Tibet Fly-in Fly-out Mt Kailash & Everest Base Camp Tour – 15 Days

This 15-day Tibet fly-in fly-out tour to Mt Kailash and Everest Base Camp starts and ends in Lhasa. The first three days are in Lhasa, where you visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Market, and Drepung and Sera monasteries. The city is at 3,650 m, so these days also let you adjust to the altitude.

From Lhasa you drive through Gyantse to Shigatse, passing Yamdrok Lake and the Karo La glacier, and then continue to Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Base Camp. After Everest the road crosses the Tibetan plateau to Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash, with long stretches of grassland, nomad camps and wildlife along the way.

The Kailash Kora takes three days and covers about 53 km on foot. On the second day you cross Drolma La Pass at 5,630 m. After the Kora you drive back through Saga and Shigatse to Lhasa, and the tour ends on day 15.

15 Days of Culture, Himalayas & Pilgrimage

The journey takes you through three defining sides of Tibet: its rich cultural heritage, spectacular Himalayan landscapes, and important pilgrimage sites. In Lhasa, the tour covers major cultural landmarks including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Market, Drepung Monastery, and Sera Monastery, reflecting Tibet’s history, architecture, and Buddhist traditions.

The Himalayan section includes Yamdrok Lake, Karo La Glacier, Rongbuk Monastery, and Everest Base Camp, with dramatic mountain scenery and high-altitude landscapes across the Tibetan plateau.

The pilgrimage section focuses on Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash, two of Tibet’s most revered religious sites. It includes the 3-day Mount Kailash Kora, covering approximately 53 km and crossing Drolma La Pass at 5,630 meters, making it an important part of this 15-day Tibet, Everest Base Camp, and Mt Kailash tour.

Best Time

The best time for the Mt Kailash and Mansarovar Tour is generally from May to September, when weather and road conditions are more favorable for traveling across the Tibetan plateau. These months offer suitable conditions for visiting Lhasa, Everest Base Camp, Lake Mansarovar, and Mount Kailash, as well as completing the Kailash Kora.

May and June generally offer clear mountain views and cooler temperatures, while July and August are warmer but may experience occasional rain and cloudy conditions. September usually brings cooler and drier weather with good visibility.

As much of the journey is above 4,000 meters, weather can change quickly. Travelers should be prepared for cold temperatures, strong winds, and changing conditions, especially around Drolma La Pass at 5,630 meters.

Difficulty

The Tibet Fly-in Fly-out Mt Kailash Tour is physically demanding, particularly during the 3-day Kailash Kora. The trek reaches an altitude of 5,630 meters at Drolma La Pass, where altitude, cold temperatures, and steep sections can make the journey challenging.

Proper acclimatization is important, and the itinerary includes several days at high altitude before beginning the Kora. Travelers should be prepared for long driving days and walking at elevations above 4,000 meters.

Route and Altitude

The tour follows a high-altitude route from Lhasa to Shigatse, Everest Base Camp, Saga, Lake Mansarovar, and Darchen, before completing the Kailash Kora and returning through Saga and Shigatse to Lhasa.

The highest point of the journey is Drolma La Pass at 5,630 meters, while Mount Kailash and the surrounding Tibetan plateau provide views throughout the Kora.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided in twin-sharing rooms with attached bathrooms where available. During the Kailash section, accommodation is more basic, with dormitory-style rooms and shared bathrooms at Mansarovar, Dirapuk, and Zutulphuk.

Permits

Traveling through Tibet, visiting Everest Base Camp, and completing the Mt Kailash Kora requires several permits and travel documents. The necessary permits are arranged as part of the tour to make the journey easier and more organized for travelers. These include the Tibet Travel Permit, which is required for travel within Tibet, the Everest Base Camp permit for visiting the Tibet-side EBC area, and the required Kailash travel documents for the Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar region.

Our team coordinates the required documentation and permit arrangements according to the current regulations. Since permit requirements and travel regulations can change, travelers should provide the necessary personal and passport information within the required timeframe to process the documents before the tour begins.

Important Notes

• Everest Base Camp Access: Access is subject to current Chinese government regulations and may be adjusted if restrictions apply.

• High Altitude: The tour reaches 5,630 m at Drolma La Pass, so proper acclimatization and preparation are essential.

• Travel Documents: Required Tibet permits and travel documents must be arranged before the journey.

• Departure Options: You can fly from Lhasa to Kathmandu, Nepal, or continue to a destination in mainland China.