MT. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar via Simikot

Safaris

ABOUT THE TRIP

Pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar are considered to be sacred by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bonpos. Mt. Kailash is known as Ghang Rinpoche, ‘Jewel of Snow’ by Tibetans, they consider it as the ‘Naval of the World’. For Buddhists, Mt. Kailash is the ‘Abode of Arhats’ (those who have attained paradise). Bonpos say that Shanrab their founder, descended from the heavens on this mountain. The Hindus consider Mt. Kailash as the ‘Center of the Universe’ and the abode of Lord Shiva & Parvati. South of Mt. Kailash, at the base of Mt. Gurla Mandhata, there are the two lakes, Lake Manasarovar and Rakshas Tal. Rakshas Tal, the smaller lake, is considered to be inauspicious and Manasarovar is considered to be most sacred and worthy of salvation. Hindus believe that Gods descend down from heaven to take a bath in this holy lake. Buddhists believe that Queen Maya took a bath in this holy lake before giving birth to Lord Buddha. The glaciers of Mt. Kailash and Mt. Gurla Mandhata feed both these lake. It is also believed that the three major rivers Brahmaputra, Sutlej and Indus are fed from Lake Manasarovar (4,727 m/15,510 feet), the highest freshwater body in the world.

Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar are situated in southern Tibet aptly known as the ‘Roof of the World’. Our journey involves flying from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj for overnight stay. Next day early we will fly to Simikot and spend a day for acclimatization. Another day we will board the charter helicopter to Hilsa on the Nepal/China Border. From here we can cross the suspension bridge over Karnali River where we will meet by our Tibetan guide and driver and start our drive to Taklakot which is also called Purang, for immigration formalities. After a two-day break here we can continue to Lake Mansarovar and to Darchen, a small Tibetan town, at the base of Mt. Kailash. Tibet still remains one of the most interesting, infrastructure is basic, landslides and delays are always a part of this trip. Also the drives on the Tibetan plateaus are tiring, dusty and bumpy. The altitudes on which we travel are minimum 3,700 to 5,630m for most of the days. The circumambulation (Parikarma / Kora) around the Mt. Kailash is a 3-day trek, taking us over 6-8 hrs minimum per day.

This strenuous but stupendous journey to sacred Kailash and mystique Lake of Manasarovar, create an everlasting impression on human mind.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Total Duration	11 Nights / 12 Days
Trek duration	02 Nights / 03 Days
Style of Trip	Overland Travel
Grade	Difficult
Maximum Altitude	5,2630 m / 18,472 feet
Best Season	Mid May – October
Accommodation	In Kathmandu & Nepalgunj hotels on twin / double sharing basic rest in the guesthouse on full board basis
Escort	An experienced escort along with a Local Tibetan English Speaking guide will lead the trip

Comments: This trip involves continuous driving & trekking at high altitudes.

Recommendations: With people with ailments of the heart, blood pressure etc it is advisable not to consider this trip. We recommend our guest to undergo a complete medical checkup form their Physician before signing up for the trip. Basic exercises like, brisk walk or light jogging before the trip is recommended.

COST:

Group Size	Net per person costs in INR
10-16 pax	2,20,000/- net per person
17 & above	1,99,000/- net per person

Additional supplement for US & Canadian Citizens 14,000/- net per person

COST INCLUDE:

All transfers, drives and sightseeing as per the itinerary in Nepal in a private a/c vehicle accompanied by an English-speaking guide/representative
Two nights stay at Hotel Shangri la or Hotel Shankar or similar in Kathmandu on full board basis
Tibet / China visa fees
All applicable domestic airfares and helicopter flight on group sharing basis
1 night stay at Hotel Kitchen Hut or Siddhartha in Nepalgunj on full board basis
1 night stay at Sun Valley guesthouse in Simikot on full board basis
Guesthouse accommodation in Taklakot, Mansarovar, Darchen and other places during the parikarma on room sharing basis
Drinking mineral water during on the drive and camps
All transfers, sightseeing and drive in Tibet in a Deluxe Higer or Youtung Coach
All meals in Tibet (Taklakot to Taklakot) hygienically prepared by trained Nepali cook and his kitchen assistant
Services of Sherpa team
Tibet travel permits and Visa fees
Sherpa staff visa and permit fees
Yaks and yak man during the parikarma (1 yak for every 3 pax)
Comprehensive medical first-aid kit, including of bottle of supplement oxygen and Oxy/Pulse meter etc
Humla restricted area permit fees
Services of an experience Nepali tour leader along with an English-speaking Tibetan guide
One free tour leader on above package inclusive of regional airfare and Tibet / China visa on single occupancy basis

COSTS EXCLUDE:

Nepal entry and re-entry visa fee (Not applicable for Indian Citizens)
Any expenses of a personal nature
Additional night stay at hotel and meals due to early arrival or delay departure from trips due to sickness, natural calamities, flight cancellation or any other reason that is beyond our control
Photography fees
Any expenses incurred during emergency evacuation
Any items not mentioned in “the above cost includes” section
Personal insurance policy must be bought from a reputed and reliable firm covering thefts, loss of valuables, tour or flight cancellations due to weather conditions, political reasons or reasons beyond our control, illness, accidents, hospitalization, etc., as well as emergency helicopter evacuation, etc

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU

Arrive at Kathmandu. Upon arrival, meet at the airport and transfer to hotel and check-in. Rest of the day is free for personal activities.
Eve: Welcome dinner at hotel followed by briefing and orientation program for the participants.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Meals included: Dinner

DAY 2: VISIT PASHUPATINATH AND FLY TO NEPALGUNJ

After breakfast we will visit the Pashupatinath Temple. Later after lunch transfer to Kathmandu’s domestic airport to board the flight to Nepalgunj.
Nepalgunj is in the Terai district of Nepal located in the far western region. It is one of the most commercial hubs of Nepal, which lies close to the Indian border and is a major trading town since centuries ago. Upon arrival meet, assist and transfer to hotel.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 3: FLY TO SIMIKOT (2,960 m / 9,708 ft)

After breakfast, transfer to Nepalgunj domestic airport to board the flight to Simikot, the headquarters of Humla District. Humla district is one of the most remote regions of Nepal with no other means of transportation except air. Upon arrival walk to the nearby guesthouse. Rest of the day is free for acclimatization.
Dinner and overnight at guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 4: FLY TO HILSA BY CHARTERED HELICOPTER, WALK TO SHER AND DRIVE TO TAKLAKOT (3,720 m /12,201ft)

After breakfast, transfer to Simikot domestic airport to board the chartered helicopter flight to Hilsa. Upon arrival in Hilsa, walk to Sher for about 20 minutes crossing the Karnali River, where our passports and other travel documents will checked by the Chinese Army. In Sher meet our waiting Tibetian driver and guide and start our drive to Taklakot for another hour and a half, where we complete our entry formalities in Tibet. Later transfer to guesthouse, where you will meet our camping crew.
Dinner and overnight at guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 5: FREE DAY IN PURANG FOR ACCLIMATIZATION

Spend a free day in Taklakot for acclimatization. Today you can do an easy walk around the town.
Dinner and overnight at guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 6: DRIVE TO CHU GOMPA OR LAKE MANSAROVAR (4360 m / 14300 ft; 120 kms)

After breakfast drive to Chu Gompa on the northwest shore of the Lake Mansarovar with the imposing sight of Mt. Kailash in the background. Rest of the day is free to walk around the lake. According to Hindus mythology Lake Manasarovar 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 Lingam. Lake Mansarovar is the highest body of fresh water in the world. Holy also to Buddhists, it was once surrounded by 8 monasteries. In the evening you can walk to the nearby Chu Gompa to witness the beautiful view of Lake Mansarovar and Mt. Kailash.
Dinner and overnight at guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 7: DRIVE TO DARCHEN (4,560m / 14,956 ft) & EXPLORE THE ASTHAPATH

After breakfast drive along the Lake Mansarovar to Darchen. From Darchen continue through the rough road to Shershong Gompa and hike to Asthapath. From where you can witness the closed view of Mt. Kailash, later drive back to Darchen.
Note: Visit to Astapath is subject to permission granted by local authorities and additional charges will be applied, this can be paid directly to Driver or Guide.
Dinner and overnight at guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 8: DRIVE TO TARBOCHE & TREK TO DRIRA PHUK (4,890m / 14,950ft; 6 hrs)

After breakfast drive from Darchen to Chukku Gompa. Here we meet our porters and yaks. 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 guesthouses, we cross the west bank trail across a scree slope to arrive at a good at Damding Donkhang (4,890 m / 16,040 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 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 vantage point are the Manjushree, Avalokitesvara and Vajrapani representing wisdom, kindness and power.
Dinner and overnight guesthouse at Drira Phuk.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 9: TREK TO ZHUTULPHUK GUMBA (4,790 m / 15,711 ft.) VIA DOLMA LA PASS (5,630 m/18,471 ft)

Start trek from Drira Phuk and immediately cross the Lha Chu on a wooden bridge. If you continue to trek up the Lha Chu, you would eventually reach the true source of the Hindus. The Kora route makes a serious climb on to a moraine leading to the Dolma La pass and eventually meeting the trail from the East bank.
After crossing the stream of the Khado-sangam, we arrive at another Chaksal Gang, the third prostration point and from where we get the last view of the east face of Mt. Kailash during the circumambulation. After about 3 hours we arrive at the Zutul-puk Gompa (4,790m / 15,710 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.
Dinner and overnight at guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 10: END PARIKRAMA & DRIVE TO TAKLAKOT (HOR) (5 hrs)

Trek along the Jhong Chu River to a bridge, cross it before descending to 4,610 m/15,124 ft, the last prostration point (Chaksal Gang) from where we get good views of Manasarovar lake but no views of Mt. Kailash. After completing parikrama of Mt. Kailash in Chaksal Gang, meet waiting vehicle and start drive to Taklakot.
Dinner and overnight guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 11: DRIVE TO SHER, WALK TO HILSA AND FLY TO KATHMANDU VIA SIMIKOT AND NEPALGUNJ

After breakfast, complete immigration formalities at the Chinese Immigration control in Taklakot and then drive to Sher. After bidding farewell to our Tibetan staff, we cross the suspension bridge over the Karnali River and arrive at Hilsa. At Hilsa we board the chartered helicopter to Simikot.
After completing re-entry formalities we switch to the schedule flight to Nepalgunj. Upon arrival in Nepalgunj connect flight to Kathmandu. In Kathmandu airport meet and transfer to hotel.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 12: FINAL DEPARTURE

Free day until final departure from Kathmandu’s International Airport. Transfer to the airport for yiur flight.
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Meals included: Breakfast