Nepal20 days
Tibet: Lhasa, Everest Base Camp, Mount Kailash & the Guge Kingdom — 20 Days
Kathmandu to Lhasa via the Tibetan Plateau, crossing the Dolma La Pass (5,613 m) on the three-day Kailash Kora and visiting the ruins of the ninth-century Guge Kingdom
This 20-day circuit moves between two distinct halves of Tibet — the remote west, centered on Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, and the ruined capital of the Guge Kingdom at Tsaparang, and the more accessible central corridor connecting Shigatse, Gyantse, and Lhasa. The route begins in Kathmandu, crossing the Nepal-Tibet border at the Friendship Bridge before ascending to the Tibetan Plateau. Early days track east toward the Everest region, with a stop at Rongbuk Monastery (4,920 m) — the highest monastery in the world — and an excursion to the North Face Base Camp at 5,250 m. The itinerary then turns west, reaching Saga before descending to Lake Manasarovar (4,558 m) and the three-day circumambulation of Mount Kailash. The Kora crosses the Dolma La pass at 5,613 m on its most demanding day. After the Kora, the route extends further west to Zanda, where the Guge Kingdom's ninth-century palace and monastery ruins rise from eroded canyon walls in the Sutlej River valley. The return east passes through Saga again before rejoining the Friendship Highway through Shigatse and Gyantse to Lhasa, where two full days cover the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka Palace, and Barkhor Street. The trip ends at Lhasa's Gongar Airport, with onward options to Kathmandu or mainland China.
Highlights
- North Face Everest Base Camp excursion at 5,250 m from Rongbuk Monastery (4,920 m)
- Three-day Kailash Kora, crossing the Dolma La pass at 5,613 m
- Lake Manasarovar at 4,558 m, a freshwater lake at the foot of Mount Kailash
- Guge Kingdom ruins at Tsaparang and Tholing monastery complex, Zanda canyon
- Tirthapuri pilgrimage site and hot springs en route to Zanda
- Sakya Monastery, one of Tibet's most significant Sakya-school religious sites
- Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, founded in 1447 by the First Dalai Lama
- Kumbum Stupa in Gyantse — a 35-metre chorten with layered white tiers
- Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier (5,560 m) on the road to Lhasa
- Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka Palace, and Barkhor Street in Lhasa
- Himalayan scenic flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu
Day by day
1Kathmandu to Nyalam (3,750 m) via the Friendship Bridge Border CrossingKathmandu · Nyalam · Friendship Bridge · Bhaktapur and Dhulikhel
The day begins with an early departure from Kathmandu, passing through Bhaktapur and Dhulikhel before reaching the Friendship Bridge at the Nepal-Tibet border. After crossing the bridge on foot — a walk of roughly ten minutes — Tibetan guides and drivers meet the group on the far side for immigration and customs formalities. From the border, a 35-km drive on a winding ascent takes approximately three hours to reach Nyalam at 3,700 m. The remainder of the day is unscheduled, allowing for rest and initial acclimatization at the guest house.
2Nyalam to Tingri (4,330 m): First Sighting of EverestNyalam to Tingri · Tingri
The 217-km drive to Tingri crosses the open desert plains of the Tibetan Plateau, with the Shishapangma massif visible to the south. The highway also delivers the first view of Everest — its distinctive dark pyramid visible above the plateau horizon. Accommodation is at a guest house in Tingri.
3Tingri to Rongbuk Monastery (4,920 m) Below Everest's North FaceTingri to Rongbuk Monastery · Rongbuk Monastery
A 130-km drive brings the group to Rongbuk, site of the highest monastery in the world at 4,920 m. From the guest house, views extend up the valley toward both Everest and Cho Oyu. The monastery is visited, and the remainder of the day is kept free for acclimatization.
4Everest North Base Camp (5,250 m) and Sakya MonasterySakya Monastery · North Face Everest Base Camp
An early excursion covers the 8-km drive from Rongbuk to the North Face Everest Base Camp at 5,250 m, with time for a short walk around the camp area. The group then drives back east to Sakya for a visit to Sakya Monastery before overnight.
5Sakya to Saga (4,640 m) Along the BrahmaputraSakya to Saga · Saga
A 346-km drive — roughly seven hours — leads to Saga, the main town at the western entrance to the Kailash-Manasarovar region, situated near the Brahmaputra River. The remainder of the day is free for rest after the long transfer.
6Saga to Lake Manasarovar (4,558 m): First View of Mount KailashSaga to Lake Manasarovar · Lake Manasarovar · Hor
The 277-km drive west takes four to five hours, arriving at Lake Manasarovar by late afternoon. The lake sits at 4,558 m (14,950 ft) and is considered the world's highest freshwater lake of significant size, its waters ranging from deep blue to turquoise depending on conditions. Mount Kailash, Mount Gurla Mandhata, and Lake Rakshastal are all visible from the lake's shore. The surrounding region is noted for hot springs and its concentration of wildlife. A circuit of the lake by vehicle is included. Overnight is at a mud-construction guest house near the small village of Hor.
7Lake Manasarovar Exploration and Drive to Darchen (4,575 m)Manasarovar · Chui Gompa · Manasarovar to Darchen
The morning at Manasarovar allows for lakeside exploration and, for those who choose it, a bath in the lake — a significant ritual act for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims alike. The group then drives 40 km to Darchen (Tarchen), the base settlement for the Kailash Kora. If schedule permits, Chui Gompa is visited en route. Darchen functions as the primary staging point for pilgrims undertaking the circumambulation and, during major pilgrimage seasons, fills with tents across the surrounding ground.
8Kailash Kora Day 1: Tarboche to Dirapuk (4,909 m), 7 km TrekTarboche · Tarboche to Dirapuk · Dirapuk
The Kora begins with a short drive to Tarboche, the valley that marks the outer circuit's starting point and home to the Asthapath flagpole. From here, the trail covers 7 km along rocky cliff faces beside waterfalls, with the north face of Mount Kailash appearing periodically through breaks in the terrain. The walking takes five to six hours. Overnight is at a mud-construction guest house at Dirapuk (4,909 m).
9Kailash Kora Day 2: Dirapuk over Dolma La Pass (5,613 m) to Zuthulpuk (4,760 m), 18 km TrekZuthulpuk · Dirapuk to Dolma La Pass · Dolma La Pass to Zuthulpuk
The most physically demanding day of the Kora, covering 18 km and nine to ten hours of walking. The route climbs to Dolma La at 5,613 m (18,600 ft) before descending gradually to Zuthulpuk at 4,760 m. The descent passes Parvati Stal and Gauri Kunda. Overnight is at Zuthulpuk in a mud-construction guest house.
10Kailash Kora Day 3: Zuthulpuk to Darchen and Drive to ManasarovarZuthulpuk to Darchen · Manasarovar · Milarepa cave complex · Darchen to Manasarovar
The final Kora segment covers 10 km over four to five hours on relatively flat terrain back to Darchen, completing the circuit. The morning also allows time around the Milarepa cave complex — caves, shrines, and small temples are accessible nearby. From Darchen, the group rejoins vehicles for the drive to Manasarovar, with overnight at a guest house on the lake's bank.
11Manasarovar to Zanda (3,650 m) via TirthapuriManasarovar to Zanda · Zanda · Tirthapuri
A 340-km drive west along the Sutlej River valley, taking five to six hours. En route, Tirthapuri is visited — a site carrying significance in both Hindu tradition (associated with the Bhasmasur legend) and Tibetan Buddhism through its connections to Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche). A short hike reaches the monastery and the footprint shrines associated with Guru Rinpoche. The day ends at Zanda (Thada), where accommodation is at a guest house.
12Guge Kingdom Ruins: Tsaparang Valley and Tholing Monastery, ZandaTsaparang · Zanda · Tholing monastery complex
The day is devoted to the Guge Kingdom sites — Tholing monastery complex in Zanda and the main palace and temple ruins at Tsaparang, located 20 km to the east in a canyon of eroded clay formations. Both sites contain monasteries and sacred structures of considerable historical importance to Tibetan Buddhism. Overnight again in Zanda.
13Zanda to Lake Manasarovar: Return Drive EastZanda to Lake Manasarovar · Lake Manasarovar
The group drives back from the Guge Kingdom to Lake Manasarovar, returning to a guest house on the lake's bank. The evening allows for views of the lake and Mount Kailash before departure from the region the following morning.
14Lake Manasarovar to Saga: Final Views of KailashLake Manasarovar · Lake Manasarovar to Saga · Saga
The morning offers a final opportunity to observe Lake Manasarovar and the Kailash massif before the group retraces the driving route east to Saga. Overnight is at a guest house in Saga.
15Saga to Shigatse (3,900 m) via Lhatse and the Brahmaputra ValleySaga to Shigatse · Shigatse
A 447-km drive of six to seven hours leads east through the Brahmaputra River corridor, passing valleys, agricultural fields, and lake scenery before arriving in Shigatse — Tibet's second-largest city. Overnight is at a hotel.
16Shigatse to Gyantse (4,025 m): Tashilhunpo Monastery and Kumbum StupaShigatse to Gyantse · Tashilhunpo Monastery · Palcho Monastery
Before departing Shigatse, the group visits Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in 1447 by the First Dalai Lama and one of the largest functioning monastery complexes in Tibet. The 94-km drive to Gyantse takes approximately four hours. In Gyantse, Palcho Monastery is visited, with the Kumbum Stupa — a 35-metre-high chorten with white tiers trimmed in decorative bands — as the architectural centerpiece. Overnight at a hotel.
17Gyantse to Lhasa (3,650 m) via Yamdrok Lake and Karola GlacierLhasa · Yamdrok Lake · Karola Glacier
The 264-km drive to Lhasa — six to seven hours — passes Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's four sacred lakes, its waters a distinctive deep blue visible from the road above. The route also crosses near Karola Glacier at 5,560 m before descending to the Lhasa valley. Overnight at a hotel in Lhasa.
18Lhasa: Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Norbulingka PalaceDrepung Monastery · Sera Monastery · Norbulingka
The first full day of Lhasa sightseeing begins at Drepung Monastery, once among Tibet's wealthiest institutions — at its 17th-century peak it housed four colleges and approximately 10,000 monks. The white monastic buildings sit on the hillside against the backdrop of Mt. Gambo Utse, with wide views across the Lhasa valley below. The next stop is Sera Monastery, known historically for its Dob-Dob warrior monks. The afternoon visit is to Norbulingka, formerly the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas and a walled compound containing multiple palace buildings, chapels, and formal gardens.
19Lhasa: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor StreetPotala Palace · Jokhang Temple · Barkhor Street
The day opens at the Potala Palace, the most substantial monumental structure in Tibet, built on Marpo Ri hill and serving historically as both the spiritual and political center of Tibetan governance. The interior contains dozens of rooms, assembly halls, chapels, and the tombs of past Dalai Lamas. The afternoon moves to the Jokhang Temple in the old city — Tibet's holiest shrine, built in the seventh century and continuously active as a site of butter-lamp offerings and prostration circuits. The surrounding Barkhor Street, a circular market and pilgrimage route, completes the day, its prayer-wheel stations and traders' stalls marking the traditional circumambulation path around the Jokhang.
20Lhasa Departure: Gongar Airport TransferGongar Airport
Transfer to Gongar Airport for onward flights to Kathmandu or mainland China. Alternatively, Tibet can be exited by train to mainland China.
Where you go
- 1Kathmandu
Included
- Private transportation for the entire tour
- Tibet travel permit and group visa
- Accommodation in Tibet and Kailash on twin-sharing and group-sharing hotels and guest houses
- Breakfast in Tibet (Shigatse, Gyantse, Lhasa, and EBC part)
- An English-speaking Tibetan guide
- Entrance fees for Manasarovar, the Guge Kingdom, and the Everest Base Camp
- Sightseeing in major monuments and their entrance fees
- Yaks or helpers to carry goods during the Kailash parikrama
- Emergency evacuation arrangement
- Service charge and government taxes
Not included
- Lunch and Dinner in Tibet part (Shigatse, Gyantse, Lhasa, and EBC part)
- All the foods (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) in the Kailash part
- Personal horse and helper during Kailash parikrama
- Personal equipment, Insurance, Medical expenses
- Cost of emergency evacuation