Kailash Mansarovar
The long way, with the acclimatisation done properly and Tibet seen on the way.
Fly into Lhasa, spend three nights at 3,650 m before going anywhere near the plateau, and see the Potala and Jokhang while your body catches up. Then west by road through Shigatse to Mansarovar and the parikrama. Longer, considerably more expensive, and the gentlest way onto the mountain.
Day by day
Arrive, briefing, passports collected for the Tibet visa.
Pashupatinath and the old city while the visa is processed.
Fly across the Himalaya to Lhasa, 3,650 m. Rest on arrival — nothing scheduled.
Potala Palace in the morning, Jokhang temple and the Barkhor circuit in the afternoon.
Drepung and Sera monasteries. A deliberately easy day; you are still acclimatising.
Drive west via the Yamdrok lake and the Karo La. Tashilhunpo monastery on arrival.
Long day west across the plateau. Night at Saga, 4,600 m.
West to the lake. First sight of Kailash in clear weather.
A full day at the lake — shore parikrama, puja and havan.
Transfer to Darchen. Rest, kit check, yaks and porters assigned.
Begin the kora. 12 km on foot to Dirapuk, below the north face.
22 km over the Dolma La at 5,630 m, past Gauri Kund, down to Zuthulpuk.
The final 8 km out, and a real bed at Darchen.
The long drive back east.
Continue east, back below 4,000 m.
Return to Lhasa. Afternoon free in the Barkhor.
Fly back across the Himalaya. Evening at leisure.
Transfer to Kathmandu airport.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive, briefing, passports collected for the Tibet visa.
Day 2: Sightseeing
Pashupatinath and the old city while the visa is processed.
Pashupatinath
Day 3: Flight
Fly across the Himalaya to Lhasa, 3,650 m. Rest on arrival — nothing scheduled.
Day 4: Sightseeing
Potala Palace in the morning, Jokhang temple and the Barkhor circuit in the afternoon.
Potala Palace · Jokhang Temple
Day 5: Sightseeing
Drepung and Sera monasteries. A deliberately easy day; you are still acclimatising.
Day 6: Transfer
Drive west via the Yamdrok lake and the Karo La. Tashilhunpo monastery on arrival.
Yamdrok Lake · Tashilhunpo Monastery
Day 7: Transfer
Long day west across the plateau. Night at Saga, 4,600 m.
Day 8: Transfer
West to the lake. First sight of Kailash in clear weather.
Lake Mansarovar
Day 9: Sightseeing
A full day at the lake — shore parikrama, puja and havan.
Lake Mansarovar · Mount Kailash
Day 10: Transfer
Transfer to Darchen. Rest, kit check, yaks and porters assigned.
Day 11: Transfer
Begin the kora. 12 km on foot to Dirapuk, below the north face.
Yam Dwar · Dirapuk
Day 12: Transfer
22 km over the Dolma La at 5,630 m, past Gauri Kund, down to Zuthulpuk.
Dolma La pass (5,630 m) · Zuthulpuk
Day 13: Transfer
The final 8 km out, and a real bed at Darchen.
Day 14: Transfer
The long drive back east.
Day 15: Transfer
Continue east, back below 4,000 m.
Day 16: Transfer
Return to Lhasa. Afternoon free in the Barkhor.
Day 17: Flight
Fly back across the Himalaya. Evening at leisure.
Day 18: Departure
Transfer to Kathmandu airport.
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