Total Distance of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra with Itinerary 

The total distance of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is approximately 2,187 km, which can be completed in 12 days. We do that which is 2,145 km by car through Nepal and the Tibetan plateau, and 52 km of trek on the Mount Kailash Parikrama. 

The pilgrimage, which goes through high altitude deserts, valleys, sacred sites and to the holy Lake Mansarovar by a mix of road travel and walking, is what this journey is. 

Route	Distance (km)	Distance (mi)	Time (hours)
Kathmandu → Kathmandu hotel / city transfers	1–2 km	0.6–1.2 mi	0.25
Kathmandu → Pashupatinath / Boudhanath / Swayambhunath	20–25 km	12–15 mi	1–2
Kathmandu → Kerung (Kyirong)	175 km	109 mi	7–8
Kerung → Dongba	365 km	227 mi	7–8
Dongba → Mansarovar	350 km	217 mi	7–8
Mansarovar → Darchen	40 km	25 mi	1
Darchen → Dirapuk (Trek)	12 km	7.5 mi	6–7
Dirapuk → Zuthulpuk via Dolma La Pass (Trek)	22 km	13.7 mi	9–10
Zuthulpuk → Darchen (Trek)	8 km	5 mi	3–4
Darchen → Dongba	350 km	217 mi	7–8
Dongba → Kerung	365 km	227 mi	7–8
Kerung → Kathmandu	175 km	109 mi	7–8
Kathmandu hotel / city → Airport	1–2 km	0.6–1.2 mi	0.25

Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu (1,400 m) 

Upon arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel to freshen up and prepare for Yatra. Today, there is no long-distance travel, only short transfers within the city.  

Day 2: Exploring and Walking in Kathmandu  

On this day, we will visit you the main cultural places in Kathmandu. We take a tour of Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath and the surrounding Heritage Sites. Our traveling distance will be about 20 to 25 km around the city while we drive around.  

Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Kerung/Kyirong (2,700 m).  

You take an early morning car from Kathmandu to Rasuwagadhi.  

The border of Nepal and Tibet in Rasuwagadhi is crossed by driving to the Tibet Highway to Kerung (Kyirong). It is a route of about 175 km and will take 7 to 8 hours.  

Day 4: Drive from Kerung to Dongba (4,450 m). 

From this village of Kerung, the Tibetan road meanders across the high-altitude plateau.  

It goes through Tingri, Shelkar and Nangxian, which offer the views of snow-capped mountains and Tibetan villages. The distance is 365 km and car time is 7 to 8 hours.

Find the ultimate packing list for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra here.

Day 5: Drive from Dongba to Mansarovar (4,590 m) 

Driving on the Tibetan plateau, you see the town of Purang (Burang) before you get to the holy Lake Mansarovar.  

We cover 350 km in that which takes from 7 to 8 hours. This is a scenic drive through great plains, mountains, and past Tibetan monasteries on the way. 

Day 6: From Mansarovar to Darchen (4,575 m) 

From there is a short drive from Mansarovar to Darchen which is the base for Kailash Parikarma. Only a distance of 40km by car which takes an hour.  

As you go through the small villages on the dry plateau you approach Darchen which has Mount Kailash in the background. 

Day 7: Trek to Dirapuk (4890 m) from Darchen 

Today the Parikarma of Mount Kailash begins. From Darchen the trail heads through the Kailash rock formations valley which also includes passage by a few small monasteries and ends at Dirapuk Monastery. 

The journey is for about 12 km and will take 6 to 7 hours mostly on valley trails which also include some steep sections. 

Also explore the do’s and don’ts of Kailash Yatra.

Day 8: Walk to Dolma La Pass (5,645 m) from Dirapuk to Zuthulpuk

From Dirapuk what we have is an ascent which takes you to Dolma La Pass which is the highest point of the Parikrama. Once past the pass it’s a descent toward Zuthulpuk. 

Total trekking distance is 22 km which will take 9-10 hours. Along the way you see very rugged terrain, prayer flags and views of Mount Kailash. 

Day 9: Trek from Zuthulpuk to Darchen, also Driving to Dongba 

You cover the 8 km of the Parikarma from Zuthulpuk to Darchen which takes 3-4 hours. Upon arrival at Darchen, you head back to Dongba, which is a 7–8-hour drive of 350km. The journey takes you through Purang and other Tibetan villages that lie along the plateau’s roads. 

Day 10: Drive from Dongba to Kerung 

Then on the Tibet Highway which takes you through Shelkar, Tingri, and Kerung. That is a 365 km drive which takes up to 7-8 hours. The landscape is of high-altitude deserts, mountains and traditional Tibetan villages. 

Day 11: Drive from Kerung to Kathmandu  

From Kerung, the border between Nepal and Tibet, Rasuwagadhi and we take the Prithvi Highway which heads south via Trishuli and Dhulikhel back to Kathmandu. That is 175 km, which by road takes 7 to 8 hours. 

Day 12: Depart from Kathmandu 

Your Kailash yatra comes to an end as we leave the city of Kathmandu. Head to the airport for your return flight home. Local transfers only, please note that we do not arrange for long distance travel. 

Total Kailash Parikrama Trip Distance 

The total distance of Kailash Parikrama is around 52 km. 

• Day 1: Distance from Darchen to Dirapuk= 12 km 
• Day 2: Distance from Dirapuk to Zuthulpuk through Dolma La Pass= 22 km  
• Day 3: Distance from Zuthulpuk Darchen= 8 km