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Yatra Overview
Holy Mt. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa in and Lhasa out – 13 days
We at the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra team have designed this Holy Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa to accommodate the needs and interests of the diverse group of participants like spiritual seekers, tourists, adventurers, and anyone interested in culture who want to have a meaningful and varied experience in a revered and inaccessible Himalayan region.
This Holy Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa, China entails a journey through the Tibetan Plateau to a majestic holy mountain, Mount Kailash, and a holy lake called Mansarovar or Brahma’s Lake. Lake Mansarovar is also for the name “Color Shifting Lake”. There are two other lakes near Mount Kailash; Lake Rakshastal situated to the west of Lake Mansarovar, and to the north Lake Gauri Kund.
As per Hindu, Kailash Parvat is the home to the Lord Shiva which is standing at 6,714 meters (22,028 feet) above sea level also known as Surmeru parvat. It is also believed that Mount Kailash is the earthly manifestation of the Mt. Meru, which is believed to be the pillar of the universe. Buddhists believe that Mount Kailash is the home of Avalokiteshvara, known as the Buddha of Compassion. Whereas, Bon believed that their saint Shanrab had been fall from Heaven on this holy site. Adinath, the Jains’ first teacher, is said to have obtained Nirvana (liberation) here, according to the Jains.
Also, the four main rivers of Indian subcontinent, the Ganges, Indus, Sutlej, and Brahmaputra flows from the only source, Mt. Kailash. Being one of the most popular pilgrimage sites for different religions and believers, this Kailash Parvat is itself a mystery mountain of the earth. One who completes the yatra of this holy Kailash Parvat and Mansarovar Lake will reach Nirvana and have all of their sins forgiven. Anyone who travels here and participates in the pilgrimage will sense the incredible strength and tranquility that this area possesses. Anyone who travels here is thought to achieve enlightenment.
The Mount Kailash Yatra, an overland yatra departs from Lhasa. The scenic drive with the view of huge open Tibetan colorful landscape to ancient palace of Lhasa, Sighatse, Saga and travel overland to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.
Yatra Highlights
- Visit Lhasa , China and overland tour through beautiful landscape to Kailash
- Explore the Sacred Manasarovar Lake, Rakash Taal (Demon Lake), and Parvati Kund.
- Pass across Drolma La Pass, a renowned high mountain Himalayan Pass, at a height of 5620 meters.
- Observe the breathtakingly magnificent and arid plateaus of Tibet.
- Discover the vibrant and enigmatic Kailash regions and Tibet’s culture & way of life.
Yatra Notes
From the USA, UK, or Australia you travel to Beijing, or if it is better in Shanghai / Chengdu also ok. You must stay one night there as we need to deliver your Tibet travel permit at your hotel in Beijing / Shanghai or Chengdu and then next day fly to Lhasa.
If you need help we can book a hotel and tour there for you.
You have to arrange a China Visa at your home town before you fly to China and you need to send the Visa copy for us to apply and proceed for a Tibet military travel permit.
You may arrange your own flight to Beijing / Shanghai / Chengdu and from there to Lhasa, or we can also help to buy tickets for you.
Yatra Itinerary
Expand AllArrival in Lhasa
Our representative will meet you at Gonggar Airport and greet you. From there in a 30-minute drive, we will reach Lhasa. Then, you will be transferred to the hotel.
Overnight at Lhasa.
Sightseeing in Lhasa
We will have a decent and warm breakfast and start our day by visiting the most incredible place, Potala Palace. Potala Palace is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and known as the Winter Palace of Dalai Lama. This Palace was built in 637 AD and has more than 1000 rooms and tens of thousands of shrines.
After visiting this incredible masterpiece, we will have lunch. After lunch, we will visit the holy Tibetan place, Jokhang Temple. And, we also visit some of the other monasteries like Sera and Derphung.
Then, we will stroll around the old Barkhor Street. These streets have different kinds of attractions, and one can collect a lot of experience here.
Overnight at Lhasa.
Drive to Gyantse
After having breakfast in Lhasa, we get ready to drive to Gyantse. Before the drive starts, we stroll around the market and pack things for the journey.
The 5-6 hours’ drive will take us to Gyantse. Back in the 15th Century, there used to be a small kingdom, and Gyantse was its capital. After gathering some information and exploring this city, we will visit the monument from the 14th Century, Kumbum Chorten.
Overnight at Gyantse.
Drive to Shigatse
We will have a decent breakfast and start the day with a visit to Kumbum Stupa. This stupa reveals the amusing Nepali architecture. It features 108 entrances and 77 chapels spread across four stories. Then, we will visit the Phalkor Monastery from 1418 AD.
In Tibet, Phalkor Monastery is very significant. Only this monastery brings together the Gelupa, Sakyapa, and Buton schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
After these visits, we will have lunch and drive to Shigatse. It will take about 2 hours to get there. Once we reach there, we will visit the Tashilhunpo monastery.
Overnight at Shigatse.
Drive to Saga
We will have our breakfast and then drive to Saga. On the way, we will be occupied by the view of the small settlements around the mountains. We also cross the famous Brahmaputra River.
Once we reach Saga, a lovely town with several reasonable hotels or guesthouses will be the perfect place to stop by. This Saga town offers a decent welcome with good local foods and also, the little market is worth strolling. We will check in at the hotel, freshen up, have lunch, and take a rest for the day.
Overnight at Saga.
Drive Saga – Holy Mansarovar Lake
After having breakfast in Saga, we drive to Mansarovar Lake. It will take about 6-7 hours to get there.
Before reaching Mansarovar, we will stop by the famous spot Horchu from where we get the first glimpse of Mount Kailash. We will spend some time clicking photographs, capturing landscapes, and then head towards Mansarovar.
We will reach Chui Gompa, check in at the guest house, freshen up, and take a rest.
The best part of Mansarovar Lake is its night view. You can visit the lake during the nighttime. The lake is really beautiful during the night and if it is time for the full moon then you will witness the breathtaking beauty of the lake.
Overnight at Mansarovar.
Drive to Darchen
Early morning you will take a holy bath on the shore of a lake. You cannot directly bathe in the lake. After that, we will perform a puja on the bank of the lake. Then, we will perform a Parikrama on the holy Mansarovar Lake by vehicle.
After completion, we will have breakfast and then drive to Darchen. Darchen, a base camp of Mount Kailash and a starting point for 2 & a half-day “Parikrama” or “Kora” (circumambulation of Mount Kailash). The distance you will cover during Parikrama is 53 km.
You can stroll around and explore the town, culture, and people. The remaining time is for you to have a proper rest as we will be starting a 6-7 hrs. trek from tomorrow.
Overnight at Darchen.
Drive to Tarboche & Trek to Diraphuk - 1st Day of Khora
Early in the morning, we will drive around 10km and reach the Tarboche. We then meet our porters and prepare ourselves for the Kora in the Yam Dwar.
From Yam Dwar, we will walk for around 6 hours to reach Diraphuk. During this yatra, we get a close view of Mount Kailash. From here, we can view the north face of Mount Kailash.
Diraphuk is a well-known place for organizing events during festivals. They organize a grand event during the Saga Dawa Festival. If we are lucky and reach during the festival time, then we get to explore more about the culture and traditions of the local communities.
Overnight at Diraphuk.
Trek to Zuthulphuk via Drolma La Pass - 2nd Day of Kora
We will wake you early in the morning to witness the Golden Kailash during the time of sunrise. As the first sunlight kisses the summit of Mount Kailash, it turns golden, and that view is awesome.
Then, you will have a decent breakfast and the second day of Kora starts. We will walk around 6-7 hrs. to reach the Zuthulphuk. This yatra of today is the most difficult and we will be walking around 22km.
During the yatra, we will ascend towards the Drolma La pass, the highest point (5680m) of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Before reaching the Drolma La Pass, there is a site where Milarepa and Shiva Tsal’s footprints can be seen. Once we reach the Pass, we will stay for a while. You will be seeing the pass decorated with prayer flags. From this point, our yatra will be descending.
On the way, we will reach Gauri Kund or Parvati Taal. We will spend some time here as this lake is quiet and peaceful. Then we will continue our journey to Zuthulphuk. Once we reach there, we will visit the monastery there.
Overnight at Zuthulphuk.
Travel to Darchen - Last day of Kora and drive to Dongba
Today is the last day of Kora or Kailash Parikrama. Early morning, we will have our breakfast and then start walking. After walking for around 10 km, we reached the Hor Qu Village. From here we will take a vehicle to reach Darchen. From Darchen, we will drive back to Saga.
Overnight at Saga .
Drive Saga – Shigatse
We will have breakfast and head back to Shigatse. It will take about 7-8 hours to reach Shigatse.
In the evening you can stroll around the city.
Overnight at Shigatse.
Drive Shigatse – Lhasa
After having breakfast, we will drive back to Lhasa. In about 5 – 6 hours, we will reach Lhasa. In the remaining time, we can stroll around the market of Lhasa and buy some gifts to take back to home.
Overnight at Lhasa.
Departure from Lhasa
You will be transferred to the airport three hours before your planned flight departs for your home country or the next location.
Itinerary Notes
For this Kailash Yatra via Lhasa, we’ve created a 13-day schedule taking into account the distance of the Yatra trails and the required acclimatization days in between. Nevertheless, if you just have a few days available or want to cut the yatra a little short, we may adjust it by slashing the suggested 1-2 days, based on the current state of the weather, the time of year, and other factors.
Yatra Cost Includes:
- All airport transfers on a private vehicle
- All private/public vehicle fares during the yatra.
- All permits and heritage entry fees as specified in the itinerary
- English-speaking professional guide
- Tibetan Travel Bureau (TTB) approved guide in Tibet
- All meals during the yatra (as per itinerary)
- All applicable government taxes
Yatra Cost Excludes:
- China Visa Fee & International flight
- Travel Insurance & Emergency Evacuation
- Tips & gratitude to guides and porters
- Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, liquor, etc.)
- Any costs that occurred under unavoidable circumstances (flight delay or cancellation, road blockade, illness, etc.)
- Anything not mentioned in the Yatra Cost Includes section