Day to Day Itinerary

Day 01 – Arrival in Kathmandu & Transfer to Hotel

You arrive in Kathmandu, a valley of temples and living traditions. Our team welcomes you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel near one of the sacred quarters of the city. In the evening, we gather for a gentle orientation: journey briefing, health and altitude tips, and an introduction to the shared intention of this pilgrimage.

Day 02 – Kathmandu: Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhu

Today you visit three of the valley’s holiest sites: Pashupatinath on the Bagmati River, the great mandala of Boudhanath, and the hilltop stupa of Swayambhu. As you walk among pilgrims, incense, bells, and prayer flags, you begin to tune your mind toward the deeper purpose of your Kailash journey: to walk with awareness, humility, and gratitude.

Day 03 – Fly to Nepalgunj (≈1 hr) & Overnight

A short flight takes you to Nepalgunj, on the plains of southwest Nepal. The warm climate, low altitude, and colorful bazaars offer a final transition before you step into the high Himalayan world. In the evening, your guide reviews the next day’s mountain flight and the cultural etiquette for Humla and Tibet.

Day 04 – Fly to Simikot (2,950 m)

You fly into Simikot, the small but historically important headquarters of Humla, perched above the Karnali River. Here Khas Hindu and Buddhist communities have lived side by side for centuries. After settling into your lodge, you explore the village lanes and ridges, and feel the shift from busy lowlands to quiet mountain rhythm.

Day 05–06 – Acclimatization & Exploration in Simikot

These two days are dedicated to acclimatization and gentle walks. You visit nearby villages, small shrines, and ridgeline viewpoints, learning about local agriculture, seasonal migrations, and the old Kailash trade route. Short hikes and mindful breathing help your body adjust, while evening circles offer time to reflect on why you have come to Kailash.

Day 07 – Fly to Hilsa by Helicopter, Drive to Purang (3,770 m)

This morning, a short shared helicopter flight carries you along the deep Karnali gorge to Hilsa, the border hamlet where Nepal meets Tibet. After immigration and customs formalities, you drive up to Purang (Taklakot), a high desert town with monasteries and markets. You are now on the Tibetan Plateau—light, wind, and sky feel different here.

Day 08 – Drive to Lake Manasarovar (4,588 m)

You drive across vast open plains with views of Mount Gurla Mandhata and the dark waters of Rakshas Tal before reaching the luminous blue of Lake Manasarovar. With Mount Kailash appearing on the horizon, the landscape feels both stark and deeply sacred. By the lakeshore, there is time for quiet circumambulation, offerings, or simple silent sitting.

Day 09 – At Manasarovar, Evening Drive to Darchen (4,520 m)

The morning is devoted to Manasarovar—ritual bathing, kora along the shore, or private contemplation as the light changes on the water. By late afternoon, you drive to Darchen, the small pilgrim town at the base of Mount Kailash. Here you prepare for the kora, check gear, and rest early under the presence of the sacred mountain.

Day 10 – Kailash Parikrama Day 1: Trek Darchen → Dira Puk (4,775 m)

The first day of the kora begins along the Lha Chu valley with herds, prayer flags, and fellow pilgrims from across Asia. Passing Choku Gompa and hermit caves associated with Milarepa and Padmasambhava, you gradually ascend toward Dira Puk. As the north face of Kailash comes into view, the pilgrimage shifts from idea to direct experience.

Day 11 – Kailash Parikrama Day 2: Over Drolma La (5,630 m) to Zuthul Puk (4,700 m)

This is the most demanding yet sacred day of the kora. Before dawn, you start the slow climb toward Drolma La—the high pass dedicated to Tara. At the top, prayer flags flutter in the wind as pilgrims leave symbolic burdens behind. A long descent leads to Zuthul Puk, known for its cave of miracles and deep spiritual legends.

Day 12 – Kailash Parikrama Day 3: Trek to Darchen

Today the valley opens as you follow the river downstream, closing the circle around Kailash. After about three hours of easy walking, you reach Darchen, where the kora concludes. The remainder of the day is for rest, gentle reflection, and perhaps a final look back toward the mountain from the plateau.

Day 13 – Drive to Purang & Hilsa (≈3,700 m)

You drive back across the plateau to Purang and onward toward the border at Hilsa. The landscape you first entered now feels more familiar: monasteries on hilltops, willow groves, wide riverbeds, and distant peaks. Back near the Karnali, you sense the transition from the high plateau back toward Nepal’s green valleys.

Day 14 – Fly Hilsa → Simikot → Nepalgunj → Kathmandu

In a series of short flights, you retrace your path: Hilsa to Simikot, Simikot to Nepalgunj, and finally back to Kathmandu. By evening, you are again in the Kathmandu Valley—this time carrying the impressions of Manasarovar’s waters and Kailash’s shadow within you.

Day 15 – Departure / Onward Journey

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have a final walk or quiet temple visit in the city. Then transfer to the airport for your journey home, with the option to extend your stay in Nepal for further treks, retreats, or cultural explorations.