Nepal14 days
Mount Kailash & Lake Mansarovar: Lhasa to Ngari — 14 Days
Fly into Lhasa, trek the Kailash Kora, return overland through Tibet — 14 days including high-altitude acclimatization and three days of pilgrimage walking.
This journey pairs three days of acclimatization and sightseeing in Lhasa with a drive across central Tibet to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Ngari, Tibet's far-western region. The route opens with cultural stops in Lhasa, Gyantse, and Shigatse — visiting Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, and Tashilhunpo Monastery — before turning westward toward the sacred site. The centerpiece is a three-day circumambulation (kora) of Mount Kailash on foot, beginning from Darchen base camp and crossing the 18,600-foot Dolma La pass. Most travel occurs on paved roads; only the kora sections require sustained high-altitude walking. The return to Kathmandu follows the same drive corridor in reverse, crossing back through Paryang and the border at Kyirong.
Highlights
- Potala Palace in Lhasa — the former winter seat of the Dalai Lamas, set on a ridge above the city center
- Jokhang Temple in Lhasa — considered the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism, with active pilgrimage circuits
- Sera Monastery outside Lhasa — a 15th-century institution where monks gather for philosophical debate
- Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse — founded in 1447 and home to the seat of the Panchen Lama
- Lake Yamdok en route from Gyantse to Shigatse — a high-altitude freshwater lake sacred in Tibetan Buddhism
- Lake Mansarovar — held as the lake of compassion in Tibetan tradition
- Mount Kailash Kora (three-day circumambulation) — a pilgrimage walk around the mountain, including crossing of Dolma La pass
Day by day
1Arrival in KathmanduPashupatinath
Airport arrival and transfer to hotel. Evening visit to Pashupatinath, one of Hinduism's principal pilgrimage sites, located on the Bagmati River. Overnight in Kathmandu.
2Kathmandu SightseeingPashupatinath · Gujeswori Temple · Jal Narayan · Bouddhanath Stupa · Swayambhunath Stupa
Morning visits to Pashupatinath, Gujeswori Temple, and Jal Narayan. Afternoon and evening to Bouddhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa. Evening briefing on the Tibet portion of the journey and final trip preparations. Overnight in Kathmandu.
3Flight to Lhasa and AcclimatizationLhasa · Kathmandu to Lhasa · Lhasa airport
Morning flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa, with mountain views during departure and approach. Airport transfer and hotel check-in. The remainder of the day is unstructured to begin acclimatizing to Lhasa's altitude. Hydration and rest are emphasized for the multi-day trek ahead. Overnight in Lhasa.
4Lhasa: Jokhang Temple and Sera MonasteryJokhang Temple · Sera Monastery · Barkhor Street and Barkhor Market
Guided tour of central Lhasa. Morning walk through Barkhor Street and Barkhor Market, the traditional Tibetan pilgrimage circuit and market district around Jokhang Temple. Visit to Jokhang Temple itself. Afternoon excursion to Sera Monastery, built in the 15th century on the outskirts of Lhasa, with optional observation of monastic debate sessions. Overnight in Lhasa.
5Lhasa to Gyantse and ShigatseLhasa to Gyantse and Shigatse · Lake Yamdok · Tashilhunpo Monastery
Full-day drive southwestward from Lhasa toward Shigatse, capital of Tsang province and seat of the Panchen Lama. En route, stop at Lake Yamdok, a sacred high-altitude freshwater body. On arrival in Shigatse, visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in 1447. Tour includes the temple of Maitreya Buddha and other monastery structures. Overnight in Shigatse.
6Shigatse to SagaShigatse to Saga · Saga
Early morning departure from Shigatse. Seven-hour drive westward from Tingri through increasingly remote terrain to Saga, a small settlement serving as a waypoint on the route to Kailash. Meals and accommodation organized at a 4-star hotel. Overnight in Saga.
7Saga to Lake MansarovarMount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar · Hore · Saga to Paryang
Continued drive westward from Saga through Paryang toward the Kailash region. Late afternoon approach to the Ngari plateau, with the first sighting of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar visible across the landscape. Overnight in Hore, a small village near Lake Mansarovar's shore.
8Lake Mansarovar and Transfer to DarchenLake Mansarovar · Darchen · Lake Mansarovar to Darchen
Morning bath in Lake Mansarovar, held in Tibetan tradition as the lake of compassion and tranquility. Afternoon drive to Darchen, the base settlement for the Kailash circumambulation, arriving by late afternoon. Overnight in Darchen.
9Kailash Kora: Darchen to DerapukDarchen to Derapuk · Derapuk
First day of the three-day circumambulation of Mount Kailash. The 15-kilometer walk follows rocky cliff terrain with views of the mountain throughout and occasional waterfalls. Walking, ascending to Derapuk, a settlement on the route. Overnight at Derapuk.
10Kailash Kora: Derapuk to Zuthulpuk via Dolma LaDolma La pass · Yamasthal · Shiva-sthal · Parvati-sthal · Gauri Kunda · Zuthulpuk cave
The highest and most demanding day of the pilgrimage. The route crosses Dolma La pass at 18,600 feet, connecting two valleys. Walkers pass through Yamasthal and Shiva-sthal on approach to the pass, then descend through Parvati-sthal and Gauri Kunda on the far side. By late afternoon, arrival at Zuthulpuk cave, traditionally associated with the Tibetan ascetic Milarepa. Overnight at Zuthulpuk.
11Kailash Kora: Zuthulpuk to Darchen and Return to SagaZuthulpuk to Darchen · Darchen · Saga · Darchen to Saga
Final three-hour walking section completes the circumambulation, descending from Zuthulpuk toward Darchen where vehicles await. Afternoon drive returns southeastward to Saga. Overnight in Saga.
12Saga to KyirongSaga to Kyirong · Kyirong
Morning departure from Saga. 210-kilometer drive eastward through Paryang, crossing the Brahmaputra River en route. The road then turns toward Kyirong (Kerung), descending from the plateau toward the Nepal-Tibet border. Overnight in Kyirong.
13Kyirong to KathmanduKathmandu · Kyirong-Kathmandu border · Himalayan foothills
Morning crossing of the Kyirong-Kathmandu border. Six-hour drive southward through the Himalayan foothills to Kathmandu. Arrival in late afternoon. Evening free for independent activity. Overnight in Kathmandu.
14Kathmandu DepartureTribhuwan International Airport
We arrange your transfer to Tribhuwan International Airport for your onward journey home.
Where you go
- 1Pashupatinath
- 2Gujeswori Temple
- 3Jal Narayan
- 4Bouddhanath Stupa
- 5Swayambhunath Stupa
- 6Kathmandu
Included
- Included
- All ground transportation by private vehicle
- Airport Pick up and drop off by private vehicle
- Breakfast included in Nepal side
- Accommodation
- Visas & Permit
- All necessary entrance fees in Nepal and Tibet
- Applicable entrance fees to visit Monasteries
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu
- Guide, Staffs & supporters
- Nepali Crew members in Kailash Region
- Equipment
- Enough oxygen cylinder
- Clothing
- Monkey hat
- Duffel bag
Not included
- Excluded
- Expenses of personal nature
- Travel & Medical Insurance Permissions and other official formalities