Kailash Overland Tour via Kerung
Expedition Schedule
- May – September
Trip Facts
Duration
Altitude
Accommodation
Trip Start From
Trip Ends At
Overview
For Hindus, it is the celestial abode of Lord Shiva. For Buddhists, it is Kang Rinpoche – the Precious Jewel of Snow – where Guru Rinpoche triumphed over darkness. For Jains, it is Mount Ashtapada where their first Tirthankara attained liberation.
Mount Kailash is not merely a mountain. It is the spiritual axis of the world – a place where faith takes physical form, where pilgrimage becomes transformation.
The Kailash Overland Tour via Kerung is one of Asia’s most arduous and sacred spiritual adventures. Designed for international travelers and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) , this 15-day journey takes you across the Tibetan Plateau, past turquoise lakes and nomadic camps, to the foot of the holiest mountain on Earth.
To walk the Kora – the 52-kilometer ritual circuit around Kailash – is believed to cleanse the sins of a lifetime. To bathe in the sacred waters of Lake Manasarovar is to purify the soul. This is not a tour. It is a pilgrimage.
Trip Highlights
| Spiritual & Cultural | Natural & Scenic |
|---|---|
| Mount Kailash Kora (3 days) – Circumambulate the world’s holiest mountain | Lake Manasarovar (4,550m) – The highest freshwater lake in the world |
| Pashupatinath Temple (Kathmandu) – Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple | Gurla Mandhata & Himalayan panoramas – Snow-capped peaks throughout |
| Boudhanath Stupa – One of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world | Dolma La Pass (5,630m) – The highest point of the Kailash Kora |
| Budhanilkantha (Sleeping Vishnu) – Iconic 5th-century stone sculpture | Yarlung Zangpo (Brahmaputra River) – Tibet’s great river |
| Bhaktapur Durbar Square – UNESCO medieval city of Newari art | Tibetan nomadic camps – Yak herders on the Changtang grasslands |
| Tarboche (Yamadwar) – Gateway of the God of Death, start of the Kora | Golden Kailash sunrise – First light painting the sacred peak |
| Milarepa Cave (Zuthulpuk) – Meditation cave of the great yogi | Pieko-Tso Lake & Shishapangma views – Stunning high-altitude scenery |
Important Information
1. Tibet Visa & Entry Procedure
We arrange a group visa for Tibet.
Passport copy required at least 30 days prior to trip start.
Visa office of the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu processes visas Monday–Friday (9:00–11:00 AM).
Processing takes 3+ days.
Your original passport must be submitted for visa processing day.
Note: Tourism regulations in Tibet change frequently. We will guide you through the current process.
2. Best Time to Visit
| Season | Conditions |
|---|---|
| May–September | Best time – Stable weather, warmer temperatures, clear skies. Kora is accessible. |
| July–August | Possible brief afternoon showers; wildflowers in bloom. |
| October–April | Very cold; Kora may be closed due to snow. Not recommended. |
Nights are very cold at high altitudes (especially during the Kora). Pack thermal layers, down jacket, hat, gloves.
3. Lake Manasarovar – Important Legal Notice
⚠️ Tibetan government law now prohibits dip bathing in Lake Manasarovar. Entering the lake is classified as a criminal offense. Please refrain from entering the water. You may still offer prayers, perform puja on the shores, and collect a small amount of water for ritual use.
4. Kora Difficulty & Preparation
| Aspect | Advice |
|---|---|
| Trek Distance | 52 km over 3 days |
| Maximum Altitude | 5,630m (Dolma La Pass) |
| Difficulty | Strenuous – requires excellent physical fitness and prior high-altitude experience |
| Common Challenges | Altitude sickness, fatigue, cold, steep ascents/descents |
| Support Available | Porters and ponies can be arranged (additional cost, advance booking required) |
5. Health & Safety Tips
| Tip | Advice |
|---|---|
| Acclimatization | Rest days in Saga (Day 8) are essential. Drink 3–4 liters of water daily. |
| Altitude Sickness | Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue. We carry oxygen and first aid. Notify your guide immediately if unwell. |
| Sun Protection | UV is intense at altitude. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat. |
| Hydration | Drink boiled or bottled water only. Avoid alcohol. |
| Packing | Warm layers, sturdy trekking boots, waterproof jacket, sleeping bag (rated to -10°C), trekking poles, water bottles, snacks, basic first aid. |
6. Cultural Respect
Always walk clockwise around stupas, monasteries, and Mount Kailash.
Ask permission before photographing pilgrims, monks, or locals.
Remove shoes before entering temples.
Do not point your feet at Buddha statues or sacred objects.
Why Choose This Kailash Overland Tour?
“This is not a vacation. It is a pilgrimage – a journey into faith, endurance, and the highest mountains on Earth.”
- Designed for NRIs & International Pilgrims: Culturally sensitive, logically paced, and spiritually focused
- Overland via Kerung: Scenic, gradual ascent with proper acclimatization
- Complete Spiritual Experience: Pashupatinath aarti, Lake Manasarovar rituals, Kailash Kora, Milarepa Cave
- Seamless Logistics: Permits, visas, guides, transport, and accommodations – all arranged
- Small Group Focus: Personalized attention, safety, and flexibility
Brief Itinerary
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Day 01:Arrive Kathmandu → Transfer to hotel1,350m
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Day 02:Kathmandu sightseeing: Pashupatinath Temple (morning aarti), Guheswori Temple, Budhanilkantha (Sleeping Vishnu), Boudhanath Stupa1,350m
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Day 03:Bhaktapur Durbar Square sightseeing → Return to Kathmandu1,350m
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Day 04:Leisure day: Trip preparation, Tibet visa collection, Kailash briefing, explore Thamel1,350m
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Day 05:Drive Kathmandu → Syabrubesi (148 km, 7–8 hours)1,550m
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Day 06:Drive Syabrubesi → Rasuwagadhi border → Cross into Tibet → Drive to Kerung (2,700m)2,700m
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Day 07:Drive Kerung → Saga (4,640m) via Yarlung Zangpo River4,640m
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Day 08:Acclimatization day in Saga – explore local market, interact with locals4,640m
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Day 09:Drive Saga → Lake Manasarovar (4,550m) via Mayumla Pass (4,900m) – First glimpse of Mount Kailash4,550m
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Day 10:Morning rituals at Lake Manasarovar (holy bath, puja) – Note: Dips in the lake are now prohibited by law4,550m
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Day 11:Drive to Tarboche (Yamadwar) → Begin Kora → Trek to Derapuk (north face of Kailash)4,860m
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Day 12:Kora Day 2 – Golden Kailash sunrise → Cross Dolma La Pass (5,630m) → Descend to Zuthulpuk (4,760m)5,630m (pass)
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Day 13:Kora Day 3 – Complete Kora → Drive to Darchen → Return to Saga4,640m
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Day 14:Drive Saga → Kerung → Cross border → Return to Kathmandu → Farewell dinner1,350m
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Day 15:Transfer to airport → International departure–
Expedition Schedule
- May – September
Moderate
- Moderate to strenuous trekking
- May require carrying bag pack (10kg)
- Elevations from 2500m to 5500m
- Moderate terrain
- Nights are spent in lodge or tents
- Trek duration of two weeks in high altitude
Package Details
Cost Includes:
- Transport: Airport transfers + private vehicle Kathmandu–Syabrubesi + all Tibet ground transport
- Guiding: English-speaking Tibetan guide throughout Tibet
- Permits & Visa: Tibet Travel Permits + China/Tibet visa processing
- Accommodation: Twin-sharing hotels/guesthouses/lodges as per itinerary (BB basis in Tibet; Kathmandu hotel with breakfast)
- Sightseeing: Monastery & temple entrance fees as per itinerary
- Meals: Farewell dinner in Kathmandu
Cost Excludes:
- Insurance: Travel / medical / hospitalization / evacuation insurance (mandatory)
- Meals: Lunch & dinner during the entire trip (except farewell dinner)
- Personal Expenses: Tips, drinks, laundry, phone calls, snacks
- Unforeseen Costs: Expenses due to flight cancellations, natural disasters, political unrest
- Nepal Services: Nepal tourist visa, international flights to/from Kathmandu
- Kora Support: Porters, ponies, or additional oxygen (available at extra cost)
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