Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via Lhasa - 15 Days

When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, your personal representative from Trekking Mart will welcome you and arrange for you to be taken to your hotel. In the evening, you will enjoy a special Trekking Mart tradition: a dinner in a traditional Nepali restaurant where we can eat authentic Nepali cuisine and have a short cultural program and presentation as well.

Today will be a day to become acquainted with the wonderful culture of Nepal as you visit several of the Valley's religious UNESCO World Heritage Sites. An expert city guide will guide your visit Pashupatinath, the most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal, along with two sacred Buddhist shrines: Swayambhunath and Boudhanath. In the afternoon, there will be a briefing about the trip as you meet your trip leader. Overnight stay in the hotel.

After early morning breakfast, transfer to airport and fly to Lhasa. Along the flight, we fly over incredible Himalayan ranges landscapes and vast Tibetan Plateau. It’s a short one hour twenty-minute flight and the plane continues to gain elevation in order to reach Lhasa, the world’s highest capital city. On arriving in Lhasa, complete the immigration formalities then after transfer to the hotel. Lhasa lies at a high altitude so the rest of day will be spent in acclimatization to adjust the body comfortably. Overnight stay at Lhasa.

Lhasa is the ancient Tibetan capital and today we will have an amazing tour of the city. We will explore the magnificent Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama with its 10,000 rooms built on the side of the mountain. We stop at the sacred Jokhang Temple and then explore the vibrant Barkhor Street Market to experience the true Tibetan culture. We return to our hotel in the evening for dinner and a good night’s rest.

We leave the exciting city of Lhasa behind us today as we travel to ancient Tibetan city of Shigatse. The bus journey takes us along the most scenic drive across the Tibetan Plateau with its vibrant, turquoise lakes, snow-capped mountains and deep, picturesque valleys along the way. Shigatse is the traditional capital of Tsang Province. Today we visit the second largest city in Tibet at Shigatse. We stop to visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama and is the renowned seat of the Panchen Lama. We spend the night in Shigatse.

After breakfast, we journey from Shigatse to Saga. Along the way, we will see the magnificent Tibetan Plateau which is the endless grasslands. The turquoise lakes reflect the ever-present sun with its azure, blue skies. There is a combination of gorgeous mountains and dramatic cliffs. We will see nomads who still live traditionally, herding large herds of yaks and sheep grazing in the open flats as they have done for hundreds of years. It will feel like we are almost touching the great Himalayas before the crossing of the powerful Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River). This river is one of the main rivers that drains the Himalayas from Tibet through India and Bangladesh before reaching the Bay of Bengal. The road will allow you to feel the desolate lands of Tibet as we approach the lovely town of Saga (4,640m) where we will spend the night. Saga is our destination; here is a main stop for religious pilgrims and visitors heading to Mount Kailash.

Today is one of the most celebrated of your holy days at the foot of Mt. Kailash. We will drive through the long flowing Tibetan Plateau to the Holy Mansarovar Lake. The drive through remote Tibetan landscapes, high mountain passes, traditional villages and many check points offers superb views of The Himalayas. As we draw near to the Holy Lake, prepare yourself for your very first sight of the Holy Mount Kailash which is truly a worthwhile experience for pilgrims around the world. On reaching the Mansarovar Lake (4,558 m), marvel at its tranquil ecstasy in the lake lies Mount Kailash, Mount Gurla Mandhata and Lake Rakshas Tal which gives surely a treat to our eye. Overnight stay at Mansarovar Lake.

Early morning, we will visit the sacred shores of Lake Mansarovar for prayers, puja, and hawan, with Mount Kailash rising in the distance to bless the moment. We will take time to collect holy water and sit quietly in this sacred setting, letting its peaceful nature engulf us. After completing our rituals, we will drive toward Darchen, continuing our parikrama of the holy lake along the way — passing Chiu Gompa and the dark, mystic waters of Rakshas Tal. Reaching in Darchen, the gateway to the Mount Kailash Kora, we will be preparing ourselves for the pilgrimage that lies ahead. Overnight stay in Darchen.

Today will begin the sacred Mount Kailash Kora. After breakfast, we will walk to Yamadwar, the traditional gateway to the pilgrimage, marked by chortens and prayer flags. From here, we will trek through a scenic valley along the Lha Chu River, flanked by rocky cliffs and waterfalls, towards Dirapuk. Keep a slow, steady pace at this altitude — the reward is a stunning close-up view of Kailash's majestic north face. We will arrive in Dirapuk (4,890m) and soaking in the peaceful spiritual atmosphere before tomorrow’s pass crossing. Overnight stay at Dirapuk.

Today, the most difficult and sanctified day of Mount Kailash Kora. We will leave before dawn to witness the incredible sunrise over Mount Kailash, which is also called the “Golden Kailash.” After seeing this, the trail goes up gradually through the wild nature side by side with the holy places like Shiva Sthal and Gauri Kund culminating at the sacred Dolma La Pass (5,630m) — the top point of the whole pilgrimage. After making offerings at the pass, begin the downward through outstanding Himalayan sceneries to Zuthulphuk, a deeply spiritual and rich day. Stay in a simple guesthouse in Zuthulphuk.

Today we will be completing the holy Mount Kailash Kora circuit. After breakfast, take a gentle trek in the beautiful valley of Zuthulphuk and trek to the final point where our vehicle will be waiting. We will return to Darchen by vehicle, celebrating the successful completion of the spiritual journey. After having some light snacks, drive along the beautiful route to Saga. We will cover the last leg of the holy Lake Mansarovar Parikrama. We will stay overnight at a hotel in Saga.

We return to Saga as we make our way back to Lhasa. The journey is in reverse and we can still enjoy the scenes of the snowcapped peaks and the vast Tibetan Plateau. There is an amazing ruggedness and isolation of the western Tibet region that will no doubt touch your very soul. We will relax in Shigatse for the night.

We return to the fabled Tibetan capital of Lhasa. We enjoy stunning views as we approach Lhasa where after we check into our hotel, we will have free time to explore further the city. We are preparing for our return flight tomorrow to Kathmandu.

After breakfast, it's time to leave Tibet as we make our way to the airport for our short, 1 hour 20-minute flight back to Kathmandu. Once we arrive, a private car will take you to the hotel for rest or any last-minute shopping or exploring in the legendary Nepali capital city. In the evening, enjoy a departure dinner where you can reflect with your fellow pilgrims on the spiritual journey of a lifetime.

The sacred journey has come to an end. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa Pilgrimage is the highlight of any spiritual experience for devotees of four major world religions. Your karma can be increased with additional spiritual tours which are only available from Trekking Mart. Before you leave, talk to your friends at Trekking Mart who can help you set up additional spiritual pilgrimages in the heart of the world’s most sacred mountains.