Kailash Journey from Lhasa : A Complete Trip Plan 2026

The first week of the journey is designed to allow ample to travelers for obtaining the Tibet travel permit for Kailash and completing all necessary visa formalities for the Kailash Mansarovar Tour from Kathmandu via Lhasa. Staying in Kathmandu provides a gentle start to Kailash Journey, which lets travelers to relax and enjoy light excursion tours in Nepal. This period serves as the peaceful introduction to the Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa, which helps the body and mind to gradually adapt before we dive into the Lhasa to Mount Kailash Tour.
During these preparatory days, travelers can enjoy exploring UNESCO world heritage site or optional short trips within Nepal, such as visiting Pokhara, Chitwan for a jeep safari, Muktinath, or culturally rich towns like Janakpur and Lumbini. These excursion tours support both physical acclimatization and spiritual readiness for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Tibet. Nepal’s ancient temples, rituals, spiritual atmosphere and serene beauties introduce pilgrims to the patience, discipline, and mindfulness which is needed for the Mt Kailash and Mansarovar Tour Lhasa and the sacred Holy Lake Mansarovar tour.

This morning, we will take a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa on our Kailash to Lhasa Flight Kailash Tour which lasts approximately one hour and twenty minutes. On flight, travelers can witness spectacular views of the Himalayan ranges which provides a perfect introduction to the sacred landscapes of Tibet. Upon arrival at Lhasa, you will be transferred into the hotel, marking as the beginning of the Kailash Mansarovar Tour via Lhasa and the start of the Lhasa Mansarovar Kailash Yatra.

After settling in, it is the rest or acclimatization day as the altitude gain from Kathmandu (1,324 meters) to Lhasa (3,700 meters) is significant. So, enough resting, hydrating well and enjoying warm beverages at Lhasa is crucial, as it prepares us for the high-altitude travel. Some travelers might feel minor discomfort which is really normal and consulting with your guide before taking any medication is very important. In the evening, you can explore nearby markets and soak yourself into the local culture, as it gently prepares your mind and body for the Lhasa to Mount Kailash Tour and the upcoming Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa.

The 8th day of the Kailash Mansarovar Tour from Kathmandu via Lhasa is fully for Lhasa sightseeing + Kailash Yatra experience. Today, we will explore the Lhasa’s most sacred and the important cultural landmarks which includes Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Market, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka and the Drepung Monastery. This Lhasa sightseeing day adds meaningful depth to our Lhasa to Mount Kailash Tour before continuing the sacred journey.

These historic sites showcase the richness of an ancient Tibetan architectures, art, spiritual beliefs and the monastic traditions, which offers a valuable insight into the Tibetan culture and daily religious practices. Learning this Tibetan culture enhances the spiritual preparation for our Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa. After completing sightseeing at Lhasa, we will return to our hotel and spend the remaining time for proper resting and acclimatizing as we will be traveling at higher altitudes for next few days.

Today, the Lhasa to Mount Kailash Tour begins its overland journey along the Kailash Mansarovar via Lhasa route. We will drive through the vast Tibetan plateau, serene landscapes, fluttering prayer flags, high passes and awe-inspiring turquoise lake Yamdrok. The drive crosses high mountain passes, which includes Kamba La (4,794 meters) and Karo La (5,034 meters), and stunning breathtaking views of glaciers and snow-capped peaks. This scenic route is one of the unforgettable parts of your Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa, allowing for gradual Kailash Mansarovar altitude & acclimatization.

After descending from the passes, the Kailash tour with Lhasa continues to Gyantse, where the historic Pelkor Chode Monastery welcome us. Travelers witness the rich Tibetan culture, grazing yaks, and expansive valleys along the Shigatse Lhasa Mansarovar route. Arriving in Shigatse, its time to explore the magnificent Tashilhunpo Monastery, which is home to the famous Panchen Lama. This day marks as the first significant step on your Mt Kailash and Mansarovar Tour Lhasa, which blends spiritual immersion with the stunning natural beauty of Tibet on the Lhasa to Kailash overland route.

Today, we will continue our Lhasa to Mount Kailash Tour continues along the scenic drive towards Shigatse Saga Mansarovar route. The distance between Shigatse and Saga is roughly about 250-300 km which takes about 6-8 hours road drive. Upon leaving Shigatse, the drive crosses several high mountain passes which includes Tong La pass (5,100 meters) too and offers sweeping views of the vast Tibetan Plateau. Travelers will pass traditional villages, expansive plains and the turquoise rivers like Yarlung Tsangpo also known as Brahmaputra. These breathtaking sceneries helps to create the perfect backdrop for spiritual reflection on your Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa. This drive also allows pilgrims or travelers a gradual Kailash Mansarovar altitude and acclimatization.

Along the way we will stop in Lhatse for lunch before continuing our Mount Kailash Holy Pilgrimage Journey towards Saga and crossing the Gyatchu La Pass (5,220 meters). We can also witness beautiful alpine Pekutso Lake, and the distant Himalayan peaks including Mount Kailash and Everest. Saga town, also known as the “Happy Land” offers travelers an enough time to explore local sites like Saga Monastery and natural hot springs while providing enough rest and preparation for the upcoming Holy Lake Mansarovar Tour and the Kailash Outer Circuit Trek.

Today involves a long yet most rewarding drive of approximately 450–510 km which takes about 8-9 hours as we travel along the sacred Saga to Mansarovar road trip, which is a key section of the Kailash Mansarovar Tour via Lhasa. Departing from Saga, the route passes through the scenic Saga Valley, Zhongba, and the Paryang, where vast plains, alpine pastures, and the remote Tibetan settlements comes into scene. After a while we will cross, the high Mayum La Pass (5,200 meters), and the journey enters into the Ngari Plateau, while deepening the spiritual atmosphere of the Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa.

Descending from the pass, the serene waters of Holy Lake Mansarovar come into view, which is framed by Mount Kailash and Gurla Mandhata, with nearby Rakshas Tal adding dramatic contrast. This is one of the most spectacular views of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Upon arriving at Mansarovar Lake (4,590 meters), the remainder of the day is dedicated to prayers, rituals, and the quiet reflection along the turquoise Mansarovar lake’s sacred shores as part of the Lake Mansarovar pilgrimage. This moment forms a spiritual high point of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Tibet, while preparing pilgrims for the upcoming Mount Kailash 52 Km Parikrama (kora).

We will begin our day early at Holy Lake Mansarovar, by taking time to absorb its calm spiritual energy and performing rituals before continuing your Kailash Mansarovar Tour via Lhasa. After having breakfast, if time permits, we will visit some sites such as Chiu Monastery and Rakshas Tal. And then, the short drive of approximately 40–50 km which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours across the high-altitude plateau takes us towards Darchen and gradually brings us closer to Mount Kailash, which marks as an important transition in the Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa.

Darchen, located at an altitude of 4,675 meters is a small settlement at the base of Mount Kailash. Upon arriving at Darchen, the remaining day is for good rest and preparation, as we will begin our first trekking day tomorrow. As it is the official starting point of the Kailash Parikrama (kora), Darchen offers an enough time for travelers or pilgrims to recover, organize gear, and adjust with the high altitude. This quiet pause is very important to minimize altitude sickness risk during Kailash Mansarovar via Lhasa Package, that allows pilgrims to mentally and physically prepare for the first sacred Kailash Circuit Trek from Lhasa starting tomorrow.

Today marks the beginning of the sacred Kailash Parikrama (kora), the spiritual heart of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa. After a short drive of about 6 km from Darchen to Yam Dwar, the official gateway to Mount Kailash, pilgrims start the walk toward Dirapuk. The trail follows the Lha-chu Valley with a steady ascent over rocky terrain, fluttering prayer flags, and the monasteries, which offers the first close views of Mount Kailash during our Holy Mount Kailash tour from Lhasa.

The first day of Mount Kailash Parikrama covers approximately 12–15 km and usually takes about 5–7 hours, allowing an enough time for rest, which is good for Kailash Mansarovar altitude & the acclimatization. Upon reaching Dirapuk, it’s time to visit the historic Dirapuk Monastery which is situated at an altitude of 5,080 meters, where the majestic north face of Mount Kailash dominates the entire skyline. This powerful viewpoint is one of the most inspiring moments during Kailash Circuit Trek from Lhasa. We will spend the night at a simple guesthouse, by reflecting on the journey as we prepare for the most challenging day of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Tibet tomorrow.

Second day of the sacred Kailash Parikrama (Kora) is the most challenging yet deeply meaningful day of the Kailash Mansarovar Tour via Lhasa. After having breakfast early, we will depart from Dirapuk and the journey gradually ascends through Jarok Donkhang towards Shiva Tsal where pilgrims spend some time here to leave symbolic offerings which is believed to release the past karmas. This section of the Dirapuk Zuthulpuk trek carries the strong spiritual intensity while testing the pilgrim’s endurance along the Kailash Circuit Trek from Lhasa.

From Shiva Tsal, the steady climb continues towards the Dolma La Pass (5,630 meters) which is the highest point and the toughest section of the Mt Kailash and Mansarovar Tour Lhasa. After doing some prayers at the Dolma La Pass, we will descent towards the softer valley, which will take us to Zuthulpuk. Upon reaching Zuthulpuk, it marks as a powerful completion of today’s section of the Kailash tour via Lhasa, which blends physical challenge with spiritual rewards.

Today marks as the completion of the sacred Kailash Parikrama (Kora) during our Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa. From Zuthulpuk, the trail gently descends towards the Chong Do, along the peaceful Dzong Chu Valley, which offers a calm and reflective 3-4 hours walk. After reaching Chong Do, the terrain opens into wide plains, and pilgrims or travelers officially complete the holy circuit of Mount Kailash which is a deeply fulfilling moment of the Kailash Circuit Trek from Lhasa while completing an important phase of the Mount Kailash holy pilgrimage journey.

Upon reaching Chongdo, we will take an eco van drive back towards Darchen. From Darchen, it will be a long yet scenic drive of about 500 kms across the vast Tibetan plateau that takes us back to Saga. This return journey through the Kailash Mansarovar via Lhasa route allows travelers or pilgrims to gently settle as we are descending towards lower altitudes while bringing a meaningful closure to the Kailash Mansarovar Trekking and Parikrama from Lhasa as we will be returning to Kathmandu, Nepal tomorrow.

Today is the last day of the journey in Tibet land. After having breakfast we will have long yet reflective road drive as we depart from Saga and begin our return journey towards Kathmandu. This long road journey from Saga to Kathmandu takes about 10-12 hours and marks as the final day of the sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa, while passing once again through the vast Tibetan plateau and the border landscapes.

Crossing back toward Nepal from Tibet, the sceneries gradually shift from high altitude desert like environment to greener valleys, lush forests and rivers. This final drive of the tour completes the Kailash Mansarovar via Lhasa route, that connects the physical journey back to everyday life.

On the final day of your Kailash Mansarovar via Lhasa Package, our Mountface Nepal representatives will collect you from your hotel and then take you to the Tribhuvan International Airport. As you leave from Nepal, the profound experiences of your 17-day Kailash Mansarovar Tour via Lhasa itinerary makes you feel a deep sense of achievement and contentment. There will be numerous life lasting memories from your Kailash tour which includes the ancient monasteries, Kailash Parikrama (Kora), sacred landscapes, the Holy Lake Mansarovar and more.

Flying back to your home country, you not just carry the unforgettable memories but also a transformative experience of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Tibet, which reflects the spiritual insights, endurance and the devotion of pilgrimage. The Kailash tour with Lhasa leaves you an everlasting imprint that blends physical challenge with your inner growth. This farewell marks the meaningful conclusion of the Mt Kailash and Mansarovar Tour Lhasa, which allows travelers and pilgrims to return home with a renewed perspective, peace and a deeper connection to the sacred Kailash journey.