‘Great scenic highland journey to the holiest of all holy Mt. Kailash’
| Day | Itinerary | Elevation | Distance |
| 1 | Arrival In Kathmandu | 1,400m/4,600ft | 5 Km |
| 2 | Sightseeing Tour of Kathmandu Valley and Obtain Tibet Visa / Permit | 1,400m/4,600ft | - |
| 3 | Drive to Kyirong Town | 2,890m/9,410ft | 185 Km |
| 4 | Rest and Acclimatization day in Kyirong | 2,890m/9,410ft | - |
| 5 | Drive to Saga Town | 4,400m/14,435ft | 240 Km |
| 6 | Drive to Lake Manasarover | 4,590m/15,060ft | 450 Km |
| 7 | Rest, Explore, and Acclimatization day at Mansarover | 4,590m/15,060ft | |
| 8 | Drive to Taboche past Darchen (4,575m/15,010 ft), and trek to Dhiraphuk | 5,050m/16,568ft | |
| 9 | Trek to Zutul-Puk via Dolma-la Pass (5, 630m/18,471ft) | 4,760m/15,616 ft | |
| 10 | Trek near Darchen and drive to Saga Town | 4,400m/14,435ft | |
| 11 | Drive to Kyirong Town | 2,890m/9,410ft | 450 Km |
| 12 | Drive back to Kathmandu | 1,400m/4,600ft | 185 Km |
| 13 | Departure | 5 Km |
Best time in April to May and September to October months. Including the monsoon wet season of June to August. As Tibet falls on rain-shadow, the southern Himalaya mountain range forms a barrier for monsoon rain clouds and it does not reach Tibet.
Around whole areas of Tibet, the weather is fine and clear most of the season, as the land with high altitude gets much sun for long hours, although cold morning and from late afternoon till night time. Can get very windy especially on the drive from Saga onwards during afternoon time till late 4 p.m.
Chances of snowfall sometimes around high passes and altitude wise, do get light rain around monsoon time of June to mid-September, but the mostly dry and arid country as weather-wise. Does not get heavy rain like in southern countries of the Himalayas range.
A journey to Mt. Kailash takes you to remote areas of Tibet, where facilities of the Western standard of tourist class hotels are not available, only in few places like Kyirong and Saga town. Most of the places with very simple and basic lodges or guest-house, where travelers need to understand, that you are traveling around the harsh and highest country in the world. Where clients have to be in a positive attitude due to the nature of the destination to Mt. Kailash within the wildest country of the world.
The food in Lode and hotels in Saga are standard, for larger groups a set of buffet meals of variation from continental, Chinese, and Tibetan as well for breakfast.
But while staying on the Kailash circuit or Parikrama the Guest-House, accommodation is simple and basic but clean, with simple Tibetan and Chinese food including Nepalese meals are available.
The food like dumpling /momo (normally of Yak, pork meats or vegetable) as well fries noodles with veg, meat or eggs including local Thukpa, a noodle soup flavored as per your choice from veg, meat or just plain and simple. Or simple Dal / Bhat with mild vegetable curry Nepalese meals.
Crossing high Dolma-La Pass at 5,630 m / 18,471 feet high, on Parikrama, Circuit, and Kora in Tibetan.
Many people in the world think Tibet is a cold of arctic zone climate.
But it is not always cold with freezing temperatures, depends upon the seasons of visit and the region of the visit.
Tibet with four main seasons, spring (March to May), summer (June to August),
Autumn/fall (September to November), and winter begins from December to February months. Due to high altitude and thin air above 3,000 meters high, summer is warm with bright sun-lights of strong UV (Ultra Violets).
Where travelers’ needs sun-glass, sunblock creams, wearing long sleeves shirts and trousers with a sun hat for the day. Morning and late afternoon can get colder and the wind chill factor adds more freezing temperatures, from mid-afternoon till dusk can get very windy.
Late spring and summer till mid-autumn of October will be the best time to travel, when most days are crystal clear. With blue sky for excellent views of snow-peaks and its amazing landscapes. Tibet gets very little rain as the southern monsoon heavy dark clouds blocked by the mountain range of the Himalayas.
That is why Tibet a dry and arid country, but can get heavy snow during the winter and early spring seasons.
In late spring and summer temperatures can reach a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius with a minimum of 0 to 5 degrees. That is in the morning and nighttime as well in shades away from sun lights. September to November clear and sunny most of the days, can be very cold morning and in the late afternoon till night time.
But one can enjoy the bright starry night sky, and with full moon nights reflecting on snow mountains.
For travel to Tibet, where all visitors must be in good sound health and most important getting acclimatized. Tibet is located at an average altitude of 3,000 meters high above sea level. No wonder it is known as the Roof Top of World, most areas of Tibet are arid with dry landscapes. With very little vegetation and forested areas, and yet the native have survived for thousands of years settled on this harsh terrain.
With less air to breathe, if one is not careful adjusting with its environment and high altitude. Travelers require at least a minimum of two overnights, staying in the same place and heights of above 3,000 meters.
One of the best ways for acclimatization is to climb higher and then rest and sleep in a low place. Actually, there is no medicine to avoid the AMS, except taking advice from your doctor and local guide or group leader.
Take things slowly, enough rest, and drinking much water, for slight headaches, one can take aspirin or paracetamol pills. To get relief from headaches and fever, some travelers take Diamox a brand name for Acetazolamide a "water pill" (diuretic). Used as preventive measures to reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness, but it depends on how and where you take it. Best before entering Tibet or high altitude continues till the end, even though you feel better. Side effects are like nibbling of fingers makes you pee a lot, for travelers in doubt can buy portable oxygen. Available in town and cities big shops and stores in Tibet, where your local Tibetan guide will help you.
Information regarding altitude mountain sickness or AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), the worst symptom is HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema).
This means water in the brain, similarly HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema), a symptom of water in the lungs.
Travelers with the above symptoms should descend to the lower level with an accompanying guide, staff, and close friends or relatives. To reach back to Kathmandu or the nearest Tibetan city, towns with good hospitals.
In Kathmandu / Nepal capacity 609 MW in Integrated Power System, of 230 volts in A.C. single phase and 400 volts in three phases for general.
Electricity in Tibet / China is 230 volts AC, 50 cycles. We do have two pins & 3 pins power sockets, you better have two Pin travel plug adapter which will be useful to charge your batteries.
In the whole Tibet like in mainland China use Beijing Standard Time. Which is 8 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) 2 hours and 15 minutes ahead of Nepal Standard Time Zone.
In Tibet use Chinese currency which is about the US $1 equals 6: 50 Chinese Renminbi Yuan, which is the official currency of the People's Republic of China, and translates to “people's money.
Day
1On the first arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, our representative from Namaste Nepal Trekking & Research Hub will pick you up from the airport. He will be displaying an NNTR sideboard outside the airport terminal. Transfer to the selected hotel. In the afternoon a pre-trip meeting will be held at our office. During this meeting, we will introduce your trekking and or tour leader/guide, where our guide/leader will brief you on Mt. Kailash and Manasarover Lake's journey. In the evening, the tourist hub of Thamel is a good place to grab your first meal, with a variety of restaurants to chose from offering both Western and local Nepali dishes.
Day
2A free day in Kathmandu, for Hindu followers can visit the holy Pashupatinath Temple and other places of religious and historical interest. Similarly, visitors for this journey can enjoy a tour around Kathmandu UNESCO's famous World Heritage Sites. The rest of the day preparing for the Kailash journey which is about 850 km and 530 miles single way to reach South West Tibet on the foot of Mt. Kailash.
Is an ancient religious architecture atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, Swayambhunath is among the oldest religious sites in Nepal. The Swayambhunath consists of a stupa and a variety of shrines and temples. A Tibetan monastery, museum, and library are more recent additions. And we can see the 360-degree view of Kathmandu valley. This will be a good way to start your day with
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most important and significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world. Located on the bank of the Holy Bagmati River near the airport. The major temple is strictly for Hindus only even though you are not allowed to go inside the main temple you can clearly see the temple and the activities from the other bank of the river.
Another UNESCO World Heritage site; Boudhanath another holiest site of Kathmandu valley. It was built in the 5th century with pairs of eyes in all 4 directions keeping an eternal watch over the people and their doings.
City of Fine Arts Patan; The ancient royal palace of Patan faces on to magnificent Durbar Square. This concentrated mass of temples is perhaps the most visually stunning display of Newari architecture to be seen in Nepal. The historic monument which describes the oldest architecture of Nepal is Patan durbar square, Temple construction in the square went into overdrive during the Malla period (14th to 18th centuries),
After finished sightseeing in Patan on the way to your hotel, our driver will drop you at Kathmandu Durbar Square (only if you are staying at Thamel) from where you can walk back to Thamel through the narrow and oldest open street market of Asan. In Kathmandu durbar square you can see the following:
Day
3Day
4Much necessary to have a rest day at this height for acclimatization, before heading higher altitude, a perfect place for short walks and hike our next day's drive takes you above 4,500 meters and much higher over the passes. Rest of the day enjoy the north face views of Ganesh and Langtang Himal peaks in the south direction that borders Nepal and Tibet.
Day
5After a pleasant stop at Kyirong, having breakfast morning drive leads on river gorge and then enter a wide-open area on reaching world highest and largest plateau within Tibet. A great wild windswept landscapes of arid and dry air due to sparse vegetation, the drive continues where the road of Nylam / Zhangmu joins near Paigut-Tsho's huge salt lake. From here drive leads up to cross over a small pass to reach near Brahmaputra River / Yarlung Tsangpo. Drive over a newly built nice bridge that connects to Saga town for the overnight stop, a moderate size town located on the route to Mt. Kailash and towards Lhasa via Larze and Shigatse cities.
Overnight in a nice guest house, lodge, or hotels with time to browse around the town of Saga.
Day
6From Saga starting early morning as possible to cover a long distance to reach the western end of Manasarover Lake. As the drive begins head towards a high pass and then descend to a long stretch within vast wide Tibetan plains. Enjoy grand views of distant Himalayan peaks that border with western Nepal.
Drive leads past villages and towns including temporary camps of nomads and yak herders’ to reach Paryang, a windswept town. Possible lunch stop and then continue to drive to cross over Myam-la Pass at 5, 150 m, with chances of spotting some wildlife like mountain antelope, and a herd of Kang the wild Ass, as drive, heads down to reach near the eastern side of Lake Manasarover close to a small town of Horpa facing first views of Mt. Kailash towards the northwest direction.
Drive from here on the vast Barakha plain of Ngari area of Far South West Tibet to reach our overnight halt at the west side of holy Manasarover Lake, near an old monastery of Chu Gompa. Staying in a local simple lodge and guest-house in peak times can get crowded with Indian pilgrims.
Day
7Rest day for proper acclimatization as well for worship and puja, for Hindu devotees. Where one can enjoy a walk on the shore of Lake Manasarover, facing close views of Mt. Kailash and Gurla Mandhata mountain range at 7,694 m.
The Hindu belief is that Manasarover floats beneath the shadow of holy Kailash as the lake formed in the mind of Gods like the word ‘Manas’ origin from ancient Sanskrit language. An option for few hours Parikrama or circuit of Lake Manasarover taking a four-wheel drive for a complete circuit of 110 k.m distance.
The best time to circle Manasarover, in late autumn and early spring when the streams and rivers that join the lake are low.
Day
8Enjoying a perfect rest at Lake Manasarover, morning our actual journey starts for a short drive to the base of holy Mt. Kailash, as drive heads near Darchen town a large settlement, with many hotels and guesthouses, a busy small town with pilgrims on auspicious time for kora and Parikrama for all religion pilgrims.
Darchen situated Mt. Kailash South Face, where most holy walk/kora starts and ends, but our kora begins with a drive little further west of Darchen to reach wide-open field at Taboche, one of the holy spot for Tibetan Buddhist a place marked with many prayer flags, and a tall wooden flag pole, changed every year on the day of Saga Dawa, the holy time a birth anniversary of Lord Sakyamuni Buddha.
From here enjoy views of Mt. Kailash West Face, as our walk begins on dry plains with small streams of sparse small bushes. As route slowly climbs to reach at Dhiraphuk Gompa for an overnight stop in a simple lodge.
Facing Mt. Kailash stunning North Face, Dhiraphuk with few guest house and lodge and camping space stands a small monastery where saint Millerepa of 11th Century meditate.
Day
9Today our last toughest day walks, from Dhiraphuk with a slow gradual walk for a short hour, from a small wooden bridge that separates route of inner and outer Kora or circuit, where our trail leads on the outer one of Parikrama and then climb higher on well define a path, marked with a stone cairn, and religious symbols and the offering made by Tibetan pilgrims.
As the walk proceeds with a steep climb of last hour to reach at high Dolma-La, the hardest spot, feel great standing on top 5, 630 m high facing close views of Kailash North and East Face. A holy place festooned with prayer flags and offerings by Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims, enjoying views and feeling glad on reaching the highest point. Then long descend takes you to Lamchu Valley the eastern side of Mt. Kailash past Gauri Kund, a holy glacial pond named after Lord Shiva consort.
On reaching the valley floor, the rest of the walk is easy on a gradual wide path to reach an overnight stop at a small settlement in Zutul-Puk, with few shops and a simple lodge with a cave, where Millerepa meditated. Visitors can see the trace of his holy footprints on the ceiling of the large cave. The word Zutul-Puk means a place with a cave.
Day
10Start early morning with short walks of few hours and a long drive to Saga town, on the last day of holy circuit, kora or Parikrama, walk for few hours on a broad valley past many Mani prayer walls, and then reach a narrow gorge close to Karnali River that flows to West of Nepal. The route turns west near Darchen on the last leg of the Parikrama, ending with a dramatic exit from the river valley onto the plain, walk passes mani walls decorated with carved yak skulls.
A short walk where our four-wheel drive and drivers will be waiting for a long exciting drive to reach Saga on the same route, arriving in the town of Saga by late dinner time and then retire to your rooms after a most exciting day.
Day
11After a long day's drive of the previous day, morning with leisure time for breakfast and then continue our journey in Tibet to reach Kyirong County, where a drive leads at the end of vast Tibetan plateau. After a scenic drive reaches Kyirong by late afternoon as well for the last overnight stop in Tibet.
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13On your last day in Nepal the country of Himalayan wonders and colorful cultures, as per your time for international departures, our Namaste Nepal staff transfer you to the airport for flight back home or to the next port of call, after an amazing adventure and experience on Mt. Kailash and Manasarover Lake Journey.
For all Tibet tours as well as Kailash overland journey, requires a minimum of a month booking, with full passport details to obtain Tibet entry visa in the Chinese Embassy at Kathmandu, Nepal.
Tibet entry visa and permits, only available from Kathmandu if you are entering Tibet from Nepal. For people booking as an ex-Kathmandu minimum of a week to book for the trip, where an actual passport required a day before trip departure to Tibet to get a visa.
The visa will be on official paper with a name list of the group, authorized and stamped by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, with two visa sheets one for entry and as well for exit/departure from Tibet.
Normally, some people get a slight headache having rest for a while it will soon fade, drinking enough fluid like water, helps to acclimatize from the symptoms of AMS or altitude sickness. Chances are small, that you get severe AMS, as we have set the itinerary days with enough time having rest day for acclimatization on route to Mt. Kailash. Our flexible program itinerary helps and supports proper acclimatization before reaching a much higher altitude after spending time in Kyirong as well drive high passes and then heading low for overnight stops.
Some people take the Diamox pill for safety measures and precaution, which you can carry as per your doctor and guide advice.
Tibet with an average height of 3,500 m, where you have to take things slow with enough rest, drinking much fluid like safe drinking water, green tea, or soup will help to overcome the symptoms.
In the whole of Tibet, like in mainland China use Beijing Standard Time. Which is 8 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) 2 hours and 15 minutes ahead of Nepal Standard Time Zone.
In Tibet use Chinese currency which is about the US $1 equals 6: 50 Chinese Renminbi Yuan, which is the official currency of the People's Republic of China, and translates to “people's money.
A journey to Mt. Kailash takes you to remote areas of Tibet, where facilities of the Western standard of tourist class hotels are not available, only in few places like Kyirong and Saga town. Most of the places with very simple and basic lodges or guest-house, where travelers need to understand, that you are traveling around the harsh and highest country in the world. Where clients have to be in a positive attitude due to the nature of the destination to Mt. Kailash within the wildest country of the world.
The food in Lode and hotels in Saga are standard, for larger groups a set of buffet meals of variation from continental, Chinese, and Tibetan as well for breakfast.
But while staying on the Kailash circuit or Parikrama the Guest-House, accommodation is simple and basic but clean, with simple Tibetan and Chinese food including Nepalese meals are available.
The food like dumpling /momo (normally of Yak, pork meats or vegetable) as well fries noodles with veg, meat or eggs including local Thukpa, a noodle soup flavored as per your choice from veg, meat or just plain and simple. Or simple Dal / Bhat with mild vegetable curry Nepalese meals.
It is wise to bring small snacks and refreshing drinks, especially for long drives and walks around Mt. Kailash. Best to carry chocolate, dry snacks or dried fruits as well biscuits or cookies and soft drinks or hot in good warm thermos/flask.
In Kathmandu / Nepal capacity 609 MW in Integrated Power System, of 230 volts in A.C. single phase and 400 volts in three phases for general.
Electricity in Tibet / China is 230 volts AC, 50 cycles. We do have two pins & 3 pins power sockets, you better have two Pin travel plug adapter which will be useful to charge your batteries.
Depending upon the time of booking and holiday duration of some people, we do have set departure dates in all our tours, for Tibet minimum of 3-4 people and a maximum of more than 10 people in the group.
The larger group much better as the tour cost will be slightly lower in a small group, we also organize and run this tour for a minimum of 2-3 person also, a special rate to cover all tour package.
Around whole areas of Tibet, the weather is fine and clear most of the season, as the land with high altitude gets much sun for long hours, although cold morning and from late afternoon till night time. Can get very windy especially on the drive from Saga onwards during afternoon time till late 4 p.m.
Chances of snowfall sometimes around high passes and altitude wise, do get light rain around monsoon time of June to mid-September, but the mostly dry and arid country as weather-wise. Does not get heavy rain like in southern countries of the Himalayas range.
As Tibet is located at a high altitude during day time the sun is strong with UV rays, where travelers need strong sunblock cream to be safe from Ultra Violet lights, as well as wearing sun-hat, sunglass, and long sleeve shirts.
Yes, but you need to inform us on booking, as all customers will be on a group visa for Tibet, after completing the main tour of Mt. Kailash, it is possible to drive from Saga town to reach Lhasa taking more than two days with stops either in Larze or at Shigatse the second biggest city after Lhasa.
Where your name or other interested people who wish to part from the group for Lhasa and onward journey needs to cancel the name from the group visa, which adds to additional cost for another separate visa.
Travel and Tours in Tibet
