Kailash Overland Tour via Kodari New

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Trip Facts
Duration
13 Days
Destination
Tibet
Maximum Altitude
5638m /18,500ft
Group Size
Min. 17 to Max. 50 people.
Starts / Ends
Kathmandu / Tibet

Kailash overland tour via Kerung boarder is the best way to reach the sacred mount Kailash. About 125 km north of Kathmandu, Kerung is a beautiful town with pleasant climates throughout the year is also known as the valley of Happiness. This is an exclusive town in Tibet where the plenty of green vegetables are grown! The roads from Kathmandu to Kerung are quite tough, bumpy and often landslides encounter. As a backup, a helicopter ride from Kathmandu to Kerung (half an hour journey) is very popular among the pilgrims.

Kailash overland tour via Kerung starts at Kathmandu and follows the scenic and exciting Pasang Lhamu Highway that connects Nepal Kerung and Tibet Jilong. We drive early morning from Kathmandu to Timure, Rasuwa Ghadi, after completing immigration formalities we drive to Kerung. Or as an option, we can stop in Saybrubesi for acclimatization proposes before heading to Kerung. We can acclimatize two nights in Kerung or a night in Saybrubesi (Nepal side) and a night in Kerung, it will depend upon the situation and then continue the trip to Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar!

Mount Kailash is a sacred peak in the Kailash Range, which forms part of the Trans-Himalaya in Tibet China. It lies near the source of some of the longest rivers in Asia: the Indus River, the Sutlej River, the Brahmaputra River, and the Karnali River. Kailash is considered a sacred Mountain in four religions: Bön, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. The mountain lies near Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal in Tibet. Trekking around this mountain is 53km (2 nights 3 days) has to be done on foot, pony or yak, starting from a height of around 15,000 ft (4,600 m) past the Tarboche (flagpole) to cross the Drolma pass 18,200 ft (5,500 m), after crossing the pass we drive back to Kathmandu.

Following is the new and updated itinerary for Kailash overland tour via Kerung border, we are organizing small group tours from the boarders and Lhasa. If you are interested in joining one of our trips please contact us at alpineecotrek@gmail.com

Trip Itinerary

  • Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu and Transfer to Hotel (1350m)
  • Day 02 and Day 03: In Kathmandu, permits/paper works, sightseeing and preparation for Kerung Kailash overland Tour (1350m)
  • Day 04: Drive to Kerung (3560m) 
  • Day 05: Rest day in Kerung (3560m)
  • Day 06: Drive to Saga/Dongba (4500m)
  • Day 07: Drive to holy Lake Manasarovar (4550)
  • Day 08: Exploration of Lake Manasarovar (4550), drive in the evening to Darchen.
  • Day 09: Kora starts: Trek from Darchen to Dira Phuk Monastery (4800m)
  • Day 10: Trek to Zutul Phuk Monastery via Dolma La Pass (4700m)
  • Day 11: Trek back to Darchen and Drive to Saga (4600m)
  • Day 12: Drive to Kerung, cross boarder and continue to Kathmandu
  • Day 13: Fly back to home.

Kailash Overland Tour via Kodari New Itinerary

Starts / EndsKathmandu / Tibet
Max Altitude5638m /18,500ft
Day 1

Arrival at Kathmandu and Transfer to Hotel (1350m)

Upon your arrival at International Airport in Kathmandu; Alpine Eco Trek Team will welcome you with scarp (Khada) in Buddhist Traditional way or with flower Mala in Hindu Traditional way and transfer to hotel. We organize evening team meeting and collect original passport and photos for Tibet/Chinese visa. Dinner and overnight at a standard hotel.

Max Altitude: 1350m
Meals: D
Accommodation: hotel
Day 2 and 3

Kathmandu day preparation for Kerung Kailash overland Tour (1350m)

Sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath and Baudhanath. Pashupatinath stupa offers great insights into hindu religious highlights. And in the similar way, Boudhanath stupa is another spiritual Buddhist UNESCO world heritage site. Visa collection, preparation of the trip and packing.  Our staff will assist you if you need any help. Overnight at a standard hotel. 

Max Altitude: 1350m
Accommodation: hotel
Day 4

Drive to Kerung (3560m)

We start our journey from Kathmandu early in the morning and drive for about 170kms through the beautiful Nepalese countryside to Timure Nepal - Tibet border. After completing the border formalities at both the Nepalese and Chinese immigration posts we drive up to Kerung city. Our staff will prepare fresh breakfast, packed lunch and dinner for group and serve daily at usual time with different items and food varieties. Overnight stay at Guesthouse in Kerung.

Max Altitude: 3560m
Meals: B L D
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Distance: 170kms
Day 5

Rest day in Kerung (3560m).

We spend our rest of the day in Kerung (3560m) today in order to acclimatize before heading up higher. Walk around market, rest and acclimatize. Or we can drive by the late afternoon to Saga for better accommodation.Overnight at Guesthouse in Kerung.

Max Altitude: 3560m
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Day 6

Drive to Saga (4500m)

Today we drive over beautiful arid Tibetan land and passing nomad settlement and crossing numerous pass including Jerkyung La which is more than 5000m high. Further, we cross Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo) river lifeline of millions of people of Tibet, Nepal and India and Saga the biggest nomadic city in the area. Overnight at Guesthouse in Saga.

Max Altitude: 4500m
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Day 7

Drive to holy Lake Manasarovar (4550)

Today we drive over beautiful arid Tibetan land and passing nomad settlement like Paryang, Mayum etc. and crossing Mayum La Pass and Dungyun Tso beautiful Lake. Overnight at Guesthouse in Manasarovar Lake.

Max Altitude: 4550 m
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Day 8

Exploration of the Lake Manasarovar (4550), in the late afternoon drive to Darchen.

Today, we will spend almost half of the day at Manasarover lake exploring this amazing place. We will visit the picturesque Chiu Monastery on the North West shore of the lake, with the imposing sight of Mount Kailash in the background. Also we enjoy the good views of Mount Gurlamandata in south of Lake Manasarovar and view of Rakshas Lake (Lahang Tso) from a top of Chiu Hill. In the late afternoon, we will drive about 35km to Darchen for overnight stay.

Max Altitude: 4550 m
Distance: 35 km
Day 9

Kora starts: Trek to Dira Phuk Monastery (4800m)

We drive towards Mount Kailash base camp Tarboche flagpole; which is marked by a tall pole adorned with prayer flags. This is the starting point for our kora, the 53km trek around the mountain. We walk up the Lha Chu Valley through beautiful green meadows and streams with Mount Kailash towering above us. We follow the river, which enters a narrow canyon with high, steep cliffs and spectacular waterfalls. Continuing up the valley, the North Face of Mount Kailash comes into view before we reach the 13th century monastery at Dira Phuk. Overnight at Guesthouse in Mount Kailash North Face.

Max Altitude: 4800m
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Distance: 53km
Day 10

Trek to Zutul Phuk Monastery (4700m)

Now we leave to the Lha Chu Valley and enter the Dolma Chu Valley, heading up towards a high pass, the Dolma La (5636m). It's a tough climb to the summit which is festooned with prayer flags but from there it is all downhill to Syabje Dadok and flat walk to Zuthul Phuk Monastery, with views of one of the highest lakes in the world, Gaurikunda Lake (Thukpe Dzingbu), known as the Lake of Compassion. As well as the cave monastery at Zuthul Phuk, there are several meditation caves and another cave containing an image of Jechun Milarepa. Overnight at Guesthouse in Zuthul Phuk.

Max Altitude: 4700m
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Day 11

Trek to Darchen and Drive to Saga (4500m)

On the final day of the kora we cross several streams, and follow an impressive gorge. Along the way we are once again treated to magnificent views of Mount Kailash. We then enter the Dzongdud plain and conclude the Kora in Dzongdud Mani wall and drive to Saga. Overnight at Guesthouse in Saga.

Max Altitude: 4500m
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Day 12

Drive to Kerung, cross boarder and continue to Kathmandu

We again cross the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo) River and drive to Kerung, We say goodbye to our Tibetan guide and driver and walk to Nepalese Immigration where we meet Alpine Eco Trek representatives, after completing the re-entry formalities we continue the drive to Kathmandu which, depends on road and weather conditions. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Accommodation: Hotel
Day 13

Fly back to home

Drive to airport and fly back to home.

Are you still confuse from where to start?
No worries - Our Team is ready to guide you!

Trip Cost Details

Cost Includes

  • All necessary airport arrival and departure, drop, pick up to/from Kerung transfers by a private coach.
  • Accommodations in Kathmandu in 3/4/5 star standard hotel twin sharing room with fullboard meals.
  • Half day guided tour in Kathmandu as per mentioned in itinerary
  • Accommodations in Tibet on private room sharing basis using guesthouse / Hotel.
  • Freshly cooked vegetarian meals 3 times a day.
  • Supporting Nepali crew including our own cooks.
  • Permits for Manasarovar  Prikarma and Kailash Kora (round).
  • Tibet Tourism Board (TTB) approved guide.
  • Private transportation in an eight seated deluxe van for clients and small truck for staff and food during the trip.
  • Kailash Permit
  • Camping equipments for kitchen, Shower
  • Sleeping bag/ Down Jacket if needed on Returnable basis.
  • Duffle bag (big bag for keeping personal clothes and equipments) & day carry hand bag
  • Experienced tour leader / co-coordinator
  • ENOUGH Oxygen cylinder entire of tour
  • Yaks and Yak-men to carry baggage, food, fuel etc while making round of Mt. Kailash.
  • Priest (Brahmin) for Homa (only for bigger group of poeple, 30 above).
  • Manasarovar Parikarma by Vehicle.

Cost Excludes

  • Personal Pony Charges (will cost US$ 600 to 700 per pony and helper for three days)
  • Personal expenses like shopping, phone calls, extra drinks, laundry, yak etc.
  • Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities, flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, accidents etc.
  • Tips to drivers, hotel staff.
  • Tibet/China Visa Fee (US$230 pp for the US passports and US$ 125 pp for other nationalities).
  • Extra cost of transportation, Porterage etc involved due landslides, snowfall.
  • Services other than specified. Extra days stay at Kathmandu than 3 nights/ any other place.

Dates and Availability

24th May, 23rd June, 22nd July, 21st Aug and 19th Sept are the arrival dates in Kathmandu for the Full Moon Tour for 2026. If you are looking for Lhasa Kailash overland tour please click for more about Lhasa Kailash fixed departure tour for 2025.

Can’t find your dates?
Get in touch to craft a bespoke itinerary or request an additional date to privatize.

Equipment List

  • Small bag pack for 3 days trekking/Parikarma/ Kora around Mount Kailash
  • Sufficient warm clothing including warm down jacket for Kailash tour.
  • essential medicines (for minor injuries / life saving kits)
  • Any regular medicines that you have been prescribed
  • Toiletries kit (shop, Shampoo, Toothpaste, tooth brush)
  • Water bottle /Thermos flask for hot water (2litters bottle)
  • Hiking shoes good for walking 3 days Kailash Kora/trekking
  • Woolen gloves, Woolen socks (minimum 4 pairs), hand clove
  • Wool / Thermo cot undergarments, wind and water proof jacket
  • T-Shirt, long shirt and pants which is easier to be while doing trekking 
  • Sunglasses, Sun lotion/cold cream, Torch light, rain coat
  • Umbrella, walking stick, Sandal for use evening & morning
  • Sweets, Zinger / garlic candies or dry fruits, lozenges, etc…

Essential Information

ESTIMATE FOR ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES IN KAILASH MANASAROVAR TOUR:

  • Horse for personal use on Kora days is approx USD 600 to USD 700 per person extra
  • Extra day trip to Asthapad USD 90 per person extra
  • Extra day in Kathmandu USD 75 per person with 2 meals and twin sharing room.
  • Muktinath trip USD 950 per person including two nights in Pokhara, one night Jomsom and round trip flight to and from Jomsom with meals and private transfers.

INSURANCE:

Alpine Eco Trek highly suggests you to apply for Medical Insurance, covering emergency evacuation and all medical expenses are must for Kerung Kailash overland tour. So, please be insured prior to the holy journey to the Heavenly Abode of Lord Shiva.

MEALS DURING JOURNEY:

Meals during your stay in Kathmandu are provided in package at the same hotel where you stay. Meals during the journey will be all vegetarian. Alpine Eco Trek's staff will serve you hot and delicious meal at every day breakfast, lunch and dinner on the way in Kerung Kailash overland tour. We will provide you packed lunch while doing Kora around Mount Kailash. And, we also suggest you to bring some of your favorite dry foods, sweets and ginger and garlic Candies along the tour. 

TOUR LEADERS, GUIDES AND STAFF:

Since our establishment, Alpine Eco Trek and Expedition (P) Ltd is a pioneer operator of Mount Kailash and Manasarovar tours. We have dozens of regular and trained tour leaders, guides, cooks, drivers and supporting crew engaged for a professional and reliable service. Extremely friendly, knowledgeable and experienced team and other first aid treatment trained crew will be there in your group to serve you and make your trip a memorable one for the rest of your life!

TRANSPORTATION: 

We will provide transportation for Kerung Kailash overland tour depending on group size like if there are below 5 we provide a Jeep, if 5 to 08 we provide a Van, if 08 to 16 we provide two vans, if above 16 up to 50 people we prove a deluxe buses.

ACCOMODATION (KATHMANDU-KAILASH TIBET):

During your stay in Kathmandu, we will provide you any kind of accommodation as per your needs. You can have a single, or double or family room in Kathmandu. We select the best categories of 3, 4 and 5 star hotels in Kathmandu. But accommodation in Kailash region is will be very basic.  Read more…

HEALTH PRE- CAUTION:

Normally, at higher altitude area in Tibet including Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarover, the amount of oxygen is less in the air. Certain illness such as loss of appetite, mild headache, nausea, tiredness, breathlessness, general uneasiness, high irritability, light loss of balance, disorientation, incoherence and insomnia etc may be induced in the windy weather and high altitude area which generally is not encountered over the plains. This kind of symptoms can be seen in anyone irrespective of their age, sex and physical fitness read more ….

The best season to Travel Holy Mt. Kailash is from May to October; please try to travel always with a local and direct agent and small group – private departure dates available. All the travelers including Indian passport holders travelling to Mt. Kailash must be in possession of a current passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining.

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Ram Kumar Adhikari
Ram Kumar Adhikari