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KAILASH MANASAROVAR BY AIR (11 nights 12 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: |
11 nights / 12 days ex Kathmandu |
| Style of trip: |
Flights/Overland Travel |
| Trek Duration: |
02 nights / 03 Days (Optional) |
| Trek Grade: |
Strenuous for the parikrama. On Nepal
– China border, it is an uphill 45 minutes walk. |
| Maximum Altitude: |
Dolma La (5630m / 18466 ft) |
| 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) and flights. |
| Escort: |
An experienced escort along with a
local guide will lead the trip. |
| Comments: |
This trip involves continuous driving
at high altitudes. Flights from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
and from there to Simikot is in 15 seater aircrafts.
Flight from Simikot to Hilsa and back is in an
18-seater helicopter. |
| 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. The Tibet
(Chinese) visas will be processed.
Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj.
After breakfast, proceed to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan
International airport to board the 45 minute flight to
Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj, an old commercial hub, is in Terai
district in the far western region and close to the Indian
border. From the airport it is about 20 minutes drive to
the hotel. Overnight Hotel.
Day 04: Fly to Simikot (2960m)
After breakfast, board the flight to Simikot, the
headquarters of Humla District - one of the remotest
regions of Nepal connected by air only. Rest of the day is
free for acclimatization. Overnight at guesthouse.
Day 05: Fly to Hilsa (3720m), and drive to Taklakot
(3930m)
After breakfast, board the chartered helicopter to Hilsa.
Upon arrival in Hilsa, walk to Sher for about 45minute,
where our passports and other travel documents will be
checked by Chinese Army. In Sher meet our waiting Guide
and drive to Taklakot for another 1 and ˝ hour. After
completing immigration formalities transfer to the
guesthouse.
Day 06: Taklakot
Rest day at Taklakot for acclimatization. Whole day is
free.
Day 07: Drive to Chu Gompa
After early breakfast, drive for 3 hours to picturesque
Chu Gompa on the northwest shore of the Lake Mansarovar
with the imposing sight of Mt. Kailsah in the background.
After lunch proceed for Lake Manasarovar Parikarma by Land
Cruiser. Dinner and overnight at Camp.
Day 08: Drive to Tarboche (4750m)
Leaving the lake behind, we drive for about 35 kms/2 hrs
towards Mt. Kailash and Tarboche, which is marked by a
tall pole adorned with prayer flags. This is the starting
point for “kora” the 53 kms trek around the mountain. Late
afternoon-drive to Astahpath. Dinner and overnight at camp
at Chu Gompa.
Day 09: Drive to Taklakot
After breakfast, take a holy dip in Lake Manasarovar and
perform Puja. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Drive to Sher, Walk to Hilsa and Fly back to
Nepalgunj
After early breakfast, complete immigration formalities
and drive to Sher. Walk to Hilsa for about 45minute and
get on to a waiting helicopter and board the flight to
Nepalgunj and connecting flight to Kathmandu. Night stay
in hotel.
Day 11: Fly to Kathmandu
Take Nepalgunj – Kathmandu flight. Check in to hotel.
Evening at leisure.
Day 12: Departure for Kathmandu airport
Per person cost:
| Particulars |
Indian National |
Foreign National |
| Adult |
INR 1,49,900.00 |
US$ 3800.00 |
| Single Supplement |
INR 10,000.00 |
US$ 250.00 |
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.
- All flights from Kathmandu to Hilsa and back.
- 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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