Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour

Your Kailash Mansarovar Tour package from Kathmandu will commence on this day with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Kyirung. This day’s drive will start early in the morning, and you will first head toward Syabrubesi. This beautiful village in the north-central part of the country is the gateway to incredible trekking adventures in the Langtang Valley. You will drive past the charming landscape, river/waterfalls, and beautiful traditional villages to reach Syabrubesi. After reaching the village, you will take a short break to stretch your legs before proceeding toward the border area.

There are some formalities that you will have to go through before entering the autonomous region of China. Leaving Nepal, on the other side of the border, a comfortable tourist vehicle will be waiting for you. You will then proceed on your drive toward the beautiful Tibetan town of Kyirung, which is surrounded by lush hills. As the elevation gain is quite significant, get some rest and do some short walks around the town, adhering to the trek high and sleep low principle.

Before continuing further with the Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour, you will take an acclimatization day at Kyirung. After the previous day’s exploration, it is important to allow the body to adjust to the increasing altitude before heading to the higher elevation points in Tibet. Here, one can visit the local markets, some of the very fine monasteries, and the friendly locals to understand their special culture and traditions in this beautiful Tibetan town.

Walking through the city helps the body acclimatize. Walking at a slow pace improves the amount of oxygen inhaled. But strenuous activity should not be engaged in for fear of altitude sickness.

After eating a healthy breakfast, your journey will continue toward Saga, which is a key town in Tibet that serves as a major stop for travelers exploring Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. This day’s scenic drive offers views of stunning landscapes, vast Tibetan plains, and pristine snow-capped peaks. You will cross several small traditional villages along the way, which will provide you with insights into the Tibetan way of life. After crossing the Yarlung Zangpo (Bhramaputra River), you will drive north to reach Saga.

As the altitude gain is major, it is essential to move slowly and keep yourself hydrated. There are several comfortable guesthouses and hotels available here in this key tourist destination. You will check in and relax as you prepare for the next day’s long drive. 

This is one of the longest travel days of the Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour package. But at the same time, it is also one of the most rewarding experiences as you will reach the sacred Lake Mansarovar. Your driving route will pass through the Tibetan Plateau and will offer stunning views of rolling hills, Himalayan ranges, and scattered traditional settlements. Along the way, you will cross the small, beautiful Tibetan town of Paryang. You will take a short break here for refreshment and acclimatization.

As you continue driving, the landscape transforms into rugged and barren scenery that resembles a high-altitude desert. By late afternoon, you will arrive at Lake Mansarovar. It is one of the holiest lakes in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. This lake is believed to be sacred and spiritually purifying, and so many pilgrims take a holy bath here. You will also be able to admire the views of Mount Kailash reflecting on the lake’s surface and enjoy the serene atmosphere beneath the holy peak. 

You will wake up early in the morning to visit the holy Lake Mansarovar, take a bath, and participate in a special prayer ceremony, which can be arranged along the lake shore. After the ritual, you will then proceed toward Darchen, which serves as the base camp for Kailash and is also the beginning point for the Kailash Parikrama (circumambulation journey). Though the drive from Mansarovar to Darchen may not be long, you will have the time to enjoy breathtaking views of Mt. Kailash and the stark high-altitude Tibetan landscape.

After reaching Darchen, your rest will give you an opportunity to prepare yourself for the Kora journey that will begin the next day. It is important to keep oneself hydrated and properly rested for the next few days, which will involve trekking on a very strenuous route up mountain passes. Also, be sure to carry along every trekking essential for the Kora, including warm clothes, snacks, water bottles, and trekking poles.

The first day of the Kailash Kora (Parikrama) begins from Darchen. On today’s trek, you will head toward Dira Puk Monastery, which offers the first close-up views of the holy mountain. You will first drive toward Tarboche, which will be short and immersive. After that, you will have the opportunity to explore the Yamadwar, also known as the ‘Gateway of the God of Death’. The trail on this first day of the Kora journey follows through the Lha Chu River Valley, which is surrounded by high cliffs, waterfalls, and fluttering prayer flags.

Pilgrims will also get the chance to explore the Chuku Monastery along the way. The final stretch of this day’s trek is slightly steep as it stretches toward the Dira-Puk monastery. From the monastery, you will be able to catch the stunning views of the northern face of Mount Kailash. There are basic lodges and guesthouses available for pilgrims at Dira-Puk. As the night temperatures drop significantly, during the night bringing warm clothing is very essential.

The second day of Kailash Kora is the most challenging part of the trek. On this day’s trek, you will walk over the Dolma La Pass (5,630m/ 18,471ft), which is the highest point of the journey. The strenuous ascent to this holy pass is marked by countless mani stones and prayer flags. You will also explore the Gauri Kunda, which is near the pass, and pilgrims perform rituals here. There is also a special place along the pass, which is known as Shiva Sthal. Pilgrims who are doing Kailash Kore leave something behind here (i.e., a piece of cloth, an ornament, etc).

Doing this is believed to be a cycle of leaving behind the old life and moving toward a prosperous and content life. From the Himalayas pass, you will follow a steep and rocky downhill trail that leads to Zuthul Puk. There are guesthouses and tented accommodation facilities available here where you will rest, preparing for the final day of Kailash Parikrama. 

On the final day of this sacred journey, you will start early in the morning after enjoying the sunrise views over Mount Kailash. After covering the circumnavigating route, you will trek toward Darchen, which is approximately at a distance of 6km (3.7 miles). Your vehicles will be waiting for you at Darchen, and after getting some rest, you will board them for the drive back to Saga. This day’s drive retraces the same rugged high-altitude Tibetan landscape and provides you with another opportunity to absorb the mesmerizing landscape.

You will pass the sacred Lake Mansarovar once again, which will make the Mansarovar Parikrama as well. After that, you will drive past the Tibetan settlements of Paryang and Zhongba to reach Saga, your overnight destination for this day’s adventure. You will reach Saga in the evening. There are comfortable guesthouses and lodges available in this major Tibetan town. 

Leaving the Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour behind, today’s drive drops down to lower elevation points. You will re-enter the lush Himalayan foothills as you draw close to the Nepal-Tibetan border. Leaving the Tibetan town behind, your drive descends through the vast plain that slowly transitions from cold, barren landscapes to green valleys and forests. The driving route follows the Brahmaputra River, where small villages and prayer wheels line the way.

As you close in on Kyirung, the terrain becomes more mountainous, and the winding road cuts through deep gorges and pine forests. The air on this day will feel noticeably richer in oxygen, making it easier for you to breathe compared to the high altitude explorations in previous days. Kyirung is locally known as Kyirong, and there are comfortable hotels and guesthouses. You will enjoy your well-deserved rest here, fresh Tibetan food, and a relaxed evening before your final return to Kathmandu. 

The last leg of the journey on this day takes you from Tibet back into Nepal through the stunning Himalayan borderlands. Your journey on this day begins early in the morning, and you will cross the border at Rasuwagadhi. After the immigration checks and the paperwork processing, which will take some time, you will enter the Nepali side. There will be comfortable transportation awaiting you for the drive back to Kathmandu. You will pass through beautiful villages, terraced farms, lush hills, and waterfalls with views of the green forest and snow-capped peaks in the distance.

Then, following the banks of the Trishuli River, which is a famous destination for white water rafting, you will join the Prithvi Highway. There will be enough lunch and refreshment stops at the local roadside restaurants. You will reach Kathmandu by late afternoon or evening. After checking in at your hotel, you can either rest or explore the vibrant tourist destinations in Kathmandu.