10-Day Kathmandu Kailash Mansarovar Tour Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu – Gyirong Town | Cross the Nepal-Tibet Border
Distance: 130 km (about 7-8 hrs driving) | Meals: Self-arranged | Hotel: Hotel in Gyirong Town (2,800m)
Leave Kathmandu early and drive north through Nepal’s mountain foothills toward the Rasuwagadhi border. Terraced farms, river valleys and winding mountain roads fill most of the journey.
After completing Nepal-side immigration, cross the bridge into Tibet at Gyirong Port. Your local Tibetan guide meets the group on the Chinese side, assists with entry formalities and continues with you up the valley to Gyirong Town.
The final stretch is short but noticeably greener than the high plateau ahead, with forested slopes and deep river gorges along the road.
Overnight in Gyirong Town.
CHIBET Travel Notice: The Kathmandu-Rasuwagadhi road is rough or unpaved in sections, so bring motion-sickness medicine and snacks if needed. Travel with the China visa and Tibet Travel Permit required for your confirmed entry arrangement.
Day 2: Gyirong Town | Acclimatization Day & Optional Milarepa Cave
Distance: Approx. 5 km local driving if joining the optional visit | Meals: Breakfast | Hotel: Hotel in Gyirong Town (2,800m)
Today is deliberately light. A second night in Gyirong gives the group more time at 2,800 meters before tomorrow’s drive climbs above 4,500 meters.
There is no fixed sightseeing program. Rest at the hotel, walk around town or spend some time in the quieter streets nearby.
If you feel comfortable, an optional visit can be arranged to Milarepa Cave, a small pilgrimage site associated with the Tibetan yogi and poet Milarepa. The cave and shrine sit in a peaceful mountain setting outside town.
Overnight in Gyirong Town.
CHIBET Travel Advice: Milarepa Cave is optional and not part of the fixed sightseeing program. Keep the day easy before the larger altitude gain tomorrow.
Day 3: Gyirong – Shishapangma – Peiku Tso – Saga | Up onto the High Plateau
Distance: 232 km (about 6 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Hotel: Hotel in Saga (4,480m)
Leave Gyirong Valley and climb over Gongtang La Pass onto the open plateau. Forest gradually disappears and the road enters a much drier, wider landscape.
On a clear day, Mount Shishapangma rises beyond the plateau before the route reaches Peiku Tso. The lake sits in a broad high-altitude basin, with blue water and snow mountains breaking up the otherwise dry grassland.
Continue west to Saga and check in for the night.
Overnight in Saga.
CHIBET Travel Advice: Today includes a large altitude gain from 2,800 meters to around 4,480 meters. Move slowly at roadside stops and keep warm layers close.
Day 4: Saga – Mayum La Pass – Lake Mansarovar | First Night by the Sacred Lake
Distance: 507 km (about 8 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Hotel: Guesthouse near Lake Mansarovar (4,588m)
Drive west along the Southern Highway through the wide landscapes between the Gangdise and Himalayan ranges. The road is long and remote, with very few large settlements.
Cross Mayum La Pass and enter the Ngari region. Later in the day, Lake Mansarovar comes into view across the plateau, with Mount Kailash visible in the distance when the weather is clear.
Check in at the simple guesthouse near the lakeshore and enjoy a quiet evening beside the water.
Overnight near Lake Mansarovar.
CHIBET Travel Advice: Lake Mansarovar is exposed to wind and temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Keep a warm windproof layer and down jacket ready for time outside.
Day 5: Lake Mansarovar – Darchen | Lakeside Morning & Kora Preparation
Distance: 40 km (about 1 hr driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Hotel: Hotel in Darchen (4,670m)
Spend the morning beside Lake Mansarovar. Walk along the pebble shoreline, take time for quiet reflection or simply watch the light change across the water and surrounding mountains.
A visit to the nearby natural hot springs can be arranged as an optional activity before the trek. This is not part of the fixed sightseeing program.
After lunch, make the short drive to Darchen at the foot of Mount Kailash. Check in, organize your daypack and review the three-day kora plan with your guide.
Overnight in Darchen.
CHIBET Travel Notice: Porters, yaks or riding horses can be hired in Darchen for the Kailash trek. These services are optional and paid separately; tell your guide today if you want extra support.
Day 6: Mount Kailash Kora Day 1 | Darchen – Dirapuk Monastery
Distance: 6 km eco-bus + 13 km trekking (about 5-6 hrs) | Meals: Breakfast | Hotel: Dirapuk Monastery Guesthouse (shared dormitory, 4,920m)
The Mount Kailash kora begins today. Take the eco-bus to Sarshung Valley, then start walking along the Lha Chu Valley with pilgrims and other trekkers.
Pass Tarboche Flagpole and Yam Dwar, the symbolic gateway onto the sacred trail. Farther along, Choku Monastery sits across the river beneath the mountain slopes.
The trail climbs gradually toward Dirapuk Monastery. From here, Mount Kailash rises directly across the valley, and the light can change quickly around its steep western and northern faces.
Overnight at Dirapuk Monastery Guesthouse.
CHIBET Travel Advice: Walk at a steady pace and do not try to match faster trekkers. The guesthouse is basic and the altitude is close to 5,000 meters by the end of the day.
Day 7: Mount Kailash Kora Day 2 | Dirapuk – Dolma La Pass – Zutulpuk Monastery
Distance: 22 km trekking (about 8-10 hrs) | Meals: Self-arranged | Hotel: Zutulpuk Monastery Guesthouse (shared dormitory, 4,820m)
This is the hardest day of the entire journey. Leave Dirapuk early and climb steadily toward Dolma La Pass, the highest point of the kora at 5,630 meters.
The final approach is steep and slow, with prayer flags covering the pass. After crossing the top, descend carefully past Gauri Kund and into the Dzong Chu Valley.
The trail becomes gentler later in the day as it follows the valley toward Zutulpuk Monastery, associated with the Tibetan yogi Milarepa.
Overnight at Zutulpuk Monastery Guesthouse.
CHIBET Travel Advice: Dolma La can have icy or unstable footing even in summer. Sturdy trekking boots and trekking poles are strongly recommended, especially for the descent.
Day 8: Mount Kailash Kora Day 3 | Zutulpuk – Darchen – Saga
Distance: 6.5 km trekking + 4.5 km eco-bus + 344 km driving (about 6 hrs) | Meals: Self-arranged | Hotel: Hotel in Saga (4,480m)
The final morning of the kora is much easier. Follow the valley for about 6.5 kilometers to Zongto, then take the eco-bus back to Darchen to complete the 52-kilometer circuit.
Rejoin the vehicle in Darchen and begin the drive east toward Saga, passing the Lake Mansarovar area once more before leaving the Kailash region behind.
Arrive in Saga in the evening and check in for the night.
Overnight in Saga.
Day 9: Saga – Gyirong Town | Return from the High Plateau
Distance: 232 km (about 6 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Hotel: Hotel in Gyirong Town (2,800m)
Drive east from Saga and then turn south toward Gyirong. The open plateau gradually gives way to steeper valleys as the road loses altitude.
The change becomes more obvious on the descent into Gyirong Valley, where pine forest, waterfalls and deeper river gorges replace the dry highland landscape.
Arrive in Gyirong Town and enjoy a quieter evening after the Kailash trek.
Overnight in Gyirong Town.
Day 10: Gyirong Town – Gyirong Border – Kathmandu | Return to Nepal
Distance: 40 km to the border + about 130 km to Kathmandu (about 6-9 hrs total, depending on road and border conditions) | Meals: Breakfast | Hotel: None
After breakfast, drive to Gyirong Port. Your Tibetan guide assists with the Chinese-side departure formalities before you cross the bridge into Nepal at Rasuwagadhi.
A pre-arranged Nepal-side vehicle meets the group after immigration for the mountain-road drive back to Kathmandu.
Your 10-day Kathmandu Kailash Mansarovar group tour ends on arrival in Kathmandu.
CHIBET Travel Notice: The Nepal-side transfer from Rasuwagadhi to Kathmandu is included in this tour. Driving time can vary considerably with traffic, weather and road conditions.
10-Day Kathmandu Kailash Mansarovar Tour Date and Package Price
Kathmandu Kailash Mansarovar Tour Cost (Based on Travel Time)
| 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:
- Hotel accommodation based on twin-sharing, plus the Lake Mansarovar guesthouse and shared Dirapuk and Zutulpuk guesthouses during the Kailash trek
- Group vehicle, driver and scheduled transfers throughout the Tibet section
- Kathmandu – Rasuwagadhi border – Kathmandu transportation on the Nepal side
- English-speaking local Tibetan guide
- Tibet Travel Permit and required western Tibet / Mount Kailash travel permits
- Entrance fees and sightseeing shuttle buses for Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash
- Breakfasts as listed
- Bottled water and oxygen support during the Tibet journey
- Local operator liability insurance and vehicle passenger insurance
Kathmandu Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Exclusions:
- China Tourist Visa application fees
- Lunches and dinners
- Single room supplement
- Medical, rescue or evacuation insurance
- Porter, yak or riding-horse hire during the Mount Kailash trek
- Tips and personal expenses
- Optional activities, including Milarepa Cave and the Lake Mansarovar hot springs
- Extra costs caused by weather, road closures or other exceptional events
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