For most travelers, the 15-day Mount Kailash tour from Lhasa is the most classic itinerary. It gives you time to gradually adapt to the high altitude before taking the challenging 3-day kora trek. Along the way, you will also visit some of Tibet’s most famous sites, including Mount Everest.

Depending on your personal interests and travel needs, this itinerary can also be adjusted to 13, 16 or 17 days. Read this ultimate guide about four classic Mount Kailash tours, and find out which itinerary suits you best.

15-day Mount Kailash Tour from Lhasa: The Most Classic Route

The 15-day Lhasa to Mount Kailash tour is the most popular itinerary, suitable for both ordinary tourists and devout Buddhists. It not only gives you the chance to properly acclimatize to the increasing altitude, but also allows you to admire amazing attractions from central to western Tibet, including the majestic Mount Everest.

Starting from Lhasa, you will first spend three days exploring the city while adapting to the high altitude of the plateau. You won’t miss iconic landmarks like the world-famous Potala Palace, the sacred Jokhang Temple, and the important Drepung and Sera Monasteries. This offers you a first impression of Tibet’s rich culture and history.

Next, you will travel to Everest Base Camp via Gyantse and Shigatse. Along the route, you will visit the scenic Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. At Everest Base Camp, you will witness the awe-inspiring view of Mount Everest up close, and stay overnight here to encounter stunning sunset or sunrise. This is a true highlight before you venture to the wilder western Tibet.

From EBC, the tour takes you to Darchen, the starting point of the holy 3-day Mount Kailash kora trek. Following the footsteps of Tibetan pilgrims, you will experience the legendary 52-meter kora around Mount Kailash. The trek is one of the toughest in Tibet, but it gives you a deep sense of achievement and spiritual reward.

After completing the trek, you will journey back to Lhasa via Saga and Tingri. Overall, this 15-day tour gives you a perfect mix of culture, nature, and spiritual experience, making it the most popular route for visiting Mount Kailash.

The 15-day Lhasa to Mount Kailash tour is the most classic itinerary.

16-day Mount Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour: Extra Day to Touch Mount Kailash

If you are looking for a stronger spiritual connection with the holy Mount Kailash, then this 16-day Mount Kailash tour could be your best choice. Following a similar route to the classic 15-day itinerary, this tour includes an extra day that allows you to touch Mount Kailash.

After completing the classic three-day Mount Kailash kora, you will follow our local guide the next day to reach the southern slope of Mount Kailash. Here, you'll witness this magnificent mountain up close, and even try to touch its steep rock face. This soul-enlightening moment will fill you with energy and blessings.

If time permits, you can join this tour during the important Saga Dawa Festival, when thousands of Tibetan pilgrims gather at Mount Kailash to perform the kora and raise the great prayer flagpole. This will make your journey even more special, with deeper cultural experiences and spiritual inspiration.

The 16-day Mount Kailash tour includes an extra day to touch the holy mountain.

13-day Mount Kailash and Kathmandu Tour: Extend Visits to Nepal

If you want to further explore Nepal after your Tibet Mount Kailash tour, choose this 13-day Lhasa Kailash Kathmandu tour. The itinerary is slighter shorter than the classic 15-day tour, but it remains all the highlights such as the 3-day Mount Kailash Kora and visits to Everest Base Camp.

You will follow the same route from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and then to Mount Kailash. After completing the Mount Kailash Kora trek, you will head southwest to Gyirong, instead of retracing back to Lhasa. Gyirong is the border town featuring lush valley and mild climate, and from there, you will cross the border to enter Nepal.

This 13-day tour is ideal for those who want to visit both Tibet and Nepal in one trip. After entering Nepal, you can extend your journey to discover this Himalayan country. The route also saves time without backtracking to Lhasa.

With offices in both Lhasa and Kathmandu, we can help you to enjoy this trip smoothly. We offer one-stop services including travel documents, local guides and drivers, proper accommodations, seamless border crossing transfers, etc. Travel with us, you will enjoy a worry-free and pleasant Mount Kailash tour.

You can combine Nepal and Tibet together by taking the 13-day Mount Kailash tour.

17-day Mount Kailash and Guge Kingdom Tour: Discover More of Western Tibet

If you have more time and want a deeper exploration of western Tibet, this 17-day Mount Kailash and Guge Kingdom tour can meet your needs. This itinerary adds a journey to the mysterious ancient Guge Kingdom, based on the classic 15-day Kailash tour.

Starting from Lhasa, the route passes through Gyantse, Shigatse, and Everest Base Camp, just like the other tours. After admiring Mount Everest, you will continue to Darchen and then travel further west to Zanda County.

In Zanda, you will discover the glorious ruins of the ancient Guge Kingdom, which flourished over a thousand years ago before its mysterious collapse. You will also explore the historic Tholing Monastery, and the world’s biggest Buddhist cave ruins - Dongga and Piyang ruins.

After that, you will return to Darchen to complete the three-day Mount Kailash kora, and then return to Lhasa via Saga and Tingri, following the classic route.

Overall, this 17-day tour allows you to explore some less-known cultural wonders of Tibet, in addition to the classic Kailash pilgrimage. It offers a more adventurous journey and allows you to gain a deeper understanding of Tibet’s culture and landscape.

You can explore more of western Tibet by taking this Kailash full moon tour.

Travel with Us to Ensure a Smooth Mount Kailash Tour

Traveling to Mount Kailash is not an ordinary trip - it’s a journey that lasts around two weeks and takes you through some of the highest and most remote regions of Tibet. To ensure a safe, smooth and hassle-free experience, it is essential to travel with a trustworthy local travel agency.

With over 30 years of experience, we are one of the top tour operators in Tibet. We’ve helped thousands of travelers from around the world to visit Mount Kailash. Whether you choose the classic 15-day route, the 16-day special tour, the 13-day Nepal-Tibet tour, or the extended 17-day tour with the Guge Kingdom, we’re here to help make your Kailash journey come true.

We handle all the necessary permits for Mount Kailash tour, including Tibet Travel Permit, Aliens’ Travel Permit and Military Permit. Our professional Tibetan guides will show you the real beauty of Tibet and provide thoughtful support throughout your journey.

When traveling with us, you will also benefit from experienced drivers, comfortable vehicles, carefully selected hotels, oxygen supply, smooth border transfers, and more. You can join one of our well-designed Mount Kailash group tours or customize a private trip tailored to your needs. Either way, you’re guaranteed a seamless and worry-free Mount Kailash experience.

Conclusion

The 15-day Mount Kailash tour from Lhasa is the most popular and classic choice for visiting the holy mountain. However, if you have different needs, you can also choose the 13-day tour that ends in Nepal, the 16-day tour with a touch to Mount Kailash, or the 17-day tour with an extended visit to the Guge Kingdom.

No matter which journey you choose, we can help you enjoy a truly smooth and pleasant Mount Kailash tour with our one-stop and tourist-friendly services. Feel free to contact us or book your tour with us today, and get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Tibet!