Kailash Mansarovar Tours and Trek
At a Glance
- DestinationTibet
- Duration16 days
- Trip DifficultyStrenuous
- ActivitiesTrek/Tours
- AccommodationHotel/Guesthouse
- MealsB.L.D
- Max. Elevation20m.
- Group SizeMin. 4 Pax
- BEST TIMEApril - June & Sept - Nov
Trip Overview
Kailash Mansarovar Tours takes you to the holy Mount Kailash and the sacred Mansarovar Lake in remote western Tibet. A sacred pilgrimage destination of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Bons, Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are revered and worshipped by followers of these faiths.
Mount Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva, one of the three major gods in the Hindu religion. According to the Hindu religious texts, he stays at Kailash with his consort (goddess Parvati), sons, and followers.
For Jains, the mountain is sacred because the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabadeva, attained enlightenment here. Buddhists consider Mount Kailash as Mount Meru - the center of the universe. It is also the place where Milarepa (a Buddhist saint) meditated. Practitioners of Bon religion regard the mountain as the 'axis mundi' or the point connecting the earth to the heavens.
The beautiful Lake Mansarovar stands under the shadow of Mount Kailash. It is fed by the glacier of Mount Kailash, Surrounded by brown hills and frozen peaks; this heavenly lake is said to have originated in Brahma's (the Hindu god of creation) mind. Before getting to Mount Kailash, you stop by this lake to worship or soak in the views.
Your Kailash Mansarovar Tours begins from Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour to the city's world heritage sites. Drive to the Nepal-Tibet border on a private vehicle and after completing the immigration formalities, enter Tibet. You meet your Tibetan driver and guide in Kerung, the border town on the Tibetan side.
Tibet, also known as the Roof of the World, the average elevation in Tibet is 4,380 meters. As you will be traveling to places above 5000 meters, it's important to allow your body to adapt to the rarefied air. From Kerung, you head to Saga and onward to Lake Mansarovar.
Like a blue jewel surrounded by snowcapped peaks, the crystal clear water of Mansarovar appears spellbinding. After meditating and taking pictures of the holy lake, you move towards Darchen.
Your Kailash trek or kora begins from Tarboche, which lies a short drive away from Darchen. It takes three days to circle the sacred mountain. You can complete the kora or circumambulation on foot or hire a pony or a horse to take you around. Enjoy views of all four faces of Mount Kailash's summit while walking around the mountain.
The final leg of the trek involves crossing a high mountain pass, the Dolma La. Situated at an elevation of 5630 meters, this is the highest point of your trip. Close to Dolma La is Shiva Sthal, a place where pilgrims leave behind a personal item to signify leaving behind their old life and starting anew.
After the kora is complete, you descend to Darchen and drive to Saga via Mansarovar. Then you will be driven to Kerung and return to Kathmandu via the same route.
The best months for Kailash Mansarovar Tours are May, June, July, August, and September. During these months, the days are warm and the nights cold. Most sections of the trail remain free of snow and ice, making it easier to navigate.
The duration of the trip is thirteen days. The overland journey from Kathmandu to the base of Mount Kailash and back will be on a private vehicle. If you plan to complete a kora around Mount Kailash, then it will take three days. The trek starts from Tarboche. There are not many steep ascents, but the trail is gravely and filled with loose stones. The most difficult part of the trek is the crossing of Dolma La.
You will be staying overnight at local lodges or guesthouses. During the trek, you may have to stay in dormitories due to the lack of accommodation around Mount Kailash. Vegetarian meals are available at all stops. As this tour takes you to one of the remotest corners of Tibet, the facilities en route will be basic.
Kailash Mansarovar Tours is for those who are physically fit and healthy. You will be traveling through places where oxygen levels are low and nighttime temperatures dip below freezing point. Those with respiratory and heart ailments should consult their physicians before booking this tour.
Detail Itinerary
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Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu Airport (1,350M)
Day 02: Kathmandu – Sundarijal Drive and Trek to Chisapani (2,150M) – 5 Hours, 10 KM
Day 03: Chisapani to Nagarkot (2,195M) – 15 KM Hike, 6 Hours – Drive Back to Kathmandu
Day 04: Sightseeing Tour of Kathmandu
Day 05: Drive from Kathmandu to Kerung (2,700M) – 155 KM, 8 Hours
Day 06: Acclimatization Day in Kerung (2,700M)
Day 07: Drive from Kerung to Saga Town (4,450M) – 230 KM, 6 Hours
Day 08: Drive from Saga to Lake Manasarovar (4,590M) – 450-500 KM, 6-7 Hours
Day 09: Lake Manasarovar to Darchen (4,800M) – 40 KM, 2 Hours
Day 10: Start Kailash Trek (Day 1) – Trek to Dirapuk (4,920M), 16 KM, 6-7 Hours
Day 11: Kailash Trek (Day 2) – Trek to Zutulpuk (4,850M), 22 KM, 8-9 Hours
Day 12: Kailash Trek (Day 3) – Trek to the Valley’s End and Drive to Saga, 15 KM Trek, 4-5 Hours
Day 13: Drive from Saga to Kerung – 230 KM, 6-7 Hours
Day 14: Drive from Kerung to Kathmandu – 155 KM, 7-8 Hours
Day 15: Free Day in Kathmandu
Day 16: Final Departure
Cost Includes
- All ground transfers by private vehicle in Nepal and during the Tibet tour.
- Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu.
- Kathmandu Valley sightseeing tours, including a professional tour guide and entry fees to all sites.
- One night’s accommodation at teahouses with full-board meals in Chisapani.
- Hotel/guesthouse accommodation during the Tibet tour as per the itinerary, including basic guesthouses during the Kailash Parikrama/Kora.
- Full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the Tibet tour, prepared by our dedicated kitchen team.
- Tibet travel visa and visa fee.
- All entry fees to monasteries and sites in Tibet.
- All necessary Tibet entry permits and road permits.
- One local Tibetan English-speaking guide for the entire tour.
- Yaks to carry trekking luggage during the Kailash Kora.
- All applicable taxes and service charges.
Cost Excludes
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu.
- Travel insurance.
- International airfare.
- Nepal entry visa.
- All cold drinks, including alcoholic beverages, mineral water, soft drinks (Coke, Fanta, juice, etc.).
- Shopping, laundry, internet, and phone bills.
- Personal trekking equipment.
- Use of supplemental oxygen at teahouses in case of emergency.
- Extra costs for transportation, porters, or other services caused by landslides, snowfall, or other unforeseen circumstances.
- Services other than those specified in the itinerary.
- Additional stays in Kathmandu or any other place not listed in the itinerary.
- Tips for trekking crew members, guides, and drivers.
Good to Know
Tibet Visa Process
You need to arrive in Kathmandu in advance to allow sufficient time for the Tibet travel visa process. The visa application will be submitted to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, which operates only on weekdays (Monday to Friday). The processing requires three working days, after which the visa will be ready for collection.
During the processing period, you will follow the planned activities, including sightseeing in Kathmandu and a short trek to nearby areas, as outlined in your itinerary. Our team will handle the entire visa application process on your behalf, so you will not need to visit the embassy.
Documents for Visa Application
Original passport: Must be valid for at least six months.
Passport-sized photographs: Must meet the Chinese Embassy's requirements.
Visa form: This will be provided for you to complete at our office or hotel upon arrival.
Passport copy: Required at the time of booking your trip.
This process ensures the visa is ready on time, allowing your journey to Tibet to proceed as planned. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or for additional assistance.
Cost and Date
Start Dates refer to your arrival date in Nepal. End Dates correspond to your return date from Nepal.
The Kailash Mansarovar Tours and Trek set departure dates are tailored for the group joining option. If the 16 days Kailash Mansarovar Tours and Trek departure dates don’t fit your schedule, we can include alternative dates that better suit your needs.
January, 2025
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Travellers‘ Reviews
Read our genuine feedback from past travelers with Nepal Hiking Team sourced from TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and Trustpilot.
Mount Kailash - A Dream come true
We completed Kailash Kora. The whole program is about 2 weeks with all aspects of travel, food, accommodation, acclimatization hikes for altitude, contingency plans for hikers falling behind or sick, pilgrimage and Pooja plans, etc taken care of.
Gangaji was in the process but on the ground during the entire hike along the way Arun, Gokul, and Dawa were phenomenal.
Thank you so much. You all made this an experience that one can only dream of.