MT. KAILASH & LAKE MANASAROVAR

MT. KAILASH & LAKE MANASAROVAR

Activities:
Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar
Duration:
10 Days

ABOUT THE TRIP
Pilgrimage to Mount Kailash & Lake Manasarovar, are considered to be the most sacred by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains & 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 consider, Shanrab their founder, descended from the heavens on this mountain. The Hindus consider Mt. Kailash as the “Center of the universe” & the abode of Lord Shiva & Parvati. South of Mt. Kailash, at the base of Mt. Gurla Mandhata, there are the two lakes, Lake Manasarovar & Rakshas Tal. Rakshas Tal, the smaller lake, is considered to be inauspicious & Manasarovar is considered to be most sacred & 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 & Mt. Gurla Mandhata feed both these lakes. It is also belived that the three major rivers Brahmaputra, Sutlej & Indus are fed from Lake Manasarovar. Lake Manasarovar (4,727 m / 15510) is the highest fresh – water body in the world.

Since ages many hermits & pilgrims have been undertaking journeys to this sacred & the holiest of all Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar, because of the religious & mythological importance. Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar is situated in southern Tibet aptly known as the “Roof of the world”. Our Journey involves traveling by 4WD vehicle from Kathmandu to Rasuwagadi the border town on Nepal side & and then Mini van or  Coach to Darchen, a small Tibetan town, at the base of Mt. Kailash. The drives on the Tibetan plateaus are beautiful which offers magnificent view of Himalayas & pristine lakes . The altitudes on which we travel are minimum 4500m for most of the days. The Circumambulation (Parikarma / Kora) around the Mt. Kailash is a 3 –days trek , taking us over a (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.

Itinerary In Detail

  • 1: Drive to Timure (1,913m / 6,275 ft.) – 140 Km / 6 hrs.

    After breakfast start northwards from Kathmandu to Timure in a 4WD vehicle, via Prithivi Highway until we reach to
    Galchi. Leave the Highway and drive towards right crossing over Trishuli River. Road is good until we reach to
    Kalikastan before Dhunche. From here road condition is bad passing through the landslide area. It takes about 45
    minute to reach Dhunche, where we stop for lunch at tea house lodge. After lunch continue to Timure where we can
    check in at Tea house lodge for overnight.
    Dinner and overnight at hotel.

  • 2: Enter to Tibet and drive to Kyrong (2,774 m / 9,098 ft.) – 50 km

    Am: After early breakfast drive to Timure a small village in Nepal / China border. After completing Nepal immigration
    formalities walk to the border and enter to Tibet, where we will complete Chinese immigration formalities. After
    completing Chinese Immigration formalities continue drive to Kyrong. Upon arrival in Kyrong Shang check in at a
    guesthouse. Rest of the day is free for acclimatization.
    Dinner and overnight at guesthouse.

  • 3: Drive to Saga (4,500 m / 14,760 ft.) – 5/6 hrs.

    After breakfast, we start our overland journey towards Mt Kailash via National Highway. After some time we leave the
    National Highway and drive toward west to Saga Town en-route we will cross over Holy Brahmaputra River.
    Upon arrival check in at hotel for rest and refreshment.
    Overnight at hotel.

  • 4: Drive to Darchen (4,590 m / 15,055 ft.) – 520 km / 8~9 hrs.)

    After early breakfast drive to Prayang for lunch. After lunch continue to Lake Mansarovar (4,360m/14,300 ft.) via
    Mayum La Pass (5151m/16890 ft). Driving past Kongyu Tso through the village of Thongchen.
    En-route we stop at Hor to enjoy the first sight of beautiful Holy Lake Mansrovar & Mt. Kailash. Later continue to
    Darchen.
    Upon arrival check in at hotel.
    Dinner and overnight guesthouse.

  • 5: Religious & exploration day at Holy Lake Mansarovar.

    The day is free for "Puja" & Holy Dip on the Lake Mansarovar. 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 Lingum. Lake Mansarovar is the highest body of fresh
    water in the world. Holy also to Buddhists as well as Jain beside Hundus, it was once surrounded by 8 monasteries.
    After a day in Lake Mansarovar drive back to Darchen.
    Dinner and overnight at hotel.

  • 6: Explore to Chukku Gompa & Hike to Drira Phuk (4,890m / 14,950ft) – 6 hrs.

    After breakfast drive towards Chukku Gompa. From here we start Kora of Mt. Kailash. The normal pilgrims route stays
    on the east bank of the Lha Chu. But for better views of Kailash and generally better campsites, we cross the west bank
    trail across a scree slope to arrive at a good camping ground at Damding Donkhang (4,890 m / 16040 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 camp at Drira Phuk.

  • 7: Trek to Zhutulphuk Gumba via Dolma la pass (5,630 m)

    Start trek from Drira Phuk and immediately cross the Lha Chu on a wooden bridge. If one continues to trek up the Lha
    Chu, they 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 (5,430 m) and eventually meeting the trail from the East bank.
    After crossing the stream of the Khado – sanglam, 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 hrs we
    arrive at the Zutul-puk Gompa (4790m / 15710 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 Camp.

  • 8: End Parikarma & Drive to New Dgozma - 6 hrs.

    Trek along the Jhong Chu River to a bridge, cross it before descending to 4610 m, the last prostration point (Chaksal
    Gang) from where we get good views of Manasarovar lake but no views of Mt. Kailash.
    After completing Parikarma of Mt. Kailash in Chaksal Gang, meet waiting vehicle and drive back to Lake Mansarovar.
    Dinner and overnight guesthouse in Dzongma.

  • 9: Drive back to Kyrong & exit to Nepal and stay in Timure.

    After breakfast, start your return Journey to Kyrong. After lunch in Kyrong town drive to Chinese Immigration control
    and complete exit formalities and exit to Nepal, where you need to complete the re-entry immigration formalities. After
    completing the Immigration formalities start short drive to Timure. Rest of the day is free for rest.
    Dinner and overnight at guesthouse.

  • 10: Exit to Nepal and Drive to Kathmandu.

    After early breakfast drive to Kathmandu via Trishuli Bazaar.

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Any Question?
Feel free to call our travel experts.

+977 9851189018, +977 9801089018 info@asiaticroads.com

Whats Include and Exclude

Services Inclued

1. Drive from Kathmandu to Timure and back in a 4WD private jeep.
2. Hotel accommodation (as above) in Nepal & Tibet on twin room sharing basis.
3. All major meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
4. Service of Local Tibetan Guide from Lhasa.
5. All drive in Tibet in a Comfortable Van.
6. Tibet Travel permit and visa fee.
7. Service of English-speaking Nepali Guide for local trip co-ordination.

Services not Inclued

1. Any expenses of Personal nature.
2. 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.
3. Photography fees.
4. Any expenses incurred during emergency evacuation.
5. Any items not mentioned in “the above cost includes” section.
6. 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.

Cost Note

The costs
5~6 Pax US$ 1,635.00 net per person.
Single Supplement US$ 250.00 net per person.

Accomodations

Accomodation (Hotels envisaged or similar)

Timure Tea House Lodge 1 BB
Kyirong Hotel 2 BB
Saga Hotel 2 BB
Darchen Hotel 2 BB
Drira Phuk Guesthouse (basic) 1 BB
Zutul Phuk Guesthouse (basic) 1 BB
Asiatic Roads

Any Question?
Feel free to call our travel experts.

+977 9851189018, +977 9801089018 info@asiaticroads.com
Asiatic Roads

Any Question?
Feel free to call our travel experts.

+977 9851189018, +977 9801089018 info@asiaticroads.com

Reviews

In my 2 week stay, John was very professional and took me around to experience all that Kathmandu and surrounding areas has to offer. Sites were seen and many locals were met through John’s network.

Steven Stone

Steven Stone

Traveller

In my 2 week stay, John was very professional and took me around to experience all that Kathmandu and surrounding areas has to offer. Sites were seen and many locals were met through John’s network.

Steven Stone

Steven Stone

Traveller
Asiatic Roads

Any Question?
Feel free to call our travel experts.

+977 9851189018, +977 9801089018 info@asiaticroads.com
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