Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nyalam

Starting Point: Kathmandu, Nepal.
Major Stops: Kathmandu → Nyalam → Saga → Lake Mansarovar → Darchen (Mount Kailash base camp)
Total Days: 12–15 days
Transport Modes: By road.

Discover the sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nyalam. Marvelous Holiday offers a unique pilgrimage experience, blending adventure with spiritual exploration.

This is only an estimate and can be customized based on you, your group and your interests. Our team of professionals will help you plan the perfect itinerary based on your requirements.

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

Highest elevation: 1,460m

Overnight stay: Kathmandu

Primary travel mode: Bus

There are 4 prep days in Kathmandu as you are required to arrive here 4 days prior to the start of the journey. On the very first day of the journey, we will welcome you in Kathmandu–the capital city of Nepal. You are required to submit your passport to our agents so that we can apply for your Tibet visa.

After some rest, we gather all of our travelers for an orientation about the details of the journey.

Day 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley

Highest elevation: 1,460m

Overnight stay: Kathmandu

Primary travel mode: Bus

Today we will be seeing some beauties of Nepal. We will visit popular tourist attractions of Nepal such as: Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath(Monkey temple), Bouddhanath stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square.

We organize a puja in Pashupatinath before starting the yatra to pray for a safe, comfortable and a successful yatra.

Day 3: Sightseeing near Kathmandu valley

Highest elevation: 1,460m

Overnight stay: Kathmandu

Primary travel mode: Bus

We have more sightseeing today and we will be going out of the valley. We will visit some more tourist attractions near Kathmandu valley which are located in Patan and Bhaktapur.

Day 4: Final preparation for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Highest elevation: 1,460m

Overnight stay: Kathmandu

Primary travel mode: Bus

This is the final preparation day in the Kathmandu valley before we start our journey. If all travellers’ visas arrive on Day 3, we will begin our journey on this day with a drive to Nyalam. However, if someone’s visa has not yet arrived, we will start the next day.

Additionally, our professionals at Marvelous Holidays thoroughly check all the logistics and the required equipment and help you buy them if not done so already.

Day 5: Drive from Kathmandu to Nyalam

Highest elevation: 3,750m

Overnight stay: Nyalam

Primary travel mode: Bus

Approximate travel distance: 145km

We will finally start our journey to the great Kailash today. We have a long bus journey awaiting us this day(about 6-7 hours of travel), so we will start our journey very early in the morning. Today, we will be crossing the Kodari border to reach China. We will also go through immigration checks at the border from both the Nepali and the Chinese immigration officers.

Day 6: Drive from Nyalam to Saga

Highest elevation: 5,050m

Overnight stay: Saga

Primary travel mode: Bus

Approximate travel distance: 235km

Like the previous day, we will be travelling for a long time today too(about 7-8 hours of travel). On the way to Saga, we will enjoy a refreshing stop at a waterfall and also at a different spot to behold the magnificence of the sacred river Brahmaputra. On this day, multiple passes over 5,000m altitude need to be passed.

Day 7: Drive to Lake Mansarovar (4,590 m).

Highest elevation: 4,574m

Overnight stay: Darchen or Lake Mansarovar

Primary travel mode: Bus

Approximate travel distance: 450km

This day is again a long journey. So, we start early at 5am sharp. You need to be prepared for a trip of about 8 hours.

Though long, the travel feels short as we enjoy the never-ending mountain views. We will also savour a riverside lunch with magnificent and wide mountain views.

If we rest in between (for example, 1 hour rest after a 4 hour drive), then we will start Kora the next day. Else, we will transfer to an eco-bus and travel to the starting point of Kora, which is Darchen and enjoy the highest freshwater lake–Lake Mansarovar.

Day 8: Drive from Darchen to Mansarovar for rituals and back(4,575 m).

Highest elevation: 4,574m

Overnight stay: Darchen

Primary travel mode: Bus

Approximate travel distance: 90km

First thing in the morning, we will perform holy rituals at the Mansarovar lake. Then, after enjoying our time at the lake, we will drive back towards the base of the Kailash Parikrama–Darchen.

On the way, we will visit the Chiu Gompa monastery which is a hidden gem near Darchen with a magnificent view of the Mansarovar Lake. From the Chiu Gompa monastery, we finally reach Darchen and begin preparation for the Kailash Parikrama.

Day 9: Darchen → Dira puk

Highest elevation: 4,860m

Overnight stay: Dira Puk

Primary mode of travel: Bus and Trek

Approximate travel distance: 8km (Bus), 7km (Trek)

We finally start the Kailash Parikrama on this day. We will travel clockwise through the following places to complete the parikrama.

This is the first day of the Kailash Parikrama, also known as Kora. We begin this day with a drive from DARCHEN to YAMADWAR. The Parikrama starts from here. Pilgrims can opt out of this step. If they opt out from the kora, they are taken back to Darchen. The others carry on with the kora with a trek from YAMADWAR to DIRA PUK.

Day 10: Dira Puk → Zutul Puk

Highest elevation: 5,630m

Overnight stay: Darchen or Zutul Puk

Primary travel mode: Trek

Approximate travel distance: 22km

This is the second and the most challenging day of the Kailash Parikrama. On this day, we will continue on with the kora with a trek starting at 4am. During this trek we will cross the DOLMA LA (5,630 m) border and descend to ZUTUL PUK(4,700 m).

If we reach ZUTUL PUK by 2-3pm, we will continue our journey to DARCHEN without halt. Else, if we reach ZUTUL PUK later than 3-4 pm, we will stay the night at ZUTUL PUK.

Day 11: Zutul Puk → Darchen → Saga

Highest elevation: 4,580km

Overnight stay: Saga

Primary travel mode: Trek and Bus

Approximate travel distance: 8km (Trek), 520km(Bus)

This is the final day of the Kailash Parikrama. This day’s trek is an easy one through red and gold cliffs. If we stay in ZUTUL PUK the previous day, we will continue our journey at 7am with a trek back to DARCHEN. This marks the end of the Kailash Parikrama.

After reaching DARCHEN, we will indulge in local cuisine for lunch. After lunch, we will finally reach SAGA with a drive from DARCHEN.

Day 12: Drive from Saga to Nyalam

Highest elevation: 3,750m

Overnight stay: Nyalam

Primary travel mode: Bus

Approximate travel distance: 235km

Today is our last day in China. We will be on the bus for a long time(about 7-8 hours) and cross multiple passes which stand at more than 5,000 meters altitude. After such a long trip, we will finally reach Nyalam, where we will be staying today. We will also visit the Nyalam market to buy souvenirs.

Day 13: Drive from Nyalam to Kathmandu:

Highest elevation: 1,460m

Overnight stay: Kathmandu

Primary travel mode: Bus

Approximate travel distance: 145km

This is the day which marks the end of our journey. We will have a meal at Bhotekoshi, enjoying the beautiful riverside. Afterwards, we will cross the border to reach Nepal after going through immigration checks from both the Chinese and the Nepali immigration officers.

Day 14: Departure to home

This is the final day of our journey. We will drop you at the airport or your required destination (if inside the valley). We also hope to walk together with you again on your next journey.

Permits Required

Chinese Group Visa (processed in Kathmandu)

Tibet Travel Permit

Alien Travel Permit for restricted Tibetan zones.

Our Kathmandu–Nyalam–Kailash Yatra package is carefully and professionally prepared for pilgrims seeking the classic route. We manage every detail: permits, transport, expert guides and comfortable accommodations, so that you can immerse yourself fully in the sacred journey.

With great deal of experience in organizing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, our team ensures your trip is safe, spiritually rich and hassle-free.