Kailash Manasarover Tour via Lhasa
Overview
Kailash Tour via Lhasa Fly In Drive Out is a remarkable pilgrimage and cultural tour that begins in Kathmandu, Nepal. It takes you across the stunning terrain of Tibet to the very spiritual heart of the Himalayas, Mount Kailash. This tailor-made itinerary offers an unparalleled synthesis of spiritual fulfillment, scenic beauty and cultural riches. All this makes the tour a rewarding and unforgettable experience for pilgrims and adventurers alike.
With a flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa, you are first initiated into the mystical land of Tibetan Buddhism with visits to mythological places like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and ancient monastic settlements. This part of the tour allows a gentle acclimatization process, with the body gradually adapting to the altitude while soaking in the cultural heritage of Tibet. From Lhasa, the trip goes overland on the vast Tibetan plateau, by sacred lakes, snow-capped mountains and high passes, finally reaching the sacred Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash.
The highlight of the trip is the 3-day trek around the holy mountain, the Kailash Kora, which is thought to erase a lifetime of sins and provide significant spiritual blessings. The journey concludes with a drive through Kyirong (Kerung) back into Nepal and onward to Kathmandu by road.
The Kailash Tour offers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stand before Mount Kailash which is revered by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bon. It also allows you to experience the spiritual core and natural beauty of Nepal and Tibet in a single journey.
Spiritual pilgrims or physically fit adventure travelers, be it solo, families or groups, can join this tour. Regardless of whether religious devotion, the thrill of high-altitude travel or the wish to behold cultures untouched by time, the Kailash Tour via Lhasa promises to be an experience that touches heart and soul.
Apart from the spectacular scenery and immersion in culture, what you will carry back with you is something deeper: a feeling of renewal, inner peace and a profound sense of connection with the spiritual force of the Himalayas. Walking shoulder to shoulder with pilgrims from all over the world, sharing stories, prayers and awe, you are part of a timeless spirituality that extends beyond borders, beliefs and generations. In all, the Kailash Tour via Lhasa Fly in Drive Out is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to encounter the divine, rejuvenate your soul and come back permanently transformed.
Prime Highlights of Kailash Tour via Lhasa
- Enjoy a scenic and trouble-free flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu. The flight offers majestic views of the Himalayas and trouble-free entry into Tibet.
- Culturally rewarding experience in Lhasa with escorted visits to mythical Tibetan icons like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and vibrant Barkhor Street.
- Acclimatize gradually to high altitude as you travel across vast Tibetan Plateau, ancient towns of Shigatse and Saga with marvelous views of mountains, high passes and blue lakes.
- Marvel at the awe-inspiring splendor of holy Lake Mansarovar, a high-altitude lake where pilgrims bathe ritually and meditate in tranquility.
- Take on the difficult but spiritually fulfilling Kailash Kora (parikrama), a three-day trekking circuit around the mountain with the crossing of the high Dolma La Pass at 5,620 meters.
Best Season For Kailash Tour via Lhasa
The best season for the Kailash Tour via Lhasa is during the spring, early summer and early to mid autumn periods: March to June and September to October. During this time, the weather in Tibet and in the Mount Kailash region is quite stable. With clear skies, mild temperatures and improved road conditions, both cultural sightseeing and high altitude treks are easy and rewarding.
Traveling within the pre mentioned seasons offers safer passage of the high-altitude passes, especially the Dolma La Pass in the Kailash Kora, which is risky when it snows or storms. Harsh, snowy winters (November to February) imply cold temperatures, freezing winds and closed roads. So the tour becomes not only difficult but sometimes impossible because of road closures and safety concerns.
Choosing the best time not only increases the visual and spiritual impact but also makes for better acclimatization, comfort and the opportunity to experience fully Tibetan culture in Lhasa and Mount Kailash’s sacred vibration.
Meals and Accommodation During the Journey
On the Kailash Tour via Lhasa, you can expect a touch of comfort and simplicity in terms of accommodations and food, depending on where and at what altitude. Bookings are usually done on a Bed and Breakfast (B/B) basis in ordinary guesthouses or hotels, usually on a group-sharing basis.
In cities like Lhasa and Shigatse, accommodations are available in neat 3 to 4-star hotels with en-suite toilets and bathroom facilities, basic amenities and the amenity of hot water. These city stopover points also offer a variety of meal choices like Tibetan, Nepali, Indian and Chinese, primarily buffet or in set menus.
Three meals a day are served and are usually vegetarian, suitable for pilgrims and travelers alike. They are cooked to be nutritious as well as comforting at high altitude. One cup of coffee or tea is served with each meal for warmth and refreshment in cold environments. Breakfast is served in the hotels and lunch and dinner are arranged in local restaurants or by our tour crew.
The accommodation becomes more basic as the tour proceeds further towards remote destinations like Saga, Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash. Guesthouses or lodges are the norm with limited facilities like shared rooms and baths, no hot tubs and limited power. Cuisine in these areas is modest, a vegetarian diet of soups, rice, noodles and bread. It is wise to carry light meals, warm clothing and a thermos of hot drink to keep yourself cozy through these off-the-beaten-path segments of the journey.
Difficulties of Kailash Tour via Lhasa
While a very scenic and spiritually rewarding experience, the Kailash Tour via Lhasa also has its own share of challenges. One of the biggest difficulty factors is height as the tour reaches elevations over 5,000 meters. The topmost point is the Dolma La Pass (5,620 meters) on the Kailash Kora. At this sort of altitude, altitude sickness is a risk even for people with proper fitness and in good health.
Symptoms range from headaches, fatigue, dizziness and nausea. Though the tour is designed to allow gradual acclimatization, especially with time spent at Lhasa, you must drink plenty of water and be physically prepared to walk in thin air.
In addition, you should be prepared for basic living conditions in remote places like Saga, Lake Mansarovar and Darchen, where guesthouses have little to offer: shared rooms, minimal heating and no hot showers. Likewise, the weather can be unpredictable, with strong winds, changes in temperature and spots of snow, especially near the Dorma La Pass.
Furthermore, the trek around Kailash is challenging with about 52 kilometers in three days on uneven ground. Long driving days, dusty roads and a lack of decent medical facilities in rural Tibet are the additional difficulties. Despite such challenges, with proper preparation, a positive mindset and support from experienced tour leaders, the journey remains an experience to remember forever.
Kailash Tour via Lhasa – Visa Permit
Travelers taking the Kailash Tour via Lhasa from Nepal require both a valid Chinese (Tibet) visa and Tibet Travel Permits. These are specifically needed to legally enter and visit the region. The Tibet Autonomous Region is a sensitive area and has strict travel restrictions. Hence, all visitors have to be a part of planned tours operated by licensed agencies that facilitate coordinating these permits. The two chief permits are the Tibet Travel Permit (TTP), allowing entry into Tibet, and the Alien’s Travel Permit for some restricted border areas like Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.
These permits are issued only after submitting the personal details of the traveler, itinerary and travel dates. It can take several weeks to receive these permits. So, apply for a visa and the permit well in advance of your planned departure. Chinese visa is handled by the Chinese Consulate or Embassy in Kathmandu, and Tibet permits are taken care of by us after obtaining the visa. Without them, entry into Tibet and access to Kailash are strictly prohibited. Group tours, especially from Nepal, are the easiest and most convenient way of ensuring all documents are in hand and following local regulations, so that you can indulge in the spiritual and cultural features without worrying about administration.
Itinerary
Cost Include / Exclude
What’s include
- All Airport / Hotel Airport transfer
- 3 Night hotel in Kathmandu
- Kathmandu to Lhasa flight ticekt
- All Necessary Tibet, travel and Tour Permit
- Full broad meals, accommodation in hotel / Guest House
- Private Transportation by Jeep/ Van or Mini Coach as per group size.
- One English speaking Tibetan Guide
- All Sightseeing and Entrance fee
- Yak and Yak man during the Kora (02 Pax =01 Yak)
- Cook and Sherpa Staff from Kathmandu.
- Supporting Truck (above 2 pax)
- Government tax / Vat
What’s excluded
- Travel and personal Expenses
- Medical fee if Emergency
- Insurance of any kind.
- Hiring porter/ horse while kora pass
- Portable oxygen cylinders in of emergency
- Rescue and Evacuation Service
- Any Additional cost due to Nature calamity and Unforeseen Circumstances and etc.
