LHASA AND MT. KAILASH

Kailash Parvat & Manasarovar Tirth Yatra (A pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash & Manasarovar) - 17 days

Mt. Kailash, 6700 meter peak, also referred as the Meru, Sumeru, Sushumna, Hemadri (golden mountain), Ratnasanu (jewel peak), Karnikachala (lotus mount), Amaradri, Deva Parvatha (summit of gods), Gana Parvatha, Rajatadri (silver mountain) in religious scriptures, is situated in the Western Tibet. The beauty of Mt. Kailash, which looks like a symmetrical cone shaped rock capped by pure crystalline ice all the time, is echoed in various mythological and literary works, this is the place where Lord Shiva and his divine consort Parvati live.

Trip Facts

	Trip length: 17 Days Grade: Soft Adventure Trek Starts in: Kathmandu Ends in: Kathmandu Accommodation: Hotel, Lodge and camping Transportation: 4WD Land cruiser with support truck Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek Maximum altitude: 4790m

DATES
Available for private group

PRICE
Contact us at
office@explore-himalaya.com
for more information about this tour.

A three-day circumambulation (Parikrama or Kora) around Mt. Kailash, which is also considered as the navel of the earth, involves crossing 5630 meter Dolma La (pass) which is believed to belong to Devi Parvati. Completing a Kora (Parikrama) is believed to erase the sins of a lifetime.

Only 30km from Mt Kailash is another important pilgrimage site, the beautiful and serene Lake Manasarovar. According to Hindu Mythology it was formed in the mind of Brahma, and the Goddess Parvati is believed to have taken the form

of the lake Manasarovar. Taking a bath in this holy lake assures the deliverance from sins of a life time. Even drinking the waters of lake frees a human being from sins of all kind. Myth has it that the gods come to bathe every morning in this lake between 3 to 5 am and this time is called 'Brahmamuhurta'. Another legend has it that Parashuram's ashram also situated on a hill on the banks of Manasarovar. Brahmaputra, Indus, Sutlej, and Karnali, the major rivers of India and Nepal originate from here.

The scriptures reiterate that a pilgrimage to these holy sites not only assures absolution of one’s sins through generations but also forms the ultimate realization of one’s spiritual pursuit.

On this trip, we drive from Kathmandu to the Tibetan border at Zhangmu and continue drive to Nyalam for overnight halt. We then drive across the ‘roof of the world’ to Lake Manasarovar. After completing a Kora around Mt Kailash and a holy dip in Manasarovar we retrace our route back to Kathmandu.

Outline Itinerery
	Day 01 ARRIVE KATHMANDU – O/N HOTEL Day 02 IN KATHMANDU– O/N HOTEL Day 03 DRIVE TO NYALAM (3750m) – O/N GUEST HOUSE Day 04 REST DAY IN NYALAM – O/N GUEST HOUSE Day 05 DRIVE TO SAGA (4840m) – O/N CAMP Day 06 DRIVE TO BARAYANG (4540m) – O/N CAMP Day 07 DRIVE TO MANSAROVAR (4558m) – O/N GUEST HOUSE /CAMP Day 08 AT MANASAROVAR – O/N GUEST HOUSE /CAMP Day 09 DRIVE TO DARCHEN (4560m) – O/N CAMP Day 10 TREK TO DIRA-PUK (4900m) – O/N CAMP Day 11 TREK TO ZUTUL-PUK (4790m) – O/N CAMP Day 12 TREK TO DARCHEN (4560m) DRIVE TO MANASAROVAR – O/N GUEST HOUSE/CAMP Day 13 DRIVE TO BARYANG (4750m) – O/N CAMP Day 14 DRIVE TO SAGA (4600m) – O/N CAMP Day 15 DRIVE TO NYALAM (3750m) – O/N GUEST HOUSE Day 16 DRIVE TO KATHMANDU (1400m) – O/N HOTEL Day 17 DEPART KATHMANDU

Detail Itinerery
	DAY 01 ARRIVE KATHMANDU – O/N HOTEL Arrive Kathmandu, meet at the airport and escort to your hotel DAY 02 IN KATHMANDU– O/N HOTEL Today we will visit temple of PASUPATHINATH biggest & most revered Hindu shrine. After paying homage to the lord Pasupathi we then continue to enjoy sights of some of the heritages and highlights of Kathmandu city including BUDDHANILKANTHA, the where lies the temple of Narayan famous for it's large idol of Naryan laying on the bed of snakes in water, BOUDHANATH largest Buddhist Stupa in town, BHAKTAPUR 15th century palace of 55 windows and & durbar Square. DAY 03 DRIVE TO NYALAM (3750m) – O/N GUEST HOUSE We leave Kathmandu early in the morning, driving for 123 km (approx 5hrs) through the beautiful Nepalese countryside to Kodari on the Nepal - Tibet border. After completing the border formalities at both the Nepalese and Chinese immigration posts we drive up 8 km (approx ½ hrs) a series of incredibly steep switchbacks to Zhangmu on the Tibetan side of the border. A short drive of only 30km (approx 1 hrs) from the border takes us to Nyalam, on a steep winding road which passes through a mossy gully with cascading waterfalls. DAY 04 REST DAY IN NYALAM – O/N GUEST HOUSE We spend a rest day in Nyalam today in order to acclimatize before heading up higher. A short way out of town there is a small temple, Nyalam Pelgye Ling, which is associated with Milarepa. DAY 05 DRIVE TO SAGA (4840m) – O/N CAMP Today we drive approx 8 hrs (250 km) to the huge lake called Peiku-tso crossing two high passes. After a picnic lunch at bank of Peiku-tso lake we continue drive to Saga crossing the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) on a ferry. DAY 06 DRIVE TO BARAYANG (4540m) – O/N CAMP A longer day’s drive today, (250 km) 8 hrs approx, takes us to Barayang, We continue on across the vast dry plains to the small town of Barayang. DAY 07 DRIVE TO MANSAROVAR (4558m) – O/N GUEST HOUSE /CAMP A longer day’s drive today, 280 km approx 8 hrs From Barayang, we set out across the plains to Manasarovar located just 30km south of Mt Kailash. The lake is separated from another lake, Rakshas Tal, myth has it here Ravana prayed and had the audience with Shiva. DAY 08 AT MANASAROVAR – O/N GUEST HOUSE /CAMP The day to wash away sins of a lifetime! After performing puja and taking a holy dip in the Lake we will spend rest of day wandering around the lake and prepare ourselves for Kora around Mt. Kailash. DAY 09 DRIVE TO DARCHEN (4560m) – O/N CAMP Leaving the lake, we drive for about 30 km towards Darchen, the Base Camp of Kailash where we stay at Guest house. DAY 10 TREK TO DIRA-PUK (4900m) – O/N CAMP Drive about 5 km to Tarboche, this is the starting point for our kora, the 53km trek around the mountain. From Tarboche, we walk up the Lha Chu Valley through beautiful green meadows and streams with Mt Kailash towering above us. Those who do want wish to trek around Kailash can go back to Mansorovar or Darchen and wait for the kora group to return. DAY 11 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. DAY 12 TREK TO DARCHEN (4560m) DRIVE TO MANASAROVAR – O/N GUEST HOUSE/CAMP On the final day of the kora we cross several streams. We then enter the Bharka plain and it’s about an hour’s walk through this desert-like landscape to Darchen. We board the car waiting at Darchen and drive approx 2 hrs to Manasarovar for overnight halt. DAY 13 DRIVE TO BARYANG (4750m) – O/N CAMP Today is a long drive, about 280km, back to Baryang. DAY 14 DRIVE TO SAGA (4600m) – O/N CAMP We continue driving today along a 250km stretch of road to Saga. DAY 15 DRIVE TO NYALAM (3750m) – O/N GUEST HOUSE Leaving Saga, we again cross the Yarlung Tsangpo by ferry, and pass by Peiku-tso before arriving back at Nyalam. DAY 16 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 17 DEPART KATHMANDU We leave hotel and drive to Tribhuvan Int'l airport to board the plane home.