Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu to Kerung
Start early with a pickup from your Kathmandu hotel and drive about 7 hours through scenic mountain terrain to reach the Rasuwagadhi/Kerung border. You'll go through immigration checks on both the Nepal and Chinese sides, then cross over into Tibet. From there, it's another hour to Kerung Town where you'll check into a guesthouse for the night.
- Start point
- Kathmandu, Bagmati Province, Nepal (Kathmandu Hotel , 05:00 - 05:25)
- Accommodation
- (Hotel )
- Day 2
Kerung to Saga
After breakfast, head west across high-desert valleys and snow-covered passes for roughly 5 hours, covering about 240 km to Saga at 4,450 m elevation. Once you arrive, check into your hotel and walk along the shop-lined main street. The Yarlung Tsangpo River runs nearby if you want to take an evening stroll. Keep in mind that altitude increases significantly today, so take things slowly.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
Included Activities
- Breakfast in Kerung Town
- Stroll along the shop-lined main street in Saga
- Walk by the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River
Landmarks Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River 
- Day 3
Saga to Lake Mansarovar
Drive about 450 km across high-desert plains for roughly 7 hours, climbing over Mayum-La Pass at 4,950 m before descending to Lake Mansarovar with its striking turquoise water. You'll stay at a lakeside guesthouse and have time to walk along the peaceful shore. Chiu Monastery sits nearby and offers panoramic views of Mount Kailash from its location. There's also a natural hot spring beside the lake if you want to soak and recover from travel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Dormitory Style Guest House )
Included Activities
- Breakfast in Saga
- Stroll the shore of Lake Mansarovar
- Visit Chiu Monastery for views of Mount Kailash
Optional Activities
- Soak in the natural hot spring beside Lake Mansarovar
Landmarks Lake Mansarovar Mayum-La Pass Chiu Monastery Mount Kailash - Day 4
Lake Mansarovar to Darchen
Start the morning with a cleansing bath on Mansarovar's shore and participate in a quiet puja ritual to collect blessed water. Then drive north about 35 km for roughly an hour to reach Darchen, the starting point for the Kailash Kora trek. Check into your guesthouse and walk through the small bazaar. You'll have clear views of Mount Kailash while your guide handles permits and arranges yaks for the trek.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Lake Mansarovar
- Cleansing bath on Mansarovar's shore
- Quiet puja ritual to collect blessed water
- Explore the small bazaar in Darchen
- Views of Mount Kailash from Darchen
Landmarks Mount Kailash - Day 5
Yam Dwar to Dirapuk (Kailash Kora Stage 1)
After breakfast, drive a short distance to Yam Dwar, the sacred Gateway of the Gods, and begin the first stage of the 52 km Kailash Kora. Follow the Lha Chu valley for about 12 km over 4 to 5 hours, walking slowly and drinking water regularly as you gain altitude. Mount Kailash's north face will inspire your steps the entire way. By evening at Dirapuk guesthouse, you'll watch the light turn the snow-clad summit gold and red.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Dormitory Style Guest House )
Included Activities
- Breakfast in Darchen
- Trek from Yam Dwar through Lha Chu valley to Dirapuk (approximately 12 km, 4-5 hours)
Landmarks Yam Dwar Mount Kailash Lha Chu valley - Day 6
Dirapuk to Zutulpuk (Kailash Kora Stage 2)
Start before dawn for the most challenging day of the Kora, roughly 22 km over 8 to 10 hours. A steep climb takes you to Drolma-La Pass, marked with prayer flags and considered the pilgrimage's high point. After pausing for silent prayers and spotting emerald-green Gauri Kund below, you'll descend long rocky switchbacks into the river valley. Keep going downstream to Zutulpuk Monastery where a simple guesthouse provides rest and hot tea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Dormitory Style Guest House )
Included Activities
- Breakfast in Dirapuk
- Trek from Dirapuk to Drolma-La Pass to Zutulpuk Monastery (approximately 22 km, 8-10 hours)
- Prayer-flag-strewn Drolma-La Pass visit
Landmarks Drolma-La Pass Gauri Kund Zutulpuk Monastery - Day 7
Zutulpuk to Darchen to Saga (Kailash Kora Stage 3)
After breakfast in Zutulpuk, walk the final 10 km of the Kailash Kora over about 3 hours, following the gently descending valley back to Darchen. Take a rest break and grab lunch, then drive across Mayum-La and back across the Tibetan plateau to Saga, covering roughly 450 km in 6 to 7 hours. Check into your hotel and have a hot meal. The lower altitude should help ease any remaining fatigue from the trek.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Quick rest and lunch in Darchen)
- Accommodation
- (Dormitory Style Guest House )
Included Activities
- Breakfast in Zutulpuk
- Trek from Zutulpuk to Darchen (approximately 10 km, 3 hours)
Landmarks Mount Kailash - Day 8
Saga to Kerung
After breakfast, retrace the 240 km high-desert road toward the border over 5 hours. Stop at cascading Kerung Waterfall where cool mist provides relief from the plateau's dry air. Continue your descent into Kerung Town and check into your guesthouse. With the milder altitude, you'll have a more relaxed evening to walk through the small bazaar at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
Included Activities
- Breakfast in Saga
- Photo stop at Kerung Waterfall
Optional Activities
- Evening stroll through the small bazaar in Kerung
Landmarks Kerung Waterfall 
- Day 9
Kerung to Kathmandu
After breakfast, complete exit formalities with China and entry formalities with Nepal at the Rasuwagadhi/Kerung border. Then drive about 7 hours through green Himalayan foothills back to Kathmandu. Your hotel drop-off in the late afternoon marks the end of your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrimage with all the memories from your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast in Kerung
- Complete Chinese exit and Nepal entry formalities at Rasuwagadhi/Kerung border
