Discover Tibet, the rooftop of the world. A sacred land of nomads and endless space where mantras of compassion have been recited for centuries.
Alex and Sisse d’Artois, the founders and directors of Himalayan Hermitage, will be your guides on this epic pilgrimage of a lifetime.
We will start and end in Kathmandu, Nepal. On day 14 of our journey, on the full moon, we will reach Mount Kailash, the epi-center of Tibetan Buddhist cosmology. For three days, we will walk around this sacred mountain in far-west Tibet, an estimated 52-53 km total. We walk at a comfortable pace and take breaks whenever it is needed.
We will be staying in the best possible locations throughout our 20-day journey, ranging from high-end to more basic guesthouses and lodges with all basic facilities.
During our circumambulation (or Kora) around Mount Kailash we will stay in comfortable tents, and our Nepali team of cooks and helpers will accompany us. It will not be possible to shower for these 2.5 days, but the hot springs at Chiu Gompa and Lake Manesarovar at the end of the Kora will feel all that better!
Throughout the journey (except on days of extensive travel), Sisse and Alex will be leading sessions on introduction to Buddhist philosophy and meditation practice, according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. This is what makes this journey truly immersive. As we discover a whole new outer environment, we will also look within ourselves to cultivate the hallmarks of the native tradition of the land; mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom. The lectures and practices are approached from a non-religious, secular, and psychological perspective.
The pilgrimage and all lectures will be guided in English.
The Facilitators
Sisse d’Artois is a knowledge gateway between Asia and the West. For the last eleven years, she has been living in and traveling to Nepal and Tibet.
A born nomad from Denmark, Sisse has been an avid traveler for the past 20 years. 2005 was the first time she traveled to the Himalayas. This sparked within her an ongoing love affair with both Nepal and the Buddhist wisdom tradition. Sisse’s studies couldn’t even keep her settled down - her double BA in ‘Educational Studies’ and ‘Development Studies’ led her to the likes of Lebanon, Syria, and eventually back to her first love: Nepal. Moving on to her post-grad at the University of York in England, on ‘Post War Recovery Studies’, Nepal pulled Sisse back yet again with a thesis on ‘Transitional Justice in post-conflict Nepal’.
The first time Sisse traveled to Tibet was in 2007 - this marked a major turning point in her life. Every year since, she has guided between 1-3 Danish groups for a minimum of 21 days, throughout the Tibetan plateau.
Originally from Canada, Alex d’Artois has been based in Nepal for the last number of years and has in-depth knowlege on the many sacred sites of Nepal and the Himalayas. He has studied Buddhist philosophy at a University based out of a Tibetan monastery in Kathmandu and is therefore familiar with a classical Tibetan learning environment. At the same time, Alex’s studies in Tibetan Buddhism have stemmed from a psychological/’mind-training’ interest, which comes out in his approach to meditation, philosophy, and various cultivation practices from the rich Tibetan Buddhist wisdom tradition.
Sisse and Alex are the founders and directors of Himalayan Hermitage. Their expertise comes from merging western and eastern perspectives. During the journey, they will introduce the hallmarks of Himalayan Buddhist cultures - philosophy, history, and various cultivation practices such as mindfulness, compassion and wisdom. In this way, they offer a window into the spiritual heritage of Tibet by facilitating a group of pilgrims (rather than tourists) to immerse experientially into the raw, powerful environments, and uplifting cultures of the Himalayas.
Price per Person
‘Early Bird Special’: USD 6’950.- (ends December 9, 2023)
Normal price: USD 7’300.-
Single Room Supplement is an added USD 1’250.-
Included in the price
20-day/19-night itinerary
Transfers upon arrival and departure
All accommodation as per itinerary
Camping expedition in tents (2 nights) with a team of Nepali cooks during the Kora around Mount Kailash
All vegetarian meals (vegan possible too)
Daily Dharma talks and introduction to meditation lead by Sisse and Alex d’Artois
Notebook for journaling during the journey
An HH duffle bag for the entire journey and to bring home afterwards
Not included are
International airfare to and from Nepal
Personal travel insurance during the journey
Personal visa for Nepal
Any alcoholic beverage during the journey
Any tip to local guides and porters
Prerequisites for Joining the Journey
This journey is designed for experienced and active travellers in good physical condition. The itinerary includes full day hikes, especially around Mount Kailash and sometimes at high altitude. Trails around the mountain will include steep descents/ascents on mountainous terrain.
Once we reach Lhasa and travel across the Tibetan plateau we will be up in high altitude, ranging from 3650 meters (11,995′) in Lhasa, up to 5000 meters (16,400′) on the highest pass around the Mount Kailash kora. Overall, we can expect to walk an estimated 52-53 km for our entire circumambulation around the mountain. We walk at a comfortable pace and take breaks whenever it is needed.
Knowledge or experience with the practice of meditation are not necessary. However, curiosity and the wish to go deeper with one’s mind is required.
Transfer / Visa / Terms and Conditions
Himalayan Hermitage will provide transportation by private car on your arrival/departure day from/to Tribhuvan International airport in Kathmandu. The visa for Nepal can be obtained upon arrival at the airport in Kathmandu (or other border points). A passport valid until 6 months after your travel date is required. For the visa for Tibet, Himalayan Hermitage will collect all group passports and apply for the group visa.
Please also check-out the terms and conditions.
Booking / Further Terms
For all questions please send your message or reach out to Himalayan Hermitage on WhatsApp: +977 9813519458.
Click here to book your journey.
A minimum of participants is needed to guarantee this journey. Please do not book any international flight tickets until you have received direct communication from Himalayan Hermitage that the journey is taking place.
Insurance is your own responsibility. To partake on a journey with Himalayan Hermitage you must be covered by a travel medical insurance with sufficient coverage. We also strongly recommend a travel cancellation insurance (e.g. Travel insurance option).
This pilgrimage journey is organized by Himalayan Hermitage in partnership with Buddhist Magazine Lion’s Roar.