Mt. Kailash Kora - 23 Days

The most sacred of Mountains

Asia's most sacred mountain Mt. Kailash 6714m. is located in a high and isolated enclave of west  part of Tibet . It is one of three pilgrimages sites in the area, known collectively as Kangri Tsosum. All are said to be at the heart of the ancient Shangshung kingdom, the supposed land of origin of the pre-Buddhist Bonpos. Mt Kailash is their sold-mountain, which they also call Yungdrung Gu Tse, the Nine-story Swastika Mountain.

This is a most popular destination for pilgrimage. It is a 53-km pilgrim path around Mt. Kailash. It begins and ends at Darchen, a small settlement at the mountain south base and in the process visits four monasteries crosses the high Drolma La Pass (5636m). Three days is perhaps the minimum time required to walk leisurely around the mountain spend two nights in or near Drira Phuk and Zutrul Phuk Buddhist Monasteries. If conditions permit, try to stay four or five days, which would allow time for short trips to the inner regions of the area.

TRIP FACTS
Trip length: Nepal 4 – Tibet 17 Days
Grade: Moderate plus Challenging
Starts in: Kathmandu – Zhangmu
Ends in: Zhangmu – Kathmandu
Accommodation: Hotel, Lodge and camping
Transportation: 4WD Land cruiser with support truck & Flights
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek
Maximum altitude: 4790m.
 

DETAILED TOUR ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival in KTM airport, meet our staff then transfer to Hotel.

Day 02: Kathmandu free and official briefing.

Day 03: Kathmandu – Lhasa by flight then transfer to Hotel.
After breakfast you will fly to Tibet. Arrive in Gonggar airport. Be greeted and offered a white scarf (called Kata) in a Tibet traditional way which brings you good luck. And then transfer 100 km away to Lhasa then transfer to Hotel and rest for acclimatization of high altitude.

Day 04: Sightseeing in Lhasa: Guided sightseeing tour of Potala, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. Stunningly dominating the skyline of Lhasa atop the crest of Marpo Ri hill, the seventh-century Potala is considered Lhasa¡¯s most holy destination for a pilgrimage. We will also visit the Drepung monastery. Drepung once housed 10,000 monks, if we're lucky, we'll quietly ease into a dark columned hall to see and hear the lilting, booming chanting of the sutras, or perhaps sit under a willow tree and watch as the monks engage in theatrical debate.

Day 05: Sightseeing in Lhasa: We start off with a walking tour of Jokhang Monastery and the bustling Barkhor market. The Jokhang Monastery is the home of the statutes of the revered Buddha, Shakyamuni. Guided tour of the Norbulinka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama and a tour of the Tibetan Medical Center.

Day 06: Lhasa – Gyanste – Shigatse: In the morning the group departs for Gyantse then we will get through the Karo La Pass (5010m) and the Khamba La Pass (4800m) with a beautiful panorama of the Yamdrok Yum Tso Lake. Then we drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet, which is also the hometown of Panchen Lama. Afternoon visit Tashilumpo Monastery and back to Hotel.

Day 07: Shigatse - Ngamring (5220m.), 160 Km, 6-7 Hrs.: Drive to Ngamring. En route visit Sakya Monastery.

Day 08: Saga, (4280m.), 190 Km., 7-8 Hrs.: The road follows south of the Pelgu-Tso, continues across the plain with stunning Himalayan views. The route then follows a narrow gorge before climbing to a pass and dropping steeply down to a ferry crossing over the Yarlung Tsangpo.

Day 09: Paryang (4750m.) 250 Km., 8-9 Hrs.: From Saga it is 145 km to reach Zhongba by drive. The road is good and the trip can be completed in 4-5 hrs. There is also a small monastery at the western end of town on a hill. From Zhongba onwards the southern road deteriorates. There is also danger of vehicles getting stuck. But this section of the road has panoramic views of mountains on either side of the road.

Day 10: Lake Manasarovar (4560m.), 260 Km, 10 Hrs: Paryang to Mansorovar Lake is a long drive of 10 hrs or more. There will be several river crossings and we drive past Mayum la pass (4600m). The scenery is stunningly beautiful with panoramic views of the Himalayas.

Day 11: Darchen (4560m.), 30 Km.: About 30 kms north of Lake Mansorovar is Darchen, the main gateway and the village. The monastery at Darchen, Darchen Gon, is a part of the Drukpa sect. The two-story monastery structure in the center of the town serves as a trading post and shelter for pilgrims. Within the Dukhang assembly hall are new and old Thangka paintings and some statues, the main image being Sakyamuni. West of the gompa is the Mani Lhakhang that has a large, new mani prayer wheel. This is the site where the original old flagpole (a Darchen is a flagpole for prayer flags) of Darchen was located. When beginning their kora pilgrimage around Kailash, many pilgrims often circumambulate the Darchen Gon monastery and the Mani Lhakhang before setting out. We organize yaks or ponies for the Kailash circuit trek at Darchen.

Day 12: Kailash Circuit Trek - Diraphuk: 6 Hrs.:This Kailash circuit covers 53 kms and can be done in 3 days. We head west in clockwise direction and after a few kilometers the trail climbs up to a cairn at 4730 m from where the southern face of Mt. Kailash comes to view. En route visit Tarboche where annual flagpole raising ceremony takes place during Saga Dawa.

Day 13: Diraphuk – Zutrulphuk (4790m.) 6 Hrs.: Today we cross Drolma la pass (5630 M) and Gauri Kund Lake (5608 m) where Hindus worship and immerse themselves in the icy waters of the lake.

Day 14: Darchen – Tirdapuri: The final end of the parikrama is an easy 2-3 hrs walk down to where the river emerges on to the Barga plain. We complete the 3 day circuit trek of Mt. Kailash and drive to Tirdapuri where there is a hot spring. Pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash is not complete without visiting Tirdapuri for the Tibetan Buddhists.

Day 15: Tirdapuri – Khojarnath – Purang.: Visit Tirdapuri Monastery and the pilgrim circuit and drive to Purang. En route visit Khojarnath Monastery.

Day 16: Purang – Manasarover Lake (Chiu Gompa) and Manasarover Lake: Rest day for excursion tour around the Manasarover Lake.

Day 17: Manasarover Lake – Paryang Accommodation at Guest House.

Day 18: Paryang – Saga Accommodation at Guest House.

Day 19: Saga – Nyalam: We rejoin the main Lhasa to Kathmandu Highway where we get to see Everest as the road climbs to the Lalung La (5124m) before descending and climbing again to the Tong La at 5120m. We finally reach Nyalam and overnight at a basic hotel.

Day 20: Nyalam – Kathmandu: Early morning we will come to Zhangmu by drive, after visa formalities of China Customers we enter to Kodari then continue drive to Kathmandu then transfer to Hotel.

Day 21: Kathmandu free.

Day 22: Last minute, transfer to airport for onward journey.
 

TRIP DEPARTURE DATES:
Tibet Tour & Trek Cost:       USD Per Person.

Tour Cost Includes:

• All land transportation by Car, Land Cruiser, Van, Hiace & mini Bus (Airport/Hotel/Airport & expedition pick up & drop).
• 4 Night’s Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu at Bed and breakfast basis.
• Best available standard Hotel accommodation in Lhasa & best available en-route on twin sharing with breakfast.
• Guided tour in Lhasa with temple entrance fees and permit.
• All three major meals B/L/D (provide continental food) prepared by our own Nepali Cook while on the Tibet tours & Trek. Accommodation in tented camp (twin sharing North Face tent or, normal trekking tent, dining tent, toilet tent, Kitchen tent, staff tent, sleeping mattresses, Table, chairs and Kitchen utensil etc.).
• All transportation in Tibet by 4 WD Land Cruiser and support truck for the entire trip.
• Yak and Yak man (handler) during your trek around Mt. Kailash Kora).
• 1 English-speaking expert Chinese or, Tibetan guide.
• Private transportation from Tibet border (Kodari – Zhangmu) and back to Kathmandu.
• Tibet visa, Tibet, Kailash permit and all applicable taxes and entrance fees.
• Air ticket: Kathmandu/Gonggar airport (Lhasa).
• PAC bag (Portable Altitude Chamber) & first aid medical Kit.
• All official taxes and service charge.

Tour & Trek Cost Doesn’t Include:

• Personal transportation except above programs.
• Major meals lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu - Nepal.
• Personal clothing, tour and trekking equipments as well as sleeping bags. (required)
• Personal Nature expenses. (Extra expenses incurred due to unforeseen circumstances such as sickness, accidents, road blockage, and other occurrences beyond our control.)
• Emergency evacuation (If incase).
• Drinks except tea and coffee.
• Airfare: to & from your country.
• Nepal entry, re-entry visa fees & international airport departure taxes. ((It is suggested you apply for a multiple entry visa for Nepal initially saving you the Nepal re-entry fee).
• Personal travel insurance. (Liability for insurance against sickness, accidents, loss of baggage, loss of life etc.)
• Tips for guide & support crews.

Mode of transport we provide while on Tibet for tours and trekking.

• 2 Person = 1 Land Cruiser.
• 3 – 4 Person = 1 Land Cruiser and 1 support Land Cruiser or mini truck.
• 5 – 8 Person 2 = Land Cruiser and 1 support truck.
• 13 – 15 Person = 4 Land Cruiser and 1 support truck.
• 16 – 20 Person = Above 5 Land Cruiser and 1 support truck.
• 20 Person = Above 5 land cruiser and 2 support truck.

Note:

1. We need a name list of each member 60 days before the trip confirmation for flight reservation.
2. Clear passport photocopy and a passport size photo of each member which should reach us 30 days before client's arrival in Kathmandu at info@culturaltreks.com ((jpeg or gif reduced to max. 25Kb per photo).
3. If you wish to join tours or trekking in Kathmandu you have to arrive as per the given programs and if you wish join in Lhasa can also possible.
4. If you are traveling in Nepal before going to Tibet, then you must apply for your Chinese visa in Kathmandu. We can get it within 2 days with your original passport.

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