15 Days Mt Everest and Mt Kailash Kora Pilgrimage Group Tour
Overview
Available languages
360 hours
Mobile ticket
This tour will take you to explore the northern and far western regions of Tibet , which have a rich culture and stunning landscapes. You will embark on this trip from Lhasa, where you will spend two days visiting famous attractions. Then you will drive to Gyantse and Shigatse, where you have a good chance to visit Mount Everest. After visiting EBC, you 'll embark on the ultimate pilgrimage: a three -day trek to the sacred Mt. Kailash.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Book at least 12 working days ahead of time if you want to join in a group which has booked by other tourists.
We accept Solo traveler but remember to book more than 50 days in advance.
If you need to book a tour which starts less than 12 days, please contact us as quickly as possible so that we can try our best to arrange everything for you.
The price of the tour may increase and a visiting to some tourist sites may cancel due to any Force Majeure Event. GTT reserves the right to change attractions and the itinerary order.
Travelers need to provide the copy of passports and China visa in advance.
Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit (TTB) often takes about 12-working-day to apply. If you couldn’t provide the required docs and information on time, an extra fee for USD 50~80/permit will be charged.
If you're flying into Tibet from mainland China: You need the original copy of the Tibet travel permit, so we will send it to your hotel in China.
If you're taking a train to Tibet from mainland China: You will need a printed copy of the Tibet permit to enter Tibet, so we will send it by email.
If you fly into Tibet from Kathmandu, Nepal: You will not need to have a Chinese visa, but a Tibet Group Visa which applies for the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. When you send the copy of your passport to us, we will help you to get the Tibet Group Visa.
Single Supplement: Our quote is based on twin rooms. If you are a single traveler, you will pay a single supplement at the time of booking. If you like, we will try best to match you with another traveler to share the twin rooms, then the single supplement will be refunded.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
Experienced local English-speaking guide
Two bottles of mineral water per person per day
Shuttle Bus fee go to Kailash: USD10/person
All necessary permits to Tibet
Pick-up at Lhasa Gonggar Airport to your hotel at 9:30 am, 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm on the first day
Food & lodgings for guide & driver
Government Tax
Lhasa Railway Station transfer at all times on the first & last day
Express delivery fee of the Tibet Travel Permit
A Sleeping bag
All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
Comfortable Hotel Accommodations as listed in the itinerary
Drop-off from your hotel to Lhasa Gonggar Airport at 8:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm on the last day
Oxygen tank for emergency use
Shuttle Bus fee back from Kailash: USD10/person
Vehicle with Travel license including parking and gas fee
Tourists travel insurance
Personal expenses
Optional sights
Flight or Train
Anything not mentioned in INCLUDED
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
What To Expect
Arrive in Lhasa(3680m)
Accommodations
Stay overnight in Lhasa, a 3-star or 4-star hotel.
Pick up and transfer to the hotel.
Lhasa Sightseeing
Accommodations
Stay overnight in Lhasa, a 3-star or 4-star hotel.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Drepung Monastery (Zhebang Si)
After enjoying your breakfast, you will have the chance to explore some of Lhasa's famous attractions. There are three great Gelug monasteries in Tibet, and today you will visit two of them. The first site is the Drepung Monastery, located approximately 45 km north of Lhasa.
Tibet Museum
In the afternoon you will first visit the Tibet Museum. Here you can see life scenes, exquisite clothing, house architecture, festival customs, etc. to explore the special and mysterious Tibetan customs.
Norbulingka (Precious Stone Garden)
In the afternoon, you will visit Norbulingka, which is a typical Tibetan-style royal garden, the summer resort of the Dalai Lama.
Lhasa Sightseeing
Accommodations
Stay overnight in Lhasa, a 3-star or 4-star hotel.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Potala Palace
Wandering in the warm sunshine in the morning, you are now standing in front of the Lhasa city landmark, the Potala Palace. In the past, the Potala Palace served as the Dalai Lama's winter palace. Currently, it is a modern museum that collects thousands of traditional Tibetan antiques and objects. It is the best place to learn about its history.
Jokhang Temple
After lunch, your guide will take you to visit the Jokhang Temple. Jokhang Temple, built in the seventh century, is considered the most sacred temple in Tibet. The highlight of the Jokhang Temple is the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve.
Barkhor Street
Barkhor Street is one of Lhasa's busiest streets where you can purchase unique and traditional Tibetan souvenirs.
Lhasa- Gyantse – Shigatse
Accommodations
Stay overnight in Shigatse, a 3-star or 4-star hotel.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
Today, your guide will drive you to Shigatse from Lhasa City. Along the way to Shigatse, there is a holy lake, Yamdrok Lake, where the natural scenery is stunning and attractive. It is said that travelers can get rid of all sins and miseries when they are washed by the water in this lake.
Karo La Glacier
Next, we will pass by the Karola Glacier and enjoy it 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, known for its exquisite architecture and intact murals and statues.
Shigatse -Tingri –EBC
Accommodations
Stay overnight at the Nomad Tent (Dorm Bed).
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Tashilunpo Monastery
In the morning, you will visit Panchen Lama's home, the Tashilunpo Monastery, then drive to Lhatse, a small town 150 km from Shigatse, and you may have lunch at a local restaurant.
Qomolangma National Nature Preserve
After a short rest, you will go ahead to Tingri. You will pass Tsola Pass(4,600m), and Gyatsola Pass(5,248m). In the late afternoon, you enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve. You can enjoy the panorama of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass (5,198m). Then you'll drive along the New Zigzag road to Everest Base Camp to stay overnight. If the weather is good, you can have a clear view of the sunset of the Golden Everest Peak.
EBC-Saga
Accommodations
Stay overnight in Saga, a guesthouse.
Peikucuo Lake
If the weather is good, you can rise early and enjoy the sunrise at Everest Base Camp. After that, drive to Saga and on the way, you can view the world's 14th highest peak , Mt.Shishapangma (8012m). Later, you will reach Lake Peikutso (4590m) and take a break there. Then continue to Saga. If you are lucky , you 'll likely see wild animals like the wild donkey, wild antelope, etc.
Saga – Darchen
Accommodations
Stay overnight in Darchen, a guesthouse or 4-star hotel.
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 and you'll see beautiful grasslands and local villages. As we cross the Mayomla Pass (5112M), you can enjoy the breathtaking view of Mt. Naimonanyi (7694M). During this exciting journey, you'll pass by sand dunes, mountains, and sandstone valleys before reaching the Darchen, a small nomadic village and a crucial launch point for pilgrimages around Mt. Kailash. Upon your arrival, you can explore Darchen town on your own. If you need porters and yaks, your tour guide will arrange it for you this afternoon.
Mt Kailash Kora①: Darchen - Dirapuk(4700m), Drive 5km, Trek 15km, Approx. 7~11hrs
Accommodations
Stay overnight in Guesthouse, Dorm Bed.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Mount Kailash
In the morning, you will take an eco-bus (which is included in the cost) to Sarshung valley and start your 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 along the Lachu River Valleys. During your trek, you can see both the west and north faces of Mount Kailash. Finally, you will visit the Drirapuk Monastery and stay overnight here.
Mt Kailash Kora②: Dirapuk - Zutulpuk(4790m), Trek 22km, Approx. 11~14hrs
Accommodations
Stay overnight in Guesthouse, Dorm Bed
Mount Kailash
Today is the most challenging day of the trek, as you will climb over the highest pass of the Kora, the Dromala pass (5630m). After a brief break at the top, we will descend into the long valley and stop for lunch at the Shabjay Dakpo nomadic tent. On your way, you can take a break at a tea house. Then you will continue on to the Zultulpuk , built by two important religious figures, Milarepa and Naro Bonchung. Finally, you will visit the Zutulpuk Monastery. Inside the cave, you will find the footprint and handprint of Milarepa.
Mt Kailash Kora③: Zutulpuk- Darchen, Trek 9km, Approx. 2~5hrs; Drive Darchen -Manasarovar-Zhongba, 340km, Approx. 5.5hrs
Accommodations
Stay overnight in Zhongba, guesthouse.
Lake Manasarovar
Today is an easy day to trek. You will trek 9km to complete the Kora, then take the eco bus back to Darchen. According to Buddhism, doing a kora around a holy mountain for one circle can rid one of the sins and miseries of life. Only after facing many hardships can you experience the happiness and satisfaction brought by kora. Take the shuttle bus back to Darchen, which is about 3 km away. We will take you from Darchen to Mansarovar, the highest holy lake in Tibet. It's 40km southwest of Darchen. If the weather is good, you can admire the picturesque scenery of Lake Manasarovar. If you feel good, you can take a walk along the lake for a while. Then you will go to Zhongba.
Zhongba - Lhatse
Accommodations
Stay overnight in Lhatse, 3-star hotel
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Mount Kailash
Today, we will drive from Zhongba to Lhatse. Although there are no famous scenic spots on the way, the scenery is endless. On your journey, you will see many unnamed lakes and rivers, cross 7 high mountain passes, and experience various weather conditions. You will see natural scenery, rural cattle and sheep, wild animals, and purple flowers all over the mountains all the way.
Lhatse- Shigatse
Accommodations
Stay overnight in Shigatse, 3-star or 4-star hotel
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Sakya Monastery
You will return to Shigatse via Sakya County. There is a well-known Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Sakya County, the main monastery of Sakyapa. It was built in the 1360s. The walls around this monastery were mostly gray, but the top part of the walls were painted red and white stripes. That's why Variegated Buddhism is also known as Sakyapa. There are many cultural treasures such as seals, Buddha statues, a vast collection of books, exquisite murals, etc. The murals of the Yuan Dynasty are the most distinctive, making Sakya Monastery known as the "second Dunhuang".
Shigatse- Lhasa
Accommodations
Stay overnight in Lhasa, 3-star or 4-star hotel
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Today, we will drive back to Lhasa from Shigatse along the northern route to Lhasa. On your way, you'll see the Yarlung Tsangpo valley. In Nyemo, you'll have the opportunity to visit the Tibetan Incense Workshop. Nyemo County has a rich history of over 1,000 years. This fragrant incense can also be used to prevent infectious diseases such as flu and influenza, as its ingredients contain herbal medicines such as saffron, sandalwood, Chinese Usnea, and borneol. This is the case, except for sacrificial ceremonies.
Lhasa Tour
Accommodations
Stay overnight in Lhasa, 3-star or 4-star hotel
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
We don't have any tourist attractions planned for you today. You could have free time in Lhasa city with your tour guide. If you want to have some activities, we need to get the approval of other members and do it together. According to regulations, foreigners are not allowed to travel to Tibet alone but must be accompanied by a tour guide. Of course, you could also choose to leave Lhasa today. We will drop you off at either Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station.
Lhasa Departure
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Your tour will end today. You will be transferred to either the Lhasa airport or the railway station for your next destination.
Options
3-star Hotel Tour
15 Days Mt.Everest & Mt Kailash Kora Pilgrimage Group Tour in 3-star hotel.
Pickup included
4-star Hotel Tour
15 Days Mt.Everest & Mt Kailash Kora Pilgrimage Group Tour in 4-star hotel.
Pickup included
Reviews
17 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Just another tourist trap
Connector63594758528,
May 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00It was a dream to come to Tibet and when you are there you discover a big bisness auround tourism , why? Because If you are a foreigneur you have no choice to take a tour by a Travel agency, why ? Because you need a tibetan permit to Travel and for that you have to ask a Travel angency . After that y you understand that a Travel angency can do and provide what they want with you and charge you what they want because you have no choice to Travel trought a Travel agency. First you pay a lot for what you get when you discover the prices in the country and its a cheap country . They dont respect all the terme of contract like places to visite but no problem because its in the contract that (to resum) everything Can change due to the situation. Also for an expensive price only breakfast is provided in some hotel ( depend of the time of the departure of the day if its before breakfast time at your hotel) . The guesthouse in mont Kailash was horrible : no basic shower and no descente toilette ( an hole with no privacy ) . The driver drove like fast and Furious, I feelt in danger so many times , he overtake without visibility, he dont respect the speed limite , he skip the average speed control by choising an alternative way, we where shaked in the car at each corner and we jumped on bumbing road, it was a nightmare. All the Passenger had the same feeling , we felt in danger. Otherwise I spend one day alone in a villlage to do nothing because some people of my groupe have to go in Nepal so I waited in a hotel who was not and the way to go back in Lhassa and at the end when I arrived in Lhassa I spend 2 days alone to do nothing, so I lost 3 days and I payed for. And at the end the man who did the transfert from the hotel to bus station Ask me to pay the bus to go to airport but when you spend more than 2300 dollars for a tour without airplaine you said no. My opinion is to Travel in Tibet is just a big tourist Trap and if you want to hike go to Népal you can have better and cheaper accommodation in mountain (basic shower , toilette with privacy), you can buy the permit by yourself and you dont need a travel agency if you know how to manage an hike in high mountain
Fantastic tour!
Choco M,
Nov 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great Tibet Tour made my dream of visiting Tibet come true. Tashi - The guide were fantastic, sharing rich stories and cultural insights. The trip was well-organized, and I felt safe and cared for throughout. Incredible experience!
Super organized trip through Tibet!
janjaapw2022,
Oct 26, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a unique journey, not to mention one. Fantastic! Additional additional thanks for the assistance regarding the border crossing from China to Nepal which was closed due to the landslides of 27 September.
Wonderful pilgrimage
sellathuraij,
Sep 12, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing pilgrimage with this wonderful company which lasted 15 days. We were able to spend our time very peacefully and if any problems were to arise, we were able to be in contact very quickly with the travel agent who understood our needs very well.
Lhasa EBC Kailash Kora tour was exceptional and tailored to our expectations.
Jaisshankar,
Jun 5, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a private tour the organization and attention to detail was fabulous. Our guide was very experienced and helped us adjust tot the altitude. He also guided us thru the Lora hike with focus on safety. He was very knowledgeable in local lore and was patient in explaining the same. Highly recommend.
A Trip That Helped Me Discover The Happiness Within
Vishwanath R,
Mar 29, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I planned my trip with Great Tibet Travels last year (2019) during July. This trip has changed my life for the better. The tour company and the tour guide Darghye were wonderful. During my 3 day trek, Darghye walked beside me to the most part and gave commentary. This man is knowledgeable and knows what he is talking about. Darghye kept an eye on all members on the tour and periodically asked us how we are doing altitude sickness wise. Remember while doing the trek, think positive and take baby steps and this may change your life for the better. Regarding the tour company they were kind enough to upgrade my hotel location at a couple of locations for no extra charge. Trek Planning - Fitness: I am a New Yorker and moderately fit. Before going on this trip, never in my life walked more than 5 miles a day. I started off with walking 9K to 10K steps per day at a moderate pace for a few weeks. I took it to the next level by walking around central park - this takes about 16K steps in about 3.5 hours and this I used to do every weekend. Since we lived in a high raised building, every day I used to climb stairs (sometimes 10 floors and sometimes 20 floors). Maybe a few times I walked on the treadmill in the Gym with inclination set to 14 for about 15 minutes. Trek Planning - Medication: I scheduled an appointment with my PCP - got the prescription for diamox and antibiotics. I also took with me tylenol, motrin, a miniverion of first aid kit. Trek Planning - General: You can read as much as you want on fitness but one should learn to know and listen to ones’ body. I carried some nuts and granola bars and do not forget ponchos Trek - Altitude Sickness: Diamox will do its job and you do your job. Remember to take it easy the first few days, no need to run or get excited, let me body adapt. My mantra initially was to walk like a snail, take small steps (remember to listen to your body and keep your mind in a positive state). I did get headaches and took tylenol.
Very Diligent and Professional Company
JayJay1668,
Nov 10, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Overall, Great Tibet Tour provided us a wonderful trip through a very beautiful part of the world which included the 3 day Kora around Mt. Kailash. Our guide Tashi was a very knowledgeable regarding the places, customs, traditions and Buddhist beliefs. He constantly made great efforts to make sure we had everything we need all hours of the day and night. Our driver Pemba was very professional and consistent in his role of getting all of us safely from destination to destination. When setting up the tour, our contact from GTT Beatrice was fantastic to work with. Her prompt, friendly, warm and diligent customer service. There were some minor issues along the way due to lack of proper communication from the company but were resolved quickly. Would recommend GTT for anyone wanting to see the wonder that is Tibet.
A 5 Star Lifetime Experience
globalsoul,
Oct 1, 2019
- Review from Viator
5.00Incredible value providing a 5 star Tibet travel experience with a 2 dollar sign price. An itinerary to Tibet and its Kailash Kora are perhaps the most logistically challenging itinerary possible, especially considering the Tibet permit, innumerable checkpoints, unpredictable weather conditions, high altitidute sensibilities, etc. This tour program & guide completely take over, and so one just has to worry about getting the best photo op instead. Service is incredibly friendly, and made additional requests like Tibet train and hotel room change a breeze. Madeleine (tour consultant) and Mithun (our tireless tour guide to Kailash) were outstanding, infectiously passionate professionals. Kailash is a life-changing experience, so come prepared, fit, informed and respectful. My highest recommendations!
Looking forward to my next trip with Great Tibet Tour
BeataAli,
Sep 5, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Finally, we come back home. We are very pleased with our Tibet tour, even if I am a little bit tired. Thanks for excellent service and cooperation proving by Great Tibet Tour. I will contact Great Tibet Tour for my next China tour in 2022. We have two guides for the whole tour. One is Dajie who picks us up at the airport; the other is Lobsang who helps us with the sightseeing in Tibet. Dajie is fantastic and knowledgeable. Lobsang is humorous and helpful. We are both pleased with these two guides. The guide plays an important role on the whole tour. Our driver is very skillful. We feel safe in his car. We are looking forward to my next Tibet trip with Great Tibet Tour.
This tour ticked all of the boxes!
rubinstein2019,
Jul 21, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I did an adjusted 12 day tour of Tibet, from Lhasa to Everest, and then through to Mt Kailash for the kora trek, and then to the Nepali border to head to Kathmandu. I took the train from Beijing to acclimatize to the altitude, which was a very good idea. This trip was in early June, and we had spectacular weather throughout. This trip was made to be great by our tour guide, Lobsang, who was friendly, knowledgeable, and great at answering all questions necessary. The driver, Pasa, provided great transport. Thanks again to Cherry, for organising this trip, and assisting with extra questions throughout the organisation of the trip, and during the trip. This tour group is a great size. We had 9 people on our tour, which was perfect. Highly recommended.
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Operated by Great Tibet Tour