Lhasa to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Tour- 11 Days

Preview of Lhasa to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Tour

Begin in the centre of Tibet’s spiritual and cultural universe, Lhasa. At about 3,650 metres, Lhasa is a wonderful mix of ancient grandeur and an acclimatisation base for the trek ahead. On this Lhasa to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Tour, you will meander the hallowed corridors of Potala Palace, the old residence of the Dalai Lama. Wander through the lively markets of Barkhor Street and marvel at Jokhang Temple, a place for pilgrims from all over Tibet’s plateau.

From Lhasa, with its myriad cultural delights of the city itself, the Lhasa to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Tour Route veers further west toward vast high‑plateau vistas that rise to the trip’s destination: remote and sacred Mount Kailash. The formidable structure of Mount Kailash rests at a height of almost 6,638 metres and carries great spiritual significance for Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon.

Pilgrims and tourists are attracted by its sacred profile and the centuries-old ritual of kora, the circumambulation of a sacred mountain. And beside this mountain stands the sparkling Lake Mansarovar, a freshwater lake of high altitude and one of the holiest in the region.

During this 11-day experience, you will combine rich cultural immersion, pilgrimage experiential travel with stunning scenery and ancient practices along mountain roads. Lhasa to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Tour- is not merely a sightseeing trip; it is a purposeful journey into one of the most sacred regions in the world. 

The 11 days from Lhasa to Mount Kailash & Lake Mansarovar is offered with your best interest in mind; it has been our experience since we started delivering these exceptional experiences. 

We run this 11 Lhasa Mount Kailash & Lake Mansarovar tour with the very best supportive guide and services. Our programme is designed at a relaxed pace that makes room for acclimatisation, physical and spiritual comfort and riches, you will travel with experienced local guides who know the terrain and the culture. If you’re interested in upgrading your experience or if you want to tailor it further, we can help personalise your adventure.

And, if you want to be part of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra only then have a look at our recommended packages.

• Overland to Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar-10 Days
• Mount Kailash Mansarovar Tour- 16 Days
• Mount Kailash Fixed Departure Tour 2026
• Mount Kailash Yatra by Helicopter from Lucknow/Nepalgunj 11 Days
• Kailash Mansarovar Shortest Tour 7 Days

Highlights

• Discover the historic heart of Lhasa: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the lively Barkhor bazaar.
• Cross the vast open spaces of the high Tibetan plateau, as it is here where you pass small isolated settlements and spectacular mountain passes.
• Arrive at the sacred lake Mansarovar for an once in a lifetime lakeside experience amidst its crystal clear waters and untouched nature.
• Stand in the shadow of the great Mount Kailash and take in its spiritual presence.
• Participate in the kora (circumambulation) of Mount Kailash.
• Experience Lhasa as a base for culture and ritual: the local Tibetan traditions, monasteries, high‑altitude city living, and possibly feeling that you are in the "place of gods".
• Approach Mount Kailash, a peak that becomes holy ground, not a geographical obstacle: it is the home of Lord Shiva for Hindus and Buddhism's universe pole (the mythical Mount Meru).
• High plateau landscapes: glaciers with craggy ridges, sweeping valleys and wide open skies.

Mount Kailash (Kang Rinpoche)

Mount Kailash at (6,638m / 21,778ft) has been an important place for Hindu rituals as the abode of Lord Shiv and Parvati. Equally, it is also regarded as sacred by cults in Buddhism, Kang Rinpoche Tibetan Buddhism ( Precious Jewel of Snow), and in Jainism and Bonism.

Its majestic pyramid‑shaped outline towers over the Tibetan plains and inspires reverence from devotees across religious lines. There is a belief that walking the kora (the 52km circuit) of Kailash purifies negative karma.

The top of the mountain is unapproachable, but the circle around the mountain becomes an act of worship. Snippets of how the raw mountains, high passes like DolmaLa (≈5,630m) and sheer isolation conspire to elevate this spiritual focal point are all there. 

Mansarovar Lake: A Sacred Beauty

Lake Mansarovar is located at the foot of Mt. Kailash, at an elevation of about 4,550‑4,600m.

The lake is known as one of the greatest freshwater lakes in the world, and is deeply sacred: for Hindus, bathing or drinking its water cleans away sin; for Buddhists, the lake is associated with the dragon lake Anavatapta.

The silvery waters mirror on its snow‑peaks and desert levels around, producing a tranquil, almost fairyland effect. Pilgrims frequently linger here, for reflection, rituals and photo‑moments. The chill air, the clear water, pilgrims performing pujas around it and the spiritual calm produce one of the scared moments on the tour.

Lhasa: The Gateway to Tibet

Lhasa, at approx 3650m, is where your tour starts, and this is where your body and mind will adjust to altitude for a couple of days before moving on to even higher.

In Lhasa, you can visit such iconic sights as the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, and try your luck at haggling in vibrant local markets  including Barkhor Street. The city marries spirituality with the ordinary life of Tibetans: monks in robes, prayer flags varying over edifices and the drumbeat of pilgrim circuits. It’s where you bring your senses back to earth before the high-­altitude journey that awaits outside. Spend leisurely hours meandering, relaxing, tasting local food and culture, and respecting the religious atmosphere while getting ready for the hike.

Jokhang Temple: Heart of Tibetan Buddhism

As the holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism, Jokhang Temple has drawn pilgrims from all over Tibet for centuries as they conduct a kora around its inner wall. In and around the temple complex above, you’ll glimpse devotion in motion: prostrations, prayer wheels, incense and chanting. It gives a vivid immersion into the life of the Tibetan spirit. The iconography, history and living practice are explained on guided visits. If you go in the morning, you get serenity as well as authenticity of experience. 

Potala Palace: Symbol of Tibetan Heritage

The Potala Palace, once the winter dwelling of the Dalai Lamas, dominates the skyline. Located on the RedHill and combining dramatic architecture with chapels, shrines, ancient scriptures, it offers sweeping views over the Lhasa valley. Both aesthetically and culturally, a visit to the palace is worth it for anyone interested in Tibetan history, spirituality, and rule. Inside are murals, stupas and the former living quarters.

It’s a reminder that your spiritual‑cultural journey starts not in the remote wilderness, but rather in a city honed over centuries of Tibetan tradition.

Tibetan Plateau: The Roof of the World

This journey runs across the Tibetan Plateau, expansive high‑altitude plains, glacial lakes, high-altitude passes, and limited human habitation. The relative high elevation and remoteness of the terrain make travelling as much a part of the experience as the destination. From Lhasa, approximately ~3,650 m, you gradually ascend towards Darchen (~4,670 m), charging into a 5,500+m pass. 

The thin air, striking landscapes, and unpredictable weather are worthy of caution and preparation. Still, these same attributes will haunt your meditations, the very nature of which conveys the essence of this part of the world: the remoteness, silence, verticality, and endless blue sky. Each foot you travel will draw you further into the experience of this "roof of the world".

Is Lhasa to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Tour Right For You? 

• If you are mentally prepared for a spiritual journey in one of Tibet’s most revered areas, which starts in Lhasa and finishes at Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, then this pathway is right for you.
• If you embrace the brutal condition of this trip that includes rough and rugged roads, high altitude (over 4, in some cases 5,000 m+ +), a number of long days driving, then you will be at ease with the rhythm of the day.
• If you are a person who enjoys small group travel led by informed guides who will inform you of the local culture, Tibetan Buddhism and the meaning of spirituality in the region, this tour offers just that.
• If you feel physically comfortable contemplating walking a moderate distance (on the kora/circumambulation) and have enough energy to cope with the plateau nature of things. In that case, this will contribute to your experience to its fullest.
• If you are looking for more than sightseeing / glimpses of a trip, and are looking for a pilgrimage-style experience of contemplation, visiting sacred sites and meaningful travel, then this tour is for you.

Why Book the Lhasa to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Tour with Dream Tibet Travel and Tours?

• Licensed by the Nepal Government, serving in the field of travel and tourism for over a decade, with local offices in different cities.
• Tibet specialist, Kailash & Mansarovar trips are what we do, so logistics (permits, vehicles, high­-altitude support) are all expertly taken care of.
• Fixed‑departure tour. There are always options that leave with others, so you never have the problem of being cancelled last minute.
• Professional guides and driver‑teams deal with high passes, desert tracks, obscure roads and cultural protocols with ease, travelling stress‑free.
• Multiple permit administration (Tibet visa, border zones) is organised for you so you don’t need to worry about the complex paperwork.
• Clear itinerary and departure details mean you know your group size, vehicle style and timing in advance.
• Personal customer service local team on call before, during and after your stay for steady support throughout.
• Custom‑tailored service: You can customise small things such as vegetarian food, extra trekking or side‑trips with their assistance.

Lhasa to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Tour Price 2026/27

For an 11-day trip from Lhasa, expect fixed-group tour prices to begin around USD 2,500 to USD 3,000 per participant, depending on group size, standards of lodging and what is included. 

Most mid-range options for 2026 average around USD 2,500 a person per trip, which generally covers all of your ground transport, guides, permits and basic guest-house accommodation. 

Keep in mind that the deluxe or private versions of the tour (fewer participants, upgraded vehicles, or more rest days) will be more expensive than average, and budget group tours will be on the lower end of the range. Also, be aware of fees for single-room upgrades for lodging, optional helicopter flights, or porter support.

When is The Best Time for Combined Lasha and Kailash Yatra?

Pro Tip: Late spring (May‑June) and early autumn (September‑October) are preferred times of year. So choose these times to avoid the sweltering heat of summer or the cold of winter while still getting an all‑round experience in terms of weather, access, and landscape.

Why 2026 is the Best Year for the 11‑Day Lhasa to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar Tour?

• A spiritual opportunity that comes once in every 12 years: 2026 is the Year of the Horse (it follows a cycle of 12 years) according to the Tibetan calendar, and pilgrims who complete one circuit around Mount Kailash during this year multiply their spiritual merit up to twelve times, as tradition goes.
• Festival timing creates a richer experience: In 2026, during your travel window, the major pilgrimage festival of Saga Dawa falls, so you will experience numerous sacred activities, prayer services, and cultural expressions in the area.
• Even better reasons to book early: With these special conditions, 2026 is likely to pull far more tourists for the pilgrimage season and people booking permits, vehicles and remote guest‑houses sooner; it also means better logistics plus fewer concessions.

All Permits Required for Kailash Mansarovar With Lhasa Trip

• Chinese Entry Visa: Before you can travel to Tibet, you will need to have and obtain a regular Chinese tourist visa (or group visa). Depending on your country of citizenship and how you apply (standard or rush), prices can vary considerably.
• Tibet Travel Permit (TTP): This is the main permit for entering the Tibet Autonomous Region. Without this permit, you will not be allowed to board domestic flights or trains into Tibet or enter its tourist areas legally.
• Alien's Travel Permit (ATP): Because the route to Mount Kailash crosses into remote and restricted Tibetan areas, this permit is also required for travelling outside the popular tourist areas (beyond Lhasa, etc.).
• Military Permit (Ngari Region): The special area around Mount Kailash is new in terms of military jurisdiction and has the added stipulations for an additional permit into that border zone.
• Foreign Affairs Permit or Sensitive Area Permit: The most remote places or culturally sensitive areas will usually require an additional authorisation. Generally, this can be part of the military permit or can be arranged or added to the original fee by your travel agency.

Altitude Profile and Acclimatisation Plan

Altitude Profile 

• Begin your trip in Lhasa ( 3,650m) and stay for the first few nights to acclimatise.
• Travel westward through the Shigatse/Ngari region and arrive in Darchen ( 4,500-4,700m) for a gradual ascent.
• On the Kora (circumambulation) of Mount Kailash, Day 1 begins at  4,560m (Darchen) and increases to  5,210m at Dirapuk.
• On day 2, you will cross the highest point at Dolma La Pass ( 5,630m) before descending to  4,790m at Zuthulpuk.
• The average altitude of the Kora is  5,000-5,600m for the trip.

Acclimatisation plan (recommended)

• The first nights in Lhasa allow for stabilisation to  3,650m for the ascent.
• Progressive ascent is better than a big jump to extreme altitude from Lhasa → Darchen and then to do the Kora.
• Rest or shorter walking periods at higher stops (Dirapuk and Zuthulpuk) will give further recovery time to adjust to altitude.
• Maintain a healthy hydration and avoid parents from higher levels of descent and from ACL uncertainty, and also continue to monitor altitude sickness symptoms (headache, nausea, fatigue).

How to Be Fully Physically Prepared for the Lhasa Kailash Trip?

• Get a health check‑up: see your doctor to make sure that you are fit for high altitude and do not have any heart, lung or blood pressure problems.
• Start doing regular cardio: At least 30 minutes of brisk walking, running or cycling most days for a couple of months will help you!
• Train using walking with load: Long walks (4‑5km or further), and include a small backpack 1-2 times per week to simulate trekking.
• Strength in your legs, core, and balance: Squats, lunges, planks and stair climbing exercises all help to prepare you for the rocky ascent/descent.
• Loosen and stretch: Hamstrings, calves and hips take a pounding, include yoga or stretching sessions to minimise injury risk.
• Acclimatise in advance: Try to arrive a couple of days before the main trek starts so that your body gets used to higher altitudes.
• Stay hydrated and eat for fuel: Stay hydrated by drinking water, feed your body well with good nutrition, so that your body is quick to recover during training.
• Break in your gear: Put on the boots, shoes or backpack you plan to use when you hike during training hikes so nothing feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable when you are actually on the trek.
• Educate yourself on signs of altitude sickness: headache, nausea and panting. If you get them, you should ascend more slowly or go lower.
• Keep a positive attitude and sleep well: The trek is not only physically demanding, but also mentally exhausting. Rest, stay the course and enjoy the ride.

What To Do If You Can’t Complete the Kora of Mount Kailash?

If you are not able to do the full kora around Mount Kailash, this is what you can do:

First, if you feel unwell or are finding things difficult, then stop somewhere safe and make your guide aware as soon as possible. Many operators insist that there’s no shame in giving up if you begin to suffer from altitude sickness or become exhausted.

Next, you may decide to leave early, giving up after Day 1 of the kora and returning to your base camp or hotel rather than attempting the full route.

You do still have choices: you can spend the extra time resting up, with side visits to monasteries or the sacred lake (Lake Manasarovar) and soak in some of our spiritual atmosphere.

Lastly, consider it as part of your journey, not a disaster, the fact that you even attempted a sacred pilgrimage has value. By focusing on their health first, at least you can travel back safely one day and maybe visit at a later stage.