Pilgrimage to Tibet «Rebirth»
05 – 16 october 2026
Arrival in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Meeting of participants, transfer to the hotel for rest and acclimatization. Lhasa's altitude is 3,650 meters above sea level. Therefore, we will spend the next few days in the city, sightseeing in a relaxed mode. We need to gain strength for the kora (pilgrimage) around the sacred Mount Kailash, which is why we have all gathered here.
Night in Lhasa at hotel 3* (4-5* upon request)
Over the next few days, we will follow in the footsteps of pilgrims: feel reverence in the Potala Palace, touch ancient energy in the Jokhang Temple, and explore majestic monasteries. Each day will be filled with discoveries and inner work.
Today we will visit the Potala Palace, the symbol of Tibet. The Potala Palace was the main residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The height of the palace is 113.7 meters with thirteen floors.
Lhasa — the historical capital of Tibet — is located in a picturesque river valley. The gorge that narrows the road to Lhasa gradually opens up, and the appearing valley is filled with a row of white-walled houses, and around the bend, a majestic structure rises on a hill above the city — the Potala Palace. This site is among the most majestic temples of Tibet, interesting from the perspective of pilgrimage and esoteric tourism, and is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The second place to visit today is the Jokhang Monastery. Jokhang (House of Buddha) is the first Buddhist temple in Tibet and a landmark of the country. The construction of the city of Lhasa began precisely at this site and with this monastery in the 7th century. The temple remains one of the most sacred places for Tibetans. They perform regular prostrations here and walk the kora around Jokhang every day, in which we will also certainly join them. We will look inside the monastery itself and perform a ritual kora.
Visiting Jokhang is not a tour, but an immersion in the sacred rhythm of Tibet, essential for understanding its soul and faith.
Night in Lhasa at hotel 3* (4-5* upon request)
For today’s morning, before we drive to our next stop city Shigadze, we have planned a visit to the mystical cave city of Drak Yerpa. The cave complex consists of about 80 meditation caves and is located 35 km from Lhasa, at an altitude of 4,885 meters above sea level. It also houses the Drak Yerpa Monastery, founded in the 12th century.
It was here that the most famous teachers of Tibet — Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) and Atisha, as well as the King of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo — spent years in meditation. The cave complex was completely destroyed and remained empty for a long time. Monks have only recently begun to return here. There is something good in this – since not many tourists have set foot here over the years, the energy in the caves has remained very powerful.
We will walk, meditate, and be able to purchase souvenirs made by the hands of monks and blessed in the monastery. Such a half-day walk at a high altitude and a night at 3,600m are good tools for adaptation.
Then – drive to Shigadze. Evening SPA in the center.
Night in Shigatse at hotel 3* (4-5* upon request)
In the morning, we will visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, located in Shigatse. It is considered one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, which, moreover, remains fully functional to this day, serving as the residence of the Panchen Lama.
The Panchen Lama is traditionally the mentor of the Dalai Lama and an emanation of Buddha Amitabha, holding the second most significant position in the hierarchy of the Gelug school after the Dalai Lama. Panchen Lamas search for the reincarnations of Dalai Lamas and vice versa. Furthermore, the Panchen Lama is vested with the power of state management if the Dalai Lama is still too young for it.
Tashilhunpo Monastery was built in 1447 on a hill; it was founded by Gendun Drup, a disciple of the great master Tsongkhapa (recognized after his death as the First Dalai Lama), with funds from patrons. One of the main attractions of the monastery is the burial stupas containing the remains of the First Dalai Lama and several Panchen Lamas. Here stands the golden eleven-meter stupa of the Fourth Panchen Lama, built in 1666. The stupa is made of pure gold and decorated with precious stones. The magnificent stupa of the Tenth Panchen Lama is also kept here. It took 614 kg of gold, 868 precious stones, and over 246,000 semi-precious stones to craft the stupa.
Night in Saga at hotel 3* (4* upon request)
Before reaching the starting point of the kora, the village of Darchen, we will stop by the sacred lake and visit the Chiu Monastery, where pilgrims usually ask for a blessing for the kora.
According to Tibetan legends, Lake Manasarovar is the gateway of spirits that connects our physical world with the otherworldly world. This lake is round and symbolizes the forces of light. The Indian epic Ramayana mentions Lake Manasarovar. Hindus are certain that Manasarovar is the soul of the god Brahma. It is believed that Shiva and his wife Parvati bathed 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 took Buddha after his birth to wash him. Every day, thousands of believers strive to visit the waters of Manasarovar. It is an integral part of the sacred Mount Kailash.
We will also visit the Chiu Gompa monastery. We will ask for a blessing for the kora. Chiu is a very significant shrine for followers of Buddhism. A life-sized sculpture of Buddha Chomdente is kept here.
According to legend, Guru Rinpoche — the founder of Buddhism in Tibet — spent the last seven days of his life here. It is believed that it was he who taught Tibetans the mystery of meditation and the art of enlightenment.
Then we are heading to Darchen to prepare ourselves for Kora.
Night in Darchen village at hotel 3* (4* upon request)
Sacred Mount Kailash (6714 m). Believers of many religions — Hindus, Buddhists, Jainists, and followers of Bon consider this extraordinary mountain the "heart of the world," the "axis of the earth," a place where cosmic spheres touch. The great rivers of India — the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus, and Kali Gandaki — take their origin from the slopes of this mountain. In this center, a breakthrough of levels and the acquisition of sacred knowledge are possible.
Having asked for a blessing for the kora, we begin the journey to the Dirapuk Gompa monastery, where the meditation cave of Master Milarepa (5,080 m) is preserved. On the first day, we cover 13 km, about 6–8 hours on the way.
Night in a guest house near the monastery.
Second day of the kora. Trek to Zutulpuk (4,910 meters above sea level). Here are the most important meditation caves of Milarepa, where the Great Teacher contemplated his flight to Kailash.
The second day of the pilgrimage is the most physically challenging — we have to walk 18 km, which takes about 10 hours of trekking. We also have to overcome the rocky Dolma-la pass (5,600 m). One must be very careful not to stumble, as the road will be strewn with huge stones. At the pass, pilgrims leave their clothes or personal items as a sign of ending the past period of their life with hope for a new life.
On this day, we will also pass through the Valley of Death, the Shiwatsal cemetery, overcome the Green Tara pass, pass by Lake Gauri Kund, see the Axe of Karma, and finally arrive at the Zutulpuk Monastery (4,910 m).
Night in the monastery shelter.
Final day of the kora. A descent of 15 km, about 5 hours on the way, awaits us. The road lies along the picturesque Barkha Valley, and on the way, we will be able to reflect on the completed kora.
We return to Darchen (4,910 meters above sea level), jump into our comfortable cars, and head briefly to the hot springs at the Tirthapuri Monastery. According to legends, Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) meditated here together with his consort Mandarava. They turned this place into a powerful center of spiritual power, subduing the local spirits and blessing it.
The main attraction is the cave of Padmasambhava where he practiced, as well as natural hot springs and stupas. Pilgrims perform a ritual circumambulation (kora) here and take baths in the springs, considering them healing and purifying.
A trip to Tirthapuri after the kora is the final stage of purification. Pilgrims believe that the hot springs of Tirthapuri possess the unique power to "wash away" what was "uncovered" or came to the surface during the kora around Kailash. This solidifies the positive effect of the pilgrimage and helps one leave completely cleansed.
Night in Darchen village at hotel 3* (4* upon request)
We gradually move toward Lhasa along the already familiar route. Night in the city of Saga, dinner at a restaurant with traditional Chinese "hot pot."
Night in Saga at hotel 3* (4* upon request)
A long transfer to the city of Shigatse. Our favorite massage parlor and a delicious dinner in a good Nepali restaurant await us.
Night in Shigatse at hotel 3* (4-5* upon request)
We don't plan anything special for this day, except for a joint walk around the city and a traditional dinner. You will be able to sleep longer, buy souvenirs, visit a SPA center ar a theater, or simply do nothing all day.
In the evening, we will gather together to have dinner in the circle of pilgrims with whom we walked this path and discuss impressions and adventures.
We are sure this is only the beginning…
Night at hotel 3* (4-5* upon request)
Morning — for packing, coffee, farewell walks, and breakfast in a friendly atmosphere. Then — flight home.
05 – 16 october 2026
$3,125
Additional expenses (exact prices will be provided at the time of booking):
