Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu

Upon arrival at Kathmandu, receive assistance from our representative at the Tribhuvan International Airport to transfer to the pre booked hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Temple visit in Kathmandu

After breakfast, proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath Temple and Budhaneelkantha. Enjoy the evening at leisure in Kathmandu. While the Chinese VISA will be obtain in Kathmandu on this day, the travel permit for Tibet would be applied for well in advance by us. Stay overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 3: Kathmandu to Nyalam (3700 m)

After breakfast, drive to the frontier town of Nepal at Kodari, enjoying a scenic drive through Dhulikhel. From here, a short walk to the friendship bridge for the drive to Zhangmu, which is the main entrance for Tibet, China at the height of 2,300 m. It is about 145 km from Kathmandu. In Zhangmu, receive assistance from our Tibetan counterpart. After completing the immigration formalities at the check post, continue the journey for another 35 km which could take almost 3 hours through the winding roads to Nyalam. After the scenic drive, enjoy overnight stay at Nyalam (3,700 m). The lodge and guest house here are very simple and basic. Expect the unexpected as tourism in Tibet is slowly picking up since last 10 years. Overnight stay at Hotel Nyalam or similar.

Day 4: In Nyalam for acclimatization

The day is dedicated for acclimatization at Nyalam. Go for a short trek of about three hours in Nyalam itself. Overnight stay at Hotel Nyalam or similar.

Day 5: Nyalam to Saga (4600 m) 240 km / 6 – 7 hours drive

After breakfast, drive through the windswept territory passing many villages and camps of Yak herders with a distant view of snow capped mountains. Go through the first high pass, Lalung La Pass (5000 m) where a superb view of the Himalayas can be enjoyed from Gaurishanker, Shishapangma to Langtang Himal. Drive past Khunmen Tso, Sinling, Karru Ongchen and Peigutso Lake (4400m). Continue the drive, crossing the river “Yarling Tsangpo” known as Bhramaputra, to reach Saga (4600 m; 240 km / 6 -7 hours drive). Overnight stay at local guest house.

Day 6: Saga to Prayang (4750 m) 255 km / 6 – 7 hr drive

After breakfast, drive to Paryang (4750 m) 255 km / 6 – 7 hr drive through windswept territory, passing many villages and camps of Yak herders with distant view of snow capped mountains. On this day the road is quite flat, hence the drive will be comfortable compared to other days. Overnight stay at guest house / Hotel Prayang.

Day 7: Prayang to Hor Quo (4560 m) 223 km / 5 – 6 hr drive

After breakfast, drive to the Mayum River, 112 km away, and have lunch. Thereafter, drive to Hor Quo (4560 m) 223 km / 5 – 6 hr. Cross Mayum La pass (5200 m) on the way and arrive at Hor Quo. Today is the day of your lifetime, as you will have the first sight (darshan) of the holy Mt. Kailash and the holy Mansarovar Lake. Camp on the bank of the Lake. Overnight in Camp.

Day 8: Mansarovar Parikarma (4520 m) 115 km / 4 – 5 hr & drive to Darchen (4620 m)

After breakfast, this is the day for prayers and a dip in the holy Lake. Start with a jeep parikrama of Mansarovar (4520 m) 115 km / 4 – 5 hrs. During this parikarma, we will have a picnic lunch on the bank of Lake Mansarovar. On the way, stop near Trugu Gompa for a dip in the Lake. There will be separate tents for changing. Time Permitting visit Chui Gompa. In the afternoon, drive to Darchen (4620 m). Darchen is located beneath the majestic holy Mount Kailash, a small village with couple of guesthouses. During the auspicious pilgrimage time, this place is flooded with pilgrims with hundreds of tents all around. Darchen is the beginning and end point of the Kora. Overnight at Guest House in Darchen.

Day 9: In Darchen to acclimatise

After breakfast, proceed to the acclimatising exercise with a short trek to Serrlung Monastery and to Nandi Parvat, which offers an excellent view of Mt. Kailash. Overnight stay in Darchen to prepare for Kailash Parikarma. Overnight at Guest House in Darchen.

Day 10: Drive to Tarboche (13 km) and trek to Dirapuk (4860 m) 7 km / 5 – 6 hrs.

After breakfast, drive about 13 km to Tarboche, the starting point of the Kailash Parikrama. Tarboche is also known as the outer ‘Asthapath’. The first day of the Kora is a gradual walk with multitudes of other local pilgrims chanting and praying. The trail will lead you to a few ups and downs till you reach our camp/guest house at Dirapuk (4860 m) 7 km / 5 – 6 hours trek. Camp on the grassy meadows with a view of Mt. Kailash. Those not feeling fit to continue the parikarma will drive back to Darchen and wait for the Parikarma group to return. Overnight in camp.

Day 11: Trek to Zuthulphuk (4760 m) 18 km / 9 – 10 hrs.

Today the circumbulation (Kora) will lead to a much higher elevation of the holy path, just beneath Mt. Kailash. The walk will bring us to one of the highest point at Drolma La, (5,200 m) before gradually descending to the field towards Zuthulphuk for an overnight stay, after 5 – 6 hours of a walk. Zuthulphuk (4760 m) 18 km / 9 – 10 hrs.

After an early breakfast, the group will set off as the sun rays break over the ridges above. After the footbridge the trail rises up a rocky slope. Take this gently but steadily. It soon reaches a level walk. The peak of Mount Kailash rises to the right and can now be seen linked to a long spur, which joins the eastern ridge. This is the top edge of the glacial valley from which the Lhachu (“Divine River”) flows.

This day is the climax of this holy journey and is the most difficult. One has to pass through the Drolma La Pass (5680m), the highest altitude on this tour. Physically it is the most arduous day. At the pass is a large boulder depicting Tara, festooned with prayer flags. Here too the Tibetans leave a memento of themselves such as a tooth, a lock of hair or even a personal snapshot.

After perhaps 30 minutes, descend a steep, rock-strewn path to the valley below. Just below the pass is Lake Tu-je Chenpo Dzingbu (Gauri Kund) i.e. “The Pool of Great Compassion”. Take great care now because it is easy to sprain your ankle or worse. You must negotiate steep staircases down to a snowfield. The only way down is to jump from boulder to boulder across a large rock fall. On the ridge above is a formation known as the Lekyi Ta-ra (“Axe of Karma”), as though one moment can lead to a suffering, an accident, or even death.

A final steep staircase brings you to the valley floor. From here it is still about 5 hours to the day’s destination with no shelter in between. It is vitally important to remain on the right hand side of the river, the West bank. If not, you will get trapped, unable to cross it. The walk now becomes very pleasant and relaxing (as long as the weather is clear and there is no howling gale). The path follows the gentle slope of the valley over grassy fields and clear brooks for several kilometers before it narrows and turns further south to merge with another valley before reaching Zuthulphuk, the “Miracle Cave” of Milarepa. Overnight stay in the second camp.

Day 12: Zuthulphuk to Darchen trek 10 km / 4 – 5 hr and drive to Prayang (4750 m)

The morning can be spent exploring the caves and visiting the temples and the shrine that have been built around Milarepa’s cave. A married elderly couple supervises the temple, which is usually an active residence for over half a dozen Tibetan devotees, helpers, or relatives who continuously busy themselves with the tasks of maintaining the buildings.

One imagines Milarepa’s disciples meditating here. Many of the caves contain meditation platforms, self-contained by dry stonewall which divides them from their cooking partitions and entrance areas. It is well worth the short climb up to these caves before beginning the final stage of the trek. The winding gradual tracks finally ends our holy pilgrimage walk 10 km / 4 – 5 hrs. Once you reach the end point near Darchen, land cruisers will be waiting to take the group back to Prayang. (Those who could not do the parikarma would be waiting to welcome other group members at this point). Overnight stay at Hotel Prayang.

Day 13: Drive from Prayang to Saga (4600 m) 255 km / 6 – 7 hr drive

After breakfast, drive to Saga. Overnight at the local guest house.

Day 14: Drive Saga to Nyalam (3700 m) 240 km / 6 – 7 hours drive

After breakfast, drive to Nyalam. Overnight at Hotel Nyalam or similar.

Day 15: Drive from Zhangmu to Kathmandu

Drive downhill to Zhangmu and the Friendship Bridge where transportation awaits for the final leg of the journey to Kathmandu (150 km) / 8 – 9 hr. After reaching the Friendship Bridge, you will be leaving the Tibet vehicles on the other side of the border and will walk for about 15 minutes towards the Nepal Immigration Post where the coach for Nepal would be waiting for you. The border guide will assist you to shift your belongings towards the Nepal side of the bridge. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 16: Fly back to your home with memories of Mt. Kailash and the holy Lake Mansarovar.

After breakfast, free for souvenir shopping and other independent activities. In time transfer to International Airport to board your onward flight.