Mt Kailash Group Joining Tour for Indian Citizens 14 Days

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu

Your spiritual journey begins with a warm welcome at Kathmandu airport, complete with a Rudraksha Maala. You will then be transferred to your 3, 4, or 5-star hotel, where you'll settle into your twin-sharing accommodation. The day concludes with a vegetarian buffet dinner. You will spend the night at an elevation of 1400 meters.

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing

Today, immerse yourself in the ancient culture of Kathmandu, a city rich with world heritage sites and Hindu temples. After a vegetarian buffet breakfast, your sightseeing tour begins at 7 AM, lasting approximately 4 hours. You will visit the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, the serene Jal Narayan Temple (Budhanilkanth, featuring the sleeping Vishnu), and the significant Gujeshwori Temple (a Shakti Pitha). After a vegetarian buffet lunch and dinner, a crucial briefing on the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra will be held, covering final preparations and packing. You will stay overnight in Kathmandu at 1400 meters.

Day 03: Drive to Timure by Bus (Nepal–China Border)

Following a vegetarian buffet breakfast and a Swastivachan ceremony for a blessed journey, your pilgrimage truly commences. You will embark on a 7-hour bus drive, covering 165 km, to Syabrubesi/Timure, located at the Nepal-China border. Upon arrival, you'll check into a tourist hotel offering 2-4 sharing accommodation. Vegetarian buffet lunch and dinner will be provided, and you'll spend the night at an elevation of 2000 meters.

Day 04: Immigration, Drive to Kyirong

After breakfast, a short walk takes you to Rasuwa Gadhi, the Nepal-China border. Once all immigration and customs formalities are completed on both sides, you will continue your journey by a higher bus for a 1-hour drive (24 km) to Kyirong. This beautiful small city, surrounded by the Great Himalayas, offers local temples to explore. You will be accommodated in a standard hotel on a twin-sharing basis, with all vegetarian buffet meals prepared by your kitchen. The overnight elevation is 2700 meters.

Day 05: Spend the Day at Kyirong for Acclimatization

This day is vital for acclimatization to the higher altitude, as Kyirong is the starting point for this process. You are encouraged to take short walks around the area, visit local temples, enjoy shopping, and try Chinese food. It is also recommended to begin taking Diamox tablets to aid your body's adjustment. Your accommodation remains a standard hotel on a twin-sharing basis, and all vegetarian buffet meals are included. You will stay overnight at 2700 meters.

Day 06: Drive to Saga/Paryang

After a vegetarian buffet breakfast, you will drive for approximately 4 hours, covering 169 km, towards Saga/Paryang. The route will take you over Ghungtang-La (5236M), offering stunning views of old monasteries, beautiful waterfalls, rivers, and dense alpine forests. You will also catch a glimpse of the holy Brahmaputra River. Your accommodation in Saga will be a 2 or 3-star hotel on a 2-4 sharing basis, with vegetarian buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The maximum elevation reached today is 5236 meters, and you'll spend the night at 4500 meters.

Day 07: Drive to Lake Manasarovar

Today is an incredibly auspicious day as you drive towards the Sacred Holy Lake Manasarovar. You will experience your first breathtaking glimpse of Lake Manasarovar and a view of Mt. Kailash from Horchu. After completing local immigration formalities, you will continue your drive to complete the Lake Manasarovar Parikrama by vehicle. There will be opportunities to capture memorable group pictures with the magnificent backdrop of Kailash, Manasarovar, and Rakshash Lake. The stunning views and the potential to witness the galaxy at night will create cherished lifetime memories. You'll stay overnight in a mud house/guest house in Manasarovar on a dormitory sharing basis, with all vegetarian buffet meals. The overnight elevation is 4500 meters, and the drive covers 169 km in 4 hours.

Day 08: Puja, Hawan, and Drive to Darchen

This is a deeply auspicious day for all Yatries, as being in the abode of God is a profound achievement. You will have the opportunity to bathe at the banks of the Holy Lake Sarovar, followed by Puja, Hawan, meditation, and other spiritual activities. After a vegetarian buffet lunch, you will drive 40 km (approximately 1 hour) to Darchen. Your accommodation in Darchen will be a standard hotel on a 2-4 sharing basis, with vegetarian buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You will spend the night at an elevation of 4700 meters.

Day 09: Drive to Yamdwar and Trek to Diraphuk (1st day Parikrama)

After breakfast, a short 7 km drive will take you to Yamdwar, the starting point for the Kailash Parikrama. After receiving darshan at Yamdwar, pilgrims will begin their first day's trek towards Diraphuk, a 12 km journey taking 4-6 hours. You have the option to trek on foot or hire a horse and porter. Along the way, you'll be surrounded by serene nature, the sounds of the flowing river, and views of Nandi Kailash. From Diraphuk, you will have the awe-inspiring darshan of the North face of Mt. Kailash. Do not miss the spectacular opportunity to witness the "GOLDEN MT KAILASH" as the first sunrays illuminate it in the early morning. Yatries not participating in the Parikrama will return to Darchen after Yamdwar darshan and await the trekking group. Accommodation in Diraphuk will be a guest house on a dormitory sharing basis, with vegetarian buffet meals. You will spend the night at 5000 meters.

Day 10: Trek to Zuthulphuk (2nd day Parikrama)

Today is considered the most challenging and significant day of the Parikrama. After a very light breakfast, you will continue your 2nd day of trekking from Diraphuk to Dolma La pass (5620m), and then proceed to Zuthulphuk (4790m). This 22 km trek involves a strenuous 6-7 km steep climb up to Dolma La High pass, followed by a steep descent to a flat valley via Gaurikunda. You will then walk another 3-4 hours to Zuthulphuk. Even those who hired horses will need to navigate the steep ascents and descents. After conquering the toughest part of the journey, you can find local tea stalls to relax with a hot cup of tea or noodles. On the way, you will also see the East face of Mt. Kailash. Your accommodation in Zuthulphuk will be a guest house on a dormitory sharing basis, with vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The maximum elevation reached today is 5620 meters, and you'll spend the night at 4790 meters, with the trek taking approximately 10 hours.

Day 11: Trek to Ending Point and Drive to Saga (3rd day Parikrama)

This is the final day of trekking for the Parikrama. Wake up early for tea, coffee, and cookies. Your trek is approximately 7 km and takes around 2 hours to complete, leading you to the endpoint where your bus will be waiting. You will then drive to Darchen, marking the completion of the Parikrama circuit, and reunite with the other group members. After a vegetarian breakfast, you will begin your return journey to Saga, carrying wonderful memories and blissful lifetime experiences. Accommodation in Saga will be a standard hotel on a 2-4 sharing basis, with vegetarian buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The overnight elevation is 4500 meters, combining 7 km (2 hours) of walking with a 500 km (7 hours) drive.

Day 12: Drive back to Kyirong

After a vegetarian breakfast, you will embark on a 4-hour drive covering 169 km back to Kyirong or the Timure Border. Your accommodation will be a standard hotel in Kyirong/Timure on a twin-sharing basis, with vegetarian buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You will spend the night at an elevation of 2700 meters.

Day 13: Drive back to Kathmandu (Nepal)

Following a vegetarian breakfast, you will drive back to the China-Nepal Border. After completing all immigration and customs formalities at Rasuwa Gadhi, you'll take a short walk to your hotel at Timure. After a vegetarian lunch, you will continue your drive to Kathmandu. This journey typically takes 6-7 hours and covers 165 km. Your accommodation in Kathmandu will be a 3, 4, or 5-star hotel on a twin-sharing basis, with transportation by Jeep/Bus. You will have a vegetarian buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner, spending the night at an elevation of 1400 meters.

Day 14: Departure Day

Your sacred pilgrimage concludes today. After a vegetarian breakfast, you will be transferred to Kathmandu airport for your onward journey.

Route map:

Required Documents:

• A passport with a minimum of six months' validity from your travel date.

• Two passport-sized photographs.

• If you are 50 years of age or older, a standard health certificate from your doctor is mandatory.

Physical Fitness & Preparation:

• This journey is categorized as a tour, not a strenuous trek or expedition. Therefore, no specific advanced level of fitness is strictly required.

• Anyone who feels healthy and possesses strong willpower can comfortably join this yatra.

• However, individuals with pre-existing cardiac or respiratory conditions should consult their doctor before embarking on the trip.

• Engaging in light morning and evening walks, jogging, stretching, meditation, and regular exercise in the weeks leading up to the trip will significantly enhance your comfort during the journey.

Recommended Clothing & Gear:

• Temperatures during the yatra can fluctuate significantly between day and night, ranging from a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius to a minimum of -16 degrees Celsius. Therefore, layered clothing is essential for adaptability.

• Please ensure you pack the following items: woolen gloves, balaclava, sun hat, thermal wear, water bottle, woolen socks, towel, light jacket, sunglasses, sun cream, torch with extra batteries/bulbs, muffler, mask, raincoat, sweater, shirts/T-shirts, and comfortable trekking shoes.

Travel Insurance:

• We highly recommend obtaining comprehensive travel insurance. Your policy should ideally cover medical emergencies, emergency helicopter evacuation, loss of personal belongings, and trip cancellation.

Trip Booking & Payment:

• To facilitate timely visa approval and travel permit issuance, a minimum of 30 days' booking is required.

• A 50% advance payment of the total tour cost is required at the time of booking.

Chinese Visa Application:

• Your original passport and two passport-sized photographs must reach our office in Delhi one week before your departure date for visa processing.

• Please note that Chinese authorities may reject visa applications for yatris above 70 years of age.

Important Notes:

• Indian currency notes of denominations INR 200, INR 500, and INR 2000 are illegal to bring into Nepal.