Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Overland via Kerung

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing

Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (1,460m) – Approx. 145 km / 7-8 Hours

Day 4: Drive to Kerung (2,700m) via Rasuwagadhi Border – Approx. 45 km / 2–3 Hours

Day 5: Rest & Acclimatization in Kerung (2,700m)

Day 6: Drive from Kerung to Saga (4,640m) – Approx. 165 km / 6–7 Hours

Day 7: Drive from Saga to Lake Mansarovar (4,590m) – Approx. 450 km / 7–8 Hours

Day 8: Lake Mansarovar Exploration and Drive to Darchen (4,575m) – Approx. 60 km / 2 Hours

Day 9: Drive to Yamadwar and Trek to Derapuk (4,920m) – First Day of Kailash Kora – 12 km / 6-7 Hours

Day 10: Trek from Derapuk to Zuthulpuk via Drolma La Pass (5,630m) – Second Day of Kailash Kora – Approx. 22 km / 9–10 Hours

Day 11: Finish Kailash Kora and Drive back to Saga – Third Day of Kailash Kora – Trek 8 km / Drive Approx. 460 km

Day 12: Drive from Saga to Kerung – Approx. 165 km / 6–7 Hours

Day 13: Drive from Kerung to Kathmandu – Approx. 165 km to border + 155 km to Kathmandu / Total 9–10 Hours

Day 14: Departure from Kathmandu – Transfer to Airport

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

Upon landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by our local representatives, who will assist you with the airport formalities and transfer you to your hotel in the heart of the city. The drive to the hotel takes around 20 to 30 minutes, offering a glimpse into the vibrant streets and cultural essence of Nepal.

After check-in, take time to unwind, freshen up, and acclimatize to the mild altitude. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to explore nearby markets or simply relax and enjoy a quiet evening. Dinner will be served at the hotel, and you’ll meet your fellow yatris, an opportunity to connect with those who will share this once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage.

Kathmandu Sightseeing

The day begins early with a wholesome breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a spiritual sightseeing tour across some of Kathmandu’s most revered temples. Your first visit is to Pashupatinath Temple, the most sacred Shiva shrine outside India, set on the banks of the Bagmati River. Here, you may witness morning aarti rituals, traditional cremations, and sadhus in deep meditation, all contributing to the temple’s profoundly spiritual atmosphere.

From there, you drive to Bouddhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world and an essential center of Tibetan Buddhism. Pilgrims walk clockwise, spinning prayer wheels and chanting mantras, a powerful visual and spiritual experience. Next, visit the Gujeshwari Temple, a Shakti Peeth believed to house the yoni of Goddess Sati, a significant stop for devotees following tantric traditions.

The final stop before lunch is Jal Narayan Temple (Budhanilkantha), home to a serene, sleeping statue of Lord Vishnu floating on a bed of serpents in a pond. This peaceful temple surrounded by lush greenery contrasts with the vibrancy of earlier stops and allows for quiet contemplation.

You’ll return to the hotel for lunch and some rest. In the evening, gather in the conference hall for a detailed tour briefing led by your tour leader and guides. This session will cover everything from the overland travel plan, packing checklist, altitude readiness, medical tips, and the spiritual significance of Kailash and Mansarovar. A Q&A session ensures all your doubts are cleared. You’ll go to bed well-informed and spiritually aligned, ready for the road journey ahead.

Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (1,460m) – Approx. 145 km / 7-8 Hours

After an early morning breakfast, you’ll check out of the hotel and begin your overland journey towards Mount Kailash. Today’s drive takes you northward through winding mountain roads, charming villages, and forested hills as you leave behind the chaos of Kathmandu. The journey, while long, is filled with picturesque scenes of terraced fields, distant Himalayan ridgelines, and rural life in Nepal.

We break for lunch en route at a highway restaurant, usually near the town of Trishuli or Betrawati, depending on the timing and road conditions. You’ll have a chance to stretch your legs and enjoy a simple yet nourishing Nepali-style meal.

As the road narrows and climbs through scenic gorges, the vehicle gradually descends into the Langtang region, where Syabrubesi, a small border village, awaits. Nestled near the confluence of the Bhote Koshi and Langtang Khola rivers, Syabrubesi serves as a quiet transit hub for border-crossing travelers. Upon arrival in the late afternoon or early evening, you’ll check in to a modest yet comfortable hotel.

Spend the evening at leisure you might stroll through the village, observe local Tamang culture, or simply rest in preparation for the border crossing and high-altitude travel beginning tomorrow.

Drive to Kerung (2,700m) via Rasuwagadhi Border – Approx. 45 km / 2–3 Hours

Your day starts early with a hot breakfast in Syabrubesi, followed by a short but significant drive to the Nepal-China border at Rasuwagadhi, just 15 km away. Here, you will complete the immigration and customs formalities on the Nepal side, cross the Friendship Bridge on foot, and be welcomed by your Tibetan guide and transport team on the other side of the border.

The transition is not just bureaucratic but symbolic — as you step into Tibet (China Autonomous Region), the spiritual gravity of the journey deepens. After clearing Chinese immigration and health checks, you board the Tibetan vehicle, usually a well-equipped tourist bus or Land Cruiser, depending on your group size.

From the border, it’s a 30-kilometre drive to Kerung (Kyirong) — a peaceful, windswept valley town surrounded by rugged cliffs and sparse alpine greenery. Upon arrival, you’ll check into a local guest house. Since you’re now at a higher altitude, the rest of the day is for rest and hydration. Our kitchen staff will serve warm, vegetarian meals and hot fluids to support your body’s acclimatization.

Spend the afternoon walking gently in the surrounding area or relaxing indoors. Mobile networks may work sporadically here, so it’s the perfect time to disconnect and begin turning inward.

Rest & Acclimatization in Kerung (2,700m)

Today is completely dedicated to acclimatization, a crucial process that prepares your body to adjust to the thinner air of the Tibetan Plateau. You’ll stay in Kerung for the full day, which lies at a relatively moderate elevation that aids in gradual adaptation before ascending to Saga and beyond.

After breakfast, you may join your guide for a light hike around the village. Kerung’s surroundings are serene and spectacular with views of rocky outcrops, prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, and yaks grazing in the distance. Walking slowly, breathing deeply, and staying hydrated are key parts of today’s schedule.

Back at the guest house, enjoy a freshly cooked lunch and rest. Our kitchen team ensures that meals are easy to digest and energizing typically consisting of rice, lentils, soups, boiled vegetables, and herbal teas. You’ll also be reminded to drink plenty of warm water and avoid heavy exertion.

The afternoon is kept light. You can spend time journaling, meditating, or simply sharing stories with fellow yatris. Our tour leader may also offer a short spiritual talk or breathing session to help calm the mind and center the body ahead of the higher climbs.

Drive from Kerung to Saga (4,640m) – Approx. 165 km / 6–7 Hours

After two nights of well-paced acclimatization, we move deeper into the majestic landscapes of Tibet. Today’s drive from Kerung to Saga covers about 165 kilometers, and it is both breathtaking and dramatic in its scenery. The road climbs higher, winding through arid valleys, past salt flats, and across the expansive Tibetan Plateau where snow-capped peaks begin to appear on the horizon.

We stop en route for lunch at a roadside Tibetan restaurant or a pre-packed lunch arranged by our kitchen team, depending on local availability and group comfort. These mid-journey breaks also offer a chance to enjoy the vast emptiness and silence that characterizes the Tibetan landscape.

As you approach Saga, the terrain shifts again the Brahmaputra River (known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet) may come into view, snaking its way through desolate hills and open plains. Saga is a small military town but also an essential logistics stop for all travelers heading toward Mansarovar and Kailash.

Upon arrival in the late afternoon, you’ll check into a basic yet comfortable hotel. Dinner will be served hot by our staff or the hotel kitchen, and you’ll receive guidance on how to cope with this new altitude now above 4,600 meters. It’s natural to feel shortness of breath, fatigue, or slight headaches. These are normal signs of altitude adaptation.

Hydration, rest, and light meals remain the top priority today, along with a full night of sleep.

Drive from Saga to Lake Mansarovar (4,590m) – Approx. 450 km / 7–8 Hours

Today marks one of the most spiritually significant legs of your journey the drive to Lake Mansarovar, the sacred freshwater lake nestled in the shadow of Mount Kailash. The day starts early with breakfast in Saga, and we begin a long but visually captivating drive across the expansive Tibetan plateau.

The route takes you through Paryang, a remote settlement where you’ll stop briefly for refreshment and to stretch your legs. The terrain becomes increasingly stark and surreal windswept plains, distant snow peaks, and herds of wild antelope grazing freely under the vast, cobalt-blue sky. It’s as if you’re driving through a dream.

As you approach Lake Mansarovar, the first glimpse of Mount Kailash may appear far in the distance a sacred and humbling moment for every pilgrim. Your arrival at the lake is often timed around mid to late afternoon. Here, you’ll pause on the banks of this holy body of water, believed by Hindus to be the source of creation, and by Buddhists, Jains, and Bonpo followers to be the axis mundi, or the center of the universe.

Depending on weather and timing, you may also take a short walk along the lake or perform ritual puja (prayer offering), meditation, or simply sit in silence as the serene waters reflect the sky and mountains. Some yatris may even take a ritual dip or sprinkle water on their heads a deeply symbolic act of purification.

You’ll stay in a guesthouse or fixed tent camp near Chiu Gompa, an ancient monastery perched atop a hill overlooking the lake. Dinner is served hot and nourishing, with the chill of high altitude now fully present. The night by Lake Mansarovar is cold and quiet, with a celestial sky stretching endlessly above.

Lake Mansarovar Exploration and Drive to Darchen (4,575m) – Approx. 60 km / 2 Hours

Today offers both spiritual engagement and gentle travel. You’ll begin the morning with a short exploration around Lake Mansarovar, especially around Chiu Gompa Monastery, where you can climb the hill for panoramic views of the lake, snow-capped Gurla Mandhata, and distant Kailash. This is also a moment to perform your personal puja, offer water, flowers, incense, or prayers connecting with your chosen deity or inner self.

After a simple breakfast, the group continues toward Darchen, the base town located just north of Lake Mansarovar and directly south of Mount Kailash. Though the drive is short, the spiritual weight of the journey deepens as Kailash appears closer its iconic pyramid shape rising starkly against the barren landscape.

Darchen, once a small nomadic settlement, is now a modest town with hotels, shops, and facilities catering to pilgrims. After checking into your hotel, you’ll rest and prepare for the three-day Kailash Parikrama (Kora) the most challenging and transformative phase of the yatra. Our staff will assist you with packing a small duffle bag for the trek while main luggage stays behind in the vehicle.

Those who need to hire a horse or porter for the kora will be assisted in the afternoon, with arrangements finalized locally. You’ll also meet your Tibetan trek guide and get last-minute instructions for tomorrow’s trek. Sleep early tonight the Kora begins at dawn.

Drive to Yamadwar and Trek to Derapuk (4,920m) – First Day of Kailash Kora – 12 km / 6-7 Hours

Today is the start of the Kailash Parikrama, a sacred 3-day circuit around the holy mountain, performed by devotees seeking liberation from karmic cycles. You’ll wake early, have a light but energizing breakfast, and drive approximately 7 km to Yamadwar “The Gateway of the God of Death.” This symbolic place marks the beginning of the Kora. It is believed that passing through Yamadwar frees you from the fear of death, allowing you to begin the spiritual cleansing of the Parikrama with a purified heart.

At Yamadwar, you’ll catch your first close-up view of Mount Kailash an awe-inspiring moment where many pilgrims bow, cry, or stand in silent reverence. After a short ceremony or prayer, the trek begins. Today’s trail is relatively moderate, following the Lha Chu Valley alongside the flowing river with views of waterfalls, cliffs, and majestic glaciers.

You’ll walk steadily for about 6 to 7 hours (depending on your pace), covering 12 km to reach Derapuk Monastery, located at the foot of the north face of Mount Kailash. This spot is considered the most spiritually potent location of the entire yatra the north face of Kailash appears impossibly close and imposingly divine. You may witness devout pilgrims prostrating every few steps or whispering mantras with tearful eyes.

Dinner is served in the trekking guesthouse, where you’ll share the day’s reflections with fellow travelers. The night will be cold and quiet, and though sleep may be light due to altitude, the spiritual weight of the experience blankets everything.

Trek from Derapuk to Zuthulpuk via Drolma La Pass (5,630m) – Second Day of Kailash Kora – Approx. 22 km / 9–10 Hours

Today is both the most challenging and spiritually rewarding day of the entire Kailash Parikrama. After a very early start and a light breakfast, you’ll begin your ascent towards Drolma La Pass, the highest point of the trek at 5,630 meters. This segment demands physical stamina, mental resilience, and most importantly, spiritual devotion.

As you leave Derapuk, the path begins with a steady incline. Yaks, porters, and fellow pilgrims share the trail, all moving in quiet determination. The trail becomes steeper and rockier, snaking past Shiva-sthal, a powerful spiritual site where pilgrims traditionally leave behind old clothes, hair strands, or items symbolic of their past karma with the belief that what is left here is burned in Yama’s fire and the soul moves forward purified.

From Shiva-sthal, the path turns rugged and windswept as you push through thinning air toward Drolma La, often adorned with prayer flags flapping wildly in the wind. At the top, you’ll pause briefly to take in the vastness a sea of colored flags, icy peaks, and an overwhelming sense of divine presence. This is the spiritual climax of the journey, where pilgrims pray for liberation and blessings.

The descent from Drolma La is steep and can be slippery, often covered with patches of snow even in summer. Just below the pass lies Gauri Kund (also known as Parvati Kund) a glacial turquoise lake believed to be where Goddess Parvati bathed. Though access to the lake is limited, a distant view is enough to stir deep reverence.

The remaining trail to Zuthulpuk is long but gentler, passing through vast stone valleys and grassy banks. You’ll walk alongside the river, eventually reaching the guesthouse near Zuthulpuk Monastery, known for the cave where Milarepa, the Tibetan yogi saint, meditated.

By the time you arrive, you’ll be physically exhausted but spiritually uplifted. Dinner will be hot and simple, served at the guesthouse by our support team, and you’ll sleep early body aching, and heart full.

Finish Kailash Kora and Drive back to Saga – Third Day of Kailash Kora – Trek 8 km / Drive Approx. 460 km

The final day of the Parikrama begins with a relaxed morning the toughest part is behind you. After breakfast, you’ll set off for the last leg of the kora, an 8-kilometer walk on a relatively flat and open trail along the river valley.

As you walk, Mount Kailash slowly disappears behind you, as if bidding farewell. You’ll reflect on the intensity and transformation of the last two days the pain, the silence, the prayer, and the raw contact with nature and divinity.

By mid-morning, you’ll reach the end point where your vehicles await. After regrouping and a quick break, you’ll board the bus or jeep for the long drive back to Saga. This drive takes around 7 to 8 hours, retracing your steps through Darchen and along the same desert-like plains and glacial river crossings. You’ll stop for lunch en route and stretch as needed.

Upon arriving in Saga in the evening, you’ll check into your hotel, welcomed again by familiar surroundings and warm food. It’s a time to share stories, reflect on your pilgrimage, and finally rest in a soft bed after three unforgettable days on the trail.

Drive from Saga to Kerung – Approx. 165 km / 6–7 Hours

After breakfast, the journey continues back toward the Nepal border. The drive to Kerung retraces the route you took days ago but now, with Mount Kailash behind you, the road feels different. The spiritual work is done, and most pilgrims feel a quiet sense of peace, accomplishment, and deep reflection.

You’ll travel through the same wide-open landscapes, with snow-capped peaks in the distance and dry river beds shimmering under the high-altitude sun. Stops are made for tea, snacks, and bathroom breaks. Our team ensures you stay hydrated and comfortable as the altitude begins to decrease.

Upon arrival in Kerung, you’ll check into a local guesthouse. The afternoon is free for rest or a short stroll around the quiet town. With better oxygen levels and milder temperatures, most pilgrims begin to feel physically better by this stage.

It’s also a time to prepare for the final border crossing tomorrow. Our team will guide you through any remaining formalities and ensure your bags are in order.

Drive from Kerung to Kathmandu – Approx. 165 km to border + 155 km to Kathmandu / Total 9–10 Hours

Your final full day on this sacred journey begins early, as you prepare to cross back into Nepal. After breakfast in Kerung, you’ll drive toward the Rasuwagadhi border, navigating the winding mountain roads that descend gradually from the arid Tibetan plateau to the green hills of the Himalayan foothills.

As you approach the Tibet-Nepal border, our Tibetan team will assist you with Chinese immigration formalities. You’ll then walk a short distance across the Friendship Bridge, where our Nepali team will receive you on the other side and guide you through the immigration process in Rasuwagadhi.

After clearing the border, you’ll board your Nepali vehicle and continue the drive through Syabrubesi, passing small hamlets, terraced fields, and cascading waterfalls a lush contrast to the dry and windswept Tibetan terrain. Along the way, you’ll stop for lunch in a local roadside restaurant, enjoying familiar Nepali flavors and fresh produce.

The drive back to Kathmandu, though long and winding, offers beautiful scenery deep gorges, hanging bridges, river valleys, and forests echoing with birdsong. By late evening, you’ll arrive in Kathmandu, where a comfortable hotel and a warm welcome await you.

There’s a sense of both relief and nostalgia as you check-in. You’ll likely feel lighter physically, mentally, and spiritually carrying with you memories that will linger long after you’ve unpacked your bags. A celebratory dinner may be arranged, or you might simply choose to rest and reflect.

Departure from Kathmandu – Transfer to Airport

Your final day in Nepal begins with a peaceful morning and a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Depending on your flight time, you may have some free time for last-minute shopping be it prayer flags, Tibetan singing bowls, or rudraksha malas, or to simply walk through Kathmandu’s old quarters one last time.

Our representative will assist you with check-out and transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport, ensuring a smooth departure process. As you drive through the city’s busy streets, the experience of the past two weeks may replay in your mind the surreal landscape of Tibet, the solemn serenity of Lake Mansarovar, the raw energy of the Kailash Kora, and the connections you made with people from all walks of life.

This journey, while measured in days and kilometers, touches something timeless within. You return home not only with photographs and souvenirs but with a deeper sense of self, purpose, and inner clarity.