Airport pickup, transfer to hotel. Evening briefing session and welcome dinner with the group.
Guided tour of Pashupatinath Temple, Guhyeshwari Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Budhanilkantha Temple (Sleeping Vishnu).
Scenic flight to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (1.5 hours, views of Everest). Transfer to hotel. Rest and acclimatization at 3,650m. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol.
Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, and Sera Monastery monks' debating session. Second day at altitude for acclimatization.
Cross Kamba La Pass (4,990m) with views of Yamdrok Lake. Continue through Gyantse to Shigatse. Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama with its 26m gilded Maitreya Buddha.
Long drive west on the G219. Cross two passes above 5,000m. Landscape shifts to high-altitude desert: sand, stone, nomadic herders. Cross the Brahmaputra River.
Drive across the high plateau. First glimpse of both Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar on the horizon. Lake Mansarovar sits at 4,590m, one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. Evening prayers at the lakeshore.
Morning puja, homa (fire ritual), and holy dip at Lake Mansarovar. Drive to Darchen (4,670m), gateway to Kailash. Kora briefing, gear check.
Trek from Tarboche (Yama Dwar) north through the Lha Chu Valley to Dirapuk Monastery (5,080m). North face of Kailash comes into full view. Approximately 20 km, 7 to 8 hours.
The hardest day. Pre-dawn start. Climb to Dolma La Pass (5,645m). Steep, rocky ascent through Shiva-tsal. Descent past Gauri Kund to Zuthulphuk Monastery (5,080m). Approximately 18 km, 8 to 10 hours.
Complete the kora circuit back to Darchen (14 km, 3 to 4 hours). The kora is complete. Lunch in Darchen, then drive east to Saga.
Recovery day. Retrace the route east, descending through the Tibetan plateau. Arrive Shigatse by late afternoon. Free time.
Final drive back to Lhasa along the Friendship Highway. Free afternoon for Barkhor shopping or revisiting sites. Farewell dinner.
Morning flight from Lhasa back to Kathmandu. Airport transfer to hotel. Free day in Kathmandu.
Airport transfer for your departure flight. The journey is complete.
