How to Get to Mount Kailash from Nepal: by Flight, Overland or Helicopter?

Nepal is a landlocked country that is nestled in the Himalayas of South Asia. It borders Tibet in China to the north and boasts magnificent scenery and a unique culture. The distance from the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, to Mount Kailash is about 820km. Because of the actual road conditions, the distance is quite long. The route from Kathmandu to Mount Kailash is not only a popular itinerary in Nepal, but also for Tibetan tourism. This article will provide you with detailed information about the specific methods and ways to Kailash from Nepal, and help you easily plan your Tibet trip.

Travel to Mount Kailash from Nepal by Flight

Flying directly from Kathmandu to Lhasa, then traveling overland from Lhasa to Mount Kailash, is a popular choice for tourists from all over the world. You can spend a few days in advance to experience the unique scenery and culture of Nepal, and then start your trip to Tibet. This also avoids the hassle of transiting through other cities in mainland China.

Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa

Kathmandu is one of the few cities with direct international flights to Lhasa. There are only four flights per week: on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The flight departs Tribhuvan International Airport at 8:30 AM and arrives in Lhasa at 12:05 PM local time after a 1h20m flight, and tickets typically cost around $300.

Tribhuvan International Airport

From Lhasa to Mount Kailash by Overland

After successfully arriving in Lhasa from Kathmandu, you'll travel overland from Lhasa to Mount Kailash. After a brief 2-day stay in Lhasa to acclimate to the plateau, you'll explore the city in depth, visiting landmarks such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street. You'll then continue to Shigatse, passing the scenic Yamdrok Lake and the magnificent Karola Glacier. You'll also have the opportunity to visit Mount Everest Base Camp, experiencing an unforgettable moment at the foot of the world's highest peak. You'll then continue towards Mount Kailash, passing through Saga and finally arriving at Darchen, the starting point of the Mount Kailash Kora, to begin your 3-day trek.

Choosing this route to Mount Kailash from Nepal gives you ample time to acclimate to Tibet's high altitude. Furthermore, you'll get a better understanding of Tibetan culture through the beautiful temples along the way. Not only will you make the pilgrimage to the sacred mountain, but you'll also get a glimpse of Mount Everest. This is a nearly perfect itinerary, allowing you to visit all of Tibet's famous sights, though it does take longer.

Based on this route, we offer 13-day and 15-day itineraries. Most of the itineraries are the same, with the only difference being that after the 3-day Mount Kailash kora, the 13-day itinerary will take you to the Gyirong border crossing, where you'll depart Tibet. The 15-day itinerary will continue along the Yarlung Zangbo River back to Lhasa, where you'll depart Tibet. You can choose the itinerary that suits your interests.

Travel to Mount Kailash from Nepal by Overland

If you have limited time, it will take a long time to arrive in Lhasa first and then go from Lhasa to Kailash. You can choose to go directly from Kathmandu to Kailash via Gyirong Port. This land route offers a unique view of the border areas between the two countries.

From Kathmandu to Gyirong Port

Many people traveling overland from Kathmandu choose the Zhangmu Border because it's shorter. Reaching the Gyirong Border takes 2-3 hours longer than Zhangmu Port, but accommodations in Gyirong Town are cheaper. Furthermore, the scenery along the way from Gyirong Town is stunning, with sights such as the Pelkhu Tso Lake.

You can take a bus from Kathmandu to Gyirong. The bus station in Kathmandu is called Dhading Bus Park. Search for directions there on Google Maps, and you'll see a ticket window. Tickets cost 1,080 NPR (approximately $8). Be sure to buy the earliest bus departing at 6:00 AM. If you purchase a ticket for a later departure, customs will likely be closed by the time you arrive at the Gyirong Border, requiring an overnight stay. It's recommended that you purchase your ticket one day in advance.

The bus journey takes approximately 8-9 hours, with lunch stops in a village along the way. There are also two or three restroom stops on the way, and you will pass by Langtang National Park. Normally, you can reach the Nepal border around 2:00 PM. Be sure to hurry to complete customs formalities. After passing Nepal Customs, there's about a 1.5km road to Gyirong Customs. Chinese customs close around 5:30 PM. Once you've completed the formalities at Gyirong Port, you can enter the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Pick-up Service at Gyirong Port

Note: The drive from Kathmandu to Gyirong Port is quite long. There's a 2h15m time difference between Nepal and China. When you arrive at the Nepal border, it will be around 2:00 or 3:00 PM local time, while it will be around 4:00 or 5:00 PM in China. You may not be able to successfully pass through Gyirong Port.

To ensure a smooth and comfortable journey, we recommend that you book your trip from Kathmandu to Mount Kailash with us. We provide a private car transfer, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way in Nepal while also passing through the Gyirong Port to Tibet.

From Gyirong to Mount Kailash

After passing through the Gyirong border, don't miss the beautiful town of Gyirong. Just over 20km from the border, the town is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and sits just over 2,000m above sea level, making altitude sickness less likely. The town boasts lush vegetation, and the sun shines down on the mountains daily. Many Nepalese people live and work here, and there are also some must-see sights, such as Paba Monastery and Gyirong Valley. Before continuing to Mount Kailash, having a short rest here is a good option.

The journey from Gyirong town to Mount Kailash is approximately 456km and typically takes two days. On the first day, you'll reach Saga, passing the scenic Pelkhu Tso Lake and the majestic Mount Shishapangma.

The second day will continue from Saga to Darchen. First, you'll travel to Zhongba County in the Shigatse Prefecture, covering approximately 145km. The road from Saga to Zhongba is generally good. However, after Zhongba County, the road deteriorates to dirt and gravel, and the bumpy ride continues to Lake Mansarovar.

After a brief encounter with Lake Mansarovar, you'll continue approximately 30km to Darchen- the starting and ending point of the Kailash Kora, and the only stop before the kora route.

Travel to Mount Kailash from Nepal by Helicopter

The journey from Kathmandu to Mount Kailash via Purang Port isn't just a helicopter ride; it combines flight, helicopter, and road, taking approximately four days.

On the first day, you'll need to fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, a relatively short flight of approximately one hour. We'll pre-book a hotel for you, allowing you to check in and rest immediately upon arrival in Nepalgunj.

The second day kicks off with a 1-hour flight from Nepalgunj to Simikot. From there, it’s an exciting helicopter ride to Hilsa, the border crossing point. After crossing into Tibet at Purang Port, you’ll be transferred to Purang Town.

On the third day of this journey, you'll have a full day to acclimate to Tibet's high altitude and explore the beautiful Purang town.

Early on the fourth day, we'll depart Purang for a 5-6 hour drive to Darchen. Along the way, you'll admire the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas and stop at Lake Mansarovar to pray and gaze out at Mount Kailash.

We have specially designed an 11-day itinerary for those entering Tibet by helicopter. After visiting Kathmandu, we followed the itinerary to Kailash for a 3-day kora, then returned to Nepalgunj by helicopter from Simikot and returned to Kathmandu by the same route.

Permits and Visas for Mount Kailash Tour from Nepal

Traveling from Nepal to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar is a long journey, so it's recommended that you apply for a Chinese visa in advance. While some countries qualify for China's 15-day visa-free policy, itineraries that include visiting Mount Kailash often exceed this limit. If you also plan to go to Tibet by train or visit other cities in China, a Chinese visa is even more essential, as it will allow you to spend more time in China. Furthermore, you can use your Chinese Tourist Visa when flying from Kathmandu to Lhasa or via the Gyirong border to Mount Kailash- there is no longer a mandatory requirement to obtain a Chinese Group Visa.

In addition, since Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are located in Tibet, you must obtain additional permits, including a Tibet Travel Permit, Aliens' Travel Permit, and Military Permit. Once you book your Mount Kailash tour, we'll process these permits for you for free.

Conclusion

Traveling to Mount Kailash from Nepal is an unforgettable adventure. Whether you choose to travel overland from the Gyirong border, fly to Lhasa and enjoy the scenic route to Mount Kailash, or opt for the exciting helicopter tour, each route offers unique perspectives and scenery, allowing you to immerse yourself in the region's diverse culture and scenery. If you have any further questions about reaching Mount Kailash from Nepal, please feel free to contact us.