Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Tour 13 Days

Upon your arrival, a representative from Manaslu Adventure Treks will warmly welcome you at the airport with a flower garland and ensure a smooth transfer to your designated hotel in the city. Once you check in and settle, the representative will provide a detailed program briefing, including an overview of your upcoming trip. Also, any necessary documentation will be reviewed and finalized to ensure everything is in order.

If time permits, you can explore the local area on a short walk. This will allow you to acclimatize to the environment and enjoy the surroundings. The day concludes with a special welcome dinner hosted at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy authentic Nepalese cuisine and get acquainted with fellow travelers and the Manaslu Adventure Treks team.

Today, you will start your day early from Kathmandu with a scenic drive to Tatopani. This town lies on the Nepal-China border famous for its hot springs and the Bhotekoshi River flowing along the way. You can enjoy the lush green hills, terraced fields, and waterfalls as you descend to the border point. After completing the immigration procedure, you cross the Friendship Bridge to enter Zhangmu (Khasa), the border town in Tibet. Zhangmu offers a bustling vibe with shops, Tibetan culture, and a gateway into the Tibetan plateau. Afterward, you will drive toward Nyalam, with steep winding mountain routes, surrounded by dramatic landscapes that mark the shift from lush greenery to the barren, rugged terrain of Tibet. Upon arrival in Nyalam, you check in at your hotel, relax, and stay overnight.

Today, you will spend the day in Nyalam (3750m) to acclimatize to the increasing altitude. This is an essential part of the journey to minimize the risk of altitude sickness as you ascend further into the high altitudes of Tibet. You can take short walks around Nyalam town to help your body adjust to the thinner air. You can explore the surrounding area, including nearby hills and Tibetan villages. The views of the rugged Tibetan plateau and surrounding mountains are breathtaking. You can visit local monasteries as Nyalam is rich in Tibetan culture and history.

Today, you begin your journey early in the morning from Nyalam, heading towards Saga (4600m). You will drive through the Lalung La Pass, one of the highest points of your journey, offering stunning views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks, including Shishapangma (8013m), the only 8000m peak located entirely in Tibet. En route, you will pass the serene Paiko Tso, a turquoise glacial lake surrounded by dramatic landscapes. Then you will drive across the mighty Brahmaputra River, a lifeline of Tibet and South Asia, as it flows through the Tibetan plateau. Finally, you reach Saga, a key town along the journey. It offers basic accommodations and services, making it a good place to recharge before continuing toward Lake Manasarovar. You stay overnight in Saga.

Today, you will depart from Saga for an exciting journey to the sacred Lake Manasarovar (4590m). You witness the breathtaking beauty of the barren Tibetan landscape, with vast plains, snow-capped mountains, and nomadic settlements scattered along the way. You cross the Mayum La Pass, another high-altitude pass that offers incredible views of the surrounding peaks. As you descend from the pass, you will catch your first glimpse of Mount Kailash (6638m) and the holy Lake Manasarovar in the distance. Finally, you reach the shores of Lake Manasarovar, the highest freshwater lake in the world, revered in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The turquoise lake is surrounded by majestic mountains, creating a serene and spiritual atmosphere. You stay overnight at a guesthouse near the lake.

Today, you will begin the day with a serene morning by the holy Lake Manasarovar. You can perform puja and prayer, rituals, and meditation along the sacred shores of the lake. You can also take a holy bath in the lake’s icy waters, as it is believed to cleanse sins and bring spiritual blessings. You can collect holy water from the lake as a divine souvenir. You can spend some quiet moments connecting with the spiritual energy of the place, surrounded by the majestic mountains. After completing puja and rituals, you embark on a short drive to Darchen, the base town for Mount Kailash. Along the way, you admire the stunning views of Mount Kailash and the Tibetan Landscape. Darchen serves as the starting point for the Mount Kailash Kora (Circumambulation). You stay overnight in Darchen.

You will start Kailash Kora (parikrama), a three-day trek around Mount Kailash, covering about 52km. The first day is approximately 13km from Darchen to Drirapuk Monastery and takes 6-7 hours on foot. A short drive from Darchen takes you to Yama Dwar (the Gateway of the God of Death), the official starting point of the parikrama. This is a sacred place where pilgrims offer prayers and seek blessings before beginning the Kora. Along the way, you will come across the First Prostration Point, where pilgrims stop to bow and prostrate themselves in reverence to Mount Kailash. Then you will pass by the Tarboch Flag Pole, an important ceremonial site in Tibetan culture. It is the focal point of the annual Saga Dawa Festival, celebrating Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. You continue past the Sky Burial Ground, a sacred place where traditional Tibetan funerary rites are performed. Finally, you arrive at Drirapuk Monastery, which offers majestic views of the north face of Mount Kailash, considered the most spiritual side of the mountain.

This is the most challenging and significant day of the Kailash Kora. The trek covers 22km and takes about 8-10 hours. You will cross the Dolma La Pass (5645m), the highest point of the Kora, and descend to Zuthul Puk Monastery (4835m). You start early from Drirapuk Monastery to avoid strong winds at the pass. As you ascend, the trail becomes steeper and more rugged, with thin air due to the altitude. You reach Dolma La Pass, which symbolizes crossing over from one life to

the next in Tibetan belief, representing spiritual rebirth. On the way to the pass, you will pass Shiva-Tsal, where pilgrims leave personal items, such as clothing or a lock of hair, to symbolize leaving behind their past sins or attachments. Then you begin the steep descent from Dolma La pass to Gauri Kund. This emerald-green lake is sacred to Hindus, as it is believed to be where Goddess Parbati bathed. The descent from Gauri Kund is long and challenging, passing through rocky terrain and streams. The trail gradually flattens as you approach Zuthul Puk Monastery, named after the “Cave of Miracles”, where Milarepa, a famous Tibetan yogi, mediated and performed miracles. You stay overnight at Zuthul Puk.

The final leg of Kailash Kora covers around 11km of trekking, passing the 3^rd and 4^th prostration points, and concludes with a short drive from Darchen to Hore, near Lake Manasarovar. You start early with a gradual descent from Zuthul Puk Monastery along a relatively flat and easier trail compared to previous days. Along the way you pass the 3^rd Prostration Point, offering one of the last clear views of Mount Kailash. Pilgrims pause here to pay their final respects and gratitude to the sacred mountain. Then you pass the 4^th Prostration Point, where pilgrims often bow one last time to Mount Kailash before completing their Kora (parikrama). Finally, you trek back to Darchen, the starting point of the Kora. Afterward, you embark on a short drive to Hore, a small settlement on the shores of Lake Manasarovar. At Hore, you enjoy the views of the sacred lake and reflect on the spiritual journey you have just completed. You stay overnight in Hore.

Today, you begin your journey back from Hore to Saga, traveling through the serene Tibetan landscapes. You start early with breakfast and enjoy the last views of the sacred Lake Manasarovar. Then you drive back to Saga via Mayum La Pass, with ample opportunities to take in the vast expanse of snow-capped mountains and open fields. You continue to drive along the rivers and cross small Tibetan villages, soaking in the quiet and peaceful surroundings. Finally, you arrive in Saga, a bustling town that serves as a resting point for pilgrims and travelers. You stay overnight in Saga.

Today, you will drive to Nyalam from Saga, passing through stunning landscapes and descending to lower altitudes. You begin your journey after breakfast at Saga, driving through the expansive Tibetan Plateau. You drive across the mighty Brahmaputra River, marveling at its vastness. You cross the Lalung La Pass, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayan ranges. Finally, you descend to the charming town of Nyalam. You can notice the change in scenery as you enter the greener and more temperate areas of Tibet. You stay overnight in Nyalam.

The final leg of the journey takes you from Nyalam to Kathmandu via Friendship Bridge. You start in the morning and begin the descent through winding roads, enjoying the beautiful views of the surrounding hills, valleys, and rivers. You reach the Friendship Bridge, where you will complete the immigration formalities to leave Tibet (China). On the Nepal side, you complete your Nepalese immigration procedures and then drive to Nepal. You can stop at Tatopani for a brief rest and continue your journey downhill passing through picturesque hills, fields, and Nepalese villages. Finally, you reach Kathmandu, the vibrant capital of Nepal, then check in at your hotel and unwind after your journey.

On the final day of your journey, a special Trip Conclude Ceremony will be organized by Manaslu Adventure treks. During this heartfelt event, the team will express gratitude for your participation and acknowledge the memorable experiences shared throughout the adventure. Also, the clients are free to provide feedback, which is valuable for the team to understand your experience and gather insights to improve future trips. As a token of appreciation, a souvenir will be presented to you, symbolizing the lasting memories of your adventure and deep connection to Nepal’s culture and natural beauty.

The day concludes with a final goodbye and transfer arrangements to your onward destination, whether to the airport or your next journey within Nepal. The team will ensure your departure is smooth and filled with warm wishes for future travels.