Standing quietly and solemnly at the roof the world, with an average altitude of over 4000 meters, Tibet is a land of dreams and adventures. For the devout Tibetans, it is home of the gods. While for the world hikers and climbers, it features countless challenges and overwhelming sceneries. No matter how many times it has been said, it bears repeating: trek in Tibet once at least in your life – to ascend the holy mountains, to hike across the Alpine meadow grassland and seas of wide flowers, to camp along the holy lakes and admire at the starring nights…
Here are our picks for Tibet’s ten best trekking and hiking trails, and ready for the difficulties and obstacles with the harsh weather.
Recommended Tibet Tours by Easy Tour China
1. The grand loop of Mount Kailash
One of the best-known hiking routes in Tibet, it is for Mt. Kailash - King of mountains, and the most important holy mountain of Tibetan Buddhism. The believers think that taking a lap of Mt. Kailash, their sins will be washed away. After taking 108 laps, they will be Buddha eventually. So you will expect lots of Tibetan Buddhist or Hindus along the way, who are going on a pilgrimage.
The biggest challenge for this trail is the high altitude, averaging at 4700 meters, and reaching up to 5630 meters when getting the Zhuoma Pass. The weather is changeable, but will not be a huge test to the experienced trekkers.
Recommended Mount Kailash Trekking Route - Outer Circuit
Distance: 52-54 km
Day 1: Darchen (4675m) → Dhire Monastery (5080m): 6-8 hours.
Day 2: Dhire Monastery → Drolma La Pass → Tsurtrup Monastery/Tent Camp: 8-10 hours.
Day 3: Tsurtrup Monastery → Darchen\: 3-4 hours.
2. The Lhasa-Yangbajing trail
The hiking trail from Lhasa to Yangbajing is among China’s 20 classic hiking routes (moderate intensity level), and will take you to over 800-year-old Chubu Monastery, the holy sanctuary for the Geju sect of Buddhism (Yellow Hat Sect), and the birthplace of the reincarnation system that promotes Living Buddhas.
Taking this journey by hiking, visitors can not only learn mysterious Tibetan culture and the history of Geju sect, but also enjoy the hot spring in Yangbajing, as well as the refreshing scenery of alpine grassland, Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain, rape flowers fields along the way.
Recommended 3-Day Hiking Route
Day 1: Chubu Monastery (4280m) → Leden
Day 2: Leden → Bacuo (or campsites along the way)
Day 3: Bacuo → Yangbajing (4280m)
3. Lhasa - Ganden – Samye trekking trail
It is a religious hiking trail that links two of Tibet’s most important monasteries: the Ganden Monastery and the Samye Monastery. Ganden Monastery is one of the six great monasteries of the Geju sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Built by Tsongkhapa (1357 - 1419), founder of Gelug sect in 762, it is known as the first monastery in Tibet. You’ll also pass by Qingpu Meditation Cave, which is one of the four great meditation places for Tibet Buddhist Hermits.
Apart from the Tibet Buddhist experience, there are also sightseeing adventures to the alpine landscapes with lakes, snow-caped mountains, wide flowers, nomad camps and Tibetan villages.
Day-by-day hiking route:
Day 1: Lhasa → Ganden Monastery (4240m) → Heibu Village Campsite.
Day 2: Heibu Village → Shukala Pass (5284m) → Valley Camp
Day 3: Valley Camp → Chitula Pass (approx. 5100m) → Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley
Day 4: Valley → Samye Monastery (3600m)
>> Recommended 5 days Lhasa to Ganden Monastery Hiking Tour
4. Trekking in Metog
One of the hikers’ favorites in Tibet, it offers the most of the less-visited Metog area. Metog, meaning "hidden lotus" in Tibetan, is nestled deep in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River and was the last county in China to be connected by road. Surprisingly, its landscape ranges from alpine tundra to tropical rainforest. Its beautiful landscape, serene valleys, simple, friendly Tibetan people are hidden deep in the mountains.
Recommended 4-Day classic Trekking Route
Day 1: Pai Town → Songlinkou (by car) → Crossing Duoxiongla Pass (4221m) → Lag.
Day 2: Lag → Hanmi. Entering the primeval forest.
Day 3: Hanmi → Beibeng
Day 4: Beibeng → Metog County
5. Namtso Lake hiking
Namtso Lake, located at the highest altitude of any large lake in the world, in the Tibetan language is "the Heavenly Lake". So for 800 years, there are also Tibetan Buddhists making a pilgrimage and taking a lap of Namtso Lake. With an altitude of 4718 meters to 5200m, and an area of 1920 square km. It is not an easy hike, but you’ll realize all the pain and hardship has been totally worthwhile, when staying with the Namtso Lake.
>> Recommended Tibet tours to Namtso
Two recommended routes to suit different types of hikers:
Trail around Tashi Peninsula (1–2 days): Approx. 6–8km, best for beginners.
Namtso Grand Loop: Only for experienced backpackers. Approx. 280–320km, no supplies along the way, require bringing your own tent or staying at a herder's camp.
6. The grand loop of Mt. Zhari, Cuona Lake
Similar to Mt. Kailash, Mt. Zhari is also a holy mountain for Tibetan Buddhist, Hindu, Jaina and Benist. Legends has that Mt. Zhari was born in the Year of the Monkey, So every Monkey year, there are believers of different religions from home and abroad make a pilgrimage here. The landscape is breathtaking. And the heavenly Cuona Lake is the place where Flying Goddess lives.
Recommended 5–7 Day Trekking Route
Day 1–2: Lhasa → Gyaca → Zhari Township
Day 3: Zhari Township (approx. 2900m) → Crossing Nala Pass (3800m), Bangla Pass (4800m), Zhala Pass (5200m) → Cuona Lake Camp. The most challenging day.
Day 4: Cuona Lake circumambulation (approx. 4.5km).
Day 5–7: Cuona Lake → Trekking along the main peak of Zhari → Return to Zhari Township
7. Shalu - Nartang trekking trail
In Shigatse, Both Shalu and Narthang are among the four great monasteries of Tsang and connected by an ancient trade route. Trek on this route, you will find the tracks of caravans laden with scriptures and treasures, and pass through uninhabited dry canyons and several serene villages. Never miss to admire at Shalu’s mural paintings, which were known to be the most ancient and beautiful in Tibet.
8. The Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon trek
At the intersection of Nyingchi County, Milin Country and Metog Country, the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon is largest and the deepest canyon in the world. As long as 504.6 km (314 miles), it originates near Mount Kailash and traverses though a northern section of the Himalayas.
Ranked #1 among China's Top Ten Trekking Routes by China National Geographic, it offers thrilling trekking experience. You will find special forest vegetation and variety of plants and animals, including bear, snow leopard, monkey, parrot, and 38 different varieties of azaleas.
Please note: The complete core section of the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon trek (from Pai Town, crossing the Duoxiongla Mountain to Medog) has been closed to tourists since 2021. Our recommended alternative is: Pailong – Zhaqu – Menzhong section (Palong Zangbo Grand Canyon) – a tributary canyon of the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon.
9. Shigatse (Mt. Everest) - Gama Valley trekking trail
The route from Mt. Everest in Shigatse to Gama Valley of Tingri is regarded as one of the world's ten classic hiking trails. It is within the Mount Qomolangma Nature Conservation, thus with unique natural wonders – the world’s highest mountain (Mt. Everest), the world’s fourth highest mountain (Mt. Lhotse), the world’s fifth highest mountain (Mt. Makalu), Mt. Everest Base Camp, rare flora and fauna, valleys and glaciers, and extraordinary ethnic group – the legendary Sherpa. Undoubtedly, this will be a rewarding expedition of a lifetime, but it suitable only for hard-core adventures.
>> Recommended 8 Days Tibet Journey to Mt. Everest
Recommended 9-day trekking route
Day 1: Qudang Township → Youpa Village, elevation approximately 3,700m
Day 2: Youpa Village → Xiaowucuo Campsite, approx. 10km, elevation 3,700m - 4,700m
Day 3: Xiaowucuo → Xiaowula Pass → Zhuoxiang Campsite, approx. 12km, elevation 4,700m → 4,900m → 4,000m
Day 4: Zhuoxiang → Tangxiang Viewpoint, approx. 10km, elevation 4,000m → 4,600m
Day 5: Tangxiang → Ega Campsite Approximately 12km, altitude 4,600m → 4,800m
D6: Ega → Baidang Camp → Everest East Base Camp, approx. 14km, altitude 4,800m → 5,350m
D7: Ega → Cuoxue Renma Camp, approx. 13km, altitude 4,800m → 5,000m
D8: Cuoxue Renma → Langmala Pass → Lunzhulin Village, approx. 14km, altitude 5,000m → 5,350m → 4,000m
D9: Lunzhulin Village → Qudang Township → Shigatse
10. Xia Chayu (Tibet) – Mount Gong (Yunnan) trekking trail
Duration: 20- 25 days
Follow the ancient caravans’ steps, and set foot again the old Tea Horse Road. You will find countless legends and stories, the dreamlike sceneries, and the trail of caravans today. The documentary film The Last Caravan has captured the hikers’ imagination about the ancient Tea Horse Road again.
For this trek, you will need money, determination, a strong body, best equipment, as well as an excellent local guide.
>> Explore 10 Best Yunnan Hikes
Essential Tibet Trekking Tips
- Waterproof jacket and pants, down jacket/fleece jacket, high-top waterproof hiking boots, warm hat
- Large backpack & small backpack
- Treading poles
- Sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Other items depending on your route, such as sleeping bag and tent