Premium Comfort, Sacred Journey
VIP – The Sacred Kailash Kora 4WD Road Premium Adventure Luxury Yatra
The sacred Kailash kora in premium 4x4WD comfort — private jeep road journey from Kathmandu through Kyirong to the foot of the holy mountain, with upgraded hotels, rescue-vehicle backup, pandit service and horse support arranged for you.
Yatra Overview
“Travel in comfort, walk in devotion — the mountain asks only for your heart; we take care of the rest. Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam, Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat”
This VIP edition of the classic Kailash Mansarovar overland tour is an extraordinary luxury adventure journey by 4×4WD jeep to one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations in the world. The route follows the hidden Kyirong valley — one of the most scenic and remote Tibetan frontiers — through dramatic valleys, ancient towns and high mountain passes to sacred Mount Kailash and Holy Lake Mansarovar.
Comfort is arranged at every stage: a local 4-star hotel with veg buffet meals in Kathmandu, good 3-star hotels in the Tibet cities, full 4×4WD jeep service from Kathmandu to Kyirong port and around the Kailash circuit, an emergency rescue-car transfer from Feydhi to Darchen on kora day two, temporary bath tents and tent toilets for the group, and the Mansarovar lake kora by park eco-bus.
The spiritual core is uncompromised: ample time for the sacred 3-day, 52 km kora crossing Dolma-La Pass at approx. 5,650 m, puja on the shores of Mansarovar, pandit service, horse/pony support from Diraphuk to Dolma-La on request at no extra cost, and a dedicated spiritual tour guide with 15–20 years of experience in the Kailash–Mansarovar region.
VIP Luxury Yatra Privileges
- Full 4×4WD jeep circuit — Kathmandu – Kyirong – Mount Kailash – en route back to Kathmandu entirely by 4x4WD jeep
- Upgraded stays — local 4-star hotel with veg buffet in Kathmandu; good 3-star hotels in Tibet cities
- Emergency rescue car transfer from Feydhi to Darchen on the Dolma-La descent day
- Horse / pony support from Diraphuk to Dolma-La Pass arranged upon request — no extra cost
- Mansarovar lake kora by park eco-bus and pandit service throughout the yatra
- Comfort extras — temporary bath tents, tent toilets, raincoats, backpack, mobile & passport bag, duffel and returnable down jacket
- 1–2 portable oxygen bottles per person in group & Nepalese medical health assistant for groups of 21+
- 100% completion guarantee — no hidden charges during the Kailash journey, strictly non-commissionable pricing
Yatra Facts
Duration & Route
12 Nights / 13–14 Days overland by 4x4WD: Kathmandu – Kyirong/Nalyam – Saga – Mansarovar – Kailash kora – Kathmandu. Pickup & drop: Kathmandu International Airport.
The Holy Parikrama
The Kailash Parvat Parikrama is a sacred 3-day walking journey of approximately 52 km, reaching approx. 5,650 m at Dolma-La Pass. Vehicles reach only Darchen base camp; the kora continues on foot (horses on request).
Accommodation Standard
Twin-sharing 4-star (Kathmandu) and good 3-star (Tibet cities); at Diraphuk only four basic guesthouses exist — shared rooms of 3–5 with common/open toilets. Dormitory-style rooms at Mansarovar, Diraphuk & Zuthulphuk; carry a sleeping bag for Diraphuk if desired.
Yatra Season
April to end of October. From mid-September temperatures drop significantly — carry appropriate warm clothing.
Group Size
Minimum 5 persons for the Tibet Travel Permit; travellers are generally combined into groups of 21–25. Private groups require a minimum of 7 persons.
Meals
Pure veg sattvik buffet breakfast, lunch & dinner in Tibet prepared by company catering / Nepali staff; veg buffet meals in Kathmandu. B = 07:30–08:30, L = 12:00–13:00, D = 20:00–21:30 China local time.
Sacred Route Map
Day-by-Day Sacred Itinerary
-
Day011,400 m
Receiving at Kathmandu International Airport
Upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport you will be greeted and assisted by our representative after customs formalities and transferred to the hotel for check-in. Evening free to rest and meet your fellow pilgrims. Overnight at Kathmandu hotel.
-
Day021,400 m
Kathmandu Temple Tour & Kailash Yatra Preparation
Morning darshan at the sacred Pashupatinath Temple and Jalnarayan (Budhanilkantha) Temple, then back to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon complete preparations for the Kailash departure. Overnight at Kathmandu hotel.
-
Day032,800 m
Drive to the Nepal–China Border — Kerong
A 5–6 hour drive brings you to the Nepal–China border at Rasuwa Gadhi (Kyirong/Nalyam border). After immigration and customs formalities you enter Tibet, welcomed by your Tibetan guide and driver. Drive approximately 25 km to the small town of Kerong (2,800 m); the afternoon is free to rest and acclimatize.
-
Day042,800–3,800 m
Acclimatization Day in Kerong / Nyalam
After breakfast, spend the day exploring the local area to help your body acclimatize to the altitude. Visit a traditional Tibetan village and experience the unique lifestyle and culture of the region, enjoying colourful flowers, diverse trees and picturesque waterfalls.
-
Day054,500 m
Drive Kerong / Nyalam → Saga via Gongthang-La
A scenic journey of approximately 220–300 km (4–5 hours) through breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, crossing the first high mountain pass Gongthang-La (5,236 m). Enjoy panoramic views of Mount Shishapangma (8,013 m) and the turquoise Peiku Tso Lake, spot wild donkeys and antelopes, and cross the mighty Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo) before arriving at Saga.
-
Day064,600 m
Drive Saga → Chiu Gompa (Holy Lake Mansarovar)
Today’s approximately 550 km journey takes you to sacred Lake Mansarovar through some of the most stunning and remote landscapes of the Tibetan plateau, passing Paryang and Dongba with a packed highway lunch provided by our team. Keep your eyes open for first glimpses of snow-capped Mount Kailash; at the lake (4,590 m) near Chiu Gompa Monastery, pilgrims offer prayers and rituals at the water’s edge.
-
Day074,900 m
Chiu Gompa → Darchen — Mansarovar Exploration & Spiritual Activities
A full morning of exploration and spiritual activity at Kailash–Mansarovar, one of the most revered spiritual destinations in the world and a powerful site for meditation for Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Bon seekers alike. Around 2:00 pm leave the holy lake for Darchen (4,900 m), the base camp of Mount Kailash. Overnight at Darchen.
-
Day084,900 m
Kora Day 1 — Darchen → Yamdwar / Sarchung → Diraphuk
Drive from Darchen to Yamdwar / Sarchung, the trek starting point, where porters, yaks and yak-men await. After two hours the trail opens onto a grassy plain populated by nomads; walk approximately 15 km (5–6 hours) to Diraphuk (4,900 m), facing the sacred north face of Mount Kailash — holy to Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Bon alike.
-
Day09Dolma-La 5,650 m
Kora Day 2 — Diraphuk → Dolma-La Pass → Darchen
The most challenging and significant day of the kora: Dolma-La Pass lies 6.4 km ahead and 762 m above Diraphuk at approximately 5,650 m. Start early as the first rays of sun touch the ridges; after time at the pass for prayers, descend the steep stone steps to the Lhachu Valley floor (Feydhi), where an emergency rescue vehicle picks you up for the 1-hour transfer back to Darchen.
-
Day10≈ 500 km
Drive Darchen → Saga
After breakfast, begin the return journey from Darchen to Saga covering approximately 500 km in your 4x4WD. Enjoy the scenic landscapes of the Tibetan plateau, retracing the pilgrimage route through high-altitude villages and mountain passes.
-
Day11≈ 300 km
Drive Saga → Kerong / Nalyam
After breakfast, the return journey covers approximately 300 km to Kyirong/Nalyam. Travelling down through the Kerong/Nalyam valley you will feel more comfortable, enjoying wild flowers, waterfalls and snow-capped mountains surrounding the valley.
-
Day121,400 m
Cross the Border → Drive to Kathmandu
The last day’s drive of 25–35 km back to the Rasuwa Gadhi / Tatopani border of Nepal and China, where our guide helps you complete customs and immigration formalities. Continue approximately 7 hours to Kathmandu for hotel check-in, refreshment, dinner and rest.
-
Day13Departure
Yatra Completion Ceremony & Airport Transfer
After breakfast at your hotel, a small token yatra-completion certification program is held, marking the end of the Holy Mount Kailash Mansarovar Lake yatra service. As per your international flight schedule you will be 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
- Kathmandu sightseeing: Pashupatinath Temple & Budhanilkantha Temple (one half-day tour)
- Nepal land transportation: arrival pickup, Kathmandu sightseeing & airport drop service
- 4×4WD jeep throughout: Kathmandu – Kyirong – Kailash – en route Kathmandu (including Kyirong port – Mount Kailash – Kyirong port in Tibet)
- Kathmandu: twin-sharing local 4-star hotel with veg buffet meals
- Tibet: twin-sharing good 3-star hotels in cities; sharing local guest house at Diraphuk; dormitory-style rooms (3–4 persons) at Mansarovar, Diraphuk & Zuthulphuk
- Veg buffet meals in Tibet prepared by company catering / Nepali staff
- Feydhi to Darchen emergency rescue car transfer
- Lake Mansarovar kora by park eco-bus (or as directed)
- Temporary bath tents & tent toilets arranged for the group’s comfort
- Pandit service & full support team service
- Horse / pony arranged from Diraphuk to Dolma-La Pass (upon request — no extra cost)
- English-speaking Nepalese tour manager/guide & English-speaking Tibetan tour guide
- 1–2 portable oxygen bottles per person in group; company duffel bag, backpack, mobile & passport bag, down jacket (returnable), raincoat & daily drinking water bottle
- Nepalese medical health assistant (for groups of 21+); porters upon request (extra cost)
- All applicable taxes & service charges for the Tibet part
- Kailash Yatra completion certificate from the organizing local company
✕Not Included
- Travel insurance — mandatory for all participants (medical emergency / evacuation cover)
- Divine Shiv Guru / Mata ji guidance (optional) — USD $100 per person; please confirm in advance
- China group single-entry visa fee & multiple Nepal entry visa fees (Malaysian nationals: no visa waiting period)
- Mailing / cargo fees & international telephone calls
- Astapad Darshan (if permitted) — optional walking trip, USD $100 per person, payable on the spot
- Tips for staff — customary gratuities
- Beverages (soft drinks, bottled water, tea, coffee, alcohol) & meals outside the package
- Hotel during the China visa processing period in Kathmandu — USD $100 per person per night twin-sharing, or USD $380 per deluxe single room per night (local 5-star)
- Additional expenses from natural calamities, political situations or events beyond the local organizer’s control
Important Information
Booking & Advance
This is a tailor-made plan requiring a 30% advance deposit at booking; the deposit is non-refundable, though you may postpone (reschedule) by paying the updated trip cost. Tailor-made bookings are strictly non-refundable as they include advance purchase of air tickets, permits and related services. Last-minute bookings accepted at least 40 days prior to departure; special offers valid 10 days from the start of the conversation.
China Group Visa
The China single-entry group visa is issued only through the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu and takes 9–10 working days from submission of your original passport — plan to be in Kathmandu in time. You may also apply from your own country with our visa-supporting documents (Tibet Travel Permit, itinerary and China visa recommendation letter), which takes approximately 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 under the rules of the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB).
Passport & Documents
Send colour passport copies with the name list 45 days prior to departure for road-permit processing. A 6-month valid ordinary passport is required (diplomatic passports not allowed). Original passports of NRI / other citizens are collected on arrival in Kathmandu.
Age & Health Rules
Kora permitted above 8 years and up to 80 years. Pilgrims 70+ (Indian passport holders) submit a government-hospital medical report within 6 months and deposit USD $1,000 with the Chinese authorities; note that the Chinese Embassy in Delhi does not guarantee visa approval above 70 years. Health examination by Tibetan doctors is required before the parikrama.
High Altitude & Oxygen
The Kailash–Mansarovar region is remote high altitude with significantly less oxygen. Ascend gradually, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and heavy meals in the first days and rest frequently. We carry hand-portable O2 bottles for emergencies; small portable bottles can be bought in Tibet for approx. 30–40 RMB. Pilgrims with serious heart or respiratory conditions must consult a physician first.
Horse Assistance
If you are not confident about walking the full kora, horses are available — please inform us in advance so we can arrange them. On-the-spot arrangement from Darchen/Diraphuk costs approx. CNY 4,200, payable directly by the client. No vehicle rides and no helicopter flights are allowed on the kora route.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation 90+ days prior to departure: no charges. After processing of the Kailash road permits: USD $500. Within 7 days before departure: USD $700. Same day of departure: 70% of the total tour cost. If the itinerary changes due to unavoidable or uncontrollable circumstances, all additional expenses are borne by the pilgrim.
Explore all 35 sacred yatras, treks & temple tours
View All Packages