| Trip code | |
| Package name | Kailash Mansarovar Tour |
| Duration | 16 |
| Max. elevation | 5630 m |
| Level | |
| Transportation | All ground transportation as per itinerary |
| Accomodation | 3-star hotel in Kathmandu and Tented camps during the trek |
| Starts at | Kathmandu |
| Ends at | Kathmandu |
| Trip route | |
| Cost | USD 2,350 per person |
The Kailash Mansarovar Tour organized by Special Trek & Expedition is one of the most spiritually significant and visually breathtaking journeys in the world. Mount Kailash, standing at 6,638 meters, is considered sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon traditions. Pilgrims and travelers undertake this journey not only to witness the majestic landscapes of Tibet but also to perform the traditional Kailash Parikrama, a ritual circumambulation of the holy mountain. The tour also includes a visit to Lake Mansarovar, a pristine high-altitude lake considered sacred in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, where pilgrims often take ritual baths to purify their souls.
This journey combines elements of adventure, culture, and spirituality. Participants traverse through the high Himalayan terrains of Nepal and Tibet, crossing high passes, rivers, and remote villages, experiencing the traditional Tibetan lifestyle, monasteries, and local hospitality along the way. The tour is carefully planned by Special Trek & Expedition, offering comfortable accommodations, reliable transportation, and experienced guides to ensure safety and a fulfilling spiritual experience.
The ideal time for a Kailash Mansarovar Tour is during the late spring and early autumn months. Typically, the months from May to early October are preferred due to favorable weather conditions. During this period, the roads are relatively safer, and snowfall is minimal, ensuring that high passes like Dolma La and Lalung La are more accessible. The skies are usually clear, allowing trekkers to enjoy panoramic views of Mount Kailash, Shisha Pangma, and the surrounding Himalayan ranges.
Winter months, from November to March, are generally not recommended due to heavy snowfall, extremely low temperatures, and high risk of altitude-related complications. Summers, while warm, can occasionally bring rainfall in the lower regions, but the Tibetan plateau remains relatively dry. Travelers seeking spiritual immersion may also plan their tour around religious festivals such as Saga Dawa, which adds a unique cultural experience during the trek.
Seasonal benefits include:
The Kailash Mansarovar Tour is moderately to highly challenging due to its high-altitude terrain. The journey involves long drives across rugged roads, steep mountain passes, and a multi-day trek during the Kailash Parikrama. Altitude sickness is a common challenge, particularly at passes above 5,500 meters, such as Dolma La Pass (5,630 m). Travelers must maintain proper acclimatization and physical fitness.
Transportation is a combination of private vehicles, SUVs, and local buses, depending on terrain conditions. From Kathmandu, the route follows a scenic drive through Nyalam, Saga, and Paryang before reaching Darchen, the base for the Kailash trek. During the three-day Parikrama, participants hike between 6–8 hours per day, assisted by yak caravans and local porters for carrying luggage and supplies. Experienced drivers and guides from Special Trek & Expedition ensure safety during long drives across high-altitude plateaus and unpredictable weather conditions.
Tour difficulty points:
Food and accommodation during the Kailash Mansarovar Tour are designed to balance comfort with the remote locations encountered along the route. In Kathmandu, travelers stay in comfortable hotels with modern amenities and enjoy a variety of local and international cuisine. During the journey across Tibet, accommodations alternate between hotels, guesthouses, and well-arranged tented camps, depending on the remoteness of the location.
Meals are carefully planned to meet the nutritional needs of travelers at high altitudes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner usually include high-energy foods such as rice, noodles, soups, bread, eggs, vegetables, and occasional local Tibetan delicacies. Hydration is emphasized throughout the trek, with boiled water or bottled water provided. Even in tented camps, hygiene and safety are prioritized, with clean sleeping arrangements, portable toilets, and hot meals to ensure a comfortable stay.
Accommodation and food highlights:
Traveling to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet requires multiple official permits due to the sensitive border region and restricted foreign access. Special Trek & Expedition handles all necessary documentation to ensure a smooth journey. These permits include the Tibet Travel Permit, issued by the Tibetan Tourism Bureau, which allows entry into Tibet and movement across restricted areas, and the Alien Travel Permit for remote regions along the Kailash circuit.
Additionally, a Chinese Visa is required for travelers entering Tibet via Nepal. Special Trek & Expedition assists in passport collection and submission for processing visas and permits before departure. Obtaining these permits independently is complex and time-consuming, so professional guidance is highly recommended. The tour also requires registration at border checkpoints and coordination with local authorities for safety and compliance.
Permit essentials:
Choosing Special Trek & Expedition for your Kailash Mansarovar Tour ensures a safe, organized, and spiritually fulfilling experience. The company has years of experience in arranging high-altitude Tibetan tours, providing expert guidance, reliable transportation, and well-coordinated itineraries. Travelers benefit from professional drivers, trained trekking guides, and local support staff who understand the challenges of the terrain and altitude.
The company also emphasizes a balanced journey combining adventure, spirituality, and cultural immersion. From exploring the vibrant streets of Kathmandu to the serene shores of Lake Mansarovar and the sacred Kailash Parikrama trek, the tour offers a holistic experience. Special Trek & Expedition also prioritizes comfort, hygiene, and nutrition, ensuring travelers can focus on the spiritual and cultural aspects of the journey rather than logistical concerns.
Reasons to choose Special Trek & Expedition:
After breakfast at your hotel, Half-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu’s most iconic landmarks. Visit the historical Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and witness its exquisite temples, palaces, and courtyards. Continue to Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, perched on a hill offering panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley. Return to the office of Special Trek & Expedition to hand over your passport for final permit arrangements and receive a detailed briefing on the upcoming Kailash Mansarovar journey. Evening is free for personal preparation, packing, or exploring Kathmandu’s vibrant streets. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Following breakfast at the guesthouse, start your journey to Pelgu Tso, passing through the Thong La Pass and Lalung La Pass. Along the way, stop to admire breathtaking views of Shisha Pangma (8012m), one of the prominent peaks in the region. The serene surroundings and vast landscapes provide excellent photography opportunities. Arrive at the campsite at Pelgu Tso, set up by Special Trek & Expedition, and enjoy the evening in this pristine high-altitude environment. Dinner and overnight stay will be in a well-equipped tented camp, allowing for a comfortable acclimatization experience.
After breakfast, continue your drive to Saga, a typical Tibetan town serving as the gateway for pilgrims visiting Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. On arrival, explore the town’s monasteries, local markets, and colorful streets. The town offers a glimpse into traditional Tibetan culture and lifestyle. Capture photographs of the unique architecture, Buddhist prayer flags, and surrounding landscape. In the evening, enjoy the peaceful high-altitude environment before retiring to a tented camp. Overnight stay will be in a comfortable Special Trek & Expedition tented camp.
After breakfast, drive 145 km to Zhongba, a small Tibetan town known for its charming monastery at the western edge. Pause to take photographs and appreciate the surrounding mountain scenery. Continue along a rugged road, witnessing the dramatic landscapes of the Tibetan plateau, including barren plains, mountains, and rivers. After a long but scenic drive, arrive at Paryang, where your tented camp awaits. The evening is free to relax and acclimatize to the high altitude while enjoying the serene Himalayan environment. Overnight stay in a Special Trek & Expedition tented camp.
Following breakfast, embark on a challenging drive to Lake Mansarovar, traversing a long and rugged trail with multiple river crossings and the Mayum La Pass. The journey spans approximately ten hours, offering unforgettable vistas of the Tibetan landscape. Upon arrival at Lake Mansarovar, check into your comfortable tented camp near Hor Qu. Take in the serene waters of this sacred lake, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The evening provides an opportunity to relax and prepare mentally and spiritually for the Kailash pilgrimage ahead. Overnight stay at the tented camp near Hor Qu.
After an early breakfast, drive a short distance to Darchen, the gateway town for the Mount Kailash pilgrimage. Upon arrival, organize yak and pony transportation for the upcoming Kailash circuit trek. Take time to explore Darchen’s quiet streets and local monasteries, and mentally prepare for the demanding trek. Evening is free to rest and acclimatize at high altitude. Overnight stay will be arranged in a comfortable camp in Darchen, allowing you to start the Kailash circuit fresh and energized the next day.
The three-day Kailash Parikrama is one of the most spiritually significant treks in the world, covering a 53 km route around the sacred Mount Kailash.
Kailash circuit day 1: Darchen- Diraphuk:
The trek begins in a clockwise direction, gradually ascending to the cairn at 4730m with stunning views of Mt. Kailash. En route, visit Tarboche, the site of the annual flagpole-raising ceremony during Saga Dawa. Spend the night at Diraphuk in a tented camp, enjoying the tranquil high-altitude surroundings.
Kailash circuit day 2: Diraphuk to Zutrulphuk (Dolma La Pass, 5630m:
Today’s trek involves crossing the challenging Dolma La Pass, the highest point of the circuit. Witness the frozen Gouri Kunda Lake (5608m), an important site for Hindu devotees performing rituals. The trek descends gradually to Zutrulphuk for overnight stay in a tented camp.
Kailash circuit day 3: the final day of Parikrama is an easy 2-3 hours of walk down to where the river emerges on to the Barga plain. Today we will complete the 3 days Kailash circuit and drive to Darcha and then to Lake Manasarovar today. We will be spending the night at Chiu Gompa this day. Chiu Gompa is situated on the edge of rocky cliff overlooking the Lake Manasarovar and Mt. Kailash.
Day to Take Rest at Mansarovar and Explore the Area (on your own); visit the meditation caves; take a bath in the holy water of Manasarovar Lake or just pass the peaceful hours in the Chiu Gompa. O/N
After breakfast, drive back to Paryang, retracing parts of the high-altitude Tibetan plateau. En route, pause to enjoy scenic views and photograph the vast barren landscapes. Upon arrival, settle into your tented camp for the night, relax, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Overnight stay will be in a well-equipped Special Trek & Expedition camp.
Following breakfast at your tented camp, continue the drive to Saga. Arrive in the afternoon and explore the town at your own pace. Witness local Tibetan culture, markets, and architecture, or simply rest after the long drive. Dinner and overnight stay will be arranged in a comfortable tented camp.
After breakfast, drive through the barren plains of Tingri and ascend gradually toward Nyalam, leaving the Tibetan plateau behind. The drive offers a unique perspective on the changing landscapes, from desolate highlands to greener valleys. Arrive at Nyalam in the evening, check into a hotel, and relax for the night in preparation for the journey back to Kathmandu. Overnight stay at a hotel in Nyalam.
After breakfast at the hotel, begin the scenic drive back to Kathmandu. Descend through Zhangmu with its winding roads and picturesque waterfalls, and cross the Friendship Bridge over the Bhotekoshi River. Continue through the Nepalese countryside with optional stops for local snacks, enjoying the lush landscapes. Arrive in Kathmandu in the evening, check into your hotel, freshen up, and explore Thamel for last-minute shopping or sightseeing. Overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast, transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight. Bid farewell to Nepal with memories of a unique spiritual and adventure journey, and the unparalleled landscapes of Tibet and the Himalayas. The team at Special Trek & Expedition ensures a smooth departure with heartfelt wishes for your safe journey ahead.