Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Canada

• Distance: 12,500 km by air (international flight)
• Travel Time: 20+ hours, including connecting flights.

Your journey begins with an international flight from Canada to Kathmandu, Nepal. After a long flight, you arrive at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, where our team will greet you.

We’ll transfer you to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day is free to rest and recover from jet lag.

Take it easy and enjoy the comforts of your hotel or stroll around the neighborhood to get a first taste of Nepal.

Welcome to the Himalayas! Tomorrow, your spiritual adventure truly starts with explorations in Kathmandu.

• Distance: Approx. 20 km of city driving (Kathmandu sights).
• Elevation: Kathmandu remains at 1,400m.

After breakfast, you will submit your passport and required documents to our staff for the Chinese group visa processing. With the paperwork underway, the focus shifts to spiritual preparation.

You’ll visit Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Stroll through the temple complex along the holy Bagmati River, witness the rituals and prayer ceremonies, and if timing allows, observe the vibrant evening Aarti (prayer ritual).

Breathing in the incense and chanting, you’ll feel a deep sense of peace and purpose. After this soul-stirring darshan (visit), return to your hotel.

Spend the evening at leisure, knowing that your journey’s bureaucratic necessities are being handled while you immerse yourself in Nepal’s spiritual ambiance.

• Distance: Approx. 60 km round-trip drive (Kathmandu Valley tour).
• Elevation: Around 1,400–1,500m during visits (valley floor).

Today, we are dedicated to visiting two critical religious sites around Kathmandu. First, travel to Doleshwor Mahadev Temple in Bhaktapur.

This sacred shrine is believed to be the head portion of the Kedarnath Temple (one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva).

You can offer prayers here, further aligning with Lord Shiva’s blessings before heading towards Kailash.

Next, drive north of the valley to visit Budhanilkantha, an open-air temple famous for its colossal statue of Lord Vishnu reclining on a bed of serpents in the middle of a pond.

Standing before the serene 5-meter-long Sleeping Vishnu statue, you can appreciate the rich tapestry of Hindu mythology and how it interweaves with your forthcoming journey.

By afternoon, return to Kathmandu. Use the remainder of the day to pack any last-minute items, check your gear, and do a final shopping for essentials.

• Distance: Minimal travel within the city for any last-minute errands.
• Elevation: 1,400m (Kathmandu).

With your Chinese Tibet Travel Permit and group visa likely approved by today, the morning is spent on final preparations.

Attend a detailed briefing conducted by your tour leader/guide. In this session, you’ll review the entire route, safety guidelines, and what to expect during the high-altitude trek.

This is a great time to ask questions and ensure you’re mentally and physically ready.

After the briefing, our team assists you in checking your equipment: warm clothing, comfortable trekking shoes, medications, and any pilgrimage items you want to take along.

If you need to rent or purchase any gear, we’ll help you find it in Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free for you to relax.

In the evening, enjoy a wholesome dinner and an early night’s rest — tomorrow, the overland journey begins!

• Distance: 152 km by road – Driving Time: 7 hours.
• Elevation: Kathmandu (1,400m) to Rasuwagadhi ( 2,500m)
• Elevation gain: +1,100m.

After an early breakfast, you depart Kathmandu in a private jeep (or comfortable private vehicle), heading north towards the Nepal–Tibet border.

The road winds through scenic, terraced countryside and lush green hills. You’ll pass small towns like Trishuli Bazaar and Dhunche, and as you climb higher, enjoy glimpses of the Langtang mountain range on clear days.

The drive, though long, is an adventure in itself, filled with waterfalls, deep river gorges, and occasional rough patches of mountain road.

By late afternoon, you reach Rasuwagadhi, the Nepalese border post beside the Bhote Koshi river.

The elevation here is around 2,500m, and you can feel the air getting cooler and thinner.

You’ll stay at a simple lodge/guesthouse near the border tonight. Get a good night’s rest – tomorrow you’ll cross into Tibet (China) for the next leg of your pilgrimage.

• Distance: 24 km by road – Driving Time: 1 hour (plus border formalities).
• Elevation: Rasuwagadhi (2,500m) to Kerung/Gyirong (2,700m)
• Elevation gain: +200m.

Today, you officially enter Tibet! In the morning, you’ll go through Nepalese and Chinese immigration at Rasuwagadhi.

Our team will assist in making the border crossing smooth, but do expect some waiting during customs and paperwork.

Once on the Tibet side, you meet your Tibetan guide and driver. The journey resumes by private jeep into China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.

A short drive of about 24 km takes you to Kerung (Gyirong Town) at 2,700m elevation.

The road ascends through a gorge to the high plateau, and you’ll notice the landscape changing – evergreen forests give way to more arid, rocky terrain.

Upon reaching Kerung, settle into your guesthouse and make it easy to acclimate to the higher altitude. If you feel up to it, you can briefly walk around the town to stretch your legs.

Kerung is a small border town, but you might catch distant views of Tibetan peaks and get your first taste of Tibetan culture here. Rest well, as longer drives into the plateau await.

• Distance: 170 km by road – Driving Time: 5–6 hours.
• Elevation: Kerung (2,700m) to Saga (4,640m)
• Elevation gain: +1,940m.

Leaving Kerung after breakfast, you continue the overland journey deeper into Tibet. The drive to Saga is stunning and dramatic.

The road climbs onto the vast Tibetan Plateau, often exceeding 4,000m. En route, you cross high mountain passes (like the Lalung La at around 5,050m) that offer panoramic views of Shishapangma (8,013m), one of Tibet’s celebrated Himalayan peaks, and the bright blue Pelku Tso lake shimmering in the distance.

As you travel, you might spot nomadic herders with their yaks grazing on the sparse alpine grasslands. By late afternoon, you arrive in Saga, a town on the Brahmaputra River’s banks (Yarlung Tsangpo).

At an elevation of 4,640m, Saga is an essential stop for acclimatization. Check into a guesthouse or hotel and spend the evening resting.

Your body will likely feel the altitude here, so it’s crucial to stay hydrated, keep warm, and move gently. Tomorrow, you head for the holy lake!

• Distance: 450 km by road –Driving Time: 8 hours.
• Elevation: Saga (4,640m) to Lake Mansarovar (4,590m)
• Elevation change: 50m (net descent, but crossing high passes over 5,000m).

Rise and shine early for one of the most anticipated days of the journey. Leaving Saga, you drive westward toward Lake Mansarovar, the sacred lake at the foot of Mount Kailash.

The drive is long but rewarding, traversing breathtaking desert-like plateaus and rugged terrain.

You cross the significant Mayum La Pass (around 5,216m) – the last high pass before Mansarovar.

As you crest this pass, the first glimpses of Mount Kailash (6,638m) might appear on the horizon, filling you with excitement and reverence.

By afternoon, you arrive at the shores of Lake Mansarovar, one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world.

The lake’s deep blue waters and the backdrop of Gurla Mandhata (7,728m) mountain create a scene of otherworldly beauty.

Upon reaching Mansarovar (4,590m), you can perform your holy rituals – many pilgrims take a ceremonial bath by the lakeside or fill bottles with its sacred water to take home.

There will be time for meditation and prayers by the lake’s edge; this is a profound moment to reflect on your journey.

In the evening, you’ll stay at a basic guesthouse near the lake (likely near Chiu Gompa).

The night sky here is incredible – with minimal light pollution, expect a dazzling display of stars over Mansarovar.

• Distance: 40 km by road – Driving Time: 1 hour.
• Elevation: Lake Mansarovar (4,590m) to Darchen (4,575m)
• Elevation change: negligible (15m).

Savor a peaceful morning at Lake Mansarovar. You might wake up early to catch the sunrise over the lake – the first rays of sun illuminating Mount Kailash in the distance is a sight you’ll never forget.

After breakfast, a short drive takes you to Darchen, the pilgrim’s gateway at the base of Mount Kailash.

Darchen is a small settlement, and though the distance is short, the drive is slow due to rough roads.

Reaching Darchen (about 4,575m), you check into a guesthouse. Take the afternoon to rest and acclimatize further.

Darchen will be the starting and ending point of your 3-day Kailash Kora (parikrama).

Here, you’ll meet any additional crew, like porters or yak handlers, who will accompany you on the trek, and prepare your backpack with essentials for the coming days.

If energy permits, you can explore the area around Darchen: prayer flags fluttering, and pilgrims often chant or prepare for their own Kora. From town, you might glimpse the south face of Mount Kailash.

In the evening, have an early dinner and get to bed – tomorrow is the first day of trekking around Kailash, a day you’ve been preparing for physically and spiritually.

• Trek Distance: 18 km – Trekking Time: 6–7 hours.
• Elevation: Darchen (4,575m) to Dirapuk (4,900m)
• Elevation gain: +325m.

Today marks the beginning of your Mount Kailash Kora, the sacred circuit trek around the holy mountain.

After a hearty early breakfast, a short drive (around 8 km) brings you to Tarboche, the trek’s starting point, where an auspicious flagpole (Tarboche flagpole) stands adorned with prayer flags.

This is also the site of the Yam Dwar (Gateway of the God of Death), where you might pause for a moment of prayer, seeking blessings for the journey ahead. From here, you start trekking towards Dirapuk.

The trail follows the Lha Chu (river) valley, gradually ascending. You’ll walk at a comfortable, steady pace—remember, it’s not a race, and the altitude is significant.

Along the way, you’ll catch magnificent views of Mount Kailash’s north face, which grows larger and more awe-inspiring as you approach Dirapuk.

Prayer flags line parts of the trail, and you may encounter pilgrims performing the Kora, some even prostrating themselves every few steps as an act of devotion.

By mid-afternoon, you arrive at Dirapuk Monastery and the nearby guesthouse (around 4,900m).

The sight here is breathtaking: Kailash’s black rock face towers above you, often draped in wisps of cloud or shining under the sun.

Take time to rest, sip warm fluids, and marvel at the divine presence many say can be felt here.

Tonight, accommodations are fundamental (dormitory style), but the experience of sleeping in the shadow of Mount Kailash is profound.

Wrap yourself in warm layers, gaze at the myriad stars if the sky is clear, and get some sleep. Tomorrow is the most challenging day of the Kora.

• Trek Distance: 22 km
• Elevation: Dirapuk (4,900m) over Drolma-La Pass (5,636m) to Zutulpuk (4,790m).
• Elevation Change: +736m up to the pass, then –846m down to Zutulpuk.

Today is the most challenging and most rewarding day of your pilgrimage trek. You’ll start pre-dawn, as it’s essential to cross the high pass before the weather potentially turns in the afternoon.

Bundled up against the cold, you leave Dirapuk and begin the slow ascent towards Drolma-La Pass (5,636m), the highest point of the entire journey.

The path is steep and rocky in sections – take it one step at a time, pausing to catch your breath in the thin air.

You’ll likely feel the altitude intensely here; even yaks tread slowly. Colorful prayer flags mark the summit of the pass.

Upon reaching Drolma-La, you can rejoice – the most challenging part is over! Many pilgrims toss offerings (like prayer flags or personal tokens) at the top, symbolizing the shedding of burdens and the start of a new life chapter.

Just over the pass, you will see a small glacial lake, Gauri Kund (Tukje Chenpo Dzingbu) at about 5,608m.

Hindus revere this lake as where Goddess Parvati bathes – its bright turquoise water is enchanting against the barren landscape.

From here, the trail descends. The downhill is steep initially, so be careful with your footing on the rocky terrain.

As you lose altitude, breathing becomes easier. The valley opens into a river plain leading to Zutulpuk, named after the famous cave of miracles associated with the Buddhist saint Milarepa.

By late afternoon, you stumble gratefully into Zutulpuk (around 4,790m). Here, a humble monastery and a few basic lodgings await.

You’ll be physically exhausted, but spiritually invigorated. Enjoy a simple hot meal and share camaraderie with fellow pilgrims recounting the day’s trials.

Overnight in a bare guesthouse dorm at Zutulpuk, where you can feel the pilgrimage’s profound impact as you rest.

• Trek Distance: 10 km (Zutulpuk to trek endpoint near Darchen)
• Drive Distance: 450 km (Darchen to Saga)
• Elevation: Zutulpuk (4,790m) down to Darchen (4,575m), then drive to Saga (4,640m).

This morning, you’ll complete the final stretch of the Kailash Kora. After breakfast, set out from Zutulpuk following the river valley.

The terrain is relatively flat and gentle compared to yesterday, and the walk is peaceful.

After about 3 hours, you’ll reach the point where you began the trek (near Darchen), officially completing your parikrama of Mount Kailash – congratulations!

A sense of accomplishment washes over you; many pilgrims kneel or bow, offering a final prayer of gratitude.

Your driver will be waiting here to welcome you back. After regrouping and perhaps grabbing a quick lunch at Darchen, you begin the long drive back eastward to Saga, retracing the route.

Though it’s a lengthy haul (approximately 450 km), the drive gives you time to relax and absorb what you’ve just experienced.

You’ll pass Lake Mansarovar again and bid farewell to the holy mountain’s distant silhouette. By late evening, arrive in Saga and check into your guesthouse/hotel.

A hot dinner and a comfortable bed in Saga will make you feel heavenly after the rigorous Kora.

Take time to care for any sore muscles and get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow, you start the journey back towards Nepal.

• Distance: 170 km by road
• Elevation: Saga (4,640m) to Kerung (2,700m)
• Elevation loss: –1,940m.

After breakfast in Saga, you continue the return leg of the journey across the Tibetan Plateau.

Driving back the way you came, you’ll notice the landscape in reverse – perhaps seeing details you missed on the way in.

The travel goes quicker as you’re descending in altitude. You might feel your energy improving with each lower elevation milestone.

By midday, cross the high passes once more (taking a last look at the sweeping mountain panoramas) and begin the descent towards the lush border regions.

Arrive in Kerung in the afternoon and check into the guesthouse. With the significant goals of the Yatra accomplished, tonight is a time to unwind and celebrate with your group.

You have descended significantly, so breathing is easier. Enjoy your final evening in Tibet, maybe with a warm Tibetan tea or simply sharing stories with your travel companions. Rest well, as tomorrow you re-enter Nepal.

• Distance: 130 km by road (Kerung to Kathmandu
• Elevation: Kerung (2,700m) to Kathmandu (1,400m)
• Elevation loss: –1,300m.

Today, you bid farewell to Tibet and return to Nepal. After breakfast, you head to the Chinese immigration office in Kerung for exit formalities.

Once cleared, walk across the Friendship Bridge back to Rasuwagadhi and go through Nepali immigration.

Our Nepali staff will be there to welcome you back. Transferring to your Nepali vehicle, you set off to Kathmandu.

The drive, though long, might feel easier now with lower altitude and the familiarity of lush greenery and bustling villages.

Enjoy the winding road and remember to look back at the Himalayan range at viewpoints—those peaks have been your companions for the last two weeks.

By late afternoon or early evening, you arrive in Kathmandu, marking the completion of your overland pilgrimage loop.

Check in to your Kathmandu hotel for a well-deserved shower and rest. In the evening, we’ll host a farewell dinner for you.

Savor Nepali cuisine and perhaps some cultural music and dance, celebrating the successful completion of your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

• Distance: Flight back home (travel distance & time will vary by airline and route).
• Elevation: Descend from Kathmandu (1,400m) to sea level upon arrival in Canada.

After two incredible weeks, it’s time to head home. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time in Kathmandu in the morning for souvenir shopping or one last stroll through the city.

Our team will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport with ample check-in time. As you board your flight out of Nepal, you carry with you the blessings of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, countless memories, and a profound sense of achievement.

Safe travels back to Canada! We hope the spiritual energy and experiences of the Yatra stay with you for a lifetime.