Walk between Earth & Sky. Explore within.
A journey to the sacred mountain—and into yourself
Some places call to us long before we reach them. We imagine the landscape, the journey, and how it might feel to finally be there.
Tibet is one of those places.
This pilgrimage combines the wonder of exploring Tibet with a shared journey of Inner Alchemy. We visit ancient monasteries, pause beside sacred lakes and cross the vast plateau toward Mount Kailash. Our three-day kora begins on June 18, when pilgrims gather for Saga Dawa to honour the Buddha’s birthday.
Throughout the journey, meditation and Inner Alchemy invite us into a deeper encounter with Tibet and ourselves. Through direct experience of nature’s elements, we explore the relationship between the landscape around us and our own inner world. Walking, sitting in stillness and listening become part of the practice, opening space to notice what we feel and discover new ways of seeing.
Between Earth & Sky, the outer and inner journeys unfold together.
Through Tibet’s sacred landscapes and around Mount Kailash
Lake Yamdrok
June 11–24, 2027 · 14 days
Our journey begins in Lhasa and leads west through monastery towns, sacred lakes and the open plateau to Mount Kailash. After three days on the pilgrimage circuit, we return across Tibet to Lhasa.
Days 1–3
Lhasa → Samye → Shannan
Time to rest on arrival, followed by encounters with Lhasa’s religious heritage, Samye Monastery and the retreat landscape of Chimpu.
Days 4–7
Yamdrok → Gyantse → Shigatse → Saga → Darchen
Turquoise lakes, glacier views and historic monasteries accompany us west, towards Manasarovar and the foot of Kailash.
Days 8–10
Darchen → Dirapuk → Dolma La → Zutulpuk → Darchen → Purang
Beginning on Saga Dawa, we follow the mountain’s pilgrimage circuit over three days, spending two nights along the trail.
Days 11–14
Manasarovar → Saga → Shigatse → Lhasa
We revisit Manasarovar and travel east across the plateau, visiting Tashilhunpo Monastery before returning to Lhasa.
At the heart of our pilgrimage
For centuries, pilgrims have travelled to this remote mountain in western Tibet. Revered in Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Bön, Kailash draws people whose journeys begin in different traditions but share a profound sense of devotion.
We come to walk around the mountain—a pilgrimage known as a kora. This three-day circuit is the heart of our journey.
On June 18, we begin our kora on Saga Dawa, when pilgrims gather to honour the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing into nirvana.
Beginning at this time places our own journey within a living tradition of pilgrimage. Around us, others have also travelled far to walk, pray and renew their intentions at the mountain.
For three days, walking becomes the rhythm of our journey. We follow valleys beneath Kailash, spend two nights in simple accommodation and cross the high pass of Dolma La before completing the circuit.
There is beauty and devotion here, alongside sustained physical effort. High altitude, changing weather and basic comforts ask us to move attentively, respect our limits and respond to the conditions we meet.
Three days · Two nights on the trail
Starting and finishing point of the circuit.
An important gathering area for Saga Dawa near the beginning of our walk.
Our first overnight stop, on the northern side of Kailash.
The highest point of the route, at approximately 5,630 m.
Our second overnight stop before the final stretch back towards Darchen.
The map is schematic. Walking distances depend on the confirmed vehicle drop-off and pickup points.
Explore the places, pace and practical details of each day.
Select a day to explore its route, highlights and practical details.
Travel times, walking distances and altitudes are approximate. Visits may change with local access, weather and the group’s wellbeing.
Meditation and Inner Alchemy will be woven into the journey, adapted to each day’s schedule and the need for rest. Discover the practices in 03 · The Inner Journey.
Day 01 · June 11
Rest & acclimatisation
Our journey begins in Lhasa, Tibet’s historic capital. We’ll meet you at the airport or railway station and transfer you to the hotel, where you can settle in and begin adjusting to the altitude.
The day is reserved for rest, with no scheduled sightseeing or formal practice.
Between Earth & Sky
An Inner Alchemy journey through Tibet’s sacred landscapes.
At the foot of a mountain, beside a lake or in the quiet of a monastery, we pause to turn our attention inward.
Alongside the outer pilgrimage, guided meditation and Inner Alchemy invite us into a closer relationship with our body, energy and awareness. Drawing from Qigong, Internal Alchemy and Hermetic traditions, we explore how the qualities we encounter in nature resonate within ourselves.
Mountains, rivers, sunlight and wind become part of our practice, inviting us to explore the elements through sensation, attention and enquiry.
Space & Awareness
The vast horizon invites spaciousness. Through stillness and meditation, we explore the space in which sensations, emotions and thoughts arise—and what becomes apparent when we give them room.
Intention & Transformation
Sunlight and warmth invite us to explore our inner fire: attention, will and the energy we bring to life. Through focused awareness, we enquire into what is ready to change and what we may be resisting.
Sensitivity & Perception
Wind and open skies invite a finer quality of listening. We practise sensing before interpreting, becoming more attentive to subtle impressions and our responses to the world around us.
Grounding & Embodiment
Mountains, rocks and the ground beneath our feet invite us to feel weight, support and stability. Through grounding and Qigong, we explore vitality and what it means to fully inhabit the body.
Feeling & Flow
Lakes, rivers, snow and ice draw us into receptivity and movement. We listen to our emotional experience, noticing where we hold, where we soften and what we can allow to flow.
Our exploration begins with the body and vitality, extending into emotion, identity, thought and spacious awareness.
We notice the patterns we carry, the stories through which we see ourselves and how we connect with others. These enquiries accompany us towards Kailash, inviting greater clarity and presence along the way.
What am I experiencing?
What changes when I become still?
Who am I beneath my familiar roles and patterns?
Practice is woven throughout the day: guided meditation in a monastery where permitted, Qigong beneath the mountains or quiet enquiry beside the water.
On most days, we plan approximately 2–3 hours of practice in total, shared across sessions and shorter pauses along the route. Timing and locations remain flexible, depending on access, travel and the group’s wellbeing. Arrival day is reserved for rest; long travel days and the Kailash kora follow a lighter rhythm.
No particular belief system is required. You are invited to explore through your own experience, with curiosity and respect for your limits.
Two complementary paths, guiding one shared journey.
Inner Alchemy & Qigong Teacher
Marissa began studying internal arts in 2007, exploring Qigong, standing meditation and Wudang Tai Chi. Her continuing studies with Sifu Mark Rasmus and Sifu Ludovic shaped the foundation of her practice and teaching in Qigong, Internal Alchemy and Hermetics.
Based in Northern Thailand, she teaches meditation and internal arts through community classes, individual sessions, workshops and courses, both in person and online. Her teaching supports students in developing sensitivity, deepening awareness and exploring their own experience.
On this pilgrimage,
Marissa will lead the Inner Alchemy teaching, guiding our exploration of the elements, energy and awareness through practice and contemplative enquiry.
Journey Host & Facilitator
With a background in Psychology, she brings together energy work, meditation, breathwork and somatic awareness, alongside her practice of Inner Alchemy. Based in Ubud, she creates spaces for self-discovery and a deeper connection with the body and natural world, offering attentive guidance while encouraging participants to explore at their own pace.
On this pilgrimage,
Weiwei will oversee the itinerary, activities and practical arrangements, working closely with the local team. As a Chinese host, she brings familiarity with the language and cultural context. She will also support to lead selected meditation and Inner Alchemy practices and offer ongoing support to participants throughout the journey.
Knowing what to expect. Travelling with care.
High altitude, remote landscapes and three days walking around Mount Kailash call for thoughtful preparation. Here is what to expect, and the support available along the way.
3,650–5,630 m · Rest on arrival. Breathlessness at rest, confusion or unsteady walking require urgent medical help.
We begin in Lhasa at approximately 3,650 m and reach around 5,630 m at Dolma La, the highest point of the Kailash kora.
Arrival day is for rest only, with no scheduled activities. Please take things gently as you adjust over the following days.
Tell your guide about headaches, nausea or dizziness. Rest and use supplemental oxygen where appropriate and available.
If rest does not help or symptoms worsen, seek medical assessment. Breathlessness at rest, confusion or difficulty walking steadily require urgent medical attention.
Do not travel higher while altitude symptoms persist. Worsening or serious altitude illness requires prompt descent, without waiting for hospital assessment. If the treating hospital recommends transfer to a lower-altitude region elsewhere in mainland China, you must pause the pilgrimage for treatment or recovery, which may mean ending your journey early.
The team will help coordinate available medical and transport services; access is limited in remote areas. Follow professional medical advice on medication.
One shared vehicle-based cylinder and two handheld canisters per participant.
Oxygen offers temporary support and does not replace medical assessment or descent.
Some days involve long drives. Weather, roads, local access and permits may affect timings and visits. The itinerary and practices remain flexible, with room for rest.
Three days of high-altitude walking · No direct vehicle pickup at Dolma La.
Three days of sustained high-altitude walking involve uneven paths and changing weather. Day two, crossing Dolma La, is the most demanding. Keep a steady pace and follow the guide’s advice.
There is no direct vehicle pickup at Dolma La. Assistance may take time to reach you, and you may need to reach a suitable pickup point before transport is possible.
Optional porter services are subject to local availability and rules. Porters may carry luggage rather than provide personal accompaniment.
Please discuss your needs with us in advance.
Local assistance and return arrangements, with medical care or further descent taking priority.
If you need to leave the kora, the team will help coordinate available local assistance and, where appropriate, transport back to Darchen (Taqin).
Medical care or further descent takes priority.
The driver will assist with hotel arrangements in Darchen. The planned reunion with the group is on June 20, provided your condition allows.
Returning to Darchen does not replace medically necessary descent or treatment.
If you prefer not to begin the kora, please speak with us beforehand to discuss waiting arrangements and available support.
Two nights in basic shared guesthouses, with shared facilities and simple meals.
The kora includes two nights in basic shared guesthouses, with multi-bed rooms, shared toilets, limited washing facilities and simple meals.
A sleeping bag or liner is optional if you prefer your own bedding.
Food along the trail may include instant noodles and simple rice dishes at supply stops. Bring familiar snacks and portable food for the walking days.
Please share dietary requirements in advance so we can discuss available options. Specific needs may not always be accommodated in remote areas.
Additional services or changes to your journey may involve extra costs. See 07 · Prices & Booking for cost details, medical withdrawal and refund terms, and insurance information.
Your wellbeing comes first.
Resting or adjusting your participation is always welcome. Completing the kora is never more important than your health.
Preparing with care, one step at a time.
Before booking, please ensure your health and physical condition are suitable for high-altitude travel and the three-day Kailash kora. If you have any concerns, seek medical advice before joining.
By April 20, 2027
Please complete your booking and submit clear colour copies of:
These documents are needed to apply for your Tibet Travel Permit. Your booking confirmation email will explain how to submit them and complete the required forms, including the travel agency’s booking agreement.
Enter Tibet on June 11 · Leave on June 24, 2027
Participants must be accompanied by the local guide throughout the Tibet journey, including arrival and departure transfers. We therefore ask everyone to arrive and depart at similar times so shared transfers can be arranged.
After booking, we will coordinate the group’s flights. Please check with us before purchasing your Tibet tickets.
Travelling via Chengdu may offer convenient flight options. Earlier arrivals within the agreed transfer window may need to wait briefly at Lhasa airport.
If your arrival or departure falls well outside the group’s timings, a separate vehicle and guide transfer will be needed. See 07 · Prices & Booking for the associated charges.
Send delivery details at least one week before the journey begins
Before entering Tibet, first arrive in another city in mainland China to receive your original paper Tibet Travel Permit, required for boarding your flight or train to Tibet.
Please send us:
Confirm that the hotel or recipient can accept delivery, and allow time to receive the permit before travelling to Lhasa. We can help coordinate with your hotel if needed.
Carry the original permit with your passport, and use the same passport for your permit application and travel bookings.
Tibet’s weather and temperatures can change quickly. Bring layers that are easy to add or remove, with waterproof protection for the walking days.
Waterproof
Warm Layers
Walking Gear
Sun Protection
We are here to help if you have questions as you prepare.
Clear arrangements. A thoughtfully prepared journey.
Early Bird
EUR 3,590
Available until February 28, 2027
Regular
EUR 3,890
Prices are per person, based on twin-share hotel rooms and shared guesthouse accommodation during the Kailash kora.
Full payment is required at booking. Please complete your booking and submit the required permit documents by April 20, 2027.
Practices, accommodation, group travel, permits & thoughtful extras.
Before booking, please review the cancellation and refund terms below.
| Written cancellation received | Refund of the journey fee |
|---|---|
| On or before April 20, 2027 | 100% |
| April 21–May 27, 2027 | 70% |
| From May 28, 2027, including non-arrival | No refund |
If your Tibet Travel Permit is not approved despite timely submission of complete, accurate documents, your journey payment will be refunded in full.
Chinese visa refusal, late or incomplete documents, and other personal reasons for cancellation follow the schedule above.
If you pause or leave early for medical or personal reasons, or do not begin or complete the kora, the journey fee is non-refundable, subject to applicable law.
Additional transport, treatment, accommodation, meals and onward travel are your responsibility. Eligible expenses may be claimed through insurance.
Your health comes first. Please follow medical and safety advice promptly.
Please review the insurance documents and travel agency agreement before paying.
Cover is subject to policy terms; reimbursement is not guaranteed.
The policies have different purposes, limits and exclusions; reimbursement for medical care, rescue or journey interruption is not guaranteed.
Consider additional personal cover where needed. Claims are assessed by the insurer, and expenses may need to be paid directly before reimbursement.
Signing and submission instructions will be provided in your booking confirmation email.
1. Review
Itinerary, conditions & booking documents
2. Booking details
Complete your reservation information
3. Payment
Review your booking and pay in full
After payment, your confirmation email will explain how to submit the required documents and complete the travel agency’s agreement.
If you have questions before booking, we are here to help.
