12-Day Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026

Your spiritual odyssey begins when you arrive in Gorakhpur, a key transit hub in Uttar Pradesh. Our team will welcome you at the railway station or airport. We will assist with your transfer to our private vehicles.

From there, we embark on a smooth 3- to 4-hour drive (approx. 100 km) across the Indian border into Nepal to reach Bhairahawa.

Instead of a long, exhausting drive to Nepal’s capital, we have arranged a short, scenic 35-minute flight. You will fly from Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa directly to Kathmandu.

Upon landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to relax and soak in the city’s spiritual atmosphere as we prepare for the yatra ahead.

After breakfast, we start our day by asking for blessings for a safe trip. Our first stop is the famous Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the banks of the Bagmati River. This important temple for Lord Shiva is where we pray as we begin our journey.

After our prayers at Pashupatinath, we continue to Budhanilkantha, where you will see the large stone statue of Lord Vishnu lying on a bed of serpents in a water tank.

The tour concludes at Doleshwor Mahadev Temple in Bhaktapur, which many believe is the ‘head’ of the Kedarnath temple in India, completing your pilgrimage.

In the evening, the tour leader will hold a required briefing to review the itinerary for the next day, distribute duffel bags and down jackets, and explain the final steps for crossing into Tibet, including necessary documentation and procedures.

Today marks a thrilling transition as we leave the lush valleys of Nepal to approach the “Roof of the World.” We depart Kathmandu early in the morning. The day brings a scenic 7- to 8-hour drive along the Pasang Lhamu Highway.

The journey winds along the banks of the roaring Trishuli River. We pass through the verdant landscapes of the Langtang National Park. Waterfalls, terraced fields, and mist-covered hills accompany us on our way to the border town of Timure.

After completing the Nepal immigration and customs formalities at Rasuwagadhi, we walked across the “Friendship Bridge” into China. Here, you will be greeted by our Tibetan guides. A short drive brings us to Kerung (Kyirong) Town.

This beautiful valley sits at a comfortable altitude of 2,700m. This lush region is often called the “Valley of Happiness.” It provides the perfect environment for your body to begin acclimatizing before we ascend to the high Tibetan plateau.

Today promises awe-inspiring landscapes as we conquer the “Roof of the World.” After breakfast, we ascend from Kerung, rapidly gaining altitude.

The journey takes us over Thong La Pass (5,150m), where we marvel at panoramic Himalaya views, including towering Mt. Shishapangma (8,027m) and the turquoise waters of Peiku Tso Lake.

As we cross the pass, Nepal’s greenery yields to the vast, rugged, and barren beauty of the Tibetan Plateau. Once we descend toward the sandy plains, we arrive at Saga, a crucial transit town lining the banks of the majestic Brahmaputra River (Yarlung Tsangpo).

This high-altitude location (4,450m) serves as an essential overnight stop, helping your body adapt to the thin air before we continue to Mansarovar.

Today marks an important point in your pilgrimage. We will leave Saga and travel across wide plains, passing small Tibetan villages and open grazing lands.

As we get closer to the holy lake, watch the horizon. This is where you will first see Mount Kailash, rising alone against the blue sky. For many devotees, this moment is very moving.

When we arrive at our guest house near the shore, usually close to Chiu Gompa, you will have time to take a ritual bath (Snan), perform a prayer ritual (Puja), or make a fire offering (Hawan) by the banks.

Please bring any items you need for these rituals. We will give you instructions on how to do them properly. All of these rituals are done in the presence of Shiva’s sacred mountain.

We begin the day with a serene morning on the banks of Lake Mansarovar. The sunrise paints the waters with gold and blue, illuminating them.

This morning is free for you to perform your personal Puja, Hawan, or meditation if you wish. Take this time to absorb the profound silence and energy of the sacred site. If you want to collect holy water, you may do so during this time to take home.

After lunch, we take a short 40 km drive to Darchen (4,575m). This village, at the foot of Mount Kailash, is the gateway and base camp for the Parikrama.

Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Spend the afternoon resting and preparing for the trek; if needed, arrange ponies or porters through our guide (payment direct to the guide required).

In the evening, pack your trekking gear and ensure you are physically and mentally prepared for the circumambulation that begins tomorrow.

This day marks the start of the Kailash Parikrama (Kora). After a light breakfast, we drive briefly to Yam Dwar (Tarboche), the “Gateway of the God of Death.”

Passing through this gate symbolizes leaving earthly attachments and entering Shiva’s realm. Our 12 km trek begins here.

Today’s trail is gradual, winding through the stunning “Valley of the God” along the Lha Chu River. Towering cliffs and waterfalls flank the path, with the west face of the mountain guiding us.

By late afternoon, we reach Dirapuk Monastery (4,760m). On arrival, exhaustion fades as the majestic North Face of Mount Kailash looms close. Watching the sunset’s golden glow on the snow-clad peak is a divine experience to cherish.

Today is the toughest and most challenging day of the pilgrimage, but also the most transformative. We begin our trek early (around 4:00 AM) to cross the highest point of the journey: the Dolma La Pass at 5,630m (18,471 ft). The ascent is steep and tests your endurance, but the chant of “Om Namah Shivaya” keeps the spirit high.

At the summit of the pass, devotees hang prayer flags and offer prayers to Dolma (Tara Devi). As we begin our descent, we are rewarded with a view of the emerald-green Gauri Kund (Lake of Compassion) on the right, legendary as the bathing place of Goddess Parvati.

From here, the trail descends steeply and rocky into the valley floor. Eventually, the path flattens as we trek along the river, leading us to Zutulpuk Monastery (4,800m), famous for the meditation cave of Milarepa, a Tibetan saint.

We awake with a deep sense of accomplishment—we are on the final stretch of the sacred Kora. After breakfast, we set out on the concluding section from Zutulpuk to Darchen.

The path is gentle and level, meandering through the valley beside the river. It is a tranquil 3-hour walk (approx. 8 km) to the end point near the private vehicle pickup area.

At Darchen, we reunite with other group members and share stories. After lunch, we board our bus and begin the return drive to Saga, carrying the energy and memories of the pilgrimage with us.

After a restful night in Saga, we begin our return journey toward the Nepal border. Today’s drive is a scenic descent. Leaving behind the arid, high-altitude desert of the Tibetan Plateau, we head back toward the greenery of the Himalayas.

Our path retraces past the stunning Peiku Tso Lake. As we cross Thong La Pass one last time, you are offered a final, sweeping view of the majestic snow-capped peaks, including Mt. Shishapangma.

As we descend into the Kerung Valley, you will notice a distinct change in the landscape—barren rocks give way to lush forests and flowing waterfalls. The air becomes richer in oxygen, making breathing easier and the climate warmer.

We arrive in Kerung late in the afternoon, where you can enjoy a relaxed evening reflecting not only on the successful completion of your spiritual mission but also on the transformative experiences, challenges overcome, and deeper understanding gained throughout your journey.

We start our day early to head towards the Rasuwagadhi border. After completing the Chinese immigration formalities, we crossed the “Friendship Bridge” back into Nepal, bidding a warm farewell to our Tibetan guides and drivers. On the Nepal side, our local team will be waiting to receive you and assist with entry formalities.

The drive back to Kathmandu takes us once again along the scenic Pasang Lhamu Highway. As we wind through the hills, you return with a transformed spirit, carrying the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Upon reaching the capital, we check into our hotel. The evening is reserved for rest and a Farewell Dinner, where we celebrate the successful completion of this once-in-a-lifetime yatra and share stories with fellow pilgrims.

Today is the final leg of our trip. After breakfast, we transfer you to Kathmandu’s domestic airport, where you will board the short flight back to Bhairahawa.

As you fly over the Himalayan foothills, take a moment to say goodbye to Nepal. You will return with memories and a spirit renewed by the Himalayas.