Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa

Arrive in Lhasa via Gonggar Airport or the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Meet your local guide and driver, then transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is vital for resting and adapting to Lhasa's altitude (3,650m). Drink plenty of water and take it easy.

Morning visit to the majestic Potala Palace, towering over the city with historic red and white palaces. In the afternoon, tour the sacred Jokhang Temple and walk the bustling Barkhor Street pilgrim circuit.

Explore Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in the world. In the afternoon, head to Sera Monastery to watch the animated and traditional monk philosophical debates in the courtyard.

Take a peaceful day trip to Drak Yerpa, an ancient meditation site embedded into limestone cliffs high above a valley, featuring numerous holy caves used by historical Tibetan masters. Return to Lhasa in the late afternoon.

Drive over the scenic Kamba-la Pass (4,794m) to witness stunning, panoramic views of the brilliant turquoise Yamdrok Lake. Continue past the massive Karo-la Glacier down to historic Gyantse.

Explore Gyantse's Pelkor Chode Monastery and the iconic, multi-tiered Kumbum Stupa, famous for its incredible artwork and murals. Afterward, drive through the fertile Nyangchu Valley to Shigatse.

Visit Tashilunpo Monastery, the historical seat of the Panchen Lama, featuring the towering future Buddha statue. In the afternoon, drive further west toward Lhatse across high plateau landscapes.

Drive across rugged mountain terrain, crossing high passes like the Gyatso-la Pass (5,248m), offering views of the high Himalayas, before descending into the vast, open valley town of Saga.

Journey across the remote western Tibetan plateau, catching your first breathtaking views of sacred Mount Kailash and arriving at the crystal-clear, holy shores of Lake Manasarovar.

Spend the morning performing spiritual reflections or light kora rituals by the shores of Lake Manasarovar. Afterward, take a short drive to Darchen, the base camp settlement for the Mount Kailash pilgrimage circuit.

Begin the holy Mount Kailash trek (Kora). Walk along the valley trail past mani walls and green meadows beneath the majestic north face of Mount Kailash, arriving at the Dirapuk Monastery area.

Tackle the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek, ascending steeply to the grueling Drolma-la Pass (5,630m). Pass the sacred Shiva Tsal site and descend into the Lha Chu valley to reach Zuthulpuk.

Finish the final leg of the Kailash Kora trek back toward Darchen, where your driver will meet you. Board your transport for a long, scenic return drive heading eastward back toward Saga.

Complete the final overland journey returning from western Tibet back to Lhasa along the southern highway. Conclude your epic journey with an evening celebration dinner or transfer straight to your departure connection.