Kailash and Mansarovar Parikrama Tour

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Recommended by 99% of travelers
At a Glance
10 Days
Duration
Moderate to Strenuous
Trip Grade
Tibet
Country
5,470m
Maximum Altitude
2 - 25
Group Size
Kathmandu
Starts
May - Septmber
Best Time
Overview

It is good news for travelers and pilgrims who have been planning to visit the sacred mountains of Mt. Kailash and the Mansarovar holy lake. Recently, the autonomous region of the People's Republic of China has announced reopening the border of Nepal at Rasuwagadhi/Kerung on the 1st of April 2023 for tourists and two-way traders after COVID-19. Likewise, two-way trading through the Tapani/Zhangmu, Kodawari, and passenger clearance from Yari/Pulang, Simikot, will also resume from May 1, 2023. Now, Kailash and Mansarovar Tours are open for foreigners except Indians. You can complete the holy Kailash Mansarovar Yatra tour in Kathmandu in 9 nights and 10 days. 

The holy peak “Mount Kailash” (6,700 m) is located in the far west corner of Tibet. Dominating the north of the Himalayan range with its fabulous view, Mt. Kailas is equally respected as the holiest pilgrimage site by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bön-Po. All the time, it appears to be a symmetrical, cone-shaped rock with a pure crystalline ice cap. Various mythological and literary works echo its name. In addition to this beautiful and untamed place, monasteries, chortens, and Mansarovar Lake can be seen during your whole trip on our Kailash-Mansarovar Spiritual Journey. This trip provides you with the ultimate experience of Lhasa, which is only starting to emerge from centuries of isolation. This trip offers breathtaking scenery and cultural highlights, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone.

The Mt. Kailash Spiritual Trip aims to introduce you to the wonderful city of Lhasa with its exotic ancient mysteries, where you’ll join countless pilgrims and nomads who are called to legendary Mount Kailash. A full circuit of this wonderful mountain is said to wash away the sins of a lifetime, and you'll gaze into the waters of holy Lake Mansarovar (circumference of 63 miles), said to have been created to reflect the depths of the soul of Brahma. The locals regard this mountain as the appearance of Mount Meru, “the navel of the earth,” where the founder of the Bon religion, Tonpa Shenrab, is believed to have descended from heaven, Hindus as the abode of Lord Shiva, Buddhists as the abode of Samvara, and Jains as a sacred site where their prophet, Rishaba, attained spiritual enlightenment. Mount Kailash, also known as Kang Rimpoche (the Tibetans refer to it as "precious snow peaks"), is a majestic sight with its four sheer walls, distinctive snowcapped peaks, and valleys scattered with colorfully attired Tibetan pilgrims.

In addition, the four great rivers of Asia (Karnali, the Indus, the Sutlej, and the Brahmaputra or Tsangpo) originate from here, so this place has great value for everyone. It is possible to do a three-day trek called Parikrama or Kora around Mount Kailash over a 5,630-meter pass through the Drolma La (pass) clockwise for Buddhists and Hindus and counterclockwise for followers of the ancient Bon religion, which is said to erase the sins of a lifetime. To complete the Kailash Pilgrimage Tour, one should bathe in the sacred Lake Manasarovar, stunningly set on the Tibetan plateau bordered by the majestic Gurla Mandata. The journey to the Mt.the Mt.the Mt. Kailash Parikrama takes you across the windswept Tibetan plateau, where you will encounter clifftop monasteries, wild-looking but hardy and hospitable people, yak caravans journeying over snowy passes, and the towering peaks of the Himalayas with grazing herds, yak skin tents, and a glittering turquoise lake.

On this expertly guided overland tour on a 4WD Land Cruiser, you get to explore the colorful mosaic of Tibetan arts, crafts, history, culture, custom, tradition, lifestyle, and cuisine and, in the process, attain profound spiritual discoveries. This, combined with a three-day trek around Mount Kailash, has become a very popular adventure activity in Tibet over the past few years. From there, you will cross the vast arid plains before heading south to the Nepalese border and returning to Kathmandu. You can join this trip either in Lhasa or in Kathmandu.

Drive from Kathmandu to Rasuwagadhi/Timmure (2500m) via Dhunche, 152 km, for 7 to 8 hours by jeep. Then Next day drive Rasuwagadhi – Kerung, Sanga, Mansarovar, Darchen, Derapuk--Kora (circuit) begins, Zuthul-Phuk, Sanga Return via Manasarovar, Horchu– Kerung, day 10th drive back–Kathmandu.

Nepal Mother House Treks offers two-week to four-week tours to Mt. Kailash on a private or group departure basis. If, however, any of our dates are unsuitable for you, we can arrange a private or customized tour to suit your exact requirements and dates. In short, we will make every effort to get you on the tour you want when you want. The Mt. Kailash-Mansarovoley trip is best during June, July, and August. Join us for your entire life experience in Tibet's untrodden holy land.

Day-to-day

Kailash and Mansarovar Parikrama Tour Itinerary

As per as previous day's briefing, you'll be driving (152km) for 7 to 8 hours to Rasuwagadhi /Timmure (2500m) via Dhunche by deluxe bus/Jeep. Check-in hotel and the remainder of today is at leisure to relax at Hotel. We'll stay in a hotel in Timmure on twin sharing accommodation. (B/L/D)

Day Highlights

After breakfast immigration and customs formalities on both sides (Nepal and China). We drive to the small town – of Kerung (26km), the rest of the day enjoying mother nature in Tibet. O/N Hotel (3700m). 

Day Highlights

After breakfast, we drive to Sanga (4500m) 250kms on the wild windswept terrain passing through a few villages and farm fields, and then crossing high several passes with a brief stop en route to stretch our legs and for lunch then reaching the check post near Saga, after 6 hours’ drive. After completion of the passport and visa formalities, half hour's drive brings us to Saga for the overnight camp. Saga was a small village a few years back, at present it's a growing town with the most modern amenities. Enjoy a grand view of Mt. Shishapangma (8021mt High) Gauri Shankar and other high mountains from Gurungng –La Pass (5050mt.high) Sanga. 

Day Highlights

Today, you are going to see Holy Manasarovar and view Mt. Kailash from Horchu Pass. The route goes by Manasarovar Lake amid an extraordinary landscape. As you near this breathtaking sacred lake, the historic Chiu Monastery becomes visible on the Northwest shore of the lake. From this vantage point, you can even glimpse the majestic Mount Kailash. This journey is bound to spiritually stimulate you. Drive to - Lake Manasarovar 385km (4500m) fron Sanga. Overnight stay at Lodge at Chhu Gompa at the shore of Lake Manasarovar.

Day Highlights

A two hours drive will bring us to Darchen, a small settlement with few guesthouses. This place can be quite busy with pilgrims during the auspicious time for the Kora (circumambulation). The abode of god will be a lifetime - achievement. Puja, Havana. Meditation, Holy baths, etc. Afternoon drives to Darchen (30km) 4560m.

Day Highlights

You will drive from Darchen to Derapuk 18km. Kora (circuit) begins to drive 10 km. cover to Tarboche and trek up to walk approximately about 04  to 05 hours Derapuk (4890m). The trail crosses along bridges as the north face of Kailash comes into view. As you reach the Gompa and guest house at Dirakphuk, you are rewarded with a fine view of the north face of the holy Mt. Kailash, the Kora route climbs onto a moraine, finally meeting the trail from the east bank. Then the trail climbs gradually to a meadow for the overnight stay at the Guest House.

Day Highlights

Today, trek to Zuthulphuk (4790m) 22km. walk approximately 08 to 10 hours - Parikarma Continues, this is the day every pilgrim talks about, the most difficult journey throughout the trip. The trail leads up past piles of clothing, the local Tibetan pilgrims leave an article of clothing or some of their possessions leaving their past life behind them, the Kora continues past thousands of small rock cairns beyond to a stone hut and across a boulder field and up to the high pass of Dolma la (5,600m). A big boulder represents the goddess Dolma (Tara) and is festooned with prayer flags. This spot is the physical and spiritual high point of the pilgrimage Kora. The track from here descends to the plain below, a few hours walk brings you to the overnight camp at Zutul-Puk Gompa (meaning, cave). The place is named after a cave in which the poet, saint Milerepa stayed, meditating. We will offer very short prayers at Dolmala and move towards Gaurikunda. They programmed in the same as usual, Zuthulphuk overnight stays at the Guest house.

Day Highlights

This is the last day of our holy walking 'Kora' leads to a stream of Kailash, about 8 Km descends towards the plain, the last leg of the trek makes a dramatic exit from the river valley onto the plain the walk passes to a Mani wall decorated with carved yak skulls. A short walk brings you to the windswept little township of Darchen for the celebration after completing the trip. We will be reaching the point, where our jeeps will be waiting to Drive us to Darchen, Parikrama (Circuit) ends. Then a short drive will lead us to our overnight camp at Sanga via Lake Mansarovar After Lunch we will drive to Sanga via Manasarovar at Horchu.

Day Highlights

Drive back to Kerung (3700m) 250kms recap your previous day, as you have to drive through. You will enjoy the view of Mt. Shishapangma (8021mt High), Gauri Shankar, and Langtang other high mountains from Gurungng –La Pass (5050mt.high).

Day Highlights

A two hours drive will bring us to Darchen, a small settlement with few guesthouses. This place can be quite busy with pilgrims during the auspicious time for the Kora (circumambulation). The holy walk leads west from the guest house compound high above the Barkha plain to a cairn and prayer flags, an excellent view of Mt. Kailash from this spot. The trail continues across the plain to Shershong, an hour past the bridge leading to Chhuku Gompa high on the hill above. The west bank trail leads transversely to the screed slopes to our overnight camp near Damding Donkhang which offers a good view of the west face of Mt. Kailash.

Day Highlights
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Included

Kailash and Mansarovar Parikrama Tour Cost Details

Includes

  • Airport Pickup and Drop.
  • Tibet Travel Permit, entrance fees.
  • Accommodation in a twin-sharing hotel on BB basis.
  • Twin-sharing hotel accommodation in Lhasa.
  • All land transport in 4-wheel-drive jeeps.
  • Breakfast every day.
  • English-speaking Tibetan guide and his/her wages, accommodation, and food.
  • All monasteries have entrance fees.

Excludes

  • China Group Visa fees per person (US$ 85.00 for other countries, US$ 155.00 for Canadians, and USA Nationality US$ 175.00).
  • Flight Ticket (Kathmandu-Lhasa/Lhasa-Kathmandu).
  • Lunches & dinners; refreshments; bottled/alcoholic drinks.
  • Any tips (hotels, restaurants, guides, drivers, etc.).
  • Photography charges at monasteries, palaces, and sites.
  • Nepal re-entry visa (multiple entry visas are available).
  • Extras cost for upgrading rooms at hotels if/when applicable.
  • Any cost arising from political disturbances, strikes, cancellation of flights, deviation in program, and delays due to landslides, road blockages, or otherwise.
  • Airfare Lhasa/Kathmandu, Tibet/China visa fee, and urgent visa charge.
  • Things that we don’t mention above in our services (trip cost included).
Availability

Departure Dates

Except for fixed departure dates, we have daily departures according to your requirements.

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Good to Know

Essential Information

Visa fee: US$ 125.00 per person if you are not in a free visa country.
 
To get a Tibet visa, you need to send all of your passport color photocopies and PP-size pictures 15 days before your arrival date, and then, after your arrival, you need to provide your passport at least 5 days before going to Tibet visas and trekking permits.