Beginning and ending in Lhasa, this Yatra unites the cultural treasures of the holy city with the great overland crossing of the plateau to the divine darshan & Parikrama of Sacred Lake Mansarovar and the three-day Parikrama of Holy Mount Kailash, the eternal abode of Lord Shiva.
Those who wish to fly directly to Mainland China and connect to Lhasa, instead of coming via India or Nepal, will find this the best route for a swift travel. Three full days in Lhasa allow time to acclimatize and explore the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera and Drepung Monasteries and the market of Barkhor Square, before the overland journey to Sacred Lake Mansarovar and Holy Mount Kailash begins.
LKXL is offered as a private-group departure on request, subject to permit lead times.
Collect your Travel Permit from Mainland China port and fly to Lhasa. On arrival at Gonggar International Airport you will be met by our local representative and transferred to Lhasa city (approx. 60 km, 1 hour). The evening is free for a gentle stroll through the old streets of Lhasa as you begin to acclimatise.
Overnight: Lhasa – Hilton or similar
Immerse yourself in the living heritage of Lhasa. Jokhang Temple, in the heart of the old city, is the most revered pilgrimage site in the Xizang Autonomous Region and the spiritual heart of Lhasa. Sera Monastery, one of the three great Gelug monasteries, is renowned for its architecture and the lively afternoon debates of its monks. In the evening, wander the market of Barkhor Square for Tibetan handicrafts and the rhythm of pilgrims on their circuit.
Overnight: Lhasa – Hilton or similar
Visit Lhasa’s most iconic landmarks. The Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former winter residence of the spiritual and temporal rulers of Lhasa, is a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture rising above the city. Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in the region, offers sweeping views over Lhasa and a deep insight into monastic life.
Overnight: Lhasa – Hilton or similar
A scenic drive along the Historical Silk Road following the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) valley (approx. 271 km, 5 to 6 hours). On arrival in Shigatse, visit the renowned Tashilhunpo Monastery (if time permits), one of the most important monasteries of the Xizang Autonomous Region and the principal seat of the Gelug tradition in Shigatse, followed by a brief tour of the city.
Overnight: Shigatse – Hilton or similar
After breakfast, drive west via Lhatse to Saga (approx. 450 km, 8 hours). The road follows the upper Brahmaputra, revered in local culture as the “life-giver”, crossing high plateau passes and passing nomadic valleys and wide grasslands beneath the Great Himalayan Range.
Overnight: Saga – Champions League Hotel or similar
Drive to Sacred Lake Mansarovar (approx. 480 km, 8 to 9 hours) via Paryang. Divine darshan of the lake and the beginning of its Parikrama, with darshan of the southern face (Guru Mukh) of Mount Kailash, the snow massif of Gurla Mandhata (7,694 m), Hor Chu Gompa and Thugu Gompa.
Overnight: Lake Mansarovar – Hotel Thugu or similar (attached bathroom)
The morning is devoted to spiritual activities. Witness sunrise over Lake Mansarovar with Darshan of Mount Kailash, then perform Puja and Vedic rituals on the sacred shore. Later, drive to Darchen, the base for the Kailash Parikrama, visiting Chiu Gompa and Rakshas Tal (Ravan Lake) en route and completing the remaining Parikrama of the lake. Check in and prepare for the holy Parikrama of Mount Kailash. You can also take an optional drive to the Astapad & Serlung Monastery for inner darshan of Holy Mount Kailash.
Overnight: Darchen – Kailash Himalaya Hotel or similar
Drive to Yama Dwar (approx. 20 minutes), the gateway to the Kailash Parikrama. Begin the trek to Diraphuk (approx. 13 km, 6 to 7 hours) with darshan of the west face of Mount Kailash, following the Lha Chu River that rises at its northern foot. At Diraphuk, behold the north face, the Kailash Purna Lingam, Nag (Vasuki) Swaroop and Diraphuk Gompa.
Overnight: Diraphuk – Hotel Diraphuk or similar (new hotel)
The most demanding and most sacred day of the Yatra: approx. 22 km in 9 to 10 hours, crossing Dolma La (5,630 m), the highest point of the journey. Along the way, darshan of Shivasthali, Ganesh Kund, Ganesh Parvat and Gauri Kund (5,608 m), the sacred bathing place of Mata Parvati, regarded as the navel of the Earth. On the descent, the east face of Mount Kailash reveals itself, revered as the Shree Yantra, a symbol of divine energy and cosmic order.
Overnight: Zuthulphuk – Hotel Zuthulphuk or similar (new hotel)
A gentle trek of approx. 8 km (3 hours) completes the Kailash Parikrama. At the end point your vehicle awaits for the short drive to Darchen (approx. 20 minutes), then onward to Saga (approx. 490 km, 7 to 8 hours).
Overnight: Saga – Champions League Hotel or similar
Return east along the upper Brahmaputra to Shigatse (approx. 450 km, 8 hours), with views of the nomadic valleys and open grasslands of the plateau.
Overnight: Shigatse – Hilton or similar
Drive to Lhasa along the Historical Silk Road (approx. 271 km, 5 to 6 hours), enjoying the scenery of the Yarlung Tsangpo valley. The rest of the day is free for personal time and shopping.
Overnight: Lhasa – Hilton or similar
Your sacred journey concludes. Transfer to Gonggar International Airport for your onward destination, carrying with you the blessings of Kailash and Mansarovar.
The principal expenses outside the package cost are the hire of a personal horse and porter for the Kailash Parikrama. The authorities of the Xizang Autonomous Region now require that any pilgrim hiring a personal horse for the three-day Parikrama must also engage a personal porter. We advise carrying approximately Yuan 5,000 per person for additional expenses.
Currency Conversion — The currency of the Xizang Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China is the Chinese Yuan (CNY). Indicative rates as of September 2026: 1 USD ≈ 6.70 Yuan. Exchange rates fluctuate and will be applied at the prevailing rate.
| One horse with horseman · 3 days | Yuan 3,000 |
| One personal porter · 3 days | Yuan 1,500 |
| Visit to Astapad · per person | Yuan 550 |
| Jeep from Diraphuk, or from the horse pick-up point after Dolma La · per person | Yuan 550 |
| Destination | Hotel |
|---|---|
| Lhasa | Hilton or similar |
| Shigatse | Hilton or similar |
| Saga | Champions League Hotel or similar |
| Lake Mansarovar | Hotel Thugu or similar (attached bathroom) |
| Darchen | Kailash Himalaya Hotel or similar |
| Diraphuk | Hotel Diraphuk or similar (new hotel) |
| Zuthulphuk | Hotel Zuthulphuk or similar (new hotel) |
China visa. Pilgrims from visa-required countries must obtain a Mainland China (“L”-category) visa from their country of residence before joining the journey. Pilgrims from visa-free countries require a Tibet Travel Permit arranged by an authorised company in Nepal before the journey begins. Please contact us to confirm which applies to your passport.
This is a tour, and it is different from a trek or a climbing expedition. No specific level of fitness is required. However, people with cardiac or respiratory conditions should consult their doctor before the trip, as it involves high altitudes. We recommend regular light exercise such as walking, jogging, and breathing and stretching exercises before the tour.
The Yatra reaches altitudes above 5,600 m, where Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a genuine risk regardless of age or fitness. Our team monitors every Yatri closely from the Tibetan side onward.
We provide:
You should:
We serve pure vegetarian and Continental meals. Breakfast and dinner are served at hotels by our experienced kitchen team, and packed lunches are provided during the Kailash Parikrama.
Indicative daytime and night-time temperatures at the highest points of the Yatra, May to September:
Conditions change quickly at altitude; dress in layers and keep moving to stay warm.
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