Mount Kailash Tour via Kyirong

Depart early from Kathmandu for a scenic 7-8 hour drive via Trishuli and Syabrubesi, with a lunch stop en route. After completing immigration at Rasuwagadhi, cross the Friendship Bridge into Tibet, meet your Tibetan guide, and continue to Kyirong town (25 km). Check into your guesthouse and rest to begin acclimatizing. Overnight at hotel in Kyirong.

Today is a rest day in Kyirong to help with altitude acclimatization. You can take a leisurely hike to the Milarepa Cave, a serene and sacred spot associated with the famous Tibetan yogi, Milarepa. The hike offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. If you're feeling up to it, explore the beautiful landscapes around Kyirong, or simply rest and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the town. This day is designed to allow your body to adjust to the altitude (2,700 m) before continuing your journey. Overnight at hotel in Kyirong.

Today, you will drive from Kyirong to Saga, covering a distance of approximately 232 km. The journey takes about 7-8 hours, passing through beautiful Tibetan landscapes, high plateaus, and small villages. Saga is located at an altitude of around 4,450 meters (14,600 feet), so it’s important to rest and acclimatize upon arrival. Check into your guesthouse, relax, and take it easy to adjust to the altitude. Overnight at hotel in Saga.

Today, you will embark on a long but scenic drive from Saga to Mansarovar. The journey covers 496 km and takes about 8-9 hours. You will pass through Paryang (4,558 m), a small town known for its peaceful surroundings and high-altitude landscape. Continue your drive through the Tibetan plateau, with stunning views of the vast open land and distant mountains, until you reach Mansarovar (4,600 m), one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world and an important pilgrimage site in Tibet. Upon arrival, check into your guesthouse and rest to acclimatize to the altitude. Overnight at guesthouse near Mansarovar.

Today, after breakfast, you will drive a short distance of 40 km to Darchen, a small town located at the foot of Mount Kailash. The journey will take about 1-2 hours, and along the way, you’ll enjoy views of the stunning Tibetan plateau and the surrounding mountains. Darchen is the starting point for the famous Kailash Kora (circumambulation) trek around Mount Kailash. Upon arrival, check into your guesthouse and rest for the day, preparing for the trek ahead. Overnight at guesthouse in Darchen.

Today marks the beginning of your Mount Kailash Kora. After breakfast, begin your 15 km trek from Darchen to Dirapuk, which takes about 6–7 hours. The trail gradually ascends along the Lha Chu valley, offering awe-inspiring views of the north face of Mount Kailash and passing through the spiritual gateway of Tarboche (Yamadwar). Upon arrival at Dirapuk (5,000 m), you'll stay in a basic mud house with group-sharing accommodation. Simple meals are available at a nearby tent house, which your guide can help you arrange.

Today is the toughest and most sacred day of the Mount Kailash Kora. Begin your trek early from Dirapuk, making a steep ascent to the highest point of the circuit, Dolma La Pass (5,645 m). The climb takes about 3–4 hours and offers incredible spiritual and scenic experiences. After crossing the pass, descend past the sacred Gauri Kund and continue through rocky trails and valleys toward Zuthulpuk, covering a total of 22 km in 8–10 hours. At Zuthulpuk (4,800 m), accommodations are very basic. You will stay in group-sharing mud houses with limited facilities. Simple meals may be available depending on conditions, typically arranged with the help of your guide.

Today marks the completion of your Mount Kailash Kora. After an early breakfast, begin a relatively easy 5 km trek (2–3 hours) from Zuthulpuk back to Darchen, the official endpoint of the pilgrimage circuit. At Darchen, your vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to Saga. The drive covers approximately 536 km and takes about 8–9 hours, passing through the vast and beautiful landscapes of the Tibetan plateau. Upon arrival in Saga (4,450 m), check into your hotel and rest after completing this spiritually significant journey.

After breakfast, begin your return journey with a scenic drive from Saga to Kyirong, covering approximately 232 km in about 5–6 hours. The route offers stunning views of the Tibetan plateau, high mountain passes, and remote villages, with the landscape gradually becoming greener as you approach Kyirong. Upon arrival in Kyirong (2,700 m), check into your hotel and relax for the evening. Overnight at hotel in Kyirong.

After breakfast, begin your journey back to Kathmandu. The drive from Kyirong to the Friendship Bridge will be in a Tibetan vehicle. Once you cross the Friendship Bridge into Nepal, you will transfer to a Nepalese vehicle for the continuation of the journey. The drive from the border to Kathmandu is approximately 175 km and takes around 7-8 hours, depending on road conditions and stops. You’ll pass through scenic landscapes, small villages, and the beautiful countryside of Nepal before arriving in Kathmandu. Upon arrival, your tour concludes, and you'll be dropped off at your hotel. End of the tour.