Trip Schedule

• Day 01 : Arrive Kathmandu

  Arrive at Tribhuvan International airport in Kathmandu to kick start your spiritual encounter. At the airport meet with Max Holidays company representative for assisted transfer to the hotel. Check-in at your hotel for night stay.

  Meals included: Veg Dinner at the hotel Max. Elevation: 1400m Distance Covered: 05-10 kms Accommodation Style: 5* hotel sharing basis

  Visa for Non-Indian Passport holders : All non-Indian passport holders require a valid visa to enter Nepal through any port of entry. For arrival via Kathmandu International airport Nepal tourist visa can be obtained online or on arrival at Kathmandu International airport. Nepal visa fee is not included in our package cost and is payable by the travelers directly (Click Here to apply Nepal Visa online). In order to obtain necessary China Group Travel Visa for Kailash Mansarovar trips, non-Indian passport can obtain a China visa in their own country prior to their arrival in Kathmandu. Starting from 2025, China border authorities are permitting travellers with most non-Indian nationality to enter Tibet with an ordinary China tourist visa. Alternatively, the non-Indian passport holders (including those of Indian origin with non-Indian passport) need to submit their original passport, visa application forms, visa fee, two recent coloured passport size photograph of the traveler in a prescribed format to the China Visa Center Kathmandu through the local representative of Max Holidays. The China Visa Center Nepal usually takes minimum 07 working days to issue such a group visa for Kailash Mansarovar trips. Non-Indian passport holders therefore must arrive in Kathmandu minimum 07-08 working days before the trip date.

  Visa for Indian passport holders: Indian citizens do not require a visa to visit Nepal. However, irrespective to their location/country of residence, Indian passport holders require to apply China Group Visa in Delhi through Max Holidays. Currently China Embassy is taking minimum 6-8 working days to announce a decision on such visa. Express visa for the group can also be applied by paying an additional Express visa fee. It is utmost necessary that the Indian passport holders must send their original passports to Max Holidays Delhi office min 10-15 days prior the trip date for the necessary China visa process.

• Day 02 : Kathmandu sightseeing & fly to Nepalgunj

  At around 08.00 AM the temple visit will start. We will try to reach Pashupatinath Temple before 09.00 AM to attend morning aarti in the main temple. After visiting Pashupatinath Temple visit the Jal Narayan Vishnu Temple (Sleeping Vishnu temple) and Guheshwari Mata Shaktipeeth Temple. . One can shop for some good Rudraksh Mala to be offered to their family member or self while praying near the Lake Mansarovar. Return to hotel and after breakfast our representative will transfer the group to Kathmandu domestic airport for boarding flight to Nepalgunj. After an hour the flight will arrive at Nepalgunj airport. Comfortable transfer to your pre-booked hotel in Nepalgunj will be organized by you tour guide. Meet your fellow Indian travellers in the hotel who started their journey from Lucknow to join this pilgrimage. In the evening a short briefing session shall be organized for the group where our Kailash Yatra guide and experts will share their experiences with the group and will answer to their queries related to Kailash Mansarovar travel. Dinner and night stay will be in Nepalgunj hotel.

  Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Max. Elevation: 152m Distance Covered: 522 kms / 01 hour by flight Accommodation Style: 4* hotel sharing basis basis

• Day 03 : Fly from Nepalgunj to Hilsa via Simikot. Drive to Purang.

  The flight between Nepalgunj to Simikot is a very complicated part of this trip as the operation of those small aircrafts completely depends on weather conditions and wind. The weather keeps changing very frequently on this route and it sometimes causes short or long delays in flight operations to/from Simikot. We plan to reach Nepalgunj airport early in the morning as directed by tour guide to ensure that we can board the earliest possible flight to Simikot. As this 45 minutes flight lands at the small airport of Simikot. Reach Simikot airport to board your helicopter to Hilsa. Complete border custom & immigration formalities in Nepal and Hilsa side and walk through the swinging bridge to cross the river to reach Tibet. The border crossing formalities can be time taking especially during the peak tourist season. Near China custom office building the Chinese bus will be waiting for the group for transferring them to hotel in Purang (25 kms / 1 hour drive). Before reaching Purang we have to again go through customs check at Purang Custom Office. After a tiring day you will reach Purang (3900 meters) today. If you suffer with breathlessness or any other symptoms of high-altitude sickness, please do not panic and try to take rest as much as possible. Dinner and stay will be at the hotel in Purang.

  
  

  Our representative will coordinate with the airline for your check-in luggage and will ensure delivery of your luggage to your place of stay at Purang. Rest of the time will be free at Simikot to acclimatize with the weather conditions.

  Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Max. Elevation: 3900m, Distance Covered: 207 kms by flight / 45 minutes + 25 mins helicopter, Accommodation Style: 5* hotel on sharing basis

  Important remark: Based on our past experience with weather problems, we have added a night stay at Simikot prior to reaching Tibet. If weather and situation permits, the local representative may organize helicopter trip to Hilsa or Taklakot today itself.

• Day 04 : Free day at Purang (Taklakot) for acclimatization

  This day is scheduled to be free at Taklakot (Purang) to acclimatize. Do nothing beside rest at Purang and stay at your hotel. For some short walk you may also go outside to visit nearby shops/market. If someone wish to buy stick, gloves, cap/hat, shoes, empty water bottles, water, fruits or other stuff, Taklakot market has few shops & local restaurants available. The shops get close by the time it gets dark, therefore if you want to visit the market, please organize your schedule accordingly. Meals and night stay will be in Purang.

  Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Max. Elevation: 3900m, Distance Covered: 0 km, Accommodation Style: 5* hotel on sharing basis

  Important remark: Hilsa is a deserted border village of Nepal with extreme inhospitable climatic conditions. It is compulsory for the group members to cross Nepal-China border together as all will be travelling under a group permit & visa. In the event of delay in crossing the border due to any reason one must spend time relaxing, doing yoga meditation or in other personal activities. The delay in crossing the border, if takes place, might cause health issues as the dusty air, scorching heat or cold winds here are tough to bear. Stay at Hilsa is not planned but if occur for longer than a day, we might face shortage of eatables and other living facilities. Please carry your water bottles, light eatables, dry fruits, energy bars etc with you and remain patient. Cooperate with the crew members as they try their best to offer you best possible comfort in such inhospitable place.

• Day 05 : Taklakot to Lake Manasarovar

  We have very important day today as we are heading to the holiest place at Lake Manasarovar. After breakfast start drive in the bus to Lake Mansarovar. Approx one and a half hours drive through beautiful mountains and terrains will bring you to Lake Rakshas Taal which is situated just near to Lake Mansarovar. Rakashs Taal is also known as the ‘Lake of Demons’ or ‘Ravan Taal’. From here you will get the glimpse of Mount Kailash standing tall and strong among the other nearby mountains. We will stop here at Rakshas Taal to capture the beauty of nature in our eyes and camera and then again head to Lake Mansarovar. A short drive brings us to Chui Gompa, our destination for the night near Lake Mansarovar. Rest of the time free to explore the beautiful Mansarovar Lake, taking holy bath, performing rituals and prayers on the bank of the river and other personal activities. We shall organize for a shower tent for the ladies on the bank of the lake. You may find a good place near the lake for puja/havan and performing rituals as per your customs. Meals and stay will be at the guesthouse.

  Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Max. Elevation: 4590m, Distance Covered: 70 kms to Chiu Gompa + 90 kms parikrama of Mansarovar by bus, Accommodation Style: Guesthouse Dormitory Style

  About Lake Mansarovar: Kindly take a note that here the only source for water is the holy lake Manasarovar. This is one of the highest fresh water lakes in the world and its water is considered to be good for the purification of body and soul. This natural water is used in cooking, bathing, washing clothes etc and boiled / hot water of the lake is served for drinking in the event when we have shortage of packaged water . If you are not comfortable with this you should use water purifier tablets.

  Mansarovar Lake in the night: Mansarovar Lake is just few minute walk away from your guesthouse. You may go to the lake in the night to explore its beauty under the moon. There are many myths and stories associated with the night view of the holy lake which the travelers may experience by themselves. Though it is safe to go out late in the night but it is advisable to remain in a group and take one of your guides/sherpas with you for help.

• Day 06 : Mansarovar to Darchen

  Early morning visit Mansarovar Lake for holy bath, performing puja, hawan and other rituals as per your own customs. The lake looks stunning in the morning and the beautiful sight of Mount Kailash from the bank of the lake makes it even more delightful. The water of the lake will be definitely very cold but the devotees are always full of spirituality and devotion and do not wish to skip this holy bath. It is to be noted carefully that the recent change in the law of Tibetan Govt has restricted dip bath in the lake and has categorized it as a punishable offence. So kindly refrain from going inside the lake and for the bath ask our sherpas to bring holy water in a bucket for you so that you may sit near the lake and take bath. After holy bath and prayer the group is ready to drive to Darchen. Upon reaching Darchen check into the hotel. Spend rest of the time relaxing and preparing for the kora of Mt Kailash. Dinner and night stay at the hotel.

  Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Max. Elevation: 4575m, Distance Covered: 35 kms, Accommodation Style: Hotel on sharing basis

• Day 07 : 1st Day parikrama/kora of Mt. Kailash, 13 Kms trekking to Dirapuk

  Today morning, we will wake up early freshen up and take drive to Darchen which is just 35 kms away from Chiu Gompa. Darchen is the major administrative hub of Kailash region with basic development in infrastructure and facility and also considered as the base camp of Mt. Kailash from where the circumambulation (parikrama) around Mt. Kailash begins. Don’t forget to fill your bottle with hot water and carry your snacks packet made available by our crew in the morning. All pilgrims have opportunity to pass through Yam Dwar before the trek commences. After visiting Yam Dwar continue trekking on foot or hire a horse/pony to ride. (those who wish to hire horse/pony and porter may do it directly with the help of the Tibetan guide on direct payment basis. They will be given name coupon to choose the horse & porter and the same horse or porter will accompany you throughout the trek). After completing the 12 kms gradual trek, passing through beautiful rivers and grassland you will find a huge majestic black colour mountain standing high, on the right side of your trek. This is the North Face of Mount Kailash. Don’t miss to take some photographs and selfie and capture this great sight in your eyes and camera. On reaching Dirapuk check into the guesthouse where stay and dinner is organized for this night. The night is going to be very cold and oxygen level will be low, therefore it is advisable that you take rest as much as possible to maintain good health for next day trek.

  Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Packed Lunch/snacks, Light Dinner, Max. Elevation: 5210m, Distance Covered: 35 kms drive + 13 kms trekking, Accommodation Style: Guesthouse Dormitory Style

  Note : Those who wish to change their schedule and do not want to go for trekking will stay at Darchen and pay directly for their accommodation, food and other additional expenses. However, if health permits they should visit Yam Dwar and have close darshan of Mt. Kailash.

  Visit Charan Sparsh from Dirapuk : Charan Sparsh (5475m is a 3 kms trek from Dirapuk towards the North Face of Mount Kailash. One can consult with tour guide to take this short trek to touch the feet of Mt. Kailash (considered to be Lord Shiva Himself). This trek is not a part of the package and depends on weather conditions and guide’s advise. (Distance 03 kms / 02 hours one side / very challenging trek)

• Day 08 : 2nd Day Parikrama, 19 Kms Trek To Zuthulpukh via Gauri Kund

  Wake up very early morning before dawn and if the weather is clear don’t miss to witness the glory of ‘Golden Kailash’ as the first sunlight kisses the top of the mount. After this unforgettable experience now time to move ahead and start our trek to Zuthulpuk. The 22 kms long trek is the longest and toughest day of the entire Yatra as you will have to pass through the highest point (5630m) at Dolma La pass. On the way before Dolma La you will see site showing footprints of Milarepa and Shiva Tsal (The place where pilgrims leave behind their belongings, donate a drop of blood or a lock of hair to represent the act of leaving this life behind and wishing for the end of a miserable life. In Tibetan Buddhist religion it is said that you will get it (whatever you offered here at Shia Tsal) in heaven after your death. Continue to climb up towards Dolma-La pass (5630m) and then steep down to reach Gauri Kund. We should cross the high pass as early as possible before strong wind starts.

  After crossing Dolma-La, you will see Gauri Kund (also referred sometimes as Parvati Kund) at downhill in the right side of your path. Then further walking down for a while, we will take break for pack lunch near a tea stall. The downhill trail from the top of Dolma La is not easy due to rocky & loose stones all around so we should walk very carefully and remain with the group for any help we may need. Then after, you will catch soon flat trail that reach to Zuthulphuk Gompa (4790m). In Zuthulphuk, we will stay at the lodge or fixed tent with bed, bed sheet & warm blanket. We will take quick dinner at and go to warm bed to relax.

  Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Max. Elevation: 5630m, Distance Covered: 19 kms trekking, Accommodation Style: Guesthouse Dormitory Style

  Important remark: Those who do not wish to continue trek further to Zuthulpuk from Dirapuk will trek back to Darchen. At Darchen their extra expense for accommodation, food etc is to be taken care by themselves. Our guide may assist them in organizing their stay at Darchen in hotel, subject to availability. are not doing parikrama will still wait at Darchen and relax or meditate.

  Important Note : About 3-4 kms trek (ascend and descend) near Dolma La pass is steep and rocky and it is the toughest part of this trip. Also it is not advisable to go down to touch Gauri Kund as it may be risky. While starting the trek to Zuthulpuk, don’t forget to fill up your flask with hot water made ready by our kitchen team in the morning.

• Day 09 : 3rd Day trek 06kms, Drive to Hilsa, Fly Simikot

  Breakfast will be served near the guesthouse and one can enjoy the morning time in exploring the caves here, visiting the temples and shrine built around. Here you will see a married old couple supervising the temple. The temple is a residence for over half a dozen Tibetan devotees, helpers or relatives who keep themselves busy with the maintenance of the buildings. The cave also contains meditation platforms. Climbing up to these caves before ending the final trek of the holy Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is worth.

  
  

  We will trek for about 06 kms from Zuthulpuk and reach Chongdo where our vehicles are waiting for pick-up. Further 06 kms drive will take us to Darchen hotel where other group members are waiting. Later continue drive to Taklakot. After 45 kms drive towards China-Nepal border. Cross the border by walk and after completing immigration formalities reach Hilsa helipad for 25 minutes helicopter flight to Simikot for night stay.

  Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Max. Elevation: 2910m, Distance Covered: 06 kms trek, 110 kms 03 hours drive Accommodation Style: Basic guesthouse

• Day 10 : Simikot to Nepalgunj, Connect with Kathmandu flight

  After early breakfast get a connecting flight to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj. Airport transfer and night stay in Kathmandu.

  
  

  Optional Trip: The air sectors Hilsa-Simikot-Nepalgunj is very complicated and totally weather permitted. Delay or rescheduling or interruption in flights on this sector is a well- known problem of this route. If, due to climatic conditions, shortage or rescheduling of flights or any other reason, you get stuck at Hilsa or Simikot please note that you will get to stay in small guesthouses with common washroom/toilet facilities. Inn the event of long delay you may even have to survive on natural water, limited food and limited living facilities. Health issue, especially with old age people are quite possible, therefore it is advisable to stay with the group so that help may reach you in the event of necessity.

  
  

  Additional night stay at Hilsa/Simikot/Nepalgunj on return are not paid or included in the above tour package and if need occur, additional stay and food will be payable directly by the travelers to Nepalese leader. There is no refund or adjustment possible for any unutilized stay, food or any other service. We provide first aid facilities but all other additional medical expenses in the event of hospitalization and/or emergency evacuation charges are to be paid by the pilgrim/traveler only.

  Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Max. Elevation: 1400m Distance Covered: 45 + 50 mins flight connection, Accommodation Style: 5* Hotel sharing basis

• Day 11 : Fly to home from Kathmandu

  Intime you will be transferred to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International airport to board your flight back to your hotel/next destination. (We always recommend that the travellers should book their outbound flight from Kathmandu to home with a days or two in hand to overcome the situation of unwanted delays in the trip.)

  Meals included: Veg Breakfast