- Overview
- Itinerary Detail
Overview
Mt Kailash with the altitude of 6,714m is a striking peak in the western Tibet which is also the mother to many rivers in Asia. Kailash is also the sacred mountain which is religiously significant to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and indigenous Tibetan religion of Bon. Hindu’s believe that Kailash is the home of lord Shiva and Parvati at the same time Tibetans believe that it is the home of God Demchog and his wife Dorje Phangmo.
At the southern foot of Mt Kailash are two holy lakes and the most important one is Lake Mansarovar. Mansarovar is the lake which represents the positive power. Situated at the altitude of 14,950ft, Mansarovar is the highest fresh water body in the world. Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarovar which remain hidden behind the greatest natural barriers remained to the western world until eighteenth century. The first European to walk over this land was an Italian Jesuit missionary Father Ippolito Desideri in the winter of 1715.
This tour we have organized is by far the shortest and the most direct way to Mt Kailash and is best suited for those pilgrims who are in tight schedule. The best time of the year to visit here is between mid May to mid October.
Itinerary Detail
Day 1: Drive to Nylam(3750m); 155km 5-6hours
Early in the morning after having breakfast we will start the drive from Kathmandu to Friendship Bridge. After crossing Friendship Bridge our Tibetan guide will receive you and give you the detail information about the tour. After completing the immigration formalities we will continue the drive to Zhangmu and finally to Nyalam. Stay overnight at guesthouse in Nylam.
Day 2: Drive to Saga (4280m); 6-7hours
Starting very early in the morning, today’s drive has lots of ups and downs as the road is bumpy. The drive over the sandy and rocky land gives you a very different experience. We will cross Labung La pass (5050m) which offers the magnificent vista of Gaurishankar, Shishapangma and Langtang Himal. Continuing the drive through Khunmen Tso, Sinling, Karru ongchen and Peigutso Lake we will cross Bhramaputra which finally brings us to Saga. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Drive to Paryang(4750m); 255kms 6-7hours
After having breakfast we will continue our drive through many villages and camps of yak herders. The road is quite smooth and is considered as quite comfortable drive. Enjoying the distant snow capped Himalayas through the vast Tibetan plateau where the landscape changes from sandy dunes to rocky savannah we will finally arrive to Paryang for overnight stay.
Day 4: Drive to Lake Mansarovar(4560m); 7-8hours 260km
After having breakfast get ready for the longest drive of the tour. In the early afternoon we will get the first glimpse of holy Kailash and the sacred lake. Lake Mansarovar is surrounded by Kailash Parbat, Mt Gurula Mandala and Rakchas Lake stays in the vicinity. Stay overnight at tent or guesthouse.
Day 5: Drive to Darchen(4560m); 30km
We will take a holy dip in Mansarovar Lake and do some puja and head for Mansarovar parikrama. We will drive to Darchen which is base camp for Kailash Parikrama.
Day 6: Trek to Diraphuk; 7hours 7km
After having the breakfast we will drive to Tarboche which is the starting point of Kailash Parikrama. From Tarboche we will start the enthralling walk through rocky cliffs, waterfalls witnessing the Holy Kailash we will finally arrive to Diraphuk for overnight stay.
Day 7: Trek to Zutrulphuk
Initially we will Climb Drolma La (18600ft) and at the second half we will descend to Zuthulpuk(4760m) passing Yamasthal and Shiva Sthal. Today is the most difficult day of the trek as it includes intense uphill climbing. On the way we will come across Parvatisthal and Gauri Kunda. By the end of the afternoon we will reach Zutrulphuk which is considered as the cave of Miracles.
Day8: Trek back to Darchen 4-5hours; 14km
Early in the morning we will do some sightseeing explore the caves, temples and Shrine located around. After this we will start to walk gradually out of the valley for around three hours and arrive to Trangser Trangmar where our driving crew will be waiting. We will catch the ride and drive back to Darchen for overnight stay.
Day 9: Drive to Paryang
Early in the morning we will continue our overland journey witnessing the most panoramic view in the earth to Paryang. Stay overnight at hotel in Paryang.
Day 10: Drive to Saga; 230km
Today we will retrace our patch back through the small dusty towns to Saga. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Drive to Nyalam- Zangmu
Today we will cover another 240km by driving to Zangmu which is a small town located in Nepal Tibet border.
Day 12: Drive back to Kathmandu
Cross the Nepal Tibet border following the Araniko Highway we will cross Friendship Bridge and finally arrive to Kathmandu where our journey finally comes to an end.
