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KAILASH MANSAROVER via LHASA (20 nights 21
days)
Mt. Kailash
Mt Kailash, 6714m high, is also called Kang Rinpoche or
‘The precious Jewel of the Snow’. Four major religions
revere this mountain. Hindus consider it as the abode of
Lord Shiva. Buddhists consider it as the manifestation of
Sakyamuni, the Buddha. For the Jains, this is the place of
their first saint Adinath’s emancipation. For Bons, the
followers of pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet, their founder
saint Shenrad is said to have descended on its peak. Mt. Kailash also known as Mt. Meru, is referred to as the
navel of the earth. Four great rivers flow within a radius
of 50 kms in four different directions. To the South is
the sapphire face from where flows the Karnali, from the
West flows the Sutlej, from the gold face on the North
flows the Indus and eastwards flows the Brahmaputra,
locally known as Yarlang Sangpo.
Mansarovar
Mansarovar is what remains of the Lake Tethys, considered
the source of all creation. As the legend goes, Brahma
created this lake for his meditation. Literally speaking
it is manas+sarovar. Manas refers to the mind of the God
Brahma, the lake being its outward manifestation. The lake
is at a height of 4560m with a circumference of 110 km,
which can be trekked in about three days. It has a depth
of 300 feet and covers an area of 350 sq kms. It is
amongst the highest fresh water body in the world. It is
believed that Gods come to bathe every morning in this
lake between 3 to 5 am and this time is called 'Brahmamuhurta'.
According to a legend, Queen Maya was given a bath by the
Gods in its waters before she gave birth to Buddha.
The importance of doing the yatra
This region is steeped in religion and mythology and every
year hundreds of pilgrims traverse some of the remotest
and toughest regions of the Himalayas to pay their
obeisance to the Lord. It is a land where Lord Shiva lives
with his consort Parvati. According to religious texts,
the abode of creator Brahma is called Brahmaloka, the
abode of Lord Vishnu is called Vaikuntha and the abode of
Lord Shiva is called Kailash. Of the three, one can go
bodily and return in this life having experienced divinity
only from Kailash.
It is believed that a single set of parikrama around Mount
Kailash washes away sins of a lifetime while 108
parikramas will help achieve salvation or Nirvana. The
parikrama or kora of Kailash is a three-day trek, 53 kms
long and is performed in a clockwise direction. The Dolma
pass is the highest point at 5630m. Gouri Kund (5608m),
just ahead of the pass, is a group of five small kunds of
different shapes containing emerald green water. It is
also called the lake of compassion where Parvati bathed.
The parikrama starts from Darchen and can be completed
comfortably in three days. The locals do it in one long
day!
Hindus believe that Goddess Parvati has taken the form of
the Manasarovar Lake and that deliverance is assured for
people taking a bath in Manasarovar. Even drinking the
waters of the lake frees a human being from sins committed
in a hundred lives. It is believed that Parashuram's
ashram too is situated on a hill on the banks of the
Manasarovar.
Important Travel Information for Tibet
Tibet was opened to tourism in 1985. Earlier it avoided
influence from the western world and developed its unique
culture and religion. The tourism infrastructure is still
basic. So, do not expect the standards you are accustomed
to in other tourist destinations. If you are not up for a
HARD LIVING adventure or for accommodations and amenities
that are far from perfect, then this trip is not for you.
The trip to Tibet is tough but the successful completion
of the trip far outweighs the discomforts faced en route.
Traveling overland from Kathmandu to Mt. Kailash, which
lies in the Southwestern part of Tibet is an incredible
journey. It is undoubtedly the toughest and most rewarding
of all such journeys known to man. En route you can see
the world's highest mountains, travel on the world's
highest plain and drive along some magnificent lakes.
Rivers and streams are crossed and recrossed, passes are
climbed and conquered.
Nowadays this journey is wee-bit easier as we do the trip
in (relative) comfort in Japanese 4-wheel drive Land
cruisers. But on our tour, trekking is required only
during the 3 day Kailash parikrama when one has to cross
the 19,500ft high Dolma Pass. However, yaks can be hired
locally on this parikrama and yatris need not trek the
entire distance.
| Total Duration: |
20 nights / 21 days ex Kathmandu |
| Style of trip: |
High altitude/Overland Travel |
| Trek Duration: |
02 nights / 03 Days |
| Trek Grade: |
Strenuous |
| Maximum Altitude: |
5630m / 18466 ft |
| Fixed Departures 2007 (Ex Kathmandu): |
9th September 2007 |
| Best Season: |
Mid May to September. |
| Accommodation & Food: |
In hotels / guesthouses on full board
basis; Camping in small camping tents at Lake
Manasarovar and while on the Kailash Parikrama (trek). |
| Travel & Transfers: |
Travel in land cruisers (4 pax per
vehicle). |
| Countryside Escort: |
An experienced escort along with a
local guide will lead the trip. |
| Comments: |
This trip involves continuous driving
at high altitudes. |
| Recommendations: |
People with ailments of the heart,
blood pressure etc are advised not to consider this
trip. We recommend our guest to undergo a complete
medical checkup from their physician before signing up
for the trip. Basic exercises like brisk walk or light
jogging before the trip is recommended. |
ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, meet assist and transfer to the
hotel. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening, trip briefing
and welcome dinner at a Nepali restaurant with culture
dance. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley.
After breakfast, sightseeing at Pashupatinath Temple and
Gujeswari. Evening - briefing about the trip.
Day 03: Kathmandu - Lhasa
Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa by CA 408 at 1025 hrs.
Arrival in Lhasa at 1345 hrs. Check in to a hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Full day Sightseeing tour of Lhasa.
Potala Palace, the legendary palace built by the first
King Songten Gompo is situated atop a single hill and is
synonymous with Tibet. The 5th Dalai Lama expanded it to
its present structure during the 17th century. This 13
storey, 1000 room citadel served as the headquarters of
the former "church-state" of Tibet and was home to
successive Dalai Lama who, from the latter half of the
18th century, used it as their Winter Palace.Also visit the Jokhang Temple located in the heart of old
Lhasa, it houses Tibet’s most precious religious relic, a
golden Shakyamuni Buddha which was brought as a gift by
the Chinese Princess Wen Cheng on the occasion of her
wedding to the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gompo. Surrounding
the Jokhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor market place,
which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa. This is
the spiritual centre of Tibet. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Full day sight seeing tour Ganden Monastery
The monastery lies 45 kilometers (28 miles) east of Lhasa.
Lying on the mountainside, it looks magnificent and grand.
Tsong Khapa, the founder of Gelugpa, established it in
1409. A story says that when Tsong Khapa and his disciples
were selecting a construction site a crow pecked his hat
suddenly and dropped it on the mountainside. Then the
monastery was constructed there in accordance with
Buddha's wish. Ganden monastery is the first Gelugpa
monastery in Tibet. Its tripa, abbot of the monastery, is
actually the Throne Holder of Gelugpa, which is Panchen
Lama and Dalai Lama's order.
Also visit Drepung Monastery: Drive 8 km west of Lhasa to
Drepung Monastery. Said to be the largest monastery in the
world housing over 10,000 monks, it was founded in 1416 by
the disciple of Te Tsonkhapa, founder of the Yellow Hat
Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The second, third and
the fourth Dalai Lamas lived and were entombed here.
Drepung in Tibetan means ‘Richmond’. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Namtso Lake
Day 07: Lhasa to Gyantse via Yamdrok Tso
(3950m/12959ft;7/8 hrs)
We cross the Khamba La [4794m] and reach the Yamdrok Tso,
a beautiful turquoise lake. The road follows the lake for
almost 20 kms. Todays journey of 261 kms offers some
spectacular views and takes us over Karo La [5045m]. Once
in Gyantse, we can explore the Pelkor Chode Monastery and
the Gyantse Kumbum. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed stupa
and its many chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan
Buddhist murals. Overnight Camp / Guesthouse.
Day 08: Gyantse to Shigatse (3900m/12795ft; 3 hours)
On the way we visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the
largest functioning monasteries in Tibet. We continue
driving further to Shigatse, the second largest city in
Tibet. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09: Shigatse to Lhatse (4350m/14272ft; Duration:
6/7 hrs)
Drive through the remote Tibetan countryside. It is LHATSE
where the roads to KAILASH, KATHMANDU & LHASA converge.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Lhatse to Saga
Through the beautiful Tibetan countryside. It is SAGA
where you will meet our camping crew along with all the
camping equipment, food supplies and trekking provisions.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Saga to Paryang (4450m/14600ft; Duration: 6-7
hrs)
Drive from Saga via New Zongba, (4360m / 14300 ft) - 160
km to Paryang. The guesthouse has dormitory style
accommodations. Because of the frequent use of the lodge
facilities by pilgrims and lack of water supply, the
amenities are basic and not very hygienic. For camping
groups, there are beautiful campsites along the Paryang
River another 30 minutes beyond the village. Overnight
Camp / Guesthouse.
Day 12: Paryang to Lake Mansarovar (4550m/14928ft; 6/7
hrs)
Drive from Paryang to Lake Manasarovar (4727m / 15510 ft)
via Mayum La (5151 m / 16890 ft) Driving past Kongyu Tso
through the village of Thongchen, we camp near Hor village
on the banks of Manasarovar. Lake Manasarovar, Hindus
believe, was created by Brahma as a reflection of the
depth of his soul-manas and represents the female energy
of Yoni of the Universe, while Mt. Kailash symbolizes the
male energy of the Lingum. Lake Manasarovar is the highest
body of fresh water in the world. Holy also to Buddhists,
it was once surrounded by 8 monasteries. Overnight Camp.
Day 13: Rest and explore Manasarovar Lake.
Day 14: Manasarovar to Darchen (4560m/14950 ft; 1˝ -2
hrs).
Drive from Manasarovar to Darchen to commence the
circumambulation around Mt. Kailash. It is believed to be
the physical embodiment of the mythical Mount Meru, said
to be the center of the universe or ‘navel of the world’.
Mt. Meru is often depicted as a mandala and its image
occurs throughout Buddhist and Hindu parts of Asia. The
circumambulation of Mt. Kailash (6714 m /22028 ft) is an
important pilgrimage for religious. We stay at guesthouse
in Darchen & complete all our formalities for the trek
such as hiring of yaks, porters, etc. Dinner and overnight
stay at the guesthouse. Dinner and overnight at camp in
Paryang.
Day 15: Darchen to Drira Phuk – 4 Hrs.
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Chukku Gompa,
where we would meet our porters & yak. After reorganizing
the load we start for the trek. The normal pilgrims route
stays on the east bank of the Lha Chu. But for better
views of Kailash and generally better campsites, we cross
the west bank trail across a scree slope to arrive at a
good camping ground at Damding Donkhang (4890 m / 16040
ft), a grassy spot that offers good views of the West face
of Mt. Kailash. It is also known as the Valley of yaks as
one can see hundreds of yaks grazing on the meadows.
We continue on a rocky path walking along the Belung Chu
and Dunglung Chu streams as the North face of Kailash
comes in view. On the opposite side of the Lha Chu you can
see several groups of nomads tending herds of goats and
yaks. As one reaches the Gompa and a frugal guesthouse at
Drira Phuk, we are rewarded with a fine view of the North
face of Mt. Kailash. The three lower hills in front of Mt.
Kailash from this vantage point are the Manjushree,
Avalokitesvara and Vajrapani representing wisdom, kindness
and power. Dinner and overnight stay at the Camp.
Day 16: Drira Phuk/Sabje Dratok
We cross the Lha Chu on a wooden bridge. If one continues
to trek up the Lha Chu, one would reach the true source of
the Indus. The Kora route takes a serious climb on to a
moraine eventually meeting the trail from the East bank.
The trail now climbs more gently to a meadow full of fat
marmots (phiya) at 5212 m / 17095 ft. Climb past piles of
clothing at Shiva-tsal (5330m / 17490 ft). As apart of
their custom, Tibetans leave an article of clothing or a
drop of blood here as part of leaving their past life
behind them. Continue past thousands of small rock cairns
to a large cairn at 5390 meters passing the Dikpa Karnak,
a sin testing stone. It is said that those without sin can
squeeze through the narrow hole between the boulders while
a sinner, no matter how small cannot pass through! The
trail now leads across a boulder field and climbs through
large rocks to a tiny stream. Climb onto a ridge and
continue gently on to the Dolma La at 5630 m / 18470 ft. A
big boulder on the pass representing the goddess Dolma
(better known by her Sanskrit name Tara) is festooned with
prayer flags and streamers.
It is traditional to leave and take something as part of
the collection of coins, prayer flags, teeth and other
offerings attached to the rock. The trail from the west
side of the pass is steep and rocky at first and then
begins a series of switchbacks as it passes Gauri Kund.
Many more switchbacks and steep descents leads to the
valley and then further descend for about an hour to
arrive alongside the Lham Chhukhir at 5150 m / 16890 ft),
the evening’s campsite on the banks of a river near Sabje
Dratok. A huge rock at Sabje Dratok has a footprint that is
believed to be of Lord Buddha. Overnight camp.
Day 17: Sabje Dratok/Darchen
Trek from Sabje Dratok along the river. After crossing the
stream Khado – sanglam, we arrive at another Chaksal Gang,
the third prostration point. After about 3 hrs we arrive
at the Zutul-puk Gompa (4790m / 15710 ft) where there is a
cave in which the saint Milarepa is said to have
meditated. It is said that he adjusted the height of this
cave to make it more comfortable. His footprint still
remains on the roof. Trek along the Jhong Chu River to a
bridge, cross it before descending to 4610 m, the last
prostration point (Chaksal Gang) from where we get good
views of Manasarovar lake. From here, either take the
vehicles or walk for an hour to Darchen. At Darchen, get
on the waiting vehicles & drive to the campsite (2 hrs)
flanked by the settlement of Hor to the northeast corner
of the Lake Mansarovar.
Dinner and overnight camp at Mansarovar.
Day 18: Drive to Saga
Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Day 19: Drive to Zhangmu via Nyalam.
Overnight at stay at guesthouse.
Day 20: Zhangmu to Kathmandu via Kodari
After breakfast, complete border formalities and drive
down to the Nepal / China friendship bridge at Kodari and
meet waiting vehicles and representatives from Nepal.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 21: Departure for Kathmandu
Per person cost:
| Particulars |
Indian National |
Foreign National |
| Adult |
INR 1,33,250.00 |
US$ 3414.00 |
| Single Supplement |
INR 15,750.00 |
US$ 350.00 |
Cost includes:
- Arrival and departure transfers in Kathmandu in a
private deluxe non AC Van.
- 3 nights stay at Kathmandu in a 3 star hotel; all meals
included.
- 4 nights stay at Lhasa in a hotel; all meals included.
- Kodari to Kathmandu, drive in a bus.
- All camping / Guesthouse arrangements in Tibet; all
meals included.
- Travel by land cruisers (Only 4 guests per land
cruiser).
- Nepal entry and re-entry visa fees; & China visa fees
approximately USD 43. Only for Indian nationals.
- Hire charges of sleeping bags and feather jackets.
- Services of one experienced tour escort / manager.
Cost excludes:
- Travel to/from Kathmandu (i.e. international airfares)
- Visa fees for Nepal on arrival (For Foreign Nationals)
- Airport tax on departure & arrival
- Personal insurance and evacuation charges
- Hire of yaks/horses or porters for personal use
- Entrance fees to monasteries and photography charge as
applicable.
- Expenses of personal nature such as drinks, laundry and
tips, etc.
- Medical & evacuation expenses.
- Additional expenses incurred on account of landslides
or for any other reasons beyond our control.
- Anything that is not mentioned in the ‘Cost Includes’.
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