Nepal17 days
Lhasa, Kailash & Everest Base Camp: Tibet Pilgrimage Circuit — 17 Days
Kathmandu to Lhasa, Everest Base Camp, Lake Manasarovar, and the three-day Kailash Parikrama
This 17-day circuit connects two of Asia's most significant pilgrimage regions — Tibetan Buddhism's heartland and the Hindu sacred geography centered on Mount Kailash — through a single overland and air route originating in Kathmandu. The journey opens with temple visits in the Kathmandu Valley before a scenic flight to Lhasa at 3,700 meters, where the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple anchor two days of city exploration. The route then moves west across the Tibetan Plateau, stopping at Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse — founded in 1447 and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama — before pushing south to Rongbuk Monastery at 5,000 meters, the highest monastery in the world, and the North Face viewpoint at Everest Base Camp at 5,200 meters. From there, the journey continues to Lake Manasarovar, a lake of compassion, tranquillity and bliss that holds deep significance in both Hindu and Buddhist tradition. The final pilgrimage segment is the three-day Kailash Parikrama — the circumambulation of Mount Kailash — crossing the Dolma La pass at 18,600 feet, with an additional ascent for Charan Sparsha, the practice of touching the foot of Kailash Parvat. The return route retraces the plateau east through Saga and Shigatse back to Lhasa, before a final flight to Kathmandu.
Highlights
- Temple visits at Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath Stupa, and Swayambhunath Stupa in the Kathmandu Valley
- Scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region (3,700 m)
- Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple sightseeing in Lhasa
- Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, founded 1447 — seat of the Panchen Lama
- North Face viewpoint and Everest Base Camp at 5,200 meters via Rongbuk Monastery (5,000 m)
- First sighting and lakeside stay at Holy Lake Manasarovar
- Charan Sparsha ascent: a 3.5-hour climb to touch the foot of Kailash Parvat
- Three-day Kailash Parikrama (Kora), crossing Dolma La pass at 18,600 feet
- Passage through Yamasthal, Shiva-sthal, Parvati-sthal, and Gauri Kunda on the Parikrama route
- Overnight at Zuthulpuk — the cave associated with the ascetic Milarepa
Day by day
1Arrival in Kathmandu & Aarati at PashupatinathTribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu · hotel · Pashupatinath Temple
Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. A tour representative meets arriving passengers and transfers the group to the hotel. The evening includes an Aarati ceremony at Pashupatinath Temple. Overnight in Kathmandu.
2Kathmandu Valley Temple & Stupa CircuitPashupatinath Temple · Gujeswori Temple · Jal Narayan · Bouddhanath Stupa · Swayambhunath Stupa
The day covers five UNESCO-listed or significant religious sites: Pashupatinath Temple, Gujeswori Temple, Jal Narayan, Bouddhanath Stupa, and Swayambhunath Stupa. Lunch is taken en route.
3Kathmandu to Lhasa: Scenic Flight & Altitude AcclimatizationKathmandu to Lhasa Gonggar Airport · hotel in Lhasa
A scenic flight connects Kathmandu to Lhasa Gonggar Airport. On arrival, the group is transferred to the hotel in Lhasa at 3,700 meters. The remainder of the day is kept clear for acclimatization — rest, hydration, and minimal exertion are strongly advised before beginning the plateau journey. Overnight in Lhasa.
4Lhasa: Potala Palace and Jokhang TemplePotala Palace · Jokhang Temple
Visit the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.
5Lhasa to Gyantse to Shigatse: Tashilhunpo MonasteryLhasa to Gyantse to Shigatse · Shigatse · Tashilhunpo Monastery
The route heads west from Lhasa through Gyantse toward Shigatse, the capital of the Tsang province and the traditional residence of the Panchen Lama, the second-highest ecclesiastical figure in Tibetan Buddhism. An early excursion visits Tashilhunpo Monastery, established in 1447, including the temple housing the Maitreya — the Buddha of the Future — and several other monastery buildings. Overnight in Shigatse.
6Shigatse to Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp (5,200 m), and Old TingriRongbuk Monastery · Everest Base Camp · Old Tingri
After an early start, the drive continues to Rongbuk Monastery at 5,000 meters — the highest monastery in the world, dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava — which sits directly below the North Face of Everest. The surrounding terrain of bare ridgelines and glaciated peaks defines the approach. A further drive reaches Everest Base Camp at 5,200 meters on the Tibetan side, offering direct views of the North Face. After time to take in the setting, the group returns to Rongbuk for lunch, then drives to Old Tingri for the overnight stop.
7Old Tingri to Saga: Cross-Plateau DriveTingri to Saga · Saga
An early start precedes the seven-hour drive from Tingri west to Saga, where the overland Kathmandu support team joins the group. Meals are prepared fresh by staff. Overnight in Saga at a four-star hotel.
8Saga to Paryang to Lake Manasarovar: First View of KailashSaga to Paryang to Lake Manasarovar · Holy Kailash Parvat · Hore
The day's drive passes through Paryang and continues toward Lake Manasarovar. By late afternoon, the first views of Holy Kailash Parvat and the lake become visible. The night is spent at Hore, a small village on the shores of Manasarovar.
9Lake Manasarovar Circuit and Drive to DarchenLake Manasarovar · Lake Manasarovar to Darchen
Time is spent at Lake Manasarovar, which holds significance in both Hindu and Buddhist tradition as a site of compassion and spiritual cleansing. A morning ritual bath at the lake is among the most observed practices here. The group then drives to Darchen in the evening — the base camp and assembly point for the Kailash Parikrama.
10Darchen to Derapuk: Day One of Kailash Parikrama (15 km)Darchen to Derapuk · Derapuk
The first day of the three-day Kailash Parikrama begins at Darchen and follows a 15-kilometer trail through rocky terrain past cliffs and seasonal waterfalls, with the face of Kailash Parvat appearing intermittently along the route. The walk takes approximately six hours. Overnight at Derapuk, directly facing the North Face of Kailash.
11Derapuk: Charan Sparsha Ascent to the Foot of KailashDerapuk
From Derapuk, a climb of three and a half hours leads to Charan Sparsha — the point where pilgrims traditionally touch the base of Kailash Parvat. The descent back to Derapuk takes approximately one hour. Overnight at Derapuk.
12Derapuk to Zuthulpuk via Dolma La (5,669 m): Day Two of Kailash ParikramaZuthulpuk · Dolma La · Yamasthal and Shiva-sthal · Parvati-sthal and Gauri Kunda
The most demanding section of the Parikrama crosses Dolma La, the high pass at 18,600 feet that divides the two main valleys of the circuit. The ascent passes through Yamasthal and Shiva-sthal before reaching the pass, where offerings are traditionally made. The descent leads through Parvati-sthal and past Gauri Kunda. By late afternoon, the route arrives at Zuthulpuk — named for a cave where the Tibetan ascetic and poet Milarepa is said to have performed miracles. Overnight at Zuthulpuk.
13Zuthulpuk to Darchen and Drive to Saga: Parikrama CompletionZuthulpuk to Darchen · lodge in Saga · Darchen to Saga
The Parikrama concludes with a three-hour walk back to Darchen, where the driving crew awaits. The group then drives east, arriving in Saga by late afternoon. Overnight at the lodge in Saga.
14Saga to Shigatse: Return Drive Across the PlateauSaga to Shigatse · Shigatse
A straightforward return drive east covers the distance back to Shigatse, Tibet's second-largest city. The late afternoon allows time for a walking tour of the town. Overnight in Shigatse.
15Shigatse to Lhasa: Return DriveShigatse to Lhasa · Lhasa · hotel
The drive continues east from Shigatse back to Lhasa. Transfer to the hotel on arrival. Overnight in Lhasa.
16Lhasa to Kathmandu: Return FlightLhasa to Kathmandu · Kathmandu · hotel
The return flight connects Lhasa to Kathmandu. On arrival, the group is transferred to the hotel. The remainder of the day is available for rest or local shopping. Overnight in Kathmandu.
17Kathmandu: International Departure TransferTribhuvan International Airport
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for onward international departures.
Where you go
- 1Pashupatinath Temple
- 2Gujeswori Temple
- 3Jal Narayan
- 4Bouddhanath Stupa
- 5Swayambhunath Stupa
- 6Kathmandu
- 7Tribhuvan International Airport