Arrive at the Kathmandu airport where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Since no activities are planned on day one, you can arrive at your own time. A briefing of the trip will be given by the tour/trek guide. Overnight in Hotel.

Today we explore the temples, monasteries and markets of this fascinating city. There are many interesting attractions within walking distance including the old Royal Palaces in Durbar Square, the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and Buddhist Stupa of Boudha. Equipment check is be done in the afternoon and this is a great day to pick up supplies for your trip to Tibet like extra clothing and snacks. Sleep well tonight and prepare for a dreamland journey from the next day. Overnight in Hotel.

We leave Kathmandu early morning and drive to Kodari. After finishing the immigration and customs formalities at Zhangmu (Entry point to China) we proceed to Nyalam driving through deep green valley with sparkling rivulets and waterfalls sprouting out of the adjacent hills. Overnight in Guest House.

Nyalam Valley is called the "Valley of Happiness". This day gives us a chance to relax and acclimatize to the high altitude. We explore the surroundings and climb small mountains to see how our body reacts in the altitude. Please share your experience of the day with our guide which will help us know your physical condition better. Overnight in Guest House.

On this route you will travel through high passes and broad valleys with the greenery converging into barren high plains. The driving is difficult, but the stunning views of the Himalayas and in particular Shisha Pangma (8012m) more than make up for the rough travel. By late afternoon we cross the Brahmaputra River and a quick drive will bring us to Saga. Overnight in Guest House.

Our jeeps and trucks roll through the gigantic valleys following the various rivers through the grazing lands of yaks and sheep. The landscape is highlighted by snow capped peaks rising out of the distant sand dunes. Depending on the season, many Tibetan nomads and traders in traditional dress will inhabit this area. Overnight in Guest House.

This is the longest driving day of the trip. By late afternoon the drive through the green pastures and huge valleys gives way to the first sighting of Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. We will drive to Thugo Monastery which is the holiest bathing gate of Manasarovar. Overnight in Camp.

If you wish you can have a "purification bath" in the icy waters of this holy lake which is the highest large body of fresh water on earth. For Hindu pilgrims we perform a Puja on the bank of Manasarover. Wind permitting, we will enjoy the unparalleled beauty of Manasarovar's deep blue waters. There are also many Hindu and Buddhist temples here. Later drive to Darchen. Overnight in Camp.

Darchen is the starting point from where you begin circumambulating (Parikrima) Mt. Kailash. We embark on our circuit of this holy mountain, starting west from Darchen and making a clockwise circuit as do the Hindus and Buddhist who make this pilgrimage. (The most pious of pilgrims prostrate themselves around Kailash, lying flat on the ground, then rising and walking to the point that their hands touched and repeating the process.) We will take three days to make the circuit; hearty Tibetans do it in one day! Overnight in Camp.

Continue higher past piles of clothing at Shiva-tsal (5350m). Tibetans leave an article of clothing or a drop of blood here as part of leaving their past life behind them. Continue up to the Dolma La (5650m), where a big boulder on the pass, festooned with prayer flags (perhaps the world's largest collection of prayer flags), represents the goddess Dolma. The pass is the physical and spiritual high point of the kora (circuit). Descend countless switchbacks past Lake Gaurikunda (5440m) (Devout Hindus are supposed to break the ice and bathe in its waters!) and finally arrive at Zuthul Puk. Zuthul Puk means "miracle cave" and it is here that the Buddhist saint Milarepa lived, meditated, and performed miracles such as raising the roof of the cave to make it more comfortable! Overnight in Camp.

The Kailash Kora ends today after an easy trek of 14 Kms. Proceed to Horchu (4560m) at Lake Manasarovar. Overnight in Camp.

Drive to Paryang (270 Kms / 6-7 hrs drive) Overnight at Guest House.

Drive to Saga (230 Kms / 6-7 hrs drive) Overnight at Guest House.

Drive to Nyalam. (240 Kms / 6-7 hrs drive) Overnight at Guest House.

Drive to Zhangmu and after completion of Chinese Immigration and Custom formalities, continue down to the Friendship Bridge / Kodari. After completion of Nepal Immigration and Custom formalities, drive to Kathmandu. Overnight in Hotel.

End of program. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.