Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a journey in search of religious merit and spiritual significance. It is the path to acquiring moral values and spiritual merits for getting Moksha, the liberation.
Mount Kailash is the holiest mountain in the trans-Himalayan region at an elevation of 6,714 meters. Likewise, the holiest Lake Manasarovar is in between Mount Kailash and Mount Gurla Mandhata at 4,588 meters.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is the highest level of pilgrimage, known as Para Brahma Kshetra; the formless realm of the Cosmic Mandala. Mount Kailash and Manasarovar are centers of reverence not only for Hindus, but also for Buddhists, Jains, and Bon people.
For Hindus, it is the divine abode of Lord Shiva, known as Mount Sumeru, the center of the universe. A mere glimpse of Kailash is believed to absolve a lifetime of sins, while a ritual bath in Manasarovar purifies both mind and body. Buddhists call Kailash ‘Kang Rinpoche’ and worship as the place of Chakrasambhara, the god of eternal bliss. They believe Manasarovar, Mafam Yomtso, is the Sweet Dew, a divine gift from the Lord Buddha.
For Jains, Astapada, the mountain adjacent to Kailash, holds sacred significance as the pilgrimage site where their first Tirthankara, Rishavdev, attained Kaivalya. Bon adherents regard Kailash as the Swastika Mountain of Crystal, believed to be the place where their ancestors descended from heaven. Swaminarayan followers attach particular importance to Kailash, as it was visited by Neelkantha Varni in 1792. The region of Kailash is renowned for its serenity and natural beauty.
Welcome to Kathmandu, the land of lord Pashupatinath. We will receive you at Tribhuwan International Airport and transfer you to a 5-star hotel. In Kathmandu, we spend the initial four days visiting World Heritage Sites and sacred temples including Budhanilkanth and Doleshwor. During this time, we spare moments to make final preparations for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, attend detailed briefings, and perform Pashupatinath darshan and Rudrabishek before embarking on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
There are four routes to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nepal. The ancient Simikot-Hilsa Route: is one of the shortest routes to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters are used to reach Simikot and Hilsa respectively. This route is highly weather-dependable, so uncertain.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nyalam route: is the most popular and easy. The journey starts in Kathmandu and goes through Nyalam following the Kodari border. Unfortunately, it has been closed since the 2015 earthquake. It is in the process of re-opening this year.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa route: involves flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa Airport followed by a vehicular journey to Kailash. The flights have been on hold since the Covid-19 pandemic. Hopefully, flights will resume soon.
The fourth and currently available route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is the Kerung Route: The journey to Kailash through this route goes via Timure and Kerung following the Pasang Lhamu Highway.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Kathmandu starts with an overland drive to Timure following the narrow and serpentine road that goes along the Uttar Ganga. Alternatively, a helicopter ride is also available to Timure. next morning, after immigration formalities, drive to Kerung and explore around, overnight in a hotel.
The following day, the journey to Saga goes through the highest Ghong La Pass of the trip at an elevation of 5,236 meters. We serve picnic lunch on the way. Saga sits on the bank of the Brahmaputra River. The following day, we dedicate to rest for acclimatization, holding a scheduled meeting to discuss Kailash Parikarma and other safety issues..
The next day we drive parallel to the Himalayas to Manasarovar. We see Himalayan peaks, Tibetan flora, and fauna Lang Chhu, the Nandi Lake, on the way.
The Parikrama of the Manasarovar offers the Darshan of Manasarovar with the Kailash as the backdrop. The Parikrama includes a vantage point from where Kailash, Gurla Mandhata, Manasarovar, and Skanda Sagar can be seen in all 4 directions. Overnight on the western shore of the Manasarovar Lake near Chiu Monastery.
The following day begins with a ritual bath and Havan at the Manasarovar. The drive to Tirthapuri passes through Barkha Plain, where it is believed the divine wedding ceremony of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati commenced.
Tirthpuri also known as the Adi Badrinath is located on the bank of the Sutlej River.
Kailash Mandala is the source of four holy rivers: Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Indus, and Karnali. They are believed to have originated from the mouth of a horse, elephant, lion, and peacock, respectively, representing the directions of East, West, North, and South.
On return, enjoy the close Darshan of the south face of Kailash in Swastika form.
Darchen is the starting and ending point of the Kailash Parikrama also called Kora in the local Tibetan dialect. Out of the total distance of 53km, 34 km can be done either on foot or horseback, 6km on foot only, and 13 km by vehicle.
From Darchen to Tharboche, 8km bus ride. From Tharboche, proceed on foot or horseback to Dirraphuk for 12km.
Next day, embark on the Charan Sparsha- a hike to Kailash Glacier River on the Northern side to touch the feet of Kailash at 5200 meters. Dirraphuk to Zutholphuk spans 22km in total. Utilize a horse for the 5km uphill trek to Dolma La pass at 5650m. The subsequent 5km downhill trek to Sabje Juthruk is on foot only, followed by a 12km horse ride to Zutholphuk at 4800 meters.
The trek from Zutholphuk to the pickup point is a 6km easy trek, taking about 2 hours on horseback or foot. The Inner Parikram is the physically challenging trek up to the elevation of 5,900 meters going around Nandi. Visiting Saptarshi Cave and being blessed by natural Abhisekham, makes the journey spiritual and remarkable.
From Darchen we drive to Tharboche to commence the sacred Parikarma. Witness the Darshan of the West face of Kailash, the Mahakala form. Here we get the horse and porter that we have previously booked. As we pass through Yama Dwar, the Gateway of the God of Death, our spiritual journey begins on the path of Satyam, Shivam, and Sundaram.
Local people have deep respect for Kailash. They perform parikrama by prostration, which may take 7-10 days. Further trekking to the beautiful valley of compassion leads us to Dirraphuk, following the Lhachhu River, which originates from Kailash. There, we behold the inspiring Darshan of Kailash North Face, majestic Linga form.
The next day, we trek to the Kailash glacier for Charan Sparsha, a divine act of touching the feet of Kailash. We embark on an ascent and descent of 400m, covering a total trek of 7km for Charan Sparsha. The next day, the trail is gradually up until Shivasthala, then a little flat and hardest uphill trek leads to Dolma La, the Top. A little down, we see Gauri Kunda on the right. Further, downhill to the lunch place. After lunch, we see Kailash East Face and Medicine Buddha on the way to Zuthulphuk Gompa and the Lhamchhu River.
The next day is an easy day to conclude the Parikrama through the Valley of Enlightenment. We trek to Jaithe, the pickup point of the bus to drive to Darchen. After lunch in Darchen, we drive back to Saga for an overnight stay.
After the successful Yatra, it is time to come home. So, we drive back to Kerung and then to Dhunche for an overnight stay. Alternatively, we can fly to Kathmandu by Helicopter. The next day, from Dhunche, we returned to Kathmandu before lunch. After refreshment, we participate in the Yatra Certificate Ceremony. In the evening, we attend the Pashupatinath Aarati.
The next day, we drop you off at the airport to fly to your sweet home, not saying goodbye, but "See you again!"
Thank you!
Please check our You YouTube channel: Visit Kailash Treks
Days 1-3: Arrival in Kathmandu, vis application, Pashupati Darshan and Sightseeing
Days 4-5: Drive to Nepal-Tibet Border and Enter Kerung, Tibet
Days 6-13: On the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra
Days 14-15: Return to Kathmandu
Day 16: Departure