Ali Kora 14-Day Tour: Mount Kailash, Lhasa & Everest Base Camp | Small Group

Take the plane to Lhasa, 24-hour pick-up sign to pick up the train, dedicated car, directly to the hotel. Lhasa Tibetan language meaning "God's place of residence", known as the "City of Light", is the Tibetan people's spiritual home. First arrived in the plateau, please slow down the rhythm of meditation to feel the snowy sacred city of tranquility and mystery.

★ Helpful Reminder:
On the first day of arrival, please rest more and avoid strenuous activities and high places. Drink plenty of warm water, avoid alcohol and cigarettes, and avoid hot baths to help you adapt to the plateau.

Visiting Two Religious Sites in Lhasa--- Pray to the God of Wealth at Zaki Monastery, and feel the devotion of the believers in transmitting sutra and offering lamps; in the afternoon, go to Sera Monastery, experience the shocking scene of monks debating the sutra, and feel the wisdom and power of Tibetan Buddhism from a close distance, and spend a fulfilling and profound day.

➤ Zaki Temple (Temple of the God of Wealth)
The most spiritual place to seek wealth in Lhasa! Local people come here every day to offer tsampa, ghee lamps, and khata to pray for blessings. Follow CITS2Go to experience the incense and faith, and bring yourself good luck.

➤ Sera Monastery (Debate)
One of the three major monasteries in Lhasa! At about 3:00 pm, the monks will debate the sutra, and the applause and wisdom will be intertwined, experiencing the spiritual power of Tibetan Buddhism.

★ Helpful Reminder:
Zaki Monastery can buy a small gold card to seek wealth or as a gift; Sera Monastery in case of holiday or puja, debating may be suspended.

A deeper experience of Lhasa's religious and humanistic coreThe Potala Palace, overlooking the holy city; stroll along the bustling Barkhor Street, immersed in the ancient bazaar and the atmosphere of faith; and finally enter the Da Zhao Monastery, to appreciate the sacredness and solemnity of Tibetan Buddhism, which is an experience closest to the soul of Tibet.
➤ Potala Palace
A representative World Heritage Site in Tibet! The palace, monastery and lingam are all in one, with a collection of Buddha statues and thangkas. The view of Lhasa and the old city of Barkhor is magnificent and sacred.

➤ Barkhor Street
Lhasa's must-stop meridian path! Surrounding the Da Zhao Monastery, both sides are full of handicrafts and thangka stores, so you can stroll around without missing a beat.

➤ Jokhang Temple
"The heart of Tibet, the most important temple in Tibet. The temple enshrines the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and is a fusion of Tibetan, Tang and Nepalese architectural styles.

★ Sweet Tea Afternoon Tea
Exclusive gift! Enjoy a relaxing and ceremonial meal with sweet tea and Tibetan dim sum while admiring the Potala Palace.

Journey from sacred lakes to alpine wonders on a day filled with natural beauty and cultural depth. Begin the morning at Yamdrok Lake, its jewel-like blue waters set against sweeping highland scenery. Continue to Karola Glacier for an up-close view of its dramatic ice formations, experiencing the purity and grandeur of the snow-covered world. In the afternoon, visit Palcho Monastery to appreciate the solemn presence of its ancient stupas and temples. Arrive in Shigatse by day’s end, marking the beginning of exploration in this important cultural center of western Tibet.

➤ Yamdrok Yumtso
One of the Three Sacred Lakes of Tibet, its crystal-blue waters shimmer like gemstones, changing hues with the light. Believed to be an incarnation of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Compassion, the lake is a revered pilgrimage site where travelers seek blessings, good fortune, and spiritual pea

➤ Karjola Glacier
The most spectacular highway glacier! At an altitude of 5,600 meters, the ice wall is as vertical as a giant icefall. Experience the pure white world of snow-capped mountains and blue sky from a close distance.

➤ Hakujuji Temple
This ancient temple is a blend of the three major sects and has the tallest stupa in Tibet, which is 42 meters high and enshrines 100,000 statues of Buddha. Climbing up the pagoda, you can see the snow-capped mountains and the old city, and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

➤ Rikaze
The second largest city in Tibet, at an altitude of about 3,800 meters, it is an important rest stop before heading to Mount Everest.

Over the vast mountain passes of the plateau, we gradually approach the Himalayan hinterland.Over 5,000 meters by the time it reaches the Gawra Pass.In front of us are five 8,000-meter snow-capped mountains: Makalu Peak, Luozi Peak, Zhuoyou Peak, Mount Everest, and Shishapangma Peak. Layers of snowy mountains, the peak of the clouds and fog, the trend of heaven and earth in this condensed into a speechless grandeur. In the afternoon, we came to Jombo Monastery, the highest temple in the world, standing quietly, facing Mount Everest, bells and wind intertwined, like a dialogue with the sky.We arrived at the Everest Base Camp to see the "Sunshine Mountain" at sunset.As the golden light gradually ignites the summit, the mind is left speechless.Under the starry night sky, the silhouette of Everest and the Milky Way reflect each other, which is a rare time in life to have a heart-to-heart conversation with the top of the world.

➤ Gawula Pass Viewpoint
At an altitude of 5,198 meters, this is one of the most spectacular places to see the Himalayan peaks. The view from here is unparalleled, with five 8,000-meter snow-capped mountains at once. Standing at the pass, the sky and the earth seem to merge, giving you a deep feeling of "the insignificance of mankind and the greatness of nature".

➤ Rongbuk Monastery
The world’s highest monastery, perched on a mountain summit at an altitude of 5,154 meters. More than a sacred place of faith, it offers one of the best vantage points for viewing Mount Everest. At dawn and dusk, the gentle sound of temple bells and fluttering prayer flags seem to suspend time—capturing the profound silence and solemn majesty between heaven and earth.

➤ Everest Base Camp
Located at an altitude of 5,200 meters, it is a must-see for pilgrims and explorers. At dusk, you can enjoy the magnificent "Sunrise Mountain", and at night, you can look up at the starry sky, where the Milky Way is intertwined with Mount Everest, making you feel as if you can touch the heartbeat of the universe. For many people, this is a must-visit holy place and the most profound baptism of the soul.

Early morning view of Everest's spectacular "Golden Mountain Sunrise".When the sunlight slowly showers on the peaks of the snowy peaks, the golden light instantly lights up the Roof of the World, which is a kind of shock that can only be felt in person. Later, we will walk into the world's only 8,000-meter snow mountain located in China - Shixia Pangma, where glaciers are majestic, snowy mountains are boundless, and lakes are scattered everywhere. Along the way, we will pass by PegucuoThis tranquil plateau lake is known as the "Little Jiangnan of Tibet"."The blue waters of the Himalayas, reflecting the peaks of the mountains, make you feel as if you are in a wonderland. Finally arriving in Geelong, this "backyard of the Himalayas" opens another profound chapter of the journey with its purity and tranquility.

➤ Hichia Pangma Reserve
The only 8,000-meter snow mountain located entirely within China. Its 8,027-meter-high main peak is so majestic that the world of snow and ice is intertwined with the blue sky, giving you a sense of the earth's most primitive power. The sunlight changes between the peaks, from golden to snow-white, forming a magnificent symphony of the plateau.

➤ Pegucuo
A hidden lake between the mountains of Tibet, the water is as blue as a mirror, reflecting with the distant snow-capped peaks. The gravel and grass between the lakeshore form a natural picture, surrounded by wild animals from time to time, so that people realize that this place still maintains the most primitive rhythm of nature. It has been said that Pegu Tso is not only a lake, but also a mirror reflecting the soul.

➤ Gyirong (border of Tibet in Nepal)
Known as the "backyard of the Himalayas," the area is characterized by deep canyons and dense forests, as well as rich grasslands and simple villages, displaying a softness and beauty that is quite different from that of the Tibetan plateau. With snowy peaks reflecting in the valleys and ancient temples standing quietly, time seems to have slowed down here.
There is a popular saying in the region: "If you have never been to Geelong, you have never seen the real Himalaya". This is not only an admiration for the scenery, but also a true reflection of Geelong's unique status.

Gyirong and Palpa Monastery are equivalent to half the history of Tibet.In the afternoon, you will experience the atmosphere of an ancient monastery and a simple Tibetan village, witnessing the purity of the blend of faith and life. In the afternoon, we will pass by the pasture of Naixia Village, where herds of cattle and sheep dot the grassland and the sound of pastoral songs reverberates in our ears. Finally, you will arrive at the town of Saga, ready to face the challenge of mountaineering.

➤ Paba Temple
The ancient monastery bears witness to the historical legacy of Tibetan Buddhism. Sutra streamers flutter in the wind, and the ethereal atmosphere soothes the heart.

➤ Nesha Village Landscape Ranch
It is the closest corner to the life of Tibetans! With herds of cows and sheep, and the simple hospitality of the villagers, you can deeply feel the serenity of the highland countryside.

➤ Saga
Important transportation town! It is the best place to rest and recuperate before the mountain switchbacks.

Travel through the mysterious and exotic colorful desert. The unique minerals and weathering of this land have transformed it into beautiful colors. Today, we will walk into Mabunyuntso, one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet, which is in close proximity to Gang Rinpoche, and is full of spirituality and solemnity with its intertwining colors of the lake and the mountains. The neighboring Layang Tso, known as the "Ghost Lake", with its deep blue water, and the Mabunyuntso are facing each other, as if symbolizing a sacred and mysterious dialogue. Today, we finally arrived at Tachin, officially entering the preparatory stage of mountaineering, and a feeling of awe arose in our hearts.

➤ Colorful Desert
The Colorful Desert presents you with different colors due to different strata and minerals, yellow like gold, red like fire, and white like snow. When you look at it from afar, it looks like a colorful sunset falling into the earth, and when you look at it from close up, it looks like the palette of nature. Every grain of sand here tells the geological legend of the plateau for billions of years.

➤ Marbunyongtso
"If you don't see Mabunyuntso, you've come to Tibet for nothing." As one of the three sacred lakes, Marbunyongtso enjoys supreme status in Buddhism, Hinduism and Bön Buddhism. The water is as clear as a mirror, and is said to be able to wash away the karmic obstacles of a hundred lifetimes and nourish the souls of all living things. Pilgrims circumambulate around the lake, and the sound of whispering sutras drifting in the wind pushes the sacredness of the lake to the extreme.

➤ Laon Tso
Just a mountain away from Mabon Yongtso, it has a very different character. La'ang Tso is known as the "Ghost Lake" because of the salinity of the lake water, which is unable to harbor living beings. The surface of the lake is as blue as ink, and occasionally there is a strong wind blowing over it, creating waves that seem to tell of ancient taboos. Standing here, you can deeply feel the mystery of nature and the power of the poles.

Today.We will officially embark on the first part of the trail, known to pilgrims as the "warm-up day".The journey from Qugu Monastery was a solemn and pious one. Starting from Qugu Monastery, along the way, we passed through the mountain passes where the streamers were fluttering in the wind, and the solemn and pious atmosphere of mountain-turning came to us. As our footsteps gradually went deeper and deeper, the snowy peaks in front of us became more and more majestic, and the streamers shone with multicolored light under the scorching sun of the plateau, which was like a symbol of prayer between heaven and earth, reminding us that this walk was not only a challenge to the limits of the body, but also a questioning of the mind.Finally arrive at Chitose Monastery and end the day in the sunset glow of the snow-capped mountains.This is a rare resting place on the plateau, and a starting point to prepare for higher challenges.

✨ China2Go Specialized Advantages
We have specially arranged a scenic tram to save you about 6km + scenic bus 4km, saving your energy for the most crucial and worthwhile views along the way, instead of over-exerting yourself in the boring starting section, so that your mountaineering experience will be more focused and pure.

➤ Highlights along the way

• Sutra SquareThe five-color sutra streamers flying in the wind symbolize blessings and wishes, and are the starting point for the spirit of the mountain-travelers.

• Chukwu Temple: Ancient temples on the way to turn the mountain, with a long history, give you a sense of the heaviness and continuity of faith.

• Zhihe TempleThe first day is the best day to stay at the mountain: at an altitude of 5,100 meters, with the snow-capped peaks at its back and the starry sky in front of it, it is the best place to stay on the first day. As the sun sets, the snowy peaks glow with golden light, giving you a sense of the solemnity and tranquility of the mountain.

The next day is the most difficult but also the most sacred day of the trek. Early in the morning, we set off over the highest point of the trek, the 5,630-meter Drolma La Pass. Along the way, the snow and ice covered the summit, the air was thin, and every step was like a conversation with oneself. The journey is not only an extreme challenge for the body, but also a quenching of the soul.

When the streamers fill the pass, it is like a rainbow bridge between heaven and earth, where pilgrims pray for the release of life, recite sutras and change sutras, praying for the elimination of karmic hindrances and the growth of good fortune. Standing at the Drolma La pass, looking into the distance, the peaks are like waves, the sky is boundless, at this moment, you will feel that "turning the mountain" is not just walking, but a rebirth of life.

Near the Yazhuchu Monastery, the monastery is hidden among the snow-capped mountains and glaciers, and the starry sky around the campfire is so deep that it seems as if you can have a conversation with the universe.

➤ Highlights along the way

• Dromola PassThe highest point of the mountain (5,630 meters above sea level) is filled with streamers, symbolizing faith and rebirth.

• Shenshan Glacier (volcanic lake in XinJiang)The water is crystal clear, symbolizing new life.

• Zuchu Temple:The second night's stop on the mountain, the silence under the starry sky is soothing to the mind.

💡 A word of caution: the second day is a 24-kilometer test of stamina and willpower.
Because we are a small group of 6 people, the tour guide has enough energy to care about you and arrange assistance to ensure the safety and comfort of each guest.

The last day of the trek was a short one, but it was full of joy and fulfillment on the way back. As we started our journey early in the morning, the sunlight began to pour down, and Gang Rinpoche gradually disappeared behind us, as if sending its final blessing to the pilgrims. As we traveled down to Tachin, the landscape of mountains and grasslands became more and more open, and our mind was enlightened.

This is a journey from solemnity to peace.After three days of trekking, you may be physically exhausted, but in return, your mind is clear and at ease. When you look back at the complete circle of the path, you will realize that the meaning of mountain climbing is not to reach a certain end point, but to be in tune with heaven and earth at every step of the process.

➤ Highlights along the way

• Pastoral Atmosphere: On the way down, you can see herdsmen's camps, cattle and sheep dotting the grassland, where life and nature coexist in harmony.

• González looks back: The last glimpse of the snow-capped peaks before their departure is still holy and unforgettable.

• TachinThe end point of the mountain: returning to this place signifies the completion of this physical and mental pilgrimage.

✨ Professional CITS China Traveler - Summary Highlights ✨

• The three-day itinerary is clearly planned:The first day was a gentle climb to get used to, the second day was a challenge to the limit, and the third day was an easy finish.
• China2Go tour fee includes a scenic drive:Save 10 kilometers of flat road and save more energy to enjoy the real highlights.
• Professional companionship:Full supply and professional leader, taking care of safety and experience at the same time.
• Small group travel:Only 4-6 people per tour, a guide accompanies the whole tour, more peace of mind.

On the way back after the mountain hike, there is a vast grassland and mountains outside the car window.
Relax as you follow the streamers, snow-capped peaks and grassy meadows along the way. Upon arrival in Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet is the perfect place to rest, recharge, and explore the local culture and marketplace at your own pace.

➤ Scenery along the grasslands of Northern Tibet
Snowy peaks, river valleys and meadows are accompanied by herds of sheep and cows along the way, making you reminisce about the magnificent journey to the next mountain.

➤ Smaller tripsrest

The best way to heal yourself after a long day on the mountain! Relax on the bus and let your fatigue dissipate as you enjoy the Tibetan scenery.

➤ Rikaze
The "backyard" of Tibet! Here, you can take a break to refresh yourself, visit local famous temples or stroll through the streets to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.

Depart from the sacred site of Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse and continue the journey aboard the Lhasa–Shigatse Railway, often called the “Sky Railway” of the Tibetan Plateau. The ride takes approximately 2.5 hours, offering sweeping views of snow-capped mountains, open grasslands, and the majestic Yarlung Tsangpo River—making the return journey just as memorable and awe-inspiring.

➤ Zashlunpo Monastery
The most important monastery in the Shigatse region, Tashilhunpo Monastery has long been the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. It is home to the world’s tallest statue of Maitreya Buddha, standing 26.2 meters high, and its grand assembly hall can accommodate up to 4,000 monks. A visit here offers a profound insight into Tibetan Buddhism and the rich cultural heritage of western Tibet.

➤ Lari Railway (Shigatse–Lhasa Railway)
Known as the “Sky Railway” of the Roof of the World, the journey from Shigatse to Lhasa takes just about 2.5 hours. Along the way, breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, deep valleys, and the majestic Yarlung Tsangpo River unfold like a living landscape painting. As the train winds between the plateau and the sky, shifting light and shadows flow across the terrain with changes in altitude and mountain contours—each moment resembling a living thangka brought to life. This is more than a return journey by rail; it is a quiet farewell to the world’s highest plateau. Inside the comfortable carriage, gaze peacefully at prayer flags and grazing herds in the distance. Lhasa draws closer ahead, while the heart carries home an enduring memory of the Tibetan highlands.

★ Helpful Reminder:
This is far more than a simple train ride. The scenic Lhasa–Shigatse Railway is a specially arranged signature experience by CITS2Go, ensuring that the return journey remains just as remarkable and memorable.

➤ Airport & Train Station Transfers (24/7 Private Service)

We provide 24-hour private transfer services. Whether you have an early-morning flight or a late-night train, a dedicated vehicle and driver will be arranged exclusively for you—no ride-sharing, no waiting—ensuring a safe and punctual arrival at the airport or train station.

CITS2Go accompanies you through the final leg of your journey, so you can return home with wonderful memories and complete peace of mind.