Kailash Manasarovar Tour (Fly In-Drive Out)

Today marks your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Our office staff will greet you upon arrival and escort you to your hotel. In the evening, you will have free time to explore on your own.

In the morning, we will visit Pashupatinath Temple, Guheshwori Devi Temple, and Budhanilkantha (sleeping Vishnu OR Jal-Narayan). Following lunch, we will visit the monkey temple, which is also referred to as the Swayambhunath temple.

After breakfast, we will visit Kathmandu Durbar Square and the Monkey Temple (Swayambhunath Stupa) in the morning. Later in the afternoon, we can explore the bustling streets of Thamel, where we can shop for souvenirs and enjoy some local cuisine at a nearby restaurant. It will be a wonderful way to immerse ourselves in the culture and vibrant atmosphere of the city.

The morning after breakfast, we will transfer you to the international airport for your flight to Lhasa. This flight is renowned for being one of the most spectacular trans-Himalayan journeys. The duration of the flight from Kathmandu to Gonggar Airport in Lhasa is approximately one hour and ten minutes. Upon your arrival in Lhasa, our guide will be waiting to greet you at the airport and will escort you to your hotel located in the city center.

• Gonggar airport to Lhasa city: 65 km | 1 hr.
• Altitude of Lhasa: 3,650 m. | 11,972 ft.

Full-day sightseeing tour in Lhasa. Today, you will visit the Potala Palace, which is the winter residence of the Dalai Lama (outside circuit only); Norbulinkha Palace, located in the heart of the town, which formerly functioned as the summer residence of the Dalai Lama. Both locations are steeped in history and cultural importance, providing insight into the spiritual essence of Tibet and finally, Jokhang Temple. Afterward, you'll have the chance to explore the vibrant local markets and taste the traditional Tibetan cuisine. As the day comes to a close, take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and immerse yourself in the unique culture that defines this ancient city.

Today, you will visit the Sera Monastery—one of Tibet's most important monasteries located in the northern corner of the city; and you'll visit the Drepung Monastery, renowned as one of the largest monasteries in Tibet, once accommodated approximately 10,000 monks dedicated to thepractice of Buddhism. The monastery is located approximately 10 kilometers northwest of Lhasa city, situated on a mountain slope.

Following breakfast, we began our journey to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, located 270 kilometers west of Lhasa. The journey typically lasts about 5 hours, depending on the speed limit set by the traffic department. We will follow the northern highway route, which parallels the banks of the Brahmaputra River (referred to as Yarlung Zangbo in Tibetan) and begins in the Mount Kailash and Manasarovar areas.

In the afternoon, you will arrive in Shigatse and check into your hotel. Following a period of rest, you will set off to explore the Tashilungpo Monastery, established in 1447. The Panchen Lama, who holds the position of the second-most influential lama in Tibet following the Dalai Lama, previously lived in this monastery. At its height, it housed 4,000 monks, whereas currently around 900 monks reside there. The monastery houses a magnificent statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha, recognized as the largest gilded statue in the world. This remarkable monument is said to be adorned with 300 kilograms of gold gilding and reaches a height of 26 meters.

After enjoying breakfast in the morning, we departed for our next destination, Saga. The drive today will be lengthy, yet the scenery throughout the journey is truly gratifying. After about three hours of travel, covering a distance of 150 kilometers, we arrive in Lhatse from Shigatse. Lhatse is a quaint town situated at the intersection of paths leading to Mount Everest Base Camp, Mount Kailash, Manasarovar, and Lhasa. Historically, Lhatse had a single gas station, necessitating that all vehicles, particularly trucks, en route to western Tibet make a stop to refuel. As a result, residents have come to call Lhatse a "truck-stopping town."

Reaching our destination, Saga, entails an additional five-hour journey from Lhatse. This journey leads you through numerous lofty passes and traverses the expansive, stunning, and stark landscapes of Tibet. The distance by road from Shigatse to Saga is about 448 kilometers. Saga serves as a gateway to Kailash, situated along the banks of the Bramhautraa River. The road from Kyirong converges with the route originating from Lhasa.

Today is the most anticipated day of our lives. We will set off from Saga for Lake Manasarovar as usual after breakfast. We will proceed westward from Saga across the arid, elevated Tibetan plateau. The journey takes us through various Tibetan settlements, expansive pastures, and lofty mountain passes. We will make a brief stop at the Mayum-La checkpoint, where the Chinese army will review our travel documents, including passports and other necessary paperwork.

We'll take a short break for a picnic lunch on the grasslands or along the riverbed after we clear the checkpoint. Afterward, we will drive over the steep Mayum-La mountain pass, which stands at 5,220 meters, on our way to Lake Manasarovar.After an hour and a half of driving from Mayum La Pass, we will arrive at the eastern coast of Lake Manasarovar, where we will disembark and board eco-vehicles to explore the lake. The tour around the lake lasts approximately one and a half hours, concluding at Chiu Gompa Monastery, situated on the west coast of the lake, where we will spend the night.

Our morning routine will include religious rites, prayer, and a sacred ablution. After lunch, we will depart Lake Manasarovar and head to Darchen. We will be in Darchen in 45 minutes, which is 37 kilometers farther away.

Tarboche (Yam Dwar) serves as the meeting place for local horses, yaks, and porters. If you hire a local porter or horse, they will meet you here and trek with you from here on. Depending on your fitness level and walking speed, the journey from Tarboche (Yama Dwar) to Deraphuk might take anywhere from six to seven hours. The elevation of Deraphuk is 5080 meters (16,663 ft). With a gentle climb, the path is simple.

From Yama Dwar, participants in the trekking portion proceed to Deraphuk. The remaining members who are not traveling to Deraphuk will board a transport and return to Darchen, where they will remain for three days. People staying in Darchen have to wait for their group members to return from their Parikrama trip.

Today presents significant challenges and is the most demanding day of this journey. We will undertake a journey of approximately 22 km through the demanding, rugged, and rocky highlands, characterized by a windy and freezing environment, to reach Zutulphuk. Since we must cover a significant distance today, we must prepare and depart from Deraphuk early at 5 a.m., Chinese time.

The journey from Deraphuk begins with an uphill trek; however, the path leading to “Dolma La” (the highest point) and “Gaurikunda” (the sacred lake) features a combination of flat sections and ascents. The majority of the trail traverses elevations of 5,000 meters or more; it is understandable if one experiences breathlessness or headaches. We should make an effort to maintain a moderate speed.

Please carry a small backpack where you can put your packed lunch, water bottle, personal medicine, dried fruits, and chocolates. The weather in this region can be pretty unpredictable, so it's crucial to bring a down jacket and a raincoat with you to ensure you're fully prepared. People may not be available when you need an assistant because everyone walks at a different pace, depending on their level of fitness.

In the evening, we reach Zutulphuk and stay overnight in a very basic guesthouse with dormitory bedrooms, but there is no toilet facility inside the guesthouse building. We have to be mentally prepared to go out and answer nature’s call.

Today represents the end of this celestial journey. Following breakfast, we collect our belongings and set off for Darchen in the morning. The approximately 7-kilometer path can be completed in three to four hours, starting from Zutulphuk and concluding at Zongdou (trek ending point). After all participants have arrived at the trek's ending point, you will board a vehicle and drive to Darchen. This 4 km stretch will require about 20 minutes. We will meet other participants who are waiting for us in Darchen, and then we will continue our journey back to Saga.

• Zutulphuk to Zongdou: 8 km | 4 hours trek.
• Zongdou to Darchen: 4 km | 20 minutes drive.
• Darchen to SAGA (4500 m): 495 km| 8 hrs. 

After breakfast in the morning, we gather our belongings and make our way to Kyirong town. It will require approximately four hours to travel 180 kilometers to Kyirong Bridge today. Today, we enjoy our stay in Kyirong town.

Following breakfast, we go to gather our possessions and begin our descent towards the Friendship Bridge. The distance from Kyirong to the friendship bridge is around 23 kilometers, and the road trip typically takes around one hour. As usual, we must complete the necessary immigration procedures on both the Chinese and Nepalese sides before commencing our trip back to Kathmandu. The distance from Timure, a border town in Nepal, to Kathmandu is around 180 kilometers. This mountainous journey takes approximately 7 to 8 hours to reach Kathmandu. 

After crossing the border, we will provide lunch either in Timure (Nepal side) or in Trishuli on the way. We will arrive in Kathmandu late in the evening. Dinner will be served at the hotel."

Our office personnel will transport you to the international airport for your travel back home. According to international flight rules, you must report to the airport counter three hours before your flight's departure time.