The Deeper Spiritual Pilgrimage
Half Kora Journey — The Holy Mount Kailash–Manasarovar Deeper Spiritual Half Kora Yatra
Our most-recommended plan for devotees: an overland Vedic pilgrimage that goes beyond the usual itinerary — Ashtapad, Saptarishi Caves, Tirthapuri and Charan Sparsha at the north face — concluding the sacred Half Kora at Dirapuk with days of satsang, kirtan and meditation in the powerful presence of Lord Shiva.
Yatra Overview
“Ganga forever abides in the locks of Shiva — so the devoted pilgrim walks the sacred Half Kora and turns inward at Dirapuk, where the journey of the body becomes the journey of the soul.”
The Holy Mount Kailash–Manasarovar Deeper Spiritual Journey is a uniquely sacred overland pilgrimage designed for devotees seeking more than a circuit — a deeper spiritual experience in the divine Himalayan realm. It begins with Sankalpa Puja at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu and crosses into Tibet at the Kodari/Zhangmu border, entering through the beautiful valley of Nyalam.
This special plan takes you beyond the usual Kailash–Manasarovar itinerary to the region’s most significant sacred sites: Tirthapuri hot springs, Ashtapad, the Saptarishi Caves, Atmalinga darshan and Mount Kailash Charan Sparsha — the deeply devotional experience associated with the sacred feet of Lord Shiva at the north face.
Following authentic Vedic tradition, we do not complete the full circumambulation: since Mata Ganga flows eternally from the Lord’s locks, devotees do not cross the sacred flow beyond the prescribed point. Our pilgrimage therefore follows the Half Kora, concluding at Dirapuk, where full days are devoted to satsang, meditation, kirtan, prayer and spiritual contemplation before the sacred mountain.
This is not simply a tour — it is a sacred Vedic pilgrimage of devotion, surrender and inner awakening in the holy realm of Lord Shiva, managed strictly according to Sanatani tradition and ending with Rudri Puja at Pashupatinath.
Why the Half Kora Is Special
- Authentic Vedic Half Kora — concluding at Dirapuk per the sacred tradition of Shiva and Ganga Mata
- Charan Sparsha darshan of the north face of Mount Kailash — the sacred feet of Lord Shiva
- Ashtapad, Saptarishi Caves & Atmalinga darshan — rare sacred sites beyond the usual itinerary
- Tirthapuri hot springs — the renowned purifying pilgrimage site of the Kailash region
- Three full days of satsang, kirtan & meditation at Dirapuk in the powerful presence of the mountain
- Holy Lake Mansarovar — snan, puja and spiritual activities near Chiu Gompa
- Sankalpa Puja at Pashupatinath before departure & Rudri Puja with completion certificate on return
- Pure veg sattvik meals prepared daily by our dedicated Nepali cook and support team
- Experienced spiritual tour guide with 15–20 years of service in the Kailash–Mansarovar region
Yatra Facts
Duration & Route
17 Nights / 18 Days overland: Kathmandu – Kodari/Zhangmu – Nyalam – Saga – Mansarovar – Darchen – Dirapuk (Half Kora) – en route back to Kathmandu.
The Half Kora Tradition
Per Vedic belief, Mata Ganga remains upon the head of Lord Shiva and devotees should not cross her sacred flow beyond the prescribed point — so the parikrama concludes at Dirapuk rather than completing the full 52 km circuit.
Yatra Mode
Managed strictly according to Sanatani (Hindu) traditions. Begins with Sankalpa Puja at Pashupatinath; concludes with Rudri Puja. Purely holy pilgrimage groups only.
Yatra Season
April to end of October. From mid-September temperatures drop significantly — carry appropriate warm clothing.
Shrawan Special
Mid-July to mid-August: a special 31-day Shrawan prayer programme (Shiv Maha-Puran Katha, Bhagwat Katha, Durga Saptashati Paath, Shiv Sadhana & yoga) at USD $6,800 per person — limited space, booking for 2027.
Meals & Accommodation
Pure veg sattvik breakfast, lunch & dinner. Budget hotels & guest houses on twin sharing; dormitory-style rooms during the kora.
Sacred Route Map
Day-by-Day Sacred Itinerary
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Day011,400 m
Arrival at Kathmandu — Receiving at Tribhuvan International Airport
Our representative greets and assists you after customs and immigration formalities, then transfers you to your hotel for check-in. Rest after your journey and meet your fellow pilgrims. Overnight at Kathmandu hotel.
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Day021,400 m
Kathmandu Temple Tour & Kailash Yatra Preparation
Enjoy a temple tour of Kathmandu’s most famous cultural and religious sites, including sacred Pashupatinath and Budhanilkantha, while completing yatra preparation, gear checks and permit formalities. Overnight at Kathmandu hotel.
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Day03Border
Drive Kathmandu → Kodari Border (5–6 hrs)
A scenic 5–6 hour drive through terraced hills and river valleys brings you to the Nepal–China border at Kodari. Rest at the border town as the Himalaya rises around you, preparing for entry into Tibet. Overnight at the border.
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Day043,800 m
Cross into Tibet → Drive to Nyalam
After breakfast, complete Nepal and China immigration and customs formalities and enter Tibet, where your Tibetan guide and driver welcome you with a khata. Drive approximately 25 km to the small town of Nyalam (3,800 m); the afternoon is free to rest and acclimatize. Overnight at Nyalam.
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Day053,800 m
Acclimatization Day in Nyalam
A dedicated rest day to help your body adjust to the altitude. Explore the local area, visit a traditional Tibetan village and experience the unique lifestyle of the region amid colourful flowers, diverse trees and picturesque waterfalls. Overnight at Nyalam.
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Day064,500 m
Drive Nyalam → Saga via Gongthang-La Pass
A scenic journey of approximately 220–300 km through breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, crossing the first high mountain pass, Gongthang-La (5,236 m), with panoramic views of Mount Shishapangma (8,013 m) and the turquoise Peiku Tso Lake. You may glimpse wild donkeys and antelopes before crossing the mighty Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo). Overnight at Saga.
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Day074,600 m
Drive Saga → Holy Lake Mansarovar (Chiu Gompa)
An approximately 550 km drive through the most stunning and remote landscapes of the Tibetan plateau, passing Paryang and Dongba with a packed highway lunch en route. Arrive at sacred Lake Mansarovar (4,590 m) near Chiu Gompa Monastery — revered by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bon alike — for prayers and rituals at the lake’s edge. Overnight near Mansarovar.
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Day08Darchen
Mansarovar Exploration & Spiritual Activities → Darchen
A full morning of exploration and spiritual activities at Kailash Mansarovar Lake — snan, puja and meditation at one of the most revered spiritual destinations on earth, a powerful site for practice for centuries. Depart around 2:00 pm for Darchen (4,900 m region), the base camp of Mount Kailash. Overnight at Darchen.
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Day09Darchen
Tirthapuri Hot Springs Excursion
After an early breakfast with packed lunch prepared, drive to sacred Tirthapuri — the renowned pilgrimage site of natural hot springs and profound spiritual significance. Explore the peaceful surroundings, bathe in the therapeutic sacred springs, then return to Darchen for rest and relaxation. Overnight at Darchen.
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Day10Darchen
Ashtapad, Saptarishi Caves & Atmalinga Darshan
A spiritually enriching excursion to three of the Kailash region’s most sacred sites: Ashtapad, the Saptarishi Caves connected with the ancient sages, and Atmalinga darshan. Offer prayers, meditate and immerse yourself in the profound atmosphere before returning to Darchen in the evening. Overnight at Darchen.
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Day1113 km · 5–6 hrs
First Day Kora — Yamdwar → Diraphuk (North Face, ≈ 5,000 m)
An eco-bus brings you to Sarshung valley / Yamdwar where the parikrama begins and your yaks, yak-men and porters await. Trek approximately 13 km in 5–6 hours through the beautiful Lhachu river valley to Diraphuk Monastery, with panoramic views of the west and north faces of sacred Mount Kailash. Evening rewards you with a golden sunset on the north face. Overnight at Diraphuk.
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Day12Dirapuk
Satsang, Meditation & Shiv Sadhana at Dirapuk — Day One
Pause from the physical journey and turn inward: a full day of satsang, meditation, Shiv sadhana, kirtan and prayer in the powerful presence of the north face of Mount Kailash. This is the heart of the Half Kora — devotion, surrender and spiritual awareness rather than mere circuit-walking. Overnight at Diraphuk.
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Day13Dirapuk
Satsang, Meditation & Shiv Sadhana at Dirapuk — Day Two
A second full day of spiritual contemplation beneath the sacred mountain: guided meditation, kirtan, prayer and satsang, with time for personal Charan Sparsha darshan and silent reflection. The sacred landscape becomes not a destination but a place of connection with the divine. Overnight at Diraphuk.
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Day14Dirapuk
Final Satsang, Morning Meditation & Hike Back to Darchen
Begin with meditation and devotional worship of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati, offering prayers and seeking divine blessings, before a final satsang and breakfast at the guesthouse. Then walk the approximately 14 km trail back to Darchen through the spectacular, serene landscapes of the Kailash region, completing the sacred Half Kora. Overnight at Darchen hotel.
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Day15≈ 500 km
Drive Darchen → Saga
After breakfast, begin the return journey to Saga covering approximately 500 km across the Tibetan plateau. Enjoy the changing colours, high-altitude villages and mountain passes as you carry the blessings of Kailash eastward. Overnight at Saga.
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Day16≈ 300 km
Drive Saga → Kerong / Nyalam
The return journey covers approximately 300 km down through the Kerong/Nyalam valley, where the air grows thicker and the road more comfortable. Enjoy the scenery of wild flowers, waterfalls and snow-capped mountains surrounding the valley. Overnight at Kerong/Nyalam.
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Day171,400 m
Cross the Border → Drive to Kathmandu
Drive 25–35 km back to the Rasuwagadhi/Tatopani border, where our guide helps you complete customs and immigration formalities. Continue with an approximately 7-hour drive to Kathmandu; check in, refresh and share a farewell dinner with your yatra family. Overnight at Kathmandu hotel.
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Day18Departure
Yatra Completion Ceremony & Airport Transfer
After breakfast, a small token ceremony and yatra completion certification programme is held at the hotel, marking the sacred end of the Holy Mount Kailash Mansarovar yatra service — concluded with Rudri Puja at Pashupatinath. As per your international flight schedule, you are transferred to the airport. Om Namah Shivaya — Har Har Kailashpati Mahadev!
Cost Includes & Excludes
✓Included in the Yatra
- Tibet Travel Permit & China visa recommendation letter
- Nepal permits (Langtang / Gaurishankar National Park permits)
- Kathmandu sightseeing: Pashupatinath Temple & Budhanilkantha Temple (1 half-day tour)
- Land transportation: Kathmandu to border by Nepalese mini tourist bus; border to Kailash Mansarovar by Chinese mini tourist bus
- Twin-sharing budget hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with bed & breakfast
- Twin-sharing budget hotels & guest houses in Tibet; dormitory-style rooms (3–4 persons) during the kora
- All vegetarian sattvik buffet meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) prepared by our Nepali staff in Tibet
- English-speaking Nepalese tour manager/guide & English-speaking Tibetan tour guide
- Necessary supporting crew from Nepal (cook, helpers & sherpas)
- Yaks & yak-men during the parikrama to carry food and equipment
- 1 portable oxygen bottle per person in group, company duffel bag, down jacket (returnable) & daily drinking water bottle
- Horse/pony arrangement from Diraphuk onward (upon request, extra cost)
- Nepalese medical health assistant (for groups of 40+)
- All applicable taxes & service charges, and Kailash Yatra completion certificate
✕Not Included
- Travel insurance — mandatory for all participants (medical emergency / evacuation cover)
- International airfare to/from Kathmandu
- China group single-entry visa fee & multiple Nepal entry visa fees
- Divine Shiv Guru / Mata ji guidance — USD $150 per person (optional); Pandit — USD $60 per person; Yoga & meditation master — USD $60 per person (optional, confirm in advance)
- Horse riding for the kora days — approx. CNY 4,000–4,500, payable directly to the horse owner on the spot; yak/porter services at local rates
- Incomplete kora stay in Darchen — USD $50 per person per night
- Astapad darshan (if permitted) — optional trip, USD $80 per person, payable on the spot
- Mansarovar Lake parikrama by eco vehicle (optional) — RMB 530 per person, payable at the lake
- Hotel during the 9–10 night China visa waiting period in Kathmandu — at the traveller’s own cost
- Optional private vehicle upgrade — SUV/Jeep in Nepal & Toyota Land Cruiser in Tibet, USD $450 per person
- Tips for staff — suggested USD $200 per Nepali staff member; tips for Tibetan guide & driver recommended
- Beverages, meals outside the package, mailing/cargo fees & international telephone calls
- Optional Muktinath & Manakamana extension — USD $680 per person (2 nights Pokhara, 1 night Jomsom, flights & meals)
- Additional expenses from natural calamities or unforeseen circumstances beyond the organizer’s control
Important Information
Why Half Kora
According to Hindu tradition, Mata Ganga is eternally associated with Lord Shiva, flowing from His divine locks. Devotees therefore do not cross the sacred flow beyond the prescribed point — our pilgrimage follows the Half Kora, concluding at Dirapuk with satsang and meditation instead of the full circuit.
Booking & Advance
Book well in advance; last-minute bookings are accepted at least 40 days prior to departure from Kathmandu. A 20% non-refundable advance confirms your booking; the balance is payable as per the agreed schedule before departure.
China Group Visa
The China single-entry group visa is processed at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu in 9–10 working days from submission of your original passport. You may also apply from your home country with our visa-supporting documents (approx. 3 weeks).
Tibet Travel Permits
Five permits are required: Chinese Group Visa, Tibet Travel Permit, Alien’s Travel Permit, Military Area Entry Permit and Foreign Affairs Permit — all handled hassle-free by our team. Send colour passport copies with the name list 45 days prior.
Age & Health Rules
Kora permitted above 8 years and up to 80 years. Pilgrims 70+ submit a government hospital medical report (within 6 months) and deposit USD $1,000 with the Chinese authorities; health is examined by Tibetan doctors before the parikrama.
Horse Assistance
If you cannot walk the kora, horses are available — local on-the-spot arrangement (Darchen/Diraphuk) costs approximately CNY 4,000, payable directly to the horse owner. No vehicles or helicopters are permitted on the kora route.
Cancellation Policy
90+ days prior: no charges. After road-permit processing: USD $500. Within 7 days of departure: USD $700. Same day: 70% of tour cost. Extra costs from unavoidable itinerary changes are borne by the pilgrim.
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