Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel
On the first day of the itinerary, you will arrive in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. You will be greeted by a representative of the tour operator and transferred to your hotel. This will give you an opportunity to rest and recover from your flight.
Day 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu and preparation for the trip
On the second day, you will explore the cultural heritage of Kathmandu. You will visit some of the UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. The tour guide will help you to prepare your travel documents and will give you the necessary information about the tour.
Day 3: Fly to Lhasa (3650m), transfer to hotel
On the third day, you will fly to Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet. The flight takes about 1 hour and it’s a scenic mountain flight. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Lhasa and have time to rest and acclimatize to the high altitude.
Day 4: Sightseeing in Lhasa, visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Bazaar
On the fourth day, you will visit some of the most famous landmarks in Lhasa, including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Bazaar. The Potala Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a historic palace of the Dalai Lamas. The Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and the Barkhor Bazaar is a traditional Tibetan market.
Day 5: Visit Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery
On the fifth day, you will visit two of the most important monasteries in Lhasa, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. Drepung Monastery was once the largest monastery in the world and Sera Monastery is known for its debating monks.
Day 6: Drive to Shigatse (3900m), visit Tashilhunpo Monastery
On the sixth day, you will drive to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. Along the way, you will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama, one of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism.
Day 7: Drive to Saga (4600m), overnight at guesthouse
On the seventh day, you will continue to drive to Saga, a small town located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. This is a long drive, but the scenery is beautiful. You will stay overnight in a guesthouse in Saga.
Day 8: Drive to Darchen (4575m), trek to Dirapuk (4890m)
On the eighth day, you will drive to Darchen, the starting point of the Kailash Kora trek. From Darchen, you will begin the trek to Dirapuk, the first stop on the trek. The trail takes you through beautiful landscapes and traditional Tibetan villages.
Day 9: Trek to Zutulphuk (4790m)
On the ninth day, you will continue the trek to Zutulphuk, the second stop on the trek. This is the most challenging day of the trek, as it includes a pass at 5630m and the trail is steep and rocky.
Day 10: Trek to Darchen, drive to Mansarovar (4500m)
On the tenth day, you will complete the trek and return to Darchen. From here, you will drive to the sacred Lake Mansarovar, which is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the region. You will have the opportunity to take a dip in the lake and perform rituals and prayers.
Day 11: Drive to Saga, overnight at the guesthouse
On the eleventh day, you will drive back to Saga, where you will spend the night in a guesthouse. This will give you an opportunity to rest and relax after the trek.
Day 12: Drive to Shigatse, fly back to Kathmandu (1300m), transfer to hotel
On the last day of the itinerary, you will drive back to Shigatse and take a flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel, where your Mount Kailash tour will come to an end.
