Mount Kailash Trek

Quick Details

  • Duration: 17 days
  • Location: Tibet
  • Activity: Trekking
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
  • Transportation: Flight, Private vehicle
  • Accomodation: Camping, Lodge
  • Best season: May through October
  • Altitude (max): 5680 m
  • Code: MKT-17

Climb Mount Kailash, the sacred mountain of Tibet

Mount Kailash is known as the sacred mountain of Tibet and the center of the spiritual universe to millions of Tibetans. The mountain is one of the world’s most elusive and exotic pilgrimage sites, and because of its remote location on the plateau, it’s only visited by a few thousand pilgrims per year.

At Responsible Adventures, we are experts in the area and are happy to provide a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage for individuals, groups, and families. We start the trip with a few days of touring the capital city of Lhasa and local towns of Gyantse and Shigatse, which is not only an experience in itself but also helps to acclimatize you for the journey ahead.

We then drive out to Mount Kailash, hopefully arriving at Darchen or Lake Manasarovar on a full moon day, which are the best days to visit Mount Kailash because of the auspicious nature of the full moon in many cultures.

As with all our treks, you are accompanied by an expert trek leader during your excursion, as well as trekking chefs who ensure you are fed the healthiest and best food throughout, and your trip is not only safe but also fun.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu

Day 02: Visa application

Day 03: Flight to Lhasa (1 hour) and a 45-minute drive to the city hotel

Day 04: Lhasa

Day 06: Gyantse – Kumbum

Day 07: Drive on to Shigatse, 90 km

Day 08: Drive to Saga, 310 km, 3.5 hours driving

Day 09: Manasarovar, 495 km, 6-7 hours driving

Day 10: Rest at Manasarovar

Day 11: Darchen, 35 km, 1 hour

Day 12 to 13: Kora

Day 14: Finish Kora, Saga, overnight at Hotel Saga with the luxury of a hot shower

Day 15: Drive to Zhangmu, cross the border, and continue to Kathmandu, 10-11 hours driving

Day 16: Spare day in case of delays on the trip

Day 17: International departure

Cost Includes:

  • Airport pick-up and drop- off (four in total for the entire trip)
  • Boutique three or four-star hotel in Kathmandu. Upgrade to a five-star hotel for an extra US$700 per room for four nights. This cost is shared between two persons.
  • Accommodation on twin sharing basis with breakfast at three-star hotels in Tibet on days 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 14 (total six nights). Upgrade to the deluxe hotel for an extra US$750 per room for five nights. This cost is shared between two persons.
  • Two-person tent during camping. You can book a bed in the guest house — one bed for six nights, US$100. Note: The standard of the guest houses varies from being very rustic to some of the newer guesthouses with double glazed windows.
  • Expert tour leader or hire Raj
  • Trekking chef and helper according to group size
  • Freshly cooked breakfast and dinner with packed lunches for the day
  • Kitchen, dining, and toilet tents
  • Van or bus according to group size
  • English-speaking Tibetan guide
  • Monastery entrance fees
  • Portable altitude chamber
  • Kailash permit and normal Tibet permit with entrance fees for sightseeing of monuments as indicated

Cost Excludes:

  • Airfare to Kathmandu – Lhasa (book early for cheaper airfare)
  • Nepal visa – 30-day multiple-entry US$50
  • Tibet visa for all nationals except U.S nationals: US$85
  • Tibet visa for U.S nationals US$175
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, Lhasa, Gyantse, and Shigatse
  • All optional additional tours or activities during free time
  • Transfers outside of the tour program
  • Travel insurance (buy insurance)
  • Tips (suggested amount US$75 per week for staff only; leader’s tips at your discretion)

Trek FAQ

Am I too young or old?
Most of our clients, from 3 years old to some in their 70s, have done and completed their treks with almost no exercise or training.

Do you offer hotel/airport pick-up?
We offer hotel and airport pick-up. As you continue with your booking, there will be an option to input flight details or hotel name.

Do I need a visa?
Four documents are required if you want to travel in Tibet freely.

  • Chinese Visa: It can be applied for at the Chinese Embassy in your country.
  • The Tibet Entry Permit is issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) and is compulsory for all foreign tourists entering Tibet.
  • The Alien Travel Permit is issued by the PSB and is required when you are planning to travel to the remote areas of Tibet. Your local travel company will obtain it after you arrive in Tibet.
  • Traveling to Tibet from Nepal: If you are entering Tibet from Kathmandu, Nepal, you are required to obtain a Chinese visa at the consular department of the People’s Republic of China in Kathmandu. It is done by an outsourced agency, and your Nepal travel company will handle this for you. The visa processing for Tibet is only open in Kathmandu between 10 am to 1 pm from Monday to Friday. Please note that this visa application is compulsory, even if you already have a Chinese visa from your country. The border treaty signed between Nepal and China has regulated this.

What should I bring on a Trek?
Being correctly equipped is one of the keys to a successful trek. For information to help you select the best type of clothing and equipment for your trip. Please see our Clothing and Equipment Guide.

Also, see our Links page for details of specialist retailers who will be able to offer further advice and assistance with purchasing new clothing or equipment.

If you have more questions, please check the FAQ section or contact us

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