
11 days
Kathmandu/Kathmandu
25 people
According to the sacred traditions of Lord Shiva, he meditates for eternity atop the revered Mount Kailash and represents the essence of yogic austerity, bliss, and divine love along with his consort Parvati. Near Mount Kailash is the pristine Lake Mansarovar, which symbolizes purity and spiritual enlightenment. For the ardent devotees of AUM, these revered sites symbolize the very soul of existence.
According to ancient traditions and beliefs, a single circuit of Mount Kailash (Parikrama) washes away the sins of a lifetime. Likewise, if one undertakes 108 circuits of Mount Kailash, enlightenment is guaranteed. Likewise, a holy dip in Lake Mansarovar grants access to Brahma’s divine realm. Even a sip of the holy water of Lake Mansarovar washes away the karmic burdens of countless lifetimes.
The spiritual journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar commences as you arrive at Kathmandu. You are greeted with a warm welcome and taken to a comfortable 4-star hotel. In the evening, you are briefed about the holy journey of Mount Kailash. The next day, you visit the holy Pashupatinath Temple and the peaceful Budhanilkantha Temple. By the afternoon, you fly to Nepalgunj by a short flight. The next day, you fly to Simikot (3000m), followed by a visit to a Shiva Temple. The next day, you enjoy a thrilling helicopter ride to Hilsa, followed by a drive to Purang (3800m). You then move to the holy Lake Mansarovar, where you perform rituals, take a holy bath, and start the parikrama of the lake.
The next day, after a relaxing morning, you move to Darchen, the entry point to Mount Kailash, followed by a journey to Yamdwar, then trek to Diraphuk, followed by the most challenging but rewarding trek over the Dolma-La Pass (5550m), and then descend to Zuthulphuk. The trek concludes at Zhongdo, followed by a return journey to Purang or Hilsa.
Finally, you retrace your journey back to Kathmandu by way of Simikot and Nepalgunj. From there, you fly to the airport to continue your journey, having successfully completed your transformational pilgrimage and become spiritually enriched and attuned to the divine.
Package Cost (Deluxe Bus)
Optional Upgrades
Once you arrive in Kathmandu, you shall be received warmly and transported to your hotel in comfort. Situated in the heart of the Himalayas, Kathmandu is known for its spiritual and cultural essence. This is where your sacred pilgrimage is to begin.
Once checked in to your hotel, you can spend some time unwinding and exploring your surroundings. Later in the evening, there shall be an informative briefing session to orient and update you on your upcoming Kailash Yatra. Here, our experienced tour guides shall be present to update and enlighten you on all aspects of your upcoming tour to Kailash.
Stay: 4-Star Hotel
You can begin your day by a spiritually uplifting experience at the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, which is one of the most sacred temples of Lord Shiva. This temple, situated on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, offers a very peaceful atmosphere for pilgrims to seek the blessings of the deity for a successful and fulfilling Kailash Yatra.
You will then move to the peaceful Budhanilkantha Temple, which is home to the magnificent reclining figure of Lord Vishnu resting on the cosmic serpent. This sacred temple symbolizes the essence of preservation and balance in the universe, offering pilgrims a peaceful atmosphere before undertaking the high-altitude trekking experience of the Kailash Yatra.
Stay: Hotel
Start your adventure by booking an early morning flight to Simikot, the administrative headquarters of Humla district, which provides access to a number of remote Himalayan adventures.
As you land in Simikot, you will be greeted by the crisp mountain air and the serene beauty of the untouched region. Since Simikot is at a height of 3,000 meters, it is necessary that you take your time and let your body acclimatize to the altitude.
After lunch and a short rest, take a leisurely stroll to the nearby Shiva Mandir, a small temple that is spiritually significant as it is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a place of worship for the locals.
Stay: Sun Valley Resort or Similar
After breakfast, take a thrilling helicopter flight to Hilsa. The flight is a short one but provides breathtaking views of the deep gorge of the Karnali River. Hilsa is a small border village, which is a very important transit point between Nepal and Tibet.
Upon arriving at Hilsa, immigration formalities need to be done, and the border crossing into Tibet (China) is made. From here, Purang (also called Taklakot) is 1 to 2 hours' drive.
The journey will introduce you to the stark beauty of the Tibetan landscape, which consists of broad valleys, arid hills, and snow-capped peaks in the distance. Roads are in good condition on the Tibetan side. After reaching Purang, it’s time to check into your hotel/guesthouse and take some well-deserved rest. This is a crucial acclimatization point as you are now at a higher altitude (3,800m).
Stay: Hotel
The drive takes about 2-3 hours and provides spectacular views of the vast Tibetan plateau, with the first "darshan" of the revered Mount Kailash on clear days.
On reaching Lake Manasarovar, one of the world’s highest freshwater lakes, you'll be in the midst of unparalleled natural beauty and spirituality. Start the Parikrama of Lake Manasarovar, which is about 105 km and is usually done in vehicles.
Pilgrims perform:
Stay: Guest House
Spend a leisurely morning at the sacred Lake Manasarovar. It is a good time for contemplation and spiritual pursuits.
After lunch, drive to Darchen (approx. 1 to 2 hours), which is the base camp and starting point for Mount Kailash Parikrama (Kora). The drive is a short one and offers some good scenery of the vast Tibetan plateau and a close-up view of Mount Kailash as one approaches Darchen.
Stay: Kailash or Himalaya Hotel
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After breakfast in Darchen, drive to Yamdwar, the beginning of the Mount Kailash Parikrama (Kora) trek. Trek from Yamdwar to Dirapuk, located in the northern base of Mount Kailash.
Stay: Guest House
Start early from Dirapuk for the highest point of the Kailash Parikrama, i.e., Dolma La Pass. Trek distance: It is approximately 7-9 km from Dirapuk and would take 5-6 hours depending on the pace of the trekkers.
After spending time at Dolma La, begin the descent to Zuthulpuk. Along the way Witness stunning panoramas of the Kailash southern and western faces, stop at small shrines and mani walls for prayer and reflection, interact with other pilgrims completing the kora
Stay: Guest House
On the last day of the Kailash Parikrama, you start your trek from Zuthulpuk to Zhongdo, a small village on the southern route of the kora. The trek is relatively easier compared to the Dolma La trek, as you are trekking through valleys and plains with a view of Mount Kailash gradually disappearing in the distance.
Once you reach Zhongdo, you move from trekking to a beautiful drive back to Purang or Hilsa, retracing your route through the vast expanse of the Tibetan Plateau. During the drive, you have the chance to take in all the beauty of the landscape, the snow-capped peaks, and the desert plains, as you take a break from the grueling trek.
Stay: Hotel/Guest House
On the last day, after breakfast, you take a morning flight from Purang/Hilsa back to Simikot, retracing your route over the breathtaking vistas of the Himalayan range. From Simikot, you connect to your flight to Nepalgunj, and then to Kathmandu, to conclude your journey.
The flights give you one more chance to enjoy the vistas of the Himalayan range, the river valleys, and the serene beauty of the Humla region before returning to the more populated regions of Nepal. On arrival at Kathmandu, you are taken to your hotel or home, to conclude a spiritually and visually enriching journey through some of the most sacred and remote regions of Tibet and Nepal.
Stay: 4-Star Hotel
After breakfast and packing up, you will be taken to the airport in Kathmandu for your onward flight. This concludes your journey to the sacred and scenic destination that has taken you through the remote Himalayas of Humla, the spiritual shores of Lake Manasarover, and the hallowed trails of Mount Kailash.
As you leave behind the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas and the serene beauty of the lakes, you take with you the spiritual fulfillment and experience of one of the most extraordinary pilgrimages in the world.
Extra Funds: Please ensure that you carry at least INR 60,000 in cash or convertible currency for contingencies such as:
Documents for the permit application must be submitted at least 40 days prior to the entry date of the group.
In case of incomplete yatra, no refund for the participants is made, regardless of the reason.
It is strictly prohibited to carry the holy water of Lake Manasarovar outside of Tibet, as per the regulations of the FEC.
NHV next heartily welcomes all of our valued guests. Either you are trekking in the mountains or touring the Kathmandu valley we suggest you that you treat the land and its people with care and respect. Below are some tips on how you can keep the environment clean and show appreciation for age-old culture and traditional religious beliefs. Nepal's Culture might be astonishing and surprising for newcomers therefore these tips are sometimes necessary.