Which is the traditional route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra? 

There are several routes to travel to Kailash from Nepal, Kathmandu, and via Beijing / Lhasa, China.
From Nepal, the Arniko Highway via Kodari–Tatopani to Zhangmu (Khasa) and Nyalam is the traditional overland route from Kathmandu to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. The same highway also goes to Lhasa.

For decades before the 2015 Nepal earthquake, this Friendship Highway corridor via Kodari–Tatopani–Zhangmu was the primary and most famous overland route for pilgrims to Kailash and traders between China and Nepal.

After the 2015 earthquake damaged the Kodari  Zhangmu area ( some have already been renovated), the traffic largely shifted to the Rasuwagadhi–Kerung (Gyirong) border. However, due to flash flood damage on alternative western/northern paths (such as the highway and Kerung bridge disruption in Aug. 2026), the traditional Tatopani-Kodari route to Kailash has seen re opened to use as an active backup or primary overland gateway to Kailash Manasarovar. All Earthbound Expeditions Kailash Manasarovar yatra for 2027 are planned to operate from the Kodari Zhangmu route since Kyirong route interruptions.

 The Traditional Route to Kailash operates from Kathmandu (traveling east via the Arniko Highway to the border), Border Crossing at Kodari  / Tatopani  (Nepal side) and crossing the Friendship Bridge to Zhangmu (Tibet side, elevation 2,300m). The next stop is Nyalam (3,750m), an ascent used historically for early acclimatization on the Tibetan plateau, and continue onward to Saga, Paryang, and Lake Mansarovar toward Darchen (the base camp for Mount Kailash) .

Other historical routes to Kailash Mansarovar are via Nepalgunj, Simikot Hilsa route to Taklakot  ( we can use a plane, helicopter or walk). We can also run a Kailash trip via the Simikot Hilsa route.

 The Indian route via Lipulekh Pass (Traditional Indian Government Route) is also possible but not so practical and we don’t operate a Kailash tour via that route.

Other available Kailash Mansarovar tour routes are Kailash tour via Beijing or Kailash tour via Lhasa. Please WhatsApp or email us for more options on Kailash tour routes for 2027. Earthbound Expeditions specializes in Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for NRI guests, especially from USA, the UK, and Australia.