Kathmandu Lhasa Ali Kailash Tour

Trip Duration 12
Max Altitude 5636M at Dolma La Pass
Group Size 2 To 20
Best Time for Visit March to May, September to December

Trip Overview

Overview

The Kathmandu-Lhasa-Ali Kailash tour is also a mesmerizing journey that spans across culturally rich regions and breathtaking landscapes, offering an unparalleled experience of spirituality, nature, and diverse cultures. This expedition typically encompasses Kathmandu in Nepal, Lhasa in Tibet, and the sacred Mount Kailash in the Ali region of Tibet. Starting in Kathmandu, the bustling capital of Nepal, travelers also immersed in a vibrant tapestry of ancient temples, vibrant markets, and rich cultural heritage. The journey often begins with visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), allowing travelers to soak in the spiritual essence of the city. From Kathmandu, the trip continues towards the mystical city of Lhasa, the heart of Tibetan Buddhism and home to iconic landmarks like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street. Lhasa’s rich history and spiritual significance offer an immersive cultural experience, providing insights into Tibetan traditions and beliefs. The journey further leads towards the ethereal landscapes surrounding Mount Kailash, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bonpos. The sacred mountain stands tall amidst the remote beauty of the Tibetan Plateau, inviting pilgrims and adventurers alike to witness its spiritual aura and natural grandeur. The circumambulation (kora) around Mount Kailash is a sacred ritual undertaken by devotees, adding a profound spiritual dimension to the expedition.

Transcendent Trails: Exploring Sacred Realms and Cultural Landscapes

The tour often includes stops at Lake Manasarovar, a stunning freshwater lake believed to possess cleansing properties in Hindu mythology. Its serene waters and panoramic views of Mount Kailash create an awe-inspiring backdrop for contemplation and spiritual reflection. Throughout the journey, travelers encounter diverse landscapes, from the lush valleys of Kathmandu to the rugged terrains of Tibet, fostering a deep connection with the natural world. The tour not only offers breathtaking vistas but also allows for interactions with local communities, gaining insights into their way of life and traditions. However, it's important to note that this tour often requires careful planning due to the high altitudes and remote locations involved. Acclimatization and preparation for the rugged terrain are crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Conclusion and Summary

In essence, the Kathmandu-Lhasa-Ali Kailash tour presents an extraordinary blend of spirituality, cultural exploration, and awe-inspiring natural beauty, creating lasting memories for those seeking an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau.

 Trip Highlight

  • Total 53 km Kailash Parikrama / Kora/round, 38 km must be walk/trek from Yam Dwar to Chongdo. There is no any car/bus and jeep service available. So, everybody should walk or ride horse. It is also possible to hire pony and local porter for 3 days.
  • Your passport must have at least 6 months or more validation from travel date.
  • Though popular as Shiva’s abode, we cannot see any temple of Lord Shiva but at Khojarnath there is the temple of Lord Ram, Sita & Laxman in Khojarnath. You can see Rashes Lake one the way from to going Darchen.
  • We provide Pressure checking machine, Oxygen level checking machine, enough oxygen bottle, Mask-regulator & Medicine Diamox (Latitude medicine) for safe journey.
  • Visit World’s famous monasteries and Potala palace in Tibet
  • Driving Lhasa to Darchen is well and fine black road, same way back to Lhasa
  • Crossing highest pass Dolma La /Dorma La 3636m. While Kailash Parikrama/Rounding
  • Exploring of Manasarovar lake and surrounding 102km by blue bus

Itinerary

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, the staffs of Monterosa Treks and Expedition will receive and escort you to hotel. Every Yatri should reach Kathmandu 09:00 AM or before. We collect passport original and apply Tibet visa in Chinese embassy in Kathmandu. Evening Aarati Darshan in Pashupatinath as well as Aarati holy dance bank of holy river Bagmati front of Pasupatinath temple. Back to hotel and have a vegetarian buffet dinner.

Guided holy sightseeing in Kathmandu valley as follows; Kailashnath Mahadev Statue is the one of the tallest Shiva temples in Nepal. It is the second tallest Hindu deity after Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue in Bali, Indonesia. Kailash Nath Shiva statue is situated in Sanga, Nepal and about 20 km far from Kathmandu. The statue is 144 feet / 44 m in tallness, and was influenced utilizing copper, zinc, cement and steel Visit Doleshwor (Doleshwar): Mahadev Temple) for all the Shiva devotees, it is believed that the trip to Kailash is incomplete without visiting Doleshwar Mahadev and Pasupatinath temple. On Aug. 22, 2009, the Doleshwar Mahadev was officially declared as the head of Kedarnath, one of the Char Dham Yatra. All in the year 2013, after the devastating flood hit the temple of Kedarnath, situated in Uttarkhand, the regular prayers that were interrupted were carried out in Doleshwar Temple. The head priest of Kedarnath Temple requested regular prayers that used to be held in the Kedarnath Temple to be held in the Doleshwar Mahadev Temple. Buddhist Temple in Boudha: Boudhanath stupa is the biggest stupa in Nepal and second largest stupa in the world, it was built in the 5th century with the wisdom eyes of Gautama Buddha for four cardinal directions. Named after its immense stupa, Buddha is a pilgrimage destination for Tibetans. Devotees stroll around the gleaming white dome and visit nearby monasteries and schools for prayers and seminars. The Buddha Stupa dominates the skyline. The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 gompas (Tibetan convent) around Buddha so it is known as little Tibet in Nepal. Since 1979 Boudhanath Stupa has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The glory of Kathmandu Valley is said to have started from this point. Evening briefing Kailash Manasarovar tour and provide Diamox medicine, Duffel bag, small day bag.

Early in the morning, Kailash pilgrims are taken to Pasupatinath temple for Rudra Consecration called Rudra Abhishek, Hawan and Aarati. Seven or 11 Brahmins priests prepare for fire offering Hawan in Pavilion (Mandap) and do Sankalpa Pooja in the beginning followed by Swastibachan (Preaching), Nyas, Rudra preaching and Mahamritunjaya (Death victory) Pooja.

The word ‘Rudra’, meaning ‘Fearful Lord Shiva’ has come from Rudrabhishek, Rudranti Iti Rudri, Rudhiryoge Metal. It means there is pain, violence, greed among people on this Earth and we perform religious hymns in praise of God Shiva so that he escapes people from all these miseries of life and grants justice, good health, prosperity, peace and Salvation. This is why Rudri is done for Peaceful life. During the Kailash tour, visiting Pashupatinath and its worship is the first thing to do for pilgrims. It is believed that worshipping Lord Pashupatinath, doing Aarati grants all kinds of good merits to devotees. This is why the Kailash Tour is believed to be complete only after a holy visit to Pashupatinath. Kailash Manasarovar is one of the most important pilgrimage sites.

Kailash is a pilgrimage even to many Jyothirlinga and Shiva Temples. In this Universe, Humans are superior to Soul, Sages are superior to Humans, Gods are superior to sages and Lord Shiva is superior even to Gods and Kailash is the dwelling place of supreme Lord Shiva. So, every pilgrimage is believed to be incomplete without the Kailash Pilgrimage. It is a popular religious trend to wish for a successful Kailash Tour by doing Rudra (Shiva’s idol) Consecration and fire offering (Hawan) to Lord Pashupatinath, which takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.

After Rudra Abhishek, join Panchamrit Pooja in Pashupatinath temple every day 9:30 AM to 11 AM Bhatta pujari. Offering available in the temple but it is a payable Pooja and with Pooja Thali, milk, Rudrachhe mala, flower garland and a lamp. Devotee offers it to the priest. By offering Panchamrit Pooja for lord Pasupatinath fulfills all the desired wishes for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra / tour. The ceremony ends after getting Prasad and Rudraccha mala. This Pooja is available only Hindu devotees. Other religions are not allowed to enter the main gates.

Visit Gujeswari / Guyeshori Shakti Pith temple. Among Astha Matrilas (Eight mother Goddesses) she is mother of all. She is worshiped by Hindu and Buddhist both. According to Pauranik Katha Hindu legend. Lord Shiva’s 1st consort SATI DEVI offered by some insult of her husband Shiva dropped herself into YAGYAAKUND (A religious fire ceremony) Load Shiva’s retrieved her, fire burned corpse senseless him by grief and flew to and fro across Nepal and the Indian subcontinent. SATI DEVI’s body is scattered in 51 Shakti Pith. Guyeshori is a place where her secret part (GOPYA) vagina, some says her anus fell to which we call Guyeshori. She protects deities of Kathmandu valley as well. Back to the hotel and have a vegetarian buffet lunch.

Budhanilkantha: Afternoon around 2:00 PM start sightseeing with a holy guide to Budhanilkantha (Jal Narayan) Vishnu Temple located in Budhanilkantha, Nepal, is a Hindu open air temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Budhanilkantha Temple is situated below the Shivapuri Hill at the northern end of the Kathmandu valley & can be identified by a large reclining statue of Lord Vishnu.

Budhanilkantha, portrays a sleeping Vishnu, floating like a gigantic astronaut on a bed of snakes in the middle of a big pool of water depicting the cosmic ocean. The name Budhanilkantha has nothing to do with Buddha, but literally means “blue throat disguised by mud”. The peculiar name refers to two legends attached to the statue, one of them saying that a farmer found the long lost statue in the mud when working his field with a plough and the other saying that Vishnu sacrificed himself by drinking the poison of the cosmic ocean, which then turned his throat blue.

Early morning we take a flight from Tribhuvan International Airport to Gonggar Airport of Tibet. It is 90 km drive from Gonggar Airport to Lhasa city. Overnight in a hotel

After breakfast at 7:30 A.M, a full day sightseeing of in Lhasa, in the morning, you can visit the treasure house Potala Palace- the central attraction of the whole of Lhasa. It is founded in the 7th century and since then it had been used as the palace of every successive leader of Tibet. In the afternoon, your guide will lead you to visit the Sera monastery, which was founded in 1419, in the 15th century. It’s the second largest yellow hat lineage monastery in the whole of Lhasa. If you are a hiking enthusiast or don’t show any sign of altitude sickness, ask your guide to lead an hour of hiking through the pilgrimage path around the monastery, and it’s worth taking chance. While visiting the monastery, you will witness the monks doing philosophical debates in the courtyard.

Today, we fly to Ali Airport (4500m.) from Gonggar Airport. Afterwards we drive towards Darchen for 3 hours covering 300 km distance. Overnight in Darchen.

Early morning drive to the starting point of Kailash Parikrama (Circumambulation) called Yam Dwar and then start walking to Dirapuk (4860m). The total distance of walking during Kailash Parikrama is 53km. After we reach back to Darchen, we can walk or hire pony or horse up to 38 km. There will be an environmentally friendly blue bus to travel remaining distance. Darchen to Dirapuk is 11km distance.

Today will be a longest walking day as we need to reach Zuthulpuk from Dirapuk. Climbing from Dirapuk we reach the Shivasthal, Ganesh Kund and finally the top of Dolma La Pass (5636m.), which is the highest point of our journey. The walking time from Dirapuk to Zuthulpuk is 7-8 hours. We will then walk down and reach Shapje Datok then further to Zuthulpuk following Lham Chu River.

After early morning breakfast walk towards Chongdo from Zuthulpuk covering 6 km distance. From Chongdo drive to Darchen, take our lunch & drive to Manasarovar Lake. We reach Chiu Gompa where we spend the full moon night in a simple guest / mud house. In the afternoon, we choose a special spot to take holy bath outside of Manasarovar Lake and do Rudra Abhishek, chanting Shiva Mantra. Nepali Priest will guide you for Hawan and worship. The whole environment becomes religious and spiritual, Overnight stay in Manasarovar Lake. Full moon night in Manasarovar Lake.

Morning drive to Ali airport to catch a flight from Ali Airport to Gonggar airport in Tibet and drive to Lhasa. We spend our night at Lhasa town.

Fly to Kathmandu after having our breakfast at hotel. We spend our night in the hotel at Kathmandu.

This is the last day of our tour and there will be farewell to our dear guests. Then, you will be transferred to Tribhuvan International airport Kathmandu for returning back to their home country.

Departures & Availability

The set departure dates listed are specially quoted and specified for group joining option. Let us know if the set departure dates are not suitable for you- another dates which are suitable for you can certainly be added by us.

Check Available Dates
Start Date Price Availability

All trip prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to change without notice and do not include airfare. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars.

Price include

  • Arrival Kathmandu airport and transfer to hotel overnight.
  • Evening take to Pasupatinath for Aarati Darshan & hotel.
  • Next day Rudra Abhishek, Hawan Pasupatinath Temple.
  • All hotels / guesthouse during Kailash Manasarovar tour.
  • Sightseeing Budhanilkantha, Boudhnath & Swaymbhunath.
  • Pure vegetarian(lunch-dinner) provide Nepali restaurant.
  • English speaking Tibetan guide, team leader from Nepal.
  • Kathmandu –Lhasa –Ali–Lhasa –Kathmandu flight ticket.
  • Sightseeing Lhasa city including Potala place, Bharkhor.
  • Ali to Manasarovar Lake, Darchen, Yam Dwar, Ali by bus.
  • We have oxygen cylinder-mask-regulator emergency use
  • We provide basic first-aid – box altitude sickness Diamox
  • We provide duffel bag, day bag &complete Kailash tour
  • Kailash travel permit &Tibet visa for Mount Kailash tour
  • We provide our meal in Manasarovar, Darchen and Kora
  • We provide Nepali cook & cook helper for complete tour
  • Arrival &departure service in Kathmandu fallow itinerary
  • Rudra Abhishek Hawan 11 Braman Pujari –Pasupatinath
  • Special Darshan in Pasupatinath after Rudra Abhishek
  • 1 Pandit in Manasarovar do for Rudra Abhishek / Hawan

Price Excludes

  • Extra night hotel cost in Kathmandu, Nepal
  • All beverages in Kathmandu & Kailash tour
  • Travel Insurance for all Kailash tourists/Yatri
  • Expenses Emergency evacuation helicopter
  • Horse riding cost for Kailash Kora / Parikrama
  • Addition cost caused any political disturbance.
  • Any additional cost due to natural calamities
    unforeseen situation Kailash Manasarovar tour
  • Kailash Tibet or extra stay cost in Kathmandu

Gears And Equipment

Trip Information

Insurance for This Trip

Embark on your Mount Kailash pilgrimage worry-free with our recommended Mount Kailash Travel Insurance. Tailored for the unique challenges of this sacred journey, it provides coverage for trip disruptions, medical emergencies, and unforeseen events. Prioritize your safety and peace of mind as you explore the spiritual wonders of Mount Kailash with our specialized travel insurance.

High Precaution

High altitudes pose challenges like lower oxygen levels, inducing symptoms such as headaches, nausea, lethargy, and breathlessness. These affect everyone, regardless of age or fitness. Acclimatization is crucial; avoid tranquilizers and antibiotics. Slow down activities, rest frequently, and reduce talking. Walk slowly, keep loads light, and observe silence with a smile. Consume liquids, avoid sudden exertion, and protect against cold. Don’t bathe in streams, protect against dust and sun, and follow experienced guides. Prioritize rest, hydration, and warm clothing during winter.

Communication and Network

Wi-Fi will be accessible in Kathmandu, but as we venture into the more secluded regions of Nepal, connectivity will be restricted. The tour guide will carry a satellite phone for emergency communication. Wi-Fi connection is more accessible in the Tibet region as well, while there are no such facilities in Mansarovar, and during the Parikrama.

Options for e-sims are widely available in supported devices for cellular data, while mainstream social media including WhatsApp and Facebook are prohibited in China. The use of VPNs may allow for seamless communication with family back home.

Weather and Climate

During May to September, temperatures in Nepal and Tibet range from 10 to 22°C during the day. Despite the moderate daytime temperatures, the intense sun at high altitudes can create a much warmer sensation. Nighttime temperatures may drop significantly, reaching as low as -5°C.

Precaution and High Altitude

As altitude increases, the body requires time to adapt to lower oxygen levels through a process known as acclimatization. Proper acclimatization is crucial for maintaining health and ensuring a comfortable journey at high altitudes. Most individuals are affected by the reduced oxygen levels at elevations exceeding 2,500 meters. Diamox (Acetazolamide) has proven to be highly effective in facilitating acclimatization and countering High Altitude Sickness. Further details will be provided closer to the journey.

Physical Fitness

Please consult your doctor and undergo a medical examination before embarking on the Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar yatra. Given the high altitudes, it is advisable to begin exercises such as walking, jogging, yoga, and breathing exercises at least a month prior to ensure a successful journey.

Accommodation and Amenities

This journey encompasses urban, rural, and remote areas in Nepal and Tibet, resulting in varying accommodations and amenities. Whether it’s five-star hotels and guest houses or camping in the breathtaking Himalayan regions under the care of our staff, you can be confident that we will consistently offer the best possible facilities in every instance.

Passport Validity and Visas

All Travelers must ensure that their passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of tour completion. 

  • Indian Passport Holders do not require a visa to enter Nepal
  • All foreign Passport Holders can get their 30 days multiple entry visa to Nepal at the Kathmandu Airport, or online from the Nepal Immigration Website
  • All Visas and Permits along with other needful documents for Tibet will be arranged by Touch Kailash Team

Kathmandu Lhasa Ali Kailash Tour Route Map

Kailash Mansarovar Map

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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.

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