DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN NEPALGANJ O/N HOTEL
Arrive in Nepalgunj in the far south-west of Nepal. It is a busy crowded city which lies close to the Indian border, meet at the hotel
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DAY 02: IN NEPALGUNJ – O/N HOTEL
Day free at your own activities.
DAY 03: FLY TO HILSA, DRIVE TO TAKLAKOT [3930M] O/N MOTOR HOME
This morning we fly north for about an hour to Simikot, the headquarters of Nepal's most remote district, Humla, then continue fly 30 minutes to Hilsa, Nepal / Tibet boarder. After meeting our crew, we set off on our trek, climbing up from the airstrip on a rocky trail to Sher. After completing the border formalities at Chinese immigration posts we meet our Motor Home and drive about 65km, to the large trading centre of Taklakot.
DAY 04: REST DAY IN TAKLAKOT – O/N MOTOR HOME
We spend a rest day in Taklakot today in order to acclimatize before heading up higher.
DAY 05 : DRIVE TO LAKE MANASAROVAR [4558M] O/N MOTOR HOME
Early morning drive about 65km, to Lake Manasarovar (Chui Gompa side). the most venerated of Tibet's many lakes
DAY 06: DRIVE TO DARCHEN [4560M] O/N MOTOR HOME
Leaving the lake, After having holy dip and lunch, we drive for about 35 km towards Mt Kailash and Tarboche which is marked by a tall pole adorned with prayer flags. This is the starting point for our Kora, the 53 km trek around the mountain.
DAY 07: TREK TO DIRA-PUK [4900M] O/N CAMP
Drive about 5 km to Tarboche, From Tarboche, we walk up the Lha Chu Valley through beautiful green meadows and streams with Mt Kailash towering above us. We follow the river which enters a narrow canyon with high, steep cliffs and spectacular waterfalls. Continuing up the valley, the north face of Kailash comes into view before we reach the ancient monastery at Dira-puk.
DAY 08: TREK TO ZUTUL-PUK [4790M] O/N CAMP
We now leave the Lha Chu Valley and enter the Drolma Chu Valley, heading up towards a high pass, the Drolma La [5630m]. It's a tough climb to the summit which is festooned with prayer flags but from there it is all downhill or flat to Zutul-puk, with views of one of the highest lakes in the world, Thukpe Dzingbu Lake, known as the Lake of Compassion. At Zutul-puk, there is a monastery and several meditation caves and a cave containing an image of Milarepa.
DAY 09: DRIVE TO PARYANG [4750M] O/N MOTOR HOME
On the final day of the Kora we cross several streams, and follow an impressive gorge. Along the way we are once again treated to magnificent views of Kailash. We then enter the Bharka plain and it's about an hour's walk through this desert-like landscape to Darchen. We board the Motor Home waiting at Darchen and drive, about 300km, to Paryang. Along the way, we cross the Mayun-la and make several river crossings. The scenery along this section is one of the most panoramic of the entire journey.
DAY 10: DRIVE TO SAGA [4600M] O/N MOTOR HOME
We continue driving today along a 255km stretch of road to Saga, passing through the small, dusty town of Zhongba en route.
DAY 11: DRIVE TO NYALAM (3750m) – O/N MOTOR HOME
Leaving Saga, we again cross the Yarlung Tsangpo, and pass by Peiku-tso before arriving back at Nyalam.
DAY 12: DRIVE TO KATHMANDU (1400m) – O/N HOTEL
From Nyalam, we head back to the border town of Zhangmu. From Zhangmu, it’s a short drive 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 where we will be met by our Nepalese staff. After completing the re-entry formalities we continue the drive to Kathmandu which, depending on road and weather conditions, should take about 5-6 hours.
DAY 13: DEPART KATHMANDU
We leave hotel and drive to Tribhuvan Int'l airport to board the plane home.
