How many days is the Lhasa to Kailash Yatra?

This itinerary runs 10 days total, from arrival in Lhasa to your return flight from Purang or Ali back to Lhasa.

How is this different from the standard Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

Himalayan Glacier's flagship Luxury Kailash Mansarovar Yatra starts in Kathmandu and drives overland through the Kerung border and Saga, taking 13-14 days. Whereas this route starts in Lhasa and flies directly to Ali, cutting the trip to 10 days.

Do you fly to Ali or Purang?

Ali (Ngari Gunsa Airport) is the primary route used on this itinerary. Purang is used as a seasonal or alternate airport on some departures, depending on flight schedules.

What is the maximum altitude on this trip?

The highest point is Dolma La Pass at 5,650m/18,538ft, reached during the Kailash Kora. Much of the route sits above 4,500m/14,763ft, so proper acclimatization matters.

How difficult is this Kailash Yatra?

It's rated challenging, primarily because of high altitude rather than technical terrain. No mountaineering skill is required, but a good baseline of fitness and two months of cardio preparation are recommended.

Can I skip Zutulpuk and take a vehicle back to Darchen?

Yes. On Day 7, after crossing Dolma La Pass, you have the option to take vehicle assistance from the pick-up point directly back to Darchen instead of continuing on foot to Zutulpuk, subject to road and weather conditions.

Is a holy dip in Lake Manasarovar included?

No. This itinerary includes Havan and Puja rituals at the lake, but does not include bathing in Lake Manasarovar.

What optional activities are available during the trip?

Optional activities include a side walk from Dirapuk to Charan Sparsh at no additional cost, subject to government permission and access regulations. Day 8 excursions to Nandi Parvat, Ashtapad, Tirthapuri, or Gayndrak Gompa are available at an additional cost, subject to government regulations, permit approval, and site accessibility.

What is included in the package?

Lhasa airport transfers, hotels in Lhasa and Darchen, the Lhasa-Ali flight, ground transport, guest houses during the Kora, an English-speaking Tibetan guide, Tibet Travel Permit and Ngari-region permits, and meals as specified in the itinerary are included.

Do I need a visa and permit for this trip?

Yes. You'll need your own Chinese tourist visa arranged before arriving in Lhasa. Himalayan Glacier arranges the Tibet Travel Permit and the additional permits required to travel into Ngari Prefecture.

What is the best time for this Yatra?

May through September is the operating season, with May-June and September generally offering the clearest views of Mount Kailash and the most stable conditions.

Where do I stay during the trip?

You'll stay at the Shangri-La Hotel or similar in Lhasa, the Hot Spring Hotel or similar at Lake Manasarovar, the Ouguantianoihengyang Hotel or similar in Darchen, and guest houses during the two nights on the Kora.

Can I extend my stay in Lhasa after the trip?

Yes. On Day 10, instead of flying straight home, you can extend your stay in Lhasa for a few extra nights; let your guide know in advance so this can be arranged.

Is this route suitable for beginners?

First-time high-altitude travelers can join, provided they arrive reasonably fit and follow the acclimatization schedule built into the Lhasa days. Travelers with a history of heart, lung, or blood pressure conditions should get medical clearance before booking.

Luxury Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Lhasa with Ali-Purang Flights

Luxury Kailash Mansarovar Tour from Lhasa with Ali–Purang Flights Overview

The Luxury Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa with Flight to Ali is built for travelers who want to reach Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar without the long overland drive that most Kailash itineraries require. You’ll begin in Lhasa, giving yourself two full days to acclimatize and take in Tibet’s spiritual heart, the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and the monk debates at Sera Monastery, before flying directly to Ali in far western Tibet. From there, you’re on the ground in Ngari Prefecture within hours instead of days.

Once you reach the sacred shores of Lake Manasarovar, you’ll settle into the ritual rhythm of the Yatra: Havan and Puja by the lake, a drive to Darchen, and three days completing the Kailash Kora, the clockwise circuit around Mount Kailash that pilgrims have walked for centuries. You’ll stand before the mountain’s golden north face at Dirapuk, cross Dolma La Pass at 5,650m/18,536ft, and pass Gauri Kund on your way back down. This route suits you well if you’ve already got time built into a Tibet trip, are joining a larger group partway through, or simply want the shortest possible path to a profoundly demanding and rewarding pilgrimage.

Highlights of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa

Fly, don’t drive, to Ngari: A direct flight from Lhasa to Ali replaces several days of overland driving through Shigatse and Saga.

The Golden North Face of Kailash: Reach Dirapuk for one of the most celebrated views of Mount Kailash, especially striking in morning light.

Complete the sacred Kailash Kora: Circumambulate Mount Kailash over three days, crossing Dolma La Pass at 5,650m/18,538ft.

Havan and Puja at Lake Manasarovar: Take part in spiritual rituals on the shores of one of the world’s highest freshwater lakes.

Two full days in Lhasa: Explore the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Drepung Monastery, and Sera Monastery’s monk debate courtyard.

Optional Charan Sparsh: A short side walk from Dirapuk toward the highest permitted point for a closer view of Kailash’s north face.

Flexible finish: Fly out via Purang or Ali, connect onward, or extend your stay in Lhasa for a few extra nights.

Day 01

Arrival in Lhasa

You can reach Lhasa on a non-stop flight from Kathmandu, or connect through a major Chinese city such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Chengdu. Your Tibetan guide meets you at the airport for the roughly one-hour transfer into the city, and the rest of the day is left free for rest.

After the flight into Tibet’s high plateau, you’ll want to take this first day slowly. Lhasa sits at 3,650m/11,976ft, so your body needs time to start adjusting before the more demanding days ahead, and an early night will serve you well.

Maximum Altitude

3,650m/11,976ft

Accommodation

Hotel (Shangri-La) or similar

Day 02

Lhasa Sightseeing – Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple

Our tour of Lhasa begins with a guided visit to the majestic Potala Palace, an architectural masterpiece rising 13 stories above the city and once the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon, we visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism, regarded by pilgrims as the most sacred temple in Tibet. The day concludes with a walk along Barkhor Street, where pilgrims circle the temple while spinning prayer wheels and chanting mantras.

Maximum Altitude

3,650m/11,976ft

Accommodation

Hotel (Shangri-La) or similar

Meals

Breakfast

Day 03

Lhasa Sightseeing – Drepung & Sera Monasteries

Today, after breakfast we explore Lhasa with visits to two of its most influential monasteries. We begin at Drepung Monastery, once the world’s largest monastic university and the former residence of the Dalai Lamas before the Potala Palace. In the afternoon, we explore Sera Monastery, famous for its debating courtyard where monks engage in animated philosophical arguments, a dynamic form of learning and spiritual exchange unique to Tibetan Buddhism.

Maximum Altitude

3,650m/11,976ft

Accommodation

Hotel (Shangri-La) or similar

Meals

Breakfast

Day 04

Flight to Ali from Lhasa → Lake Manasarovar

Kailash Yatries praying infront of Mansarovar Lake

This is the day this itinerary is built around: instead of two or three days of overland driving, a roughly two-hour flight takes you from Lhasa to Ali in Ngari Prefecture, western Tibet (Purang is used as a seasonal or alternate airport on some departures). From there, it’s a four-to-five-hour drive of about 200km to Lake Manasarovar.

The drive out to Manasarovar is where the pilgrimage starts to feel real. You’ll pass Mount Gurla Mandhata’s snow-covered flanks and the dark waters of Rakshastal, the “demon lake” that sits in stark contrast to Manasarovar’s calm. By evening, you’re at the lake itself, 4,556m/14,948ft, and the quiet of that first sunset over the water is worth sitting with.

Altitude Gain: +906m / +2,972ft from Lhasa

Flight:
2 hrs
Travel Distance:
200 km (124 mi)
Driving:
4-5 hrs

Maximum Altitude

4,556m/14,948ft

Accommodation

Hotel (Mansarovar Hot Spring) or similar

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 05

Manasarovar Puja/Havan → Darchen

Your morning starts with Havan and Puja rituals on the shore of Lake Manasarovar, a core spiritual observance of the Yatra. Afterward, you’ll drive roughly an hour to Darchen (4,700m/15,421ft), the staging town for the Kailash Kora, where your guide runs an evening briefing and packing check ahead of the trek days.

There’s a shift in energy once the rituals are behind you and Darchen comes into view; this is the last stretch of comfort before three demanding trekking days, so use the evening briefing to ask questions and settle any last gear concerns.

Altitude Gain +144m / +473ft

Travel Distance:
52 km (32 mi)
Driving:
4 hrs

Maximum Altitude

4,700m/15,421ft

Accommodation

Hotel (Ouguantianoihengyang) or similar

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 06

Kailash Kora Day 1 — Darchen → Yamdwar → Dirapuk

A short drive takes you from Darchen to Yamdwar, where the trek itself begins. From there, you walk roughly 12km through the sacred western valley to Dirapuk Monastery (5,100m/16,733ft), gaining about 400m along the way, with Mount Kailash’s North Face in view for much of the route. Optional, no additional cost: a short side walk toward Charan Sparsh, conditions permitting.

Why an overnight at Dirapuk matters:

Charan Sparsh access: Staying overnight at Dirapuk offers the opportunity to visit Charan Sparsh, subject to government permission and access regulations. If permitted, you can walk closer to the north face of Mount Kailash for a more intimate view of this sacred mountain.
The Golden North Face: Dirapuk offers one of the most sacred views of Kailash’s North Face, especially striking in early morning light.
Rest and acclimatization: After the first day’s walk from Yamdwar, the overnight stay gives your body real time to adjust before the harder day ahead.

Altitude Gain: +400m / +1,312ft

Hiking:
5-6 hrs
Travel Distance:
12 km (7 mi)
Driving:
15 min

Maximum Altitude

5,100m/16,733ft

Accommodation

Guest House

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 07

Kailash Kora Day 2 — Dirapuk → Dolma La Pass → Zutulpuk or Return to Darchen

Kailash Yatries taking picture at Dolma la Pass

This is the most demanding day of the Kora: an early start and a steep 550m/1,804ft ascent from Dirapuk to Dolma La Pass at 5,650m/18,538ft, the highest point of the entire Yatra. From the pass, you descend past sacred Gauri Kund (5,608m/18,398ft) and continue down roughly 950m/3,116ft to the next valley and tea shop area. Optional, additional cost or vehicle-dependent: if you’d prefer to skip the final stretch to Zutulpuk, vehicle assistance can take you directly back to Darchen from the vehicle pick-up point instead, subject to road and weather conditions. Travelers who continue on foot spend the night at Zutulpuk.

Nothing about this day is easy, and that’s largely the point. The thin air at Dolma La makes every step deliberate, but reaching the pass, hung with thousands of wind-worn prayer flags, is the emotional peak of the pilgrimage for most Yatris. Take the descent past Gauri Kund slowly; your legs will be tired and the footing loose in places.

Distance note: the full Kailash Kora is often cited as approximately 52km/32 miles, Darchen to Darchen. With today’s optional vehicle-assisted segment, your total walking distance is managed for comfort and safety rather than covering the full distance on foot.

Altitude Gain: +550m / +1,804ft to Dolma La; then -950m / -3,117ft descent

Hiking:
10-12 hrs
Travel Distance:
22 km (14 mi)

Maximum Altitude

5,650m/18,538ft

Accommodation

Guest House (Zunzhui Lodge) or similar

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8

Zutulpuk → Darchen

The final day of the Kora is a short, relatively easy 8km walk from Zutulpuk to the end of the circuit, followed by a continuation to Darchen (4,700m/15,421ft). This marks the completion of your circumambulation of Mount Kailash.

There’s a real sense of accomplishment on this last stretch, even though it’s the gentlest walking day of the Kora. Once you’re back in Darchen, the rest of the day is yours to rest and celebrate. Optional, additional cost: Subject to government regulations, permits, and site accessibility, you may have the option to visit the base of Nandi Parvat, Ashtapad, and Gayndrak Gompa, or travel to Tirthapuri, a sacred site associated with Guru Rinpoche. The availability of these excursions depends on the permissions granted by the relevant authorities. Alternatively, you can relax at the hotel and recover after completing the Kailash Kora.

Hiking:
3-4 hrs
Travel Distance:
8 km (5 mi)

Maximum Altitude

4,700m/15,421ft

Accommodation

Hotel (Ouguantianoihengyang) or similar

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9

Darchen → Purang or Ali for Flight to Lhasa

After breakfast, bid farewell to Mount Kailash and begin the scenic drive from Darchen to Purang (Taklakot), passing through the vast landscapes of western Tibet one final time. Upon arrival in Purang, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. Once in Lhasa, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, reflecting on your spiritual journey or enjoying a relaxed evening in Tibet’s capital.

Flight:
2 hr 20 min
Driving:
1-2 hrs

Maximum Altitude

3,650m/11,976ft

Accommodation

Hotel (Shangri-La) or similar

Meals

Breakfast

Day 10

Departure from Lhasa

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport for your onward flight. If you would like to spend more time exploring Lhasa, Himalayan Glacier can arrange additional nights in Lhasa, guided sightseeing tours, hotel accommodations, and flight arrangements to suit your travel plans in an additional cost.

Otherwise, your Luxury Kailash Mansarovar Yatra concludes with unforgettable memories of Mount Kailash, the sacred waters of Lake Mansarovar, and the rich cultural heritage of Tibet. We wish you a safe journey and look forward to welcoming you again on another Himalayan adventure.

Meals

Breakfast

Location	Accommodation	Nights
Lhasa	Shangri-La Hotel or similar, twin-share	4
Lake Manasarovar	Spring Hotel (Deluxe Room) or similar	1
Darchen	Ouguantianoihengyang Hotel or similar	2
Dirapuk (Kora)	Guest House, shared room	1
Zutulpuk (Kora, if walked)	Guest House, shared room	1 (if not returning to Darchen by vehicle)

Location

Accommodation

Nights

Lhasa

Shangri-La Hotel or similar, twin-share

Lake Manasarovar

Spring Hotel (Deluxe Room) or similar

Darchen

Ouguantianoihengyang Hotel or similar

Dirapuk (Kora)

Guest House, shared room

Zutulpuk (Kora, if walked)

Guest House, shared room

1 (if not returning to Darchen by vehicle)

Season	Conditions
May–June	Cool mornings, mild days, clear mountain views; peak season, book early
July–August	Warmer, with periodic monsoon cloud that can obscure Kailash views on some days
September	Cool, dry, generally clear skies; one of the best windows for visibility
October–April	Route largely closed to tourism due to snow and extreme cold at altitude

Season

Conditions

May–June

Cool mornings, mild days, clear mountain views; peak season, book early

July–August

Warmer, with periodic monsoon cloud that can obscure Kailash views on some days

September

Cool, dry, generally clear skies; one of the best windows for visibility

October–April

Route largely closed to tourism due to snow and extreme cold at altitude

Kailash Yatra Video Tour

Why Choose Himalayan Glacier for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Himalayan Glacier has operated Himalayan journeys since 1992 from its Kathmandu base, with a dedicated US office in Baltimore, Maryland handling international support and bookings. On the ground, that translates into a few things that matter on a high-altitude pilgrimage like this one:

Local operational control: No outsourcing or middlemen, since the Kathmandu team manages hotels, permits and staff directly

Experienced Yatra leadership: English-speaking Nepali tour leaders and Tibetan guides who have run this route repeatedly and know the border, weather and altitude patterns

Private kitchen and catering: A dedicated in-house kitchen crew travels with the group, which matters for both hygiene and dietary consistency at altitude

Oxygen support built in: Oxygen cylinders in vehicles and emergency oxygen during the Kora, not an optional add-on

Route flexibility: Helicopter or overland border crossing, and multiple joining points via Lhasa for travelers with limited time off

US-based support: A Baltimore office that helps international travelers plan, pay in installments, and get questions answered in their own time zone

33 Years of Guiding in the Himalayas

Luxury Kailash Mansarovar Tour from Lhasa with Ali-Purang Flights - 10 days

Overview

Luxury Kailash Mansarovar Tour from Lhasa with Ali–Purang Flights Overview

Highlights of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa

Skip the Overland Drive to Kailash

What Does Luxury Really Mean on the Kailash Yatra?

Altitude Chart of Luxury Kailash Mansarovar Tour from Lhasa with Ali-Purang Flights

Trip Itinerary

Maximum Altitude

Accommodation

Maximum Altitude

Accommodation

Meals

Maximum Altitude

Accommodation

Meals

Flight:

Travel Distance:

Driving:

Maximum Altitude

Accommodation

Meals

Travel Distance:

Driving:

Maximum Altitude

Accommodation

Meals

Why an overnight at Dirapuk matters:

Hiking:

Travel Distance:

Driving:

Maximum Altitude

Accommodation

Meals

Hiking:

Travel Distance:

Maximum Altitude

Accommodation

Meals

Hiking:

Travel Distance:

Maximum Altitude

Accommodation

Meals

Flight:

Driving:

Maximum Altitude

Accommodation

Meals

Meals

Includes

Excluded

What Does "Luxury" Really Mean on the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra?

Accommodation on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Meals on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Best Time for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

How Difficult Is the Luxury Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

Fitness Requirements

Altitude and Acclimatization

Is This Trip Suitable for Beginners?

Permits and Visa Information

Packing List for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Clothing

Footwear

Electronics

Trekking Gear

Personal Items

Kailash Yatra Video Tour

Mount Kailash Yatra Tips

Why Choose Himalayan Glacier for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

DATES & PRICES

Dates

Availability

Price

May 2027

June 2027

July 2027

August 2027

September 2027