Mount Kailash Tour | Best tour from Nepal to Tibet

Highlights of Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal

Visit the stunning Peiku Tso lake for a scenic treat.
Visit Lake Mansarovar for a religious morning prayer and take a bus ride around the lake.
Pass the Valley of Gods; Yamdwar and Tarboche.
Climb the Dolma La Pass, reaching a height of 5630 meters to enjoy a one-of-a-kind view.
Sightseeing around the Kathmandu Valley and Kerung.
Embark on one of the most unique, off-the-beaten-path adventures, surrounded by pristine nature, high-altitude monasteries, and tranquil solitude.
Challenge yourself both mentally and physically on a journey that tests your endurance while offering deep spiritual rewards.
Discover the ancient Bon faith, with its roots deeply tied to Mount Kailash, offering insights into pre-Buddhist Tibetan traditions and rituals.
Refresh your spirit at the serene and holy Lake Manasarovar, known for its pristine waters, believed to wash away one’s sins and offer spiritual blessings.

Trip Overview

The Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal is a mix of pilgrimage tours and adventures to the highlands of Tibet. Along with visiting Lake Mansarovar and Mt. Kailash, we will also explore the northern side of Kailash, go on a sightseeing tour around Kerung, and visit a bunch of religious sites in Kathmandu.

Mount Kailash is famously known as the home of Shiva, ancient Hindu scriptures have stated this for thousands of years and now that traveling has been easier than ever, it’s no longer a hassle to visit this holy site. Mount Kailash is close to Lake Manasarovar which is also considered a holy lake, a part of the Kailash region. Lake Rakshastal is also a nearby lake but is not often visited because it is considered a normal lake.

As per the ancient Hindu belief, one who visits Mt. Kailash and wishes for something with a noble heart gets what they wished for. Lord Shiva is known as “the destroyer” but is also capable of granting wishes to his devotees.

The Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal starts in Kathmandu, takes you to Tibet, and back to Kathmandu at the end of the trek. But before you leave for Tibet, you have to get the proper permit and visa. This includes the Tibet Travel Permit and Chinese Group Visa, without both of them, you will not be able to enter the border of Kerung. Of course, we will help you get these permits and the cost related to it is covered by the package.

Visiting the sacred land of Mount Kailash is something that the majority of Hinduism followers long for. But given that it is a long journey and the complications of traveling to a foreign land keep them from visiting the holy land of Shiva. This is exactly why we are offering this Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal package. Let’s get to learn all about this amazing religious tour.

Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu

Day 1 of the Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal consists of arriving at the international airport in Kathmandu following a scenic flight. You will see a bunch of peaks during your flight specifically when you are flying over the highlands of Nepal. You will also be able to view the amazing Annapurna highlands along with its magnificent peaks and a handful of peaks of the Khumbu region.

Once you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport you will have to obtain your tourist visa before you leave the terminal. To successfully obtain a tourist visa to Nepal, you need to have the following:

A valid passport (valid for at least 6 months
from the date of arrival)
Return tickets
Proof of accommodation
Two passport-sized photos
Bank receipt of visa fee payment
Print out the barcode (if you applied online)

You can choose to simply apply for a visa at the airport by filling up a physical application form or you can apply online. In peak travel season, the airport can get a bit busy and you might have to wait in line to fill out your tourist application form. So, filling out an online visa application form will save you from standing in a queue at the immigration booth.

Once you are set to go, our rep will be waiting for you in the terminal with your name written on a board. He will welcome you to Nepal and guide you to your accommodation for the night.

Once at the hotel, he will collect your passport and a couple of passport-sized photos to apply for a Chinese Visa and a travel permit to Tibet. The application takes about three business days to process during which we will prepare for the trip and go on a sightseeing trip around Kathmandu valley.

Duration

30 minuets drive to hotel

Meals

Excluded

Accommodation

3-Star Hotel

Day 02: Visit Pashupatinath Temple

Visiting the Pashupatinath Temple is one of the major highlights of the Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal. Pashupatinath Temple is considered one of the highly revered temples in Hinduism and sees thousands of visitors and devotees all year round. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site, dating back to the 17th century.

Pashupatinath was built under the commission of the then-King Bhupatindra Malla.

The temple has a pagoda-influenced architecture which was all the hype back in the 17th century. It’s more of a mix of pagoda-style and traditional Nepalese architecture, having intricate patterns on the interiors and pagoda-style design on the exterior.

The story behind the temple can be traced back to different religious Hindu books. Basically, back when gods used to roam Earth, Lord Shiva had a consort named Sati. She was very beloved to Shiva and the feelings reciprocated. However, Sati’s father did not approve of their relationship and insulted Shiva.

Hearing Lord Shiva’s insult from her father himself, Sati could not hold herself back and set herself ablaze on the sacred fire of Yajna. By the time Lord Shiva was informed about it, Sati had already perished. Devastated, Lors Shiva carried around the burnt body of Sati in despair while part by part Sati’s body disintegrated.

Wherever parts of her body fell, the place became a sacred site which is known as Shakti Peethas at present. The temples around Pashupatinath are dedicated to such places and the main Pashupatinath temple is said to be the place that has the heart of Sati.

Until a few years ago, tourists and non-Hindus were not allowed to enter the main temple of Pashupatinath but at present anyone regardless of their religious views is allowed within the temple.

The temple has yet another story that is quite interesting as well. Lord Shiva and his wife Goddess Parbati dedicated to visiting Earth one day, in the form of deers. Experiencing the beauty of nature around the banks of Bagmati, the couple decided to stay there for eternity. But the other gods wanted Shiva to come back to the heavens so they sent a scout to bring back Shiva and Parbati.

The scout located the couple on the banks of Bagmati and proposed to them to come back but when Shiva refused the invitation, the scout and Shiva, in the form of a deer, had a tusk. Shiva lost a part of his antlers which is now the basis of the main Pashupatinath Temple. Extreme Hindu followers believe the temple to have been around since 400 AD.

Activity

Visit to Pashupatinath

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

3-Star Hotel

Day 03: Acclimatization day and sightseeing

Since we have to wait for the Tibet travel permit and the Chinese visa, we will make the most out of our time in Kathmandu by sightseeing in the valley. There is no way around it, you have to wait for the visa to be processed. For your sightseeing tour, we will be visiting sites like Bouddhanath Stupa, Swayambhnath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square, Nuwakot Viewpoint, Budanikantha, and more.

Bouddhanth Stupa

Among the oldest stupas in Nepal, Bouddhanath Stupa is one of the most prominent, having been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 AD. Bouddhanath is the perfect example of a classic stupa design. It has two circular plinths as its base, on top of which lies the huge dome.

On the top of the dome lies a golden cubicle with intimidating eyes drawn on each of the four sides, followed by a thirteen-step pyramid which is the base for the pinnacle. The reason for it being 13 steps is to symbolize the 13 steps needed to reach nirvana. All the prayer flags are attached to the base of the pinnacle which are said to protect the valley from evil spirits.

There’s an interesting story behind the construction of Bouddhnath. Back in the 4th century, during the reign of Lichhavi King Dharmadeva, a bunch of stone spouts was installed at Narayanhiti but the water did not pass by which made it useless. When the king asked about it, one of the consultants advised him to offer the most righteous man to the gods.

The king searched for the most righteous man only to come to realization that it was him all along. He asked his son, Prince Manadeva, to sacrifice the man lying down near the stone spouts in the evening. The prince agreed to his father’s order and was sent there in the evening, the king was lying there facing the spouts when the prince slashed the head off.

Upon realizing that he had slain his own father, Prince Manadeva was completely devasted. King Dharmadeva’s head landed at the Bajrayogini Temple where the Buddhist tantric deity Vajrayogini gave him a chance to make things right. Vajrayogini advised the young prince to get a hen and throw it in the air, wherever the hen flew and landed, he had to build a stupa there.

The stupa was later discovered by Ngakchang Sakya Zangpo who carried out the construction of the stupa that we see today. This was back in the 15th century and in the 17th century, the gold-plated pinnacle was added.

Swayambhunath Stupa

Along with Bouddhnath Stupa, the Swayambhunath Stupa is one of the most prominent stupas in Nepal and also the most important one, given its rich history and religious significance. It is the oldest stupa in Nepal and a significant landmark of Tibetan Buddhism influence in Nepal.

As per the Buddhist mythology, the Kathmandu valley was a big lake in the past where a lotus self emerged out of nowhere. The lotus was no ordinary lotus but one with a radiating aura, illuminating the nearby land. The Bodhisattva Manjushri came to hear about this while he was peacefully meditating in China. He could not resist the urge to check it out so he flew over the hills to arrive at Kathmandu valley, a huge lake with a radiating lotus.

Upon his arrival, he felt the spiritual presence of the lotus and decided to drain the valley so that more people could visit the place of devotion. He slashed an entire hill with his sword to drain the water and made the valley that it is at present.

The Swayambhunath Stupa is worshipped by Buddhists and Hindus alike and every morning hundreds of devotees walk the 365 steps up the hill that leads to the stupa. Much like Bouddhnath, this stupa also has 4 intimidating eyes in every direction with a little nose but now ears since it is said that Buddha is not one who likes to hear devotees praising him.

Whenever you visit a stupa, Chorten, or gompa, always remember that you must approach it from the left. You are supposed to go around it clockwise which is the way the universe goes according to Buddhism. Factually, the Earth rotates counterclockwise but argument can be made as the rotation type depends on the point of view.

Budanilkantha Temple

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Budanilkantha Temple is said to be over 1500 years old but the exact date of construction is still unknown. Much like Swayambhunath and Bouddhanath, this temple is also visited by Hindus and Buddhists alike.

The center of the temple is a sacred pond that houses a 5-meter-long statue of Lord Vishnu sleeping on a bed of snakes. The statue is made from a single huge Basalt rock commonly found in Nepal’s riverside. The snake is actually his personal companion who is ready to assist the lord in any task. The statue makes it seem like Lord Vishnu is sleeping but he is actually in a meditative state, fully aware of the environment and what’s happening at any given moment.

Fun fact, most of the Malla kings of Nepal did not visit this temple. Pratap Malla, the then king of Nepal had a dream one night. A prophecy led him to believe that if he ever visits the temple, he will be dead. He ruled the land of Nepal from 1641 to 1674 after which the Malla kings seldom visited the Budanilkantha Temple, worried that the prophecy might just come true.

Day 6 of the Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal takes us to Kerung. Traveling the Pasang Lhamu Highway, we will get to the Tibetan border of Kerung in just about an hour from Ghatte Khola. The officials over at the border will check our permits and visas, approve them, and only then let us enter Tibet. From there, the famous Friendship Highway starts.

Our Nepalese crew members will return from the border while our Tibetan crew members will receive you on the other side. Traveling the Friendship Highway, we will get to Kerung town in about an hour. Today’s total ride will last for about 3 hours, accounting for all the breaks we will take on the way.

Activity

Driving

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Local Teahouse

Day 07: Acclimatization Day in Kerung

Acclimatization is very important for the Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal as it holds the power to make or break your trip. Spending a day at Kerung, exploring the attractions of the city is the best way to acclimatize to the change in surroundings since we traveled from Ghatte Khola (1500 meters) to Kerung (2950 meters), almost 2 times the altitude.

Pakba Gompa

The Pakba monastery has a similar appearance to that of Pashupatinath since both sites are built in pagoda style. However, Pakba has more of a Tibetan influence, which is obvious since it is in Tibet. It has somewhat of a Nepalese vibe but the exteriors are very Tibetan.

At an elevation of 2850 m, Pakba Monastery is situated about 30 meters northeast of the Kerung city’s official building. The very first pillar located south of the corridor features a painting of a typography expert.

A tall pinnacle constructed of copper is located on the topmost story and is linked to it by a gemstone, a crescent moon, a lotus-shaped roof, and a ring of light. Red metal that shines covers the top of the building. On either side of the entrance are two rounded wooden lion sculptures.

The south, east, and middle portions of the building are designed to be illuminated by lightning through the southern side. Eight Buddha sculptures can be found on the west and east sides, and a hardwood figure of Buddha Sakyamuni can be found on the northern side.

Nai Village

At the top of Kerung city, Nai Village offers unforgettable scenes of the Tibetan peaks along with fluffy clouds floating over the scenery, and traditional rituals of the locals. A level area covering over 9 sq. km. has two rudimentary communities on its eastern and western borders. These villages, which go by the names East and West Nai, are inhabited by about 80 households.

It is also known as “Nitsun” in Tibetan, a term that means the sacred site graced by the gods. Atsia is said to have traveled through Nepal from India, passed via Kerung, and spent a year living in Nai village before accepting the invitation to Tibet. He stated it to be simply a utopia rather than a civilization of people.

The kindness and hospitality they extend towards you is going to make you delighted. Enjoying the beauty of nature, mountains such as Mt. Yangra, Langbo Kangri, and Shalbachum, and green hills, are perfect in Nai village. To the north of Nai is Mt Raobanba, whose irregular summits resemble a massive white digital display.

Day 10 of the Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal is the highlight of the trip, as the whole build-up of the trip ends here. Our main objective is to visit the Mansarovar Lake and pray to the gods for health, wealth, and guidance. You are free to do the puja with ease, there is no time restraint but most of the devotees prefer to do their prayers early in the morning.

After we are done with the worshipping ceremony, we will go around the lake, circling it clockwise. We won’t be walking, that would take hours, instead, we will ride the bus. Following that, we will visit the Chiu Gompa monastery and Mt. Swastika.

After spending hours at Lake Mansarovar, we will get going to Darchen. It’s only 40 kilometers away which is about an hour of bus ride away.

Max Altitude

4670 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Local Teahouse

Day 11: Drive from Darchen to Tarboche (5km) and Trek to Dirapuk (14km)

Day 11 of the Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal takes us to the Valley of Gods. Passing Tarboche, followed by Yamdwar, which is the so-called “Valley of Gods”. Today is also the day when we start the climb of the Kailash trek. The path to Kailash is not that hard, in fact, it’s an easy ascend all the way through, it’s just a long one.

Leaving Darchen, we will get on the trail, passing by many fellow devotees and locals of the region. Following the western road to Kailash, we will hike for about 6 hours to reach Dirapuk and we get to enjoy a rare view of the southern side of Mt. Kailash.

If you are someone who is unable to walk all the way through, you can also hire a horse to carry you to Dirapuk. However, you have to book them days before you reach there since they are highly demanded. We also get to visit the Dirapuk Monastery once we reach our destination of the day along with a view of the Kangkyam glacier.

Duration

5-6 hours.

Max Altitude

5,210 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Local Teahouse

Day 12: Dirapuk to ZhutulPuk over Dolma La Pass (5630 m)

Today’s a day full of trek; we will start off the day with a plain hike from Dirapuk to Zuthulpuk. The route is somewhat plain before we have to get on the trail to Dolma La Pass which is the hardest climb of the entire Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal. However, you do not have to be intimidated byt the fact. It’s actually very manageable since we will be doing it bit by bit, taking rests for refreshments and hydration.

The Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal is one of the easiest multi-country tours you can go for. Starting from Nepal, this tour takes you to multiple cities in Tibet and ultimately to Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. During this tour, you will spend most of your days riding on a bus or jeep while you only have to trek for a couple of days. Those couple of days of trekking are not even that difficult.

This tour has very mild trekking days to make sure that every devotee can join in on the pilgrimage and have a great time. This is not a challenge to conquer nor an adventure but more of a tour of the home of Lord Shiva. On a scale of 10, this tour is only a 3.

Mount Kailash Tour From Nepal Best seasons

This tour can basically be done throughout the year but there are some preferable seasons. Spring and autumn are the most preferred season as they offer mild and temperate conditions for touring. In addition to that, there are many cons of spring and autumn such as clear landscape views, and little to no rainfall. Spring is also the season for snowfall in the Kailash region.

Winter and Summer are not very preferred. Winter brings in borderline unbearable cold in the high Himalayas and summer can be too hot in the lower regions of the tour.

Altitude Sickness of Mount Kailash Tour From Nepal

This Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal is not one that induces altitude sickness frequently. In fact, people rarely get altitude sickness during this tour as they do not have to spend much time above the 5000-meter elevation which is the main region of altitude sickness. In contrast to another highland tour, this tour is much safer as proven by our track record.

You rarely get altitude sickness during this tour but just in case you do, the guide will call in air support to get you down to the nearest hospital for check up and medication. This emergency service is not a part of the Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal and must be paid for separately unless you have travel insurance.

Accommodation, Food, and Drink during the Mount Kailash Tour From Nepal

Throughout the entire tour, we will be staying in warm and cozy lodges and standard hotels to make sure that you receive all the basic amenities plus some more. Accommodations are a part of the Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal package so you do not have to pay extra for it, just like food. We will provide you with breakfast, lunch, and dinner (all vegetarian options only) every day.

However, when it comes to drinks, we will only provide you with mineral water for the entirety of the tour. Any other drinks that you get will have to be paid out of your own pocket.

Transportation to Mount Kailash Tour From Nepal

Since our Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal is full of bus/jeep rides from Nepal to Tibet and back, we will manage, coordinate, and cover all the transportation required by the proposed itinerary. As per the size of the group, we will arrange a jeep, car, or bus for your travel.

Permit for Mount Kailash Tour From Nepal

For your visit to Tibet, you will need a Tibet Travel pass which can be applied for from Kathmandu. We will help you apply for this permit, all you have to do is provide us with your passport and a couple of photos. Secondly, you must also have a Chinese Group Visa which allows you to travel the Chinese land since Tibet is officially a part of China. Both of these permits are a part of the Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal package.

Mount Kailash Tour From Nepal Gadgets charging & Internet

Since this tour takes you to the major cities of Tibet, there won’t be an issue with electricity. However, be sure that you keep your gadgets safe while charging them in public places like restaurants. Internet connections are also very stable and fast in the highlands of Tibet, however, sometimes the connections might be laggy specifically in areas like Lake Mansarovar and Mt. Kailash.

Your Extra expenses for the Mount Kailash Tour From Nepal

International flight tickets, personal trekking gear, additional accommodation and food, personal travel/medical insurance, additional activities in Kathmandu, emergency rescue services, cold drinks or any other drinks except water, tips for the crew members, etc. are not a part of the Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal package and must be paid for separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to go to Kailash from Nepal?

The Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal is priced at USD _________ per person. The tour pacakge includes airport drop off and pickup, all ground transportation, accommodation in Kathmandu and Tibet, breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the tour, sight-seeing tickets, tour guide and porter wages, driver’s wages, travel permits expenses, and more.

How many days is required for Kailash Yatra?

The standard Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal can last anywhere from 19 to 21 days. The number of days depends on the itinerary followed and acclimatization days.

Which month is best for Kailash?

As per our guide, October is the best month for Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal. This month offers the best scene and clouds steer away offering a clear view of the peaks and landscape.

Is Mount Kailash trek difficult?

No, the Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal is not difficult at all. You just have to trek for a couple of days and the trekking trail is very easy and manageable. Climbing to the Dolam La Pass might be little difficult but is very doable and we will make sure to take multiple breaks to catch our breath and reach there safely.

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