A sacred journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, one of the most spiritually significant pilgrimages in Asia, revered by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers. This specially designed overland trip begins in Kathmandu, Nepal, and crosses into Tibet via the Kyirong border, offering a scenic and gradual ascent ideal for acclimatization.
Along the way, travellers will explore the remote beauty of Gyirong Valley, traverse the vast Tibetan Plateau, and witness the awe-inspiring landscapes surrounding Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. The highlight of the journey is the three-day Kora (circumambulation) around Mount Kailash—considered a path of deep spiritual renewal and inner transformation.
This route is rich not only in natural beauty but also in cultural and spiritual depth. You’ll visit ancient monasteries, interact with Tibetan pilgrims, and gain insight into Himalayan traditions. With careful acclimatization days and professional support, this pilgrimage is suitable for spiritually motivated travellers and adventure seekers looking for a profound high-altitude experience.
Trip Highlights:
Gradual overland journey through the scenic Kyirong Valley
Sacred visits to Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash
Guided 3-day Kora trek around Mount Kailash (highest pass at 5,650m)
Visit historical monasteries including Dirapuk, Zutulpuk, and others
Cultural experiences with local Tibetan communities and pilgrims
Suitable for those seeking both spiritual depth and adventure
Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal
A gradual drive from Kathmandu to Tibet via the Kyirong border allows for smooth altitude acclimatization.
The route offers spectacular Himalayan views, high mountain passes, wide valleys, waterfalls, and the vast Tibetan plateau.
A physically demanding but spiritually rewarding 52-km circuit around Mount Kailash.
Cross the Dolma La Pass (5,650m) — the highest and most challenging point.
Walk through sacred valleys, along glacial rivers, and near stunning rock formations.
Basic accommodation in teahouses or monastery guesthouses along the route.
Gradual ascent with acclimatization days in Kyirong and Dirapuk to reduce risk of altitude sickness.
Physical fitness and mental preparedness are important — this is a high-altitude adventure.
Your guide team will monitor health and ensure a safe pace.
We ensure that your journey to Mount Kailash is not only spiritually meaningful but also as comfortable and well-managed as possible — even in remote regions of Tibet.
We use carefully selected, best available comfort hotels in locations like Kyirong, Saga, Payang, Darchen, and Kathmandu, offering private rooms, hot showers, clean bedding, and warm hospitality.
At high-altitude pilgrimage stops such as Lake Manasarovar, Dirapuk, and Zutulpuk, where facilities are limited, we stay in basic guesthouses or monastery lodges. These are simple but clean and serve the essential purpose of shelter and rest in remote conditions.
All overland travel is conducted in private, well-maintained vehicles, ensuring a comfortable and safe ride across the vast Tibetan plateau.
Our team handles all travel logistics, including border procedures, permits, accommodation arrangements, and meal coordination.
You’ll be accompanied by experienced Nepali and Tibetan guides who ensure smooth day-to-day operation, cultural insights, and support with altitude adaptation.
This is more than just a trip — it’s a pilgrimage filled with purpose, reflection, and personal insight.
Travelers often return with a deeper connection to nature, self, and the sacredness of the Himalayas.
Start your journey early with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to the Nepal–Tibet border at Rasuwagadhi. After clearing immigration, cross into Tibet and continue to the peaceful town of Kyirong.
Take a relaxed day to acclimatize to the altitude and soak in the cultural richness of Kyirong (Kerung). In the morning, visit the birthplace of Milarepa, one of Tibet’s most revered saints, and explore his private farm field, a peaceful site where he lived and meditated during his youth.
Later, visit the ancient Phakpa Monastery, an important historical and spiritual site with deep Buddhist roots, offering beautiful views and an introduction to local monastic life. Spend the rest of the day exploring the town or relaxing in the calm atmosphere of the Kyirong Valley.
Today’s journey takes you deeper into the vast Tibetan Plateau. Along the way, make a special stop at Pangsing Monastery, a peaceful and lesser-visited spiritual site surrounded by majestic Himalayan terrain.
Pangsing is more than just a resting point—it holds a profound spiritual metaphor. The path leading to the monastery symbolizes a journey from darkness into light. As you walk the narrow trail that slowly opens to the monastery, it is said to represent the path of inner transformation—from ignorance and suffering toward awareness, clarity, and enlightenment. The site is ideal for quiet reflection, chanting, or simply absorbing the sacred energy of the place.
After the visit, continue your scenic drive across expansive landscapes to Saga, a key settlement on the pilgrimage route.
Travel across the vast Tibetan Plateau toward Payang. Along the way, stop at the historic Tholing Monastery, founded in the 10th century and one of the earliest centers of Buddhist culture in western Tibet. Renowned for its ancient murals and spiritual importance, the monastery offers a fascinating glimpse into Tibetan Buddhist history and art.
After exploring Tholing, continue your drive through the stunning plateau landscapes to the quiet town of Payang, where you can rest and prepare for the next stage of your journey.
Continue toward the sacred Lake Manasarovar, considered holy by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Bon followers. If the skies are clear, enjoy the first distant views of Mount Kailash.
Overnight: Dormitory near Lake Manasarovar
Spend the morning exploring the sacred Lake Manasarovar. Visit the cliffside Chiu Gompa monastery, believed to be built over the meditation cave of Guru Padmasambhava. Soak your feet or relax at the nearby hot spring, then visit the mystical Rakshas Tal, known in legend as the lake of the demon king Ravana. Later, drive to Darchen, the starting point of the Kailash Kora.
Begin the Mount Kailash Kora with a short drive to Tarboche (7 km). Trek through the beautiful Lha Chu Valley, visiting key pilgrimage spots along the way. Reach Dirapuk, offering majestic views of Mount Kailash’s north face.
Cross the sacred and challenging Dolma La Pass (5,630m), the highest point of the trek. Offer prayers at the top before descending into the valley below and continuing to Zuthulpuk, home to the Milarepa Cave.
Conclude the Kailash Kora with an easy morning walk followed by a short drive back to Darchen. Take time to rest and reflect on your spiritual journey.
Retrace your route across the expansive Tibetan Plateau with a full day’s drive back to Saga.
Overnight: Hotel in Saga
Continue the return journey from Saga to Kyirong, gradually descending from the plateau toward the border region.
After clearing border formalities at Rasuwagadhi, drive through the Himalayan foothills back to Kathmandu. Arrive by evening.
Overnight: Sherpa Home Hotel, Kathmandu
