Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Road – 12 Nights / 13 Days
The shortest overland Kailash Mansarovar Yatra we offer, and Swastik Holiday most affordable group departure package. This compact 13-day pilgrimage from Kathmandu is ideal for pilgrims with limited leave who still want the complete road experience through Nepal and Tibet, covering Lake Mansarovar, Darchen and the Kailash Parikrama.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Road – 12 Nights / 13 Days – Day-wise Itinerary
Welcome to Nepal — your spiritual trip to the Abode of Lord Shiva starts today. Arrive at Kathmandu airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day free for personal activities. Overnight at hotel. Meals: Dinner.
After breakfast, sightseeing covering Pashupatinath Temple, Guheshwori Shakti Peeth and Jal Narayan (Sleeping Vishnu). In the afternoon, personal shopping time at the market, returning to the hotel by 6 PM. Yatra briefing meeting at 7 PM, dinner and overnight stay. Note: suitcases are kept at the hotel; on-trek luggage is carried in a duffle bag provided by us, with a 10 kg weight limit.Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
The yatra proper begins as you leave Kathmandu and drive to Syabrubesi/Timure, small bordering villages on the Nepal side — around 150 km, taking 6–7 hours due to mountainous roads. Overnight at a basic guest house on a sharing basis. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
After breakfast, clear Nepal-side immigration, then the Nepal–China border at Rasuwagadhi Naka. After clearing formalities, drive to Keyrung, your first stop in Tibet, and enjoy a free day. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
Travel to Saga, gaining altitude gradually, reaching up to 4,820 metres before settling at 4,500 metres. Packed lunch en route. Overnight in Saga. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
Proceed to holy Lake Manasarovar — before hotel check-in, the Parikrama of the lake is performed. Overnight at a mud house or hotel. Notes: accommodation is basic with multiple-sharing rooms and outside toilets. No bathing in the lake. Pooja can be performed independently — arrangements are not made by us. If you need a pony or porter for the Parikrama, contact our local guide on this day; availability can be limited even after payment.Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
Travel to Darchen, the last town before the Parikrama — complete any remaining shopping and explore at leisure. Overnight at hotel. If permitted, visit Astapad for darshan of the South Face (extra cost).Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
A packed lunch is provided. A 15–20 minute drive to Yamadwar marks the start of the Parikrama. Day 1 is a comparatively easy 12 km trek, taking 4–6 hours, with darshan of Kailash Parwat en route. Overnight at a tea house in Diraphuk. Notes: those not doing the Parikrama remain at Darchen with additional cost. Accommodation at Diraphuk is basic; no bathing or mineral water; dinner is typically khichadi or similar.Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
The most demanding day of the yatra — a 22 km trek crossing Dolma La Pass at 5,630 metres. The first 8–10 km are the toughest; the rest to Zuthulphuk is easier. Overnight at Zuthulphuk. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
The final, easier leg of the Parikrama — around 2 hours to the end point, then onward by vehicle to Saga or New Dongma. Overnight stay. Note: no dedicated room is provided here for pilgrims returning from a shortened Parikrama on day 3 at Darchen — freshening up in another available room may be possible.Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
Check out and proceed to Keyrung for your last night in Tibet. Rest and overnight stay on arrival. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
Travel to the Nepal–China border, clear immigration and border formalities, then drive roughly 7 hours to Kathmandu. Overnight stay on arrival. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport as per your onward travel itinerary, marking the conclusion of your holy yatra.
Inclusions & Exclusions
What's Included
Airport transfers by private vehicle
Sightseeing on Day 2 on SIC basis
Sightseeing on Day 13 on private basis (if taken)
KTM – Border – KTM return journey by local bus (private basis)
Tibet side transfers by comfortable bus/van
Pure vegetarian meals (breakfast/lunch/dinner) provided
Meals up to the Nepal-side border at hotel/restaurant
Tibet-side food prepared by our support staff
Packed lunch (limited options) during Tibet transfers
Packed lunch during the Parikrama (guest to carry)
Basic first-aid kit; oxygen cylinders in bus
Kailash permit & normal Tibet/China visa fee
Kailash Parikrama entry fees and permits
Manasarovar entry fees
All required tax and service charges
Langtang National Park entry fees
Down jacket, duffel bag, day pack bag, woollen cap
What's Excluded
International or domestic air tickets
All beverages / travel insurance of clients
Emergency evacuation expenses
Horse or porter (direct payable), subject to availability
Expenses of personal services other than specified
Additional cost due to any political disturbance
Additional cost due to natural calamities and unforeseen circumstances
Extra stay in Tibet or Kathmandu
Early-departure penalty: if a pilgrim leaves the group early from the Tibet side for a non-medical reason, USD 200 per person per day (or more) is payable to the Tibet-side T.A.R. Foreign Exchange Center (FEC); visa-splitting, accommodation and transport charges will be extra
5% GST on payments to our Indian bank account (no GST on wire transfers to our Nepal bank account)
Documents Required for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Road - 13 Days
Valid passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of travel
Passport-size photographs (as specified at the time of booking)
Completed Tibet permit application form
Medical fitness certificate (recommended given the high-altitude nature of this route)
Travel insurance documents
Minimum 10,000 Chinese Currency (CNY) to carry, where applicable — see notes below
Note: Exact document requirements can vary by route and current government regulations — our team confirms the complete checklist at the time of booking.
Important Notes
This package's source document references 2026 as a "Horse Year" (occurring every 12 years, considered similarly significant to a Mahakumbh), noting it is expected to be more crowded than usual — please confirm current-year crowd expectations with our team when booking your 2027 departure.
Age limit is up to 69 years only for this Yatra.
If a guest appears unfit for the Parikrama, or their oxygen saturation is below 65 at Darchen, our trip leader may stop the guest from proceeding — guests and booking agents must respect the trip leader's decision, as it is made for the guest's safety.
Guests are requested to carry a minimum of 10,000 Chinese Currency (CNY) with them.
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