Mt. Kailash Overland Tour

16 Days

The trek to Mt Kailash is one of the holiest pilgrimage routes in the world. Considered to be the spiritual center of the universe by its devotees, hundreds of pilgrims visit this sacred land throughout the year. It is believed that the holy ritual of circulating Mt Kailash will wash away the person’s sins and brings good fortune. The Great Adventure Treks provide an extensive “Mt Kailash Overland Tour” that is spiritually rewarding and quite beautiful. Kailash is considered as the resting place of Lord Shiva, where he would meditate and smoke the sacred marijuana. The holy lakes of Lake Mansarovar and Lake Rakshastal surround Mt Kailash. Mt Kailash is a source for the sacred rivers of Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, and Karnali. These are the tributaries to the Ganges, the holiest river in Hinduism. Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims circulate the mountain in a clockwise direction while Jains circulate in anti-clockwise directions.

The total distance around the mountain is 52 km. It takes a physically fit person about 15 hours to complete the trek. The terrain is rough, and the high altitude makes the process very difficult. Only a few of the devotees who start the journey will complete the circuit. We will be staying in modest guesthouses and camps throughout the tour. You can trek the mountain on foot or book a horse. Devotees consider climbing or even stepping foot at the mountain as a sin. Hence it is not open for climbers. The locals believe that the stairway to Mount Kailash leads to heaven. The Great Adventure Treks has a special 16-day package of once in a lifetime tour just for you. Check our detailed itineraries.

Day 01: Katmandu (1300 mts.) Arrival 

Day 02: Half day City tour and prepare Briefing of Mount Kailash Trip

Day 03: Katmandu to Syabrubeshi (3700 mts. – 140kms.) 

Day 04: Drive from Syabrubeshi to Kerung. 

Day 05: Kerung Full day acclimatization 

Day 06: Kerung to Saga /Dongba(4500mts. – 375kms) 

Day 07: Saga/Dongba (4500mts. – 335kms) to Mansarovar

Day 08: Mansarovar to Darchen (4600mts. – 110kms.)

Day 09: Darchen to Diraphuk (4890mts. – 12kms.)

Day 10: Diraphuk to Zhulthulphuk (4790mts. – 22kms.)

Day 11: Zhulthulphuk to Saga/Dongba

Day 12: Saga/Dongba to Kerung

Day 13: Kerung to Katmandu 

Day 14: Katmandu

Day 15: Morning check out hotel, transfer to airport, catch flight for next Destination. 

Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu.

We will pick you as and when you arrive at the airport in Kathmandu. There you will get picked up by our representative and transferred to the hotel. They will brief you about the tour in detail.

Day 2: Sightseeing at Kathmandu for half day.

You will tour the city for half a day. An expert guide will give an insightful tour of the significant landmarks of the city. First, we visit The religious sites of Lord Shiva Pashupatinath. Then we proceed towards Boudhanath, the spiritual hub of the Buddhists. After a half day tour, we drive back to our hotel where you prepare for the journey.

Day 3: Drive Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (3700m), 140 km.

We travel early from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi near Nepal China border on a tourist coach. The journey is 140 km long and takes about 3-4 hrs. We stay overnight at the local hotel.

Day 4: Travel from Syabrubesi to Kerung (2700m).

After completing formalities in immigration, we will travel to the Tibetan town of Kerung. We stay overnight at the Kerung guest house.

Day 5: Acclimatization at Kerung.

We acclimatize at Kerung as it is necessary for our body to adapt to the high altitude. However, we won’t be sitting idle and will have a full day excursion tour of the Kerung city.

Day 6: Drive from Kerung to Saga/Dongba (4500m).

We drive to Saga/ Dongba from Kerung on a 375 km drive. The scenic drive passes along the Thong La and La lung pass. You will also see the breathtaking view of Lake Peikutso along the way. After the long trip, you can take a rest at the local guest house and stay overnight.

Day 7: Saga/ Dongba (4500m) to Mansarovar, 335 km.

We have an early breakfast and travel to Mansarovar from Saga/ Dongba at around 7 in the morning. After a long journey covering almost 335 km, we reach Lake Mansarovar. The turquoise green colored lake is the highest freshwater lake in the world. Another lake just next to Mansarovar is the lake Rakchastal. Locals believe the water of Rakchastal to be poisonous. We will conduct the Mansarovar circuit parikrama by vehicle.

Day 8: Mansarovar to Darchen (4600m).

At Mansarovar, you can dip in the holy water and conduct your religious ceremony like puja, haven, etc. We will then proceed to Darchan in the afternoon. Situated right in front of the Mt Kailash, Darchen is a beautiful village. We explore the village in the afternoon and stay the night at the guest house.

Day 9: Darchen to Derapuk (4890m).

We will start Kailash Kora (circuit) on day 9. So after early morning breakfast, we start walking for 6- 7 hours at a minimum. We will pass through a small settlement village of tarbooche. For those who cannot travel such distance on foot, you can book a horse at an extra cost. A Yak will carry your personal belongings and kitchen utensils. From Derapuk you can see the breathtaking view of Gurla-Mandala. You will stay the night in tents or guest house if available.

Day 10: Derapuk to Juthulpuk (4790m).

We have a longest and most challenging trek of the journey on day 10. We have to overcome the dolma la pass at the height of 5400m. The weather is cold, and the oxygen levels will be dipping fast. So the journey has to be completed without any breaks. Also, the high altitude of the pass makes the chances of a snowstorm quite frequent. We will be passing through the village of Jarok Donkhag. From the town, you will head to the famous Shiv-Tsal. Pilgrims go under a symbolic death at shiv-Tsal. Pilgrims leave something behind at Shiv-Tsal like a cloth, stand of hair to represent the act of leaving the mortal world. You will be able to visit the holy Gaurikund and the footprints of lord buddha on our way to the Juthulpuk. You will stay at the guest house is available, or you will have to camp outside,

Day 11: Juthulpuk to Saga/Dongba.

We make our journey back to Saga/ Dongba from Juthulpuk. We will be visiting the temples and exploring the caves of the Milarepa. We will stay overnight at Saga/ Dongba.

Day 12: Drive back to Kerung.

On day 12, we encourage back to the Tibetan Nepal border city of Kerung. The drive is comfortable, and you can drive through the scenic beauty of the mountainous region.

Day 13: Kerung to Kathmandu.

After the immigration process is complete at the border, we will then drive back to Kathmandu on an hr journey. We will spend the night at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 14: Kathmandu sightseeing tour.

We have a free day in front of us, so we head out for a sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu valley. We will first visit the holy Budhanilkantha temple on the outskirts of Kathmandu. We travel to the sacred shrine of Lord Pashupatinath. You can also take a mountain flight to sightsee the Himalayas. This is optional and will cost you extra bucks. You will stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 15: Departure from Kathmandu.

On day 15, you will get picked up by our staff at the hotel and dropped at the airport for your flight to your destination. You could also use an extra day for a mountain flight in the Himalayas.

  • Arrival & departure transportation
  • Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu.
  • 3 nights 3 star hotel at Kathmandu on twin sharing basis with all meals
  • Transfer to Kodari by tourist bus
  • Tibet side: accommodation in decent hotel/tents
  • While camping we provide two-man tents, mattresses, sleeping bag & camping equipments like dining & toilet tents
  • Pure vegetarian meals prepare by our escort.
  • A/C Luxury Coach
  • English speaking Tibetan guide Nepali tour leader
  • Gamow bag, oxygen, basic first-aid kit.
  • Kailash permit & normal Tibet/China visa fee.
  • Kodari land tax.
  • Airfares from Home – Kathmandu – Home
  • All beverages, Photography charges and Telephone calls Travel Insurance of clients Emergency evacuation expenses.
  • Riding Yak/Horse for Kailash Parikrama (direct payable to Yak/horse herder)
  • Your travel insurance
  • Extra cost in the event of landslide for hiring additional transportation Expenses of personal urgent visa fee etc & Services other than specified

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Mt. Kailash Overland Tour

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Great Adventure Trekking is highly committed to protecting the environment and prioritizes cultural immersion, outdoor exploration, personal development, and sustainable living. We specialize in organizing trips to places where the natural surroundings, wildlife, and cultural heritage are the main highlights. Eco Tourism We practice responsible …

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