About this trip
This is a pilgrimage first and a trek second: ten days from Kathmandu across the Tibetan Plateau to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, two of the most sacred sites in Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Bon traditions. You cross by road from Kathmandu into Tibet via Kerung, then push on through the remote high-altitude towns of Saga and Parang before reaching the lake.
The centrepiece is the Kailash Kora, a circumambulation of the mountain on foot that includes the demanding Dolma La Pass, done at altitude and over rugged ground. Alongside the trekking there's real ritual: a holy bath in Lake Mansarovar and time built in for devotional practice at the mountain itself.
It's guided throughout with accommodation and meals arranged, so the practical side is handled, but this is a physically and logistically serious undertaking in one of the most remote parts of the plateau, not a casual sightseeing trip.
What you'll do
- Drive from Kathmandu to Kerung, the gateway into Tibet
- Cross the Tibetan Plateau through Saga and Parang
- Take a ritual bath in the sacred waters of Lake Mansarovar
- Base yourself in Darchen for the Kailash Kora
- Trek the Kora around Mount Kailash, crossing the Dolma La Pass
- Return overland to Kathmandu
- High-altitude trekking with a demanding pass crossing — go in with reasonable fitness and time to acclimatise
- Visa requirements are complex and vary by nationality; some passport holders must secure a China Group Visa before arriving in Nepal, as it can't be arranged locally
- Tibet has strict rules against carrying or sharing any material relating to the Dalai Lama or Tibetan leaders, including on social media, with serious penalties for non-compliance
Worth it if you're fit for high altitude, accept long rough drives, and want spiritual depth. Think twice if you need comfort or dislike remote, basic accommodation.
- Guide support at Drolma La and throughout Kailash Kora made a genuinely challenging trek manageable.
- Permits, hotels, meals, transport, and border logistics handled smoothly by the operator throughout.
- Nepal side roads have rough sections; Tibet side is better. Expect long, bumpy driving days.
- Accommodation simple and remote, but clean and organized. May offers clear skies and comfortable walking weather.
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Getting there
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Where to stay
A night before your tour in Kathmandu · 20 Jul – 21 Jul
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