10-Day Kathmandu Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu to Gyirong Town: Border Crossing & Welcome to Tibet
Distance: 130 km (7–8 hrs driving) | Meals: Self-arranged | Accommodation: Hotel in Gyirong Town (2,800m)
Your sacred pilgrimage begins in Kathmandu. Depart your hotel early for an overland drive through the scenic Nepalese foothills, passing terraced farms and lush river gorges toward the Rasuwagadhi border post.
After completing Nepalese immigration, cross the Resuo Bridge to the Gyirong Port entry hall on the Chinese border. Your CHIBET Travel Tibetan guide will welcome you with your original Tibet Travel Permit, assist with customs clearance, and escort you on a 24 km drive up through Gyirong Valley to Gyirong Town.
Overnight in Gyirong Town.
CHIBET Travel Advice:
- Visa Flexibility: Travelers can enter Tibet via Gyirong holding a valid individual Chinese Tourist Visa (L Visa). Our guide will greet you at the border with your original Tibet Travel Permit.
- Border Transit Road: The mountain road from Kathmandu to Rasuwagadhi is unpaved in sections; motion sickness remedies and snacks are recommended.
Day 2: Acclimatization in Gyirong: Optional Milarepa Cave Hike
Distance: 5 km | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Gyirong Town (2,800m)
Spend a full day resting and adapting to the elevation in the pine-scented environment of Gyirong Valley (2,800m). Resting at this lower altitude is vital before ascending to the 4,500+ meter Ngari Plateau and Mount Kailash.
Optional Activity: Milarepa Cave Visit
If you feel active, take a brief excursion to Milarepa Cave, a venerable rock sanctuary where Tibet’s legendary 11th-century yogi and poet Jetsun Milarepa meditated. Examine sacred rock imprints, observe prayer flags fluttering across the cliffs, and enjoy the serene alpine surroundings.
Spend the afternoon walking around town or resting at your hotel.
Overnight in Gyirong Town.
Day 3: Gyirong to Saga via Mount Shishapangma & Lake Peiku Tso
Distance: 232 km (6 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Saga (4,480m)
Leave Gyirong Valley and climb over Gongtang La Pass (5,236m) onto the open grasslands of the Ngari Plateau.
Highlights Today:
- Mount Shishapangma (8,027m): View the 14th highest mountain on Earth, the only 8,000-meter peak located entirely within Tibet.
- Lake Peiku Tso (4,591m): Marvel at the turquoise waters of this high-altitude lake, mirroring the ice cliffs of Mt. Shishapangma across the open tundra.
Arrive in Saga by late afternoon and check into your hotel to rest.
Overnight in Saga.
Day 4: Saga to Lake Mansarovar via Mayum La Pass
Distance: 507 km (8 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Guesthouse near Lake Mansarovar (4,588m)
Drive west along the Southern Highway through the wide expanse of Saga Valley, sandwiched between the Gangdise and Himalayan ranges.
Highlights Today:
- Mayum La Pass (5,211m): Cross this iconic high mountain pass, the geographical threshold into the remote Ngari region.
- Lake Mansarovar First Sight: Watch the crystal-clear turquoise waters of sacred Lake Mansarovar come into view, with the symmetrical peak of Mount Kailash looming in the distance.
Check into your shore-side guesthouse and enjoy a quiet evening beside the sacred lake.
Overnight near Lake Mansarovar.
CHIBET Travel Advice:
Lake Mansarovar is exposed and wind-prone. Temperatures drop significantly at dusk; wear heavy windproof fleece and down jackets when walking by the shore.
Day 5: Lake Mansarovar Exploration to Darchen (Kailash Base Town)
Distance: 40 km (1 hr driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Darchen (4,670m)
Spend the morning engaging in peaceful spiritual activities along the shores of Lake Mansarovar.
Lake Mansarovar Experiences:
- Lakeside Walk & Reflection: Walk along the pebble shoreline, meditating or offering silent prayers while admiring the distant view of Mt. Kailash.
- Optional Hot Springs: Visit nearby natural thermal hot springs for a relaxing foot bath to soothe muscles before your 3-day trek.
After lunch, take a short 1-hour drive to Darchen, the stepping-off town for the Mount Kailash Kora. Check in, organize your trekking daypack, and review the kora plan with your guide.
Overnight in Darchen.
CHIBET Travel Notice:
Local porters, yaks, or riding horses for the 3-day trek can be hired in Darchen. Please inform your guide on Day 5 if you wish to arrange extra support services for the kora.
Day 6: Mount Kailash Kora Day 1: Darchen to Dirapuk Monastery
Distance: 6 km eco-bus; 13 km trekking (approx. 5–6 hrs) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Dirapuk Monastery Guesthouse (Shared dorm rooms, 4,920m)
Board the scenic eco-bus from Darchen to Sarshung Valley, the official trailhead for the sacred Mount Kailash Kora. Today’s walk follows a gentle grade along the Lha Chu river valley.
Sacred Landmarks Along the Way:
- Tarboche Flagpole: Pass the ceremonial square where the massive prayer flagpole is re-erected annually during the Saga Dawa Festival.
- Yam Dwar (Two-Legged Stupa): Walk through this sacred gateway chorten, symbolizing spiritual purification before entering the mountain abode.
- Choku Monastery: View this ancient shrine perched on cliff walls across the river valley.
- Dirapuk Monastery: Reach your guesthouse opposite the massive, sheer western cliff face of Mount Kailash.
Overnight at Dirapuk Monastery Guesthouse.
CHIBET Travel Advice:
Late afternoon offers prime photography conditions at Dirapuk when setting sunlight turns Mount Kailash’s western face into a brilliant golden wall.
Day 7: Mount Kailash Kora Day 2: Dirapuk to Zutulpuk via Dolma La Pass
Distance: 22 km trekking (approx. 8–10 hrs) | Meals: Self-arranged | Accommodation: Zutulpuk Monastery Guesthouse (Shared dorm rooms, 4,820m)
Today is the most physically demanding leg of the trek as you cross the highest point of the entire pilgrimage.
Morning: Ascent to Dolma La Pass
Begin climbing early from Dirapuk Monastery, ascending 4 km along rocky trails to reach the high saddle of Dolma La Pass (5,630m). Pass thousands of colorful prayer flags left by pilgrims giving thanks for crossing the pass.
Descent: Gauri Kund & Valley Walk
Descend steep stone steps past Gauri Kund (Lake of Compassion, 5,600m), a emerald-green tarn nestled below the glaciers. Continue down into the grassy Dzong Chu valley, walking at a relaxed pace toward Zutulpuk Monastery (built beside the cave where Milarepa meditated).
Overnight at Zutulpuk Monastery Guesthouse.
CHIBET Travel Advice:
Dolma La Pass can feature icy rock paths even in summer. Trekking poles and sturdy ankle-support boots are essential for stability on the descent.
Day 8: Kailash Kora Day 3: Zutulpuk to Darchen, Drive to Saga
Distance: 6.5 km trekking; 4.5 km eco-bus to Darchen; 344 km driving to Saga (6 hrs) | Meals: Self-arranged | Accommodation: Hotel in Saga (4,480m)
Complete the final 6.5 km gentle walk down the valley to Zongto, where you will board the eco-bus back to Darchen, officially completing your 52 km sacred Mount Kailash Kora!
Rejoin your vehicle and driver in Darchen for the return drive east to Saga, passing Lake Mansarovar once more to bid farewell to the holy mountains.
Overnight in Saga.
Day 9: Saga to Gyirong Valley: Return Drive
Distance: 232 km (6 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Gyirong Town (2,800m)
Drive from Saga across the high plateau toward Gyirong. As you descend into Gyirong Valley, watch the high mountain tundra give way to deep evergreen pine forests, waterfalls, and oxygen-dense air.
Enjoy a comfortable evening in Gyirong Town, resting after your high-altitude pilgrimage.
Overnight in Gyirong Town.
Day 10: Gyirong Town to Gyirong Border & Onward Drive to Kathmandu
Distance: 40 km to border; 130 km to Kathmandu (6–9 hrs driving total) | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: None
After breakfast, take a short 40 km drive to Gyirong Port (Resuo Bridge). Your CHIBET Travel guide will assist you through Chinese exit customs and immigration formalities.
Cross the bridge to the Rasuwagadhi border post on the Nepalese side, where your pre-arranged Nepalese transfer team will meet you for the drive back to Kathmandu, concluding your unforgettable trans-Himalayan Kailash Yatra.
Tashi Delek and safe travels from CHIBET Travel!
CHIBET Travel Notice:
Nepal-side vehicle transfer from Rasuwagadhi border to Kathmandu is included in our seamless cross-border package arrangements. Expect a 6-to-9 hour drive through Nepalese mountain roads depending on traffic and weather.
10-Day Kathmandu Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Date and Package Price
| Hotel Class / Travel Time | Jul. 1 – Oct. 31 |
|---|---|
| Economic 3-Star Hotels | $1435 |
Note: A single room supplement applies to solo travelers who request a private room.
Kathmandu Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Inclusions:
- 1. Tibet Permits: Tibet Travel Permit, Aliens’ Travel Permit, Military Area Entry Permit, etc.
- 2. Transportation: 9-17 seat tourist vehicle.
- 3. Accommodation:
6 nights in twin-sharing rooms (4-star standard in Lhasa and Shigatse, 3-star standard in other places);
1 night in Lake Mansarovar Guesthouse;
1 night in Dirapuk Monastery Guesthouse (multi-bed sharing);
1 night in Zutulpuk Monastery Guesthouse (multi-bed sharing)
Note: All domestic hotel star and diamond ratings listed follow Ctrip’s standard classification. - 4. Meals: Breakfasts in hotel
- 5. Guide: Professional English-speaking local Tibetan guide
- 6. Entrance Tickets: Lake Mansarovar, Mount Kailash + Eco-bus
- 7. Border Transfer: Kathmandu to Border to Kathmandu transportation
- 8. Lodging and dining subsidies for guide and driver
- 9. Arrangements include planning, handling, operational and communication charges.
Kathmandu Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Exclusions:
- 1. Personal expenses such as hiring porter, yak and horse, laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional tour activities, etc.
- 2. Single Room Supplement (if requested)
- 3. Meals: Lunch and dinner
- 4. Insurance: Insurance of any kind
- 5. Tipping: Tips for guides and drivers
- 6. China Visa: Chinese Tourist Visa (L Visa) application fees
- 7. Emergency service: rescue and evacuation service
- 8. Exceptional Events: Extra charges due to irresistible reasons (e.g., weather, road closures).
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.