Mount Kailash Tour

Detail Itinerary

• Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu - (1300m)

  Welcome to the Land of Himalayas. Once you land, a representative from Daewoo Travels will be waiting for you at the exit gates holding a playing card with your name. After you meet up with the representative, he’ll transfer you to the trip hotel. A briefing on the tour shall be provided over the welcome ceremony and dinner at an authentic Nepali restaurant. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

• Day 02: Sightseeing tour around Kathmandu

  Starting our tour, we head out early in the morning for a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley. We will visit the Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath temple, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, and move on to Lalitpur. There we visit the Patan Durbar square and enjoy the evening at one of the ambient restaurants in the city. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

• Day 03: Flight to Nepalgunj - (150m)

  On this day we begin our journey to the mid-west catching a flight from the domestic terminal at Tribhuvan International Airport. An hour-long flight will take us to Nepalgunj. This city lies in the Terai plains and is usually hot and humid throughout the year. Once at the airport, you’ll be received and assisted in checking into your hotel. Take a stroll around the bustling city center in the evening. Overnight stay at Nepalgunj.

• Day 04: Flight to Simikot (2910m) and Trek to Dharapuri - (2270m) 3 hrs Trek

  We begin our journey into the Himalayas as we catch a flight from Nepalgunj to the remote town of Simikot in Humla district, northwest of Nepalgunj. Climbing out of Simikot, and arriving at a vantage point atop a ridge, we take a track going left to YakbaKhola. It will be a strenuous descent to Masigaon. Heading further north ignoring the flat-topped houses we follow the Karnali River and eventually cross the Yakba Khola before arriving in Dharapuri. Overnight stay at Dharapuri.

• Day 05: Trek to Kermi - (2690m) 5 hrs Trek

  Heading up along the northern bank of Karnali River we cross Kolchhi village, a Thakuri settlement, perched along the ridge on the other side of this river. As we advance along the valley we arrive at Khagagaon, then along a serpentine trail, we descend to Chachera. We then take up a challenge along a narrow and steep trail carved out in rocky cliffs before we arrive in Kermi. Overnight stay at Kermi.

• Day 06: Trek to Albang Monastery/School - (2890m) 6 hrs Trek

  We head on a relatively easy trek today for around 6 hours to Albang. Starting off on a plain land, we climb up a steep trail before reaching a pass after crossing peach and pine forests. As we tread along the Karnali River, striking views of the Limi valley and surrounding pine forest are bound to catch our eyes. Once we arrive in Albang, we can visit the monastery-Namkha Khyung Dzong. Overnight stay at Albang.

• Day 07: Trek to Tumkot Khola - (3060m) 6 hrs Trek

  We start the day offering our prayers at the Yalbang Gompa. Completing the morning rituals, we set off on a trail along the Karnali River. Heading north, the sparse greenery starts to vanish giving way to arid lands and rocky terrain. We stop for lunch at Gerung Pani. Crossing Anger and Muchu villages and trekking past the biggest village of this trip, we arrive in Tumkot. Overnight stay at Tumkot.

• Day 08: Trek to Thado Dhunga - (3745m) 7/8 hrs Trek

  We continue on this day along the Karnali River as we head further to Thado Dhunga. We begin a steep climb and trek along for an hour as we notice the usual pine tree grooves transform to low lying juniper trees. Walking along this secluded rocky terrain we stop at Bhyagute Pani for lunch. Mount Saipal appears in our frame as we continue to Thado Dhunga. Overnight stay at Thado Dhunga.

• Day 09: Trek to Nara La pass (4580m) and Hilsa (3720m) 5hrs Trek, and drive to Purang (3770m)

  Two major events for the day will include crossing the Nara La pass and then Nepal Tibet border. First, we hike up to the Nara La pass(4580m). Once there observe the serene Tibetan plateau stretching across the horizon and Yari village at a distance. Descending down to Hilsa will be another 3 hours and once there you cross over Sera(Tibet) border. On the other side of the border, we catch a ride to Purang (Taklakot). It will be a 35 min ride to Purang. Overnight stay at Purang.

• Day 10: Drive to Darchen (4670m) 6 hrs drive

  We take a road trip today as we head to Darchen via the Rakshastal and Manasarovar lakes. The roads are one of the best in this region and we head northwest as we stride for Darchen at the foot of Mount Kailash. Stop by the Rakshastal and Manasarovar lakes to enjoy the magnificent views around these water bodies. Overnight stay at Darchen.

• Day 11: Trek to Dirapuk (5000m) 5 hrs Trek Start Mt. Kailash Kora

  We start our first day of Koraand set off to Dirapuk on a 6-hour trek. Alternatively, we can drive to Darboche and horse ride to Dirapuk. Heading out of Darchen, we start out along the deep valley with huge rocky walls accompanying us as we traverse the plains to Shershong. Then, crossing the Lja-cha, we observe the Chhuku Gompa perched atop a hill. Onto the ChhukuBridge, we get a choice of heading either east or west along the river, both trails lead to Dirapuk Monastery which is 3 hours from here. Overnight stay at Dirapuk.

• Day 12: Trek to Dolma La pass (5630m) 3 hrs and Zutulpuk (4600m) 3hrs.

  Starting a challenging day of the trek, we head up the Dolma-La pass(5750m). Heading back the trail we cross Lja-cha again before climbing up the pass. Once a top, enjoy the great views of this “Tara” pass filled with multi colored prayer flags. We descend for 2 hours to Shiva-tsal then head east. A 30-min ascend along the green banks of Lham-chukhir followed by a descent takes us to Zutul-Puk. This marks the completion of the second day of Kora. Overnight stay at Zutul-Puk.

• Day 13: Trek for about 3 hrs and drive to Horchu (Manasarovar) (4582m)

  The third day of Kora, we complete the circumambulation of Mt. Kailash and head back to Darchen. Heading out of Zuthrul Phug, we exit the valley and head a trail along the river which leads us to a narrow canyon. Taking up the dirt road, we arrive in Darchen. Then, we drive to Mansarovar for another two hours. Hindus believe drinking/ bathing in the holy water of this lake entitles one to the abode of Lord Shiva after death. We then drive to Horchu and spend the night in a camp.

• Day 14: Drive to Thrugu Gompa, Manasarovar Lake, Drive to Chiu Gompa, Manasarovar (Visit Gosul Gompa in between)

  Today, we drive to Thrugu Gompa, Gosul Gompa, and then head to Chiu Gompa (33km from Mount Kailash). First, we circle around the Mansarovar Lake, as it is believed Kora of Mount Kailash is incomplete without that of the lake; also dipping in the holy water in this lake. Then head off to Gosul (meaning Start) Gompa, named as the first branch of Drukpa Kagyu lineage in western Tibet. The final trip of the day, we hike back for 2 hours to Chiu Gompa perched atop a steep hill by Mansarovar Lake. Overnight stay at Manasarovar by the Chui Gompa.

• Day 15: Drive to Dzongla (besides the Brahmaputra) or New Dzongla (4500m) 5 hrs.

  We drive on the road to Saga with Dzongla as our destination. A 5-hour ride this, we will drive up to Horchu and then cross Mayum La pass. The town of Dzongla is visible from this pass lying at a distance. Crossing the settlements at Manisar and Payang, we arrive at Dzongla. As Zhongbashares its southern border with Nepal’s Karnali and Dhaulagiri zones, we will drive along the Himalayas of Nepal by our side on the way to Dzongla. Overnight stay at Dzongla.

• Day 16: Drive to Zangmu (2300m) 4 hrs drive

  Considering the road trip till Paryang to be the first half, we head on another half of this trip to Zangmu crossing the Brahmaputra River and overcoming the Thong La pass. We will cross the town of Saga, which is a major truck-stop town by the Yarlung Tsangpo River. With a chance to view the majestic Rolwaling mountain range and Mount Shishapangma (8013m), we reach Nyalam via Milarepa caves. Then following the Bhote Koshi River downstream to the border town of Zangmu, we spend our last night in Zangmu(Tibet). Overnight stay at Zangmu.

• Day 17: Drive for 20 minutes down to the Friendship Bridge and head to Kathmandu

  From the town center at Zangmu, we leave for the border crossing i.e. the Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge. The friendship bridge links Zangmu(China) and Tatopani, Kodari(Nepal). After a stroll through the Tatopani Bazaar, we catch our ride back to Kathmandu. The Araniko Highway links Tatopani to Kathmandu. In Kathmandu, we will check back into our hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

• Day 18: Departure

  Completing your 18-day trip of Nepal-Tibet, this will be your final day of the tour. One of the representatives from Daewoo Travels will assist you in checking out of your hotel and drop you at the airport. You can catch your flight back home while making plans for your next trip.