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Kailash Inner Kora Tour

5.0 - Excellent in TripAdvisor
Recommended by 99% of travelers

Seize the unique opportunity to touch Mount Kailash and connect with its sacred energy.

  • calendar
    Duration
    17 Days
  • meter
    Trip Difficulty
    Challenging
  • highest-point Highest Point
    5600 m
  • group
    Group Size
    4-6 People
  • area
    Area
    Tibet
  • start
    Start Point
    Kathmandu
  • end
    Trip End Point
    Kathmandu
  • accomodation
    Accommodation
    Hotel/Guest House
  • meal
    Meals
    As Mentioned
  • transport
    Transportation
    On Private

Trip Overview

Not all pilgrimages are the same. Some go along well-known paths, while others ask for more: more endurance, more devotion, and more surrender. Our Kailash Inner Kora Tour exists for a select few who do not regard it as an experience but a cherished moment to enter the embrace of divinity. Mount Kailash, located in the Himalayas and associated with Lord Shiva, is more than a mountain; it is a focal point of spiritual energy, worshipped by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bonpos alike. Many who complete the outer kora would not consider walking the inner circuit; few indeed find the inner kora enticing, as it is essentially a portal into deeper and even more intimate secrets of this sacred realm.

From the historic streets of Kathmandu to the alleys and corners of Bhaktapur, this tour immerses the pilgrims in the cultural environment of Nepal before entering Tibet. With Mount Kailash lying majestically and the endless flow of crystal clear waters of Lake Mansarovar, the trek, however, is not a casual one but rather a supreme test of will, faith, and endurance. Legends abound of its landmarks: Ashtapad, Saptarishi Cave, Derapuk, Sin La Pass, and Zuthulpuk, each with its own unique spiritual meaning, offering a carnival ride through the very corridors of deep mystery. A sacred ritual of Charan Sparsh can also be done here, where pilgrims can physically touch divinity. Inner Kora is for those who hear the call, for those ready to take physical limits and cross into the unknown themselves. The rewards, however, are beyond measure for the ones who do; the awakening, the transformation, the journey that still echoes long after their footprints fade. Ready to tread where few dare?

Kailash Inner Kora Summary

Trip Name 

Kailash Inner Kora 

Duration 

17 Days 

Attractions 

Nepal

  • Kathmandu City
  • Bhaktapur City

Tibet

  • Mount Kailash 
  • Mansarovar Lake
  • Charan Sparsh
  • Ashtapad 
  • Saptarishi Cave 
  • 13 Golden Chortens

Starting Point 

Kathmandu 

Ending Point 

Kathmandu

Transportation Modes

By Road

Accommodations

Hotels and Guest Houses

Inner Kora Route

The Kailash Inner Kora trek is more than simply a trek; it is a sacred journey that allows pilgrims to enter the innermost sanctums of Mount Kailash, one of the holiest sites in the traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon. Unlike the outer Kora, which is travelled more widely by pilgrims, this inner one has long and physically arduous trails and profound spiritual meaning and is reserved for those ready to put in an effort toward experiencing an inner relationship with divine aspects.

Approximately 32 kilometers long, the Inner Kora stretches out over three days through inhospitable landscapes and very high altitudes, where the average traveling height frequently exceeds 5,000 meters. The journey is completed in two sections, offering a unique assortment of challenges and blessings.

There are three sections in the Kailash Inner Kora:

1st Section: Darchen to Serlung Gompa

The pilgrims travel from Darchen, the last gateway to Kailash, towards the very sacred Serlung Gompa. Also included are visits to some of the most sacred places, such as Ashtapad, Serlung Monastery, Saptarishi Cave, and the 13 Golden Chortens. Every one of these is totally and in its own way highly blessed spiritually for those who walk this way.

2nd Section: Derapuk to Kailash Charan Sparsh

This part of the Kailash Inner Kora is about a trek from Darchen to Derapuk and then comes the most precious pilgrimage-to touch the very bottom of Mount Kailash.

3rd Section: Derapuk to Zuthulpuk via Sin La Pass

Next, the most difficult part of the journey is the real Inner Kora track, for it will take back from Derapuk to Zuthulpuk via Sin La Pass. This pass rises to an elevation of 5,680 meters, so it is really a strenuous stretch but rewarding at the same time. It requires a lot of physical strength and mental stamina. From Zuthulpuk, the journey continues along some trek and part driving back to Darchen. Most importantly, the Inner Kora is dependent on weather conditions and allows for government rules. If the route via the Sin La Pass is not allowed, then the route will pass via the Outer Kora, through Dolma La Pass. No matter the way traveled, the Inner Kora remains a truly spiritual experience; it transforms itself and inspires new energies in everyone for days and weeks ahead. 

For those who can take this inner path of pilgrimage, it is much more than a pilgrimage, and it becomes a pilgrimage of faith, endurance, and ultimate spiritual awakening.

How difficult is Inner Kora?

More than a mere pilgrimage, the Kailash Inner Kora is a serious endurance test of faith and resilience. This route, compared with the Outer Kora, is extremely strenuous and calls for both fleshly power and solid mentality. It is marked with high ascents, sharp cliffs, and passes at elevations that take pilgrims through a brutal landscape to make it one of the most tiresome of all the spiritual journeys around the world. It takes prospective well-wishers into the very close vicinity of Mount Kailash, the hallowed seat of Lord Shiva, where it is thought to lead to spiritual cleansing and enlightenment.

The challenge that characterizes one of the innermost Kora experiences is that it reaches altitudes of more than 5,000 meters. The thinness of the air renders each step heavier; therefore, it is tiring to walk, with the added tendency toward altitude sickness. Altitude symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, and fatigue occur, thus requiring careful acclimatization and caution. Worst of all, conditions are very uncertain in this region because it would greatly contrast between one moment of clear weather and another moment of snow or rain to make a path treacherous. So, pilgrims have to be prepared to stand this great temperature difference and environmental extremes at any moment.

The physical aspects notwithstanding, it is also a profoundly spiritual journey. It promises to be one with such great devotion and change. It is believed that traveling on this holy ground purifies the soul and brings favors, apart from enhancing the bond with God. But it is not an easy trek. People undertaking this epic journey must be well-prepared, fit in sound physical shape, and carry a great deal of respect for the mountain. A pilgrimage to Kailash Inner Kora is an extraordinary endeavor, pushing the limit of endurance while simultaneously offering a rare opportunity for spiritual awakening by one of the world's most hallowed mountains.

The Kailash Inner Kora is more than just a walk; it is an opportunity to soak in the spiritual meaning of one of the most sacred mountains on earth. Walking among innumerable pilgrims, the arching Himalayan vistas surrounding this heartbreaking place will make a profound impression on your soul. With every detail of your pilgrimage taken care of, from guides to comfortable lodgings, you should be left to concentrate on the spiritual experience ahead. Join us on this inner journey as you find solace, fulfillment, and awakening on the path of the Kailash Inner Kora.

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Trip highlights

  • A private and customised trip.
  • Cultural Heritage Sightseeing of Kathmandu.
  • A day visit to historical city Bhaktapur. 
  • Explore the sacred Lake Mansarovar.
  • Get a chance to touch the feet of Mount Kailash.
  • Kailash Parikrama via Sin La Pass. 
  • Witness all four faces of Mount Kailash. 

Outline Itinerary

DAY 1: Kathmandu Arrival, Welcome to Nepal!

DAY 2: Visa Application, Kathmandu Sightseeing.

DAY 3: Bhaktapur Sightseeing.

DAY 4: Packing and Final Preparation.

DAY 5: Drive to Dhunche or Syabrubesi or Timure.

DAY 6: Drive to Kyirong.

DAY 7: Drive to Saga.

DAY 8: Drive to Lake Mansarovar.

DAY 9: Drive to Darchen.

DAY 10: Drive to Ashtapad, Saptarishi Cave, Back to Darchen.

DAY 11: Drive to Yama Dwar, Trek to Derapuk.

DAY 12: Trek for Charan Sparsh, Back to Derapuk.

DAY 13: Trek to Zuthulpuk via Sanglam La/Sin La Pass.

DAY 14: Trek from Zuthulpuk, Drive to Saga.

DAY 15: Drive to Kyirong.

DAY 16: Drive back to Kathmandu.

DAY 17: Transfer to Airport.

Detailed Itinerary

Expand all
Day 1

Kathmandu Arrival, Welcome to Nepal!

trip-accomodation Hotel Mulberry/Similar
trip-meals Dinner Included.
Day 2

Visa Application, Kathmandu Sightseeing.

trip-accomodation Hotel Mulberry/Similar
trip-meals Breakfast and Dinner Included.
Day 3

Bhaktapur Sightseeing.

trip-accomodation Hotel Mulberry/Similar
trip-meals Breakfast and Dinner Included.
Day 4

Packing and Final Preparation.

trip-accomodation Hotel Mulberry/Similar
trip-meals Breakfast and Dinner Included.
Day 5

Drive to Dhunche or Syabrubesi or Timure.

trip-accomodation Local Guest House
trip-meals Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included.
Day 6

Drive to Kyirong.

distance 41.7 KM
ascent 2850 m
trip-accomodation Local 3 Star Hotel
trip-meals Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included.
Day 7

Drive to Saga.

distance 155 KM
ascent 4500 m
trip-accomodation Local 3 Star Hotel
trip-meals Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included.
Day 8

Drive to Lake Mansarovar.

trip-accomodation Mansarovar Lakeside Guest House
trip-meals Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included.
Day 9

Drive to Darchen.

distance 35 KM
ascent 4700 m
trip-accomodation Local 3 Star Hotel
trip-meals Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included.
Day 10

Drive to Ashtapad, Saptarishi Cave, Back to Darchen.

trip-accomodation Local 3 Star Hotel
trip-meals Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner Included.
Day 11

Drive to Yama Dwar, Trek to Derapuk.

distance 12 KM
ascent 5050 m
trip-accomodation Local Guest House
trip-meals Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner Included.
Day 12

Trek for Charan Sparsh, Back to Derapuk.

trip-accomodation Local Guest House
trip-meals Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner Included.
Day 13

Trek to Zuthulpuk via Sanglam La/Sin La Pass.

distance 16 KM
ascent 5680 m
trip-accomodation Local Guest House
trip-meals Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner Included.
Day 14

Trek from Zuthulpuk, Drive to Saga.

distance 488 KM
ascent 4500 m
trip-accomodation Local 3 Star Hotel
trip-meals Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner Included.
Day 15

Drive to Kyirong.

distance 635 KM
ascent 2850 m
trip-accomodation Local 3 Star Hotel
trip-meals Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner Included.
Day 16

Drive back to Kathmandu.

trip-accomodation Hotel Mulberry/Similar
trip-meals Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included.
Day 17

Transfer to Airport.

trip-meals Breakfast Included.

Our Trip Includes

  • Airport transfer in Kathmandu.
  • All mentioned sightseeing tours in Kathmandu. 
  • All (4 nights) hotel accommodations in Kathmandu at 4 star deluxe hotels on double/twin/triple sharing basis. 
  • Best available guest house/tea house accommodation during Kailash Yatra after Kathmandu.
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary. (Pure Veg Meal)
  • Nepali team leader, kitchen staff, and supporting team.
  • An English-speaking Tibetan guide from Kyirong to Kyirong.
  • Required supporting trucks to carry kitchen equipment.
  • Tibetan visa and road permit.
  • A free duffel bag and small backpack to carry your stuff. 
  • Yak for the Kailash parikrama to carry kitchen equipment and utensils only.
  • First aid kit, Gamow bag, and oxygen cylinder.
  • Kailash yatra completion certificate. (at the end in Kathmandu)

Our Trip Excludes

  • Any international flight cost/Nepal visa fee if needed.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Meals not mentioned.
  • Cost for extra/additional night accommodation in Kathmandu. (if needed)
  • Food and transport in case of any delay due to weather or unforeseen reason. 
  • Pony/Horse Hire/Porter hire cost (Approx 3500-4000 Yuan) during the parikrama of Mt. Kailash. 
  • Emergency evacuation cost. (If needed)
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended) and expenses of personal nature, etc.
  • If pilgrims leave the group early from the Tibet side for non – disease reasons then USD 100 per person/per day has to be paid as penalty to the Tibet side – T. A. R. Foreign Exchange Center (FEC). (Visa splitting charge, accommodation, transportation charges will be extra).
  • Services that aren't mentioned above.

Kailash Yatra Travel Tips

The information given about the Kailash Inner Kora Tour is in detail; feel free to reach us 24/7 for any kind of our support. We will be available on WhatsApp or through email to assist you as quickly as possible. KailashYatra.Travel aims to offer the best possible travel experience to the customers. Depending on the needs of the visitors and the group size, we can offer a private trip. We will put together a bespoke itinerary just for your private group.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book this tour?

How can I go to Kailash Mansarovar from Nepal?

How can I get a visa for Nepal?

Is Kailash Inner Kora Difficult?

Can a normal person go to Kailash Mansarovar?

What is the age limit for Kailash Mansarovar?

What are the booking cancellation policies?

Talk To An Expert

Connect with our experts for personalized guidance

Kiran Neupane

Having worked in Nepal's tourist business and Kailash Mansarovar Yatra operations for more than 13 years, I have committed my professional life to delivering life-changing travel experiences for both pilgrims and adventurers. I am confident and ensure to lead both small and large groups around this holy and spiritually rich country because of my considerable knowledge of Nepal and Tibet, which has been built through experience and my personal experiences.

Kiran Neupane