Kailash Yatra via Simikot Trek

About this yatra

The adventurer's route to Mt Kailash. Fly to Simikot in remote western Nepal, trek for 6 days through the Humla Karnali gorge into Tibet, then complete the sacred 3-day Kora at the foot of Kailash. Longer, harder and more rewarding than the standard overland route — for pilgrims who want the journey to feel earned.

• Fly to Simikot
• 6-day Humla trek
• Cross Nara La pass
• 3-day Kora at Kailash
• Mansarovar bath
• Full camping crew
• Saga Dawa departures
• Pony / porter support

1. 1

   Arrival in Kathmandu

   Airport pickup and transfer to a 3-star hotel in Thamel. Evening yatra briefing — paperwork, kit check and altitude precautions.

2. 2

   Kathmandu sightseeing & visa day

   Reserve day for the Chinese group visa. Sightseeing at Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath.

3. 3

   Pashupatinath puja & yatra prep

   Rudra Abhishek puja and Hawan ceremony at Pashupatinath dedicated to Lord Shiva. Final medical check and gear distribution.

4. 4

   Fly Kathmandu → Nepalgunj (150 m)

   Short flight (or scenic drive) west to Nepalgunj on the Terai plains. Hotel overnight — early start tomorrow for the Simikot flight.

5. 5

   Fly Simikot → trek to Dharapuri (2,349 m)

   Spectacular dawn flight to Simikot (2,985 m), one of Nepal's most remote airstrips. Begin the trek — descend through terraced barley fields to a tented camp at Dharapuri.

6. 6

   Trek to Kermi (2,650 m)

   4–5 hours along the Humla Karnali river gorge through stone villages and juniper. Tented camp overnight.

7. 7

   Trek to Yalbang Monastery (3,107 m)

   Climb gradually through a narrowing valley. Visit Yalbang's centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the late afternoon.

8. 8

   Trek to Tumkot Khola (3,031 m)

   Gentle day with light altitude gain. Camp by the river — good acclimatisation and rest before the steeper climb tomorrow.

9. 9

   Trek to Thado Dhunga (4,050 m)

   Major climb of 600+ m as the landscape transforms from green Nepal to dry, windswept high country.

10. 10

    Cross Nara La (4,548 m) → drive to Purang (3,885 m)

    Climb to the Nara La pass and descend to Hilsa on the Tibetan border. Cross immigration; drive into Tibet to Purang for the night.

11. 11

    Drive to Lake Mansarovar (4,565 m)

    Cross the high Tibetan plateau via Tirthapuri to the holy lake. Evening puja and parikrama by the shore.

12. 12

    Drive to Darchen (4,647 m)

    Short drive to Darchen, the gateway for the Kailash Kora. Trek prep and gear distribution.

13. 13

    Rest day at Darchen / Saga Dawa puja

    Acclimatisation and rest. If dates align with Saga Dawa, attend the prayer-flag raising at Tarboche.

14. 14

    Drive to Tarboche → trek to Diraphuk (5,077 m)

    Begin the Kora. Trek through the Lha Chu valley with the north face of Kailash directly above. Tea-house overnight.

15. 15

    Cross Dolma La (5,640 m) → Zuthulphuk (4,807 m)

    The hardest day. Pre-dawn start to cross the Dolma La pass, then descend to Zuthulphuk. Pony / porter support available.

16. 16

    Trek out → drive to Saga (3,502 m)

    Short final stretch of the Kora to Darchen. Drive across the plateau to Saga.

17. 17

    Drive to Kerung (2,900 m)

    Long descent from the plateau back toward the Nepal border. Hotel overnight at Kerung.

18. 18

    Cross Kerung border → drive to Kathmandu

    Clear Tibet immigration and re-enter Nepal. Long drive south back to Kathmandu through the Trisuli valley.

19. 19

    Free day in Kathmandu

    Rest, last-minute shopping in Thamel, optional spa. Farewell dinner with the team in the evening.

20. 20

    Departure

    Free morning. Airport drop-off as per international flight time.

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