Mt. Kailash Circumambulation -12 days Trek
The Tibet border at Kodari is a five hour drive from Kathmandu. Another one days drive from Zhang-Mu takes us to Saga. Tour duration (13-15 days). The tour is designed to provide some insight into Tibet and its way of life and culture with visits
Country
Tibet
Duration
12 Days
Difficulty
Hard
Trip Type
Pilgrimage Tour
Max Altitude
5600m/18373ft
Best Season
Mar-Dec
Accomodation
Hotel, Lodge and Camping twin sharing bed basis during the trip
Meals
Full board Meals ( Lunch , Dinner and Breakfast) with cup of hot drinks during the trip.
Start/End Point
Kathmandu
Highlights & Overview
Sacred Mount Kailash three-day kora trekCrossing Dolma La Pass 5600mHoly Lake Manasarovar visitTibetan plateau landscapesAncient monasteries and gompasOne of the world’s most spiritual journeys
Kathmandu – Kailash – Kathmandu via Zhang-Mu
Kathmandu has become a popular gateway to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar tour. This 12 days tour is one of the most popular tours to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar from Kathmandu that commences with an overland journey to Zhang-Mu, Tibetan border town which is five hours drive from Kathmandu.
Another one day drive from Zhang-Mu takes us to Saga. This program includes three days circumambulation tour around Mt. Kailash as well as one day stay at the shore of Lake Manasarover (Chiu Gompa side). For the remaining of the tour, we will travel to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar and then return back to Kathmandu. An alternative option is to end the tour in Lhasa.
The best time to visit Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar is between May and September. However, people travel in this region from April until the end of october. After October the weather in Mt. Kailash becomes very cold.
Another one day drive from Zhang-Mu takes us to Saga. This program includes three days circumambulation tour around Mt. Kailash as well as one day stay at the shore of Lake Manasarover (Chiu Gompa side). For the remaining of the tour, we will travel to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar and then return back to Kathmandu. An alternative option is to end the tour in Lhasa.
The best time to visit Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar is between May and September. However, people travel in this region from April until the end of october. After October the weather in Mt. Kailash becomes very cold.
Short Itinerary
- Day 1: Drive Kathmandu 1300m/4264ft to Nyalam 3750m/12303ft
- Day 2: Acclimatization Day in Nyalam 3750m/12303ft
- Day 3: Drive Nyalam 3750m/12303ft to Saga 4600m/15092ft
- Day 4: Drive Saga 4600m/15092ft to Paryang and Chiu Gompa 4550m/14928ft
- Day 5: Drive Chiu Gompa 4550m/14928ft to Gosul Gompa 4540m/14895ft
- Day 6: Drive Gosul Gompa 4540m/14895ft to Darchen 4520m/14829ft
- Day 7: Trek Darchen 4520m/14829ft to Dera Phuk Gompa 4860m/15945ft
- Day 8: Trek Dera Phuk 4860m/15945ft via Dolma La Pass 5600m/18373ft to Zutul Phuk Gompa 4760m/15617ft
- Day 9: Trek Zutul Phuk Gompa 4760m/15617ft to Hor Qu (Horaa) 4500m/14764ft
- Day 10: Drive Hor Qu 4500m/14764ft to Saga 4600m/15092ft
- Day 11: Drive Saga 4600m/15092ft to Nyalam 3750m/12303ft
- Day 12: Drive Nyalam 3750m/12303ft via Zhangmu 2300m/7546ft to Kathmandu 1300m/4264ft
Price Includes
Tour/trekking GuideTibet PermitsRoad permitsAccommodation on Bed and Breakfast Basis,Transportation during the tripPrice Doesn't Include
FlightsGuide TipsDriver and helpersChina VisaAdditional Services if requirePersonal EquipmentsOther services if requireMt. Kailash Circumambulation -12 days Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Drive Kathmandu 1300m/4264ft to Nyalam 3750m/12303ft
Depart early from Kathmandu and drive toward the Nepal–Tibet border, crossing into Tibet at Zhangmu before ascending to Nyalam. The scenic journey passes through deep river gorges, lush hills, and dramatic Himalayan landscapes. Nyalam serves as an important acclimatization stop due to its significant altitude gain from Kathmandu. Overnight at guesthouse or hotel in Nyalam.
Max Altitude
3750m/12303ft
Accomodation
Hotel / Lodge
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 2: Acclimatization Day in Nyalam 3750m/12303ft
Today is reserved for rest and acclimatization to help your body adapt to the Tibetan plateau. You may take short walks around Nyalam village, enjoy mountain views, and prepare for the higher altitudes ahead. Proper acclimatization here is essential for a safe and successful Kailash journey. Overnight at guesthouse or hotel.
Max Altitude
3750m/12303ft
Accomodation
Hotel / Lodge
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 3: Drive Nyalam 3750m/12303ft to Saga 4600m/15092ft
Drive across the vast Tibetan plateau toward Saga, following the Bhote Koshi and later the Brahmaputra River. The landscape becomes increasingly arid and expansive, with snow-capped peaks lining the horizon. Saga is an important hub for pilgrims heading to Mount Kailash. Overnight at guesthouse or hotel.
Max Altitude
4600m/15092ft
Accomodation
Hotel / Lodge
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 4: Drive Saga 4600m/15092ft to Paryang and Chiu Gompa 4550m/14928ft
Continue driving west across high-altitude plains, passing Paryang village before reaching Chiu Gompa, dramatically located on a rocky hill near Lake Manasarovar. The first views of the sacred lake and Mount Kailash region make this day spiritually and visually rewarding. Overnight near Chiu Gompa.
Max Altitude
4600m/15092ft
Accomodation
Teahouse
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 5: Drive Chiu Gompa 4550m/14928ft to Gosul Gompa 4540m/14895ft
After morning prayers and exploration around Lake Manasarovar, drive toward Gosul Gompa. The drive follows sacred routes used by pilgrims for centuries. The serene environment around the lake is ideal for meditation and spiritual reflection. Overnight near Gosul Gompa.
Max Altitude
4550m/14928ft
Accomodation
Teahouse
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 6: Drive Gosul Gompa 4540m/14895ft to Darchen 4520m/14829ft
Drive to Darchen, the base camp town for the Mount Kailash Kora. After arrival, prepare trekking gear and meet yak handlers or porters if arranged. Darchen marks the starting point of the sacred circumambulation around Mount Kailash. Overnight at guesthouse.
Max Altitude
4540m/14895ft
Accomodation
Guesthouse
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 7: Trek Darchen 4520m/14829ft to Dera Phuk Gompa 4860m/15945ft
Begin the three-day Mount Kailash Kora trek. The trail gradually ascends along the Lha Chu Valley with stunning views of the north face of Mount Kailash. Reach Dera Phuk Gompa, located directly beneath Kailash’s dramatic north wall. Overnight at guesthouse or camp.
Max Altitude
4860m/15945ft
Accomodation
Guesthouse / Camp
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 8: Trek Dera Phuk 4860m/15945ft via Dolma La Pass 5600m/18373ft to Zutul Phuk Gompa 4760m/15617ft
The most challenging and sacred day of the trek. Ascend steeply to Dolma La Pass, the highest point of the Kailash Kora, adorned with prayer flags. Descend past Gauri Kund, a revered sacred lake, before reaching Zutul Phuk Gompa, associated with the meditation cave of Milarepa. Overnight at guesthouse or camp.
Max Altitude
5600m/18373ft
Accomodation
Guesthouse / Camp
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 9: Trek Zutul Phuk Gompa 4760m/15617ft to Hor Qu (Horaa) 4500m/14764ft
Complete the final section of the Kailash Kora, descending gradually toward Hor Qu near Darchen. This marks the completion of one of the most sacred pilgrimages in the world for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers. Drive onward toward Saga. Overnight at guesthouse or hotel.
Max Altitude
4760m/15617ft
Accomodation
Hotel / Guesthouse
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 10: Drive Hor Qu 4500m/14764ft to Saga 4600m/15092ft
Drive back to Saga retracing the route across the Tibetan plateau. The journey offers a final opportunity to reflect on the spiritual significance of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. Overnight at guesthouse or hotel.
Max Altitude
4600m/15092ft
Accomodation
Hotel / Guesthouse
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 11: Drive Saga 4600m/15092ft to Nyalam 3750m/12303ft
Return drive to Nyalam, gradually descending to lower altitude. Enjoy changing landscapes from barren high plateau to greener valleys. Overnight at guesthouse or hotel.
Max Altitude
3750m/12303ft
Accomodation
Hotel / Guesthouse
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Day 12: Drive Nyalam 3750m/12303ft via Zhangmu 2300m/7546ft to Kathmandu 1300m/4264ft
Drive through the dramatic mountain roads back to the Nepal border, cross into Nepal at Zhangmu, and continue to Kathmandu. Arrival in Kathmandu marks the end of the Mount Kailash spiritual journey.
Max Altitude
2300m/7546ft
Accomodation
Hotel
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Packing Lists
Cloathing
Heavy down jacket for extreme coldInsulated mid-layer and fleeceWaterproof shell jacket and pantsThermal base layersTrekking pants and shirtsWarm hat, sun hat, neck gaiterInsulated gloves and liner glovesWool trekking socksGears
High-quality trekking bootsCamp shoes or sandalsTrekking polesDaypack with rain coverCold-rated sleeping bagPersonal Items
Sunglasses with high UV protectionSunscreen SPF 50+ and lip balmPersonal medications and altitude medicineToiletries and quick-dry towelOther Items You Can Bring
Passport and Tibet permitsHeadlamp with spare batteriesCamera and power bankRefillable water bottles or purifierEnergy snacks and electrolytes