters can be hired for approximately $45-50 USD per day.
We rise early and take a short bus ride from Darchen to Sershong located 7km away. Here we find a giant flag prayer pole reaching impressive heights into the sky. Thousands of pilgrims gather during Saga Dawa festival to witness the raising of new poles. From Sershong, our sacred Kora pilgrimage around Mount Kailash begins. The trail takes us along a lush river valley. Along the way, we will pass by several simple tea houses where we can stop to rest, enjoy snacks and refresh with hot water or tea. The destination for today is Drirapuk Monastery. Take in the majestic views of the holy mount Kailash.
Today’s hike will present a physical challenge as we make our way up to cross Droma La pass at an elevation of 5,630 meters. The 6km stone road begins with a gradual climb, however it becomes increasingly steep near the top. Allow around 4 hours to slowly and carefully hike uphill, taking breaks as needed. As we near the pass, we will see colorful prayer flags flapping in the wind and Tibetan pilgrims worshipping at the mountain’s highest point.
Once at Droma La, take time to admire the tremendous views and pay respects before beginning the downhill trek. The descent includes sections of loose stones and occasional patches of ice, so caution is required. Follow the rocky trail down towards the turquoise waters of Lake Manasarovar in the valley below.
Further winding hills will lead us down to warmer temperatures under clearer skies. Finally, we will arrive at Dzutrulphuk Monastery nestled in the vast basin to rest.
Today will be a more relaxed pace as we walk 7km along a flat dirt road, taking our time to soak in the scenic landscapes. After walking at a leisurely pace, we will take a short bus ride back to Darchen where we can rest and recharge.
Once rested, we will continue our journey by vehicle to visit the pristine turquoise waters of Manasarovar Lake. The sacred lake is set amidst a stunning natural backdrop and said to have enlightening properties. We will spend time exploring the lakeshore before beginning our drive back to Darchen in the late afternoon.
After breakfast we commence a scenic drive to Saga along the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley. We will stop at Gongzhu Lake on the way to admire its serene beauty and take in panoramic vistas of the surrounding hills and grassy plains. Continue on to the town of Saga where we stay overnight.
This morning we wind our way down through lush, forested hills as the elevation gradually decreases on our drive to Kyirong. Situated in a fertile valley at an elevation of around 3,000 meters, Kyirong is nestled between the verdant hills of southwestern Tibet near the border with Nepal. Those travellers continuing on to Nepal tomorrow can work with your guide to prepare the necessary permits and paperwork for smooth border crossing.
We begin our drive back towards the high Tibetan Plateau as the altitude steadily increases. In the afternoon, we’ll have returned to Tingri. Its vast expanses welcome us with incredible night skies punctuated by the Milky Way.
As the day unfolds, begin your journey back to Lhasa, tracing the meandering path along the picturesque Yarlung Zangbo River.
We will arrange your transfer to the airport or train station as your tour comes to a close.
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Our multilingual team’s passion ensures you receive personal, attentive, and friendly guidance—from planning to the last day of your trip.
Jessie | Founder
10 years experience in organizing expat tours in China.
Jessie first worked as travel consultant for many years, her excellent organizing skills and great travel route planning have won the trust of many customers. In 2018 she founded experiencetibet.org, an agency offering tours in Tibet autonomous region and other Tibetan areas in China such as Gansu, Yunnan and Sichuan. In 2020 she started yellowbirdtour.com, with destinations all over China.
Penny | China travel consultant
Penny has rich experience in organizing foreigners tours to many places in China, such as Tibet, Gansu, Yunnan, Xinjiang, Zhangjiajie. She is very responsive, always quick and patient. Customers like her, they always come back for more tours, and also recommend many of their friends to join.
Dawei | Tour guide / operator
Dawei is a Tibetan Buddhist, and comes from the most north edge of the Tibetan plateau in Qinghai province, Western China. He has travelled as a tour leader to many South Asian countries such as India, Bhutan and also nearly the entire country of China. He focuse especially on guiding in Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, Ningxia provinces and Tibetan regions. The activities of these various tour groups have included adopting family, horse racing, hiking, bird watching, cycling, camping, overseas students, cultural and religious sightseeing.
Andrew | Touir guide / operator
Andrew was born and grew up in a small village of Zhangjiajie, Hunan. From 2009-2012 he works for royal Caribbean International cruise as an onboard guest services officer. After that, he dedicates his life/time to guiding and operating tours in Zhangjiajie and around. As a native person, he knows all the corner of the scenic area, such as good restaurants, souvenir shops and cultures. He is very experienced and super flexible, he knows how to avoid the crowds and take advantage of the weather and offer the best travel experience to customers, all you need to do is just relax and enjoy!
