Saga to Manasarovar: Distance, Travel Route, and What to Experience along the Way

Driving from Saga to Manasarovar takes a day with stunning scenery, exotic plateau landscapes, and views of the Himalayas that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

It is also the last section of the epic overland journey to Mount Kailash from Lhasa or Kathmandu.

With several hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants in town, Saga offers a place to rest and recharge for your last night on the way to the sacred Mount Kailash.

Let’s check out detailed information on road conditions and the travel route from Saga to Lake Manasarovar.

Saga to Manasarovar Distance: 496 km in 1 Day

The road from Saga to Lake Manasarovar stretches for around 496 kilometers along the G219 National Highway. It takes around 7 hours to complete the total distance. Most Mount Kailash tours make an overnight stop in Saga, continue to Lake Manasarovar, and arrive in Darchen at the foot of Mount Kailash the next day. En route, you will pass by the Paryang Dersert and Paryong town in Zhongba County.

As the final section of the road from Lhasa to Mount Kailash, the road from Saga to Manasarovar Lake is relatively new and has been covered in asphalt to make the driver easier and faster with a smoother road surface. You can check the detailed road conditions for each section from Saga to Manasarovar Lake below.

Route	Distance	Details
Saga - Zhongba	166 km	Mostly well-paved Asphalt road
Zhongba - Paryang	80 km	Mixed paved and gravel sections
Paryang - Hor Qu Village	220 km	Mostly paved G219 National Highway and winding mountain roads cross Mayum La Pass.
Hor Qu Village - Lake Manasarovar	30 km	Unpaved gravel or rocky tracks around the lake.

The road from Lhasa to Lake Manasarovar via Saga along the G219 National Highway.

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Saga to Lake Manasarovar: the Most Important Part of the Greatest Overland Tour from Lhasa to Mt.Kailash

Saga to Lake Manasarovar Lake is the most important part of the overland journey from Lhasa to Mount Kailash.

Like an extension of the classic Everest Base Camp tour, the route from Saga to Lake Manasarovar takes you westward into the Ngari Plateau, the westernmost region of Tibet. You will experience unique landscapes, unlike any other part of Tibet.

Starting from Lhasa, it takes you to pass through the central Tibet and Mount Everest area with an overnight stay at the Everest Base Camp in Tibet.

After visiting the Everest Base Camp, you will take a day’s drive to Saga, passing through the Saga Valley between the Himalayan Range and the Gangdise Range. Along the way, you will appreciate the stunning view of the snow-capped peaks and vast grassland.

After having a good rest in Saga, you will keep your journey to the holy Lake Manasarovar. You'll cross the desert region of Paryang and witness a breathtaking blend of sacred mountains, wetlands, and desert landscapes.

You may get a chance to enjoy the bright Milky Way at Everest Base Camp during your journey from Lhasa to Lake Manasarovar.

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Saga to Lake Manasarovar: Also the Final Leg of the Only Overland Route to Mt. Kailash from Kathmandu

Saga, as the junction of three highways, is also the final way station of the overland journey from Kathmandu to Mount Kailash, which is the only overland journey from Nepal to the sacred mountain.

Starting from Kathmandu, you will enter the Tibet Autonomous Region of China at the Gyirong Border and follow the legendary Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway to reach Saga.

From Saga, you will continue the overland route along the G219 National Highway to reach Lake Manasarovar and finally arrive in Darchen, where to start the classic Mount Kailash Kora.

During the journey, you will experience landscapes chancing from the lush Himalayan Valleys to the barren Ngari Plateau. However, pay attention to the significant altitude increase from 1,324 meters in Kathmandu to over 4,600 meters in Saga. It is suggested to stay at Gyirong town (2,774 meters) for one night to better acclimatize to the high altitude in Tibet.

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What to See from Saga to Manasarovar? Mountains, Lakes, and even a Desert!

The landscapes and scenery along the route from Saga to Lake Manasarovar are some of the most spectacular of the Mount Kailash tour. You will travel northwards through the Ngari Prefecture, the most wild region of the Tibetan Plateau.

Starting from Saga, the road meanders between the folds of the Gangdise Mountains with snow-capped peaks in the distance. At the foot of the mountain range, following the upper Yarlung Tsangpo River, you may see herds of yaks and meet Tibetan nomads in the alpine pastures from Saga to Zhongba.

While driving from Saga to Zhongba, you'll see yaks grazing on the alpine pastures.

After entering the territory of Zhongba, the land suddenly becomes desolate. The yellow sand of the Paryang desert rises and falls like waves, offering a strange sight lying next to the lush grasslands and crystal-clear lakes.

When the wind blows, the sand grains flicker in the sun, forming a unique contrast with the snow-capped mountains in the distance. Occasionally, Tibet wild donkeys can be seen running among the sand dunes, raising a golden dust mist.

Having great fun in Paryang Desert on the way from Saga to Lake Manasarovar.

Before reaching Lake Manasarovar, you will pass Gongzhucuo Lake, a small but green lake around 100 kilometers away. Nestled at 4,680 meters along the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, this elongated lake is one of the few freshwater lakes on the saline Tibetan plateau and is a beautiful sight in the almost desert landscape surrounding it.

Gongzhucuo on the way from Saga to Lake Manasarovar.

After crossing the Mayum La Pass, Lake Manasarovar is like a huge sapphire inlaid in the wilderness. The holy lake is extremely clear, reflecting the snow-capped shadow of Mount Namunani, while the distant view of Mount Kailash adds a sense of awe and inspiration to the sacred landscape.

The snow-capped Mount Namunani and the holy Lake Manasarovar

At the lake shore, you will see colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Not far away is the mysterious Lake Rakshastal, also known as Laangcuo in Chinese. As a saltwater lake, it is also called the ‘Ghost Lake’ because of its deep blue water and desolate surrounding environment.

The stunning view of Mount Kailash from Lake Laangcuo (Lake Rakshastal)

Where to Stay from Saga to Manasarovar? Hotels and Guesthouses in Saga Town

Saga is the junction point for several major routes into the area, with the road from Lhatse coming from the east, the road from Gyirong coming from the south, and the road from Purang coming from the west. It is also the last large town and the last overnight stop point before getting to Mount Kailash from the south.

As the last large town on the way to Lake Manasarovar, there are several hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants in Saga. Hotels in Saga are basic and cannot be compared to those hotels in Lhasa and Shigatse. Do not expect too much from the services either as most local Tibetan staff in Saga can not speak English.

If you need any help communicating with the hotel staff or local restaurants, feel free to ask your guide for help.

There are good hotels and restaurants in Saga.

More Insider Tips for Traveling from Saga to Manasarovar

Spend at least one night in Saga to help your body adjust to the altitude increases from Saga to Lake Manasarovar.

Stay hydrated is essential during your journey from Saga to Manasarovar Lake. It will help you stay energized and relieve the discomfort of altitude sickness.

It is suggested to dress in layers when taking the overland journey from Saga to Manasarovar. At the far remote region of Ngari, with an average altitude of around 4,500 meters, the weather change quickly. Layering allows you to adapt to temperature swings throughout the day.

Book your trip to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar at least one month in advance. Besides the Tibet Travel Permit, there are more travel documents required for visiting remote areas in Tibet. You should leave enough time to ensure you get all necessary travel documents in time.

Be aware of the wildlife. The route from Saga to Manasarovar Lake offers a glimpse of wild donkeys, antelopes, and dramatic landscapes. It is exciting to witness those lovely creatures, but keeping a safe distance from them is also important.

The best time to travel to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar is from May to early October when the weather is pleasant. The winter is long in this area and even in April, there may be snow along the way. The road may be closed due to heavy snow in winter months.

You may get the chance to witness the wild donkeys around Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash.

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Conclusion

Covering a distance of 496 kilometers, the journey from Saga to Lake Manasarovar is the final and most anticipated travel day before you arrive in Darchen, the gateway to your sacred Mount Kailash Kora. It offers some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Ngari, one of the most remote regions of western Tibet.

As an important way station for the overland journey to Mount Kailash, Saga offers basic accommodation and food supplies. Feel free to contact us for more information or further help to arrange your trip to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.