Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, traditional Nepali welcome. Briefing session about the Kailash Yatra. Free time to explore Thamel.
Altitude: 1400 meters above sea level
Overnight Stay: Kathmandu, Nepal
Day 2
Kathmandu Sightseeing & China Group Visa Application
Submit visa application at the Chinese Embassy. Sightseeing Tour (2-3 hours): Boudhanath Stupa: One of the largest stupas in Nepal. Pashupatinath Temple: Sacred Hindu temple on the Bagmati River. Guhyeshwari Temple: Shakti Peeth near Pashupatinath.
Driving Distance: 20 km
Driving Time: 2-3 hours (city traffic) level
Overnight Stay: Kathmandu, Nepal
Day 3
Hiking to Tarkeswor Mahadev
Early morning start for the hike. Hiking Distance: 10 km (round trip) Hiking Duration: 4-5 hours Trail: Forested path with views of local villages and terraced farms. Visit Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple, a serene Shiva temple.
Altitude: 1700 meters above sea level
Overnight Stay: Kathmandu, Nepal
Day 4
Bhaktapur Sightseeing & Express Visa Collection
Visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore Doleshwor Mahadev Temple and Sanga Mahadev (world’s tallest Shiva statue). Collect Chinese Visa in the evening.
Driving Distance: 40 km (total for the day) level
Driving Time: 3-4 hours (round trip) level
Overnight Stay: Kathmandu, Nepal
Day 5
Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi
Scorpio Jeep 7 seater but we take 4 people. We drive through the Langtang National Park. Police, army and national park guards check at every entrance border regions.
Altitude: 1460 meters above sea level
Activity: Begin the scenic drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi. Enjoy views of lush hills, rivers, and local villages. Lunch stop at a local restaurant.
Driving Distance: 122 km
Driving Time: 6-7 hours
Overnight Stay: Syabrubesi standard hotels with attached bathroom - twin / sharing mostly ( Triple sharing during peak seasons )
Day 6
Cross Border: Syabrubesi to Kyirong
Complete immigration at Rasuwagadhi, then enter Tibet. Short drive to Kyirong, acclimatize and explore local markets.
Altitude: 2700 meters above sea level
Driving Distance: 44 km
Driving Time: 3-4 hours (including border formalities) level
Overnight Stay: Kyirong
Day 7
Acclimatize and rest day at Kyirong
Explore the Kyirong town Rest day for acclimatization
Altitude: 2700 meters above sea level
Overnight Stay: Kyirong
Day 8
Drive from Kyirong to Saga
Drive through the Tibetan plateau with views of Mount Shishapangma. Lunch stop at a scenic overlooking plateaus.
Altitude: 4640 meters above sea level
Driving Distance: 170 km
Driving Time: 5-6 hours
Overnight Stay: Saga ( best available hotel ) twin sharing basis
Day 9
Drive from Saga to Lake Mansarovar
Drive towards Lake Mansarovar, one of the highest freshwater lakes. Perform Puja and spiritual activities at the lake.
Altitude: 4590 meters above sea level
Driving Distance: 370 km
Driving Time: 7-8 hours
Overnight Stay: Mansarovar standard hotel twin sharing ( triple during peak seasons )
Day 10
Drive from Mansarovar to Darchen
Resting and acclimatizing here. From here it will start to get colder. 5 degree celsius to - sub zero temperatures at night. If you want to book pony or porter today will be the day you will inform trip leader about it.
Activity: Circumambulate part of Lake Mansarovar by vehicle, then drive to Darchen. Preparations for the upcoming trek.
Altitude: 4575 meters above sea level
Driving Distance: 40 km
Driving Time: 1-2 hours
Overnight Stay: Darchen
Day 11
Trek from Darchen to Diraphuk
30 minutes drive from Darchen to YamDwar. From Yamdwar the trek begins. Porter and Pony help is available for people who booked it previous day. Its a 12 km trek and two tea houses will be available during the trek ( 2 km and 8 km ). This is the place to refill warm water, interact with local tibetans and enjoy the warmth. This is the easiest day of the Parikrama.
Activity: Start the Mount Kailash Parikrama.( Day 1 of Parikrama ) Trek from Darchen to Diraphuk via Yam Dwar (the Gate of the God of Death). Includes magnificent views of Mount Kailash's north face.
Altitude: 4890 meters above sea level
Hiking Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Overnight Stay: Diraphuk
Day 12
Trek from Diraphuk to Zuthulphuk via Dolma La Pass
This is the toughest day of the Parikrama. Horse will take you until the Dolma La Pass, porter will be available . Steep uphill and downhill and our TTK team is qualified to help you with this challenge. Two tea house before Dolma la pass and four tea houses after dolma la pass . After half an hour descent, we will catch a glimpse of the sacred Gauri kund. 30 minutes from Gauri kund we will pass the glacier. Walking through the ice. Simple but thrilling and we have to walk very safely and slowly. 22 kms walk - and the toughest day of parikrama is done.
Activity: The most challenging day of the Parikrama, crossing the Dolma La Pass. Visit Gauri Kund, a sacred lake on the descent.
Altitude: 4835-5600 meters above sea level
Hiking Distance: 22 km
Hiking Time: 10-12 hours
Overnight Stay: Zuthulphuk
Day 13
Trek from Zuthulphuk to Darchen Day 3 - Final Day Parikrama
We have to walk 4 kms from zuthulphuk and we will reach the last tea house. Our luxurious vehicles( Volvo ) will be waiting to drive you to Darchen. This is the most easiest day of the Parikrama
Activity: Complete the last leg of the Parikrama. Vehicles pick up at the last tea shop. Hiking Distance: 13 km, Hiking Duration: 4-5 hours.
Altitude: 4835-5600 meters above sea level
Driving Distance: 5 km
Driving Time: 20 minutes
Overnight Stay: Darchen
Day 14
Drive from Darchen to Saga
Begin the return journey, driving through the Tibetan plateau. Scenic stop at a viewpoint for photos and rest.
Driving Distance: 450 km
Driving Time: 8-9 hours
Overnight Stay: Saga
Day 15
Drive from Saga to Kyirong
Continue the drive back towards the Nepal border. Lunch break and final shopping for Tibetan souvenirs.
Driving Distance: 170 km
Driving Time: 5-6 hours
Overnight Stay: Kyirong
Day 16
Drive from Kyirong to Kathmandu
Cross the border at Rasuwagadhi. Drive back to Kathmandu with scenic stops along the way.
Driving Distance: 166 km
Driving Time: 7-8 hours
Overnight Stay: Kathmandu 4 star hotel
Day 17
Departure from Kathmandu
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Bid farewell with memories of an unforgettable journey.