Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Lucknow

We begin our journey with a pick-up in Lucknow and a scenic drive to Nepalgunj, a town just across the Nepal border.

The drive takes around 5 hours as we pass through the plains of Uttar Pradesh into Nepal. Upon arrival in Nepalgunj (approx. 150 m altitude), relax in your hotel.

Our tour leader will brief the group about upcoming flights and procedures in the evening. Dinner will be provided at the hotel. This first day allows the group to assemble and prepares you for the adventure.

We transfer to the Nepalgunj airport early for a flight to Simikot. The fixed-wing flight (about 1 hour) takes us to the mountain airstrip of Simikot in the Humla district.

Simikot’s fresh mountain air and vistas of lush hills signal the start of the remote journey. After landing, we rest briefly while our team coordinates the next leg.

From Simikot, we board a helicopter to Hilsa, the Nepal–Tibet border point. The helicopter ride (around 20 minutes) is a spectacular experience, flying over deep gorges of the Karnali River and emerald hills up to the border.

Upon reaching Hilsa, we walk across a small suspension bridge that marks the Nepal-China (Tibet) border. After clearing Nepal exit formalities, we met our Tibetan guide on the other side and went through immigration into Tibet (China).

Our awaiting vehicles drive us about 30–40 minutes to Taklakot (Purang), a border town in Tibet at roughly 4,025 m elevation. Check into the guesthouse in Taklakot and take a well-earned rest.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided. (If flight schedules or weather caused any delay, contingency plans are in place – our priority is everyone’s safety and comfort.)

Today is a rest and acclimatization day in Taklakot. After breakfast, you have the entire day to relax and adjust to the high altitude.

Taklakot is a trading town where you can explore the local market, interact with fellow pilgrims, or meditate and conserve energy.

This day is crucial for allowing your body to adapt to the thinner air (as we’ve ascended to about 4,000 m) before moving higher.

Our team will monitor everyone’s health; you can consult with the guides for any concerns. All meals (B/L/D) are included as we spend a second night in Taklakot.

After an early breakfast, we drove towards the holiest lake of the pilgrimage, Lake Mansarovar. The journey by comfortable coach takes about 1.5 to 2 hours (roughly 100 km).

En route, we pause at a viewpoint by Rakshas Tal (Lake Rakshastal) – a striking blue lake associated with Ravana in Hindu mythology.

From here, you will catch your first breathtaking glimpse of Mount Kailash in the distance and the sapphire expanse of Lake Mansarovar. Emotions run high for many pilgrims upon seeing these sacred sights for the first time.

Continuing our drive, we arrive at Mansarovar Lake, situated at about 4,550 m altitude and surrounded by panoramic mountain views. We check into a basic guesthouse near the lake.

This afternoon is devoted to spiritual activities: take a holy dip (snan) in the lake’s waters (weather permitting) and perform puja or meditation on the shores.

The atmosphere at Mansarovar is serene and charged with spiritual energy. We will also drive around the lake (Mansarovar parikrama by vehicle), roughly 90 km, to circumambulate this sacred lake and soak in its beauty from different vantage points.

Enjoy the tranquil views of Mount Kailash’s silhouette reflecting in Mansarovar as the sun sets. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse by Lake Mansarovar.

Wake up to a glorious sunrise over Mansarovar and partake in morning prayers. After breakfast, we take a short drive (approximately 35 km, 1 hour) to Darchen, the small town at the foot of Mount Kailash that serves as the base for the Kailash Parikrama.

On arrival in Darchen (around 4,650 m), we check into a guesthouse/hotel and have lunch. The rest of the day is spent resting and preparing for the trek.

You can reorganize your luggage for the upcoming 3-day trek, packing only essentials (our crew and yaks/porters will help sort the group’s gear during the trek).

If you need any last-minute supplies (like walking sticks or snacks), Darchen has a few basic shops. Our guide will brief everyone on the trekking route and weather expectations and provide tips for a successful parikrama.

Dinner is served at Darchen, and we retire early to gather energy for the big trek starting the next morning.

After an early breakfast, we embark on the sacred Mount Kailash Parikrama (circumambulation) today. A short drive (about 45 minutes) takes us to Yama Dwar (also known as Tarboche), the gateway to the kora (parikrama).

Yama Dwar, which translates to “Gate of the Lord of Death,” is a significant spot where pilgrims offer prayers and ask Lord Shiva’s permission for the journey ahead. From here, we begin trekking on foot toward Dirapuk.

The trail to Dirapuk is about 12 km and is generally a moderate walk on relatively flat terrain, following the Lha Chu river valley.

You will immediately be rewarded with awe-inspiring views: towering cliffs, occasional waterfalls, and the west face of Mount Kailash coming into view.

As we progress, the north face of Mount Kailash – with its sheer, divine presence – reveals itself, seeming almost within reach. Pilgrims often pause to marvel and pray upon seeing this unforgettable sight.

We reach Dirapuk by late afternoon. Dirapuk is located at approximately 4,900 m, next to the river and directly facing the north face of Kailash.

The proximity to Mount Kailash here is a highlight of the journey – on a clear day, you feel as if Lord Shiva’s abode is towering right above you.

We settle into a basic dormitory guesthouse (mud-house) at Dirapuk for the night. It’s a long day, but our team will have packed lunch en route and a hot vegetarian dinner ready in the evening.

Overnight in Dirapuk. (Those not undertaking the trek will return to Darchen from Yama Dwar until the group returns from the parikrama.)

Today is the most challenging and rewarding day of the Kailash Parikrama. We start pre-dawn from Dirapuk, after a light early breakfast, to tackle the high pass.

The trail soon begins a steep ascent toward Dolma La Pass, at around 5,650–5,700 m, the highest point of the pilgrimage.

This 8 km uphill section is physically demanding due to the altitude – we take it slowly, with frequent small breaks to catch our breath. The sense of determination and devotion keeps everyone moving.

Upon reaching the summit of Dolma La, marked by prayer flags flapping in the wind, take a moment to rejoice – you’ve conquered the most challenging part of the journey. Many pilgrims leave offerings here, as Dolma La is named after the Goddess Tara and is a sacred milestone.

Right after the pass, the trail descends very steeply. The holy Gauri Kund (5,560 m) is just below Dolma La, a small emerald lake in the rocky terrain. According to legend, this is where Goddess Parvati bathed; the lake is revered, and some pilgrims collect its water.

We won’t linger long at this altitude, but you’ll have a chance to view Gauri Kund from the trail. The descent can be tricky on the knees, so we take care with each step.

After a few kilometers of steep downhill, the path evens out, and we stop for a rest at a flat area (around Phedi). Here, you’ll feel relief as the most challenging part is over. We continue trekking along a gentler route, following a stream.

The landscape gradually transforms – you’ll see green meadows and the valley opening up as we approach our second night’s halt, Zutulpuk.

The distance from Phedi to Zutulpuk is about 12 km, and by afternoon, we arrive at Zutulpuk Monastery, which houses a cave associated with Saint Milarepa.

We check into a basic guesthouse near Zutulpuk (approx. 4,760 m). You can rest and reflect on the incredible journey so far.

All pilgrims share a sense of accomplishment this evening, completing the most challenging part of the Kailash Kora. Our crew will serve dinner, and you’ll sleep in simple dormitory quarters. (Total trekking today ~22 km).

This morning, we will complete the final segment of the Kailash Parikrama. After breakfast, we set out from Zutulpuk for the last stretch – about 8 km of easy trekking (around 2-3 hours).

The trail follows the riverbank, and gradually the sacred Mount Kailash disappears from view as we finish the loop and approach the ending point of the trek.

Feel the sense of spiritual fulfillment as you have now completed the circumambulation of Mount Kailash – a feat devotees consider highly meritorious.

Our vehicles meet us at the trail’s end, and we reunite with any group members who stayed back. From here, we drive back to Darchen, where the whole group has lunch together and shares experiences of the parikrama.

After lunch, we continue our drive back towards the Tibet-Nepal border, retracing our route via Lake Mansarovar and Taklakot.

We will have arrived in Taklakot (Purang) by late afternoon or evening. Proceed through the Tibet immigration to sign out of China. We stay overnight in Taklakot or the vicinity.

A farewell dinner is enjoyed with our Tibetan crew, as this is our last night in Tibet. Rest well, as tomorrow we make the return journey homeward.

(Note: If time and weather permit, we might cross the border this evening itself to stay in Hilsa or Simikot on the Nepal side.

However, usually it’s more comfortable to stay in Purang and cross the next morning to avoid being stuck with limited facilities in Hilsa. Our itinerary is flexible to ensure everyone’s safety.)

After an early breakfast, we head to the border. We say goodbye to our Tibetan guide and complete exit formalities on the Chinese side.

A short drive (around 30 minutes) brings us to Hilsa on the Nepal side, where we clear Nepal immigration. We boarded the helicopter from Hilsa to Simikot, bidding farewell to Tibet’s landscapes.

In Simikot, we catch the next available flight back to Nepalgunj. Upon arrival in Nepalgunj (usually by midday), we have lunch and then drive back to Lucknow, India. The 4-5 hour drive brings us back to our starting point by evening.

Back in Lucknow, your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra concludes as we drop you off at your preferred location (airport or meeting point).

You return with a heart filled with spiritual bliss, wonderful memories of camaraderie with fellow yatris, and the satisfaction of completing a profound pilgrimage.

Breakfast and lunch are included today (dinner on your own after reaching home)—end of our services.