# Option 1: Kathmandu – Mount Kailash – Saga Dawa Festival - Kathmandu Overland Tour – 10 Days (Guaranteed Departure)
Detail Itinerary
Day 1; 18th May 2024: Kathmandu – Rasuwagadhi Border Cross– Kyirong Drive (2800m/210km/8hrs)
Today the journey starts for Kailash starting in the morning after breakfast in the hotel, as we need get immigration formalities on time at the border and also we have a bit rough and tough way to get border on the hillside driving in Nepal side. Once we reached at the border our representative will help to pass through immigration both Nepal and China side. Then further further 60km drive to Kyirong will be commenced.
Accommodation: Hotel (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 2; 19th May 2024: In Kyirong - Rest Day for Acclimatization
Today we have one full day at Kyirong valley, We will visit Milarepa cave near by the town and we will stay one more day here for acclimatization to adjust your body to the elevation for comfortable journey toward Kailash.
Accommodation: Hotel (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3; 20th May 2024: Kyirong to Paryang Drive (4400m/340km/7hrs)
Today we will drive to Paryang crossing Saga town, We have an option whether we stay at Saga which is 110km from Kyirong or we drive further for 340km to Paryang. It is the best option to drive to Paryang as we could be on time next day at Manasarover around mid day.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guest-house (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4; 21st May 2024: Paryang to Manasarover Drive (4600m/210km/6hrs)
Today we will drive to Mansarover crossing Mayumla pass. And today we have enough time to have Haven and Holy deep at the Lake etc.
Accommodation: Guest-house (4 Beds Dormitory)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5; 22nd May 2024: Manasarover Circumambulation by Jeep 3 hrs / Drive to Darchen (4700m/90km/1hr)
Morning we will visit Chiu monastery overlooking Mansarover. It is good place to have full view of entire Mansarover Lake too. Day time you be taken for Mansarover parikrama which is 90km. The road is not paved but it is comfortable on the plateau. The Mansarover parikrama gives you a different kind of Kailash faces views. And evening we will drive to Darchen food of Kailash for the night stay.
Accommodation: 4* Hotel (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6; 23rd May 2024: Saga Dawa Festival Celebration with Locals at Tarboche
Today is auspicious day because It is the day of Buddha’s birth, parinirvana (death) and enlightened day. From early morning all local pilgrims will trek to Tarboche to to pray and erect the giant pole called “Tarboche” and also offer prayer flags and butter lamps to receive blessing of Buddha. After that local will celebrate having picnicking and singing local songs (Chenglu) etc. Evening we will back to our Hotel in Darchen.
Accommodation: 4* Hotel (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7; 24th May 2024: Kailash Circumambulation Starts: Drive to Tarboche (12km) then Trek to Diraphuk (4800m/12km/7hrs)
After breakfast today journey start from Darchen to start Kailash trek, We first drive around 12km to Tarboche, And then from Tarboche the walking on foot starts for 12 km toward Diraphuk. From Diraphuk the Kailash back face will be visible as a face to face.
Accommodation: Guest-house (4 Beds Dormitory)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8; 25th May 2024: Kailash Circumambulation: Trek over Dolma La Pass (5600m) to Dzutulphuk (4700m/23km/9hrs)
Early morning trek uphill Dolmala Pass. It takes about 4 to 5 hours. After reaching top of the pass 5600 m then trek down to the valley floor. It takes another 4 to 5 hours. After cross Dolmala when you move down you see Gauri Kunda. This day is the longest and toughest day of Parikarma. So be prepared in mind accordingly.
Accommodation: Guest-house (4 Beds Dormitory)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9; 26th May 2024: Kailash Circumambulation Ends: Trek Ends to Mani Wall, Drive to Saga (4400m/9hrs)
After 2.5 hrs trekking from Dzutulphuk, our vehicle will meet at Mani wall then we will drive to Darchen. After lunch, we will drive to Saga.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10; 27th May 2024: Saga – Kyirong – Rasuwagadi border cross – Kathmandu (1300m/9hrs)
Today all the way back to Kyirong the drive toward Kyirong border after that we will clear immigration and drive to Syabrubesi. Where we will have lunch and after Lunch we will drive toward Kathmandu and transfer to your own booking hotel in Kathmandu.
Accommodation: N/A
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Group Joining Trip Cost: USD 2495 Per Person
Single Supplement: USD 295 Per Person (For those who need single room throughout the trip)
Trip Cost Includes:
* Kathmandu – Rasuwagadi – Kathmandu land transport by Jeep in Nepal side.
* TIMS and Langtang national park permit.
* Kitchen crews and Nepalese guide.
* Border clearance fees and porterage charge.
* Local English Speaking Tibetan Guide.
* All hotel and guesthouse stays in Tibet.
* Full board food during in Tibet.
* All monasteries and local entrance fees.
* Yak and Yak man during Kailash trek.
* Oxygen, Gamow bag and first aid kit for altitude problem.
* All transportation by Van or Bus or Jeep as per group size in Tibet.
* Tibet Travel Permit and Tibet Visa Fees.
Trip Cost Excludes:
* Any meals and accommodation in Kathmandu.
* International Travel insurance.
* International air fare to and from Nepal.
* China Express Visa Fees and Nepal Tourist Visa fees.
* Items and expenses of personal nature.
* Any kind of alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, snacks, laundry, phone call, Internet.
* Personal Trekking Equipment.
* Emergency Evacuation (Helicopter Rescue).
* Any costs which arise due to a change of the itinerary, because of landslides, domestic flight delays, political disturbance, and strikes etc.
* Any other costs whatsoever, that is not mentioned in the cost included.
* Horse renting and additional porters due to natural calamities during the trip.
* Tips for guide, porters, driver...
# Option 2: Lhasa -EBC – Mount Kailash - Saga Dawa Festival - Kathmandu Overland Tour – 14 Days (Guaranteed Departure)
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1; 15th May 2024: Arrival in Lhasa (3600m) by Flight or Train / Transfer to Hotel
Whether you coming from mainland China or from Kathmandu, Nepal after your arrival at Lhasa, Our guide will be waiting to assist you at the airport or train station with necessary permit to check in to Tibet. You will be cleared immigration formalities and then drive to the hotel at Lhasa city. Lhasa city is 65km far from the Gongar Airport.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: N/A
Day 2; 16th May 2024: Lhasa Sightseeing Tour
Today another fully guided sightseeing of Potala Palace - The winter palace of Dalai Lama and Then Sera Monastery and Tibet Museum after that Evening walk around Barkhor Tibetan Market.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: Breakfast
Day 3; 17th May 2024: Lhasa Sightseeing Tour
It is a scenic drive via Yamdrok Lake and Karola (5100m) pass. The drive follows first Karola pass then being Karola glacier and then through the bank of Yamdrok Lake. You could explore local Tibetan village and yaks and also You could witness Tibetan mastiff dog along the way. Once you arrived Gyantse you will visit Kubum or Khumbum stupa and Pelchor Chod monastery after that it is a short drive toward Shigatse 90km ahead, time permitting you will have sightseeing of Tashi Lhungpo monastery or visit Next day morning.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: Breakfast
Day 4; 18th May 2024: Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse (3900m) Drive
It is a scenic drive via Yamdrok Lake and Karola (5100m) pass. The drive follows first Karola pass then being Karola glacier and then through the bank of Yamdrok Lake. You could explore local Tibetan village and yaks and also You could witness Tibetan mastiff dog along the way. Once you arrived Gyantse you will visit Kubum or Khumbum stupa and Pelchor Chod monastery after that it is a short drive toward Shigatse 90km ahead, time permitting you will have sightseeing of Tashi Lhungpo monastery or visit Next day morning.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: Breakfast
Day 5; 19th May 2024: Shigatse – Rongbuk (5050m) Drive / Explore EBC
Today You will have beautiful scenic drive to Rongbuk Monastery one of the oldest Buddhist monastery in the region crossing numerous passes along the way. Once reached Rongbuk check in Monastery guest-house and further hike to EBC for exploration of EBC region.
Accommodation: Monastery Guest House (4 Beds Dormitory)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6; 20th May 2024: Rongbuk – Saga (4200m) Drive
Today drive toward Saga, It is small local Tibetan town, from here your Kailsh region tour will begin. After Shigatse you will have magnificent drive along side of Mt Everest in the south, Exploring Everest north face view you will reach Pelko Lake one of the beautiful lake along the way.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7; 21st May 2024: Saga – Paryang – Manasarover (4600m) Drive
Today the road follows toward Mayumla pass (4900m) before reaching Manasarover Lake. You will be witnessed grazing Tibetan Yaks and Sheeps along the way. After arriving Manasarover Lake you will have short walk on the banks of Lake and Explore Mount Kailash South Face.
Accommodation: Local Guest House (4 Beds Dormitory)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8; 22nd May 2024: Visit Chiu Gompa / Manasarover Circumambulation / Drive to Darchen (4700m)
Morning we will visit Chiu monastery overlooking Mansarover. It is good place to have full view of entire Mansarover Lake too. Day time you be taken for Mansarover circumambulation which is 90km. The road is not paved but it is comfortable on the pleteau. The Mansarover circumambulation tour gives you a different kind of Kailash faces views. And evening we will drive to Darchen food of Kailash for the night stay.
Accommodation: 4* Hotel (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9; 23rd May 2024: Saga Dawa Festival Celebration with Local Tibetans at Tarboche and back to Darchen
Today is auspicious day because It is the day of Buddha’s birth, parinirvana (death) and enlightened day. From early morning all local pilgrims will trek to Tarboche to to pray and erect the giant pole called “Tarboche” and also offer prayer flags and butter lamps to receive blessing of Buddha. After that local will celebrate having picnicking and singing local songs (Chenglu) etc. Evening we will back to our Hotel in Darchen.
Accommodation: 4* Hotel (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10; 24th May 2024: Kailash Trek Day 01 – Diraphuk (4800m)
After breakfast today journey start from Darchen to start Kailash trek, We first drive around 12km to Tarboche, And then from Tarboche the walking on foot starts for 12 km toward Diraphuk. From Diraphuk the Kailash back face will be visible as a face to face.
Accommodation: Guest-house (4 Beds Dormitory)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11; 25th May 2024: Kailash Trek Day 02 – Trek over Dolma La (5600m) to Dzutulphuk (4800m)
Today is the toughest day for all Kailash pilgrims. Dolma la stands at 5600m altitude. You will be started your hiking toward pass quite early around 4 AM in the morning in order to get success the pass on time and also today you have quite long way with up and steep down trail. After Dolma La pass the way follows steep down toward Khando Shanglam valley and then you will move forward toward Dzutulphuk for the night.
Accommodation: Guest-house (4 Beds Dormitory)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12; 26th May 2024: Kailash Trek Day 03 Ends– Drive to Dzongba or Paryang (4300m)
After 2.5 hrs trekking from Dzutulphuk to Mani wall, You will be picked up from Mani wall by vehicle. After short rest and lunch at Darchen, We will drive following the same route toward New Dzongba or Paryang for the night halt.
Accommodation: Guest-house/Hotel (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13; 27th May 2024: Dzongba/Paryang – Kyirong (2800m) Drive
From Dzongba or Paryang the road follows same until Saga and Pelko lake. After that you the road will be separated toward border town Kyirong and it is 60km far to reach exact border location the Rasuwagadhi.
Accommodation: Hotel (Twin Bed Sharing)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14; 28th May 2024: Kyirong – Rasuwagadhi Border Cross – Kathmandu (1300m) Drive
Today a short drive toward Border immigration point, From here all Tibetan guide and driver will say you good bye after immigration formalities. You will be checked in Nepal side and have visa for Nepal all will assist by our border representative, after lunch you will have drive toward Kathmandu. The road toward Kathmandu some portion is bumpy but overall it is good countryside road. As the road follows from Langtang national park you could explore local typical Nepalese villages and people along the way. After reaching Kathmandu, we transfer to your own booking hotel in Kathmandu.
Accommodation: N/A
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
Group Joining Trip Cost: USD 2995 Per Person
Single Supplement: USD 395 Per Person (For those who need single room throughout the trip)
Trip Cost Includes:
* Airport/Train Station pick up by private car/van in Lhasa.
* Border clearance fees and porterage charge.
* Local English Speaking Tibetan Guide.
* All 3* hotel and local guest-house accommodation during the Tibet Tour.
* Full board food during Tibet Tour after Shigatse.
* All monasteries and local entrance fees.
* Yak and Yak man during the Mount Kailash trek.
* Oxygen, Gamow bag and first aid kit for altitude problem.
* All transportation by Jeep/Van/Bus as per group size in Tibet.
* Rasuwagadi to Kathmandu land transportation by Jeep.
* Tibet Travel Permit and Tibet Group Visa Fees.
Trip Cost Excludes:
* Any meals and accommodation in Kathmandu.
* International Travel insurance.
* International air fare to and from Nepal/China.
* China Tourist Visa Fees and Nepal Tourist Visa fees.
* Items and expenses of personal nature.
* Any kind of alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, snacks, laundry, phone call, Internet.
* Personal Trekking Equipment.
* Emergency Evacuation (Helicopter Rescue).
* Any costs which arise due to a change of the itinerary, because of landslides, domestic flight delays, political disturbance, and strikes etc.
* Any other costs whatsoever, that is not mentioned in the cost included.
* Horse renting and additional porters due to natural calamities during the trip.
* Tips for guide, porters, driver...
Your Arrival and Departure from Kathmandu, Nepal
The only entry/exit point by air in Nepal is the Tribhuvan International Airport. There are numerous international flights that will bring you to Nepal. Similarly, there are a number of land entry and exit points as well. Kakarvitta, Nepalgunj, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Dhangadi, and Mahendranagar are the land entry points at the Nepal-India border. Similarly, Kerung is the entry/exit point at the Nepal-Tibet border. The railway from Jayanagar in India to Raxaul in Nepal and bus routes also connect Nepal and India. There are no other ways to enter/exit Nepal as it is a landlocked country.
Accommodation in Kathmandu (before and after the Tibet Trip)
As Kathmandu is the capital of the country, there are a variety of hotels available. Most of the big and spacious hotels are situated here. Even small hotels are well equipped with water, electricity and internet facility along with some even providing transportation. From 1-star hotels to 5-star ones, travelers have a number of options to choose from. On your request, we can assist you to book the hotel accommodation in Kathmandu such as our 3* Hotel Swiss Family Home in Pharping where you can spend few nights for hiking around the hills for better acclimatization or 3* Hotel Marshyangdi or 3* Kumari Boutique Hotel or 4* legendary Kathmandu Guest House or 4* Dalai-La Boutique Hotel or 5* Hotel Hyatt Regency or 5* Hotel Yak and Yeti. You must make sure that your arrival in Kathmandu should be at least 5-7 days prior to our Tibet tour departure.
Yes, the hotels in Kathmandu offer you the facility of storing your luggage. Most of the tourists stay in the hotels for some days and then keep their extra luggage in the hotel they are staying in. The hotels generally keep the luggage for free or with a minimum charge but you need to stay in the same place after your return. If your hotel isn’t ready yet or you want to look around before searching for one then there are also separate luggage storage places available in Kathmandu. We at Swiss Family Treks and Expedition provides duffle bags to our customers for storing their luggage.
Tibet Group Visa - Documentation for entering Tibet from Nepal
Entering Tibet via Nepal by land or air: If you plan to enter Tibet from Nepal, you must get your Tibet group visa from the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu and it takes minimum of 4 working days. Whether you already have a Chinese visa or not, a Tibet group visa is compulsory for all tourists entering Tibet from Nepal. Tibet group visa is on paper not on passport, with the name, sex, nationality, passport number, date of birth and occupation of each member of your group listed. The dates of entry and exit are precisely recorded. Usually, the visa is valid only for the length of the trip you have booked but it's possible to extend the visa for few additional days, but only for staying in Lhasa. There will be two original copies of the Tibet Group Visa, one for immigration at entry and another for exit.
Note: The package can be redesigned or redeveloped as per your taste. For more information please e-mail us at snftnepal@yahoo.de
Important: In case of emergency during the trip, Helicopter will be arranged by Swiss Family Treks & Expedition (P) Ltd. The charges must be paid by the clients themselves.
