Mount Kailash & Lake Mansarovar Tour

Trip cost Contact us
Duration 11 Days
Trip Grade  (Moderate)
  • Destination: Tibet
  • Transportation: NA
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About Trip

Mount Kailash, located in a remote part of western Tibet is more than just a majestic mountain, it’s a legend. One of the most important spiritual pilgrimage sites in the world this is a journey that is as much an inward one as an outward one. Revered by millions of people from different religions it si a life changing experience for the few thousand pilgrims who undertake the journey each year. According to Hindus it is the abode of Lord Shiva, the holy centre of the earth and the manifestation of heaven itself. To the Tibetan Buddhists Mount Kailash is the home of Buddha Demchok who symbolizes supreme harmony. The Tibetan Bon religion believes Mount Kailash is their spiritual seat of power and in Jainism Kailash (known as Mount Ashtapada) is the place where the creator of their faith, Rishabhadeva attained freedom from the cycle of life and rebirth.

20km from Mount Kailash Lake Manasarovar is part of this sacred pilgrimage route. Bathing in or drinking the water from Lake Manasarovar is thought to cleanse one of all sins and this is the first stop for pilgrims.

It is said that one trip around the sacred mountain will wipe away all the sins (bad karma) of one's current lifetime, 108 revolutions will remove the sins of all one's lifetimes and bring salvation from reincarnation (moksa). Alternatively, pilgrims who complete one circumbulation of Kailash and bathe in the frigid waters of Lake Manasarovar will also bring salvation.

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 01:Kathmandu to Nylam (3750m/12,303ft) 5-6 hrs
  • Day 02:Nylam acclimatization day
  • Day 03:Nylam to Saga (4391m/12,409ft) 5-6 hrs
  • Day 04:Saga to Manasarovar (4558m/14,954ft) 6-7 hrs
  • Day 05:Lake Manasarovar – Optional day trips
  • Day 06:Drive to Tarboche then trek to Drirapuk (5000m/16,404ft) 6-8 hours
  • Day 07:Drirapuk to Dolma La Pass (5944m/19,500ft) to Zuthulphuk 10-12 hrs
  • Day 08:Zuthulphuk – Darchen then drive to Lake Manasarovar
  • Day 09:Lake Manasarovar drive to Saga
  • Day 10:Saga to Kathmandu 6-8 hrs
  • Day 11:Departure Day

Detail Itinerary

  • Day 1Kathmandu to Nylam (3750m/12,303ft) 5-6 hrs It’s an early start today and our goal is to reach the Tibetan border at Kodari by lunch time. Here we clear Nepal immigration/customs and have a 15 minute walk across the Friendship Bridge before we do the same with Chinese border police. From here we board our vehicle before driving aprox 30 mins to Zhangmu where we go through another round of immigration formalities. After the formalities are over it’s a further 3-4 hours drive to Nylam. It’s a beautiful scenic drive today as we pass up and over the mountains on roads etched into the towering cliffs. Overnight in Nylam.
  • Day 2Nylam acclimatization day We have a rest day in Nylam today in order to acclimatize to the altitude. It’s a great chance to explore the area, experience Tibetan life and culture or just to rest at our guesthouse. A 2 hour acclimatization trek is recommended today. Overnight in Nylam.
  • Day 3Nylam to Saga (4391m/12,409ft) 5-6 hrs Today we have magnificent views of snow capped peaks as we cross the Lalung La Pass (5000m). From the pass we can see Gaurishanker, Shishapangma and Langtang Himal along with the entire range. We cross the Bhramaputra River which is a holy river that flows into the Ganges. Our destination today is Saga where we spend the night.
  • Day 4Saga to Manasarovar (4558m/14,954ft) 6-7 hrs It’s an exciting day today as we will get our first glimpse of Mt Kailash. Our destination is Lake Manasarovar where we can have a dip in the sacred waters. The sacred blue and emerald green Manasarovar Lake is known to be an epitome of purity, containing healing properties and the power to wash off all mortal sins. Overnight in Manasarovar.
  • Day 5Lake Manasarovar – Optional day trips This morning we will enjoy puja on the lake and to bathe in the holy lake. We will enjoy some time by the lake including a picnic lunch before driving to Darchen where we will stay overnight.
  • Day 6Drive to Tarboche then trek to Drirapuk (5000m/16,404ft) 6-8 hours Today marks the start of our trek around the sacred mountain. We walk 18km today through the valley with the river on our left and Mount Kailash on our right. Be prepared for some incredible views of Mount Kailash and a feeling that cannot be described but needs to be felt personally. The first day of our Kora is a gradual walk along with many other pilgrims chanting and praying. Overnight at Drirapuk in guesthouse or tents.
  • Day 7Drirapuk to Dolma La Pass (5944m/19,500ft) to Zuthulphuk 10-12 hrs Today is the hardest day of our journey but also the most rewarding. Our way today leads us to the much higher path just beneath Mount Kailash and is one of the highest points on our trip. At the pass there is a large boulder festooned with prayer flags, just below the pass is Lake Tuje Chenpo Dzingbu (Gauri Kund) otherwise known as the “Pool of Great Compassion”. From here we descending gradually over grassy fields towards Zuthulphuk, the miracle cave of Milarepa where we stay overnight.
  • Day 8Zuthulphuk – Darchen then drive to Lake Manasarovar This morning we can spend some time exploring the caves and visiting the temples and shrine that has been built around Milarepa’s Cave. It is well worth the climb up to these caves before continuing on the final leg of our pilgrimage Kora on a gradually winding track which finishes in Darchen. From here we drive back to Lake Manasorovar where we spend the night.
  • Day 9Lake Manasarovar drive to Saga Now we begin our return journey with a drive to Saga. Overnight in Saga.
  • Day 10Saga to Kathmandu 6-8 hrs The final day of our journey takes us back to Kathmandu and the end of our journey.
  • Day 11Departure Day It’s time for our journey to end. You will be escorted to the airport for your international flight or onward journey.
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