Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour

One of the best ways to travel to Kailash Mansarovar is the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour. To make your trip in 2026 even easier and hassle-free, our team at Leaf Holidays will take care of the logistics, permits, and Tibet Group Visa.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. It is not only expensive but also demands time commitment and considerable effort. So, we ensure that every penny you spend and every effort you put into the Kailash overland tour with us is well worth it.

The Kailash Mansarovar overland tour is 16 days journey that begins in Kathmandu, Nepal. Kailash is a restricted area in Tibet, and traveling here involves complicated permit processing.

However, traveling from Nepal is less complicated because experienced travel agencies like us can simplify the permit and visa process for Kailash Yatra and make the entire documentation process less tedious for you.

Additionally, entering Tibet from Nepal is also easy. You can reach Lhasa in less than one and a half hours by flight from Kathmandu. Overall, the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour from Nepal will be the best decision for travelers from around the world.

The Kailash Mansarovar overland tour short description

Kailash Mansarovar overland tour is a divine, adventurous journey that takes you to the heart of the Himalayas. Mount Kailash is known as the center of the Universe, and traveling here is believed to take you to a higher state of consciousness.

On the Kailash overland tour, you will enjoy a beautiful ride across the lush hills of Nepal and the vast Tibetan Plateau. The route from Kathmandu to Kailash offers stunning landscapes and breathtaking mountain views of Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Nandi Parvat, Ashtapad, Mt. Kailash, etc.

For both adventure lovers and pilgrims (Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Bon), the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour is a lifetime trip. Traveling here is nothing less than a privilege. The journey combines faith, adventure, and a sense of heavenly energy.

On top of that, the legends and myths associated with Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake make this journey even more intriguing. Overall, the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour is safe and adventurous, and anyone can join us on our 2026 departures.

Kailash Mansarovar overland tour 2026: Horse Year

2026 is the year of the horse as per the Chinese zodiac and occurs every 12 years. After 2026, the next Horse Year will be in 2038. The Horse Year is associated with movement, speed, independence, transformation, freedom, and intelligence.

The Horse is considered the carrier of prayers. It carries your wishes between Earth and the spiritual realms. This makes the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour in 2026 very special.

It is believed that one Kailash Kora in 2026 will be equal to 12 Kailash Koras, which makes this year very special for the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour.

Additionally, the cosmic energy will be more active in 2026. Your wishes and blessings will come true and be effective across several lifetimes.

Read more about the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the Horse Year in this blog.

Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake’s religious significance

Mount Kailash is sacred for Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and followers of the Bon religion. Hindus believe Mount Kailash is the home of Lord Shiva and his wife, Goddess Parvati.

Visiting here is a lifetime pilgrimage for Hindus. They believe that performing the Kailash Kora (parikrama) and taking a dip in Mansarovar Lake will get rid of their sins and lead to liberation (Moksha).

Likewise, Buddhists believe Mount Kailash is connected to their cosmic axis, and the mountain is home to their deity Chakrasamvara (Demchok). And for Jains, their saint Rishabhadeva attained liberation on Mount Kailash.

Most of the pilgrims do the 3-day Kailash Kora. However, some also aim to do 13 or 108 Koras. The followers of the Bon religion do the Kailash Kora in an anti-clockwise direction and rest in a clockwise direction.

What are the Inner Kora and the Outer Kora of Mount Kailash? Which one will you do?

You may or may not have heard about it, but there are two Kailash Koras- Inner Kora and Outer Kora. The Inner Kailash Kora is shorter but also more challenging than the Outer Kailash Kora. The Inner Kora involves technical sections and glacier crossing.

You also have to get special permission from the Tibetan government and an expert guide to the Inner Kailash Kora. Likewise, the Outer Kora is the regular three days of Kora that we will do during the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour.

Inner Kora: You will explore sites like Nandi Parvat, Kailash Charan Sparsh, and the Ashtapad.

Outer Kora: You will explore sites like Dira-Puk, Dolma La Pass, and ZuthulPhuk.

Kailash Mansarovar overland tour itinerary

The Kailash Mansarovar overland tour from Nepal is a comfortable trip and less complicated when it comes to obtaining permits and a Tibet travel visa. The adventure begins in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

In Kathmandu, you will spend a few days obtaining the Tibetan Group Visa. During that time, you will explore temples such as Pashupatinath, Swayambhu (Monkey Temple), Bouddha Stupa, and Guheshwori Temple.

You will learn a lot about Nepali culture and traditions while visiting these sites. You will also explore the bustling Nepali markets that are full of fragrances, colors, and life. After receiving the visa, you will drive from Kathmandu to Timure (1,760 m).

Spend a night in Timure and enter Tibet via the Kerung (2,900 m) border. We have added an acclimatization day in Kerung, which will help you adjust to the high elevation further on the way.

Many people also call this trip Kailash Mansarovar Yatra or Kailash Yatra, so please do not get confused.

Our Kailash Mansarovar overland tour 16 days is thoughtfully designed to help travelers easily adjust to high elevation. As you travel from Kerung to Saga and Mansarovar Lake, you will also explore Tibetan culture and traditions to some extent.

Drive to Darchen from Mansarovar Lake. Darchen is located at the foot of Mt. Kailash. From here, you will begin the Kailash Kora. The starting point of Kailash Kora is YamDwar, which is situated just 6 km from Darchen.

You will start walking from YamDwar. On the first day of the Kailash Kora, you will hike to DiraPuk. Then, you will ascend to Dolma La Pass and descend to ZuthulPhuk for the night stay. Finally, descend to Zongdui to end the Kora and drive back to Saga.

Following the same route, return to Kathmandu to end the trip. You can also do the Kailash Mansarovar tour from Lhasa. It is best for travelers who want to explore Tibetan cities and culture in depth.

Kailash Kora difficulty

• Kailash Kora distance: 51 km (33 miles)
• YamDwar to DiraPuk: 17 km (10.5 miles)
• DiraPuk to ZuthulPhuk via Dolma La Pass: 22 km (13.6 miles)
• ZuthulPhuk to Zongdui: 12 km (7.4 miles)

The most challenging part of the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour is the Kailash Kora. It is three days of extensive walking at a high altitude that covers approximately 51 kilometers.

The hiking trail is well established but gets steeper as you get close to Dolma La Pass (5,670 m). Dolma La Pass is the highest point you will reach during the Kora. It is also the closest point you can reach to Mount Kailash.

The final ascent to the pass involves hiking on steep, rocky slopes. The Kailash Kora will test your endurance and patience. During the rest of the tour, you will travel in a comfortable four-wheeler.

Travelers who have motion sickness may find long drives uncomfortable, so we recommend having motion sickness medicine. Overall, we rate the Kailash Kora difficulty 6.5 out of 10.

Kailash Mansarovar tour best time

The best time to do the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour is May to October. It is the warmest time of the year, so the Kailash Kora is highly achievable. Mount Kailash’s location is high in the Himalayas.

Therefore, the weather usually remains unpredictable. However, the weather is at its finest between May and October, and the climate is not freezing.

From November to April, the climate is very cold, Mansarovar Lake is frozen, and the region is covered with snow. Kailash Kora is very challenging in these months and also quite risky. So, the Kailash Mansarovar route remains closed for traveling between November and April.

Kailash Mansarovar overland tour during monsoon

Are you wondering about the monsoon period between June and August? The Kailash Mansarovar route is within the rain-shadow area of the Himalayas, so it’s an arid region. Therefore, rainfall is very light and less frequent.

On the Nepal side, you will experience heavy rainfall, but the Tibet route remains accessible and safe for the pilgrims even during the peak monsoon time. Once you continue to Saga and get close to Darchen, the climate becomes arid, with little to no rain.

You can read in detail about the best time to do the Kailash Mansarovar tour in this blog. 

Kailash Mansarovar overland tour cost (2026)

The Kailash Mansarovar overland tour from Nepal is cheaper. In fact, traveling to Kailash via any route from Nepal is more cost-effective than entering from India or any other country.

Here, we are talking about the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour, i.e., Kathmandu-Kerung route to Kailash Mansarovar. This route significantly reduces transport, visa, and logistics expenses.

Travelers can save up to USD 800 to USD 1,500 per person while enjoying a very comfortable and safe trip from Nepal. The reasons that make the Nepal route cheaper for the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour are:

➜ Group Chinese Visa instead of an expensive individual Chinese visa: Issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, no biometrics, and no long wait.

➜ Shorter route, which means lower transport cost: Kathmandu -> Kerung -> Kailash, around 900 km (half the driving distance, half the fuel, and half the driver cost).

➜ Low operational cost: Nepal-based operators offer affordable hotels, staff, and transport.

➜ No mandatory flight via Lhasa: You travel by road from Kathmandu to Kerung to Kailash. However, while traveling from China or India, a Lhasa flight is a must, followed by a long road trip to Kailash. This increases the overall cost of transportation and accommodation.

If you are interested to learn more about the Kailash Mansarovar tour cost via different routes from Nepal, read this blog. 

What’s included in our Kailash Mansarovar overland tour price (2026)?

Our Kailash Mansarovar overland tour price includes the following services:

• Kailash travel permit and Chinese Group Visa
• Accommodation in Kathmandu and during the tour
• Three meals a day throughout the trip (pure vegetarian food)
• Transporation
• Professional guides, skilled drivers, and support staff
• First-aid kit, camping equipment (we cook our food during Kailash Kora), and oxygen cylinders for emergency

Kailash Mansarovar permit & visa process (Kathmandu-Kerung route)

Mount Kailash is a highly restricted border region of western Tibet, so traveling here requires many permits.

When you travel with us, our team will handle all permits and the visa process for the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour, so you do not have to worry about anything.

You will need the following permits for the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour in 2026:

1. Tibet Travel Permit (TTP):

• Issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB)
• Mandatory for all foreigners entering Tibet

2. Alien’s Travel Permit (ATP):

• Issued by the Tibet Public Security Bureau
• A special permit that allows you to travel beyond major cities in Tibet
• Must for restricted areas like Mount Kailash

3. Military Permit:

• Mount Kailash is located near the China-India border, so travelers must obtain a Military Permit

4. Tibet Group Visa:

• Issued in Kathmandu by the Chinese Embassy
• Replacement of the regular expense Chinese visa
• It is issued for the entire group
• Allows entry to Tibet via the Kerung border
• Only valid for Kailash trips

5. Nepal travel visa:

• Non-Nepali travelers (except Indians) have to obtain a multiple-entry Nepal travel visa
• Travelers from most countries can obtain the Nepal travel visa upon arriving at Kathmandu airport
• Check more details about the Nepal travel visa on the official site of the Nepal government

*Our Kailash Mansarovar overland tour package does not include the Nepal travel visa fee. Travelers have to pay for it themselves. Likewise, obtaining the Nepal travel visa is also the traveler’s responsibility. Do not worry, it is quite a simple process. Our team will provide you with full information during booking.

Why does the Nepal route make obtaining Kailash Mansarovar travel permits easier than India and mainland China?

➜ The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu issues special Tibet Group Visas, which cost less and also take less time to issue.

➜ No biometric appointment required at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.

➜ Nepal-based Kailash operators like us have direct coordination with Tibetan authorities, which makes securing permits for Kailash tours less complicated.

➜ Travelers only have to follow our lead and make sure their passports and other required documents for Kailash Yatra are valid. Our team will take care of all documentation, permits, and visas, and assist you during border checking.

Who should not do the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour?

It is important that you understand and acknowledge the high altitude effects during the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour for a safe journey.

During this tour, you will experience nearly 50% less oxygen, which is not a joke, especially for individuals who have heart conditions, asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Pregnant women should also take the high altitude effects seriously.

Therefore, medical clearance is important for the Kailash Mansarovar tour. With that being said, the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour is good for:

➔ The Kailash Mansarovar overland tour from Kathmandu is good for travelers of all ages. It is an easy journey.

➔ The three days of Kailash Kora can get challenging for some pilgrims, but if you are fit and have willpower, you can complete the Kailash Kora without any issues.

➔ We organize the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for both adults and senior citizens.

➔ We have seen even the not-so-fittest people completing the Kailash Parikrama. It all starts in your mind, and how much you can push yourself. So, believe in yourself, and we are here to support you.

➔ How to prepare for Kailash Mansarovar tour: A fit traveler will definitely enjoy the journey the most. So, if you have time, please include a light workout and regular long walking in your day-to-day. Be consistent for 2 to 4 months, and you will reach a decent fitness point for the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour.

*Note: Underage travelers (below 18 years old) must be accompanied by their parents or an identified guardian. 

Safety and medical support during the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour

Traveling to Kailash Mansarovar involves an altitude rise of over 4,00 meters, and if you do the Kailash Kora, you will ascend 5,500 meters above sea level.

This kind of elevation gain requires a proper acclimatization strategy, medical preparation, and professional support. We, Leaf Holidays, take your safety and health seriously during the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour.

Therefore, we have designed our Kailash Mansarovar overland tour itinerary to ensure that every pilgrim completes the journey safely and comfortably.

• We carry oxygen cylinders in all vehicles for emergencies.
• We are fully equipped with a first aid kit that is engineered for a high altitude journey like the Kailash tour.
• One of our trained guides will accompany you during the tour, who is an expert in altitude management, rescue survival, and first aid.
• In case of severe altitude sickness, injury, or any other distress, we will immediately evacuate you to Lhasa or Kathmandu via helicopter. (For this travel insurance, covering helicopter evacuation is a must)

Why the Nepal route is better (Kerung vs Lhasa – two popular routes)

*Please note that you can travel to Kailash Mansarovar via different routes from Nepal, such as Kerung border, Lhasa, and a helicopter tour via Hilsa.

In just around one hour of flight, you can reach Lhasa from Kathmandu. So, flying from Kathmandu to Lhasa is definitely cheaper and more affordable than flying to Lhasa from India, China, or other countries.

However, traveling from Lhasa to Kailash Mansarovar is longer than traveling from Kerung to Kailash Mansarovar. In this context, the Kerung route is better than the Lhasa route. In fact, the Kerung route also offers better acclimatization opportunities.

Because of the following reasons, the Nepal route via Kerung is better than the Lhasa route:

• The Kerung route is approximately 900 km from Kathmandu to Darchen (one side), but the distance from Lhasa to Darchen is approximately 1,800 km (one side). So, the overall expense to travel to Darchen from Kerung is less than that to Lhasa.
• Tibet has made traveling from Nepal easier than in any other country. You can easily obtain the necessary permits to travel to Kailash Mansarovar from Nepal.
• The Tibet Group Visa is a faster, cheaper, and less complicated replacement for the individual Chinese visa.
• The Kerung route offers better acclimatization, so pilgrims will have an easy time adjusting to high altitude.
• The Kerung route is also more scenic. For the very first day of the trip, you will witness beautiful, lush hills, verdant valleys, snowy Himalayan mountains, and dramatic scenery of the Tibetan plateau.

Senior citizen safety

It is no secret that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is more famous among senior citizens than among young travelers. However, one question we often hear is “Can senior citizens do the Kailash tour?”

And the answer is yes, senior citizens can do the Kailash Mansarovar tour if they are taking proper precautions for high altitude and are well supported.

The maximum age limit for the Kailash tour is 70. So, it is obvious that senior citizens can do the Kailash tour. However, their fitness and health highly determine the overall experience.

These are the things that we do to ensure the safety of our elderly travelers during the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour:

• Gradual acclimatization with a rest day in Kerung. It will help your body to adjust to high altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
• Active monitoring of your health and blood sugar level during the tour to spot altitude sickness risk early.
• Comfortable, well-maintained 4×4 vehicles for long drives. Skilled driver who can drive comfortably on the Tibetan plateau.
• Frequent quick stoppage for stretching, hydration, rest, and freshening up.
• Porter, horse, and horsemen support for Kailash Kora.

Kailash Mansarovar overland tour packing

While packing for the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour, you have to consider high altitude, unpredictable weather, varying temperatures, long drives, and the Kailash Kora.

You need breathable underwear, a comfortable base layer, thermals, fleece, a down jacket, and a windproof/waterproof layer. Likewise, SPF, sunglasses, lip balm, moisturizer, comfortable hiking shoes, sun hat, water bottle, daypack, power bank, snacks, etc, are some essentials.

Below, you can check out the things required for the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour. We have also made a packing checklist at the end of this page. 

Kailash Mansarovar overland tour with Leaf Holidays

✔ How many groups you run per year: Around 10

✔ How many yatris you have taken: More than 500

If your question is how to do a Kailash tour safely, cheaply, and legally, then we, Leaf Holidays Treks & Expedition, are your answer.

We are an authorized Nepali travel agency based in Kathmandu. We specialize in the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour and almost all Kailash trips.

We have a huge community of Indian travelers who do the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra every year with us. Check out our 2025 Kailash Mansarovar trip gallery blog.

Likewise, travelers from around the world can do the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour with us. We have been in the industry for more than 22 years. So, our expertise, knowledge, and service beat every other Kailash tour operator.

As we work closely with the Tibetan government to organize our Kailash Mansarovar overland tour, you will get a professional, licensed guide and 100% safety assurance.

Not only that, we have the most affordable Kailash Mansarovar overland tour price in the market. If you are looking for a reliable and trustworthy travel agency for your Kailash Yatra, you can join us confidently.

Our Kailash Mansarovar overland tour 2026 bookings are open. You can check our fixed departure dates for the Kailash Mansarovar overland tour 2026 below. Likewise, private tours are also available. Feel free to contact us for any queries.

• 22+ years of expertise in the field
• A well-established, professional team to handle every detail of the Kailash Heli tour journey, including permits, transportation, and hotel reservations
• Guaranteed departure
• Safety priority
• Best hotels and guesthouses
• Pure vegetarian meals
• A certified guide and friendly support crew
• No hidden charges
• Hassle-free trip
• Free duffel bag to use during the tour
• Unlimited bottled drinking water
• 24/7 support
• Flexible itinerary