Mount Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour via Zhangmu 2026 | 14-Day Overland from Kathmandu

Land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Our Firante Treks team meets you with a welcome sign and transfers you straight to your hotel in Thamel or Boudha. Rest up, shake off the flight, and settle in. Optional: Quick welcome chat or dinner to kick off your Mount Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour via Zhangmu 2026—get excited for the overland journey ahead!

We keep this day relaxed and meaningful, starting with what matters most for Hindu pilgrims heading to Mount Kailash. After breakfast at the hotel, our guide takes you first to Pashupatinath Temple—the holiest Shiva shrine in Nepal and a powerful spiritual kickoff for your Kailash Yatra. Many Hindu pilgrims on this route always visit Pashupatinath first to offer prayers, seek blessings from Lord Shiva (who is closely linked to Mount Kailash), and prepare their minds for the sacred journey ahead. It’s a deeply meaningful stop—watch the rituals by the Bagmati River, ring the bells, and feel the energy.

After Pashupatinath, we head to Boudhanath Stupa—the massive Buddhist stupa where you can walk the kora, spin prayer wheels, and absorb the calm Buddhist atmosphere. It’s a beautiful contrast and a great way to honor both Hindu and Buddhist traditions before crossing into Tibet.

Back at the hotel in the afternoon: We handle the paperwork—submit passports for Tibet group visa and permits (we take care of everything). Use the remaining time to shop in Thamel for warm clothes, snacks, or any last-minute items. Optional briefing with our team over tea to discuss the overland route via Kodari-Zhangmu border, altitude tips, and why Saga Dawa on May 31, 2026 (in the Year of the Horse) makes this trip extra special.

Pro Tip: Wear modest clothing for Pashupatinath (no leather items allowed inside the temple complex).

After breakfast, we drive ~150–180 km (5–7 hours) on the Araniko Highway to the Tatopani-Kodari border (Friendship Bridge). Quick stop at Tatopani (hot springs area) if time allows.

Border crossing formalities handled by our team. Enter Zhangmu (~2300m), then short steep drive to Nyalam (3750m) for overnight.

First taste of Tibetan plateau—start of your Mount Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour via Zhangmu 2026.

Today is all about settling in and letting your body adjust to the altitude—no long drives or heavy activity. Stay in Nyalam (also called Nyalam Dzong), a small Tibetan town at around 3750–3800m. The focus is rest: drink plenty of water, take short gentle walks around town if you feel good, and avoid anything strenuous.

Our guide will check on everyone, share simple acclimatization tips (like garlic soup or slow breathing), and monitor for any early signs of altitude issues. Many pilgrims use this day to relax, read, or enjoy the first real views of the high plateau.

This built-in rest day is key for safety on your Mount Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour via Zhangmu 2026—better acclimatization means smoother days ahead at Lake Manasarovar and the kora.

After breakfast and a quick health check, we set off from Nyalam in our 4WD Land Cruisers for Saga. The drive is about 250–300 km and takes 6–8 hours on high-altitude roads.

Today you cross two notable high passes: Lalung La Pass (around 5050m) and Thong La Pass (around 5150m). From these windy summits, you’ll get stunning panoramic views of snow-capped peaks like Shishapangma (8012m) and the distant Langtang and Gaurishankar ranges. The landscape shifts to vast open plains with nomadic yak herders, sheep flocks, and the occasional turquoise lake like Peiku Tso.

We arrive in Saga by late afternoon—a quiet, remote stop at 4450–4600m. Rest up here; it’s the gateway to Lake Manasarovar and the Saga Dawa Festival energy on May 31, 2026.

Pro Tip: Layers are essential—the passes get cold and windy fast. Stay hydrated and enjoy the views!

After breakfast in Saga (at 4640m), we leave in our 4WD Land Cruisers for the sacred Lake Manasarovar. This is a long drive — about 450–500 km along the G219 National Highway, taking 8–10 hours depending on road conditions and stops.

The road crosses wide open plateau land with dry plains, distant snow peaks, and occasional nomadic yak camps. We pass small settlements like Zhongba and Paryang, and you’ll see Dargyeling Monastery from the vehicle — classic Tibetan style with white walls and red roofs.

If the sky is clear, Mount Kailash starts appearing far away in the distance — a very special first sighting for most pilgrims. Late afternoon we reach Lake Manasarovar (4600m). It’s one of the holiest lakes for Hindus and Buddhists. Many pilgrims pray here, sit quietly by the shore, or take a dip if the weather allows. From the lake you can see Gurla Mandhata mountain and Chiu Monastery up on the hill.

We stay in a guesthouse near the lake. Have dinner and rest early — tomorrow is a big day for rituals and preparation.

This day brings you to the spiritual heart of your Mount Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour via Zhangmu 2026.

Pro Tip: The lake winds can be strong and cold — bring windproof layers. Our guide will point out the best spots for Kailash views.

Today belongs completely to Lake Manasarovar — one of the most sacred and peaceful places on Earth for Hindus and Buddhists alike.

After a simple breakfast at the guesthouse, the whole day is yours to spend as feels right. Many pilgrims choose to take a holy dip in the lake (the water is icy cold, so only if your body feels ready and the weather cooperates). Others walk part of the lake parikrama on foot or by vehicle, sit quietly to pray, chant mantras, or simply soak in the stillness. We can also go up to Chiu Gompa again — the little monastery on the hill gives you the most beautiful 360° view of the lake and, when the sky is clear, Mount Kailash shining in the distance.

Our guide stays with the group the whole day — helping with any puja you want to offer, explaining the significance of the lake in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, or just sitting with you if you prefer silence. No rush, no schedule pressure. Just time to connect deeply with this holy place before the Kailash kora begins tomorrow.

For many people this is the emotional high point of the entire Mount Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour via Zhangmu 2026 — a day of pure peace and preparation.

After breakfast near Lake Manasarovar, we drive a short ~30–40 km (1–2 hours) to Yamadwar — the symbolic “Gate of Death” where pilgrims begin the Kailash kora. This spot is full of meaning: prayer flags wave in the wind, mani stones line the path, and many people stop for quick rituals or prayers to “let go” of worldly things before circling the mountain.

From Yamadwar, we transfer to Darchen (4675m), the main base village for the kora. It’s a small, simple place with guesthouses, a few shops for supplies, and a gathering vibe as pilgrims arrive from around the world.

The afternoon is free: rest up, walk around the village, pick up any last snacks or gear, or just take it easy. Our guide will brief the group on the 3-day kora ahead — what to expect at Dirapuk, Dolma La Pass, and how we arrange porters/yaks for support.

This calm day shifts from Manasarovar’s peace to the excitement of the Kailash kora — the core of your Mount Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour via Zhangmu 2026.

Today the real kora begins — the heart of your pilgrimage around Mount Kailash.

After breakfast in Darchen, we drive a short 30–40 minutes (~10–15 km) to Tarboche (also called Dirapuk Valley entrance), the traditional starting point of the kora. If your dates align with Saga Dawa Festival (May 31, 2026), this place comes alive: prayer flags being raised, pilgrims chanting, incense burning, and a powerful communal energy as people from Tibet, Nepal, India, and beyond gather to begin their circumambulation.

From Tarboche we start the trek (or horse ride if preferred) along the Lha Chu River valley. The trail is gentle at first — about 12 km, taking 4–6 hours with stops. The path follows a wide valley with beautiful views of the river, prayer flags, and mani stones. By afternoon, you reach Dirapuk (5,080 m), a small guesthouse settlement right in front of the north face of Mount Kailash.

The moment you see the north face up close is unforgettable — many pilgrims say it’s one of the most sacred and awe-inspiring sights of the entire journey. Rest, have dinner, and prepare mentally for tomorrow’s tougher crossing.

This is the big day — crossing Dolma La Pass (5630m), the highest point of the entire Kailash kora and a deeply symbolic moment for pilgrims.

We start early from Dirapuk after breakfast. The trail climbs steadily for 3–4 hours to reach the pass. It’s steep and rocky, but every step brings better views back toward the north face of Mount Kailash. At the top, most people pause to tie prayer flags, make offerings, or simply stand in silence — many describe it as a place of death and rebirth in Tibetan Buddhism.

The descent is long and sharp (2–4 hours) on loose stones and scree, passing Gauri Kund (a small sacred lake) before dropping into the valley. It’s tough on the knees, but the air gets easier as you go down. By afternoon you arrive at Zuthulpuk (4790m), a quiet guesthouse settlement with basic rooms and a sense of accomplishment.

Rest, have dinner, and reflect — you’ve crossed one of the most famous high passes in the world. Tomorrow is the easier final stretch of the kora.

Today is the final day of the 3-day Kailash kora — easier and mostly downhill, bringing a deep sense of completion.

After breakfast in Zuthulpuk, we start the trek early. The trail is gentle and descending for most of the way — about 8–10 km, taking 3–4 hours. You walk through a beautiful valley with small streams, green patches (in season), and more mani stones and prayer flags. The path gradually opens up, and the views of the surrounding mountains feel like a quiet celebration after yesterday’s tough pass.

By late morning or early afternoon, we reach Darchen (4675m) — the same base village where the kora began. Many pilgrims feel a wave of emotion here: relief, joy, and a quiet pride after completing the 52 km circumambulation around Mount Kailash.

We take a short rest, have lunch in Darchen, then drive back toward Saga (about 8–9 hours). The drive retraces the plateau roads — familiar now, but with a different feeling after the kora. We arrive in Saga by evening, settle into the guesthouse, and have dinner. Rest well — the return journey begins tomorrow.

This day closes the sacred loop of your Mount Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour via Zhangmu 2026 — a profound achievement for every pilgrim.

After breakfast in Saga (at 4640m), we start the long return drive toward the Nepal-Tibet border. The distance is about 300–350 km and takes 7–9 hours on the high plateau roads.

We retrace the same route we came on: passing the familiar open plains, distant snow peaks, and small settlements. The landscape feels different now — after completing the Kailash kora, everything looks more peaceful and meaningful. You’ll see the high passes (Lalung La and Thong La) again from the other side, with great views of Shishapangma and Peiku Tso lake along the way.

By late afternoon or early evening, we descend to Zhangmu (2300m) — back to warmer air, greener valleys, and the lush border town. This lower altitude feels like a welcome relief after days at 4600m+.

Rest at the guesthouse, have dinner, and enjoy the first proper hot shower in a while. Tomorrow we cross back into Nepal and head to Kathmandu.

This day is a gentle unwind after the intensity of the kora — a chance to reflect on your Mount Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour via Zhangmu 2026.

After breakfast in Zhangmu (2300m), we head down the short distance to the Tatopani-Kodari border (Friendship Bridge). The drive takes about 30–60 minutes, depending on traffic and road conditions.

At the border, we complete China exit formalities first, then cross the bridge and handle Nepal entry immigration. Our team guides you through both sides so it’s as smooth as possible. Once in Nepal, the landscape changes quickly back to green hills, rivers, and warmer air.

From the border (Tatopani/Kodari), we continue the drive to Kathmandu — about 150–180 km on the Araniko Highway, taking 5–7 hours with stops for lunch and rest. The road winds through beautiful gorges and villages — a nice contrast after the high plateau.

We arrive in Kathmandu by late afternoon or early evening. Transfer to your hotel in Thamel or Boudha. The rest of the day is free: rest, shop, or enjoy a farewell dinner with the group. Many pilgrims share stories and photos from the kora over Nepali food.

This day brings you safely back to Kathmandu after your Mount Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour via Zhangmu 2026 — a journey most people remember for a lifetime.

Pro Tip: Border can take 1–2 hours — keep passport, visa docs, and some cash handy. Relax in the evening; you’ve earned it after the kora!

After breakfast at your hotel in Kathmandu, our Firante Treks team transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight.

This marks the end of your Mount Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour via Zhangmu 2026 — a sacred, challenging, and deeply rewarding journey that many pilgrims carry in their hearts forever.

Thank you for choosing Firante Treks to guide you on this once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage. We hope the blessings of Mount Kailash, the peace of Lake Manasarovar, and the spirit of Saga Dawa stay with you always.

Safe travels, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure in the Himalayas.