Discover insights, stories, and practical guides for your spiritual journey
It is a privilege to visit Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar during your lifetime. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is more than a pilgrimage; it is an experience to cherish. This yatra takes you to the high mountains of the Trans Himalayan ranges of Tibet, where snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and rivers inspire awe at nature’s beauty.
TripToYatra brings you the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Kathmandu. You can reach all destinations by road and overland routes, and enjoy views of Nepali and Tibetan landscapes from your vehicle. The first sight of Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash will thrill you and bring tears to your eyes. It is a sight that very few people have the privilege of seeing, and it leaves you with immense satisfaction.
But the real adventure starts from Yam Dwar, where you will embark on the Kailash Kora. This is a trek and pradakshina around Mount Kailash. You can view Mount Kailash from close distance and get to know the landscape more closely than anybody. If you have stamina after all the trekking, you can even go for Charan Sparsh. Or, visit the Jain pilgrimage site of Ashtapad. But consult your Sherpa guides and local authorities before you go on any such treks. Weather can turn nasty any time during the trek, and it is advisable to travel together with your other group members.
You will also benefit from the sightseeing in Kathmandu and visit Pashupatinath Temple. Seek blessings of Lord Pashupatinath and visit other shrines in the complex. The nearby Jal Narayan Temple and Guhyeshwari Temple will give you blessings of the gods and goddesses before you embark on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
After you arrive in Kathmandu, our tour representative from TripToYatra will pick you up from Tribhuvan International Airport. Then transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu. You can check into the hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing in the hotel. Or, explore the local market and spend the day doing leisure activities. Dinner will be at the hotel, and you can have an overnight stay.
Maximum Elevation: 1400m
Distance Covered: 20 kms, 1 hour
Accommodation: 4-star hotel on sharing basis
You will have an early breakfast and then proceed to do sightseeing in Kathmandu. We will visit the following temples in Kathmandu.
After this sightseeing tour of Kathmandu, return to the hotel and prepare for the next day of travel. You can buy some stuff from the local market at Thamel. You will get everything from trekking shoes, backpacks, and clothes to medicines. In the evening, there will be a briefing session where the tour leaders will give information about Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and share some useful tips with the group members. This will be a good time for the group members to introduce each other and become acquainted. Then have dinner and overnight stay in Kathmandu.
You will have breakfast in the hotel and then leave for our next destination, which is Timure or Syabru Besi. These are border towns in Nepal and close to the border with Tibet. You will board the bus and travel along with other group members. It will be a 7-8-hour bus journey and will cover the distance of 148 kms. On reaching Timure/ Syabru Besi, check into the hotel and have dinner and an overnight stay.
Today you will have an early breakfast and then travel by bus to Rasuwagadhi. This is a border town in Nepal and just 15 km from Syabru Besi. You will complete the immigration formalities and cross the Nepal-Tibet border on foot. After you have reached the Chinese side, board the bus and drive to Kyirong. Local communities also call this town Gyirong or Kerung. This will be a bus journey of around 110 kms.
On reaching Gyirong, check into the guest house and have a rest. You will be served hot tea/ coffee and snacks. Have a leisurely stroll in the nearby market and then have dinner in the guest house. Stay overnight in the guest house at Kyirong.
Today is the day of rest and relaxation. The tour guide will take you on a short walk through the town of Kerung, and in this way you will get acclimatized to the low-oxygen atmosphere of Tibet. Your body will slowly start to adapt itself and acclimatize to the high altitude. In the guest house you can sing bhajans and chant hymns with the group members. Dinner will be served in the guest house, and then you will stay here for the night.
After early morning breakfast, travel by bus from Kerung to Saga. The bus journey will go through beautiful Tibetan mountain landscape. Cross the Tibetan plains and the Brahmaputra River, which is called Yarlung Zangpo in the Tibetan language. Then arrive in Saga and check into the guest house/ hotel. You can spend the time in Saga and acclimatize to the environment. Take short walks in the local market in Saga. Then have dinner in the hotel and have an overnight stay.
Today, wake up early and drive from Saga to Lake Mansarovar. We will pass through checkpoints on the way. Cross the Mayumla Pass (4900m) on the way and proceed onwards to Lake Mansarovar. This is a long drive, but the scenic beauty of the road will make you forget all the tiredness. You will have the first darshan of Mount Kailash as you get near Lake Mansarovar. Check into the guest house near Lake Mansarovar and have dinner with overnight stay. You may go with your group and tour leaders on the shores of Lake Mansarovar at night and watch the stars in the night sky. If lucky, have a beautiful glimpse of the Milky Way Galaxy.
Visit Lake Mansarovar early in the morning and take a stroll on the banks of the lake. Do a small puja if you need, and take holy water of Lake Mansarovar in a bucket and have a bath in the guest house. The Chinese government has banned the holy dip in Lake Mansarovar. So you can touch the waters of the lake and meditate near the lake. You can watch the snow-covered summit of Mount Kailash from the Mansarovar Lake and have divine darshan of the mountain.
After the holy bath and puja, drive to Darchen. On the way, you can make a short halt at Rakshas Taal, which is the twin lake of Lake Mansarovar. The water of Rakshas Taal is salty and not drinkable. Just view the lake and admire the scenic beauty. The bus ride will be like a parikrama of Lake Mansarovar.
When we reach Darchen, check into the guest house and spend the remainder of the day relaxing. You can have dinner and then stay overnight in Darchen.
Wake up early and then take a light breakfast. Then reach Yam Dwar from where the real Mount Kailash Kora starts. You can hire horse/ pony/ porters from Tarboche. You will have to bargain a bit, and the TripToYatra team does not decide the fare for the pony ride. From Yam Dwar, you will start the 13 km trek, and this is the first phase of Mount Kailash Kora.
The circumambulation of Mount Kailash is a trek which you can do at your own pace and trek slowly. Much of the terrain is relatively flat ground and not difficult to do. You can take short breaks in between and rest for some time. Have tea and snacks if you want, and continue on this trek. After you reach Dirapuk, you can view Mount Kailash in its full glory. Reach the guest house, which is near Dirapuk Monastery, and spend the night here. Have light meals and sleep in the guest house.
Note:
Today is the most difficult day of the entire Mount Kailash Kora. Wake up early and start the trek to Zuthulpuk. This is a trek of around 22 kms and takes around 8-9 hours. You will have to climb up to Dolma La Pass, which is at an altitude of 5630 meters. This is the highest point of the Mount Kailash Kora. Spend only a few minutes at the pass due to the lack of oxygen and continue further.
On the way, you will come across Shiva Sthal. Pilgrims leave behind a piece of cloth, hair, ornaments, or a drop of blood at Shiva Sthal. This symbolizes leaving behind the old life and beginning a new spiritual life. Then descend towards Gauri Kund, also known as Parvati Kund. You can view the sacred lake from a distance and continue your trek.
After crossing the difficult section, the remaining trail becomes easier. Continue walking through the valley until you reach Zuthulpuk. Check into the guest house, have dinner, and stay overnight.
Wake up early in the morning and complete the final stretch of the Mount Kailash Kora. Trek for around 6 kms to Chongdo, where our vehicle will be waiting for you. Board the bus and drive back to Darchen. Meet the other group members who stayed back in Darchen and then continue the drive to Saga.
On reaching Saga, check into the hotel and relax after completing the sacred Mount Kailash Parikrama. Have dinner and stay overnight.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and begin the return journey to Kerung. Drive through the beautiful Tibetan landscapes while enjoying the scenic mountain views. Reach Kerung by evening and check into the hotel.
You can spend the rest of the evening relaxing or taking a short walk in the nearby market. Have dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed towards the Nepal-China border. Complete all the immigration formalities and cross into Nepal. Then board the waiting vehicle and drive towards Kathmandu.
Enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery on the return journey. Upon reaching Kathmandu, check into the hotel and spend the evening at leisure. You can explore the local market or relax at the hotel. Have dinner and stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Today is the final day of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Our tour representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu for your onward journey.
We hope you had a comfortable pilgrimage and a memorable experience during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. May Lord Shiva bless you with happiness, peace, and prosperity.
Duration
13 Nights/ 14 Days
Start / End
Kathmandu / Kathmandu
