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Mystical Kailas with Andrei Vostrikov (with domestic flight). 12 days

This itinerary is the same as the Mystic Kailas tour itinerary for 14 days. With the difference that after passing the bark around Kailas you do NOT go back to Lhasa by bus for three days, but fly from the local airport Ali to Lhasa (Ali airport is 250 km from Darcen, we will organize a transfer there for you). The airfare from Ali to Lhasa costs about 500$ dollars.

On this journey we will make a kora (kora is a ritual circumambulation) around the mystical Mount Kailas, the strongest place on our planet, the 7th chakra of the Earth. Kailas is the most sacred mountain in the Himalayas, the center of the world’s crown chakra. This is where the Earth’s purpose or true will is conceived and broadcast.
Kailas is a natural mandala. You don’t have to do special meditation techniques here. Meditation happens here.

All spiritual seekers strive to come here to gain intimate knowledge of Man and his possibilities, to have mystical experiences.

Kailas is believed to be one of the major occult places on earth that accelerates human spiritual development and facilitates connection with conscious beings.

Followers of four world religions consider Kailas a sacred place and make pilgrimages to it. That’s more than 1.2 billion earthlings – 400 million. Buddhists, 820 million. Hindus, 3-5 million. Jainists and about half a million followers of the Bon religion.

  1. Для буддистов Кайлас – обитель Будды Шакьямуни в гневной форме.
  2. Для индуистов – обитель Шивы, бога-разрушителя иллюзий.
  3. Джайны верят, что здесь наступило духовное прозрение их первого пророка – Махавиры.  
  4. Бонцы называют гору местом сосредоточения жизненной силы.
Последователи четырех мировых религий считают Кайлас священным местом и совершают паломничество к ней

Apart from Mount Kailas, this trip will take you to other mystical places in Tibet:

  • Посетите священные озера Манасаровар, Ракшастал и Ямдрок Цхо.
  • Побываете в бывшей резиденции Далай Лам многих поколений – во Дворце Потала.
  • Увидите первую статую Будды, которой 2500 лет и которая исцеляет (в Храме Джокханг).
  • Посетите другие монастыри и ступы, встретитесь с ламами.
  • Станете участниками пудж (буддийских служб).
Участники тура перед началом коры вокруг горы Кайлас
  1. Tour dates: September 14 – 25, 2025. (dates of stay in Tibet, without flight).
  2. Number of days: 12 days / 11 nights in Tibet.
  3. Where to: Tibet (territory of China).
  4. Number of people in the group: Number of people in the group: from 6 to 22.
  5. Where to fly: Lhasa airport, the capital city of Tibet.
  6. What we do: We will make a kora (ritual circumambulation) around Mount Kailas (3 days), visit temples, monasteries. We will see the beautiful capital city of Lhasa.
  7. Accommodation: in 4* hotels (8 nights in Lhasa, Shigatse and Dharchhen), 3* hotels (1 night in Saga) and guesthouses (2 nights during the kora around Kailas).
  8. Difficulty of the trek: Kora around Mount Kailash is a 3-day trek of moderate difficulty, which is accessible to many people with good fitness and prior preparation.
  9. Visa: tourist visa to China + Permit (permission to enter the territory of Tibet) – processed through us. Citizens of Belarus and Kazakhstan do not need a visa.
  10. Insurance: standard medical insurance for traveling abroad.
  11. Tour cost: from $2700 (depends on the number of people in the group).
  12. The group is accompanied by: Experienced Tibetan guide and Russian-speaking group leader / interpreter.
  13. Organizer: Travellers’ Club “All Ways”.
  14. Pre-registration for the group: on WhatsApp +1 530 8440836.

Об особенностях маршрута и организации

Tibet is located high in the mountains. The most important moment in such a program is competent acclimatization, which, according to our experience, should take place in comfortable conditions. We fly into the capital Lhasa and are immediately taken to an altitude of 3650 meters.

We first spend 2 days in Lhasa, resting and visiting local monasteries and temples as well as the Potala Palace, the historical residence of the Dalai Lam.

On the third day we ascend to an altitude of 4,885 m, where the Drak Yerpa cave complex is located (35 km from Lhasa), and then we go back down to Lhasa.

Then we gradually gain altitude and with stops and excursions we reach the town of Darchen at the foot of Mount Kailas – altitude 4576 meters. Here we spend the night, the next day we visit the sacred lakes Manasarovar and Rakshastal.

This allows us to not only acclimatize better, but to attune ourselves to a place of strength, meditate on the lake overlooking Mt. Kailas, and tune in for the 3-day mountain circumambulation (kora).

The bark around Mount Kailash is a hike of moderate difficulty that is accessible to many people with good physical fitness and prior preparation. It’s not mountaineering, but you will need to walk at altitude for a long time. The hike begins from the settlement of Darcen at an altitude of 4,576 m. Here we acclimatize. And only after that we make a detour around Mount Kailas starts from the height of 4576 m. On the second day of the kora we reach the maximum point of our route – 5630m. Then the altitude decreases.

For good health in Tibet, in addition to proper altitude and drinking plenty of water, it is important not to get overcooled and to eat well. That is why we do not save on accommodation, but stay in good hotels of 4* and 3* level, where hot water in showers and heating (air conditioners work for heating) are mandatory.

Ascesis time will come, that’s also part of the program – 3 days of trekking on a pilgrimage trail around Mount Kailas at high altitude, without showers and in gesthouses. But by the beginning of the bark around Mount Kailas, you must be healthy and strong enough to make the journey you have come for.

Oh yeah, also while hiking you don’t have to carry all your stuff behind your back. Your belongings will be carried by yaks or porters (porters).

All transfers are made on a comfortable tour bus, which always has:

  • питьевая вода,
  • горячий чай,
  • кислородные баллончики.

We also provide:

  • спальные мешки,
  • трекинговые палки.

You can use them if you wish.

This is all included in the price of the tour.

Владимир Пода, тибетский гид и Андрей Востриков

 

 

Route

Lhasa - the capital of Tibet (3650 m) Shigatze (3845 m) Saga (4640 m) Darchen (4576 m) Sacred lakes Manasarovar and Rakshastal (4590 m) Kailas - bark around the mountain (3 days) (4576 to 5669 m) Darchen (4576 m) Saga (4640 m) Shigatze (3845 m) Lhasa - the capital of Tibet (3650 m)

The group is accompanied by experienced English-speaking guide and group leader / interpreter Andrey Vostrikov. Walked 2 koras around Mt. Kailas. Here’s a video of Andrew talking about his upcoming journey: https://youtube.com/shorts/zoEVb9eUInM?feature=share

Reviews

Travel program

Day 1

September 14, 2025, Sunday. Arrival in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Acclimatization and familiarization

Meet at the airport in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet (3650 meters above sea level). Transfer to the hotel. A scenic road from the airport to the city with high mountain scenery and views of Tibetan villages, as well as views of the Yalutsangbu River. The drive will take about an hour.
Rest after the flight.

If you arrive early, you can visit the Buddhist monasteries near the hotel:

  • Green Tara Women’s Monastery.
  • The Temple of the Three Defenders.
  • Walk along the historic Barkhor Street around Jokhang Temple – it is a holy place and here you can make kora with the pilgrims.

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Lhasa.   

Local monk in Lhasa
 
Getting to know Lhasa
 Day 2

September 15, 2025, Monday. Museum of Tibetan Culture. Sera Monastery. Debates of the monks. Spa center (optional)

After breakfast, excursion to the Tibetan museum. It is a great place to start learning about the history and culture of Tibet and its people. On display are costumes, jewelry, household items of Tibetans from different times and areas, ancient ritual objects, etc. The museum is large and interesting.

Excursion to the Tibetan Museum
 
Excursion to the Tibetan Museum
 After lunch we will visit Sera Monastery.

Sera Monastery is one of the largest and oldest monasteries in Lhasa. It stands at the foot of Mount Pubuchok on the north side of Lhasa. Sera is one of the 6 great monasteries of the Gelug school. Sera was named after the blooming wild flowers, similar to roses, that grow on the mountain behind the monastery grounds. We will visit the monastery library, the temple and see the monks debating.

Monk debates take place at Sera Monastery every day after lunch. It is an important part of the study of Buddhism. The monks of the Gelug school believe that along with studying texts, it is important to practice what they have learned. They gather in the courtyard to ask each other questions on religious topics to make sure they understand them well. The debates are accompanied by active gestures – it is an interesting sight to see.

In the evening you can visit a cozy spa center with bath, jacuzzi and massages (optional).Overnight in a 4* hotel in Lhasa.

Monks Debate
 Day 3

September 16, 2025, Tuesday. Lhasa Attractions. Potala Palace, Jokang Temple.

After breakfast: visit to Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas for many generations. It is a palace and Buddhist temple complex. The palace was built from 641 AD to the 17th century. The palace has 999 luxurious rooms. From here you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of Lhasa. The Potala is the historical, architectural, political and religious center of Tibet. The magnificent halls of the Red and White Palaces, many stupas, and the covered terraces of the Dalai Lama’s residence are breathtaking in their architecture. On the territory of the palace in the Phakpa Lhakhang temple there is a sacred for Buddhists statue of Avalokiteshvara. It also houses the Dalai Lama’s personal monastery, religious school, monks’ cells, treasury and store rooms.

Potala Palace
 
Tour participants on the Potala Palace tour

Visit to the most sacred temple of Lhasa – Jokang (17th century). Pilgrims from all over Tibet come here to worship the sacred statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, brought to Lhasa in the 10th century. This is the very first statue of Buddha (Jowo Shakyamuni), which is 2500 years old. It was consecrated by the Buddha himself.

The temple has 14 separate prayer rooms dedicated to Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug-ba sect, Avalokiteshvara (one of the main manifestations of Buddha), and the famous teacher (guru) Lama Rinpoche. Pilgrims stretch out in front of Jokang Temple.

Miracles happen in this temple! The Buddha statue heals people and fulfills innermost wishes. Dr. Myasnikov shared the story of his life after visiting the Temple: “While visiting the temple, my wife put a little money in front of the Buddha and asked for health and good luck for her son. The next morning (!!!!) she calls me and silently shows me her leg. The ulcers had all healed overnight! I am well aware that this just can’t happen! And when in 2 weeks we landed in Moscow, and my son still on the plane turned on his phone, the first e-mail was from the Sorbonne: “we have fallen out of one of the applicants, and you are next in line. We’ve accepted you!”.

Tour participants at the sacred temple of Lhasa – Jokang
 Walking with pilgrims along Barkhor Street, exploring the old market.Those who wish can make a professional costume photo shoot on the historical street (400 yuan for makeup, hairstyle, costume and photo shoot).Overnight at 4* hotel in Lhasa. 
Costume photo shoot
Day 4

September 17, 2025, Wednesday. Transfer to Shigatze. Sacred lake Yamdrok Tsho. Karola glacier. Pelkhor Chode Monastery. Kumbum Stupa

Today we are going to drive on one of the most beautiful roads in the world!
On the way we will see one of the three Great Lakes of Tibet Yamdrok Tso. The high-altitude lake is located at an altitude of 4,488 meters. It is known for its mystical properties, predictions and magic. We’ll see the Carola Glacier.

Yamdrok Tso Lake
 
Korola Glacier

 

On the way, in Gyantse, we will visit Pelkhor Chode Monastery. Pelkhor Chode Monastery was a complex of 15 monasteries of three different traditions, which in itself is a rarity in Tibetan Buddhism. 9 of the monasteries belonged to Gelug, 3 to Sakya and 3 to the few Bona tradition.

It is also home to the largest stupa in Central Tibet, Kumbum. It has five floors, many rooms, statues and altars. “Kumbum” means “thousand” as there are 1000 images of Buddhas, deities and bodhisattvas. As for the statues, most of them were damaged during the Chinese Cultural Revolution but have now been restored.

 

Kumbum Stupa

We will also see the outside of the ancient fort, built back in the 14th century. The fort is located in the center of the city and spectacularly crowns a rocky hill several hundred meters high. It was designed as a major defensive fortification on the road leading to Lhasa from the south. Numerous white stone buildings still make an impressive impression: high (5-8 m) and thick (up to 4 m) walls, powerful fortifications, massive buildings.

Overnight in Shigatze in a 4* hotel.

 

Day 5

September 18, 2025, Thursday. Tashilunpo Monastery. Moving to Saga

In the morning after breakfast, we will visit Tashilunpo Monasterywhere the Panchen Lamas used to live in earlier centuries. The monastery, which belongs to the Gelug school, currently has about 800 monks studying. The tombs of all the Panchen Lamas and the 13th Dalai Lama are preserved on the temple complex. The main temple houses an ancient statue of the Future Buddha Maitreya, 26 meters high.

Tashilunpo Monastery

In the afternoon we will be transferred to Saga. On the way we will see the beautiful Peiku Tso Lake and a view of another “smallest eight thousand meter peak” – Shishabangma (8027m). In addition, we will be accompanied by stunning views of the Main Himalayan Range almost all the way.

Overnight in a 3* hotel in Saga (4640 m).

Stunning Tibetan views along the way
 Day 6 September 19, 2025, Friday. Transfer from Saga to Darchhen

On the way we will see stunning views of the Himalayan range and the Saga valley. We will see beautiful meadows and local villages, drive over Mayomla pass (5112m), see Naimonanji mountain (7694m), drive past the sacred Manasarovar lake.

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Darcena. 

Lake Manasarovar
 Day 7

September 20, 2025, Saturday. Lakes Manasarovar and Rakshastal. Visit to Chiu Monastery

After breakfast, transfer to Rakshastal Lake , the “demonic lake”. According to legend, a demon meditated for ten days near this very body of water. The ten-headed Ravana cut off one head every day and threw it to Shiva. When the demon had one, last head left, the god Shiva softened his anger and gave the petitioner the power he craved. There is another tale. According to legend, the demon meditated by the dead lake for ten days waiting for the coveted Parvati. But Shiva’s wife never lavished the unfortunate demon with her attention. She didn’t show up.
Tibetans don’t like to stop by this lake – a bit afraid of the place. Nevertheless, it is very beautiful.

Lake Rakshastal

 

After visiting Rakshastal Lake, we will drive to the sacred Lake Manasarovar (4557 meters), a lake with “living water”. Here you can meditate on the shore of a lake overlooking Mount Kailash, and tune in for a 3-day mountain circumambulation (kora). Lake Manasarovar is mentioned in the Indian epic Ramayana. Hindus believe that Manasarovar is the soul of the god Brahma. Shiva and his wife Parvati are believed to have washed themselves here. Another legend says that Lake Manasarovar was the first earthly creation that Brahma created in his mind. Buddhists believe that Manasarovar is the legendary lake where the gods carried the Buddha after birth to wash him.

Tour participants at Lake Manasarovar

 

On Lake Manasarovar is the Chiu (“bird”) Monastery, which sits on either side of a cliff overlooking Lake Manasarovar. The monastery is built over the cave of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche, the teacher who brought Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century). The Precious Master spent three years in meditation in the cave and, according to one version, realized a rainbow body in it. It also houses a lifetime sculpture of Chomdente Buddha.

Return to Darcen. Bark preparation.

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Darcena.

Chiu Monastery
 Day 8 September 21, 2025, Sunday. First day of kora around Mt. Kailas

Trekking 18 km. Ascent to an altitude of about 5000 m.

Itinerary:

  • Tarboche.
  • Chuku Gompa Monastery.
  • Lucky Stone House.
  • The western face of Kailasa.
  • Dirapuk Monastery.
  • The North Face of Kailas.

The spiritual meaning of the journey:
On the first day of the kora, at the White Stupa, the symbolic new life of our soul begins. It is as if we are being born again, acquiring a new symbolic body.

Overnight at the guesthouse.

Kailas
The yaks on the bark that carry the belongings of the tour participants

 

The beginning of the crust around Mt. Kailash

 

 

Tour participant at the southwestern face of Kailash

 

Local Tibetans on the bark

 

At the North Face of Kailash on the first day of the kora

 

Day 9

September 22, 2025, Monday. Day 2 of the bark around Kailas

The way is 22 km. The trek takes 7-11 h. Ascent to the height of 5630 m.
Itinerary:

  • Dirapuk Monastery, past Death Valley.
  • Shivatsal Cemetery.
  • Green Tare Pass.
  • Lake Gaurikund.
  • Axe of karma.
  • Zutulpuk Monastery.

The spiritual meaning of the journey:
On the second day of the kora, our soul lives through symbolic maturity, old age, death, bardo (the intermediate stage between death and birth) and new birth. This day is hard physically. The path of the second day starts from Dhirapuk Monastery at an altitude of 5000 meters.

 

Dirapuk Monastery

After Shivatsal Cemetery till the top of Green Tara Pass, symbolically our soul resides in the state of bardo. The top of the pass is a place of celebration, a long-awaited symbolic new birth takes place here.

From the top of the pass one can see the Karma Axe. The Karma Axe finally “cuts off” the old karma and one feels the beginning of a new life.

Overnight at the guesthouse.

Local Tibetans on the bark

 

Green Tara Lake is located at Drolma La Pass at 5660m

 

Vlvdimir Poda on the Zelenaya Tara Pass at 5600 m

 

The axe of karma

Day 10 September 23, 2025, Tuesday. Day 3 of kora around KailasTrek 12 km, the trek is easy and beautiful, takes 3-4 hrs.Return to the hotel in Dharchhen, lunch.

Easy and beautiful trek to Dharchhen

Himalayan or Tibetan marmot on bark

 

If you wish, you can go to Sarlung Monastery to see and meditate on the South Face of Kailas, from where the journey to the Inner Kora (Nandi Kora) begins.

This is a unique opportunity to see the South Face of Kailas up close and visit the place where the inner bark – Nandi bark – begins. The inner bark is the circumambulation of Mount Nandi adjacent to the South Face of Kailas. Buddhists and Hindus only do the inner kora if they have previously undergone the 13 outer koras. In addition, the route of the inner crust is technically difficult, some sections are very steep, slippery, the danger of rockfalls is not excluded. This may be why access to the inner crust is now closed by the Tibetan authorities.

On our trip, we will organize a field trip to the South Face of Kailas after passing the outer crust for those who wish to do so! This is another additional opportunity to be in the energies of Mt. Kailas. It will be possible to meditate with a view of the South Face of the mountain.

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Dharkhen.

South Face of Kailash
 
Tour participants at the South Face of Kailash
 Day 11 September 24, 2025, Wednesday. Transfer from Darchen to Ali airport.

In the morning, transfer from Darcen to Ali Kunsha airport (240 km). Flight to Lhasa. Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Lhasa.

(Departure from the airport at about 10.30-11.00 am, arrival in Lhasa at about 12.30-13.00 pm).

Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Free time to walk around Lhasa, shopping.

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Lhasa.

Walking the streets of Lhasa

 

A walk by the Potala Palace

 

Walking in the park at the Potala Palace

 

Day 12 September 25, 2025, Thursday. Group transfer to Lhasa airport.

Free time in Lhasa. Transfer to Lhasa airport. The flight home.

Farewell to the group and departure to the airport
.

Cost of travel

From

$2700

COST from 2700 $ (USD) (depends on the number of people in the group):

$2,700 with a group of 21 people;

$2,800 with a group of 19-20 people;

$2,900 with a group of 17-18 people;

$3,000 with a group of 15-16 people;

$3,200 with a group of 11-14 people;

$3,400 with a group of 9-10 people.

The price of the tour includes:

  • Permits (permits to stay in Tibet).
  • All transfers on a comfortable tour bus for our group.
  • Accommodation in 4* hotels (Lhasa, Shigatze, Dharchhen), 3* hotels (Saga – 2 nights) and guesthouses (during the kora around Kailas, 2 nights).
  • Breakfasts at hotels (at gesthouses 2 breakfasts are not included).
  • Excursions according to the program, all entrance fees.
  • Yaks and chasseurs during the bark or porters (to carry your belongings during the bark).
  • Accompanying the group with an experienced Tibetan guide and Russian-speaking group leader / interpreter.
  • Drinking water.
  • Oxygen canisters.
  • Sleeping bags and walking poles (optional).

The tour price does NOT include:

  • Air travel to and from Lhasa.
  • Airfare domestic from Ali to Lhasa is $500.
  • Lunches and dinners.
  • Horse services during the bark – if you can’t go yourself (if you need them, you usually don’t – participants’ belongings will be carried by yaks or porters – they are included in the tour price).
  • The cost of a horse for 1 day of bark is approximately $100.
  • Entry tourist visa to China (to be issued in advance). Citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan and some others do not need a visa.
  • Health Insurance.
  • Single (single) room supplement is optional, $450.
  • Tip to the driver, Tibetan guide.
  • Program items specified “optional”: the theatrical show “Princess Vinchen”, photo shoot, consultation with Tibetan doctor, departure to the South Face of Mount Kailas after the bark.

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