Trek Landers

Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarover Tour

Best Price Guarantee
Price starting from $2,995
USD $ 2,865 per person
No of people Price per person

Share this tour

Duration
15 days
Max. Elevation
5470m
Group Size
Minimum 2
Level
Moderate
Transportation
Ground
Best Season
May to September
Accomodation
Tea Houses Lodges & Tented Camp
Meals
Breakfats, Lunch and Dinner during Trek
Starts at
Kathmandu
Ends at
Kathmandu
Trip Route
Kathmandu-Syabrubesi-Kyioring-Saga-Manasarover-Dhiraphuk-Zutulpuk-Darchen-Kyioring-Dhunche-Kathmandu

Highlights

  • An adventure around world’s highest South West Tibetan plateau.
  • Explore the wild west of Tibet amidst amazing scenic windswept terrain.
  • Visit one of Asia’s largest Lake Manasarover surrounded by high snow peaks.
  • Trekking around the holiest of holy sites Mt. Kailash of great beauty and grace.
  • Parikrama, Kora and a full circuit of sacred mountain of four ancient religions.

Overview

Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarover Tour is an adventure of a lifetime experience traveling around the world’s highest and largest plateau. 
Mt. Kailash is revered as the holiest of all holy mountains by four main ancient religions. Namely Hindu, Buddhist, and Bon (pre-Buddhism), as well for Jain religion, for Hindus, is the abode of Lord Shiva. For Buddhism, it is the seat of Khang Rinpoche the high priest, and Jain worship as Astapada. The place and creator of the Jainism faith Rishbhadeva attained freedom from re-birth. 
Mt. Kailash an amazing mountain stands above the windswept valley of Ngari province at 6, 714 m / 22,028 feet high. A little further south of 
Mt. Kailash is the sacred Manasarover Lake, one of the largest lakes in Asia. 
Where thousands of Buddhism and Hindu pilgrims pay homage to the holy sites of Manasarover and Mt. Kailash.
Mt. Kailash with an amazing feature of beauty and grace, with four cardinal faces in the east, is known as Crystal. The west is a Ruby, the south Sapphire, and the north face is gold, as well the origin of four major rivers. Namely Karnali, Sutlej, Indus, and the great Brahmaputra River also called Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet. 
Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarover Tour is certainly a glorious journey that starts from Kathmandu, heading towards Nepal and Tibet border. 
The drive leads northwest from Kathmandu reaching around Langtang and Ganesh Himal region in the Rasuwa district. Then drive follows north to Rasuwagadhi the frontier to enter Tibetan soil at Kyirong, where our real adventure begins.
From Kyirong drive leads towards the high tableland at Tibet's South West plateau to reach the town of Saga. As altitude gains gradually along with spectacular scenery of windswept landscapes, facing distant snow-capped peaks that border the two countries. Slowly the drive leads over a few high passes reaching the west end of the large Manasarover Lake, near Chu Gompa. The area around is known as Barkha valley, enjoy the grand views of Manasarover Lake with Mt. Kailash.
Spending a day at Manasarover for exploration and worship and prayers of the holy lake. The adventure then heads to the foot of Mt. Kailash at a holy spot of Taboche facing Kailash west face. The walk starts following a stream to Dhiraphuk on the North side of Mt. Kailash. The holy Kora or Parikrama then leads to a steep climb to the top of Dorma-La Pass. 

The sacred spot and the highest point of the journey, the pass adorned with offerings, marked with thousands of prayer flags. 
Enjoy the glorious North Face of Mt. Kailash at a close distance from the pass, and then head for a long descent. Reaching the foothills at Lamchu valley, walk on a gradual path to Zutulpuk a small settlement. Nearby is a holy meditation cave of 11th-century saint Millerepa, as the walk nears the end. Reaching close to Darchen, a large town of the region, located south of Mt. Kailash.
On completing the holy circuit, drive along the dry windswept plain on the same scenic route to Kyirong. For the last overnight in Tibet, the next morning cross the border to enter Nepal at Rasuwagadhi. On reaching back to Nepal, the drive leads through Syabrubesi and Dhunche town, then downhill to Kathmandu. 
At Kathmandu, our great memorable adventures on Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarover Tour concludes.

Important Note

Tour Grade:    Leisure with short moderate drives. Includes adventurous 
           walks for few days on Kora, Parikrama or Circuit on Mt. Kailash.
Tour Areas:    Far South West Tibet around Ngari / Kailash region. 
Maximum Height:  On top Dorma-La Pass 5,470 m / 17, 946 feet.
Activities:   Overland Journey with 3 days hikes for Parikrama / Kora. 
In Tibet:           09 Nights & 10 Days.
Total Trip:   14 Nights & 15 Days from main arrival to final departures.

Best Seasons for Mt. Kailash & Holy Manasarover Tour:
The best time for Mt. Kailash & Holy Manasarover Heli Tour is from April to June until October. Includes late spring with summer / monsoon and autumn seasons. During these time, visitors will witness dramatic landscape, in relatively warmer weather. But can be windy afternoon on reaching the high and dry Tibetan plateau. 
The monsoon wet clouds are less affected around Tibet, as the country falls within rain-shadow; the rain clouds are blocked by Himalayan range
The country gets less precipitation and is always dry, with minimum rainfall, than in other southern parts of the Himalaya’s. Expect light snow-fall during the tour and treks on Kora around Mt. Kailash.

Please Note: 
To enter Tibet from Nepal from normal early route of Kodari and Zhangmu is not possible. Due to broken road from the landslides of 25th April & 25th May huge earthquakes. The road might be open for visitors in the near future, depending upon Chinese Authority. The only entry point to Tibet at present is flying to Lhasa or drive to Kyirong, around Langtang Himal region.

Trip Itinerary

On first arrival at Kathmandu-Nepal international airport, our staff and guide will receive with traditional welcome. A short drive to your hotel in the hub of Kathmandu city, on checking into your nice rooms. After getting refreshed from the jet-lag, join at the hotel lobby and at meeting room for trek briefing provided by our guide or leader. Information about the hotel, lodge on tour with full details of Tibet and Kailash driving routes. Including food and accommodation in Tibet and Kailash tour. As well with do’s and don’ts with welcome group dinner in an authentic Nepali restaurants with local cultural program along with Nepali meals.


Morning after breakfast, the city / cultural guide will meet you at the hotel for tour around Kathmandu World Heritage Sites. As well visiting interesting places of historical sites and culture. After the tour back at the hotel, preparation for Kailash & Manasarover Lake Tour. As well to obtain the Tibet visa and permits, our staff and guide will arrange, before leaving for Tibet and Mt. Kailash. 


Early morning an exciting drive on 138 k.m / 86 miles to Syabrubesi town to start Kailash & Manasarover Lake Tour. The road follows on winding ups past Nuwakott district reaching Rasuwa, around Langtang Himal range. Drive leads to main town at Dhunche, the headquarters of the Rasuwa district. As well the entrance of Langtang National Park, the drive heads downhill on winding road to Syabrubesi for overnight stop.


The drive in the morning from Syabrubesi leads on a newly built hilly dirt road that links Nepal and Tibet / China. As the drive follows on few bumpy rough tracks to reach Rasuwagadhi at 1,800 m. Covering a distance of 15 km in an hour drive from Syabrubesi. After completing the custom and visa formalities reaching the other side of the border in Tibet / China. Here our Tibetan guide will receives you for short drive to our overnight stop at Kyirong a small town. Where another visa and passport formalities should be completed on the Chinese immigration. 

The drive leads to a nice town of Kyirong for two overnights in a nice simple guest house or a lodge.

Kyirong located right behind massif Ganesh Himal, called Yangri in Tibet, as well on the north side of Langtang Himal. An extra day in Kyirong for acclimatization before heading higher terrain. At Kyirong relax and enjoy views of Ganesh and Langtang Himal, the place is also a religious and historical site the home of 11th Century great saint Guru Millerepa. 


Our real and true adventure starts from here onwards, morning drive leads into a river gorge. As the drive continues reaching a wide exposed areas entering the windswept landscapes and Tibetan plateau. Drive heads close to a large Paigut-Tsho Lake, where roads from Nylam and Kyirong joins on route to Saga and beyond.  

The journey continues over high ridges and passes then coming across a bridge over Brahmaputra River or Yarlung Tsangpo. Then reaching overnight stop in the town of Saga, this is where road of Shigatse and Lhasa branches off.

Saga, a small town but slowly turning into a city with tall buildings and wide roads, the main entrance to Kailash and beyond. At Saga transfer into a nice hotel or in a local Tibetan lodge.


Leaving Saga town after an hour of good drives, reaching a high pass, and then down towards Tibetan dry plateau. An exciting drive facing views of snow peaks that borders Nepal and Tibet. The drive leads past villages and small settlement of nomads and yak herders’ camps. Then reaching a windswept desolate village of Parayang, after a refreshing stop. The journey continues crossing over Mayum-la 5,150 m, from here down and on winding road to Lake Manasarover. 

Staying overnight in a simple Tibetan lodge or guest house near the shores of Manasarover Lake and below Chu-Gompa. Located on a high ridge of an overhanging red cliff cave.


A pleasant rest day for acclimatization with options for short walks and perform the puja, and religious rites. For those who joined for a holy pilgrimage, enjoy views of Mt. Kailash; and peaks of Gurla Mandata 7,694 m in the south. 

Manasarover floats beneath the shadow of holy Kailash as the lake formed in the mind of Gods. As Manas word comes from ancient Sanskrit means mind or soul of a god. For interested people who likes to cover the whole circuit of Lake Manasarover is in late autumn and early spring. When the streams and rivers flowing into the lake will be low and shallow to cross on drives. Takes nearly four hours on drive for full circuit of Manasarover Lake. Covering a distance of 110 k.m distance round trip, for hike takes four days. Time permitting visit Chu Gompa tucked high above in an overhanging cliff cave, offers grand views of Manasarover Lake and the surroundings. 


From Manasarover, short drive on Barkha valley wide plain, as ride leads close to Darchen. The main town of Ngari province and Kailash areas, has many hotels and guesthouses, a busy place. During pilgrimage time of Saga Dawa festival, Darchen is flooded by thousands of pilgrims. 

Darchen located South Face of Mt. Kailash, where most Parikrama or Kora starts and ends. The drive heads further west to a holy spot at Taboche, a place with tall flag pole, and a highly revered as sacred. Located West flank of Mt. Kailash, the walk heads above a stream with sparse vegetation. As the trail slowly leads to Dhiraphuk, a small grand spot with magnificent North Face of Mt. Kailash.

Dhiraphuk a settlement with few lodges and shop for pilgrims, check into a basic lodge for overnights. The lodge provides simple meals to enjoy, but an exciting place in the close shadow of Mt. Kailash.

After a pleasant stop in Dhiraphuk, start the morning walk carrying packed lunch for the long day. From Dhiraphuk cross over a small wooden bridge, and then starts the climb on steep uphill for few hours. The finally reach on top Dorma-La, one of the most holy spot, as well the highest point of the adventure. 

Stand in front of Mt. Kailash North Face, the top with a huge boulder represents goddess Dolma / Dorma (Tara). The pass adorned with thousands of prayer flags and offerings, after a glorious moment. A long descend to the base of Dorma-La pass reaching Lamchu Valley. The walk on gradual flat trail to Zutulpuk for overnight stop, Zuthul means a cave. Located near a big cave where saint Millerepa stayed meditating in the 11th Centuary. His footprints remains on the roof of a cave, overnight in the comfort of simple lodge.

Rise early morning for a long day drive to Saga, and enjoy the last day of holy Parikrama or Kora. Having breakfast the walk is easier on wide gentle path follow the Karnali River that flows towards Western Nepal. The walk takes about 3 hours to reach at the end of Kora, the holy walk. On completing the walk near east side of Darchen, then board in a vehicle for long exciting drive to Saga. 

The drive of more than 4-5 hours, reaching Saga by evening for dinner time and in the comfort of a nice lodge or hotels.


From Saga after a long drive of previous day, todays a fairly short ride to reach Kyirong County. After a good breakfast, the drive leads on the same route over the bridge, and then enter a river gorge. On leaving the high and dry Tibetan plateau, the drive follows through few smaller villages then reaching Kyirong.

Enjoy the last overnight around Tibet, staying in the comfort of a nice lodge with good delightful foods.


Leaving Kyirong around Tibet / China, a short drive to the frontier on Chinese side for visa formalities. At the border bid farewell to our Tibetan guide and drivers, the walk across towards Nepal at Rasuwagadhi. A short stop at the border to complete the visa and paper works, then taking a Nepali vehicles. After crossing the border, and back into greens with tree lines. As drive leads to Syabrubesi village, and then few hour uphill drive to Dhunche town for overnight halt.  


After a wonderful time in Tibet and at Dhunche town, morning drive on a scenic, exciting highway to Kathmandu. The drive leads beyond Dhunche, Ramche towns and near Trisuli Bazaar. On reaching Kathmandu, transfer to your hotels, rest of the day at leisure after an enjoyable, marvelous adventure on Kailash & Lake Manasarover Tour.


After an enjoyable and most mesmerizing time in Kailash & Lake Manasarover, as well in Nepal. As time for departure, our staff transfers you to international airport for flight homeward bound or to next port of call.


Not satisfied with this itinerary? Make your own.
Plan My Trip

Includes

  • All arrival and departure transportation airport / hotel / airport.
  • Twin sharing accommodation in Kathmandu at tourist standard hotels on bed / breakfast basis. (Single room supplement at extra cost if required)
  • Twin sharing accommodation on route Kailash at basic and standard hotels, lodge-guest house where available on full board (B-L-D) 
  • Sightseeing tour (if mentioned and added in the itinerary) or as optional.
  • Applicable Tibet Visa and Kailash road permits.
  • Service of Nepali / Tibetan guides and staff with daily wages-medical  insurance, meals allowance.
  • Welcome dinner in Kathmandu at authentic Nepalese restaurant with cultural programs.
  • Private transportation overland to Tibet and back to Kathmandu.

Doesn't Include

  • Nepal Visa-International airfare-personal travel / medical insurance.
  • Expenses of personal nature and meals in Kathmandu, gratitude (tips) hard / soft drinks.
  • Personal travel / trekking gear / equipment.
  • Emergency evacuation by any means of transportation including Heli services and personal medical kit.
  • Early return from the trip due to personal / medical problem in this case clients should bear his / her own expenses on return from trek and in 
  • Kathmandu including expenses of accompanying guide / porters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally is about 52 k.m. / 33 miles starting and ending at Darchen town, but due to motorable road. Instead of walking from or ending at Darchen, to make the trip a slightly shorter. Covering only 42 k.m / 27 miles, this is due to simple and basic lodge facilities for overnight comfort. 


As this is a high altitude journey within harsh terrain, with simple lodge for overnight stops. The age limit is above 16 years to 70 years, but all needs has to be physically fit. As well in sound health to cope high altitude and steep ups and downhill walks. Rest of the tour leads to moderate walks, includes long drives for some days.


Yes, it can be arranged but needs to inform our Tibetan local guide at least few days. It will be at extra cost, can charge from US$ 100 to US$ 200 each days includes horsemen, or yak men to accompany you. The mentioned price in US$ equivalent to Chinese Renminbi Yuan, For 1 US$ is about 7 Chinese Yuan.


The best for Kailash and Lake Manasarover Tour is from late spring of April to autumn season of September and October. Including the monsoon time of June to August months, as Tibet falls in rain-shadow, gets few rains. This is why the country is dry most of seasons, can get snowed in sometimes.


Nearly all villages, towns with hotels and lodges have electricity from Hydro or Solar power. Where one can charge their electronic items, as for internet and cell phone communications, every lodges have the Wi-Fi and internet services, but can be quite disturbing sometimes due to landscapes and altitude wise.

For better connection, one can buy local Chinese SIM in Saga town, which is more efficient for use of cell-phone and internets.


Read more FAQs

Similar Tours

16- Day Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Region
Trending
Trekking in Nepal
(1 review)

16- Day Everest Base Camp Trek

Duration
16 days
Grading
Moderate
from USD 1,300.00
USD 1,205 .00
Explore
14-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trekking
Kathmandu
Best Selling
Trekking in Nepal
(1 review)

14-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trekking

Duration
14 days
Grading
Moderate
from USD 900.00
USD 845 .00
Explore
Upper Mustang Trekking
Kathmandu
Hidden Gems
Trekking in Nepal

Upper Mustang Trekking

Duration
17 days
Grading
Moderate
from USD 1,800.00
USD 1,715 .00
Explore

Subscribe for seasonal discounts.

Sign up to stay updated with latest offers, recent events and more news.
Art representing various natural and cultutal heritages of Nepal