Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar Fixed Departure Tour 2025

Today marks our official entry into Tibet! After breakfast, we’ll complete immigration formalities at the Gyirong border. Our Tibetan guide and driver will meet us on the other side. This day is crucial for acclimatization. Take it easy, drink water, and let your body adjust to the higher altitude. To help with acclimatization, we’ll visit Paba Monastery in the center of Gyirong Town. It’s a very old and important place. Later, we’ll drive to Kepu Village. We’ll enjoy a quiet walk to the Meditation Cave of Master Padmasambhava. This cave is a holy place where the famous Buddhist leader reportedly meditated. It’s a peaceful spot with a lot of history.

• Driving Hours: 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Altitude: 2,850 meters (8,858 to 9,350 feet)
• Accommodation: Hotel in Gyirong.
• Activity: Acclimatization day, visit Paba Monastery, drive to Kepu Village, and hike to the Meditation Cave of Master Padmasambhava.

Prepare for a spectacular drive across the vast Tibetan Plateau! After breakfast, we’ll leave for Saga. The landscape transforms as we ascend, revealing breathtaking vistas. Keep your eyes peeled for the stunning Lake Peiku Tso and the majestic Mt. Shishapangma, one of the world’s highest peaks. You might even spot some unique Tibetan wildlife, like antelopes and wild donkeys.

• Driving Hours: 2.5 to 4 hours
• Altitude: 4,640 meters (15,223 feet)

Accommodation: Guesthouse/hotel in Saga.

This is a day you’ve been waiting for! We drove towards Darchen, the base camp for Mount Kailash. We’ll travel through wide grasslands. There will be plenty of sheep and yaks. Snowy mountains will be all around us. A big moment will be crossing the Mayum La pass (which is 5,122 meters high). This means we are now recognized as being in the holy Ngari Region. Then, you will see it – the amazing holy Lake Manasarovar. It shines under the Tibetan sky. Mount Kailash stands tall far away. We’ll rest by the lake for a short time. After that, we’ll go to Darchen to get ready for the exciting Kailash Kora.

• Driving Hours: 7-9 hours
• Altitude: 4,600 meters (15,060 to 15,100 feet)
• Accommodation: Guesthouse/hotel in Darchen.
• Highlight: First view of Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash.

Welcome to the start of your sacred Mount Kailash journey! After a hearty breakfast in Darchen, we’ll take a short 7 km bus ride to Sarshung Valley, where your peaceful Kora (Parikrama) walk begins. Today’s easy trek goes through a peaceful valley at the base of Mount Kailash. You’ll see amazing views of its southern and western faces. There are also lovely hills and cool waterfalls under a bright blue sky. We’ll end the day at Dirapuk Monastery. You can explore the ancient temple and snap amazing photos by the sacred stupas. If it’s clear, you’ll also see a stunning sunset over Mount Kailash. This moment will be truly inspiring and unforgettable.

• Trekking Hours: 5-7 hours
• Altitude: 5,210 meters (17,093 feet)
• Accommodation: Basic guesthouse/tent in Dirapuk.
• Highlight: Beginning of Kailash Kora, stunning views of Mount Kailash North and West Face, exploration of Dirapuk Monastery.

Get ready for the most challenging yet rewarding day of your Kailash Kora! Before dawn, we’ll depart from Dirapuk toward Zutulpuk. Early on, you’ll climb to 5,430 meters and witness the breathtaking sunrise turning Mount Kailash’s northwest slope golden. Next, you’ll tackle the steep 2-kilometer ascent to Dolma La Pass—the highest point of the Kora at 5,630 meters—adorned with countless prayer flags. Though the path can be tricky with icy patches and loose rocks, the stunning views and sense of achievement make it unforgettable. As you descend, you’ll reach the emerald Lake of Compassion (Gauri Kunda), believed to purify sins with its sacred waters. We’ll end the day at Zutulpuk Monastery, nestled at 4,820 meters, where you can rest and reflect on the incredible spiritual journey you’ve completed.

• Trekking Hours: 7-9 hours
• Altitude: 4,820 meters (15,814 feet)
• Accommodation: Basic guesthouse/tent in Zutulpuk.
• Highlight: Conquering the mighty Dolma La Pass (5,630m), witnessing sunrise over Mount Kailash, spiritual encounter with the Lake of Compassion (Gauri Kunda), and breathtaking glacial views.

Today marks the glorious final leg of your Kailash Kora! In the morning,we will start our trek from Zutulpuk. You’ll pass many piles of mani stones. These stones honor past pilgrims in silence. Your trek concludes at Zongto, where a convenient vehicle will take you back to Darchen. After your sacred trek around Mount Kailash, you will head to the holy Lake Manasarovar. A 30-kilometer drive takes you to this magical lake. Spend the afternoon in quiet thought. You could meditate, listen to the waves, or take a cleansing bath in the water. For Hindus and Buddhists, this act is very spiritual. People think that it washes away sins and frees one from the cycle of life, leading to nirvana.This is a time to take in the deep meaning and calm of this sacred place.

• Trekking Hours: 3-4 hours
• Altitude: 4,575 meters (14,975 feet)
• Accommodation: Guesthouse/hotel in Darchen.
• Highlight: Completion of Kailash Kora, spiritual dip in Lake Manasarovar.

With the spiritual journey around Kailash complete, we begin our return journey. Today involves a long drive from Darchen back to Saga, retracing some of our earlier route. Reflect on your amazing experience. Enjoy the wide Tibetan landscape from a fresh perspective.

• Driving Hours: Full day drive
• Accommodation: Guesthouse/hotel in Saga.

Another day of driving as we head back from Saga to Gyirong. As we go down from the high altitudes, the air gets thicker. You’ll see the landscape change over time. This is our last night in Tibet. It’s a chance to enjoy the unique culture and stunning nature one more time.

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• Driving Hours: Full day drive
• Accommodation: Hotel in Gyirong.

Our incredible Kailash tour concludes today. After breakfast, we’ll complete the necessary border formalities at Gyirong and then drive back to Kathmandu. When you return to Nepal, you’ll bring back memories and a deep sense of achievement. This journey to the Himalayas offers spiritual renewal. 

• Driving Hours: Full day drive
• Accommodation: Your chosen hotel in Kathmandu.