Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Kerung-18 Days

If you are constantly questioning yourself seeking the answer to the purpose of your life, then we invite you to come with us to the sacred journey of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Kerung-18 Days. We assure you, that you will find peace, move to a higher level of Awareness, and attain great internal transformation.

Our Kailash yatra via Kerung will take you to western Tibet, 694 km away from Nepal, where sacred Mount Kailash stands at an elevation of 6638 m. Revered by Hindus, Jains, Buddhism, and Bon, Mount Kailash symbolizes the earth’s axis or a ladder leading to heaven.

Mount Kailash is considered the holy abode of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. So this place is especially significant for Shaivites, and His devotees strive to visit this place to perform parikrama – a circumambulation around the sacred mountain.

Based on the descriptions of the Vishnu Purana, it is believed that Lord Shiva meditates on the mountain in a state of absolute bliss. The four sides of the Kailash symbolize the four face of Lord Shiva in gold, gem, crystal, and silver.

Lake Mansarovar at the bottom of Kailash has also a religious significance for it is believed Devi Parvati created Lord Ganesha here and Lord Shiva and she took a bath in this holy water.

Jains believe that their first Guru Rishavadeva achieved nirvana in this place. According to Buddhists, the peak is known as the sacred abode of Chakrasamvara or Demchoka Buddhists. The Tibetans know this place as the Jewel or Kang Rampoche.

It is traditionally believed that by performing the Kailash Parvat parikrama, a person earns good karma, or generally gets rid of any karma and is cleansed of his sins. And if you perform parikrama around Lake Mansarovar and make wishes, they will come true. Also, our deceased ancestors’ souls will receive eternal liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It is also said that one who bathes in the holy lake can directly enter the holy abode of God.

Therefore, every year, thousands of pilgrims get on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for the Kora (Walking meditation or Circumambulation). Just as the Earth circles around the sun that gives it life, so do the pilgrims circle around Kailash believing who complete the Kora 108 times are ensured to be reborn in the Pure Lands of Heaven. It is believed the aura of this place can erase all the causes that could lead to birth in the lower worlds, as well as among animals and people.

Our Kailash Mansarovar tour will also take you on an 18-day tour to Kora around Mount Kailash which stretches for about 53 km. What makes our tour distinct from others is the opportunity to do the Outer Kora along with Inner Kora often prohibited to foreign travelers. The inner Kora is more challenging with the difficulty of obtaining the permit.

Both these Kora allow us to view Mount Kailash’s Northern, Southern, and Western faces along with the walk around sacred Lake Mansarovar.

Mostly, the pilgrims try to perform the Parikrama on the full moon of May and June ( Jestha month), July and August (Srawan Janai Purnima), and August and September (Bhadra). Devotees believe performing the circumambulation in the full moon of these months erases the bad karma of the past 100 lives.

So are you ready to erase all the written chapters from your life and begin from the very beginning? Then join us on our incredible 18-day journey to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Mt. Kailash Yatra from Nepal

From the several options available to reach Kailash, pilgrims often choose to go on the Kailash Yatra tour from Nepal. From Nepal, we have three options available to travel to Kailash which are:

Overland tour to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa from Kathmandu:

This is one of the best, most popular, and quickest options to travel to Tibet from Nepal. After a two-hour flight to Lhasa from Kathmandu, we drive along the beautiful well-paved road by the Tibetan plateau to reach Kailash.
After spending a day or two in Lhasa, we drive to Gyantse towards Xigatse. Then the following days will take us by road to Saga, Lake Mansarovar, and Darchen from where we start our Kora for three or four days.

After Darchen, we hike to Dirapuk Monastery, cross the high point of our Kora at Dolma La Pass, and move forward towards ZhutulPuk. From here, we move to Darchen and drive to Saga concluding our Parikrama of Kailash.

At the end of our Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, we will drive along the Friendship Highway to reach Lhasa from where we will fly back to Kathmandu.

The advantage of this route is the availability of ample opportunity for proper acclimatization during the trip. This route also offers an incredible chance to explore the legendary monasteries and landmarks of Lhasa.

Overland route from Kathmandu to Mount Kailash via Kerung

Another best option to travel to Kailash yatra from Nepal is by road to Kerung. This is the route that we will follow in our program. After spending three or four days in Kathmandu, we drive to Ghattekhola via Syabrubesi. The next day we will cross the border via Kerung and spend a day here to adjust to the altitude.

We will then continue towards the town of Saga with a stop at the impressive Peiku Tso, where you can enjoy wonderful views of Mount Shishapangma. From Saga, it takes a day to reach Mount Kailash.

The advantage of this route is in its low cost that you save on air travel. This tour does not include Lhasa at all: from Nepal to Kailash and back. It is suitable for those who have already been to Lhasa; are going to Kailash for the second, third, or fourth time, and those who do not have time to visit any other attractions except Kailash.

Kailash Helicopter Tour via Simikot

If you are short of time and just wish to accomplish Kora around Kailash, then a helicopter tour to Kailash via Simikot is appropriate for you. Our Kailash Mansarovar Yatra begins with an internal fight against Nepalgunj.

The following day, you will take another flight to Simikot and fly in a small helicopter to Hilsa. From Hilsa, you will hike on old trade routes through the gorges of the Himalayas into the vastness of Tibet. With a drive to Darchen, you start your Kailash and Lake Mansarovar Kora and hike from Dirapuk to ZhutulPuk over Dolma-La Pass.

We culminate our Yatra with a drive to Taklakot and another domestic flight to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj.

This option is suitable for those travelers who without any previous high-altitude travel experience or special training wish to take the Kailash journey.

How does our journey begin?

The spiritual and life-changing journey of Kailash Yatr Via Kerung begins as you set foot in Kathmandu- the capital of Nepal. You will spend 3 or 4 days in the city exploring the holy shrines such as Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Budhanilkantha, Doleswor Mahadev.

We will also participate in the Rudravishek (special worship of Lord Shiva) with Brahin and pray for our success of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

After obtaining the necessary documents for entry into Tibet, we begin our road trip to Ghattekhola via Syabrubesi. Then a drive to Kerung will allow us to cross the Nepal-Tibet border.

After spending an acclimated day at Kerung, we will travel by road to Lake Mansarovar via Saga. The next morning, we will bathe with the holy water of Mansarovar and do a special puja for peace and liberation. We will then move on to Darchen from where our Parikrama around Kailash for three days commences.

After concluding our Kora, we will return to Kathmandu via drive to Kerung.

Trip Route

Arrival in Kathmandu → 3 (4) days stay in Kathmandu → Drive to Ghatte Khola via Sybrubesi → Drive to Kerung → Kerung Acclimatization → Drive to Saga → Drive to Lake Manasarovar → Drive to Darchen → Drive to Tarpoche and Trek to Dirapuk → Inner Kora → Trek to ZhutulPuk over Dolma-La Pass → Trek back to Darchen and Drive back to Saga → Drive to Kerung → Fly to Kathmandu → Departure

Attraction of our Trip

Kathmandu Sightseeing

On our 18-day Kailash Mansarovar tour, we will stay in the bustling city of Kathmandu for four nights and three days before beginning the journey for the first acclimatization to Asia weather. As an adaptation to the Nepal atmosphere, we will utilize these days to explore the religious shrines of the city including the first Pashupatinath Temple.

Located on both banks of the Bagmati River, Pashupatinath is the largest Hindu temple of Lord Shiva in Nepal. It is a complex of many different temples stretching along the high hillside to the river bank. There are numerous other small shrines bearing bold Hindu features with exquisitely carved, graceful sculptures near the temple.

However, the main attraction is the main temple with a tiered roof and gilded spire. The other attraction is the huge golden statue of Nandi Bull (Shiva’s mount).

The next tour is towards Swayambhunath decorated with hundreds of years old statues, carved symbols, hundreds of oil lamps, and the sweet fragrance of incense sticks. At the foot of the stairs are placed shiny Buddha statues, a 3.7 m high prayer wheel, and sets of smaller-sized prayer wheels.

You will reach the temple climbing 365 steps up the hillside shaded by the forest. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for Buddhist shrines called chaityas and the mani stones engraved with the traditional Buddhist mantra Om Mani Padme Hum.

We will also visit the Budhanilkantha temple located on the northern edge of Kathmandu dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is depicted reclining in a sacred pond, surrounded by stone snakes and covered with bright orange marigold garlands.

If time allows, we will also explore other significantly important religious sites including Boudhanath Stupa and Doleswor Mahadev. The Boudhanath Stupa is a sacred Tibetan Buddhist site, certainly one of the most beautiful in Kathmandu. Atop the giant whitewashed dome is an ornate gilded pinnacle, painted with Buddha’s wise eyes and hung with thousands of colorful prayer flags.

While Doleswor temple is another essential temple of Lord Shiva. The statue here is considered the head part of the Kedarnatha temple located in India.

Mansarovar Lake

Mansarovar Lake is a great place to rest for a day after completing the Kora around the sacred Mountain of Kailash. Silence, peace, and tranquility are the magic of the place. It has a relatively round shape and a circumference of 88 km. At its deepest point, it is 90 m, and the lake surface is 320 km2.

According to Hinduism, this lake was first created in the mind of Brahma (hence its name – “Manasa sarovaram” – mind and lake) and then manifested on Earth. Thus the lake is the embodiment of purity, and one who drinks water from the lake goes to the abode of Shiva after death. Hindus believe that by bathing in Lake Manasarovar and drinking its water, one will be cleansed of all sins.

Apart from religious belief, it is an ideal place for meditation, rest, and reflection.

Mount Kailash

Our Kailash Mansarovar Yatra offers a unique opportunity to explore both the northern and southern faces of the sacred mountain. Upon reaching the revered Dirapuk monastery, the magnificent sight of the northern face of Mount Kailash will captivate us.

We have reserved one extra day to perform the parikrama of the northern as well as southern face of the Kailash. As a bonus, we also pass by the western side of the mountain. Thus we will not only perform the Outer Kora like offered by other programs but we will also perform the Inner Kora often more challenging yet rewarding.

The Inner Kora is shorter than the Outer Kora which needs us to traverse through treacherous high passes and unforgiving rocky terrain. Trekking along the Lhachu River Valley of the western side of Kailash, we set foot on the sacred grounds of Serlung Gumba, Asthapath, Saptarishi cave, and Atmalingam. From here, we will witness the grand spectacle of the southern face of Kailash.

The Tibetan pilgrims often complete the Outer Kora 13 times before performing the Inner Kora.

Tirthpuri

Tirthapuri is the third most important sacred place (after Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar) of pilgrimage in Western Tibet. Consecrated by Guru Rinpoche and his follower Yeshe Tsogyal, this place is famous for its healing hot springs. Hindus and Buddhists make obligatory stops here, and a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash is considered incomplete without visiting this sacred place. There is a monastery here dedicated to the goddess Dorje Phagmo.

Mountain Views

Behold the magical views of various snow-capped Himalayas when participating in the Kailash yatra via Keirung tour. When driving from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi, the awe-inspiring panorama of the Annapurna ranges, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, and the enchanting Langtang ranges will open before your eyes.

As we venture to Kerung by road, the magnificent Langtang Himalasy will unfold before our eyes. Entering Tibet, along with the grand vistas of the Tibetan landscape, the Everest, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Gaurishankar, Langtang, and many other Tibetan Peaks will guide us toward Kailash.

As our approach to Kailash comes nearer, we will be able to witness the grandeur of Langtang Lirung, Dorje Lakpa, Jugal Himal, Ganesh Himal, Annapurna, and the renowned Everest itself.

Wildlife, flora and fauna

With our Kailash Mansarovar tour, you will be able to gain intense experience through the specific observation of wildlife, flora, and fauna. The Tibetan plateau is known for its diverse range of animal species.

Along the route to Kailash, therefore, there is a high possibility that you may spot Himalayan red fox, Bharal, Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, Ghoral, Wild Yak, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Tahr, Tibetan Sand Fox roaming around without caring for any intrusions.

The specific animal you have to keep an eye out for is Kiang – the largest Wild Donkey in Tibet and Tibetan Antelopes. Since the Tibetan Antelopes are considered sacred Unicorns, China has implemented some measures to protect these beautiful animals. Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve has been formed to ensure the living of these animals.

And do not fret to lift your eyes toward the sky for you may see a Black-necked Crane and bearded Vulture flying with elegance.

In addition, the sweet fragrance of bitter berry and wild allium will enchant you all the way to Kailash.

Highlights of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Kerung-18 Days