Mount Kailash Manasarovar Lake Tour can be a spiritual and cultural journey to the Lord Shiva’s abode to the pilgrims while it can also be a cultural and adventurous trip to one of the most beautiful regions in the world for others. In other words, it is one of the best journeys to experience a sense of peace, serenity, and adventure. 

Mt Kailash Manasarovar Lake Tour combines the visits to two of the unique and highly praised destinations in Tibet i.e., the holiest in Asia, Mount Kailash, and one of three sacred lakes in Tibet, Manasarovar Lake. 

Mount Kailash (6,714 m) is a revered sacred mountain also known as Tise, Kailash, or Kang Rinpoche (Jewel of the Snows). Hindus, Buddhists, Janis, and Bonpos revere Kailash, viewing it as the center of the material and spiritual cosmos. According to Hindu mythology, the Hindu deity Shiva lives on the peak accompanied by his wife goddess Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas. Buddhists see it as the cosmic mandala of Dyani Buddhas and Boddhisattvas as an earthly projection (which represents the Wheel of Life). The Jains think that Adinath, their first guru, obtained freedom here. Additionally, Mount Kailash is revered by Bon believers (a pre-Buddhist faith) as the sacred nine-story swastika mountain and a source of spiritual power because their saint is said to have fallen from this peak. In addition to its religious significance, Mt. Kailash is well known for its breathtaking natural beauty. It is a difficult location to visit, thus many adventure seekers could love it here.

Similar to Kailash, Manasarovar Lake is the symbol of clarity and purity. It is considered to be a sacred site for pilgrimage attracting Hindus from all around the world. There is a belief that those who bathe and drink in this sacred lake, get purified & their sins washed wash. The magnificence and natural beauty of these sacred religious sites are beyond belief. 

Mount Kailash Manasarovar Lake Tour is possible through many routes. This particular package starts from Kathmandu through the Nepal-Tibet Border which is the most fruitful, convenient, and economical option. Kailash Manasarovar Overland Journey combines a spiritual experience with gorgeous scenery, breathtaking passes, turquoise lakes, and a magnificent view of Mount Kailash. 

The route to the holy Mount Kailash from Saga includes many days of driving and three days of trekking. The route is filled with the magnificent monasteries situated on the cliff, the hospitality of Tibetan people, Yak traveling over the white snowy passes, and most importantly the spectacular Himalayan range and crystal-clear lake.  Also, you can enjoy colorful Tibetan arts, crafts, traditions, culture, lifestyle, customs, and meals. If you want to skip a few driving days, check out our Mount Kailash Helicopter Tour.  

Mark the date to make a trip to Mount Kailash and Manasarovar and create a lifetime memory and experience. We, Himalayan Trekkers are always there to help you travel to the fullest.

Mt Kailash Manasarovar Lake Tour Highlights 

• A sneak peek into the culture, tradition, people, and lifestyle of the Kathmandu Valley
• Explore the wonders of the Kathmandu valley that are listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• A scenic drive via the gushing white river and the views of the lush green hills from Nepal to Tibet
• Discover the natural, cultural, and religious beauty of one of the sacred lakes in Tibet, Manasarovar Lake. 
• Participate in the holy circuit/Kora of the sacred Mount Kailash
• Relish the views of the many Himalayan ranges both in Nepal and Tibet
• Get a glimpse of the different religions and cultures during Mt Kailash Manasarovar Lake Tour

Mount Kailash Kora (Circuit) Difficulty 

The Kailash Parikrama also referred to as the Kailash Kora, is one of the holiest walkings around the sacred mount Kailash. There are two kora routes, one is the outer route and the other is the inner route. The outer route is the most famous one that circles Mount Kailash and goes via the high mountain pass, Drolma La. It takes 56 kilometers to travel Mount Kailash's outer kora. It involves three-day travel with overnight stops at the monasteries of Drirapuk and Zutulpuk along the way. Some pilgrims who perform prostration can complete a circle in as little as a day, while most foreigners require three days. 

The outer Kora starts from Darchen and ends in Darchen making a complete circuit that required full trekking. But, these days, the vehicle goes up to Tarboche which is just a 7 km drive from Darchen. Also, the trekking can be ended in Hor Qu village nowadays before arriving at Darchen in a vehicle on the last day of Kora. So, the vehicle transfer makes the journey a little easy as you will be skipping some hours of trekking. 

Generally, the first and the last day of the Parikrama are easier than the second day because we have to come across a high mountain pass named Drolma La Pass at 5645 meters on the second day. This is also the highest elevation a traveler gains during the Mount Kailash Manasarovar Lake Tour. The second day would also be the longest trekking day of this Mount Kailash Kora where we should encounter rocky paths, ice-covered hills, and ruins. 

Another challenge during the Mount Kailash Parikrama and the whole Mt. Kailash Manasarovar Lake Tour would be the AMS (Altitude Mountain Sickness). Tibet is already at a high altitude and during this trip, we would be traveling to higher elevation places over 4000 meters. So, there are chances of getting altitude sickness but we can prevent it by taking the required acclimatization, hydrating, moving slowly, etc. Similarly, if you witness symptoms of altitude sickness, you are advised to inform about it your guide as soon as possible. 

Best time to do Mount Kailash Manasarovar Lake Tour

It would be best to do Mount Kailash Manasarovar Lake Tour during the Saga Dawa Festival, which typically takes place in May. Great events are planned in the area to celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha during this festival. Additionally, during this festival season, a sizable number of pilgrims, particularly from Tibet and India, come to this location, filling nearly every available lodging. So, if you're thinking of taking the Mount Kailash Tour during the Saga Dawa Festival, it's best to book in advance with a recognized agency like Himalayan Trekkers. Additionally, keep in mind that the festival date varies each year and that you should be informed of it.

Other than the Saga Festival time, tours of Kailash Manasarovar are possible at any time from spring to autumn season. If we have to choose the best, then it would be the months from May to June and September to October when the visibility is excellent, the scenery is breathtaking, and the weather is comfortable. During these times, Kailash Manasarovar experiences a majority of sunny days with deep blue skies and very fresh air for circumambulating the sacred Mountain. The views along the Kora route and the driving route also become vast and captivating with great visibility. 

Mount Kailash Manasarovar Lake Tour can also be done during the summer monsoon season because this area has much lower precipitation than the other parts of the county which are just a little more than showers. 

Winter is not the recommended time to do the Tibet Trips including the Mount Kailash Manasarovar Lake Tour because the cold in the higher altitude is very harsh. With the temperature dropping to minus, the driving roads and the Parikrama (Kora) routes are covered with snow which makes the journey hard to complete.  

Permits to do the Mount Kailash Manasarovar Lake Tour 

The following four permits are necessary for Mount Kailash Manasarovar Lake Yatra.

1. Tibet Travel Permit 

Tibet Travel Permit is mandatory to enter Tibet Autonomous Region and visit any of its places. Tibet Travel Bureau (TTB) provides this permit. To obtain this permit, you have to first book a tour with an authorized agency like us. Then, we will forward your passport and document copies to our agency partner in Tibet which will be then submitted to TTB. After around two weeks, our representative in Tibet will receive the permit and hand it over to you once you land in Tibet. 

2. Chinese Group Visa 

Chinese Group Visa is compulsory for any traveler entering Tibet from Nepal. As this Kailash Manasarovar Trip starts from Nepal, you will need the Chinese Group Visa which is also called the paper visa. This visa is issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu and requires the original passports of the travelers. So, once you arrive in Nepal, your documents will be collected and submitted to the Chinese Embassy. It takes 3 working days to grant the visa so the traverses must arrive in Kathmandu 3-4 days prior to departing to Tibet.  

3. Alien’s Travel Permit

Alien’s Travel Permit is a special permit to explore the restricted areas of Tibet that also includes the Mount Kailash & Lake Manasarovar region. Your guide will help you get this permit once you are in Tibet which takes only an hour or two to get it. 

4. Military Permit 

A military Permit is another special permit that is especially required to explore the Mount Kailash area. This permit is granted by the military affairs office.