The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, Overland Tour, is a spiritual journey that guides devotees to the sacred region of Mount Kailash (Ngari), entering from Rasuwagadhi to Kerung, on the Nepal–Tibet border. From the spiritual and cultural hub of Kathmandu to the high-altitude dune of Tibet, you will be captivated by diverse cultures and natural wonders while driving through the winding mountain pass, staying in quaint, remote towns, and following the river Brahmaputra as it leads you around the sacred Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva (Mahadeva).
The overland route via Kerung has made Mt. Kailash accessible from Nepal's fringes. The escorted holy Mount Kailash and Mansarovar tour starts with a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley's UNESCO World Heritage sites (Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, and Jalnarayan). We then enter through the Langtang National Park and cross the Nepal-Tibet border before we arrive at Kerung. We will then approach the towns of Saga and drive to Darchen via the holy lake Mansarovar Lake, where we will perform Parikrama by bus. En route, you will see spectacular views of the sacred Mt. Kailash, Mt. Gurla-Mandala, Rakshash Lake, and Lake Mansarovar. We will begin our three-day Kailash Kora (Parikrama on foot) on the eighth day. Kailash's sacred circulation crosses the highest pass of Drolma La Pass, the main highlight of the Kailash Parikrama.
This 14-day pilgrimage is designed for Indian passport holders. Its itinerary is greatly acclimatized for comfort and consideration of Acute Mountain Sickness. If you are a non-resident Indian (NRI) or other foreign passport holder, you must apply for a Tibet Visa from Kathmandu. You can visit the link here. Kailash Overland Tour for Foreigners and non-resident Indian (NRI)
Holy Mansarovar Lake and Cursed Rakshas Tal
One of the highest freshwater lakes in the world, Mansarovar Lake (4,590 meters), is situated in China's Tibetan Autonomous Region. Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon adherents all regard Lake Manasarovar as sacred, making it a popular pilgrimage destination. According to Hindu legend, Mansarovar Lake was built by Lord Brahma as a location for meditation and spiritual purification. A saltwater lake called Rakshas Tal, often called Ravana Tal is about 3 kilometers from Mansarovar Lake. The Hindu epic Ramayana's evil lord Ravana is thought to be the inspiration for its name. Legend has it that Ravana atoned at this lake to appease Lord Shiva. Rakshas Tal, in contrast to Mansarovar Lake, is thought to be cursed and is regarded as a location of evil. The lake's water is black and gloomy, and craggy cliffs and desolate hills encircle it.
The Lake is renowned for its magnificent view of Mount Kailash in the background and glistening blue water. Mansarovar Lake visitors should be aware of the following:
- Visitors should be aware of the lake's hallowed status and refrain from any activity that may be considered disrespectful or damaging.
- The only lodging options close to the lake are primitive lodges or camping, so guests should be ready for either option.
- Though taking a dip at Mansarovar Lake is thought sacred, the Government of China has restricted the activity
Kailash Kora ( Three Days Parikrama)
A spiritual Kailash Kora circles the revered Mount Kailash. During the first day of the Kora, you will pass through the Derapuk Monastery at 4900m with a view of the South Face of Mt. Kailash in the beginning and approach to see the West face. You'll pass by several sacred locations along the second day of Kora, including the Dolma La Pass, which is thought to be the psychological and spiritual zenith of the journey. This day is the challenge of the walk, which entails a steep ascent and represents the struggles and difficulties one must face to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
Pilgrims can feel the spiritual force of Mount Kailash and its surroundings as they travel. The voyage serves as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of life and the need to keep moving forward on the road to enlightenment on the third day of the Kora. During the Kora, Pilgrims can see all four faces of Mount Kailash. The Kailash Kora is a profound spiritual trek that links travelers to Mount Kailash's divine energy. The voyage is a metaphor for the spiritual journey through life and the challenges one must face to reach enlightenment.
For full details about the Kailash Kora, visit our article on Mount Kailash Kora.
Note:
You can also extend the Kailash Overland Tour with Muktinath and add 04 more days to your itinerary. The combination of the Kailash and Muktinath tours takes 16 days to complete. You can make the Muktinath trip before or after the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Yolo Hike organizes the Kailash tour via Kerung as a small group tour suitable for your family trip. The Kailash overland tour can be tailored to meet your needs. Please email us at [email protected] to coordinate with our Kailash Tour expert.
Are you still confused about making your trip to Kailash and Mansarovar? please get in touch with us at [email protected] for more details. You can connect with us via WhatsApp: +9779851055040
Hot Topic: Is Kailash Yatra Open for Indian Passport Holders in 2025?
As of February 2025, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is not open to Indian passport holders, as this restriction has been in force since the COVID-19 pandemic. No official statement has yet been made regarding lifting the restrictions on Indian citizens visiting Kailash. That said, the pilgrimage is open to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and foreign nationals, who are allowed to apply for the necessary permits and visas to undertake the pilgrimage.
The Kailash Aerial Darshan Yatra from the Nepal side offers Indian citizens an alternate spiritual experience; it provides an opportunity to view Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar from a distance arial view, being the closest permissible approach right now.
Tour operators have begun open registrations for the 2025 Yatra; those registrations are for NRIs and foreign passport holders. Indian passport holders are advised to regularly check for any travel advisory from official sources for any such changes in their travel policy related to the Yatra. Because travel restrictions keep evolving, it is advised to discuss with authorized tour operators or with official government sources to obtain the most up-to-date information prior to making any travel plans.
We will update this information as soon as we receive the confirmation. If you are planning to join the yatra as soon as it opens. Reserve a Seat for one of our departure dates for Kailash Mansarovar Overland Yatra 2025 without any advance payment.
To get to the settlement of Saga, we'll drive through the high hills on a nice black-topped road. The path climbs up and down the Thong La and La Lung hills before bringing us to the settlement of Saga in comfort. Along the route, we'll visit Lake Peikutso and the Tibetan people's traditional yak and sheep grazing techniques. The journey covers about 6-7 hours. Upon arrival in Saga, a bustling town, you will check into a hotel and have time to rest. Saga is a significant stopover for travelers heading to Kailash, offering better facilities compared to other Tibetan towns.
Today, you reach the sacred Lake Mansarovar, a high-altitude freshwater lake that holds immense spiritual significance in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is believed that taking a dip in its waters cleanses all sins, though full immersion is restricted due to its freezing temperature. The lake offers breathtaking reflections of Mount Kailash.
Today, Early in the morning we will perform Havan and Puja, you can also do a rituals and Lakh Batti. we'll immerse ourselves in the colors of religion by visiting the sacred lake of Mansarovar. We'll perform a few rituals before heading to Darchen's village. We will be able to see the sacred Mt. Kailash along the journey. Darchen used to be known as Lhara. The town is located directly in front of Mt. Kailash, which is considered sacred. Overnight at Darchen
We'll drive to Tarboche, a little town. The Kailash Kora's beginning point is Tarboche. Tarboche is home to Yamadwar, the god of death's gateway. We'll travel a few hours from here to the settlement of Derapuk, which sits in front of Mt. Kailash's north face. Beautiful views of the Gurla-Mandala, Ape, Kamet, and other high peaks will be available today.
Today is Kailash Kora's longest and most difficult trek day. To get to Juthulpuk, we'll climb up Drolma La, the highest pass in the area. First, we'll travel to Jarok Donkhang, a small Tibetan settlement. We will then hike towards the Shiva-Tsal. People are said to die a symbolic death in Shiva-Tsal before being reincarnated. Once they reach the summit of the Drolma La Pass, they are said to be reincarnated. We'll have a break here for a while before descending steeply to the Lham-chu Khir River's banks. We'll follow the river to the Khando Sangam La, which faces Mt. Kailash on the eastern side. We'll arrive at the settlement of Juthulpuk. The location was named after the famed Juthulpuk Cave, also known as the Miracle Cave. We'll be able to see the Buddha's footprints along the road.
