My Personal Experience of Mount Kailash Kora & Lake Manasarovar

A 10-Day Journey from Kathmandu to Tibet, Lake Manasarovar and the Sacred Kailash Parikrama
May 2025

Mount Kailash had been a destination I had wanted to experience personally for a long time. Although I have worked in the Himalayan tourism industry for many years, the journey to Kailash was different from an ordinary trekking trip. It was a combination of adventure, spirituality, high-altitude travel, cultural discovery and personal reflection.

In May 2025, I finally made the journey myself with a group of 15 people. I wanted to experience the route personally—not only as a traveler, but also to understand what our guests experience during this pilgrimage.

What follows is my personal experience of the journey, including the beautiful moments, difficult sections, unexpected situations and practical observations that I believe may be useful to future travelers.

Check out our Mount Kailash Manasarovar Tour package.

Day 01: Kathmandu → Gyirong

We started from Kathmandu at 5:00 AM with a group of 15 people. We traveled by jeep toward the Kerung/Gyirong border, passing through Betrawati, Trishuli, Syabrubesi and Timure.

The drive took approximately six hours, including a lunch stop. The road scenery changed constantly as we moved from the lower hills toward the Himalayan border.

After completing Nepal immigration, we crossed toward the Friendship Bridge and waited for Chinese immigration clearance. We had to wait for almost two hours because our Chinese guide had not yet arrived to receive our group.

Eventually, our guide arrived and we completed the immigration formalities. From the border, we continued by a larger bus toward Gyirong, Tibet.

We checked into our hotel and shared twin rooms. Our Nepali kitchen team prepared a delicious vegetarian dinner for us, which was very welcome after a long day of travel.

Overnight: Gyirong
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

 

 

Day 02: Rest & Acclimatization at Gyirong – 2,850 m

The second day was intentionally kept easy for acclimatization.

After breakfast, we explored Gyirong. At around 10:00 AM, our Chinese guide took us for approximately a two-hour walk around the town.

I found Gyirong beautiful, clean, green and well organized, surrounded by dramatic Himalayan mountains. We also saw traditional monasteries and Buddhist gompas.

Gyirong City 

Fortunately, the weather was excellent—clear skies and beautiful mountain views. It was a very pleasant introduction to Tibet and a good opportunity to allow our bodies to adjust to the increasing altitude.

Our Nepali kitchen team prepared lunch and dinner at the hotel.

Day 03: Gyirong → Saga – 4,450–4,550 m.

Beautiful Scenic Route to Saga 

We started after breakfast at around 8:00 AM Chinese time, which is two hours ahead of Nepal time.

This was one of the most scenic driving days of the entire journey. Honestly, there were moments when I did not want to close my eyes because the landscape was changing constantly. The journey was approximately 230 km and took around seven hours.

The first part of the road was surprisingly green, with forests and dramatic mountain scenery. Along the way, we stopped near a large waterfall to take photographs and enjoy the surroundings.

Later, we stopped for lunch near the area where we could hike toward Milarepa Cave.

Milarepa Cave.

Starting Point.                                                             Half Route                                                          On the Top 

The hike to Milarepa Cave was one of the unexpected highlights of the day. I walked for almost two hours uphill and approximately one hour back down.

The cave is associated with the great Tibetan Buddhist yogi Milarepa. The trail climbs through the hillside toward the monastery and sacred cave. Inside, we saw a statue of Milarepa and sacred features associated with his meditation.

I also saw Buddhist practitioners meditating deeply inside the area.

At approximately 4,000 metres, the hike itself was a useful high-altitude experience before continuing deeper into Tibet. The views from the hillside were beautiful, and I found the entire visit both spiritual and physically interesting.

After returning from the hike, our hot lunch was ready.

Pitru Tarpan at the Brahmaputra River

Later in the journey, we stopped beside the Yarlung Tsangpo River, known downstream as the Brahmaputra River.

This was a particularly emotional moment for me.

My father had passed away the previous year, and I had brought special items with me to perform Pitru Tarpan (पितृतर्पण)—the traditional offering of sacred water in remembrance of departed parents and ancestors.

I went down to the river and offered water while remembering my father and praying for his peace and eternal rest.

It was a quiet and emotional moment during an otherwise spect

acular journey.

After approximately 45 minutes of driving from the river area, we reached Saga.

                       

The road was generally smooth, but we encountered regular checkpoints. At these checkpoints, our Tibetan guide had to present our permits and documents for inspection.

Our accommodation in Saga was comfortable, with heating mattresses and oxygen available if required.

Day 04: Saga → Paryang → Lake Manasarovar – 4,600 m

 

 

We started very early, around 7:00 AM. Our Nepali kitchen team had already prepared packed lunches for the journey.

This was one of the longest and most fascinating driving days of the trip.

The landscape gradually changed into a vast, dry Tibetan plateau, with huge open plains, mountains and beautiful lakes appearing along the route. At times, the landscape seemed endless.

We passed through Paryang and continued toward Mayum La Pass, approximately 5,211 m / 17,096 ft.

We stopped briefly at the pass to take photographs. From this high point, the road eventually descended toward the Manasarovar basin.

Then came one of the most unforgettable moments of the journey.

For the first time, we saw the holy Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.

We were fortunate to have clear weather, and we stopped for approximately half an hour to photograph and appreciate the incredible landscape.

After around 8½ hours of driving, we finally reached Lake Manasarovar at approximately 4,600 m.

Our accommodation was very close to the lake, and we could see the lake from the hotel.

Chiu Gompa and Rakshas Taal

After arriving at the hotel, my colleague and I left our backpacks in our room and walked toward Chiu Gompa, located on a hill overlooking Lake Manasarovar.

The hike took around 30 minutes.

From the monastery, we had an incredible panoramic view of Lake Manasarovar and could also see Rakshas Taal in the distance.

Rakshas Taal, also known as Rakshastal, lies immediately beside Manasarovar and has a completely different appearance. The deep blue water, barren surroundings and dramatic mountains created a mysterious atmosphere.

It was a beautiful afternoon, although I had a mild headache, probably due to the altitude.

A Sacred Ritual at Lake Manasarovar – Pitru Tarpan for My Father.

The following morning was one of the most meaningful parts of my entire journey.

Our guide informed us that direct bathing in Lake Manasarovar was prohibited under the local rules at that time. Pilgrims were instead advised to collect water from the lake in a bucket and perform their ritual bath away from the lake.

I had brought special Puja (पूजा) items from home specifically for my father, who had passed away the previous year.

I  went lake and picked  sacred water from Lake Manasarovar in a mug and performed my ritual bath. Afterward, I performed Pitru Tarpan (पितृ तर्पण), offering sacred water in remembrance of my father and praying for his peace and liberation.

I also performed my Puja and offered prayers to Lord Shiva and holy Mount Kailash.

Standing beside the sacred lake, surrounded by the immense Himalayan landscape, was an extremely emotional experience.

For me, this was not simply a religious ceremony. It was a personal offering of love, respect and remembrance to my father at one of the holiest places I have ever visited.

I returned to the hotel with a deep feeling of peace and spiritual fulfillment.

Day 05: Lake Manasarovar → Darchen – 4,564 m

After lunch, we drove approximately 40 km to Darchen.

Darchen is the main gateway for the Mount Kailash Kora (Parikrama).

This was the place where our group prepared for the most challenging and spiritually significant part of the journey—the three-day Kailash Kora.

Day 06: Darchen → Yamadwaar → Dirapuk – Chek my   Garmin GPS captured

 After breakfast, we drove approximately 7 km from Darchen to Yamadwaar, the traditional starting point of the Kailash Kora.

I left most of my belongings on the bus and carried only what I needed: water, a camel bag, extra clothing, a fleece, windproof jacket and a few essentials. My backpack weighed approximately 8 kg.

At Yamadwaar, the actual pilgrimage began.

The trail follows the La Chu Valley, gradually ascending toward Dirapuk. The walking was steady rather than technical, but the altitude required us to move slowly.

The weather was excellent, with clear skies and magnificent views of Mount Kailash.

Most of the day we could see the North Face of Mount Kailash, and as we approached Dirapuk the mountain became increasingly impressive.

My Garmin recorded the trek at approximately 20 km, with around 6½ hours of actual walking.

Dirapuk – The North Face of Kailash

Dirapuk was one of the highlights of the entire journey.

The view of the North Face of Mount Kailash from here is simply extraordinary.

I could see Dirapuk Monastery below and the enormous Kailash massif directly ahead.

I also attempted to hike toward the Charan Sparsha area. This route is not normally permitted and conditions can be dangerous because of loose rocks, glaciers and streams. I climbed to approximately 6,100 m before turning back.

The actual Charan Sparsha point was closed at the time due to avalanche conditions.

This was one of the most physically demanding experiences of my life, and I strongly recommend that travelers follow current local restrictions rather than attempting restricted routes.

That night, because of the large number of pilgrims, our accommodation was extremely crowded. We had to share a dormitory with around 15 people.

It was basic, but manageable.

Day 07: Dirapuk → Dolma La → Gauri Kund → Zutulpuk. Check my Garmin GPS capture 

 

The hardest day of the Kailash Kora

This was undoubtedly the hardest day of my Kailash journey.

We woke at around 3:00 AM, packed our belongings, refilled our water, had a light breakfast and prepared packed lunch.

I also carried a strong headlamp with extra batteries because we started walking in darkness.

My Garmin recorded the highest point at approximately 5,641 m at Dolma La Pass.

The trail became progressively harder as we approached the pass. There were rocky sections, narrow paths, ice, water and slippery sections. Horses and ponies were also carrying pilgrims along parts of the route.

The final climb to Dolma La was particularly steep and demanding.

I stopped for approximately 20 minutes at the top. The pass was covered with prayer flags, creating a powerful spiritual atmosphere.

Gauri Kund

       

Immediately after crossing Dolma La, the trail descends steeply and Gauri Kund becomes visible below.

The sacred lake lies just after the pass on the descent. Some pilgrims and guides go down toward the lake and collect or offer its sacred water.

From this point, the trail continues gradually downward toward Zutulpuk.

The landscape changes dramatically. One side is dominated by barren mountains and desert-like terrain, while the other side gradually becomes greener as we approach the Zutulpuk valley.

After approximately 19.5 km, I finally reached Zutulpuk.

Zutulpuk Monastery

Zutulpuk is traditionally associated with the “Cave of Miracles” and the great Tibetan yogi Milarepa.

The monastery and sacred cave are an important spiritual part of the Kailash Kora.

Unfortunately, because of the huge number of pilgrims, all rooms were already occupied. Our guide arranged a tent inside the hotel yard.

It was noisy, but after such a difficult day, I was simply happy to have somewhere to rest.

My total elapsed time from Dirapuk to Zutulpuk was approximately 9 hours 50 minutes, while my actual walking time recorded by Garmin was about 4 hours 48 minutes, reflecting the long rest and stopping periods.

Day 08: Complete the Kailash Kora → Darchen → Saga. Check my Garmin GPS capture 

This was the day we completed our Mount Kailash Parikrama.

After breakfast, we began walking from Zutulpuk toward the vehicle pickup point.

My Garmin recorded approximately 6.84 km of walking before reaching the point where our bus picked us up.

From there, we drove approximately 5 km to Darchen, taking around 15 minutes. Check this on GPS 

The final walking section was relatively easy, with wide roads and peaceful scenery. Looking back after two difficult days of trekking, it felt wonderful to realize that we had successfully completed the Kora.

At Darchen, we met members of our group who had not completed the full Kora. They had traveled to Yamadwaar and returned to Darchen by vehicle.

After some tea and snacks, we continued by bus toward Saga.

The journey was approximately 450 km and took around seven hours. It was a long but beautiful drive through the Tibetan landscape.

Day 09: Saga → Gyirong

After breakfast, we began our return journey from Saga toward Gyirong.

The landscape gradually changed as we descended from the high Tibetan Plateau toward the Himalayan valleys.

The drive was approximately 220–230 km and took around six to seven hours.

After the high-altitude days around Kailash, descending toward Gyirong felt noticeably more comfortable.

We had lunch along the way and reached Gyirong in the afternoon.

Day 10: Gyirong → Kathmandu

After breakfast, we drove toward the China–Nepal border.

We completed the Chinese exit formalities, which took approximately one hour, crossed the border and then completed the Nepal immigration procedures.

After collecting our vehicle, we continued toward Kathmandu, stopping for lunch on the way.

We finally reached Kathmandu at around 4:00 PM.

The Kailash journey was over.

My Honest Experience of the Mount Kailash Journey

Overall, my Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar journey was an unforgettable experience.

The scenery was extraordinary. The Tibetan Plateau, the huge lakes, Mount Kailash, the monasteries and the changing landscapes made almost every day visually memorable.

But the Kailash Kora was something completely different.

It was physically demanding, particularly the climb to Dolma La. The altitude, cold, early morning start, rocky trails and long walking hours tested me physically.

At the same time, the spiritual side of the journey made the difficulty meaningful.

For me personally, performing Pitru Tarpan for my late father at the sacred Manasarovar region made this journey much more than a trekking trip. It became a deeply personal pilgrimage.

The main difficulties I experienced

The biggest practical challenges were:

• High altitude, particularly above 4,500–5,000 m.
• Basic accommodation at Dirapuk and Zutulpuk.
• Large numbers of pilgrims during the Sagadawa Festival.
• Crowded dormitories and limited accommodation.
• Long driving days across the Tibetan Plateau.
• Regular permit and document checks.
• Limited control over some arrangements made by the Tibetan side.
• Very demanding terrain around Dolma La.
• Cold nights and interrupted sleep at high altitude.

One particular lesson I learned is that accommodation at Dirapuk and Zutulpuk needs to be arranged very carefully, especially during major Tibetan religious festivals. Our experience was made more difficult because the lodges were heavily overcrowded.

What I enjoyed most

Despite those difficulties, I enjoyed:

• The spectacular North Face of Mount Kailash from Dirapuk.
• The vast Tibetan Plateau.
• Lake Manasarovar and Rakshas Taal.
• Visiting Milarepa Cave.
• Chiu Gompa and the views over Manasarovar.
• The peaceful Tibetan monasteries.
• The support and food prepared by our Nepali kitchen team.
• Completing the entire Kailash Kora on foot.
• And, most importantly, the spiritual experience of remembering my father.

My Final Thoughts

I have worked in Himalayan tourism for many years and have experienced many trekking routes, but Mount Kailash was different.

It was not simply about reaching a destination.

It was about the journey—the long drives, the altitude, the uncertainty, the monasteries, the enormous Tibetan landscape, the physical challenge of the Kora, the prayers, and the people traveling for their own personal reasons.

There were moments when I was tired, uncomfortable and wondering how much further I had to walk. There were also moments when I simply stopped, looked at Mount Kailash and thought about how fortunate I was to be standing there.

Completing the Kailash Kora was not just an achievement for me. It was a deeply personal and spiritual journey that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

And perhaps the most meaningful memory of all will always be standing beside the sacred waters of Manasarovar and offering Pitru Tarpan for my father.

Om Namah Shivaya. 🙏