Nepal15 days
Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar: Lhasa to the Pilgrimage Circuit — 15 Days
Tibet's sacred sites from Lhasa through Shigatse to a three-day circumambulation of Mount Kailash at 5,613 meters
This 15-day journey crosses central Tibet's monastic heartland before reaching Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in the Ngari region. The route begins in Kathmandu with a survey of the Kathmandu Valley's UNESCO sites, then flies to Lhasa for a three-day acclimatization and guided circuit of the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Norbulingka Palace, and Sera and Drepung monasteries. From Lhasa, the itinerary drives south through Shigatse and Gyantse — stopping at Tashilhunpo Monastery and Lake Yamdok — before heading west across the Tibetan plateau toward the Kailash region. The final section comprises three days on foot around Mount Kailash, including a crossing of Dolma La pass, with an option to use horses for portions of the trek. All driving routes use paved roads until reaching the base camp at Darchen; the circumambulation itself is undertaken on foot or horseback.
Best time to go: Apr-Oct
Highlights
- Potala Palace in Lhasa, the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas
- Jokhang Temple, the most sacred temple in Tibet, and the Barkhor circuit circumambulation around it
- Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, seat of the Panchen Lama, built in 1447
- Lake Yamdok en route from Gyantse to Shigatse
- Crossing Dolma La pass at 5,613 meters during the Mount Kailash circumambulation
- Three-day circumambulation of Mount Kailash (with horse option available)
- Lake Mansarovar circumambulation and ritual bathing at the sacred lake
- Sera and Drepung monasteries near Lhasa
- Crossing high-altitude passes over 5,000 meters on the drive to Kailash
Day by day
1Arrival in KathmanduTribhuvan International Airport · the hotel
Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu at 1,300 meters. A representative meets and transfers to the hotel for check-in and overnight stay.
2Kathmandu Valley Heritage Sites and Trip PreparationPashupatinath Temple · Swoyambhunath Stupa · Jal Narayan Temple
After breakfast, a half-day sightseeing tour covers major heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley: Pashupatinath Temple, Swoyambhunath Stupa, and Jal Narayan Temple. The afternoon provides free time for shopping and final packing before departing for Tibet. Overnight at hotel.
3Flight to Lhasa and High-Altitude AcclimatizationKathmandu airport · Lhasa airport · hotel in Lhasa
Morning transfer to Kathmandu airport for the flight to Lhasa. Upon arrival at Lhasa airport, a representative meets and transfers to the hotel. The remainder of the day is reserved for rest and acclimatization to the high altitude. Drinking water and obtaining sufficient sleep are recommended to ease adjustment to the elevation. Overnight at hotel in Lhasa.
4Lhasa Monastic Circuit: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and NorbulingkaPotala Palace · Jokhang Temple · Norbulingka Palace · Drepung Monastery
Full-day guided sightseeing in Lhasa includes Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas; Jokhang Temple, Tibet's most sacred Buddhist temple; Norbulingka Palace, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas; and Drepung Monastery. Overnight at hotel in Lhasa.
5Drive from Lhasa to Shigatse and Tashilhunpo MonasteryLhasa to Shigatse · Shigatse · Tashilhunpo Monastery
An early-morning drive heads south from Lhasa toward Shigatse (3,900 meters), the capital of the Tsang region and seat of the Panchen Lama. Upon arrival, a guided excursion visits Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in 1447, to see the Maitreya Temple and other monastic halls. Overnight at hotel in Shigatse.
6Shigatse to Saga: High-Altitude Plateau CrossingSaga · Tibetan plateau · Brahmaputra River
The drive covers 250 kilometers west across the Tibetan plateau toward Saga (4,450 meters), crossing two passes above 5,000 meters. The terrain is predominantly sandy and rocky, with views of nomadic encampments, yak and sheep herds, and alpine lakes. Late in the afternoon, the route crosses the Brahmaputra River before arriving in Saga, a mixed Chinese and Tibetan town, for overnight stay.
7Drive to Lake Mansarovar via ParyangLake Mansarovar via Paryang · Hore
A full day's drive of 277 kilometers (approximately 8 hours) heads northwest via Paryang (4,558 meters) toward Lake Mansarovar. By late afternoon, Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar come into view. Overnight stay in Hore, a small village on the lakeshore.
8Lake Mansarovar Ritual Bath and Drive to Darchen Base CampLake Mansarovar · Lake Mansarovar to Tarchen (Darchen) · Tarchen (Darchen) guest house
Morning activities at Lake Mansarovar include ritual bathing and puja (prayer ceremony). The drive then continues to Tarchen (Darchen), the base camp for Mount Kailash's circumambulation. Overnight at guest house.
9Mount Kailash Circumambulation: Darchen to DerapukDarchen to Derapuk · Derapuk · Valley of the Gods
The first day of the circumambulation begins with a 15-kilometer trek along rocky terrain with views of waterfalls and Mount Kailash appearing repeatedly. The trail leads through the Valley of the Gods to Derapuk (Drupuk) guest house at 4,909 meters. The trek typically takes approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guest house.
10Mount Kailash Circumambulation: Derapuk to Zuthal Puk via Dolma LaZuthal Puk · Dolma La pass · Yamasthal shrine · Parvati-sthal and Gauri Kunda shrine · guest house
The most challenging day of the pilgrimage crosses Dolma La pass at 5,613 meters (18,600 feet), the highest point on the circuit. The ascent includes Yamasthal shrine before the pass and Parvati-sthal and Gauri Kunda shrine on the descent. Upon crossing the pass, pilgrims traditionally leave an offering and meditate. The descent leads to Zuthal Puk (Zuthul Puk), known as the Cave of Miracles, where the 11th-century Buddhist ascetic Milarepa is said to have performed spiritual feats. Overnight at guest house.
11Final Circumambulation Segment and Return to Sagaguest house in Saga · Mount Kailash · Mount Kailash to Saga
A 3-hour morning trek completes the circumambulation. Support vehicles meet the trekking group at the end of the circuit, and the drive back to Saga begins, arriving by late afternoon. Overnight at guest house in Saga.
12Drive from Saga to ShigatseSaga to Shigatse · Shigatse
An easier driving day heads back east toward Shigatse, Tibet's second-largest city. Late afternoon allows for a walking tour of the town. Overnight at hotel.
13Drive from Shigatse to LhasaShigatse to Lhasa · hotel
The drive continues east to Lhasa. Transfer to hotel and preparation for the return flight to Kathmandu the following morning. Overnight at hotel.
14Flight from Lhasa to KathmanduKathmandu · Gonggar Airport · hotel
Early morning drive to Gonggar Airport (90 kilometers from Lhasa, approximately 2 hours). Flight to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay allows for rest before final departure.
15Final Departure from KathmanduTribhuvan International Airport
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for final departure to home, or continuation to another program within Nepal.
Where you go
- 1Tribhuvan International Airport
- 2Pashupatinath Temple
- 3Kathmandu
- 4Tribhuvan International Airport
Included
- Included
- All arrival & departure arrangement
- Twin Sharing accommodation at Star category Hotel in Kathmandu
- Twin sharing accomodation in Lhasa, Shigaste, Lhatse
- Veg foods (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) in entire trip
- Group Sharing Guest House in Kailash Region from Saga
- One half-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley
- Flight Ticket of Kathmandu - Lhasa - Kathmadnu
- All Entrance fees
- Transportation in Kathmandu by private vehicle
- All transportations by Van / Bus in Tibet/ Kailash
- Applicable entrance fees to visit Monasteries
- Normal Tibet Entry Visa fee
- Special Kailash Parikrama Permit
- One down Jacket to each pilgrim on returnable basis plus Certificate on successful completion of Holy Yatra which retains nostalgic memories even years after undertaking this once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage tour.
- Oxygen cylinder
- Emergency Rescue Management
- Yak to Carry your goods during Kailash Parikrama
Not included
- Excluded
- Emergency evacuations/Rescue expenses, if required.
- Expenses of personal nature
- personal horse and Helper during Kailash round/ parikrama
- Travel & Medical Insurance Permissions and other official formalities