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Buddhist ยท Shaiva

Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour

The mountain no one climbs. Four faiths, four rivers, one kora of 52 kilometres over the Dolma La at 5,630 metres. The journey every other pilgrimage is measured against.

Reserve your place

Duration
14 days
Maximum altitude
5,630 m
Grading
Challenging
Accommodation
Hotels in Kathmandu, guesthouses in Tibet

Day by day

How the journey runs

  1. Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu 1,400 m

    Airport pickup and rest. Evening arati at Pashupatinath.

    Overnight
    Kathmandu
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 Kathmandu, permits and preparation 1,400 m

    Permit formalities, a kit check, and a briefing on what the altitude will do and how we will manage it.

    Overnight
    Kathmandu
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  3. Day 3 Kathmandu to Kerung 2,700 m

    Drive to the border at Rasuwagadhi, cross into Tibet, and on to Kerung.

    Overnight
    Kerung
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    On the move
    7 to 8 hrs
  4. Day 4 Kerung, acclimatisation 2,700 m

    A full day at 2,700 m doing very little. This day is not optional and it is not sightseeing.

    Overnight
    Kerung
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  5. Day 5 Kerung to Saga 4,600 m

    Onto the Tibetan plateau proper. The landscape empties out.

    Overnight
    Saga
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    On the move
    6 to 7 hrs
  6. Day 6 Saga to Lake Mansarovar 4,590 m

    The first sight of the lake, and of Kailash behind it. Evening puja and snan at the shore.

    Overnight
    Mansarovar
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    On the move
    7 to 8 hrs
  7. Day 7 Mansarovar parikrama and on to Darchen 4,675 m

    Circuit of the lake by vehicle with stops for puja, then to Darchen at the foot of the mountain.

    Overnight
    Darchen
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  8. Day 8 Kora day one, Darchen to Dirapuk 4,910 m

    The walk begins. Yamdwar, then the north face of Kailash in front of you for most of the afternoon.

    Overnight
    Dirapuk
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    On the move
    6 to 7 hrs on foot
  9. Day 9 Kora day two, Dirapuk to Zutulpuk over the Dolma La 5,630 m

    The hardest day of the yatra. Up to the pass at 5,630 m, then a long descent past Gauri Kunda. Start before dawn.

    Overnight
    Zutulpuk
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    On the move
    9 to 11 hrs on foot
  10. Day 10 Kora day three, Zutulpuk to Darchen 4,675 m

    A short final stretch, and the circle closes where it opened.

    Overnight
    Darchen
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    On the move
    3 to 4 hrs on foot
  11. Day 11 Darchen to Saga 4,600 m

    The long drive back east.

    Overnight
    Saga
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    On the move
    7 to 8 hrs
  12. Day 12 Saga to Kerung 2,700 m

    Down off the plateau.

    Overnight
    Kerung
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    On the move
    6 to 7 hrs
  13. Day 13 Kerung to Kathmandu 1,400 m

    Back across the border and down to Kathmandu.

    Overnight
    Kathmandu
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    On the move
    7 to 8 hrs
  14. Day 14 Departure

    Airport drop, whenever your flight is.

    Overnight
    Not applicable
    Meals
    Breakfast

The price

What is and is not included

Included

  • Tibet travel permit, Kailash special permit and all border formalities
  • Chinese group visa
  • Private transport throughout, Kathmandu to the border and across Tibet
  • Accommodation throughout, hotels and guesthouses
  • Three pure vegetarian meals a day
  • Support vehicle and oxygen on the Tibet side
  • Yak and porter for the three days of kora
  • Acharya-led ritual guidance at Mansarovar and on the kora
  • Medical kit including altitude medication
  • Emergency support and evacuation coordination, day or night

Not included

  • International flights to and from Kathmandu
  • Nepal re-entry visa
  • Emergency evacuation or helicopter rescue, which your insurance must cover
  • Travel and high altitude insurance, which is mandatory and which we ask you to arrange yourself
  • Personal medical expenses
  • Personal spending and shopping

When to come

The season for this yatra

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Best months: May, June, July, August, September.

Before you go

What to sort out first

Whether you can do it

  • The kora is 52 kilometres over three days and crosses the Dolma La at 5,630 metres, which cannot be shortened or avoided.
  • About a third of people flown straight up to Mansarovar are made ill by the altitude, and the pilgrims turned back below the pass are almost always the ones who skipped acclimatisation days.
  • This itinerary is fourteen days rather than ten for exactly that reason. The extra days are acclimatisation, not sightseeing.
  • If you have a heart or lung condition, tell us at enquiry. We would rather say no honestly than have you find out at 5,630 metres.

Permits you will need

  • Tibet Travel Permit and the Kailash special area permit. We arrange both.
  • Chinese group visa, arranged in Kathmandu. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond travel.
  • Permits take about six weeks and are issued in batches, which is why departures are on set dates.
  • We need your passport scan and photographs at least eight weeks before departure.