13-Day Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrimage from Kathmandu via Mount Kailash

13 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Set off on a journey full of devotion and adventure, complemented by the scenic beauty of the Himalayas. Cross the Nepal-China border, witness the life of rural...

Duration: 13 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Challenging · Accommodation: Included · Budget · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: Not applicable · Cities: Kathmandu, Shishapangma, Manasarovar, Mount Kailash, Darchen, Kodari, Nyalam, Zhangmu · Languages: English

Know before you go: If you are interested in taking a one-hour Mount Everest flight the next morning, you should book and confirm it with us by the evening of your arrival in Kathmandu.; All group members should follow the queue with their respective passport serial number as per the visa while passing through immigration on the China side. Meet the Tibetan guide, complete immigration formalities, and board the Tibetan bus.; You will have to pass through checkpoints in Mayumla and Manasarovar, so you should wake up early.; You will be given half an hour for taking a holy dip in Lake Mansarovar.; Pilgrims who are unable to make the kora of Mt. Kailash should pray and make three parikramas of Yamadwar in the name of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati, then return to Darchen.; Horses are available on pre-booking, and horse riders choose their horse and horseman by picking up a coupon, which should not be lost until the service ends.

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Kodari

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What's Included

Three nights' accommodation in Kathmandu (3 stars) on a twin/triple-sharing basis with vegetarian meals
Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
All necessary transfers in Kathmandu (arrival/departure)
Kathmandu - Kodari - Kathmandu transfers by private bus
Tibet group visa and all necessary permits
All necessary Tibet permits, including the Parikrama of Kailash and Mansarovar
All accommodation in Tibet in guesthouses (dormitory rooms) / tented camp
All vegetarian meals in Tibet (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Transportation in Tibet by luxury bus or luxury van, as per package booking
Supporting truck to carry logistics
English-speaking Tibetan guide
Necessary supporting crew (tour manager, cook, helpers, and sherpas)
Yaks and yak men during the Parikrama for carrying food and equipment
Entry fees to Kailash and Mansarovar
Medical kit bag and oxygen for emergency use
All applicable taxes and service charges

Not Included

International air ticket to Kathmandu and العودة
Nepal entry visa fee for NRIs
Your travel insurance
Rescue and evacuation service
Personal expenses
Asthapad Darshan (not allowed by vehicle; you can go by trekking if the Army permits)
Horse for riding during the Parikrama
Bottled drinks
Tips for guide and driver
Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early arrival from Kailash
Any additional cost (transport, hotel, visa split charge) that occurs due to illness or rescue of a member
Any additional cost due to natural calamity and unforeseen circumstances

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Kathmandu and Tour Briefing

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and make your way to the hotel. Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and make your way to the hotel. In the evening, have dinner at the hotel. Then, join an information session with our tour leader to receive the next day's program. In the evening, have dinner at the hotel. Then, join an information session with our tour leader to receive the next day's program. Overnight at hotel (room on a twin-sharing basis).
2

Day 02

Kathmandu Sightseeing and Kailash Journey Briefing

After breakfast, proceed from the hotel between 6 am and 10 am for the sightseeing program. After breakfast, proceed from the hotel between 6 am and 10 am for the sightseeing program. Visit Pashupatinath Temple, the biggest Hindu temple in Nepal, and Budhanilkantha Temple, home to the statue of the reclining Vishnu. Have lunch at 1 pm at the hotel, then make your tour preparations. Visit Pashupatinath Temple, the biggest Hindu temple in Nepal, and Budhanilkantha Temple, home to the statue of the reclining Vishnu. Have lunch at 1 pm at the hotel, then make your tour preparations. At 5:30 pm, attend a briefing on the Kailash Mansarovar journey. Receive assistance with money exchange and down jacket distribution. At 5:30 pm, attend a briefing on the Kailash Mansarovar journey. Receive assistance with money exchange and down jacket distribution. Overnight at hotel (room on a twin-sharing basis).
3

Day 03

Drive to Nyalam via Kodari and Zhangmu

Wake up early at 4:30 am and prepare to leave by 5:30 am for the Kodari border. On the way, stop for a packed breakfast and tea service at a highway restaurant, then continue the journey. Wake up early at 4:30 am and prepare to leave by 5:30 am for the Kodari border. On the way, stop for a packed breakfast and tea service at a highway restaurant, then continue the journey. After a 3-hour drive, reach Kodari, where you will have lunch at a decent restaurant near the border town. Meanwhile, the representatives will complete immigration formalities on the Nepal side of the border. After a 3-hour drive, reach Kodari, where you will have lunch at a decent restaurant near the border town. Meanwhile, the representatives will complete immigration formalities on the Nepal side of the border. Proceed to China by walking for about 10 minutes across the Friendship Bridge. Continue to Nyalam via Zhangmu town and attend to further permit formalities. Proceed to China by walking for about 10 minutes across the Friendship Bridge. Continue to Nyalam via Zhangmu town and attend to further permit formalities. Overnight at guesthouse (Pilgrims Inn or Shishapangma Guesthouse or similar).
4

Day 04

Acclimatization Day in Nyalam

Rest in Nyalam for acclimatization to the Tibetan climate. Wake up at your convenience and have breakfast by 8 am. Rest in Nyalam for acclimatization to the Tibetan climate. Wake up at your convenience and have breakfast by 8 am. Around 10 am, assemble for a short hike to warm up and adjust to the Tibetan environment. Look for a short steep uphill above Nyalam village, where one can walk gradually and comfortably without haste. Alternatively, stroll around the hotel vicinity and visit the town of Nyalam. Around 10 am, assemble for a short hike to warm up and adjust to the Tibetan environment. Look for a short steep uphill above Nyalam village, where one can walk gradually and comfortably without haste. Alternatively, stroll around the hotel vicinity and visit the town of Nyalam. Chant or sing bhajans for the rest of the day to gather positive energy within your body. Have lunch and dinner according to the schedule set by the team leader. Chant or sing bhajans for the rest of the day to gather positive energy within your body. Have lunch and dinner according to the schedule set by the team leader. Overnight at guesthouse (Pilgrims Inn or Shishapangma Guesthouse or similar).
5

Day 05

Drive to Dongba via Saga

Begin your day full of excitement. Have breakfast by 7 am and leave camp for your next destination by 9 am at the latest. Begin your day full of excitement. Have breakfast by 7 am and leave camp for your next destination by 9 am at the latest. Head to Dongba. En route, see Milarepa Cave, 10 km from Nyalam. Then pass through Lalung-La Pass, the Mt. Shishapangma range, one of the highest peaks in Tibet, Ganesh Parbat, and Lake Paiku. Head to Dongba. En route, see Milarepa Cave, 10 km from Nyalam. Then pass through Lalung-La Pass, the Mt. Shishapangma range, one of the highest peaks in Tibet, Ganesh Parbat, and Lake Paiku. Cross the bridge over the River Brahmaputra, also called the Yarlung Tsangpo in Chinese, in Saga. Have lunch and then continue driving to Dongba, enjoying the landscape of snow-capped mountains, villages, yak herders, and a small river. Cross the bridge over the River Brahmaputra, also called the Yarlung Tsangpo in Chinese, in Saga. Have lunch and then continue driving to Dongba, enjoying the landscape of snow-capped mountains, villages, yak herders, and a small river. Overnight at guesthouse - dormitory room.
6

Day 06

Journey to Lake Mansarovar

Set out by 6 am to reach Lake Mansarovar on time for a bath in the afternoon. On the way, drive through the highest motorable pass, Mayum-La. Have lunch near the Horchu River before the pass. Set out by 6 am to reach Lake Mansarovar on time for a bath in the afternoon. On the way, drive through the highest motorable pass, Mayum-La. Have lunch near the Horchu River before the pass. View another beautiful freshwater lake called Rakshas Tal, the demon lake created by Lanka king Rawan in a crescent moon shape. Have dinner at a guesthouse near the shore of Lake Mansarovar. View another beautiful freshwater lake called Rakshas Tal, the demon lake created by Lanka king Rawan in a crescent moon shape. Have dinner at a guesthouse near the shore of Lake Mansarovar. Wait for some time for a bus to have darshan of Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar during the road journey. Make the parikrama of Lake Mansarovar. Wait for some time for a bus to have darshan of Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar during the road journey. Make the parikrama of Lake Mansarovar. Overnight in Chiu Gompa camp.
7

Day 07

Lake Mansarovar to Darchen

Spend time by Lake Mansarovar, the lake created by Brahma in his mind. Have breakfast in the morning. Spend time by Lake Mansarovar, the lake created by Brahma in his mind. Have breakfast in the morning. Hike to Chiu Gompa on top of a hill close to the camp. Feast on the traditional lunch of the region. Hike to Chiu Gompa on top of a hill close to the camp. Feast on the traditional lunch of the region. After lunch, drive to Darchen, the base camp of Mt. Kailash. After lunch, drive to Darchen, the base camp of Mt. Kailash. View the bewitching, snow-capped mountain range of Gurla Mandata and Rakshas Tal once again. View the bewitching, snow-capped mountain range of Gurla Mandata and Rakshas Tal once again. In the late afternoon, stroll around the small market of Darchen. In the late afternoon, stroll around the small market of Darchen. Overnight at guesthouse - dormitory room.
8

Day 08

Trek to Diraphuk via Yama Dwar

After breakfast, drive to Sherson near Yama Dwar. From Yama Dwar, start trekking to Diraphuk, on the north face of Kailash. You can catch the darshan of Mt. Kailash from the south of Yamadwar. After breakfast, drive to Sherson near Yama Dwar. From Yama Dwar, start trekking to Diraphuk, on the north face of Kailash. You can catch the darshan of Mt. Kailash from the south of Yamadwar. Midway, halt for a while at a tea shop for a packed lunch. Then continue the uphill trek to Diraphuk camp, with a stunning glimpse of the north face of Mt. Kailash. Midway, halt for a while at a tea shop for a packed lunch. Then continue the uphill trek to Diraphuk camp, with a stunning glimpse of the north face of Mt. Kailash. Overnight at guesthouse or tented lodge - dormitory room.
9

Day 09

Parikrama Trek to Zutulphuk

Get ready for a tough day of parikrama. Wake up at 4 am and start the trek by 5 am. Carry your own lunch. Get ready for a tough day of parikrama. Wake up at 4 am and start the trek by 5 am. Carry your own lunch. Descend to the flat valley region on the other side of Dolma-La Pass. Visit Shivasthal at Dolma La, ornamented with prayer flags. Descend to the flat valley region on the other side of Dolma-La Pass. Visit Shivasthal at Dolma La, ornamented with prayer flags. Descend from the high pass and view temples on the right side underneath the hill. Continue sloping down and cross the small glacier. Stop at a tea shop for a lunch break in the plain valley. Descend from the high pass and view temples on the right side underneath the hill. Continue sloping down and cross the small glacier. Stop at a tea shop for a lunch break in the plain valley. Continue the easy walk on the flat trail, though it is a tedious journey, along the riverbank up to Zutulphuk. Continue the easy walk on the flat trail, though it is a tedious journey, along the riverbank up to Zutulphuk. Overnight at guesthouse or tented lodge - dormitory room.
10

Day 10

Complete the Trek and Drive Back to Dongba

Take an easy trail to complete the journey within 2 to 3 hours. Our vehicle will pick you up near the ending point close to Darchen, then travel to Darchen. Have lunch and continue to Saga with all group members. Take an easy trail to complete the journey within 2 to 3 hours. Our vehicle will pick you up near the ending point close to Darchen, then travel to Darchen. Have lunch and continue to Saga with all group members. View Lake Mansarovar on the way while seeing off the Kailash region. Then drop off at the Mansarovar bus stand of the Ngari region and transfer to another private bus from Lhasa. View Lake Mansarovar on the way while seeing off the Kailash region. Then drop off at the Mansarovar bus stand of the Ngari region and transfer to another private bus from Lhasa. Journey back through the earlier route. Journey back through the earlier route. Overnight at guesthouse - dormitory room.
11

Day 11

Return to Nyalam

Return to Nyalam via the same route. Return to Nyalam via the same route. Overnight at guesthouse (Pilgrims Inn or Shishapangma Guesthouse or similar) - dormitory room.
12

Day 12

Drive Back to Kathmandu

After breakfast, drive down to Zhangmu and cross the Friendship Bridge to reach Kathmandu. Have lunch at the Kodari border. After breakfast, drive down to Zhangmu and cross the Friendship Bridge to reach Kathmandu. Have lunch at the Kodari border. Overnight at hotel (room on a twin-sharing basis).
13

Day 13

Departure from Kathmandu

Have breakfast at the hotel. Then, according to your flight schedule, catch a car to the international airport in Kathmandu for your flight back home. Have breakfast at the hotel. Then, according to your flight schedule, catch a car to the international airport in Kathmandu for your flight back home.

Meeting Point

Meeting point: Kathmandu, Nepal · Tour start: Kathmandu 44600, Nepal — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.