Lhasa is Tibet’s historic and spiritual capital, where monumental palaces and monasteries stand alongside a living culture of pilgrimage and devotion. Time here reveals both the grandeur of Tibetan history and the intimate rhythms of everyday life.

Overnight: Lhasa

Lhasa is Tibet’s historic and spiritual capital, where monumental palaces and monasteries stand alongside a living culture of pilgrimage and devotion. Time here reveals both the grandeur of Tibetan history and the intimate rhythms of everyday life. Drepung Monastery was once one of the largest monastic institutions in the Tibetan world. Its hillside courtyards, assembly halls, colleges, and monastic quarters provide insight into Tibet’s great scholarly tradition. Sera Monastery is one of Lhasa’s great Gelug monasteries and is particularly known for its lively monastic debates. The debates offer a fascinating window into the rigorous intellectual training of Tibetan monks.

Overnight: Lhasa

Meals: B / L / D

Lhasa is Tibet’s historic and spiritual capital, where monumental palaces and monasteries stand alongside a living culture of pilgrimage and devotion. Time here reveals both the grandeur of Tibetan history and the intimate rhythms of everyday life. The Potala Palace rises above Lhasa as the defining architectural symbol of Tibet. Its chapels, ceremonial halls, murals, sacred objects, and panoramic views offer an extraordinary introduction to Tibetan history and religion. The Jokhang Temple is the spiritual heart of Lhasa and one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations in Tibetan Buddhism. Outside, pilgrims move continuously along the Barkhor kora, creating one of Tibet’s most compelling cultural experiences.

Overnight: Lhasa

Meals: B / L / D

Lhasa is Tibet’s historic and spiritual capital, where monumental palaces and monasteries stand alongside a living culture of pilgrimage and devotion. Time here reveals both the grandeur of Tibetan history and the intimate rhythms of everyday life. Gyantse is one of Tibet’s best-preserved historic towns, surrounded by fertile barley fields and overlooked by its imposing dzong. Its great Kumbum chorten and Pelkor Chode Monastery preserve exceptional examples of Tibetan religious art. Shigatse is Tibet’s second-largest city and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. Tashilhunpo Monastery remains its cultural centerpiece, with grand halls, gilded roofs, and an active monastic community.

Overnight: Shigatse

Meals: B / L / D

Shigatse is Tibet’s second-largest city and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. Tashilhunpo Monastery remains its cultural centerpiece, with grand halls, gilded roofs, and an active monastic community. The northern approach to Mount Everest offers one of the most dramatic mountain experiences in Tibet. Weather permitting, sunrise, sunset, and the immense north face of the world’s highest peak create an unforgettable high-Himalayan finale.

Overnight: Everest Base Camp in the black tent or guesthouse

Meals: B / L / D

The northern approach to Mount Everest offers one of the most dramatic mountain experiences in Tibet. Weather permitting, sunrise, sunset, and the immense north face of the world’s highest peak create an unforgettable high-Himalayan finale. Saga is an important staging point in western Tibet, set between the Himalayas and the Gangdise ranges. From here the landscape becomes increasingly remote as the route turns toward Mount Kailash. Rongbuk Monastery stands in a stark Himalayan valley beneath Mount Everest and is among the world’s highest monasteries. Its remote setting gives the Everest experience a powerful spiritual dimension.

Overnight: Saga

Meals: B / L / D

Saga is an important staging point in western Tibet, set between the Himalayas and the Gangdise ranges. From here the landscape becomes increasingly remote as the route turns toward Mount Kailash. Darchen is the small settlement at the foot of Mount Kailash and the traditional starting point for the sacred kora. Its dramatic setting creates a palpable sense of anticipation before the trek. Mount Kailash is one of Asia’s most revered sacred mountains, honored by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and followers of Bon. Its unmistakable summit and remote western-Tibetan setting give the journey both spiritual depth and extraordinary visual power.

Overnight: Darchen

Meals: B

Darchen is the small settlement at the foot of Mount Kailash and the traditional starting point for the sacred kora. Its dramatic setting creates a palpable sense of anticipation before the trek. Dirapuk lies beneath the imposing north face of Mount Kailash and is one of the most memorable stops on the kora. At sunset and early morning, the mountain can appear extraordinarily close and sculptural. Mount Kailash is one of Asia’s most revered sacred mountains, honored by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and followers of Bon. Its unmistakable summit and remote western-Tibetan setting give the journey both spiritual depth and extraordinary visual power.

Overnight: the local Guesthouse

Meals: B

Dirapuk lies beneath the imposing north face of Mount Kailash and is one of the most memorable stops on the kora. At sunset and early morning, the mountain can appear extraordinarily close and sculptural. Zutulpuk Monastery marks the quieter final section of the Mount Kailash kora. The surrounding valley opens gradually as pilgrims complete the sacred circuit and descend toward Darchen. Mount Kailash is one of Asia’s most revered sacred mountains, honored by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and followers of Bon. Its unmistakable summit and remote western-Tibetan setting give the journey both spiritual depth and extraordinary visual power.

Overnight: the local Guesthouse

Darchen is the small settlement at the foot of Mount Kailash and the traditional starting point for the sacred kora. Its dramatic setting creates a palpable sense of anticipation before the trek. Zutulpuk Monastery marks the quieter final section of the Mount Kailash kora. The surrounding valley opens gradually as pilgrims complete the sacred circuit and descend toward Darchen. Lake Manasarovar is one of the most sacred lakes in Asia, lying beneath the distant profile of Mount Kailash. Its clear high-altitude waters and vast open setting have drawn pilgrims for centuries.

Overnight: the local Guesthouse

Saga is an important staging point in western Tibet, set between the Himalayas and the Gangdise ranges. From here the landscape becomes increasingly remote as the route turns toward Mount Kailash. Darchen is the small settlement at the foot of Mount Kailash and the traditional starting point for the sacred kora. Its dramatic setting creates a palpable sense of anticipation before the trek.

Overnight: Saga

Meals: B / L / D

Gyirong Valley descends dramatically from the high Tibetan Plateau into a greener Himalayan world of forests, waterfalls, and deep gorges. The rapid change in altitude and vegetation makes the approach to Nepal especially striking. Saga is an important staging point in western Tibet, set between the Himalayas and the Gangdise ranges. From here the landscape becomes increasingly remote as the route turns toward Mount Kailash.

Overnight: Gyirong

Meals: B / L / D

Gyirong Valley descends dramatically from the high Tibetan Plateau into a greener Himalayan world of forests, waterfalls, and deep gorges. The rapid change in altitude and vegetation makes the approach to Nepal especially striking. Tingri sits on a broad Himalayan plain with magnificent views toward some of the world’s highest mountains. The immense horizon makes it a classic landscape of southern Tibet. Shigatse is Tibet’s second-largest city and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. Tashilhunpo Monastery remains its cultural centerpiece, with grand halls, gilded roofs, and an active monastic community.

Overnight: Tingri

Meals: B / L / D

Lhasa is Tibet’s historic and spiritual capital, where monumental palaces and monasteries stand alongside a living culture of pilgrimage and devotion. Time here reveals both the grandeur of Tibetan history and the intimate rhythms of everyday life. Tingri sits on a broad Himalayan plain with magnificent views toward some of the world’s highest mountains. The immense horizon makes it a classic landscape of southern Tibet. Shigatse is Tibet’s second-largest city and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. Tashilhunpo Monastery remains its cultural centerpiece, with grand halls, gilded roofs, and an active monastic community.

Overnight: Lhasa

Meals: B / L / D

Lhasa is Tibet’s historic and spiritual capital, where monumental palaces and monasteries stand alongside a living culture of pilgrimage and devotion. Time here reveals both the grandeur of Tibetan history and the intimate rhythms of everyday life.

Meals: B