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Kathmandu to Kailash Kathmandu Overland Tour

Duration:
9 Days
Route:
Kathmandu - Gyirong - Saga- Kailash Kora - Kathmandu
Season:
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Tour Type:
Private Tour
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Overview

This adventurous pilgrimage from Kathmandu is customized for pilgrims looking forward to a spiritual journey. Starting from Kathmandu then drive to Rasuwagadi, you will enjoy the stunning natural scenery of the Himalayans in Nepal along the way. Then go cross the border of Gyirong and get into Saga, Tibet, where you will enjoy the panoramic view of Peikutso Lake and the majestic view of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Continue to move on, and finally arrive at Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, which is the destination of the world’s spiritual center. You can not only enjoy the scenic view of snowcapped mountains and alpine lakes but also clean your mind and purify your spirit.

DayRouteAttractions & Activities
1 Kathmandu to Gyirong, 210km Pick up from hotel and drive
2 Gyirong Valley Gyirong Valley
3 Gyirong Town - Zhongba, 344km, Approx. 7hrs Pekutso Lake, Mt.Shishapangma
4 Zhongba - Darchen, 340km, Approx. 6hrs Mt.Naimonanyi
5 Mt Kailash Kora①: Darchen - Dirapuk(4700m), Drive 5km, Trek 15km, Approx. 7~11hrs Mt.Kailash kora
6 Mt Kailash Kora②: Dirapuk - Zutulpuk(4790m), Trek 22km, Approx. 11~14hrs Mt.Kailash kora
7 Mt Kailash Kora③: Zutulpuk- Darchen, Trek 9km, Approx. 2~5hrs; Drive from Darchen -Manasarovar-Zhongba, 340km, Approx. 5.5hrs Manasarovar Lake
8 Zhongba - Gyirong Town, 344km, Approx. 7hrs Gyirong Valley
9 Gyirong to Nepal border Send off to Gyirong border

Daily Itinerary

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Our local operator will pick up from your hotel in Kathmandu and get together around 6:00am, and then we will drive from Kathmandu to Rashuwaghadi (the border between China-Nepal), en-route, you’ll enjoy the marvelous scenery along the way, the rush green mountains, valleys, rivers, etc. After immigration formalities at Gyirong port, you will meet our Tibetan tour guide and driver, then continue drive to Gyirong town.

Stay overnight in Gyirong

Today we will have a day of rest in Gyirong Valley. Gyirong Town is only 2,800 meters above sea level, which is a relatively low-altitude place with dense vegetation and beautiful scenery. It is surrounded by snow-capped mountains almost 360 degrees. Adapting to the altitude here will be helpful for our later trips to high-altitude areas.

Stay overnight in Gyirong Town

Starting from Gyirong Town, head north along the G219 National Highway, the altitude gradually rises, passing through Saga and finally arriving at Zhongba County. The road took us along the Yarlung Zangbo River, small villages and snow-capped mountains.

Today you will drive through the sandy and rocky land of Tibet, and have a far view of the natural scenery such as Pekutso Lake and Mt. Shishapangma(8020m), and see herds of yaks and sheep. In the afternoon, you will cross the Bhramha Purtra River to the typical Tibetan town of Zhongba.

Overnight at Zhongba.

Today's journey may be long, but the stunning scenery along the way makes it worth every minute. As we drive across the vast plains, you will be treated to breathtaking views of the Himalayas to the south and Trans-Himalaya to the north. This region is home to nomads, and you will have the chance to witness the wild grasslands and local villages. Don't forget to take in the magnificent sight of Mount Naimonanyi (7694m) while crossing the Mayomla Pass(5112m).

After the scenic drive, we will arrive at a small nomadic village, which is also the starting and ending point of Mount Kailash Kora. Here, you will be comfortably accommodated in a guesthouse. Upon arrival, you can take a stroll around the town and explore its unique charm. If you require porters and yaks for the kora, your tour guide will arrange them for you in advance for an additional fee.

Stay overnight in Darchen

In the morning, you will take an eco-bus (included in the cost) to Sarshung Valley and start the Mt. Kailash trek from there. Then you will meet your porters and yaks at Sarshung Valley(the cost of hiring yaks, horses, and porters are not included in the package). You’ll trek about 15 km from Sarshung Valley to Drirapuk Monastery along the Lachu River Valleys. During your trekking today, you can see both the west and north face of Mt.Kailash. Finally, you will visit Drirapuk Monastery and stay overnight here.

Stay overnight in Guesthouse, Dorm Bed

Today is the most challenging day of the trekking, you’ll climb over the highest pass of the Kailash Kora, the Dromala pass(5630m). After a short rest at the top, we will climb down into the long valley and stop for lunch at the Shabjay Dakpo nomadic tent. On the way, you can have a rest in a teahouse. Then you will continue to the Zultulpuk, built by two important religious figures, Milarepa and Naro Bonchung. At last, you will visit Zutulpuk Monastery. You will find the footprint and handprint of Milarepa inside the cave. 

Stay overnight in Guesthouse, Dorm Bed

It's an easy day of the trek. You'll trek 9km to complete the Kora then take the eco bus back to Darchen. According to Buddhist theory, doing a kora around a holy mountain for one circle can get rid of sins and miseries for the whole life. Only after going through lots of hardships, you can feel the happiness and gratification brought by Kora. Then you take the shuttle bus back to Darchen, about 3km. We will drive you from Darchen to Mansarovar(4560m), the top holy lake in Tibet. It’s 40km to the southwest of Darchen. If the weather is good, you can see the splendid scenery of the lake Manasarovar. If you feel good, you can do a trek along the shore of the lake for a while. And then you'll head to Zhongba.

Stay overnight in Zhongba

Today we will drive to Gyirong town from Zhongba. In the afternoon, you will pass through Gyirong Valley, which is regarded as the backyard garden of the Himalayas. You will see the forest and breathe fresh air. You will be amazed by the creator's masterpiece that 4 seasons exist in such a narrow valley. Gyirong, in the Tibetan language, means comfort or happiness. It's said Gyirong was named by Padma Sambhava Buddha when he entered Tibet from here.

Stay overnight in Gyirong

Your tour guide will assist you to exit China and see you off at the Gyirong border. We can organize a jeep for transfer from Gyirong to Kathmandu but it's not included in the Package. Or you can take a bus to Kathmandu, about 40 US$ depending on your negotiation with the driver. The road condition is not good, and it takes about 10 hours from the border to Kathmandu city. Thus, taking a bus is not recommended.

Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients

Asked by Mr. ***

what kind of vehicle is used for the transport throughout the trip?

Jennie
Answered by Jennie

Dear Mr. K,

From Kathmandu to the Gyirong border, we usually use a jeep. In Tibet, we will use a tourist vehicle according to the amount of tourists. 

Asked by Mr. ***

I'm going to Nepal in September 2025, trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp from the 6th to 20th.

After that, I'm looking into traveling to Tibet. I've done some research, and Mount Kailash sounds really exciting. Lhasa sound nice too, and i therefore have the following questions:

Is it possible to go to Lhasa after this trip ends?

Jennie
Answered by Jennie

Dear Mr. Oliv****,

We can arrange the Mt.Kailash tour for you after your Nepal tour in September 2025. According to the policy of the authority, all international tourists entering Tibet directly from Nepal need to apply for a China group visa at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. It's difficult to apply for a China Group Visa because it requires at least 4 travelers on the same itinerary together and all applicants from one list must come to the Visa Center for application. If some of them will not come then the application will not be accepted.

To make it applicable, I suggest you apply for a China visa at your nearby Chinese Embassy. And we can provide you with supporting documents after you book with us. Then you can fly to Lhasa via other cities in China.

For 1 pax, I suggest you consider our 15-day Lhasa Mt Everest & Mt Kailash Group Tour.

Asked by Anna***

We are interested in the Kailash Kora which you have listed as the 9-days tour. Do you have a tour where one day walk to touch the mountain Kailash is included? The 4-days walk around the mountain Kailash, including walk to touch Kailash, would be best.
We are not interested at all in visiting Mt. Everest, but visiting Shigatse temples would be nice, too, but Kailash Kora is most important. We also have limited time for this trip and we cannot travel longer.

Jennie
Answered by Jennie

Dear Anna****,

We can arrange the Kathmandu to Kailash Kathmandu Overland Tour for you on 1 Sep 2025. You can apply for the China Group Visa in Kathmandu and it usually takes at least 3 working days. Please kindly note, at least 4 pax can apply for the China Group Visa.

This year, the authority prohibits tourists from touching Mt.Kailash because it's dangerous. If the policy is loose, we can add one day to touch Mt.Kailash. If you want to go to Shigatse, I suggest you go to Lhasa and then fly to Kathmandu after the tour.

Asked by Char***

Hello,

I would like to request more information about this trip. I'm an indian citizen. Can you please let me know how much it costs to visit Mt. Kailash (9 day trip). Also, I'm hearing some news lately that China is not giving Visas to Indian citizens. Is that true ?

Awaiting your response.

Emily
Answered by Emily

Dear Char****,

Yes, right now, we can't organize the Indian people's Kailash tour. If Tibet opens in the near future, we will send a newsletter to let you know.

Asked by Veen***

3 of us want to do Kailash trek from Kathmandu - possible?

Jennie
Answered by Jennie

Dear Veen***,

We can arrange the Kathmandu to Kailash Kathmandu Overland Tour for you. It usually takes 20 working days to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit. Please kindly note, that 1 October to 8 October is the National Holiday in China.

According to the policy of the authority, all international tourists entering Tibet by land from Nepal need to apply for a China group visa at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. It requires at least 4 travelers on the same itinerary together and all applicants from one list must come to the Visa Center for application. If some of them will not come then the application will not be accepted.

We can help you find a staff in Nepal to go together with you to the embassy to apply for the group visa. You can pay the service fee.

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What Our Customers Say

I am well thankyou. It turned out to be a great trip. I have two excellent guides and the driver. Especially as Lakdun (not sure how to spell her name) was there to help me at the airport when my flight got cancelled. You might also be interested to know that I run spiritual retreats and pilgrimages ....

Read more testimonials...
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