Arrive in Chengdu (500 m)

On arrival at Chengdu airport, our representative meets you and transfers you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest or wander the city's tea houses and lively food streets.

Overnight: Chengdu hotel

Giant Pandas and the Leshan Buddha

Start early at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, when the pandas are most active. Then drive about two hours to Leshan to see the Giant Buddha, carved into a riverside cliff more than 1,200 years ago and best viewed from the water by boat. Return to Chengdu in the evening.

Overnight: Chengdu hotel

Fly to Lhasa (3,650 m)

Fly across the eastern Himalaya to Lhasa. Your Tibetan guide welcomes you with a khata, a traditional white scarf, and drives you to your hotel. Take the rest of the day slowly to begin acclimatizing.

Overnight: Lhasa hotel

Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple

Visit the Potala Palace, the former winter home of the Dalai Lamas, with its chapels and golden roofs high above the city. In the afternoon, explore the Jokhang Temple, Tibet's most sacred shrine, and join pilgrims walking the Barkhor circuit around it.

Overnight: Lhasa hotel

Drepung and Sera Monasteries

Explore Drepung, once the largest monastery in the world, and Sera Monastery, where you can watch the lively afternoon debates between monks. This third day in Lhasa is an important part of acclimatizing before the journey west.

Overnight: Lhasa hotel

Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake and Gyantse (3,840 m)

Cross the Kamba La Pass (4,790 m) for a first view of the turquoise Yamdrok Lake, then continue past the Karo La glacier to Gyantse. Visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery and its famous Kumbum stupa before driving on to Shigatse.

Overnight: Shigatse hotel

Shigatse to Rongbuk and Everest Base Camp (about 5,000 m)

In the morning, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lamas. Then drive along the Friendship Highway and over the Gyatso La Pass into the Everest region. Reach Rongbuk, home to one of the highest monasteries in the world, in time to see the north face of Everest at sunset.

Overnight: Guesthouse in Rongbuk 

Everest Base Camp to Saga (4,600 m)

Wake early for sunrise on Everest, then visit the Everest Base Camp viewpoint (5,200 m). Drive west across the plateau past Peiku Tso lake, with views of Shishapangma, to the town of Saga.

Overnight: Saga hotel

Saga to Lake Mansarovar (4,590 m)

A long drive of about 450 km follows the Yarlung Tsangpo river west. Late in the day, catch your first view of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. Watch the sunset over the holy lake.

Overnight: Guesthouse in Mansarovar

Lake Mansarovar to Darchen (4,575 m)

Rise early for sunrise across the lake, then visit Chiu Gompa above its shore. Drive a short way to Darchen, the starting point of the kora, and spend the afternoon resting and preparing for the walk ahead.

Overnight: Hotel in Darchen

Kora Day 1, Darchen to Dirapuk (about 4,900 m)

Take the eco-bus to Yamadwar, the gateway of the kora, and begin walking along the Lha Chu valley. The trail of about 12 to 13 km climbs gently beneath towering cliffs to Dirapuk, which faces the north face of Kailash.

Overnight: Guesthouse in Dirapuk 

Kora Day 2, Dirapuk to Zuthulphuk via Dolma La (5,630 m)

The hardest and most meaningful day of the pilgrimage. Climb steadily to the Dolma La Pass, draped in prayer flags, then descend past the emerald Gauri Kund lake to Zuthulphuk. Allow 8 to 10 hours for about 22 km.

Overnight: Guesthouse in Zuthulphuk 

Complete the Kora, Drive to Saga

Walk the final, gentle stretch of about 7 km out of the valley to complete the kora. Then take the eco-bus back toward Darchen and drive east to Saga.

Overnight: Hotel in Saga

Saga to Sakya (4,280 m)

Drive back across the plateau to Sakya, a historic town known for its grey, red and white striped buildings. Its great monastery holds one of the largest collections of Tibetan manuscripts.

Overnight: Hotel in Sakya hotel

Sakya to Shigatse (3,840 m)

Visit Sakya Monastery in the morning, then take a short drive to Shigatse. The afternoon is free to explore the old town and its local market.

Overnight: Hotel in Shigatse

Shigatse to Lhasa (3,650 m)

Drive back to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo river. Enjoy a final evening in the Tibetan capital, with a farewell dinner.

Overnight: Hotel in Lhasa hotel

Depart Lhasa

Transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport for your flight back to Chengdu, or fly directly to Kathmandu if you'd like to extend your journey in Nepal.