Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Drive via Kyirong

Your Arrival Time (?) Our office representative will meet and greet you at Kathmandu Airport and transfer you to your hotel.

At. 06:00 PM: We will meet for a trip briefing about your tour programme. If you are arriving late (after 4:00 PM), then we will have a briefing next morning at 09:00 AM. You can ask all your related questions during the trip briefing meeting.

Note: Make sure that the arrival day is Sunday, so the next day we can apply for your visa immediately.

At. 09:30 AM: After your breakfast, you may need to visit the Chinese Embassy to apply for your visa to Tibet. Most of the time, the visit isn't required, but if needed, we will arrange a visit. Later, you will go for a full day of sightseeing in Kathmandu.

Firstly, you will start with Pashupatinath Temple, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva. You will wander through the maze of the temple, surrounded by small shrines, each with its own religious significance. Then, you will drive towards Jal Narayan Temple. Take your time to appreciate the intricate details of the reclining statue of Lord Vishnu, its size, and the open air settings. You can have your lunch in between the sightseeing, according to your timing and nearby places of interest. Your final destination today will be Patan Durbar Square, one of the three Durbar squares, where you will travel through the historical lane.

At. 04:00 PM: Once your sightseeing is complete, we will drop you off at your hotel. In the evening, you can go shopping around Thamel, a tourist market in Kathmandu. 

Optional Activity: You can also take part in the thrilling Everest Mountain Flight. It is a sightseeing adventure flight that departs at 06:30 AM from Kathmandu airport to Kathmandu airport, a 1 hour flight that takes you to the stunning aerial view of Mt. Everest (8848 m) and several other mountains such as Lhotse (8516 m), Kanchenjunga (8586 m), Shishapangma (8027 m), Nuptse (7881 m), Ganesh (7422 m), and Chamlang (7319 m).

Pashupatinath Temple is the largest and holiest shrine for Hindus, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple, situated on the bank of the Bagmati River, was built in the 5th century. It is represented by a four faced Shiva-lingam housed in the main temple. There are around 492 temples, 15 Shivalayas (shrines of Lord Shiva), and 12 Jyotirlingas (phallic shrines) to explore. Although only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed on the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river. A centre for Hindu pilgrimage, this temple hosts different major festivals such as Maha Shivaratri and pujas such as Rudra Abhishek and evening Aarti. Additionally, no entrance fee is charged for Indian nationals to enter the temple.

The Jal Narayan Temple, also known as Budhanilkantha Temple, is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is around 8 KM north of Kathmandu at the base of Shivapuri Hill. The temple is famous for its large, reclining statue of Lord Vishnu resting on a bed of stone serpents in a pool of water. The temple is religiously significant for both Hindus and Buddhists. Unlike other Hindu temples, Budhanilkantha is an open-air shrine offering a unique and serene atmosphere. 

Patan Durbar Square, one of the three durbar squares in Kathmandu Valley, is 6 KM southeast of Kathmandu. The square is an important example of Newari architecture, surrounded by prominent temples, palaces, courtyards, and statues. The Keshav Narayan Temple, which was built in the 17th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, is a masterpiece of pagoda architecture. The temple is known for its nine roofed pagodas and its richly decorated interior. Other notable key attractions on the square are the Krishna Temple, the Taleju Temple, the Bhimsen Temple, and the Patan Museum. 

At. 09:00 AM: Have your breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, you will visit the Bhaktapur Durbar Square for sightseeing, which is at a distance of 16km from Kathmandu and takes around 45 minutes to reach.

Explore around the square and appreciate the unique historical and cultural heritage of the square. You will have various restaurants suitable for you to have your lunch at. You can have your lunch around the square, which provides a variety of restaurants and eateries with authentic Newari cuisines and other national/continental cuisines catering to your needs. 

Next, you will visit the Kailashnath Shiva Statue (the second tallest Mahadev Statue), which is about 8 km from Bhaktapur and offers a breathtaking view of Kathmandu Valley with a leisurely stroll through the well maintained garden surrounding the statue. Then, you will visit Doleshwor Mahadev, which is at a distance of 7.5 km from Kailashnath. There, you can witness the spiritual aura of the temple and, if you wish, participate in the Hindu worship rituals. 

Once your sightseeing is complete, you will drive towards Nagarkot, which is about 16.8 km from Doleshwor Mahadev and takes about 45 minutes to drive. Get ready to escape the hustle and bustle of the city areas. As you reach the resort, take a rest and relax yourself. You can also visit the viewpoint to enjoy the sunset. 

Optional Activity: You can also participate in pottery activities in the pottery square of Bhaktapur. Here, local shops let you create your own pottery items and take them home at a cheap price. Involving yourself in this activity will be a unique experience for you.

Bhaktapur, also known as Khwopa, is approximately 13 km east of Kathmandu. The major highlights of Bhaktapur Durbar Square include Nyatapola Temple, 55-Window Palace, Golden Temple, and Dattatreya Temple, demonstrating the artistic and architectural talent of the Malla era. The Pokharis, such as Siddha Pokhari, Napukhu, and Kamalpokhari, add charm to this site. Moreover, it is famous for its pottery and handicrafts, and the surrounding area of the durbar soiree is dotted with local shops selling traditional pottery, wood carvings, and handicrafts. 

Kailashnath Mahadev Statue is the tallest statue of Lord Shiva and is located in Sanga, 20 km from Kathmandu. The statue is 144 feet (44 m) in height and was made using copper, zinc, concrete, and steel. The statue depicts Lord Shiva in a standing posture, holding a trishul and damaru in his hands.

Doleshwor Mahadev is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in the south eastern part of Bhaktapur district, which is also believed to be the head part of Kedarnath, located in Uttarakhand, India. 

Nagarkot is a scenic town located about 30 kilometres east of Kathmandu. It is famous for breathtaking sunrises and sunrise views over the panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest and other significant mountains such as Langtang, Ganesh, and Gaurishanker. It features a diverse range of luxurious accommodations, such as hotels and resorts, making it a major tourist hub.

At. 05:00 AM: Wake up early in the morning for a majestic sunrise over the mountains. You will be able to enjoy a magnificent sunrise view over the towering peaks from your hotel. After a delicious breakfast accompanied by the beautiful view, get ready for yet another amazing day. 

At. 11:00 AM: Check out of the resort and drive towards Chandragiri Hill, a vantage point located around 37 km from Nagarkot to the cable car base station. It is at a distance of about 14 km from central Kathmandu. You will reach the top of the hill by a 9 minute cable car ride. You will feel the religious significance amidst the serene atmosphere as the hill features a Hindu temple, the Bhaleshwor temple, at the top. It will be around lunch time after your exploration up there. You can also have your lunch at the nearest (1 km from Bhaleshwar Temple) resort, Chandragiri Hills Resort, while you enjoy the panoramic view. Later in the afternoon, you will visit the Swayambhunath Stupa, famously known as the Monkey Temple, a religious site with Hindu and Buddhist harmony. You must climb certain steps to reach the top of the hill, where the stupa is located.

Note: The two way cable car ride to Chandragiri Hills is NPR 1280. You can purchase it from the base station of the Chandragiri Hills once you reach there, which is not included in the package. 

At. 04:00 PM: Once you finish your sightseeing for the day, you will be dropped off at the hotel. You can either rest at the hotel or use the evening time on your own. 

Optional: If you need proper preparation for the Yatra, you can also choose to go for a hike to Chandragiri Hills instead of using a cable car. The hike will assist you in your upcoming trek during the yatra. Or you can take a short hike around Kathmandu in the Shivapuri area to places such as Jamacho Gumba, Bishnudwar, and Bagdwar. These places are inside Shivapuri National Park, so park fees must be paid to enter the area.

Chandragiri is a popular hill station located in the Kathmandu valley at an altitude of 2551 metres, offering stunning mountain and valley views. To reach the top, one needs to take a cable car ride for about 9 minutes. The cable car runs over lush green forests, giving an adrenaline rush. Mountains from Annapurna to Everest can be seen from here. At the top is Bhaleshwar Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This site also features cafes, restaurants, local shops, and a kind of playing section.

Believed to be the oldest Buddhist shrine in Nepal, the history of the Swayambhunath Stupa dates back 2500 years. Also known as a Monkey temple, it is a hilltop pilgrimage site surrounded by smaller temples, stupas, and monasteries. This site shows the perfect harmony of Hindu and Buddhist religions with the combination of Buddhist stupas and Hindu shrines. 

At. 09:00 AM: After breakfast, you will have a full day to rest in Kathmandu. Today, you can use your whole day to prepare for tomorrow's journey. You can visit nearby markets, such as Thamel, to buy any needed stuff for your trip. 

Note: This day can be used as a buffer day, as some time there might be a holiday at the embassy to apply for your visa, so you can also use the previous day to apply for a visa and collect the passport today. If things go well and early, we can start driving towards the Tibet border today too. In such a situation, you can rest for one night after completing the trip in Kathmandu.

At. 08:00 PM: After breakfast, check out of the hotel. You will start your drive towards Dhunche (124 km/5 hrs) or Syabrubesi (137 km/6 hrs) or Timure (148 km/7 hours), where you can spend the night depending on how long it takes to get there. On the way to Trishuli bazaar, you will stop for lunch at a highway restaurant before continuing your journey. The entire ride takes you along the Trishuli River, which offers stunning scenery.

At. 08:00 AM: After breakfast, you will drive to Rasuwagadhi (Nepal-China border), which is about 30 km from Dhunche, 15 km from Syabrubesi, and 3.1 km from Timure. Complete the immigration process from the Nepal side at Rasuwagadhi. After that, you will have to cross the border into China, where our Tibetan guide will meet you at China Immigration. Complete the immigration formalities and continue the drive to Kyirong, which is 69 km from the border and takes around 2 hours to reach. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Kyirong.

At. 08:00 AM: Have your breakfast at your hotel prepared by your kitchen crew. Today you can visit the attractions and markets around Kyirong and observe their day-to-day life. You can go outside and walk around, as it will help you adjust to walking at high altitude. Acclimatization is the process in which an individual adjusts to a change in its environment. As it's not compulsory, you can stay in the hotel and have some rest as well.

At. 07:30 AM: After breakfast, you will drive 155 kilometres from Kyriong to Saga, which will take around 6 hours. En route, you will have the opportunity to go to Ganesh Parbat and Lake Peiku Tso, then eventually cross the bridge built over the River Brahmaputra (also called Yarlung Tsangpo in Chinese) in Saga. On the way, you will have your packed lunch. Overnight stay at Saga.

At. 08:00 AM: Enjoy a delicious morning breakfast, and today you will drive to the holy and beautiful Lake Mansarovar (4650 m). The distance from Saga to Mansarovar is about 450 KM and will take you around 6 to 7 hours. Once you arrive at Mansarovar, you will take a rest at the guest house. After a while, you will be taken for a Kora of Mansarovar Lake in a vehicle. It is an auspicious day, as you will see the first glimpse of holy Kailash from sacred Lake Mansarovar and also a glimpse of Rakshas Taal on you way. You can also take a holy bath on the bank of Lake Mansarovar. You will stay the night at the guesthouse in Mansarovar.

Lake Mansarovar, also known as Mapam Yumtso in Tibetan, is one of the world’s highest altitude freshwater lakes and is located at an elevation of 4650 m. It is revered as a holy site of purity, attracting Hindu pilgrims across the world. It is revered as a sacred lake in Hinduism, Buddhism, Bon and Jainism. According to Hindu mythology, bathing in the lake can cleanse one's sins and bring good luck.

Rakshas Tal, which translates to demon lake, is another lake on the way to Kailash, side by side with Mansarovar Lake. The name Rakshastal translates to "Lake of the Rakshasas" in Sanskrit, referring to the demon-like creatures in Hindu mythology. The lake is associated with the demon king Ravana from the Hindu epic Ramayana. According to legend, Ravana performed penance here to appease Lord Shiva.

Today you can perform Puja/Havan at the shore of Lake Manasarovar. After lunch, you will drive to Darchen, which is 35 KM from Mansarovar and takes around 1 hour to drive. After reaching Darchen, you can rest your bags and relax. You can stroll around the small market in Darchen town in the late afternoon. You will stay the night at the hotel in Darchen.

Note: Taking a dip in Mansarovar is restricted. However, you can take water from Mansarovar in a bucket and bathe with it.

Darchen is a small village/town located at an altitude of 4700 m, which is a significant gateway to Kailash Yatra. It is the starting and ending point for the pilgrimage circumambulation (Kora) around Mount Kailash. The village itself is a small but important hub for pilgrims and travellers visiting the region. The vibrant market in this town hosts various restaurants serving basic Tibetan fare, hotels and guesthouses for accommodation, and shops selling supplies for the trek.

At. 07:00 AM: After having your breakfast, drive towards Yamadwar (Tarboche) which is the starting point of Kailash Parikrama. Passing through the gate of Yamadwar is believed to remove your evil deed from the book of judgement, and you will get a place in heaven. 

Your next stop today will be at Deruphuk, which will be about 10-12 km from Yamadwar. It is one of the most exciting days of this yatra. You will walk along the beautiful rocky cliffs and waterfalls with some clouds in the clear blue sky, which makes you feel the omnipotence of Lord Shiva with tons of blessings. As you walk on, time and again, the north face of Kailash Parbat will keep appearing. Overnight at the guest house at Deruphuk. 

Note: If you are not doing Parikrama, then you will be waiting at Darchen till the group returns from Parikrama, with arrangements for accommodation and meals. 

Yamadwar, also known as Tarboche in Tibetan, is a gateway located near Mount Kailash It literally translates to "Gateway of Death" as "Yam" refers to Yama, the Hindu God of Death, and "Dwar" means gate. It is considered an auspicious place and the main starting point for the spiritual circumambulation (parikrama) around Mount Kailash. Passing through the Yam Dwar signifies leaving behind worldly attachments and joining on a journey of spiritual purification.

At. 07:00 AM: After breakfast, you will trek to the highest point of the yatra, Dolma La Pass (5600 m) and then descend gradually to Zuthulpuk (4800 m), witnessing the Gauri Kunda on the way. By late afternoon, you will arrive in Zuthulpuk, the cave of miracles. The great ascetic Milerappa is supposed to have performed miracles here. Overnight at the guest house in Zuthulpuk.

Gauri Kunda is a sacred lake located at the foot of Mount Kailash in Tibet at an altitude of approximately 5600 m. It is a revered place in Hinduism and Buddhism where Goddess Parvati used to bathe. It is believed that the waters of the kund are purified by her touch and thus possess immense spiritual power. It can be seen on the way down towards Zuthulpuk.

At. 07:00 AM: Today you will walk about 8 KM and drive towards today's final destination, Saga. Have your breakfast and go to the ending point near Darchen, where you will meet our vehicle and drive to Darchen, merge with the group who didn’t go for parikrama, and then drive towards Saga together. The driving distance will be around 480 KM and take about 8–9 hours. As it will be a long drive today, once you reach the hotel, check-in and rest. You will stay the night at the hotel in Darchen.

At. 07:00 AM: Enjoy your breakfast early in the morning. Today, you will return to Kyirong following the same route back, which will be a long ride back as you will cover around 635 KM of distance, which is about 12-13 hours of drive. The long day of travel, and finally you will reach Kyriong. Once you reach there, you can check in and rest. You will stay the night at the hotel in Kyriong.

At. 08:00 AM: Have your breakfast and get ready to go back to Kathmandu. First, you will drive from Kyirong to the border, which is approximately 40 km and takes about 1 hour. Then, after completing the immigration formalities, drive back to Kathmandu, which takes another 7-8 hours and covers around 152 km. 

Note: At hotel in Kathmandu- Certificate of completion will be provided to you.

As you enjoy your last breakfast at the hotel, the time to go back is already here. You can have some time of your own or add some additional activities until your flight time. Our company representative will escort you to the Kathmandu airport 3 hours before your flight. We hope you have enjoyed the holy tour and will be back for the another tour in Nepal. Have a safe journey back! It will be our pleasure to be part of your journey if you want to extend your stay in Nepal.