7 Days Yamdrok Lake Outer Kora
- Duration
- 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Pace
- Easy
- Group size
- 3–8 travellers
- Best season
- Late April to October; best in Saga Dawa
The trip at a glance
In Saga Dawa, the holiest month of the year, Tibetans walk the kora around their holy lakes — always clockwise, and always back to where they started. This journey makes the outer kora of Yamdrok Lake, a full circle around the whole lake, starting and ending at the foot of the Gampala Pass. Part of each day you walk by the water; the rest of the way you ride in our vehicle.
Read the full overview
The full circle, part on foot. The outer kora is about 230 km — too far to walk in a holiday, so we walk the most beautiful stretches of the shore each day, from a short stroll to two or three hours, and ride between them. It suits families, older travellers and anyone who would like to make the whole circle without long days on foot.
Clockwise, as pilgrims go. From the foot of the Gampala Pass the kora goes east along the north shore past Dongra, south down the east side to Chamda and Lhunboxoi, west along the south shore by the Gyigu viewpoint, Doqoi and Dalung, and north again through Nagarze and Baidi, back to where it began.
Snow mountains on the south shore. The highlight is the south shore, where a long line of snow mountains rises beyond the lake to the south.
Simple places to stay. Around the lake, Nagarze county town has the only proper hotel. On the east side we stay one night in a simple village guesthouse near Lhunboxoi: basic, but it lets you close the circle without long drives.
Best in Saga Dawa. Three easy days in Lhasa first prepare you for the lake, about 800 metres higher. The kora can be made from late April to October; the most special time is Saga Dawa (expected around June in 2027). Read more about Saga Dawa, or make the shorter inner kora around the lake’s peninsula.
Three ways to know Yamdrok Lake. We sort our Yamdrok tours into three kinds: the kora, a full circle around the lake as pilgrims make it, part on foot and part by vehicle; the trek, real walking days with camping; and the loop, half a day by the lake on the way to the Yarlung Valley. See them all on Yamdrok Lake tours.
- Lhasa
- Gampala Pass
clockwise around Yamdrok Lake: Dongra- Chamda
- Gyigu
- Doqoi
- Dalung
- Nagarze
- Baidi
- Gampala Pass
- Lhasa
Where you go, and how high you sleep
The route, stop by stop
Lhasa → Gampala Pass → clockwise around Yamdrok Lake: Dongra → Chamda → Gyigu → Doqoi → Dalung → Nagarze → Baidi → Gampala Pass → Lhasa
- Arrive in Lhasa (3,650 m) — a quiet first dayDay 1
- Lhasa — Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor koraDay 2
- Lhasa — Sera Monastery and the Tibet MuseumDay 3
- Lhasa → Gampala Pass → outer kora day 1: the north and east shoresDay 4
- Outer kora day 2: the south shore and its snow mountainsDay 5
- Outer kora day 3: Nagarze → Baidi → Gampala, the circle closes → LhasaDay 6
- Departure from LhasaDay 7
Day by day
Days 1–3 · Lhasa
Arrive in Lhasa (3,650 m) — a quiet first day
Your guide meets you at Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa railway station with a white khata scarf and takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is for resting: walk slowly, drink plenty of water and let your body get used to the height.
Lhasa — Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor kora
The Potala Palace in the morning, then the Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in Tibet. In the afternoon, walk the Barkhor, the kora around the Jokhang, clockwise with the pilgrims and their prayer wheels. In Saga Dawa, the holiest month, the circuit is full of pilgrims from all over Tibet.
Lhasa — Sera Monastery and the Tibet Museum
Sera Monastery, with the monks' debate in the courtyard in the afternoon (except Sundays), and the Tibet Museum. A third easy day in Lhasa means your body is ready for the lake, about 800 metres higher.
Lhasa → Gampala Pass → outer kora day 1: the north and east shores
Over the Gampala Pass (4,794 m) to the start of the circle at its foot, and set off clockwise along the north shore. Walk by the water near Dongra, then follow the east side of the lake south past Chamda, with more stops to walk wherever the shore is finest.
Outer kora day 2: the south shore and its snow mountains
The finest day of the kora. From Lhunboxoi to the Gyigu viewpoint, then west along the south shore through Doqoi and Dalung, with a long line of snow mountains beyond the lake. Walk the most beautiful stretches by the water, ride the rest, and reach Nagarze in the afternoon.
Outer kora day 3: Nagarze → Baidi → Gampala, the circle closes → Lhasa
North along the west shore through Baidi, with a last walk by the water, to close the circle at the foot of the Gampala Pass, where you started. Then over the pass and back to Lhasa.
Departure from Lhasa
Your guide takes you to the airport or railway station. Tashi delek — safe travels.
What is included
Included
- Tibet Travel Permit and all other permits for the route
- English-speaking Tibetan guide
- Private vehicle and driver for the whole trip
- Hotels in Lhasa
- Entrance tickets for the sights in the itinerary
- Airport or railway station transfers
- One night in Nagarze and one in a simple village guesthouse
- Oxygen cylinders in the vehicle throughout the trip
Not included
- Flights or trains to and from Lhasa
- China visa
- Lunches and dinners in Lhasa
- Personal expenses and tips
- Single room supplement
Photos from this route
Questions travellers ask
What is the outer kora of Yamdrok Lake?
A pilgrims' circuit of about 230 km around the whole of Yamdrok Lake, made clockwise. On our journey it starts and ends at the foot of the Gampala Pass.
Do I walk the whole outer kora?
No. It is too far to walk on a holiday, so each day you walk the most beautiful stretches of the shore, from a short stroll to two or three hours, and ride in our vehicle between them. The circle still closes where it began.
What is the difference between the inner and the outer kora?
The inner kora, about 110 km, goes around the mountainous peninsula in the south of the lake, starting and ending in Nagarze. The outer kora, about 230 km, goes around the whole lake from the foot of the Gampala Pass. Both are made clockwise.
Where do you stay on the outer kora?
One night in a simple village guesthouse near Lhunboxoi on the east side, and one night in a hotel in Nagarze, the only proper hotel around the lake.
When is the best time for the Yamdrok Lake kora?
Late April to October. The most special time is Saga Dawa, the holiest month of the Tibetan year, expected around June in 2027.
