Mount Kailash Overland Tour & Trekking

While applying your Chinese visa, you will explore the ancient medieval arts and architecture of Kathmandu . Visit Monkey temple, Bodhanath-the biggest Buddhist stupa and medieval principality of Bhaktapur as known as the city of devotees. Free afternoon for you to prepare for the trip. Overnight hotel.

Altitude 12,333 ft; distance 97 miles and about 6-7 drive
Depart Kathmandu early in the morning. Breakfast stop in Dhulikhel hill resort. In total, Kathmandu-Tibet border is 113km through the villages, roadside bazaars and terraced hills that takes total of about 4 hours to the Tibetan border. On an inclement weather day, there may be some landslide spots which you have to walk across and change to a locally available vehicle. After clearing immigration formalities in both the Nepal and China side, we will continue to Nyalam. Meals and accommodation in guesthouse.

Rest day for proper acclimatization. You can visit the Nyalam Pelgye Ling temple associated with great Milarepa, the Tibetan yogi. Overnight guesthouse.

Altitude 13,973 ft, distance 157 miles / about 6 hours drive
Today drive and cross two high passes and midway we arrive at Pelkutso lake for lunch. Lablung La (5030m/16,498ft) offers spectacular views of Mt. Sishapangma (8021m/26,309ft), Gaurishanker and many other peaks, all of which are dwarfed by the Tibetan plateau. You will cross the Bramhaputra River just before Saga. Overnight in tents at Saga.

Altitude 14,891 ft, distance: 160 miles/about 8hrs drive.It is at Saga where you will connect the main road from Lhasa . We continue across the vast dry plains to the small Tibetan town of Zhongba and drive further to Paryang for overnight stay. Overnight in tents.

Altitude 14,957 ft, distance 157 miles about 8hrs drive
Today's drive involves crossing of several rivers but has some of the most panoramic scenery. The crews will set your camp by the sacred Manasarovar Lake -which according to Hindu mythology was formed in the mind of Brahma-the creator of the world. Today you will have the first Darshan (view) of holy Mt. Kailash from Horqu. Overnight in tents.

Halt at Manasarovara Lake for holy dip, puja and other ritual performance. You can take leisurely walk or excursion along the lakeside. Overnight camp.

Altitude 15,285 ft, distance 20miles/about 2 hrs drive.
It's a short drive of about 2 hours to Darchen. After lunch, you may want to prepare yourself for the three days trekking ahead. Crews will be organizing pack animals (yaks) gears and supplies for the trek. Overnight guesthouse.

Altitude 16,102 ft, about 6 hrs trek
Start the day off with a 5-6 hour 20km trek from Darchen(4,560m) to Dirapuk Monastery (4,750m). The first day of trekking is a slow walk with groups of local pilgrims chanting and praying. Camp on the nice grassy meadows with a view of Kailash, northwest face at Dirapuk for overnight halt.
Tips: By now, your body should be fully acclimated to the high altitude in Tibet. However, if you feel any shortness of breath or light headedness, stop immediately and tell your guide. Your guide will have safety equipment, including tanks of oxygen if needed, though in the vast majority of cases a short rest should be all that is required before continuing

Altitude 15,711 ft., about 7 hrs trek
Bid farewell to Lha Chu Valley and prepare to fight the toughest part of the kora. You will enter the Drolma Chu Valley , heading up towards a high pass, the Drolma La [5,630m/18,466 ft] that is marked Tibetan prayer flags. The rest of the days walk is mostly downhill and flat land. On descent, you will pass by one of the highest lakes in the world, Thukpe Dzingbu Lake (Gauri Kunda), known as the Lake of Compassion. Zuthulphuk monastery is built at the site of a famous cave, which is believed to have been created as a result of contest between Milareppa (Buddhist Yogi) and Naro Bonchung (Bon Saint). Overnight camp.

Altitude 4,560m/14,956 ft, about 3 hrs trek.
The final day of the kora is rather short and easier. It takes merely 2 to 3 hours that involves crossing of several streams and follows an impressive gorge from where you can look back for fabulous views. Overnight guesthouse.

Retrace your way back to Paryang to Saga. Overnight Camp

If you are extending trip to Lhasa, you will split with crews at Saga and head eastwards. Otherwise, retrace drive to Kathmandu via a stop in Nyalam.

Transfer to airport for international flight back home.