TIBET KAILASH PARVAT - 16 days)

Mount Kailash, located in far west corner of Tibet is the most sacred peak of Asia. The beauty of the 6700-meter high Mount Kailash, that looks like a symmetrical cone shaped rock capped by pure crystalline ice all the time, is echoed in various mythological and literary works. Dominating the north of the Himalayan Barrier with its spectacular view, the Mount Kailash (or Mt. Kailas) is equally venerated as the holiest pilgrimage site by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bön-Po. Tibetans regard this mountain as the manifestation of Mount Meru, “the navel of the earth” where founder of Bon religion, Tonpa Shenrab, is believed to have descended from heaven, Hindus as the abode of Lord Shiva, Buddhists as the abode of Samvara and Jains as a scared site where their prophet, Rishaba attained spiritual enlightenment. With its four sheer walls, distinctive snow-capped peak, and valleys interspersed with brightly-clad Tibetan pilgrims, Mount Kailash or Kang Rimpoche (‘precious snow-peak’, as known by the Tibetans) is an awe-inspiring sight.Four great rivers of Asia: the Karnali, the Indus, the Sutlej and the Brahmaputra (Tsangpo) originate from here. A three-day trek (Parikrama or Kora) around Mount Kailash over a 5630 meter Drolma La (pass), clockwise for Buddhists and Hindus, and anti-clockwise followers of the ancient Bon religion, is said to erase the sins of a lifetime.

To complete the Kailash pilgrimage one should bath in the sacred Lake Manasarovar, stunningly set on the Tibetan plateau bordered by the majestic Gurla Mandata. On the journey to Mt. Kailash across the windswept Tibetan plateau, you will see cliff-top monasteries, wild-looking but hardy and hospitable Tibetans, yak caravans journeying over snowy passes, and the great peaks of the Himalaya with a foreground of grazing herds, yak skin tents and a glittering turquoise lake. Journeying through Norbulingka, Sera and Drepung monasteries, Potala Palace, Jokhang temple and Barkhor markets, you gain in-depth understanding of Tibetan ancient cultures and civilizations. On this expertly guided overland tour on 4WD landcruiser, you get to explore colorful mosaic of Tibetan arts, crafts, history, culture, custom, tradition, lifestyle and cuisine and in the process attain profound spirituality. You become a witness to a host of indigenous cultures on your tour to Lhasa Gyantse, Shigatse and other significant en route cities. Further drive across the wide open spaces of the Tibetan Plateau brings you to Lake Manasarovar, before completing a kora around Mt Kailash. From there, you re-cross the vast arid plains before heading south to the Nepalese border and returning to Kathmandu.

This is truly the trip of a lifetime with stunning scenery and cultural highlights. You can join this trip either in Lhasa or in Kathmandu. The tour starts with a comprehensive trip briefing in Kathmandu followed by a sensational trans Himalayan flight to Lhasa that passes over Mt. Everest and many highest peaks of the world (if you join the tour in Kathmandu). In case you wish to start the tour in Lhasa arriving from anywhere in mainland China or taking a new train from Beijing you will be briefed about the tour by your Tibetan Guide.

Tour cost on group joining basis:
Cost for one person:                                       INR 69,000 (Net payable to us)
Supplement for NRI's:                                      USD 150
Supplement for Foreigners SAARC Country:    USD 250

DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu – O/N Hotel
Arrive Kathmandu, meet at the airport and escort to your hotel
Overnight at Hotel Grand

Day 02 In Kathmandu– O/N Hotel
Today morning first we will visit temple of PASUPATHINATH biggest & most revered Hindu shrine. After paying homage to the lord Pasupathi back to Hotel for breakfast. After breakfast we then continue to enjoy sightseeing tour of BOUDHANATH largest Buddhist Stupa in town. BUDDHANILKANTHA, the where lies the temple of Narayan famous for it's large idol of Narayan laying on the bed of snakes in water and Swoyambhunath Monkey Temple.
Evening, dinner + tour briefing. 
Overnight at Hotel Grand

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 in Nepal side, we walk up to the friendship bridge (about 5minutes) where our Tibetan guide and vehicles are waiting for us.

On the other side of the friendship bridge, you should go through the quarantine check and at the shame time our Sherpa will shift your luggage in Chinese vehicles then we drive up 8 km (approx ½ hrs) a series of incredibly steep switchbacks to Zhangmu on the Tibetan side of the border.

In Zhangmu, once again you have to be queued up for immigration checking. Some of times, this process takes long time if there are big crowd of tourists. After finishing immigration formalities in Zhangmu, 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.
Overnight at Nyalam Guesthouse OR Hotel Ngadon

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. You can make short excursion around Nyalam. This helps your body to be acclimatized.

Day 05 Drive To Saga (4600m) – O/N Guest House
Today we drive approx 7 hrs (250 km) to reach Saga. While our drive to Saga, we will be crossing two high passes. One of this passes called Thong – La pass (5200m) also known as Lablung – La pass. From Nyalam it takes two hour to reach the high pass. You can see the magnificent view of the Himalayan range including Mt. Shishapangma, the highest mountain in Tibet.
After crossing the two high passes we will see the huge Lake called Peiku – Tso. We will take a short break here for Lunch. After a picnic lunch at bank of Peiku-tso lake we continue drive to Saga crossing the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River). Saga is a growing twon situated at the bank of Bramhaputra River. There is a government Hospital which is closed on Sunday and some basic guest houses available.
Overnight Hotel Jilin OR Hotel Saga. 

Day 06 Drive To Barayang (4550m) – O/N Guest House
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.
Overnight Yak Hotel OR Guest house. 

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.
Overnight Chiu Gompa Guest house. 

Day 08 Drive To Darchen (4663m) – O/N Guest House
Morning to wash away sins of a lifetime! After performing puja and taking a holy dip in the Lake we drive for about 30 km towards Darchen, the Base Camp of Kailash where we stay at Guest house.
Overnight Hotel Kailash. 

Day 09 Trek To Dira-Puk (4880m) – O/N Camp
Drive about 8 km approx 45 minutes to Tarboche, this is the starting point for our kora, the 53km trek around the mountain. This is the easily accessible point from where you can see the closest view of Mt. Kailash.

From Tarboche, we walk today 6 hours + 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 Manasarovar or Darchen and wait for the kora group to return. In this period, we provide accommodation in Camp. The charge will be extra for guesthouse accommodation.
Overnight Camp at Dira - Puk. 

Day 10 Trek To Zutul-Puk (4760m) – 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.   
Overnight Camp at Zutul - Puk. 

The passengers who are not taking Parikram will have rest in Lake Mansarovar or take optional tour to Astapath, Thirthapur etc by self paying .

Day 11 Trek To Darchen - Drive To Manasarovar (Hor Qui)– 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 near Darchen. We board the car waiting at near Darchen and drive approx 2 hrs to Manasarovar to join the group and overnight halt.
Overnight Camp at Hor - Qui. 

Day 12 Drive To Baryang – O/N Guest House
Today is a long drive, about 280km, back to Baryang.

Day 13 Drive To Saga – O/N Guest House
We continue driving today along a 250km stretch of road to Saga.

Day 14 Drive To Nyalam – O/N Guest House
Leaving Saga, we again cross the Yarlung Tsangpo, and pass by Peiku-tso before arriving back at Nyalam.

Day 15 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 16 Depart Kathmandu
We leave hotel and drive to Tribhuvan Int'l airport to board the plane home.   

For further enquiry please feel free to mail at: enquiry@tibet-adventures.com