Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
You'll be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel where your trekking guide meets you. They'll collect your passport to start visa and permit procedures. The rest of the day is yours to settle in and get acclimated to Kathmandu.
- Start point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (This is a main entrance, arrival)
Included Activities
- Airport pick-up by private coach/van
- Day 2
Kathmandu Valley Heritage Sightseeing
This morning you'll check out cultural heritage sites around Kathmandu valley. You'll also apply for your Chinese visa today. After taking care of that, you'll head back to the hotel for the night.
Included Activities
- Kathmandu valley heritage sightseeing including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Patan, and Bhaktapur
Landmarks Pashupatinath Boudhanath Kathmandu Durbar Square Swayambhunath Patan Bhaktapur - Day 3
Patan and Bhaktapur Sightseeing
You'll do sightseeing in Patan and Bhaktapur while the Chinese visa procedures continue. This is a waiting day, so you'll have flexibility to explore these towns at your own pace. Overnight stays at the hotel.
Included Activities
- Sightseeing of Patan and Bhaktapur
Landmarks Patan Bhaktapur - Day 4
Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
Around 11am you'll receive your Chinese group visa. Your guide picks you up from Lazimpat Hotel and takes you to Kathmandu airport. You'll fly to Nepalgunj, which sits in Nepal's lowlands about 150m from the Indian border. Full meals included with overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
- Day 5
Nepalgunj to Simikot Trek Start
A 45 minute flight takes you to Simikot, the district headquarters of Humla in Nepal's remote 'Wild West'. Your cook arrived yesterday and has arranged mules, staff, and provisions. From here you'll trek through the Himalayan foothills to the Karnali River. You'll camp at Dharapuri on the river, seeing the unique trading routes where sheep and mules carry goods from Tibet.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee/hot water from trekking camp kitchen), Lunch (Lunch from trekking camp kitchen), Dinner (Dinner from trekking camp kitchen)
Included Activities
- Flight from Nepalgunj to Simikot
- Trek to Dharapuri camp
Landmarks Simikot Karnali River 
- Day 6
Dharapuri to Kermi
You'll trek along the Karnali River on a sunny day. Walking past walnut and peach trees, you'll reach Kermi where primarily Bhotia Buddhists live. The village sits above the campsite. Hot springs are within 30 minutes walk between the camp and village if you want to check them out.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee/hot water from trekking camp kitchen), Lunch (Lunch from trekking camp kitchen), Dinner (Dinner from trekking camp kitchen)
Included Activities
- Trek from Dharapuri to Kermi
- Visit hot springs (within 30 minutes walk)
Landmarks Karnali River - Day 7
Kermi to Yalbang Gompa
The trek follows a narrow path beside Salle Khola river through pine forest up and over a hill pass at 2,990m. You'll descend to the river then begin a slow ascent to Yalbang Gompa. Tibetan Buddhist influences become more apparent here. Later in the evening, you can optionally attend the puja ceremony at the monastery.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee/hot water from trekking camp kitchen), Lunch (Lunch from trekking camp kitchen), Dinner (Dinner from trekking camp kitchen)
Included Activities
- Trek to Yalbang Gompa via Salle Khola
Optional Activities
- Evening puja experience in the monastery
Landmarks Salle Khola Yalbang Gompa - Days 8 - 9
Kermi to Tumkot
You'll trek through traditional villages of Yangar and Much, passing 2,850m and 2,920m respectively before reaching Tumkot. Along the way you'll see salt traders moving goods with sheep and goats, and farmers growing barley, wheat, and potatoes. After crossing the Karnali River, Tumkot monastery sits steeply above the campsite about 20 minutes walk up. Day 9 stays in the same location for rest and acclimatization.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee/hot water from trekking camp kitchen), Lunch (Lunch from trekking camp kitchen), Dinner (Dinner from trekking camp kitchen)
Included Activities
- Trek to Tumkot via Yangar and Much villages
- Rest and acclimatization on Day 9
Landmarks Yangar Much Tumkot - Day 10
Tumkot to Yari
You'll trek on a beautiful trail with waterfalls visible across the path. After crossing the river via suspension bridge, you'll climb steeply for about an hour to reach Yari village at 3,670m, the last settlement on Nepalese territory. You can see Saiphal Himal at 7,000m. The landscape becomes barren with Tibetan character. Your camp sits one hour above Yari.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee/hot water from trekking camp kitchen), Lunch (Lunch from trekking camp kitchen), Dinner (Dinner from trekking camp kitchen)
Included Activities
- Trek from Tumkot to Yari
Landmarks Yari Saiphal Himal - Day 11
Yari to Hilsa and Tibet Border Crossing
Trekking slowly at high altitude, you'll head to Sipsip at 4,500m and then Nara La pass. Crossing Nara La gives you your first glimpse of the Tibetan highlands. You'll descend to the Karnali River and Hilsa at 3,720m where a suspension bridge marks the way to Tibet. After clearing customs at the Tibetan Department, you'll drive about an hour to Purang. There you'll visit Khojernath temple, a famous Buddhist and Hindu monastery, and one of the oldest monasteries in the Purang area.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee/hot water from trekking camp kitchen), Lunch (Lunch from trekking camp kitchen), Dinner (Dinner from hotel/restaurant in Tibet)
Included Activities
- Trek to Nara La pass and Hilsa
- Border crossing formalities at Hilsa
- Drive to Purang
- Visit Khojernath temple and historic monastery
Landmarks Sipsip Nara La Pass Hilsa Khojernath Temple Purang 
- Days 12 - 13
Purang to Lake Manasarovar
You'll drive from Purang to Chiwu Gompa and Lake Manasarovar with views of Rakshatal Lake and Mt. Gurla Mandhata. A viewpoint stop shows Mt. Gurla Mandhata before continuing. Chiwu Gompa is visitable if time allows. Reaching Lake Manasarovar, you'll relax by the shore and experience the holy lake of Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism. A nearby hot spring at 4,500m above sea level is worth checking out. You'll stay two nights at the Chiu Gompa area.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee and snacks at hotel/guesthouse), Lunch (Lunch at available hotel/restaurant), Dinner (Dinner at available hotel/restaurant)
Included Activities
- Drive from Purang to Lake Manasarovar
- Visit Rakshatal Lake viewpoint
- Visit Mt. Gurla Mandhata viewpoint
- Visit Chiwu Gompa (if time allows)
- Visit hot spring at 4,500m
Optional Activities
- Visit Gossul Monastery (approximately 15 minutes walk from Lake Manasarovar)
Landmarks Lake Manasarovar Rakshatal Lake Mt. Gurla Mandhata Chiwu Gompa Gossul Monastery 
- Day 14
Arrival in Darchen
A short drive takes you to Darchen, a small town at the foot of Mt. Kailash. Your guide will help arrange trekking yaks and porters, making final preparations for the 3 day trek around Mt. Kailash. You'll stay overnight at Hotel Himalaya.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee and snacks at hotel), Lunch (Lunch at available hotel/restaurant), Dinner (Dinner at available hotel/restaurant)
Included Activities
- Drive to Darchen
- Arrangement of trekking yaks and porters
Landmarks Mt. Kailash Darchen - Day 15
Darchen to Drirapuk
After breakfast you'll trek to Drirapuk. You'll stay overnight at the tent guesthouse by the monastery. This marks the beginning of the Mt. Kailash circumambulation, known as the Kora.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee and snacks at hotel/guesthouse), Lunch (Lunch at available hotel/restaurant), Dinner (Dinner at available hotel/restaurant)
Included Activities
- Trek to Drirapuk
Landmarks Drirapuk - Day 16
Drirapuk to Dzuthulpuk via Dolma La Pass
This is the hardest but holiest day of the Mt. Kailash pilgrimage. You'll trek 22km over 10 to 12 hours, crossing Dolma La pass at 5,671m, which sits about 700m above Drirapuk. Along the way and at the top, you'll see clothing worshipped by pilgrims. After resting at the pass, you'll descend a staircase to Lhachu valley floor, taking about an hour. Then you'll continue to Zuthulpuk. Overnight at the tent guesthouse by the monastery.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee and snacks at hotel/guesthouse), Lunch (Lunch at available hotel/restaurant), Dinner (Dinner at available hotel/restaurant)
Included Activities
- Trek across Dolma La pass (5,671m)
- Trek to Dzuthulpuk guesthouse
Landmarks Dolma La Pass Lhachu Valley Dzuthulpuk - Day 17
Dzuthulpuk to Darchen and Lake Manasarovar
After breakfast you'll visit Dzuthulpuk monastery and see a puja if the Lamas are performing. You'll trek through Milarepa's cave, where temple and shrines were built around the 11th century and renovated in 2016. Walking back to Darchen is easy, taking three hours, or you can opt for a shorter walk where your driver picks you up at the valley endpoint. This completes the Mt. Kailash circumambulation. You'll then drive to Hortsu for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee and snacks at hotel/guesthouse), Lunch (Lunch at available hotel/restaurant), Dinner (Dinner at available hotel/restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Dzuthulpuk monastery and puja (if performing)
- Trek through Milarepa's cave
- Trek back to Darchen
- Drive to Lake Manasarovar area
- Optional driver pickup available for shorter walk
Landmarks Dzuthulpuk Monastery Milarepa's Cave Darchen - Day 18
Lake Manasarovar to Saga
You'll drive from Lake Manasarovar to Saga, a 480km journey taking 7 hours. Overnight at Norling Tibetan Family Hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee and snacks at hotel), Lunch (Lunch at available hotel/restaurant), Dinner (Dinner at available hotel/restaurant)
Included Activities
- Drive from Lake Manasarovar to Saga
- Day 19
Saga to Shigatse
You'll drive from Saga to Shigatse, covering 450km over 9 hours. Along the way you'll see different landscape and pass through several mountain passes. At Shigatse you'll visit Tashilhunpo monastery, the main monastery of the Panchen Lamas and the largest in the Tsang and Shigatse province. Built by the first Dalai Lama in 1447. Overnight at 3,860m above sea level.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee and snacks at hotel), Lunch (Lunch at available hotel/restaurant), Dinner (Dinner at available hotel/restaurant)
Included Activities
- Drive from Saga to Shigatse
- Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery
Landmarks Tashilhunpo Monastery - Day 20
Shigatse to Lhasa
You'll drive from Shigatse to Lhasa, covering 270km over 6 hours along the Yurlungtsangpo river. You'll visit Palchuk monastery and Kumbum stupa. From Gyatse to Lhasa, you'll see the Karo La pass at 5,039m, Mt. Nyichengkangsar at 7,198m, Yamdruk Lake, and Kambhal La pass at 4,790m. Overnight at Yak hotel at 3,650m above sea level.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee and snacks at hotel), Lunch (Lunch at available hotel/restaurant), Dinner (Dinner at available hotel/restaurant)
Included Activities
- Drive from Shigatse to Lhasa
- Visit Palchuk Monastery
- Visit Kumbum Stupa
Landmarks Palchuk Monastery Kumbum Stupa Karo La Pass Mt. Nyichengkangsar Yamdruk Lake Kambhal La Pass - Days 21 - 22
Lhasa City Tour
Day 21 includes visiting Drepung monastery, built in 1416 and the largest Buddhist monastery in Tibet, plus Sera monastery, the second largest in Tibet built in 1419. Day 22 takes you to Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. You'll explore Bharkor streets. Potala Palace is famous as one of Tibet's holiest palaces, built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gompo. Jokhang Temple was also built in the 7th century and is the holiest Buddhist temple in the world with the main shrine of Shakyamuni. Monks at Sera debate Buddhism and philosophy. An evening farewell dinner with Tibetan hotpot is included.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with tea/coffee and snacks at hotel), Lunch (Lunch at available hotel/restaurant), Dinner (Farewell dinner with Tibetan hotpot (Day 22))
Included Activities
- Visit Drepung Monastery
- Visit Sera Monastery
- Visit Potala Palace
- Visit Jokhang Temple
- Explore Bharkor streets
- Observe monks debating at Sera Monastery (Day 21)
- Farewell dinner with Tibetan hotpot (Day 22)
Landmarks Drepung Monastery Sera Monastery Potala Palace Jokhang Temple Bharkor Street - Day 23
Scenic Flight to Kathmandu
You'll take a scenic flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu. After arriving, you'll transfer to your hotel.
Included Activities
- Scenic flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu
- Day 24
Spare Day and Farewell Celebration
This is a spare day to account for anything unexpected during your tour. You might do some shopping or other activities. Later there's a farewell dinner at a Nepalese restaurant with live cultural dance and singing.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner in Nepalese typical restaurant with live cultural dance and singing)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner in Nepalese typical restaurant with live cultural dance and singing
Optional Activities
- Shopping
- Day 25
Departure from Kathmandu
A company representative will transfer you from the hotel to Kathmandu International Airport for your departure flight.
- End point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Arrival and departure is same airport)
Included Activities
- Hotel to airport transfer
