Mount Kailash Overland Tour

Trip Summary
  • Trip Duration15 Days
  • Difficulty Level Strenuous
  • Maximum Altitude 5,645m
  • Starts/Ends Kathmandu
  • Best Season between may and october

Mount Kailash, a sacred mountain peak rising to 6,638 meters in the very remote part of the rooftop of the world, Tibet. It stands as one of the most spiritual destinations in the world. Blender of myth, mystery, and devotion of millions of people all around the globe, it holds profound significance for multiple faiths including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon traditions. Mount Kailash is believed to connect the earthly realm with the heaven. The magnificent presence of this holy mountain makes Tibet a marvel in the eyes of spiritual beings all over the world.

For Hindus, Kailash is the house of Lord Shiva, referred to as the Adiyogi, the first yogi or Teacher of spiritual wisdom. In Buddhist philosophy, Mount Kailash is a central point of existence and is regarded as a source of spiritual enlightenment.

Each year, thousands of pilgrims undertake the Kailash Manasarovar Tour, a spiritual journey that includes the 52-kilometer circumambulation of the Holy Mount Kailash, known as the “Kora” or “Parikrama”. It is believed that completing this circuit absolved all the sins and brought one to the close of salvation. Pilgrims also visit the lake Manasarovar, regarded as the holiest lake in this world, where they engage in rituals, meditation, and prayers.

This transformative journey begins in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal., and goes through the breathtaking landscapes, including the plane lands of Nuwakot, the rugged terrains of Rasuwa, and the scenery of Langtang National Park. The route crosses the Nepal-China border at the Rasuwagadhi, marking the beginning of the Tibetan plateau’s vast scenery.

Dream Nepal Excursion, a trusted Kailash tour operator based in Kathmandu, ensures that this spiritual journey is seamless and enriching. Offering customized itineraries and efficient transportation options such as Mahindra Scorpio for small groups and larger buses for bigger gatherings, the journey provides maximum comfort.

Itinerary
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Our company representative will be outside of the international airport terminal to welcome you in Kathmandu, holding a Dream Nepal Excursion signboard for easy identification for our beloved clients. She/he will assist you to reach the hotel from the airport. For the Tibetan group visa application process, we kindly request you provide us with your original passport, personal details, and one good photograph, which our representative will collect. Overnight at a Hotel in Kathmandu near our office location.

    Today our team will submit your Tibetan group visa application along with your original passport and other necessary documents to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Since we submitted your visa application, today is your day to explore the city. You can spend this day discovering the nearest places to your hotel, where you can explore Kathmandu’s culture, environment, historic sites, and Temples at your own pace. If you are willing to do such activities our team will be at your service to arrange. Simply you just let us know about your interest and we will take care of it. Overnight stay at Hotel in Kathmandu.

      Once you complete your breakfast at the hotel, you will continue your day excursion around the Kathmandu valley. Overnight stay at Hotel.

        You will have a relaxed morning, and by 2 PM, someone from our team will collect your Tibet group visa from the Chinese Embassy. The rest of the day is yours to explore the local sites, and nearest shop for your last-minute essentials, or relax and prepare for the journey ahead. In the evening, an expert from our agency will come to explain your journey, where you can join the final briefing for your Kailash tour, where you'll get important details regarding the tour. Overnight stay at Hotel.

          Today you will experience an early morning (5 AM) departure from Kathmandu to the Nepal-Tibet border. It is around 7-8 hours of driving through the scenic land of Nuwakot district, Trishuli River, Dhunche, and Syabrubesi to reach the border. Once you arrive at the very near Kyirong border, our border representative will help you complete all the paperwork for Nepal’s immigration. Once this formality is complete, he will assist you in reaching the border side where you will feel the process of crossing into Tibet. Here, you will see your Tibet local guide doing all the necessary documentation required for a smooth process to take you all into the Tibet plateau. Once completing all the formalities of Chinese immigration with your Tibetan guide on the Chinese side you will begin your first step into Tibet. Moving towards the beautiful town of Kyirong you will experience stunning views of the hills, rivers, and beautiful landscapes of the region of Tibet.

          Upon arrival in beautiful Kyirong town, you will get an easy hotel or guest house to stop and rest to acclimatize your body. Acclimatizing your body before the high-altitude trip is an important thing as it makes it easy for your body to adjust to the changes in altitude and to be ready for the next destination of your journey. Surrounded by a beautiful mountain, the town is a very beautiful place in itself, where you can easily find a vibrancy of peace, and spirituality and recharge your body to fully prepare for your adventurous journey towards to holy Mount Kailash. 

            Acclimatization of the body is a vital thing as it empowers your body to regulate the elevation changes and to get ready for the next step of your voyage towards Mount Kailash. Today you will pause your tour to the next destination to attune your body from high elevation. Spend the full day there for acclimatization with small hiking with our Tibetan guide and you going to spend your night at Kyirong.

              Early morning breakfast and you will start your journey towards Saga from Kyirong. It is around a 6-hour drive to Saga through the beautiful scenic landscape with a high pass of about 5000 meters. Driving through the Brahmaputra River, which is derived from Mount Kailash to reach Saga town, shows you a magnificent view of Tibet and its diversity.

                Today you going to explore more in beautiful Tibet as you make headway to Lake Manasarovar, the holiest River in Tibet. Many people all over the world, mostly from India, China, and Nepal region undertake a pilgrimage to this region. The first view of the Holy Mount Kailash can be seen from Lake Manasarovar. We will do Manasarovar kora with Bus. Later drive to the guest house nearby and stay overnight there with a clear view of Mount Kailash.

                  Today you will have enough time to explore Lake Manasarovar and around. On this day mostly people get a holy bath at Lake Manasarovar and perform different rituals there. Once all of you complete the exploration of this lake and completion of Lunch we will drive towards Darchen, which is just 40 Kilometers away. Darchen is a base of Mount Kailash and is located directly in front of the sacred Mount Kailash. It has in height of 4,670m and it is the starting and ending point for the kora of Mount Kailash. From here we start 3 days of Kailash kora or parikrama. Once we reach Darchen we will complete the final preparation for the Kailash Kora planned for the following days.

                   

                    It is one of the adventurous days, where you go to walk around 7 kilometers, along the beautiful scenes. Mount Kailash looks stunning from this point. After a two-hour trek, we’ve also reached a spot where the western face of Kailash comes into view. There will be an option to take a horse and helper from here paying extra personally. The cost for hiring a horse and helper for 3 days kora is around 2700 Yuan. Your Tibetan guide can reserve it for you in advance. The first day is easy walking through the bank of the river.

                      Today marks the most challenging day of the tour. We begin early in the morning, facing the challenging ascent to the Dolma La Pass, which stands at a staggering 5,645 meters. The climb is tough, but once you reach the top, the effort is worth it. The magnificent scenes from this elevation are inspiring. From there, we start the descent into the Zuthulpuk. Make sure to carry plenty of water and snacks to keep your energy level on balance throughout the journey. Overnight in Zuthulpuk.

                        The Kailash Kora concludes with an easy 3 hours walk back to Darchen. When we arrive in Darchen, our vehicle will be ready to take us on a scenic drive back to the Saga.

                         

                          Today, we will head back toward Kyirong, where we’ll spend our last night in Tibet before back to Nepal.

                            After breakfast, we’ll complete immigration formalities on the Tibet side, say goodbye to our Tibetan guide, complete immigration formalities on the Nepal side, and head back to Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel in Kathmandu

                             

                              After finishing breakfast, depending on your flight timing you will enjoy some free time for final sightseeing or shopping for souvenirs. Our team will arrange airport transportation 3 hours from your flight time. Safe Travels and Farewell!

                               

                                Cost Details
                                Cost Includes
                                • Hotel/Guest House Accommodation as per program (Twin sharing in a hotel and dorm in Guest House)
                                • Private Transportation by Mini coach
                                • All necessary Tibet Travel and Trekking permit
                                • English-speaking Tibetan Guide
                                • All Sightseeing and Entrance fees are as per the itinerary.
                                • Meal plan on Full board as per above plan
                                • Kathmandu to Border to Kathmandu transportation
                                • Yak Or porter while on Kora to carry your baggage
                                • Full catering with Nepalese Supporting staff from Kathmandu for food and equipment and support for Kora and service.
                                Cost Excludes
                                • Insurance of any kind.
                                • Hiring personal porter, / horse for 3 days Kailash Kora
                                • Cost of emergency evacuation in case of need
                                • Any Additional cost due to Natural calamity and Unforeseen Circumstances etc.
                                • Cost of Nepal visa (visa on arrival – and visa cost is USD 30 for 15 days multiple and 50 per person for a month multiple)
                                Essential Information

                                Best time for Mount Kailash Manasarovar Overland Tour

                                Picking the right time to visit Mount Kailash Overland Tour can make your journey more enjoyable and smooth. Since this sacred region is only open from April to mid-October due to the winter conditions, it is important to plan your trip during these months. The best period for visiting is from May to June or September to October. If you go in May or June, you’ll experience the warmer temperatures and lively cultural atmosphere, especially during the Saga Dawa Festival, an important celebration for Buddhists. This season offers pleasant weather and a chance to witness local traditions.

                                On the other hand, traveling in September or October gives you a quieter, more peaceful experience. The cooler air and clean skies create beautiful views of Mount Kailash and the sparkling waters of Lake Manasarovar.

                                It’s best to avoid visiting in July and August because of the monsoon season, which brings heavy rain and can make the road difficult to travel. Likewise, the area is closed from November to March due to extreme cold and snowfall.

                                By choosing the right season, you will not only enjoy better weather but also have a more meaningful and stress-free journey to this sacred place.

                                Route overview

                                -Starting from- Kathmandu

                                Main route:

                                • Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (around 8 hours by road)
                                • Syabrubesi to Kyirong (Tibet) (crossing the Nepal-Tibet Border)
                                • Kyirong to Saga (Scenic drive through Tibetan terrain)
                                • Saga to Lake Manasarovar (a sacred water lake)
                                • Lake Manasarovar to Darchen (base for sacred Mount Kailash)
                                • Mount Kailash Kora (or Parikrama) – A 3-day circumambulation (total 52 kilometers) around the sacred mountain Kailash.

                                Duration: Typically 13 to 16 Days depending on acclimatization and travel condition

                                Permits and Documentation

                                 Traveling to sacred Mount Kailash requires several permits and visas due to its location in Tibet (China):

                                • Tibet Travel Permit: Compulsory to entry into Tibet. Through authorized travel agency can be obtained.
                                • Tibet Group Visa: This visa can be obtained through authorized tour agencies in Kathmandu. To get a Tibet Group Visa minimum of 4 people is compulsory in a single group.

                                Documents to carry while entering Tibet:

                                • A valid passport with a minimum of 6 months Validity
                                • Tibet Group Visa

                                Preparation for High Altitude

                                • Range of Altitude: This trek reaches up to the altitude of 5,630 meters (Dolma La Pass)
                                • Acclimatization: Spending a day at lower altitude towns (Kyirong and Saga)
                                • Health Precautions:
                                   -Consult a doctor for altitude sickness medication (like Diamox)
                                   -Stay hydrated and ignore alcohol
                                   -Know the symptoms of altitude sickness: headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue

                                Clothes
                                - 1 Pair down jacket
                                - 2 Pairs T-shirt
                                - 1 Pair warm thermal
                                - 1 Pair of a lightweight warm jacket or sweater
                                - 1 pair of warm trousers
                                - 1 Pair of warm windproof trousers
                                - 2 pairs of light pants/trousers or half pants
                                - 1 pair of inner warm paint
                                - Warm cap to cover your head from cold
                                - Muff to cover your nose and mouth
                                - One pair of warm gloves
                                - 2 Pairs warm socks
                                - 2 pairs of light socks
                                - 1 Pair of warm hiking shoes
                                - 1 Pair of light shoes or sandals to use during your stay in the Hotel
                                - Sleeping Bag (You can either purchase or rent in Kathmandu)

                                If there is any regular medication, be sure to bring it along with you. Also, our guide will carry a first aid kit box with necessary medicines.

                                Booking Procedure

                                - Share with us a clear color copy of your passport through email and also make a payment of $300 per person as a tour confirmation. You can pay your amounts by your credit card, online banking, or by bank transfer

                                Foods and Accommodation

                                - Breakfast and dinner will be in the Hotel/ Guest House.  Packing Lunch will be served while on the journey. Twin sharing accommodation with Attached bathroom will provide in Tibet part except Manasarover and while in Kora. Group-sharing accommodation will be provided in Lake Manasarovar, Derapuk, and Zuthulpuk.  Vegetarian food will be provided as per your requirements.

                                Required Document:

                                To make sure of your Tibet group Visa in Kathmandu, we kindly need the following documents.

                                1. Passport Copy in advance: We need a clear color copy of your passport a minimum of 25 days earlier to processing the Tibet Travel permit.

                                2. Original Passport: Make sure of your original passport and provide us in Kathmandu. We need your original passport 3-4 days in advance in Kathmandu.

                                3. Photo (33mmx 48mm): Provide us a clear front-facing photo of you with a white background, without eyeglasses, and neutral expression.

                                4. Visa Application Form: we will provide you with a Word file of the visa checklist form before your arrival, which you have to fill up and share with us so that we can finish the application process on time.

                                Visa-free country for Mainland China for 30 Days:

                                There are 38 countries including Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland, Malaysia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan holding valid ordinary passports can be exempted from visa requirement if entering into China for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange and transit. Without a visa they can not stay in China more than 30 days.

                                Visa Processing in Kathmandu for other citizens.

                                As the Chinese embassy issued a new regulation regarding Tibet Visa applications, we require at least 4 people in a single group to submit visa documents in the visa center, if there are fewer than 4 people, we cannot apply for the visa. Additionally, the visa application process in Kathmandu requires the submission of the original passport and may take 03-to 04 official working days (Monday to Friday) to complete.

                                There might be changes in the embassy’s regulations and visa application process so we suggest you make sure with the Chinese Embassy/Dream Nepal Excursion or with a local travel company before you book the Tibet tour.

                                Terms and Conditions

                                1. Accommodation includes group sharing for 3 nights, with the rest in the best available guest houses on twin or triple sharing.

                                2. Full payment is required before you depart from Kathmandu, if you pay with a card the bank will charge a 4% fee extra

                                3. Clients have to bear the risk of changes in Tibetan government regulations and also of anything that is caused by natural calamity.

                                4. A tour cancellation fee of $300 applies once the permit is applied for; cancellations less than 72 hours before departure incur an $800 fee.

                                5. The Mount Kailash tour is not yet open for Indian passport holders so this tour is open only to Nepali nationals and foreigners except Indians.

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