13-Day Lhasa EBC Kailash Mansarovar Tour Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa (Airport / Train Station Pick-up & Hotel Check-in)
Distance: 70 km (1 hr driving) from Lhasa Gonggar Airport; 20 km (30 min driving) from Lhasa Railway Station | Meals: Self-arranged | Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa (3,650m)
Tashi Delek! Welcome to Lhasa, the spiritual and cultural heart of Tibet. Upon arrival at Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station, your Tibetan guide and driver will welcome you with a traditional white Hada (ceremonial scarf). Enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel in downtown Lhasa, taking in your first views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River and surrounding mountain valleys. After check-in, rest and acclimatize to the high altitude.
CHIBET Travel Advice:
- Complimentary Transfers: Airport pick-up (08:00–22:00); Train station pick-up (24 hours).
- Acclimatization: Mild symptoms such as fatigue or light headaches are normal. Drink plenty of water, eat light meals, and avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, and hot showers during your first 48 hours.
Day 2: Lhasa City Tour: Drepung Monastery & Sera Monastery
Distance: 10 km | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa
Spend the day exploring two of the “Great Three” Gelugpa monastic universities of Lhasa, gaining deep insight into Tibetan Buddhist history and living monastic traditions.
Morning: Drepung Monastery
After breakfast, visit Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in the world housing over 10,000 monks. Drepung served as the political center of Tibet and the residence of the Dalai Lamas before the Potala Palace was built. Wander through its whitewashed buildings, ancient assembly halls, and historic kitchens.
Afternoon: Sera Monastery Monk Debates
In the afternoon, head to Sera Monastery. The defining highlight is the daily Monk Debates (held Monday through Saturday from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM). Watch monks gather in the shade of the courtyard trees, using energetic clapping gestures, foot-stomping, and dynamic dialogue to debate complex Buddhist philosophy.
Day 3: Lhasa Cultural Highlights: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street
Distance: 4 km | Meals: Breakfast, Tibetan Sweet Tea, Tibetan Welcome Dinner | Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa
Discover the spiritual monuments and vibrant street life that define Lhasa’s centuries-old heritage.
Morning: Potala Palace
Ascend the stone steps to the magnificent Potala Palace, the iconic winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. Explore the White Palace, which housed administrative quarters and living quarters, and the Red Palace, filled with gilded stupas, chapels, and priceless Buddhist statues.
Afternoon: Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street
Visit Jokhang Temple, the most sacred shrine in Tibet, housing the revered life-sized 12-year-old statue of Jowo Shakyamuni Buddha. Afterward, walk along Barkhor Street alongside devoted pilgrims performing their sacred kora (circumambulation).
Authentic Local Experiences:
- Tibetan Sweet Tea Break: Relax at a bustling neighborhood teahouse, sipping authentic Tibetan sweet tea alongside local residents.
- Traditional Costume Photoshoot: Dress in authentic Tibetan attire with traditional styling and hair braiding, guided by a professional photographer through the historic alleys of Barkhor.
Evening: Tibetan Welcome Dinner
Gather with your fellow travelers for an authentic Tibetan Welcome Feast, enjoying regional specialties and traditional music.
CHIBET Travel Notice: Potala Palace visits are subject to strict daily entry quotas and fixed time slots managed by local authorities.
Day 4: Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake & Karola Glacier
Distance: 360 km (8 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Shigatse (3,840m)
Depart Lhasa for Shigatse, crossing dramatic mountain passes and scenic high-altitude terrain.
Morning: Gampala Pass & Yamdrok Lake
Ascend to Gampala Pass (4,900m) for a breathtaking panorama of Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s four sacred lakes. Its turquoise waters stretch across the valley against a backdrop of snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
Midday: Karola Glacier
Continue along the highway to the massive Karola Glacier, where icy glacier tongues cascade down the slopes of Mt. Nojin Kangsang right beside the road. Drive onward through Gyantse to Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city.
Day 5: Shigatse to Everest Base Camp via Gyatso La & Gyawu La Pass
Distance: 340 km (8 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast, Tibetan Yak Hotpot | Accommodation: EBC Tent Guesthouse / Vienna International Hotel / Rongbuk Monastery Hotel (5,200m)
Leave Shigatse behind as you journey directly into the Mount Everest National Nature Reserve.
Morning: High Mountain Passes
Cross Gyatso La Pass (5,280m), where prayer flags flutter in the mountain breeze. Drive onward to Gyawu La Pass (5,198m) for one of the most remarkable viewpoints in Asia, overlooking five peaks above 8,000 meters: Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Cho Oyu, and Shishapangma.
Afternoon & Evening: EBC Sunset & Starlight
Navigate the winding mountain roads down to Everest Base Camp (5,200m). Stand before the towering North Face of Mount Everest as dusk sets in, watching the setting sun illuminate the peak in golden light. At night, enjoy unobstructed views of the Milky Way over the Himalayas.
Evening Dining: Tibetan Yak Hotpot
Warm up inside a cozy tent room with a steaming Tibetan Yak Meat Hotpot served with fresh vegetables.
Accommodation Options at Everest:
- EBC Tent Guesthouse: Dormitory-style tent rooms with central heating stove and shared public toilets. Located at Base Camp for sunset and sunrise access.
- Vienna International Hotel (Tingri): Modern hotel amenities in Tingri town (1.5–2 hours from EBC); requires departing EBC before dark.
- Rongbuk Monastery Hotel: Rooms near the historic Rongbuk Monastery facing Everest directly (seasonal surcharge applies).
Day 6: Everest Base Camp to Saga via Mt. Shishapangma & Pelkhu Tso Lake
Distance: 370 km (8 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Saga (4,500m)
Morning: Everest Sunrise
Wake up early to catch the first light of dawn gilding the summit of Mount Everest before departing westward.
Afternoon: Pelkhu Tso Lake & Mt. Shishapangma
Drive past Mount Shishapangma (8,027m), the only 8,000-meter peak located entirely within Tibet. Stop at Pelkhu Tso Lake (4,591m), where turquoise waters reflect the surrounding snowfields. Arrive in Saga by evening.
Day 7: Saga to Darchen: Entry to Sacred Ngari, Lake Mansarovar & Mt. Kailash
Distance: 490 km (8 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Darchen (4,575m)
Drive across the Saga Valley between the Himalayan and Gangdise mountain ranges. Cross Mayum La Pass (5,211m) to enter Ngari Prefecture.
Lake Mansarovar & First View of Mount Kailash
Pass the tranquil shores of Lake Mansarovar (4,588m), one of the highest freshwater lakes on Earth, worshipped by Buddhists and Hindus alike. Catch your first views of the sacred dome of Mount Kailash (6,638m) in the distance before reaching Darchen, the starting base for the trek.
CHIBET Travel Notice: If you require a porter or pack yak for the 3-day trek, please request arrangements through your guide today (available at an additional cost).
Day 8: Mount Kailash Trek Day 1: Darchen to Dirapuk Monastery
Distance: 6 km eco-bus; 13 km trekking | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Dirapuk Monastery Guesthouse (Shared Dormitory, 5,080m)
Begin your sacred trek around Mount Kailash alongside international pilgrims and local devotees.
Trek Highlights:
- Eco-bus to Sarshung Valley: Short shuttle ride to the official trailhead.
- Tarboche & Yam Dwar: Pass the famous prayer flagpole square and walk through Yam Dwar (Two-Legged Stupa), the symbolic gateway to the kora.
- Choku Monastery: View the ancient monastery perched high on the cliffside across the river valley.
Arrive at Dirapuk Monastery by afternoon, situated right across from the sheer, icy North Face of Mount Kailash. Weather permitting, enjoy a spectacular sunset over the peak.
Day 9: Mount Kailash Trek Day 2: Dirapuk Monastery to Zutulpuk Monastery via Dolma La Pass
Distance: 22 km trekking | Meals: Self-arranged | Accommodation: Zutulpuk Monastery Guesthouse (Shared Dormitory, 4,820m)
Today is the most challenging and spiritually significant stage of the kora.
Morning: Ascent to Dolma La Pass
Begin early with a steep climb up the mountain trail, ascending toward Dolma La Pass (5,630m), the highest elevation of the entire journey. The pass is draped in thousands of colorful prayer flags carrying mantras across the peak.
Descent: Gauri Kund & Glaciers
Descend carefully past the emerald waters of Gauri Kund (Lake of Compassion) and glacier fields into the eastern valley.
Afternoon: Zutulpuk Monastery
Follow the river trail down to Zutulpuk Monastery, famous for the meditation cave of the 11th-century Tibetan saint Milarepa.
Day 10: Mount Kailash Trek Day 3: Zutulpuk Trek to Darchen, Drive to Saga
Distance: 6.5 km trekking; 4.5 km eco-bus to Darchen; 344 km (6 hrs driving) to Saga | Meals: Self-arranged | Accommodation: Hotel in Saga
Complete the final gentle 6.5 km walk from Zutulpuk to Zongto. Board the eco-bus back to Darchen, successfully completing your 52 km Mount Kailash Kora.
Rejoin your driver in Darchen and begin the drive back toward Saga, enjoying final views of Lake Mansarovar and the Gangdise Range along the highway.
Day 11: Saga to Shigatse: Scenic Plateau Overland Drive
Distance: 448 km (7 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Shigatse
Retrace your route eastward across the vast Tibetan Plateau. Pass through nomadic encampments, high-altitude pastures, and quiet alpine valleys before arriving in Shigatse for an evening of rest.
Day 12: Shigatse to Lhasa via Tashilhunpo Monastery
Distance: 280 km (5 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa
Morning: Tashilhunpo Monastery
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama and the seat of the Panchen Lamas. Tour the impressive Qamba Buddha Hall, which houses a 26-meter-tall gilded bronze statue of the Future Buddha.
Afternoon: Return Drive to Lhasa
Drive along the Northern Friendship Highway back to Lhasa, following the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley. Check into your hotel and spend your final evening enjoying Lhasa at your leisure.
Day 13: Lhasa Departure (Transfer to Airport or Train Station)
Distance: 70 km to Airport (1 hr) / 20 km to Train Station (30 min) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Self-arranged
After breakfast, your guide and driver will transfer you to Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station for your departure flight or train ride home, concluding your 13-day Tibet journey.
CHIBET Travel Notice: Complimentary departure transfers: Airport drop-off (08:30–22:30); Train station drop-off (24 hours).
13-Day Lhasa EBC Kailash Mansarovar Tour Date and Package Price
Lhasa EBC Kailash Mansarovar Tour Cost (Based on Travel Time)
| Travel Time / Tour Price | Jul. | Aug., Sept. | Oct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 pax | $2400 | $2300 | $2200 |
2026 Lhasa EBC Kailash Mansarovar Tour Departures and Bookings
| Arrival Date | Booked | Book Now |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 2026 | ||
| 2026-08 | $2300 | Book |
| Sept. 2026 | ||
| 2026-09 | $2300 | Book |
| Oct. 2026 | ||
| 2026-10 | $2200 | Book |
Note: A single room supplement applies to solo travelers who request a private room.
Lhasa EBC Kailash Mansarovar Tour Inclusions:
- 1. Tibet Permits: Tibet Travel Permit, Aliens’ Travel Permit, Military Area Entry Permit, etc.
- 2. Transportation: 9-17 seat tourist vehicle.
- 3. Accommodation:
9 nights in twin-sharing rooms (4-star standard in Lhasa and Shigatse, 3-star standard in other places);
1 night in EBC Tent Guesthouse (multi-bed sharing) or Vienna International Hotel (4-diamond standard);
1 night in Dirapuk Monastery Guesthouse (multi-bed sharing);
1 night in Zutulpuk Monastery Guesthouse (multi-bed sharing);
Note: All domestic hotel star and diamond ratings listed follow Ctrip’s standard classification. - 4. Meals: 8 breakfasts in hotel, 2 breakfasts in restaurant, Tibetan Sweet Tea, Tibetan Welcome Dinner, Tibetan Yak Hotpot at EBC
- 5. Guide: Professional English-speaking local Tibetan guide
- 6. Entrance Tickets: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Everest Base Camp + Eco-bus, Lake Mansarovar, Mount Kailash + Eco-bus, Tashilhunpo Monastery
- 7. Oxygen and Water: 1 bottle of portable oxygen for emergencies; 4L medical oxygen cylinder in the car; 1 bottle of 300ml drinking water per person per day
- 8. Travel Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance, Vehicle seat insurance
- 9. Service Fees: All taxes, fees, and handling charges; reservation fee for visiting Potala Palace; lodging and dining subsidies for guide and driver
- 10. Pick-Up and Drop-Off: Free pick-up at Lhasa Gonggar Airport (8:00 am to 10:00 pm); Free drop-off at Lhasa Gonggar Airport (8:30 am to 10:30 pm); Free pick-up and drop-off at Lhasa Train Station (24 hours)
Lhasa EBC Kailash Mansarovar Tour Exclusions:
- 1. Personal Expenses: Laundry, drinks, phone calls, optional activities
- 2. Single Room Supplement (if requested)
- 3. Meals: Lunch and dinner not mentioned in the itinerary
- 4. Tickets: International and domestic flight/train tickets
- 5. Tipping: Tips for guides and drivers
- 6. China Visa: Chinese Tourist Visa (L Visa) application fees
- 7. Exceptional Events: Extra charges due to irresistible reasons (e.g., weather, road closures)
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