Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Drive for NRI

Your Arrival Time (?) Our office representative will meet and greet you at Kathmandu Airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Note: The mainland Chinese visa is not required for foreign nationals; an on-arrival Tibetan visa will be provided. However, if you're an American national, you will need to apply for a Chinese mainland Tourist visa (L class) from the US itself. On that basis a Tibetan visa and permit will be provided on arrival at immigration. 

At. 09:00 AM: After your breakfast at the hotel, you will participate in a full day of sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley. Your transportation will arrive at the hotel to pick you up for sightseeing.

Firstly, you will start with Pashupatinath Temple, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva. You will wander through the maze of the temple, surrounded by small shrines, each with its own religious significance. 

Then, you will drive towards Jal Narayan Temple. Take your time to appreciate the intricate details of the reclining statue of Lord Vishnu, its size, and the open air settings. You can have your lunch in between the sightseeing, according to your timing and nearby places of interest.

Your final destination today will be Patan Durbar Square, one of the three Durbar squares, where you will travel through the historical lane.

At. 04:00 PM: Once your sightseeing is complete, your transportation service will drop you off at your hotel. In the evening, you can go shopping around Thamel, a tourist market in Kathmandu.

At. 06:00 PM: We will meet for a trip briefing about your tour program. You can ask all your related questions during the trip briefing meeting.

Pashupatinath Temple is the largest and holiest shrine for Hindus, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple, situated on the bank of the Bagmati River, was built in the 5th century. It is represented by a four faced Shiva-lingam housed in the main temple. There are around 492 temples, 15 Shivalayas (shrines of Lord Shiva), and 12 Jyotirlingas (phallic shrines) to explore. Although only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed on the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River. A center for Hindu pilgrimage, this temple hosts different major festivals such as Maha Shivaratri, Teej and pujas such as Rudra Abhishek and evening Aarti. Additionally, no entrance fee is charged for Indian nationals to enter the temple.

The Jal Narayan Temple, also known as the Budhanilkantha Temple, is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is around 8 KM north of Kathmandu at the base of Shivapuri Hill. The temple is famous for its large, reclining statue of Lord Vishnu resting on a bed of stone serpents in a pool of water. The temple is religiously significant for both Hindus and Buddhists. Unlike other Hindu temples, Budhanilkantha is an open-air shrine offering a unique and serene atmosphere. 

Patan Durbar Square, one of the three durbar squares in the Kathmandu Valley, is 6 KM southeast of Kathmandu. The square is an important example of Newari architecture, surrounded by prominent temples, palaces, courtyards, and statues. The Keshav Narayan Temple, which was built in the 17th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, is a masterpiece of pagoda architecture. The temple is known for its nine roofed pagodas and its richly decorated interior. Other notable key attractions on the square are the Krishna Temple, the Taleju Temple, the Bhimsen Temple, and the Patan Museum. Wandering through the narrow alleys lined with traditional Newari houses, bustling markets selling handicrafts and souvenirs, and local shops showcasing local artisan’s work is an interesting sight to see.

At. 08:00 AM: You will meet our vehicle at your designated pickup place and you will start your drive towards Dhunche (98 KM/5 hrs) or Syabrubesi (118 KM/6 hrs) or Timure (124 KM/7 hrs), where you can spend the night depending on how long it takes to get there.

On the way to Trishuli Bazar, you will stop for lunch at a highway restaurant before continuing your journey. The entire ride takes you along the Trishuli River, which offers stunning scenery.

Note: In case of any emergencies like the natural disasters that interrupt the way towards the Kyirong border, alternative routes like the Tatopani border or Korala border will be used to enter Tibet according to the authorities decision. If it happens so, the itinerary will be changed accordingly. 

At. 08:00 AM: After breakfast, first we need to complete the immigration process (the departure stamp) on the Nepal side in Timure. Then you will walk towards Rasuwagadhi (Nepal-China Border), which is about 1.7 KM from Timure.

You need to settle some customs formalities in Nepal before crossing the border into China, where our Tibetan guide will meet you. The guide will assist you to complete the immigration formalities in Tibet.

Note: For immigration, it might take a minimum of 1 to 2 hours on a quiet day. On average, expect 2 to 3 hours, and during the busy full moon period, it can easily take more than 3 hours. It all depends on how many travelers are crossing on that particular day, so patience is key here.

Once the Chinese immigration process is over, start driving towards Kyirong. It is 40 KM from the border and takes around one and a half hours to reach. You will stay the night at the hotel in Kyirong.

At. 08:00 AM: Have your breakfast at your hotel prepared by your kitchen crew.

Today you can visit the attractions and markets around Kyirong and observe their day-to-day life. You can go outside and walk around, as it will help you adjust to walking at high altitude.

Acclimatization is the process in which an individual adjusts to a change in its environment. As it's not compulsory, you can stay in the hotel and have some rest as well. 

At. 07:30 AM: Wake up early and have your breakfast and start packing your things. As you will be heading to Saga after lunch, you can use this excess time exploring Kyirong in brief.

At. 12:00 PM: Have your lunch and hop onto the vehicle and drive 155 KM from Kyirong to Saga, which will take around 3-4 hours.

En route, you will have the opportunity to go to Ganesh Parbat and Lake Peiku Tso, then eventually cross the bridge built over the River Brahmaputra (also called Yarlung Tsangpo in Chinese) in Saga. Overnight stay at Saga.

At. 08:00 AM: Enjoy a delicious morning breakfast, and today you will drive towards the holy and beautiful Lake Mansarovar (4650 m).

The distance from Saga to Mansarovar is about 450 KM and will take you around 8 to 9 hours. On the way, you will get a glimpse of Mount Kailash as well as the potent Rakshas Tal.

Once you arrive at Mansarovar, you will take a rest at the guest house. You will stay the night at the guesthouse in Mansarovar.

Lake Mansarovar, also known as Mapam Yumtso in Tibetan, is one of the world’s highest altitude freshwater lakes and is located at an elevation of 4650 m. It is revered as a holy site of purity, attracting Hindu pilgrims across the world. It is revered as a sacred lake in Hinduism, Buddhism, Bon, and Jainism. According to Hindu mythology, bathing in the lake can cleanse one's sins and bring good luck.

Today you can perform Puja/Havan at the shore of Lake Manasarovar. After lunch, you will drive to Darchen, which is 35 KM from Mansarovar and takes around 1 and a half hours to drive.

Note: Taking a dip in Mansarovar is restricted. However, you can take water from Mansarovar in a bucket and bathe with it.

After reaching Darchen, you can rest your bags and relax. You can stroll around the small market in Darchen town in the late afternoon. You will stay the night at the hotel in Darchen.

Darchen is a small village/town located at an altitude of 4700 m, which is a significant gateway to Kailash Yatra. It is the starting and ending point for the pilgrimage circumambulation (Kora) around Mount Kailash. The village itself is a small but important hub for pilgrims and travelers visiting the region. The vibrant market in this town hosts various restaurants serving basic Tibetan fare, hotels and guesthouses for accommodation, and shops selling supplies for the trek.

At. 07:00 AM: After having your breakfast, drive towards Yama Dwar (Tarboche), which is the starting point of Kailash Parikrama.

Once you reach, carry your bags and head towards the gate of Yama Dwar. Passing through the gate of Yamadwar is believed to remove your evil deed from the book of judgement, and you will get a place in heaven.

Your 3-day-long trekking journey begins and your stop for today will be at Derapuk, which is about a 12 KM trek from Yamadwar. The south face of Mount Kailash is seen from Yamadwar; as you walk on, you will see the west face, halfway from Yamadwar.

As you reach Derapuk, the stunning north face of Mount Kailash is seen. Once you reach your accommodation, you can rest your bags and relax. Overnight at a guest house in Derapuk.

Note: If you are not doing Parikrama, then you will be waiting at Darchen till the group returns from Parikrama, with arrangements for accommodation and meals.

Yama Dwar, also known as Tarboche in Tibetan, is a gateway located near Mount Kailash. It literally translates to "Gateway of Death," as "Yam" refers to Yama, the Hindu God of Death, and "Dwar" means gate. It is considered an auspicious place and the main starting point for the spiritual circumambulation (parikrama) around Mount Kailash. Passing through the Yam Dwar signifies leaving behind worldly attachments and joining on a journey of spiritual purification.

At. 07:00 AM: After breakfast, you trek to the highest point of the yatra, Dolma La Pass (5600 m) and then descend gradually to Zuthulpuk (4800 m), witnessing the Gauri Kunda on the way.

By late afternoon, you will arrive in Zuthulpuk, the cave of miracles. The great ascetic Milerappa is supposed to have performed miracles here. Overnight at the guest house in Zuthulpuk.

Gauri Kunda is a sacred lake located at the foot of Mount Kailash in Tibet at an altitude of approximately 5600 m. It is a revered place in Hinduism and Buddhism where Goddess Parvati used to bathe. It is believed that the waters of the kund are purified by her touch and thus possess immense spiritual power. It can be seen on the way down towards Zuthulpuk.

At. 07:00 AM: Today you will walk about 8 KM and drive towards today's final destination, Saga. Have your breakfast and go to the ending point near Darchen, where you will meet our vehicle and drive to Darchen, merge with the group who didn’t go for parikrama, and then drive towards Saga together.

The driving distance will be around 485 KM and take about 8–9 hours. As it will be a long drive today, once you reach the hotel, check in and rest. You will stay the night at the hotel in Saga.

At. 09:00 AM: Enjoy your breakfast early in the morning. Today, you will return to Kyirong following the same route back, which will cover around 155 KM and take about 2-3 hours.

As you will reach there in the afternoon, you can take a rest or walk around the town and refresh yourself. You will stay the night at the hotel in Kyirong. 

At. 07:00 AM: Enjoy your breakfast early in the morning. Today, you will return back to Kathmandu. To reach the border, you will need approximately 1 hour of driving, covering 40 KM.

Then, after completing the immigration formalities on both sides, start driving towards Kathmandu. The distance is the same, 130 KM and takes 5-6 hours. At Kathmandu Hotel, a certificate of completion will be provided to you.

As you enjoy your last breakfast at the hotel, the time to go back is already here. You can have some time of your own or add some additional activities until your flight time.

Our company representative will escort you to the Kathmandu airport 3 hours before your flight. We hope you have enjoyed the holy tour and will be back for another tour in Nepal.

Have a safe journey back! It will be our pleasure to be part of your journey if you want to extend your stay in Nepal.

Optional Activity: You can also take part in the thrilling Everest Mountain Flight. It is a sightseeing adventure flight that departs at 06:30 AM from Kathmandu airport to Kathmandu airport, a 1-hour flight that takes you to the stunning aerial view of Mt. Everest (8848 m) and several other mountains such as Lhotse (8516 m), Kanchenjunga (8586 m), Shishapangma (8027 m), Nuptse (7881 m), Ganesh (7422 m), and Chamlang (7319 m).