Itinary

Explore this destination in a new way

Legends associate the Mount Kailash with Lord Buddha and his disciples, Guru Rimpoche, one of the pioneers of Buddhism in Tibet and the revered Tibetan saint yogi Milarepa. Buddhists associate Kailash with a tantric deity (yidam).

The Bompo Tibetans, followers of Bon, believe that the region is where Sharnab Miwoche, the founder of their tradition, was born and where he taught.

The mountain that the Hindus call Kailash (Shining like Crystal) and Tibetans call Tise or Kang Rinpoche (Precious Jewel of Snow Ice) is considered the most sacred in the world for Tibetans.

The historian and tibetologist Giuseppe Tucci, was one of the few foreigners to be able to reach Mount Kailash in 1935 and 1948 and was impressed by this magnificent peak. Its isolation and difficult access has helped preserved its wild state.

Mount Kailash and its surroundings (including Lake Mansarovar) have a strong spiritual value for the faithful. For centuries, many sages, saints and devotees have made perilous pilgrimages, traveled hundreds of miles, and climbed the high passes to approach this majestic symbol of their religion and beliefs.

Day 1

Reception at the airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2

Free day in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3

Transfer to Kathmandu International Airport. 90-minute flight over the Himalayan barrier. Arrival at the airport locateDay 80 km from Lhasa and transfer to hotel. Free afternoon. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4

Lhasa, the holy city. The city has many attractions to visit: the old Tibetan quarter, the core of which is the Jokhang, the most sacred temple in Tibet, founded in the seventh century, the Potala, monumental palace of Kings and Dalai Lamas, Ramoche monasteries, Sera, Drepung or even Norbulingka. It is also an opportunity to acclimatize to the altitude. Nights at the hotel.

Day 5

200 km - 5 hours drive

Departure on the Friendship Highway (also known as the China-Nepal highway that connects Tibet with the Chinese/Nepalese border) to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet and the ancient capital of the kingdom of Tsang. En route, visit Gyantse, one of the Tibetan cities less subject to the Chinese influence. Visit the beautiful monastery of Pelkhor Chode. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6

130 km - 4 hours drive

Visit the monastery of Tashilhiinpo, then drive to Lhatse. Beautiful scenery. Overnight in Guest House.

Day 7

200 km - 5 hrs drive

Westward. We stop at Peigu Lake at the foot of Mt Xixabangma or Gosainthan (8.012m) through Lalung Pass ( 5,050 m). Mt Xixabangma was the last of the giants of 8,000 m to be conquered and the only one located entirely in Tibetan territory. Overnight in Guest House.

Day 8

260 km - 6h drive

Continue towards Darchen through lunar landscapes. Darchen is a small isolated village, beaten by icy and often snowy winter winds. You will trek up to the monastery of Darchen ( 4560m ) . Overnight in Guest House.

Day 9

6h walk

Embark towards Kora, the circuit around the holy mountain of Kailash, 53 Km long. It is said that doinGiorno 108 laps ensures Nirvana and thus freedom from the cycle of reincarnation. The trail starts off towards the southwest, with superb views over the plain of Barga. You will come upon the first site or Chaktsal – Gang, where the view on the south face of Kailash is beautiful. The trail soon turns northward to enter the valley of the Lha Chu and goes through Tarboche, the site of the largest annual festival of Kailash. Visit the monastery of Chuku before retracing your steps and continuing north. We will reach the western shore of the Kangjam Chu. Visit Drira Phuk, north of Kailash temple, close to a basic yet comfortable guest-house where we will spend the night.

Day 10

7h walk

The first part of the walk is steep, rough, and connects the monastery of Drira Phuk the Drolma La (5636m altitude). Below the pass is the Yokmo Tso, one of the highest lakes in the world. Descend towards the southwest before reaching the bottom of the Lham Chu valley, 600m below the neck. Visit the monastery of Zutrul Phuk (Cave of Miracles) to 4863m. Night in a guest house.

Day 11

3h walk

The walk continues to the southwest along the Zhong Chu. Then Kora (circumambulation) extends west to Darchen where we end the trek. The route to Lake Manasarovar (4588m) the most sacred lake in Tibet begins. The spectacular environment of the Manasarovar, wedged between two high snow chains, is one of the most extraordinary in Tibet. We meet many pilgrims picking up stones and filling bottles with holy water. We will also practice the ritual bath to seemingly wash away our sins. Visit the monastery of Chiu. Overnight in Guest-House near the monastery.

Day 12

260 km - 6/7 hours drive

To return to Paryang, we will take the same route back. Overnight in Guest House.

Day 13

180 km - 4/5 hrs drive

To return to Saga, we will take the same route back. Overnight in Guest House.

Day 14

230 km - 5/6 hrs drive

Drive to Nyalam ( 3700m ) on the Friendship highway.

Day 15

140 km - 3 hours drive

Descent towards Zhangmu - Kodari. We find the characteristic lush southern Himalayas here. Border crossing and road to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

Day 16

Free day. Overnight at hotel.

Day 17

Free day. In the evening transfer to the International Airport.

Travel conditions

Included in the price
Not included in the price

The transfers and ground transportation by Jeep Land Cruiser (max. 4 passengers per Jeep )
Flights Kathmandu - Lhasa ( daily prices can be subject to change at the time of booking depending on availability)
Permit for Tibet
Chinese visa
Guide: English Tibetan guide
Support from a local team: driver, cook, yak man
Housing: at hotel in Kathmandu , Lhasa , Shigatse . Guest House throughout the rest of the course.
Pharmacy (for departures in organized group )