The longest and highest of our treks in the Tibetan world: a full circuit — a kora — around Chenrezig, Jampayang and Chanadorje, the three sacred peaks of Yading revered by Tibetan pilgrims as the earthly forms of the bodhisattvas of compassion, wisdom and power. Seven consecutive nights camping above 4,000m, crossing pass after pass, following a route pilgrims have walked for centuries. This trip is only possible with proper acclimatisation beforehand — at least two nights above 3,800m in the days leading up to the trek.
Trip Highlights
A real pilgrimage route
The kora around Yading's three sacred peaks has been walked by Tibetan pilgrims for centuries — you follow the same route, camp for camp.
Three sacred mountains, one skyline
Chenrezig, Jampayang and Chanadorje — the earthly forms of compassion, wisdom and power — all stand together on the skyline from Chanadorje Pass (4,900m), the trek's highest point.
Seven nights above 4,000m
This is a proper high-altitude expedition: camping the entire kora, with Snake Lake, Boyong Lake and a string of high passes along the way.
Songluo Pass, the pilgrims' gateway
Traditionally regarded as the only true entrance into the "hidden paradise" of Yading — you cross it on day 4, descending straight to Chonggu Temple.
Mani stones and Butterfly Rock
Generations of pilgrims have left their mark along the trail — piles of mani stones, an old landslide scar, and the distinctive rock formation above Black Lake.
Closing the loop at Snake Lake
A second, quieter evening back at Yading's largest lake, having completed the full circuit — before the descent back to the trailhead.
Route Overview
Shangri-La → Tongding
Drive up through pine forest and highland pasture.Tongding → Snake Lake
1,200m climb to Yading's largest lake, 4,450m.Kora day 1 → Kasi valley
Songduo Pass, into the wild "Hell Valley".Kora day 2 → Bayu Camp
Songluo Pass, the pilgrims' gateway, past Chonggu Temple.Kora day 3 → Zagong Camp
Chanadorje Pass (4,900m), the trek's high point.Kora day 4 → Gongga Zhaze
The gentlest stage of the kora.Kora day 5 → Zabala Camp
Two passes beneath Chanadorje's glaciated east face.Kora day 6 → Xinguo Camp
Zabala Pass and mani-stone trails beneath Jampayang.Kora day 7 → Snake Lake
Three passes, Black Lake, closing the loop.Snake Lake → Shangri-La
Descent to Tongding, drive back.Full Itinerary
Shangri-La → Tongding
After breakfast in Shangri-La, you begin the drive towards Tongding, climbing steadily through pine forest and open highland pasture for about four hours, with grazing yaks and scattered Tibetan farmhouses along the way. You arrive in Tongding (3,250m) in the early afternoon for a short stroll and equipment check before setting off the following morning.
Tongding → Snake Lake
Leaving Tongding after breakfast, you begin the steady climb that brings you to the kora. The trail follows a river valley through rhododendron forest before breaking out above the treeline, where the views widen with every step. After roughly six hours and a gain of 1,200 metres, you reach Snake Lake (4,450m), the largest lake in Yading and a glacially-carved basin ringed by grassy shores — a memorable first night on the trail, with the sacred peaks ahead already in view.
Yading Kora day 1
The day begins with a gentle climb towards Songduo Pass (4,650m), from where clear weather can reveal distant glimpses of the Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake basin far below. From the pass, the trail descends into the wilder, boulder-strewn terrain of the Kasi valley, nicknamed by local guides the "Hell Valley" for its rugged, otherworldly landscape. You camp for the night in the upper Kasi valley (4,450m), surrounded by high granite walls.
Yading Kora day 2
One of the longer days, with around seven hours of walking and 850 metres of ascent. You climb to Songluo Pass (4,670m), traditionally regarded by pilgrims as the only true gateway into the "hidden paradise" of Yading. Crossing it, you descend into the heart of the scenic area and reach Chonggu Temple (3,980m), a small monastery at the foot of Mount Chenrezig that has long been the spiritual anchor of the kora, before an afternoon climb through alpine meadow to camp below Boyong Lake.
Yading Kora day 3
A short walk along the shore of Boyong Lake in the early morning offers superb reflections of Chenrezig, Jampayang and Chanadorje, the three sacred mountains worshipped as the earthly forms of the bodhisattvas of compassion, wisdom and power. From the lake, you climb to Chanadorje Pass (4,900m), the highest point of the entire trek, where all three peaks stand together on the skyline, followed by a long, knee-testing descent of around 600 metres into the pastures of Zagong Camp.
Yading Kora day 4
After the exertions of the previous days, this is the gentlest stage of the kora: an easy descent through pasture and scattered dwarf forest, then a short, moderate climb into a new valley beneath Chanadorje's eastern flank. You reach Gongga Zhaze (4,100m) by early afternoon, one of the broadest and most sheltered camps on the route, with time to rest and wash in the stream.
Yading Kora day 5
The trail climbs steadily to a first minor pass at 4,420m, then continues to a second, higher pass at 4,520m on Chanadorje's southern shoulder, both offering fresh perspectives on the mountain's glaciated east face. Depending on the season, the alpine meadows along the way can be dotted with rhododendron and other high-altitude wildflowers. After around five hours of walking, you descend to Zabala Camp, set in a quiet side valley below tomorrow's main pass.
Yading Kora day 6
An early start takes you up to Zabala Pass (4,750m), one of the more demanding climbs of the trek, followed by a second pass beneath Jampayang at 4,400m, from where the mountain's north face dominates the view. The trail then winds past piles of mani stones left by generations of pilgrims and the scar of an old landslide before dropping to Xinguo Camp, among the largest and most open camping grounds on the circuit.
Yading Kora day 7
A long day again, with close to 750 metres of climbing spread across three consecutive passes. The first, at 4,750m, looks down over the dark waters of Black Lake and the distinctive rock formation known locally as Butterfly Rock; a second minor pass at 4,740m follows soon after. The final climb to Snake Lake Pass (4,720m) brings you back into sight of Snake Lake itself, and a gentle descent returns you to its shores to close the loop of the kora. Congratulations — you've completed the kora!
Snake Lake → Shangri-La
Retracing your steps from the first days of the trek, you descend from Snake Lake back through the forested valley to Tongding, a walk of around five hours that feels considerably easier heading downhill with the kora now complete. A vehicle will be waiting in the village for the drive back to Shangri-La, where a hot shower and a proper bed await after a week spent camping above 4,000m.
What's Included
Booking Terms
- Cancellation terms depend on how close to departure you cancel, and are confirmed in writing when your trip is booked.
- If a visa application is refused, we ask for the official refusal letter from the consulate and refund what we can once any costs already committed on your behalf are deducted.
- A confirmed place can usually be transferred to another eligible traveller.
- If safety conditions or government restrictions force a change, we'll adapt or refund the unused portion of the trip.
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