Kailash Mansarovar Tour

Your spiritual journey begins with a stunning overland ride from Kathmandu to the Nepalese hills and then onwards to the high-altitude landscape of Tibet via the Kerung border. This border road between Nepal and Tibet provides a comfortable and scenic drive. We will start early in the morning on a picturesque drive from Kathmandu to Kerung, Nepal-China border. We travel along two highways: Prithvi Highway and Pasang Lhamu Highway, tackling rough, wiggly roads in the hills.

As we head higher up the mountains, the distant Himalayas gradually appear, giving out spectacular scenes. We will eventually arrive in Syabrubesi, traversing the stunning landscapes of Langtang National Park. From here, it is a short one-hour drive to the border region of Rasuwagadhi.

Upon arrival at the border, you have to present documents (Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit) for entering Tibet. After completing customs and immigration formalities on both the Tibetan and Nepalese side, we proceed to Kerung town. At entry into Tibet, you can observe the breathtaking transformation of landscape and culture. The trip links the green and fertile territory of Nepal with the extreme, arid worlds of the Tibetan Plateau. Reaching Kerung, the scenery outside us is even more beautiful with wide green meadows and precipitous cliffs.

Acclimatization in Kerung is necessary to cope with the low oxygen levels of the higher altitudes that lie ahead. This strategic stopover pre-acclimatizes your body for the subsequent days and gives you time to take leisurely walks, meditate, and unwind. The tranquil high-altitude town of Kerung is pulsating with traditional Tibetan culture, bustling markets, and friendly locals. Its peaceful ambience of picturesque hills and clean mountain air is refreshing.

Rest, hydrate, and walk gently in order to activate the body adaptation process. These activities help to stimulate circulation and acclimate to the highland conditions. You can also engage in meditation or soothing yoga, basking in the peaceful aura of the Himalayas.

With an early morning breakfast in Kerung, the ride begins down winding mountain roads that slowly ascend into the high, open Tibetan highlands. The landscape will slowly lose its forest cover and become more arid. The green hillside gradually gives way to a vast area of rocky terrain and high plains with snow-capped summits towering in the distance.

En route, you will cross Thong La and La Lung passes, wide mountain ridges topped with views of the surrounding peaks and valleys over the expanse of the Tibetan plateau. When the day is clear, mighty Shishapangma, one of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks, is even likely to come into view.

You will drive past the serene Peiku Tso Lake, resting at 4591 meters. The blue waters of this lake framed by mountain reflection,s offer a peaceful moment amidst Tibet’s boundless wilderness. The journey continues through remote landmarks such as Khunmen Tso, Sinling, and Karru Ongchen, eventually crossing the mighty Brahmaputra River (locally known as Yarlung Tsangpo).Saga is one of the key resting points for travelers and pilgrims en route to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. Upon your arrival, you can check in at your hotel and rest well after the long drive.

The ride to Mansarovar takes you deeper into the heart of the Tibetan plateau. You will pass over expansive valleys, salt lakes, and rough highland terrain. The drive winds through the vast, high-altitude plains of Tibet, dotted with herds of yaks and sheep grazing beneath a backdrop of snow-draped mountains. The air thins when we ascend higher, and frequent stops along the way are a necessity for rest and acclimatization.

The Mansarovar Lake sits at an altitude of 4,590 meters and is one of the world’s highest freshwater lakes. This sacred pilgrimage site draws thousands of pilgrims annually. You can spend a few minutes reflecting, meditating, or stroll leisurely on the lakeshore and even collect holy water and engage in ritual purification. The dazzling turquoise waters of the lake reflecting the lofty Mount Kailash and Gurla Mandhata are awe-inspiring and humbling. You will stay overnight in an adjacent guesthouse with enough time to relive the events of the day, get warm, and relax.

After a serene night at the sacred Lake Mansarovar, the journey continues with a short but spiritually uplifting ride to Darchen, the gateway of Mount Kailash. As you move forward, you will get glimpses of Mount Kailash coming ever closer, its presence more potent and awe-inspiring with each kilometer.

You will ride past open meadows, grazing yaks, and villages in the shade of the gigantic Himalayas. Along the way, you will see Chiu Monastery on a rocky cliff and may encounter nomadic herders or pilgrims along the way to the holy mountain.

Upon arrival in Darchen, which sits at the base of Mount Kailash, you will have the remainder of the day to rest and prepare for the Kora, the sacred trek around the mountain. Kailash Parikrama or Kora is a holy 53-kilometer circuit trek completed in three days. It is important to take it easy, hydrate well, and mentally and physically ready yourself for the journey ahead. You can explore the little town of Darchen, meet other trekkers, and make any last-minute provisions for the forthcoming Kora before retreating to the hotel’s bed.

Day one of Mount Kailash Kora (circumambulation) starts. Following a wholesome breakfast at Darchen, you will be trekking up over the vast plain along the Lha Chu River valley. You will have magnificent views of the arid Tibetan landscape ruled by white capped mountains, rocky ridges, and yak pastures as you move forward.

Pilgrims gather to walk this sacred path together, chanting prayers and rotating prayer wheels. After several hours of trekking, you will reach Dirapuk where the north face of Mount Kailash comes into full, majestic view. It is a home to the ancient Dirapuk Monastery (Zhire Temple), which sits at the base of Mount Kailash’s western slope.

Those who are physically fit and willing can take a detour for Kailash Charan Sparsh, a short but challenging climb toward the base of the holy mountain. Charan Sparsh is the act of touching the feet of Mount Kailash, which is a sacred and extremely spiritual experience. It is believed to cleanse the soul and bestow blessings upon you. You will return to Dirapuk for the night in a guesthouse amidst the peace of the high Himalayas and the spirituality enshrouding Kailash.

The second day of Mount Kailash Kora is a challenging but spiritually satisfying part of the trek. Set off early in the morning from Dirapuk and ascend continuously up to the Drolma La Pass (5,634 meters), which is the top point of the Kora. The trail is somewhat rugged and requires reasonable physical strength and a powerful state of mind.

Along the way, you will pass by the holy site Shivatshal, where the pilgrims offer their personal belongings like clothes, locks of hair, or drops of blood that symbolize ego dropping. Eventually, you will reach the top of the Drolma La with rainbow colored prayer flags flapping in the wind and a deep feeling of accomplishment taking hold.

Once you have crossed the pass, the way down is steep, which you must tackle cautiously. Moving downwards, you will traverse the peaceful Gauri Kund, popularly referred to as the Lake of Compassion. This glacial lake is of great religious significance, which is said to be worshiped by the goddess Parvati. The landscape keeps changing as you proceed with the path leading you through the valleys that course along stony ridges and irregular streams. By late afternoon, you will arrive at Zuthulpuk Monastery, where the great Tibetan yogi Milarepa is believed to have meditated. Here, you will rest for the night in a guesthouse.

On the final day of Mount Kailash Kora, you will begin your hike from Zuthulpuk Monastery with a light breakfast and a newfound sense of accomplishment. Today’s trail is very straightforward compared to the previous day. You will walk on a wide, flat trail along the river valley, passing through stunning meditation caves and mani walls. As you gradually walk towards the direction of Darchen, the south face of Mount Kailash slowly falls behind. After about 10 kilometers of walking, your Kora is finished on arrival at Darchen.

You will then board your vehicle at Darchen and begin the journey back to Saga, which lies at the confluence of two mighty rivers: the Brahmaputra and the Indus. The return trip takes you once again through the same desolate and dramatic natural beauty you saw earlier, such as rolling plains, snow-capped mountains, and vast stretches of the Tibetan plateau.

Along the way, you again cross Lake Manasarovar and possibly see nomads or yak herds grazing in the distance. You can stop briefly at green pastures or tranquil lakes, absorbing the pristine natural beauty of the area. By evening, you will arrive at Saga for an overnight stay in a hotel.

Following a pleasant evening at Saga, you begin to drive back towards Kerung via the same path over the expanse of the Tibetan plateau. The journey provides the last chance to soak in the breathtaking views of high-altitude plains, lakes that sparkle in the sun, and white, hooded mountains. Along the way, you can pause for a while to enjoy the scenery of isolated monasteries and mountain passes decorated with multi-hued prayer flags.

As you gradually move down to lower altitudes, the air thickens and the vegetation becomes greener. The waterfalls pouring down the cliffs and the winding gorges mesmerize you. Cool, moist air and lush greenery act as a balm to western Tibet’s dry weather. Kerung is probably the last place in Tibet where you can sit back, just relax, and soak in the astounding beauty of the Himalayas; the right stopover before you continue your journey to Nepal.

It’s the last day of our epic Kailash Mansarovar Tour. Your breakfast at Kerung will be followed by the mandatory border formalities at the Rasuwagadhi border crossing before you enter Nepal. With all the formalities over, your day goes on with a scenic drive to Kathmandu through the peaceful and picturesque rural locations.

The ride winds down through rugged mountain terrain, rolling green slopes, and typical roadside villages. And as you travel back into the Nepalese countryside, the scenery shifts from broad Tibetan plain to vibrant Himalayan foothills. The view gets a sea change with greenery in every direction, flowing streams, dense jungle, and rolling hills hugging us back.

After some hours of riding, we will arrive at Syabrubensi and continue along the Pasang Lhamu and Prithvi Highways towards the capital. Even though the ride is long and sometimes bumpy due to mountain roads, it is also lined with scenery and downtime to think about your trip. You will experience the contrasts between the dry beauty of Tibet and Nepal’s fertile and lush beauty en route to Kathmandu.

You are likely to arrive in Kathmandu at dusk where you’ll be greeted by our friendly Nepali crew. After that, you will be driven to your hotel safely by our cozy vehicle, ending your memorable pilgrimage experience. You can indulge yourself for the remainder of the time in a well-deserved rest or see the cultural charm of the capital city.