Credentials

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.

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 ½ 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:

1. Arrival and departure transfers in Kathmandu in a private deluxe non AC Van.
2. 3 nights stay at Kathmandu in a 3 star hotel; all meals included.
3. All flights from Kathmandu to Hilsa and back.
4. All camping / Guesthouse arrangements in Tibet; all meals included.
5. Travel by land cruisers (Only 4 guests per land cruiser).
6. Nepal entry and re-entry visa fees; & China visa fees approximately USD 43. Only for Indian nationals.
7. Hire charges of sleeping bags and feather jackets.
8. Services of one experienced tour escort / manager.

1. Travel to/from Kathmandu (i.e. international airfares)
2. Visa fees for Nepal on arrival (For Foreign Nationals)
3. Airport tax on departure & arrival
4. Personal insurance and evacuation charges
5. Hire of yaks/horses or porters for personal use
6. Entrance fees to monasteries and photography charge as applicable.
7. Expenses of personal nature such as drinks, laundry and tips, etc.
8. Medical & evacuation expenses.
9. Additional expenses incurred on account of landslides or for any other reasons beyond our control.
10. Anything that is not mentioned in the ‘Cost Includes’.