Top 10 Trekking Tours in the Tibetan Plateau

The Tibetan Plateau, often called the “Roof of the World,” is one of the most breathtaking trekking destinations on earth. With its vast grasslands, snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, remote monasteries, and sacred pilgrimage trails, Tibet offers trekkers an experience that is both adventurous and deeply spiritual. Whether you’re seeking a short hike through nomadic valleys, a pilgrimage circuit around a holy mountain, or a challenging journey to the base of the world’s highest peak, Tibet has something to offer every traveler.

From the legendary Mount Kailash kora to the cultural journey from Ganden to Samye Monastery, and from the rugged trails of Amnye Machen to the dramatic cliffs of Tiger Leaping Gorge, these routes showcase the diversity of landscapes and traditions across Tibet and its neighboring Tibetan cultural regions in Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan.

Here are the 10 most famous trekking routes in the Tibetan Plateau:

Trekking Route 1: Mt. Kailash Trek

Average Altitude: 4,500m / 14,760ft
Highlights: Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Saga, Lake Manasarovar, Mt. Kailash
Trekking Length: 3 days
Location: Ali Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region

➡️ Considered one of the holiest treks in Asia, the Mount Kailash kora is a sacred pilgrimage for Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Bon practitioners.

Trekking Route 2: Mt. Amnye Machen Trek

Average Altitude: 4,200m / 13,800ft
Highlights: Qinghai Lake, nomadic grasslands, wilderness, Mt. Amnye Machen
Trekking Length: 8 days
Location: Golog Prefecture, Qinghai Province

➡️ Revered as a sacred mountain in Amdo, this trek takes you through vast open pastures and remote nomadic areas, offering a true wilderness experience.

Trekking Route 3: Ganden to Samye Trek

Average Altitude: 3,900m / 12,800ft
Highlights: Lhasa, Ganden Monastery, Samye Monastery, nomadic settlements, meditation caves
Trekking Length: 4 days
Location: Southeast of Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region

➡️ A classic trek linking two of Tibet’s most important monasteries, this route combines cultural heritage with stunning alpine landscapes.

Trekking Route 4: Old Tingri – Mt. Everest Base Camp Trek

Average Altitude: 4,400m / 14,450ft
Highlights: Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, Shigatse, Sakya Monastery, Old Tingri, Rongbuk Monastery, Mt. Everest
Trekking Length: 4 days
Location: Tingri County, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region

➡️ The trek from Old Tingri to Everest Base Camp offers breathtaking views of the world’s highest mountain and a chance to visit the iconic Rongbuk Monastery.

Trekking Route 5: Tsurphu to Yangpachen Trek

Average Altitude: 4,000m / 13,120ft
Highlights: Lhasa, Tsurphu Monastery, Yangpachen Hot Springs
Trekking Length: 4 days
Location: Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region

➡️ This route combines Tibetan spirituality with nomadic culture, ending with a relaxing dip in Yangpachen’s geothermal hot springs.

Trekking Route 6: Mt. Kawagarbo (Karwa Karpo) Trek

Average Altitude: 4,500m / 14,700ft
Highlights: Shangri-La, Deqin, Kawagarbo peak
Trekking Length: 12 days
Location: Diqing County, Yunnan Province

➡️ Known as one of the most sacred peaks in the eastern Himalayas, this trek offers deep cultural immersion and stunning glacial scenery.

Trekking Route 7: Karta to Kangshung Trek

Average Altitude: 4,800m / 15,800ft
Highlights: Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, Shigatse, Shegar, Karta Valley, Everest’s Kangshung (East) Face
Trekking Length: 8 days
Location: Tingri County, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region

➡️ This is one of Tibet’s most scenic treks, leading to the less-visited eastern face of Mount Everest with dramatic Himalayan views.

Trekking Route 8: Mt. Minya Gongga (Gongga Shan) Trek

Average Altitude: 4,500m / 14,800ft
Highlights: Kham Tibetan culture, Ganzi Prefecture, high alpine scenery
Trekking Length: 3–10 days (various routes available)
Location: Moxi, Luding County, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province

➡️ Known as the “King of Sichuan Mountains,” Minya Gongga is the highest peak in eastern Tibet and offers treks of varying length and difficulty.

Tibet trekking

Trekking Route 9: Shalu to Narthang Trek

Average Altitude: 3,900m / 12,800ft
Highlights: Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, Shigatse, Shalu Monastery, Narthang Monastery
Trekking Length: 4 days
Location: Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region

➡️ A short and accessible trek, ideal for those wanting to combine Tibetan history, monasteries, and rural landscapes.

Trekking Route 10: Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek

Average Altitude: 3,600m / 11,800ft
Highlights: Shangri-La, dramatic gorges, Tibetan villages of Yunnan
Trekking Length: 4 days
Location: Shangri-La, Yunnan Province

➡️ One of China’s most famous hikes, this trail runs along the Jinsha River with sheer cliffs, waterfalls, and stunning cultural encounters.