The Inner Kora Kailash Mansarovar Tour is a 10-day spiritual tour across Nepal that begins in Kathmandu and continues to Syabrubesi and Tibet. The tour includes stops at important temples, Manasarovar Lake, and Mount Kailash’s Outer Kora circuit. The 52-kilometer Outer Kora trek includes visits to holy monasteries and difficult mountain crossings. The Inner Kora is a 34-kilometer trek that includes the 13 Golden Chortens and Saptarishi Cave. The tour provides a profound spiritual experience, allowing participants to immerse themselves in Tibetan culture while also confronting the physical challenges of the route.
Highlights Of Inner Kora Kailash Mansarovar Tour 10 Days
- Seek blessings at sacred sites such as Pashupatinath Temple and Budhanilkantha.
- Drive across the Nepalese countryside before reaching the Kerung border.
- Enjoy the tranquil splendor of Mount Kailash and engage in traditional traditions.
- Complete 52 kilometers around Mount Kailash in three days, including high passes such as Dolma La.
- Explore 34 kilometers closer to Mount Kailash by exploring 13 Golden Chortens and Saptarishi Caves.
- Witness the Tibetan way of life, interact with local communities, and learn about Tibetan culture.
- Travel across Himalayan scenery and high-altitude deserts.
- Completing both the outer and inner koras on Mount Kailash is a spiritual accomplishment.
10 Key Facts about Kailash Inner Kora
• Trek duration: one day, total distance: 34 km.
• Difficulty: High altitude and mountain climbing.
• Start/End Point: The trek begins and concludes at Darchen.
• The highest point is 5,860 meters, which includes 13 Golden Chortens and Saptarishi Cave.
• Altitude gain and loss: 1,100 meters.
• Location: Western Tibet Autonomous Region, China; Nagri Prefecture.
• There is no accommodation.
• The best time to visit is between May and mid-October because of the great weather conditions.
• Route: Darchen (4,675m), Selung Monastery (5,020m), Mt. Kailash’s Foot (5,600m), 13 Golden Chortens and Saptarishi Cave (5,860m), Mt. Yinjiento/Nandi Pass (5,805m), Selung Monastery (5,020m), Gyangdrak Monastery (5,060m).
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Reach The Lord Shiva’s Residence With Kailash Inner Kora 10 Days Itinerary
Kailash Inner Kora A Sacred Journey. It is a 30-kilometer trip to Lord Shiva’s inner home. Includes four extra days to explore the 53-kilometer Outer Kora. Passes Kailash Nandi, Saptarishi Cave, and Serlung Gompa. The challenges include rough terrain, technical difficulties, and are not suitable for beginners. Ten-day schedule for a spiritual experience in Mount Kailash. Needs physical fitness and stamina. Recommended for experienced trekkers.
Kailash Mansarovar Inner Kora Itinerary
Pre-Tour Travel from Pune to Kathmandu
By Air
- Route: Pune ✈️ Delhi/Mumbai ✈️ Kathmandu
- Estimated Travel Time: 5–7 hours (with layovers)
- Approx. Round-Trip Fare: ₹20,000–₹30,000
Day 1:Arrival in Kathmandu
- Arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
- Meet with an Adventure Altitude Treks representative.
- Transfer to your hotel in the city center.
- Immigration and customs requirements.
- Thamel is a great place to explore the streets and try local cuisine.
- Thamel’s restaurants serve traditional food and host cultural acts.
Day 2:Kathmandu Sightseeing
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour of Kathmandu
- Pay a visit to the shrine of Pashupatinath, a sacred Buddhist and Hindu shrine devoted to God Shiva.
- Visit Boudhanath Stupa, a prominent Tibetan Buddhist site.
- Have lunch at a rooftop restaurant overlooking Boudhanath.
- Explore Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, known for its architectural and cultural heritage.
- Discover old palaces, temples, and courtyards that showcase Newari handicrafts.
Day 3:Kathmandu Sightseeing
- Visit the Monkey Temple, an ancient religious constellation symbolizing Hinduism and Buddhism.
- Explore the panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley from a stone staircase with monkeys.
- Visit Patan Durbar Square, home to the Krishna Mandir and Patan Museum.
- Enjoy Newari dishes at a local restaurant in the square.
- Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a living museum with well-preserved architecture and an evoking atmosphere.
- Return to Kathmandu for dinner.
Day 4:Drive from Kathmandu to Dhunche (2,000m / 127 km / 6 hrs)
- Depart Kathmandu for Dhunche, the administrative center of Rasuwa District.
- Travel 127 kilometers via Pasang Lhamu Highway, taking six hours.
- Passes via Kakani, which is noted for its panoramic Himalayan vistas.
- Arrives in Bidur, a busy town in Nuwakot District. • Roads are challenging, with potholes and narrow passages.
- 4WD vehicles are recommended for comfort.
- Have lunch at a local restaurant.
- Climbing results in lush slopes and terraced farmland.
- Arrival in Dhunche; check into a local guesthouse.
- Dinner in the guesthouse.
Day 5:Drive to Kerung County (2,850m / 55 km / 1 hr 45 min)
- Breakfast at the Dhunche guesthouse.
- Travel to Kerung County, also known as Gyirong Town, located on the Nepal-China border. • The travel is 55 kilometers and takes 45 minutes.
- Follows Pasang Lhamu Highway through Syabrubesi to the Langtang National Park entry point. • Road conditions range from narrow to free traffic.
- Immigration at the Rasuwagadhi border crossing.
- Lunch at the local guesthouse in Kerung.
- Spend the rest of the day acclimating to the higher altitude and exploring the town.
- Dinner at the motel to relax and prepare for the next journey.
Day 6:Drive to Saga (4,540m / 220 km / 5–6 hrs)
Journey to Saga.
- Starts in Kerung and travels 220 kilometers in 5-6 hours via G219 National Highway, which transitions from paved to gravel roads.
- Ascends to Tibetan plateaus with snow-capped peaks and meadows.
- Visits Zhongba County, home of Tibetan ethnicities and nomadic herders. • Packs lunch on the Tibetan plateau stretch.
- Arrives in Saga, a town along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, where dinner is served.
Day 7:Drive from Saga to Lake Manasarovar (4,590m / 450 km / 6–7 hrs)
After breakfast in Saga, you will journey 450 kilometers to Lake Manasarovar, a Hindu and Buddhist sacred site. The travel lasts 6 to 7 hours and passes via Paryang, Zhongba County. The route offers breathtaking views of the Tibetan plateau, as well as occasional wildlife sightings. The road is usually decent, with both well-kept and rocky areas. Lunch will be given on the trip, and as you reach Lake Manasarovar, the great silhouette of Mount Kailash adds to the spiritual ambiance. You will stay at a guesthouse near the lake and eat Tibetan cuisine for supper.
Day 8:Drive to Darchen and Preparation for Inner Kora (Charan Sparsh) (4,670m / 35 km / 1 hr)
- Dinner at guesthouse before the Outer Kora begins.
- Enjoy breakfast at a guesthouse beside Lake Manasarovar.
- Lake Manasarovar is a sacred site for pilgrims, known for bathing and pujas.
- Travel 35 kilometers to Darchen, the base town for Mount Kailash Kora.
- Lunch at a local restaurant featuring modest Tibetan cuisine.
- Prepare for the Inner Kora, the Charan Sparsh trek to Mount Kailash’s base.
Day 9:First Day of Outer Kora – Trek to Dirapuk (4,860m / 12 km trek / 5–6 hrs)
- The hike to Dirapuk, located 12 kilometers distant, takes 5-6 hours.
- The track is decent, with steady inclines and sharp ascents.
- Visit Tarboch Flag Pole and Chuku Monastery for Tibetan rituals.
- Enjoy views of the rough land mass and Mount Kailash North.
- Hiking lunch and post-trek meal provided.
- Accommodation in Dirapuk in a guest house or monastery lodge
Day 10:Second Day of Outer Kora – On to Zuthulphuk (4,670m) with Trek to Dolma La Pass (5,650m / 22 km / 8–9 hrs)
- The most difficult day of the Kora, spanning 22 kilometers in 8 to 9 hours.
- Eat breakfast in Dirapuk before ascending to Dolma La Pass, the highest point at 5,650 meters.
- The path is steep, rocky, and may snow in winter.
- Explore the mist-filled Dolma La shrine.
- Travel to Gauri Kund, a Hindu legendary lake.
- Take a break with a packed lunch before continuing to Zuthulphuk Monastery via Lham Chu Valley. Dinner is served in the monastic guesthouse.
Day 11:Drive to Saga (4,550m / 470 km / 7–8 hrs)
After finishing the kora, breakfast is provided at Zuthulphuk before driving 470 km to Saga. The path travels past Darchen, Lake Manasarovar, and Paryang, providing breathtaking views of the Tibetan plateau. The journey includes a picnic lunch, and the Yarlung Tsangpo River runs through the landscape. Dinner is served in a pleasant guesthouse.
Day 12:Drive back to Kerung (2,850m / 220 km / 5–6 hrs)
- Drive 220 kilometers (5-6 hours) from Saga on paved and dirt roads into high-altitude Tibetan mountains.
- Visit Zhongba County, noted for Tibetan culture and nomadic herding communities.
- Pack a lunch for a calm eating experience.
- Arrive to Kerung, settle into a guesthouse, and enjoy a native Tibetan supper.
Day 13:Drive to Kathmandu (1,400m / 152 km / 7–8 hrs)
- Immigration at Nepal-Tibet border.
- 152 kilometers and 7 to 8 hours journey to Kathmandu.
- Visits Langtang National Park, a green forest with partially sighted animals.
- Roads vary between well-paved and rough ones.
- Lunch at a roadside restaurant in Syabrubesi.
- Experience Kathmandu’s noisy city life and passive landscapes.
- Check-in to hotel and final dinner.
Best Time For Inner Kora Kailash Mansarovar Tour 10 Days
Spring (May – June):
- Ideal for Inner Kora due to mild temperatures and clear path.
- Offers opportunity to witness the Saga Dawa festival, a significant Tibetan festival.
Summer (July to August):
- Daytime temperature rises above 20°C and monsoon sets in.
- Trail becomes muddy and slippery, but flowers bloom.
- Fewer tourists trek in rain, offering solitude.
Autumn (September to October):
- More stable weather with clear skies and spectacular vistas.
- Daytime temperatures range between 10°C – 15°C, nighttime is cold.
- Increased post-monsoon clarity creates pristine landscapes.
- Temperature drops further towards the end of October due to recurrent snowfalls.
Winter Season (November to April):
- Not recommended due to extreme cold weather and heavy snowfalls.
- Few tour operators offer tours during this time.
Travel Documents and Permits Needed for Kailash Inner Kora
- Travel documents and permits are essential for entering Tibet.
- Chinese tourist visa from home country is required.
- Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau is required.
- Alien’s Travel Permit is required for restricted areas like Mount Kailash.
- Military Area Entry Permit and Foreign Affairs Permit are required for military-sensitive areas.
- Application process for visa and permit is done by Indian passport holders and foreign nationals.
- Age restrictions apply for entry permission to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.
- Processing time is 8-9 business days.