In Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, Mount Kailash is a sacred site for Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, and Bon. Hikers circle the sacred mountain along the kora route, experiencing religious sanctity and natural grandeur. With high difficulty, it requires prior plateau hiking experience. The best times to visit are April to June and September to October.

12-Day Mount Kailash Kora & Western Tibet Journey

A well-paced, culturally rich, and high-altitude–safe itinerary designed for international travelers.

Welcome to Tibet!
Your guide will meet you at the airport or train station and transfer you to your hotel near the old town.
Use the rest of the day to relax, hydrate, and acclimatize to the altitude.

Day 2｜Lhasa → Yamdrok Lake → Karola Glacier → Gyantse → Shigatse

A scenic drive across the Kamba-La Pass brings you to the turquoise waters of 

, rising dramatically beside the highway, then onward to 

Day 3｜Shigatse → Sakya Monastery → Lhatse / Tingri

Head west across wide Himalayan plains.
Stop at 

, known for its massive fortress-like grey-and-black walls.
Continue to Lhatse or Tingri, closer to the Everest region.

Day 4｜Everest Region (Rongbuk Area) → Saga

Weather and seasonal conditions permitting, visit the 

 for views of Mount Everest’s north side.
Photograph the 8,848-m giant from one of Tibet’s most iconic viewpoints before continuing west to Saga.

Day 5｜Saga → Paryang Grasslands → Lake Manasarovar → Darchen

, one of the holiest pilgrimage lakes in Asia.
Walk along the shore for photography and spiritual atmosphere, then continue to 

, the starting point of the Kailash Kora.

Day 6｜Darchen Acclimatization Day / Optional North-Face Trek

A full rest day to adjust to altitude before beginning the 3-day Kailash circuit.
Optional short hike towards the 

Day 7｜Kora Day 1: Darchen → Dirapuk Monastery

Distance: ~13 km / 5–6 hrs
A gentle ascent through the valley leads you toward the dramatic cliffs of 

, located directly facing the North Face of Kailash.

Day 8｜Kora Day 2: Dirapuk → Dolma-La Pass (5,620 m) → Zutulpuk

Distance: 20–22 km / 8–10 hrs
The most challenging but unforgettable day.
Cross the 

 (5,620 m), the high point of the pilgrimage, then descend past the sacred 

A gradual walk along a broad valley brings you back to 

, completing the full outer Kora of Mount Kailash.

A relaxed day returning east along the road to Saga.
Enjoy views of vast grasslands and snow-capped peaks.

Continue the journey back across the plateau to Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city.
Warm showers, good food, and a comfortable bed await.

Return to Lhasa via the scenic Friendship Highway.
You’ll arrive in the afternoon. Transfer to your hotel or directly to the airport/train station.

Kailash Kora: Pilgrimage to Tibet’s Sacred Mountain

Located northwest of Xinxiang City, Henan, Southern Taihang is the most stunning section of the Taihang Mountains. Boasting diverse trails, it offers spectacular views of towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and sheer cliffs. The traverse between Shiziling (the highest peak) and Wangmangling (the second-highest) is particularly thrilling and breathtaking. The optimal hiking season is mid-September to late November.

China’s Most Underrated Multi-Day Mountain Adventure

 is one of China’s most visually striking and culturally authentic multi-day hikes—yet still largely unknown outside the country. Located on the dramatic borderlands of 

 that combines nature, culture, and dramatic scenery, the Southern Taihang Mountains provide one of the best—and most overlooked—trekking experiences in China.

: Almost unknown to international travelers.

: Towering cliffs, narrow ridgelines, and red-rock canyons.

: Ancient stone villages, cliff tunnels, hanging paths.

: Clean village accommodations with local meals.

: Reachable from Zhengzhou, Taiyuan, or Beijing with a short transfer.

(Guoliang → Hanging Villages → Xiyagou)


This is the most visually impressive and internationally friendly version.

Day 1 — Arrival in the Southern Taihang Mountains

Guoliang Village & The Famous Cliff Tunnel Road

, a remote stone village perched beneath massive cliffs.

Hero landscape / cliff tunnel interior / village lifestyle

Day 2 — Guoliang → Hanging Villages Traverse

Stone villages, terraced valleys, and cliff-cut pathways

Trek from Guoliang to nearby cliff-side hamlets connected by ancient mule paths.

Cross terraced fields, red-rock valleys, and panoramic ridgelines.

Visit traditional stone houses and meet local residents.

Drone valley shot / stone villages / trail portraits

Cliff roads, narrow ledges, and spectacular viewpoints

, one of the most stunning cliff paths in the Taihang Mountains.

Traverse tunnels, carved ledges, and exposed balcony paths overlooking a 400–600 m vertical drop.

Cliff-edge leading lines / dramatic canyon walls / trekking action shots

Day 4 — Xiyagou → Taihang Scenic Exit → Return

Morning walk through the lower canyon scenery.

Transfer to Zhengzhou/Taiyuan for departure.

Canyon rivers / morning mist / closing landscape shots

, suitable for active hikers.
Daily 10–14 km with some steep ascents and exposed sections.

Camera / drone (excellent aerial scenery)

 – bridges, pinnacles, and cliff platforms

Southern Taihang Mountains Trek: Admire the Majestic Mountains of Central China

Due to the Chinese government's restriction that only Chinese citizens with a Border Pass are allowed to enter certain areas in the Medog region of Tibet, foreigners are not permitted to participate in the trek to Medog County.

Once China’s last county without road access, Medog in southeastern Tibet features trails crossing primeval forests, snow-capped meadows, alpine canyons, and chain suspension bridges. Hailed as "China’s Top Hiking Route," it lets hikers experience temperature variations from alpine tundra to tropical rainforest. The best hiking seasons are May to June and September to November.

Hiking in China

Medog Hike: Challenge Tibet’s Last Hidden Frontier