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 gave Queen Maya a bath 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.

Day 03: Kathmandu to Borderland Resort (4 hrs/135 kms)
Drive from Kathmandu to Borderland Resort on the Bhote Kosi River. The drive eastwards is pleasant passing through agricultural countryside and descending to Dolalghat, crossing over the Bhote Kosi River. Overnight at the tented resort.

Day 04: Borderland – Nyalam
Drive to Kodari (16 kms). The track follows the Bhote Kosi River and then heads towards Kodari on gravel roads and landslip areas. At Kodari, we complete Nepal immigration formalities and cross the friendship bridge on foot to meet representatives from Tibet. Their land cruisers drive us for 45 minutes through lush green hillsides and cascading waterfalls to Zhangmu town where we complete Chinese immigration formalities and continue our drive for another 2 hours to Nyalam. (3750m / 12300 ft) - 53km. Check into the guesthouse.

Note: All of Tibet is on Beijing time. Due to this, the Ngari region of Tibet, which is so far west of Beijing, is dark at 8 a.m. and there is sunlight until about 9 p.m.!

Day 05: Acclimatization day at Nyalam (3750m/12300 ft)
Rest day at Nyalam for acclimatization. After breakfast, set out to the edge of the town to climb a small ridge for a panoramic view of the mountain range. Return to the lodge for lunch. Later, one can stroll through the town bazaar or visit the nearby monastery. Overnight at the Guest House.

Day 06: Nyalam - Saga (4300m/14100 ft; 291 kms)
Drive from Nyalam to Saga via Laluna-la Pass (5050 m / 16564 ft), Lake Paigu Tso and the Tsang Po (Brahmaputra) River. The terrain starts with a rough drive over landslide areas climbing gradually to arrive at Laluna La marked by prayer flags and cairns with skeletal yak heads. From here, leave the main trail to Lhasa and head west descending to the serene and beautiful Lake Paigu Tso for lunch. Descend further to the crossing on the Tsang Po River. Cross the river on the ferry with land cruisers and trucks and then drive to the hustle and bustle of the Saga town. Because of the scarcity of camping sites in and around the village, we continue further driving for another 45 minutes to arrive at a beautiful campsite located close to the Saga River. Overnight Camp.

Day 07: Saga – Paryang (4360m/14300 ft; 160 kms)
Drive from Saga via New Zongba, (4360m / 14300 ft) - 160 km to Paryang. The guesthouse has dormitory style accommodation. 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 08: Paryang - Lake Mansarovar (4727m/15510 ft)
Drive via Mayum La (5151 m / 16890 ft) and drive 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 09: Rest and explore Manasarovar Lake
Rest day at Manasarovar Lake for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight camp at Manasarovar.

Day 10: Manasarovar to Darchen (4560m/14950 ft; 1½ -2 hrs drive)
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 parikrama of Mt. Kailash (6714 m /22028 ft) is an important pilgrimage for religious minded. 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.

Day 11: Darchen to Drira Phuk (4890m/16040ft; 4hrs drive)
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Chukku Gompa, where we would meet porters & yak. After reorganizing the load we start for the trek. The normal pilgrim’s 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 (4890m/16040ft), 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 meadow. 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 nomad tending herd 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 point are the Manjushree, Avalokitesvara and Vajrapani representing wisdom, kindness and power. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 12: 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 13: 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 14: Backtrack to Paryang
Dinner and overnight at camp in Paryang.

Day 15: Drive back track to Saga.
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Saga.

Day 16: Backtrack to Zhangmu via Nyalam
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Zhangmu.

Day 17: Drive Back To Kathmandu via Kodari (135 km/5 to 6 hrs.)
After breakfast, complete Chinese immigration formalities. Later we drive down a very steep section of switchbacks to the Friendship Bridge, which spans the Bhote Kosi River and marks the Chinese - Nepalese border. We say goodbye to our Tibetan guide and driver and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari. After completing the re-entry formalities we continue the 135 km drive to Kathmandu, which should take about 4 to 5 hrs. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 18: Departure for Kathmandu airport.

Per person cost:

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. 1 night stay at Borderland on AP basis; all meals included.
4. Kathmandu/ Kodari / Kathmandu, drive in a bus.
5. All camping / Guesthouse arrangements in Tibet; all meals included.
6. Travel by land cruisers (Only 4 guests per land cruiser).
7. Nepal entry and re-entry visa fees; & China visa fees approximately USD 43. Only for Indian nationals.
8. Hire charges of sleeping bags and feather jackets.
9. 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’.