Set out on a Kailash Tour, a spiritual journey to the Center of the Universe. In Tibetan, Mount Kailash is Khang Rimpochhe—“the precious jewel of snow.” Rising 6,714 m / 22,028 ft, its four cardinal faces glint like gold (north), ruby (west), sapphire (south), and crystal (east). No one has ever climbed this sacred summit, yet thousands of pilgrims complete the revered Kailash kora trek each year.
Legend says Lord Shiva meditates atop Kailash, while nearby Lake Mansarovar—first conceived in Lord Brahma’s mind—washes away every sin. Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers honor the mountain too: Buddhists see Mount Meru, Jains call it Astapada, and Bon revere it as Tise, throne of the sky-goddess Sipaimen.
The most traveler-friendly route today is the 16-day Kailash Mansarovar tour via Kerung, an overland adventure that threads through Nepal and Tibet into this windswept realm.
Sacred Kora Around Mount Kailash
Complete the 52-km pilgrimage circuit on foot, joining devotees from four faiths as you circle the “Center of the Universe.”
Sunrise at Lake Mansarovar
Watch first light gild the mirror-still waters of this legendary lake—said to cleanse lifetimes of karma.
16-Day Overland Adventure via Kerung
Tackle the most accessible route from Nepal into Tibet, crossing high passes and vast, windswept plateaus in the comfort of a well-equipped convoy.
Yamadwar & Tarboche Flag Forest
Enter the kora through the “Gateway of the God of Death,” then wander a sea of prayer flags snapping beneath Mount Kailash’s west face.
Dirapuk & Zutulpuk Monastery Stays
Overnight in simple pilgrims’ lodges that sit beneath towering North Face vistas and the sacred footprint cave of Milarepa.
Dolma-La Pass (5,630 m / 18,470 ft)
Conquer the trek’s high point, festooned with prayer flags and blessed by a shredding glacier view of turquoise Gauri Kund below.
Cultural Crossroads of Nepal & Tibet
Explore bustling Kerung border towns, remote nomad camps, and timeless yak-herding villages that dot the plateau.
Check the latest Kailash tour dates, or explore our in-depth Kailash Mansarovar Yatra guide to start planning your own sacred odyssey.
Note: We’re now taking bookings for Western-passport holders on fixed departures from April to September 2025 and 2026. Secure your place early—spaces fill quickly for this once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage.
Welcome to Kathmandu, Nepal! Your Kailash Tour begins with a warm welcome from a representative of Asian Heritage Treks & Travel, who will greet you at Tribhuvan International Airport. You will be transferred to your hotel in a private vehicle. Along the way, enjoy glimpses of some of Kathmandu’s iconic landmarks, including the sacred Pashupatinath Temple (a famous open-air cremation site), the Narayanhiti Royal Palace Museum, and the serene Garden of Dreams, before reaching the vibrant Thamel area.
Your hotel is centrally located in Thamel, the heart of Kathmandu’s tourist district. After check-in, our representative will assist you with the necessary arrangements and review your Kailash Tour itinerary. You’ll also have time to stroll through the lively streets of Thamel, filled with shops, cafés, and cultural charm.
Includes: Dinner, private airport transfer, and overnight stay at Hotel Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar standard hotel in Kathmandu.
Today, we will apply for your Chinese visa, which requires your original passport. You can enjoy a free day of rest or explore the bustling streets of Thamel in Kathmandu. If you’d like to take an additional tour in Kathmandu, let us know—we can arrange it for you at an extra cost.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and overnight accommodation at Hotel Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
(Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Budhanilkantha, and Kathmandu Durbar Square)
Begin your day with a visit to Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus in South Asia. Located along the banks of the holy Bagmati River, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a powerful glimpse into Hindu rituals, including the traditional open-air cremation ceremonies.
Next, head to Boudhanath Stupa, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built around 600 A.D., this massive stupa is one of the largest in the world and a significant center of Tibetan Buddhism. Spend time exploring the peaceful surroundings and observing monks and pilgrims circumambulating the stupa.
Continue your cultural journey to Budhanilkantha Temple, home to the largest stone statue of Lord Vishnu in Nepal. Reclining on a bed of serpents in the center of a pond, this impressive five-meter-long granite sculpture was carved from a single stone during the Lichchhavi period.
Conclude your day with a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO-listed historic complex filled with ancient palaces, courtyards, and temples. Explore architectural gems such as the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kumari Ghar (home of the Living Goddess – a unique cultural tradition found only in Nepal), and numerous intricately wood-carved pagoda-style temples that reflect the rich heritage of ancient Kathmandu.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private transport, an English-speaking tour guide, and overnight accommodation at Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
This day is reserved for leisure, giving you the opportunity to rest or explore more of Kathmandu at your own pace. You can use this time to prepare for the journey ahead, pick up any last-minute supplies, or simply enjoy the city’s vibrant atmosphere. In the evening, you will receive your Chinese visa and travel documents, completing all formalities for your upcoming departure to Tibet.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and overnight accommodation at Hotel Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
Today, we begin our journey early in the morning with a scenic drive through picturesque mountain villages en route to Syabrubesi. This beautiful village is located in northern Nepal, within the breathtaking Langtang National Park in the Rasuwa district.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy magnificent views of the Langtang mountain range, along with glimpses of the towering Ganesh Himal, Annapurna, and Manaslu peaks.
The drive to Syabrubesi (1,450m) covers approximately 152 km and takes about 7 to 8 hours. Our overnight stay will be at a local lodge in Syabrubesi, near the Nepal–China border. If time and conditions permit, we can drive an additional 12 km to Timure (1,900m) to make tomorrow’s journey easier.
Driving Duration: Approx. 7–8 hours | Distance: 152 km
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private transport, and overnight accommodation at a local lodge.
After breakfast, we continue our drive to Ghatte Khola, where Nepal Immigration officials will inspect our documents and luggage. We then proceed to Rasuwagadhi, the border separating Nepal and Tibet. After completing all necessary formalities, we meet our Tibetan guide, who will accompany us on the Mansarovar Yatra. At immigration, the Chinese visa authorities will verify each group member’s visa. We then take a 38-km bus ride to Kerung and stay overnight at a local lodge.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private transport, and overnight accommodation at a local lodge.
Today is a rest day to help acclimate to the high-altitude Tibetan environment. After a relaxing breakfast surrounded by the mountains of Tibet, we visit the Princess Bhrikuti sculpture at Pakpa Monastery, located in the center of Kerung. This ancient Gompa, established nearly a millennium ago by King Songtsen Gampo in honor of his Nepali queen, showcases true Nepali architectural beauty. Later, we explore the town and enjoy its scenic charm. Kerung also features a variety of restaurants serving Nepali, Tibetan, Chinese, and Indian cuisines.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private transport, and overnight accommodation at a local lodge.
Today, we begin our long journey across the sandy and rocky terrain of Tibet. En route, we pass lakes and nomadic settlements with herds of yaks and sheep. In the late afternoon, we cross the Brahmaputra River and reach a typical Tibetan town. As we ascend above 4,500 meters, the air becomes thinner, so we must stay well-hydrated and cautious of altitude-related symptoms.
Driving Duration: 5–6 hours | Distance: 232 km
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private transport, and overnight accommodation at a local lodge.
After an early breakfast, we drive toward the sacred Lake Mansarovar. By late afternoon, we can view the Holy Mt. Kailash and the serene Lake Mansarovar. This freshwater lake, with its turquoise hue, is home to fish, swans, and breathtaking reflections of surrounding peaks such as Mt. Kailash, Mt. Gurla Mandhata, and Lake Rakshas Tal. The region is rich in natural wonders like hot springs, mineral deposits, and diverse wildlife. We also visit monasteries like Dargyeling, Lhaksang, and Zamlungla on the way to our overnight stay in a mudhouse near Mansarovar.
Driving Duration: 6–7 hours | Distance: 370 km
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private transport, and overnight accommodation at a local lodge.
We start the day with a spiritual morning at Lake Mansarovar, collecting water for a purifying bath and conducting rituals such as yagyas, havans, and pujas, praying for the liberation of our ancestors’ souls. After the sacred bath and puja, we continue the Parikrama of Lake Mansarovar by Land Cruiser with a packed lunch and drive toward Darchen. Time permitting, we will also visit Chiu Gompa. Darchen serves as the base camp for the Holy Kailash Parikrama and is especially lively during pilgrimage season.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private transport, and overnight accommodation at a local lodge.
Today marks the beginning of the Kailash Outer Kora. After a short drive to Tarboche Flagpole—decorated with colorful prayer flags and central to the Saga Dawa festival—we begin our trek. The east-west ridge blocks full views of Mt. Kailash, but the Gurla Mandhata (7,728m) is visible to the southeast. As we walk through rocky cliffs and past waterfalls under clear skies, glimpses of Mt. Kailash inspire spiritual reverence. We spend the night at a basic guesthouse with shared accommodations, blessed with views of the sacred mountain’s northern face.
Trek Distance: 12 km | Driving Duration: Short drive | Trek Duration: 5–6 hours
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private transport, and overnight accommodation at a local lodge.
After breakfast, we offer an optional trek to Charan Sparsh, a revered site approximately 3 km (one way) from Dirapuk. Touching Charan Sparsh symbolizes humility and spiritual devotion. A packed lunch will be provided for those making the journey. Those who choose not to trek can enjoy a restful day at the guesthouse in Dirapuk.
Hiking Duration: 6–7 hours (optional)
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private transport, and overnight accommodation at a local lodge.
Today is the most challenging part of the Kora, crossing the high Dolma-La Pass (5,630m / 18,471 ft). At the summit, prayer flags flutter in the wind, and the pass is revered by Buddhists as the Green Tara Pass and by Hindus as the site of Parvati’s presence. After offering prayers and meditating, we descend past the sacred Gauri Kund and Parvati-sthal. By late afternoon, we arrive at Zutul Phuk, known as the Cave of Miracles, associated with the ascetic Milarepa.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private transport, and overnight accommodation at a local lodge.
Trek Distance: 22 km | Trek Duration: 8–9 hours
Today is a relatively easy walking day with no steep climbs. We follow the trail above the river and pass through narrow canyons painted in shades of purple, red, and rust. After about 2 hours of trekking, we return to Darchen, where our vehicle awaits to drive us back to Saga. En route, we enjoy one last view of Lake Mansarovar and Chiu Gompa.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private transport, and overnight accommodation at a local lodge.
After an early breakfast in Saga, we begin our scenic return journey to Kathmandu via Kerung. We pass through mountainous Tibetan terrain, aiming to reach the Nepal–China border by early afternoon. After completing Chinese exit and Nepali entry formalities (which may take some time), we continue driving to Kathmandu, arriving in the evening.
Driving Duration: 8–9 hours
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private vehicle, and overnight accommodation at Hotel Yatri Suites and Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
Your journey comes to an end today. After breakfast, our representative will pick you up in a private vehicle and transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport, approximately three hours before your flight. We wish you a safe journey and hope to welcome you again in the future.
Includes: Breakfast and private airport transfer.
I traveled solo to Mount Kailash with Asian Heritage, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Devi, the tour manager, was attentive to my needs, and Jeevan, the driver, made sure the journey was smooth. Nilam, the managing director, was always available for any questions. The trek was challenging, but the beauty of Kailash and the spiritual significance made it worth every effort. I highly recommend Asian Heritage to anyone looking to experience Kailash on their own.
Our group’s Mount Kailash trek was an extraordinary adventure, and Asian Heritage made it all possible. From the beginning, Nilam, the managing director, was very responsive and kept us informed about every step. Devi, the tour manager, was always there to guide us and make sure we were comfortable. Jeevan, the driver, skillfully handled the rough roads. The views of Kailash were breathtaking, and the overall experience was spiritually uplifting. Highly recommend Asian Heritage for any group trek.
Our couple’s trip to Mount Kailash with Asian Heritage was truly magical. Devi, the tour manager, was incredibly thoughtful and always available to answer our questions. Jeevan, the driver, was a professional and made sure we were safe on the roads. Nilam, the managing director, provided all the pre-trip information and ensured everything was well planned. The experience of Kailash itself was beyond words, and we are thankful to Asian Heritage for making it an unforgettable journey.
My solo trip to Mount Kailash with Asian Heritage was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Devi, the tour manager, provided excellent support throughout the trip, and Jeevan, the driver, handled the tough terrain with ease. Nilam, the managing director, ensured that everything was well-organized, and I never had to worry about logistics. This was a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening, and I highly recommend Asian Heritage for any solo traveler.
Our family trip to Mount Kailash with Asian Heritage was a true blessing. Nilam, the managing director, provided all the information we needed, and Devi, the tour manager, made sure everything was taken care of. Jeevan, the driver, was very professional and made the journey comfortable. The spiritual and physical challenge of the trek was rewarding, and the breathtaking views of Kailash were unforgettable. We are very grateful to Asian Heritage for such a seamless and enriching experience.
