Kailash Mansarovar Tour via Lhasa

Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa is one of the fantastic itineraries for this once-in-a-lifetime trip. By doing the Kailash Yatra via Lhasa, you will explore and learn about Tibet.

The journey will take you close to the Tibetan lifestyle, culture, traditions, art, and architecture. You will also understand the value of Mount Kailash from the perspective of Tibetans.

The overall trip will be more adventurous, exciting, and immersive. The warm hospitality of Tibetans, vibrant markets, and delicious Tibetan cuisine will add more edge to your Kailash Mansarovar trip.

Mt. Kailash view during Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa

Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa itinerary

The tour starts in Kathmandu, Nepal. You will arrive in Kathmandu and spend three days in this city. The reason to spend three days in the city is to obtain a Chinese Group Visa.

You have to be physically available at the Chinese Embassy to apply for a Chinese Group Visa, and it takes around three working days to issue. So, you will spend three days exploring Kathmandu and learning about Nepali culture, history, and beliefs.

On the sixth day of the tour, you will fly to Lhasa. It will be a scenic, short flight (1 hour 20 minutes). Spend two nights in Lhasa and drive to Shigatse via Gyantse. After Shigatse, you will drive to Saga and then to Mansarovar Lake.

Further, you will spend a night at Darchen and begin Kailash Kora. It will take three days to complete the Kora, and you will drive back to Saga on the last day of the Kailash Kora (the 14th day of the tour).

Follow the same route back to Lhasa visa Shigatse and fly back to Kathmandu. Basically, you will start and end the Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Your time in Kathmandu

• You will enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Swayambhu Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, and Jal Narayan Temple in Kathmandu.
• Visit the Garden of Dreams and explore the bustling streets of Thamel by yourself during your free time.
• You can go on a day hike to Chandragiri Hill, Shivapuri-Sundarijal Hike, etc, if you want to spend some time in nature. You can hire a hiking guide. Extra charges apply.
• Similarly, if you want to discover Nepalese spices, textiles, and daily local life, walk in Asan Bazaar. It is connected to Thamel. You can walk by yourself or ask your tour guide.

Lhasa, Shigatse, and Saga

During the Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa, you will explore Lhasa, Shigatse, and Saga. These are three Tibetan cities.

• Lhasa: You will visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Market, Norbulingka Palace, Sera Monastery, and Drepung Monastery in Lhasa. For a spiritual experience, you can join a morning Kora around Jokhan Temple and experience a lively debate session at Sera Monastery.
• Shigatse: On the way to Shigatse, you will pass by Gyantse. Here, you take a quick stop at Pelkor Chode Monastery. In Shigatse, you can explore the Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse Dzong, and Shalu Monastery.
• Saga: Saga is a small Tibetan town. Here, you will experience Tibetan village life. Explore the local markets and interact with the locals. 

Which mountains will you see during the Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa?

The Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa provides an opportunity to witness some of the most stunning mountains on Earth. You will see the majestic Annapurna (8091 m), Manaslu (8,163 m), Langtang (7,234 m), Shishapangma (8,027 m), Gurla Mandhata (7,694 m), Kailash (6,638 m), Nandi Parvat, etc.

In addition to these mountains, you will also see Everest (8,849 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Nuptse (7,861 m), and Cho Oyu (8,188 m) while flying from Kathmandu to Lhasa. The weather highly determines which mountains you will be seeing during the flight.

The Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa is scenically impeccable. Though the adventure and divine aspect of this lifetime journey overshadow the landscapes that travelers get to enjoy, it is not out of conversation.

What is it like doing the Kailash Kora?

The Kailash Kora is a three-day extensive walk at a high altitude. You will walk around 53 kilometers in the span of three days. During the Kora, you will spend two nights in guesthouses. It is a simple accommodation with limited services.

Each day begins early. You will do puja (if you want to) and have a big breakfast before you start walking. Leaving Darchen, a small settlement at the base of Mt. Kailash, you will drive 6 km to Yam Dwar.

From here, you will start the Kora. On the first day of the Kailash Kora, you will hike to Dirapuk. It will be 15 km of walking and will take around six hours. From Dirpuk, you will hike to Dolma La Pass and descend to Zuthuphuk.

Crossing Dolma La Pass is challenging. You will walk around 7 to 8 hours on this day, covering around 18 km. The Kora will take you above 5,000 meters, and every step at this altitude is quite heavy.

On the last day of the Kailash Kora, you will walk down 13 km to Zongdui. The Kora ends here, and you will drive back to Saga on the same day.

*Note: Pilgrims can rent a porter to carry their backpacks during the Kora. Likewise, pilgrims who cannot complete the Kailash Kora on their own can rent a horse ride. Horses come with experts who will ensure your safety. 

Are you going to do Inner Kora or Outer Kora? What’s the difference?

There are two ways to do the Kailash Parikrama. One is the Inner Kora, and the other is the Outer Kora. Inner Kora is more challenging than Outer Kora and requires additional special permits.

Pilgrims mostly do the Outer Kora during the Kailash Yatra. It is three days of walking. During the Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa, you will do the Outer Kora, which starts from Yam Dwar and ends at Zongdui.

Compared to the Outer Kora, the Inner Kora is longer. It involves glacier crossings and a handful of other technical sections, which demand support from an expert guide and pilgrims to be exceptionally fit.

We have shared the route of both Kailash Kora’s below:

Outer Kora

Route: Yam Dwar – Dirapuk – Dolma La Pass – Zuthulphuk – Zongdui

Inner Kora

The Inner Kora of Mt. Kailash has three important legs:

1. Charan Sparsh from Dirapuk
2. Kuber Kund hike from Shiva Tsal to Zuthulphuk
3. Nandi Parvat Kora, Ashtapad Trekking, Atma Linga, and Saptarishi Caves excursions from Darchen

How difficult is Kailash Kora? Are you ready for the journey?

The Kailash Kora is three days long, and you will walk 6 hours a day on average each day. The second day is the longest and most challenging. On this day, you will almost walk for 8 hours and cross the Dolma La Pass (5,670 m/18,602 ft).

The Kora starts from Yam Dwar, and you will hike to Dirapuk. The first day of the Kora will give you a good picture of the next two days. The Kailash Kora route is well-established. However, the terrain is rugged and ascends.

You will reach 5,210 m (17,093 ft) above sea level on the first day of the Kora. Just being at this elevation is demanding, and imagine walking for hours. The high altitude makes the Kailash Kora quite demanding.

The oxygen level is low, and the environment is unique. It will be adventurous, but you also have to put in a lot of physical effort, especially when you continue toward Dolma La Pass.

Depending on the weather, you may walk to Dolma La Pass on snow. From Dolma La Pass, the trail steeply descends to Zuthulphuk. On the last day of the Kora, you will descend from Zuthulphuk to Zongdui.

End the Kailash Kora here and drive back to Saga the same day. In addition to long walking and high altitude, pilgrims also deal with cold climates and bare minimum services. It makes Kailash Kora equally mentally challenging.

So, can a normal person do Kailash Kora? It depends on the individual. We see many unfit, normal people completing the Kailash Kora because of their spiritual drive and faith.

If you plan to do Kailash Kora and are not sure whether you are physically ready for the journey or not, do not worry. Get in touch with us and share your plans. We will help you make this dream voyage come true.

What are the altitude sickness risks during the Kailash tour via Lhasa?

The risks of altitude sickness during the Kailash tour via Lhasa depend on how well and fast you can acclimate to high altitude. In general, altitude sickness chances are high during the Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa.

However, an acclimatization day in Lhasa and a gradual ascent with a night stay at Shigatse and Saga definitely provide a better chance to get used to high elevation and avoid altitude sickness before reaching Mansarovar Lake.

The highest effect of altitude you will feel is while flying from Kathmandu to Lhasa because you are going from 1,324 meters to 3,650 meters in just around one hour and twenty minutes. That is why we have two nights in Lhasa.

Lhasa onwards, you will cross Kora La (5,010 m/16,437 ft) and Kamba La (4,794 m/15,728) and descend to Shigatse to spend the night. This high altitude gain and night stay at low elevation will further help you acclimate.

Likewise, from Shigatse to Saga, you will follow the same pattern- hiking high and sleeping low because the route crosses Gyatchu La Pass (5,220 m).

In short, by the time you arrive at Mansarovar Lake and ascend towards the starting point of Kailash Kora, you are most likely to be well acclimatized.

The suggestions below will further help you acclimatize and avoid altitude sickness during the Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa:

• Early signs of altitude sickness are headache, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, insomnia, etc.
• Do not take any discomfort in your body lightly. It could be an early sign of altitude sickness. Share with your guide and ask for help.
• Keep yourself hydrated from the moment you land in Lhasa. Drink plenty of lukewarm water, soups, and ginger-honey teas. Keep caffeine consumption low and avoid alcoholic drinks.
• High carbohydrate, fiber, and protein meals will help you maintain energy. Eat in moderation, but ensure you get ample energy to walk through the day.
• Most importantly, hike slowly and maintain your pace. No need to tire yourself. Enjoy the journey and views.

What is the best time to do the Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa?

The best time to do the Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa is May to September. Though the ideal time to travel to Lhasa is March to May and late September to November, the best time for Kailash Kora is May to September.

So, you will do the Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa between May and September. The Kailash route is open in these months. There is no snow on the Kailash Kor trails, and the weather remains pretty stable.

If you do this trip between late May and mid-September, you are bound to experience a hot and humid climate and heavy rainfall in Kathmandu, Lhasa, Shigatse, and Saga.

However, once you get close to Mansarovar Lake and Mt. Kailash, you will not see extreme rainfall because these two destinations are situated in the rain shadow area. There could be light rainfall, which will enhance the scenery.

Late September and October are the best times to explore the beauty of Kathmandu, Lhasa, Shigatse, and Saga and complete the Kailash Kora. Between November and April, the Kailash Mansarovar region is brutally cold and blocked by snow.

Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa booking and cancellation policy

Our booking deposit for the Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa is 25%. We need this deposit to confirm the trip. You also have the option to make full payment for the trip during the booking.

If you choose to make a partial booking deposit, the remaining balance must be cleared one month before the trip starts. To cancel the trip, you must send us a written email.

The email should clarify why you are canceling the trip and whether you want to reschedule the trip or prefer a refund. Depending on the date we will receive your cancellation request, there will be a cancellation charge.

Below is our cancellation charge timeline:

1. If you cancel the trip 60 days before the departure date, there will be a 15% cancellation charge.
2. If you cancel the trip 30 days before the departure date, there will be a 25% cancellation charge.
3.  If you cancel the trip 15 days before the departure date, there will be a 50% cancellation charge.
4. If you cancel the trip less than 15 days before the departure date, you will not get any refund.

*Note:

• You will not get a refund for any purchased permit and reservation.
• If the Company (us) cancels the trip due to unforeseen circumstances, you will get a full refund or an option to reschedule the tour. 

Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa cost and 2025 bookings with Leaf Holidays Treks & Expedition

We offer the most genuine cost for a Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa. Our services are top-notch, and we guarantee 100% departure (unless an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control arises).

By joining Leaf Holidays Treks & Expedition, you will join an expert team with over 22 years of expertise. There is no safety issue with us. We also take the Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa bookings for private groups.

Traveling with us is fun. Our friendly yet expert team will make your journey incredible. We will take care of all the complex permits required for Kailash Yatra and make sure you enjoy a hassle-free trip.

We are taking bookings for the Kailash Mansarovar tour via Lhasa 2025 and 2026 departures. Feel free to talk to us if you have any questions or want to customize the itinerary.