Kailash Mansarovar Overland Yatra via Kathmandu (By Bus)
Overview
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a holy pilgrimage that leads to Mount Kailash which reaches a height of 6638 meters and serves as the heavenly dwelling place of Lord Shiva while the Lake Mansarovar stands as a pure water body that represents the highest state of awareness. The journey of this path serves as a physical exploration which leads to deep spiritual awakening for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and members of the Bon faith. The "Overland by Bus" route from Kathmandu to the Kyirung border provides a popular travel option because it allows pilgrims to experience gradual altitude increases while they view the stunning Tibetan plateau scenery. The highlight for many is the Parikrama (Kora), a three-day ritual circumambulation around the holy mountain.
Highlights
Spiritual Immersion: Visit to the revered Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, followed by sacred rituals and puja at the shores of Lake Mansarovar .
First Darshan: The awe-inspiring first view of Mount Kailash from the banks of Lake Mansarovar.
The holy dips at Lake Mansarovar which people take together with their religious rituals at the lake's sacred waters bring them the belief that these actions will purify their sins.
The Mount Kailash Parikrama Kora leads trekkers through a 48-kilometer path which starts at Mount Kailash and includes a challenging ascent to Dolma La Pass at 5630 meters and ends at Gauri Kund.
The Scenic Drives present a route which allows travelers to experience the extensive natural beauty of the Tibetan plateau while crossing elevated mountain passes and following the Brahmaputra River.
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300 m)
- Once you reach the airport, you will meet our original driver at the exit gate.
- The driver will drop you off at the hotel. There you can complete your check- in process and take some rest. Your whole day is free.
- Only the yatra briefing will be provided to the travellers with all the detailed information about the trip. Also in this briefing safety measures were also explained to the travellers for hiking the higher altitudes.
- Passengers will stay at the Kathmandu hotel at night.
Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing & Preparation
- Have a delicious Nepali breakfast at the hotel.
- The first attraction of your day will start at the ancient Pashupatinath Temple. The site exists as one of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Visitors should visit the Guhyeshwari Temple and Budhanilkantha and offer worship to the Sleeping Statue of Lord Vishnu.
- Also head towards the hotel, and pack your bags for the trip ahead.
- Overnight stay at the Kathmandu hotel.
Day 3: Drive Kathmandu to Timure / Syabrubesi (140 km / 7 hrs)
- The group will travel to the Nepal-Tibet border after they finish their breakfast meal. The picturesque route follows the Trishuli River which runs through the green hilly landscape.
- The group will reach Timure which is also known as Syabrubesi to see the last village on the Nepalese border.
- The group will spend the night at a lodge located in Timure.
Day 4: Timure to Kyirong (Kerung), Tibet (35 km / 1 hr drive after crossing border)
- The Nepal immigration process needs to be finished after the early breakfast. Through the friendship bridge, enter the boundary of China (Tibet).
- Visitors need to finish the Chinese immigration process. The Chinese guide and Tibetan bus crew will meet you at this location.
- Travel to Kyirong by car which requires a 3,700 meter distance. This town marks the entrance to Tibet and serves as a key location for acclimatization purposes.
- The group will spend the night in Kyirong.
Day 5: Kyirong to Saga (148 km / 5 hrs)
- Continue driving until you reach Saga. The region transforms its entire appearance because the Tibetan plateaus begin to extend their boundaries into the area.
- Trippers will see beautiful falls and the advanced region of the Brahmaputra River during their trip.
- The megacity of Saga which stands at 4640 measures serves as a pivotal adaptation position for travellers.
- The group will spend the night at Saga.
Day 6: Acclimatization Day in Saga
- The rest day functions as a vital element which helps your body adapt to the 4,640-meter high altitude.
- The town offers short walking routes which people can use to help their bodies adjust to new altitudes. The body requires two essential elements which include rest and hydration for its optimal operation.
- The group will stay overnight in Saga.
Day 7: Saga to Lake Manasarovar (480 km / 8 hrs drive + Parikrama)
- All the travellers will take a long drive to the lake Mansarovar. In the route, all the tourist will enjoy the sacred view of Himalayan ranges.
- The bus will take you to complete the 110-kilometer Parikrama which requires two hours to finish at the holy lake.
- The sacred waters of Mansarovar deliver guests with a tranquil experience.
- The group will spend the night at a guesthouse which is located near Manasarovar.
Day 8: Mansarovar to Darchen (40 km / 2 hrs)
- The morning is reserved for a special Group Puja and Havan at the banks of Lake Manasarovar.
- The group will have lunch after they complete their rituals and take a holy dip which depends on weather conditions.
- The squad will drive to Darchen which serves as the base camp for the Mount Kailash Parikrama at an elevation of 4600 measures.
- The group will spend the night in Darchen.
Day 9: Darchen to Dehra Phuk (12 km Trek / 6-7 hrs)
- Drive a short distance to Yamdwar (Tarboche), the starting point of the Parikrama.
- Begin the trek to Dehra Phuk. The track begins at the Lha-chu River banks and proceeds to climb upward in gradual steps which provide exceptional views of Mount Kailash's southern face.
- The visitors will spend the night at a guesthouse located in Dehra Phuk which rests at an elevation of 5000 meters.
Day 10: Dehra Phuk to Zutul Phuk (20 km Trek / 10-11 hrs)
- This is the toughest and most significant day of the yatra.
- The path begins with an early ascent to Dolma-La Pass which reaches 18600 feet. The path functions as an ego-death symbol. Prayer flags cover the pass.
- The sacred turquoise-green lake Gauri Kund serves as a descent point.
- The journey continues down the vale to Zutul Phuk( 4,790 m), the delve of cautions associated with the Buddhist saint Milarepa.
- The visitors will spend the night at a guesthouse located in Zutul Phuk.
Day 11: Zutul Phuk to Saga (492 km / 10-11 hrs drive)
- You need to walk for two hours to reach the road head. After you reach the road head, you must board your bus.
- The journey back to Saga begins with our drive to Saga.
- We will view the last sight of the Kailash range before we return.
- We will spend the night in Saga.
Day 12: Saga to Kyirong (180 km / 4 hrs)
- The drive back to the border town of Kyirong which takes less time than the usual drive.
- The complete exit process from Tibet will occur the following day after all rest is finished.
- The people will spend the night in Kyirong.
Day 13: Kyirong to Kathmandu (265 km / 10 hrs)
- The driver needs to proceed to the border where he must finish Chinese immigration procedures before returning to Nepal.
- The trippers must finish Nepalese immigration procedures before they can begin their trip back to Kathmandu through scenic routes.
- Trippers will arrive at the airfield and transferred to the hotel at Kathmandu.
- They spend their nighttime at the Kathmandu hotel.
Day 14: Departure from Kathmandu
- After this beautiful spiritual tour, all the travellers must be transferred to the airport for their scheduled flight.
Before Tour:
- All the travellers are allowed to book their return flight after 3 oโclock.
- Book your flights after you get the permit. Travellers can also choose the refundable tickets in case of the flight delays.
- All the tourists must be in the age group of 15-70 years.
- Single room accommodation is only available in Kathmandu. At the other locations, rooms must be on a shared basis, which is (2-6 people per room).
- Group Size: A minimum of 24 participants is needed for a departure with our Tour Manager. If not met, you may shift to another departure or join a partner group, with services still managed by us.
- Itinerary rates are only applicable to Indian travellers only.
- Documents: A clear scanned copy of your passport (front and back) is required at booking.
- Tibet Permit: Applications are submitted 35 days before departure for all confirmed yatris.
- Chinese Visa: It is applicable after the Tibetan permit is issued. Chinese Visa usually take 7-10 processing days.
- Visa Documents: Original passport, scanned photo, and completed visa form are required.
On Tour:
- The NepalโIndia Border Crossing requires drivers to bring their passengers to designated drop-off zones. Travellers must go immigration office through walking or through rickshaw. The same vehicle will take you to your Nepalgunj hotel after you finish all required formalities.
- The flight schedule will be established one day before the flight but it can change due to weather conditions.
- Yatra hotels do not provide heaters or blowers and most hotels at the Nepal border and in Tibet do not have lifts.
- Each passenger is allowed to bring 10 kg of luggage with them. If there is any extra luggage, then they can drop it at the Kathmandu hotel as per their needs.
- Weather conditions and government regulations together with other external factors control all helicopter and internal flight operations which third-party operators manage.
- Yatris should start their parikrama after checking that their oxygen level has exceeded 75. Oxygen levels will be checked three times daily. If it drops below 75, a local ambulance can be arranged at additional cost.
- Western toilets are available at most places, except Mansarovar, Deraphuk, and Zuthulphuk, where basic or dry pit toilets are provided.
- Each participant doing the parikrama will receive one portable oxygen canister.
- Packed lunch includes paratha, juice, and chocolate, while dinner will consist of dal khichdi, soup, and popcorn.
Inclusion
- Stay in hotels/guesthouses with meals during the trip
- Twin or triple sharing in Timure/Syabrubesi, Kerung, Saga & Darchen
- Quadruple or quintuple sharing at Mansarovar, Dehraphuk & Zutulphuk
- Airport arrival and departure transfers in Kathmandu by private vehicle
- Travel between Kathmandu and Timure/Syabrubesi by AC 4x4 jeep
- Chinese visa and Tibet travel permits
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- 2 bottles of drinking water per person per day in Tibet
- Luxury bus transport in Tibet and eco buses where required
- Support truck for luggage
- Medical support at Lake Mansarovar, including oxygen, first aid kit, and pulse oximeter
- Complimentary duffel bag and shoulder bag for your luggage
- Gore-Tex jacket for use during the trip (to be returned at the end)
- Experienced tour manager, Nepali tour leader, Sherpa support team, and English-speaking Tibetan guide.
Exclusion
- Drinks during the trip and in Kathmandu, Nepalgunj, and Simikot are not included.
- Extra room charges caused by flight delays due to weather must be paid by the traveler.
- Personal items such as walking sticks, water bottles, etc., are not included.
- Travel insurance and evacuation costs are not included.
- Horse riding during the Kailash Parikrama is optional and must be paid separately.
- Extra baggage charges and airport taxes for domestic flights are not included.
- Any rescue or emergency expenses will be the travelerโs responsibility.
- If a traveler leaves the group early while in China, additional charges may apply and must be paid on the spot.
- Costs due to natural disasters or unexpected situations are not included.
- Tips for guides and support staff are not included.
- GST will be charged as per the applicable government rates.
Accomodation
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter via Kathmandu
Destinations: - Pilgrimage Tours