Leave Lhasa by 7am to dodge the inevitable tour bus swarm. At 4,000 meters, pace yourself on the kora trail or altitude sickness will ruin your day. Skip the cheap plastic trinkets at the entrance and find the monastery canteen for five-yuan butter tea that actually hits different. Layer up and pack heavy-duty SPF unless you want a gnarly high-altitude burn. Budget three hours to soak in those killer Kyi Chu valley views without rushing.
