Mount Kailash (6,638m) is sacred to four religions and over a billion people. No one has ever summited it — not because it's technically impossible, but because it's considered too sacred to touch. Instead, pilgrims circumambulate: 52 kilometers over three days, crossing Dolma La Pass at 5,630 meters. One complete circuit is said to erase a lifetime of negative karma.
This Is Our Most Challenging Tour
Excellent physical fitness and prior high-altitude experience are strongly recommended. You'll trek 18-22 km per day at altitudes above 4,600m. A support vehicle follows the kora for emergencies. Horses/porters available (recommended, +$380). Travel insurance with high-altitude trekking coverage is mandatory.
Lake Manasarovar
One of the highest freshwater lakes on Earth (4,590m). Hindus believe bathing here cleanses the soul. Buddhists believe drinking its water purifies the mind.
Dolma La Pass
The highest point of the kora at 5,630m. Pilgrims leave offerings — prayer flags, clothing, a lock of hair. The descent on the far side is steep but exhilarating.
Darchen Base
The gateway to the kora at 4,675m. A small town built entirely around pilgrimage. Stock up on supplies, hire a horse or porter, and prepare your mind for the circuit.
Completion Certificate
At the end of your kora, receive a hand-signed certificate — proof that you walked the sacred circuit. In Tibetan tradition, this is a keepsake for life.
1–2Lhasa
Lhasa Acclimatization3,650m · 2 Days
Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery debates. Two full days to acclimatize and immerse in Tibetan culture before the journey west. Overnight: Lhasa.
3West
Lhasa → Gyantse → Shigatse3,650m → 3,840m · 6hr
Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Gyantse Kumbum. Arrive Shigatse. Overnight: Shigatse.
4Plateau
Shigatse → Saga3,840m → 4,640m · 8hr
Enter the vast Ngari plateau. Endless horizons, yak herds, nomadic encampments. The real Tibet begins. Overnight: Saga.
5Sacred
Saga → Lake Manasarovar4,640m → 4,590m · 7hr
First glimpse of Mount Kailash on the horizon. Arrive at Lake Manasarovar — sacred, silent, overwhelming. Evening puja (ritual) by the lake. Overnight: Manasarovar guesthouse.
6Prepare
Manasarovar → Darchen4,590m → 4,675m · 2hr
Morning at the lake. Short drive to Darchen. Afternoon: kora briefing, equipment check, hire porters or horses (optional). Early sleep. Overnight: Darchen.
7Kora 1
Kora Day 1: Darchen → Dira-puk4,675m → 5,210m · 20km · 7-8hr
The first day of the circuit. Gradual ascent through the Lha Chu Valley. Afternoon arrival at Dira-puk — the north face of Kailash fills the sky. This view alone is worth the journey. Overnight: Dira-puk lodge.
8Pass
Kora Day 2: Dira-puk → Zutul-puk5,210m → 5,630m → 4,790m · 22km · 9-11hr
The most challenging day of the entire journey. Pre-dawn start. Steep 4-hour ascent to Dolma La Pass (5,630m) — the highest point of your life for most people. Leave your offering at the pass. Steep descent past the Lake of Compassion (Gauri Kund). Arrive Zutul-puk exhausted and transformed. Overnight: Zutul-puk lodge.
9Complete
Kora Day 3: Zutul-puk → Darchen4,790m → 4,675m · 14km · 4-5hr
The easiest day — gentle walking through the valley. The circuit closes near Darchen. You've done it. Certificate ceremony. Rest. Celebration dinner. Overnight: Darchen.
10–13Return
Return Journey: Darchen → Saga → Shigatse → Lhasa4 Days
Retrace the route east with overnight stops in Saga and Shigatse. Rest, reflect, watch the landscape change from the stark Ngari plateau back to the green valleys of Central Tibet. Overnights: Saga, Shigatse, Lhasa.
14Rest
Lhasa Free Day3,650m
Rest, shop, explore what you missed. Farewell dinner at a traditional Tibetan restaurant. Overnight: Lhasa.
15Home
Depart LhasaAirport Transfer
Private transfer to airport or station. Your kora certificate goes with you. End of service.
Mount Kailash tours run May through October only. The kora route is snow-covered and closed November–April.
How fit do I need to be?
Very. This is our most physically demanding tour. You should be comfortable hiking 18-22 km per day with a daypack, at altitudes where every step feels like three. We strongly recommend training: 6+ months of regular cardio (running, stair climbing, hiking) and at least one high-altitude trek (4,000m+) before attempting Kailash. The horse/porter option is available for those who want to reduce the physical load.
What if I can't complete the kora?
The support vehicle follows the kora route on the first and last sections. On Day 2 (Dolma La Pass), there is a section where vehicles cannot reach — but horses are available and our guides are trained in emergency evacuation. If you need to descend, we have protocols in place. Of our 200+ Kailash pilgrims, over 99% complete the circuit.
Is this only for religious pilgrims?
No. While many of our guests are Hindu, Buddhist, or Jain pilgrims, about 40% come for the trekking, the photography, or simply to experience one of the world's most remote and powerful landscapes. All are welcome. The mountain doesn't ask for your religion — it asks for your respect.
2026 Horse Year significance?
In Tibetan Buddhism, the Horse Year (which 2026 is) multiplies the spiritual merit of the kora. One circuit in a Horse Year is equivalent to 13 circuits in a normal year. Demand is extremely high — we recommend booking 4-6 months in advance for 2026 Horse Year departures.
How do I get to Lhasa from India?
Most Indian pilgrims enter via Kathmandu (Nepal) — either flying Kathmandu-Lhasa or driving through the Gyirong border crossing. We handle all logistics from either entry point. Indian nationals require a Chinese Group Visa (processed in Kathmandu). Contact us for the complete India-to-Kailash travel guide.
