Since pre-historic times, Mount Kailash has been considered the naval of the universe by Hindus and Buddhists alike. The pyramid-shaped mountain is the source of four rivers: the Sutlej, the Karnali, the Indus, and the Brahmaputra. This trek follows the old pilgrimage and trade route over the Himalayan range from western Nepal onto the Tibetan plateau. Travel in this remote corner of the world is more of an expedition than a trek, but requires no mountaineering skills. The trek begins in Simikot, accessible by air, and heads west towards Yari before crossing the 4,325 m / 14,200 ft Nara La (pass) and into the roof of the world. A vehicle is waiting to take you to Talkakot and Lake Mansarovar (4,558m / 17,716 ft), a holy lake with healing powers. A three-day trek around Mount Kailash, crossing a 5,400m / 14,954 ft pass, allows time to mingle with other pilgrims. The return route crosses the Tibetan plateau by vehicle to Zhangmu, near the Nepal border.
» Trip Outline
Trekking and Tour Days
21
Total days in Nepal and Tibet
25
Trekking grade
04
Maximum Altitude
5630 m
Best time
Spring / Summer: May to August
Autumn : September to October
Trekking Type
Guesthouse and Camping Basis
walking per Day
5-6 Hours in average
» Where are you going?
Days
Programmes
Day 01
Kathmandu: Pick up then Transfer to hotel and handle check in. Short briefing that afternoon followed by orientation walk. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02
Sight seeing: Around Kathmandu valley: The holy place of Pashupatinath temple, Shoyambhunath temple, Boudhanath Stupa & Kathmandu Darbar Square), arrange the necessary permit for Trekking and Climbing. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03
Kathmandu to Nepaljung: About an hour flight to Nepaljung. Alternative is a 12 hours bus ride. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04
Nepalgunj to Simikot (2856m) to Majgaon (2400m)
Morning we take flight to Simikot, 45minutes flight offer you such a great landscape of Terai (low lands) as well as The Mahabharat hills and more mountain ranges. After finished the Immigrations clearance, the group will meet our trekking crew, we set of our trek to Majgaon. The trail climbs to the Simikot Lagna in about 2 hours, and then starts to descent steeply into the Karnali gorge and to Majgaon. Overnight at camp.
Day 05
Majgaon to Danda Karmi (2550m)
About 6/7 hours trek leads you to the Danda Karmi. The trek hike up to the upper Karnali River valley, passing through the Toling and Dharapani village as well as several beautiful waterfalls and gradually ascending towards Karmi village. Overnight at camp.
Day 06
Danda Karmi to Yalbang Chaur (2700m)
Karmi is the first village that you will be passing; this village is inhabited by upper Humla people of Tibetan sect. Afterwards, Contour up the valley only to descend rather steeply to the Sali Khola with its beautiful stream flowing through the forest. Walking takes 6-7 hours. Overnight at camp.
Day 07
Yalbang Chaur to Tumkot Khola (2800m)
Walking about 6 hours. The trek climbs gradually to the village of Yalbang. From here the upper trail passes through Toothpaling monastery, while the lower one leads directly to the village of Yankhar. Another 3 hours of hiking around the bend of the Karnali brings to the bridge below Muchu. From Muchu the trail drops gently to the stream below reaching the settlement of Tumkot. Overnight at camp.
Day 08
Tumkot Khola to Yari (3450m)
It takes about 5/6 hours trek. After crossing a wooden bridge over Tumkot Khola. You veer - of the Karnali gorge towards Yari village and the Nara La Pass; the trail will lead into Tibet. The trail climbs steadily up the Mountain side to a distant Yari. Yari is the last Nepali village, before heading towards Nara La. Overnight at camp.
Day 09
Yari to Sher (3600m) Over Nara La Pass (4325m)
About 6/7 hours trek. It takes about 3 to 4 hours trek to the Nara La Pass from Yari. The Nara La Pass is marked by Mani stones and prays flags. Travelers have put there crowned by many flag poles & strings of colorful prayer flags. The descent to meet the Karnali once again is steep. Precipitous & narrow winding & following the ridges to drop giddily to the river far down below. Overnight at camp.
Day 10
Sher to Purang / Taklakot (3930m) to Manasarovar (4560m)
You will start your trek, passing through a village of Sher, the first Tibetan village that you come across along the trail. The gravel trail continues, twisting & bending finally reaching the village of Kocher. Here, you will see the famous Gompa of Kochernath. Shortly after crossing the Nepal/Tibet border which is marked only by a stone pillar, we meet our transport and drive about 130km, via the large trading centre of Taklakot, to Manasarovar, the most venerated of Tibe t's many lakes. Overnight at camp.
Day 11
Manasarovar:
Today will be spent at Manasarovar, acclimatize to the altitude and exploring this fascinating place. We will visit the picturesque Chiu Monastery on the North West shore of the lake with the imposing sight of Mt Kailash in the background. Overnight at camp
Day 12
Manasarovar to Darchen (4500m) / Tarboche (4750m)
About 2 hours drive takes you to the Darchen at the base of Mt. Kailash. From Chiu Gompa, the bus journey again continues heading north to a village called Darchen. Darchen is a small settlement at the button of the Southern slopes of the holy mountain - Kailash. In the past it was a Drokpa village (Village of the nomads - not a permanent settlement or short trek to Tarboche. Overnight at camp.
Day 13
Tarboche to Dira-Puk (4900m)
After Lha Chu you reach Tarpachan, and by the meadows there are numerous flagpoles, from this point you can have the stunning view of the holy mountain - Kailash, at the far distance, and the Gompa of Chugu is also seen on the far side of high the high waterfalls. The trail continues twisting and turning then finally reaching the distinction -Dri-Phunk. This is a long trek, walking takes approximately 6-7 hours. Settle in for the night camp opposite to the lone monastery of Dri-Ra Phunk. Overnight at camp.
Day 14
Dira-Puk to Zutul-Puk (4790m) over Dorma La Pass (5630m)
From Dri-Ra Phunk the trail to Dorma La pass gain height, steadily through open area of many stone cairns heaped up by the pilgrimage to the Sacred Mountain. After having reached Dorma La pass, you will notice one, the only one so huge boulder fastened with strings of colorful prayer flags, this happen to make the highest point of the long journey to this holy part of mountain. From here the trail descends, passing by the holy lake of Guari Kund. It is believed, here the pilgrims who have come on pilgrimage, fill their water bottles to carry the water, for friends and relatives. From this lake side the trail keeps following down the eastern side of the valley of the Dzong Chu River, and reaches the cave monastery of Zuthul Phunk. It is long days walk; time taken is approximately 7-8 hours. Overnight at camp.
Day 15
Zutul-Puk to Darchen / Lake Manasarovar Morning you can visit the only cave monastery of this place. This cave monastery is believe to be the famous one, as it being the meditation retreat for one of the great Tibetan saint namely - Saint Milarepa. The print impression of his pair of palms on the roof of the rock cave believed to have been left behind when he was trying to lift up the rock to make more rooms inside. After the monastery visit to over, get set for the move again down the valley. Take the trail leading down the valley and the Darchen. Walking takes approximately about 3-4 hours to reach Darchen or drive to Manasarovar Lake. Overnight at camp.
Day 16
Darchen / Manasarovar (Chiu Gompa) to Paryang (4750m)
Today is a long drive, about 300km, to Paryang. Along the way, we cross the Mayun-la and make several river crossings. The scenery along this section is some of the most panoramic of the entire journey. Overnight at camp.
Day 16
Paryang to Saga (4600m)
We continue driving today along a 255km stretch of road to Saga, passing through the small, dusty town of Zhongba en route. Overnight at camp.
Day 17
Drive to Shigatse [3900m]
Today is the longest drive of our journey, 452km to Shigatse. Leaving Saga, we pass the turn-off for the northern route and skirt around a lake, passing through a series of valleys. Approaching Kaga, we'll come across the first trees and agricultural fields that we've seen for many days and the town itself is situated next to a picturesque lake. We continue on to Lhatse where we join the paved Friendship Highway and follow it for the final 150km to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet
Day 18
Sightseeing & drive to Gyantse [3950m]
This morning in Shigatse we have time to visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet, before driving 90km to Gyantse. Once in Gyantse, we can explore the Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Gyantse Kumbum. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed stupa and its many chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals.
Day 19
Sightseeing & drive to Lhasa [3650m]
This is about 8 hours driving distance to get to Lhasa. Today we will cross two spectacular passes, the Korala (5010m) and Kambala (4794m) and the small developing town of Nagartse, the road follows the bank of a beautiful Lake Yamdrok Tso. You will cross Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) river, the Potala palace is visible in long distance continue on to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.. Overnight at hotel.
Day 20
Sightseeing in Lhasa
Today will be spent visiting several monasteries, you will visit to Sera Monastery, Norbulinka (summer place of Dalai Lama), Jokhang temple, this temple is possibly the most sacred shrine in Tibet and there is always a procession of devout Tibetans through the complex. and Barkhor markets. You are introduced about the interesting monastery, religion and market by our Tibetan guide. Finally, you head back to your hotel late afternoon for refreshment. Overnight at hotel.
Day 21
Sightseeing in Lhasa
After breakfast, we take you to the Potala Palace (the palace for Dalai Lama) towering above city of Lhasa. Later in the noon after lunch, you will visit beautifully landscaped Drepung Monastery. You can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses. Finally you return to the hotel for delicious dinner. Overnight at hotel.
This morning we will visit the Potala Palace which dominates the city of Lhasa. A spectacular building, it contains the private quarters of the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand state rooms and many important chapels. There has been a palace on this site since the 5th or 6th century, but the present palace was constructed in the 17th century.
A visit to the Drepung Monastery this afternoon will complete a truly awe-inspiring day. Founded in the 14th century, this monastery was once the largest in the world with a population of around 10,000 monks. These days that figure is down to several hundred, but there is still much here of interest as it was left relatively unscathed during the Cultural Revolution. You can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses. Finally you return to the hotel for delicious dinner. Overnight at hotel.
Day 22
Sightseeing in Lhasa After breakfast you will visit to Sera Monastery, Norbulinka (summer place of Dalai Lama), Jokhang temple and Barkhor markets with our Tibetan guide. You are introduced about the interesting monastery, religion and market. Finally, you head back to your hotel late afternoon for refreshment. Overnight at hotel.
Day 23
Free day in Lhasa
Our final day in Lhasa is a day at leisure in which we are free to explore further, revisit a favorite monastery or simply sit in a café overlooking the Barkor and watch the pilgrims as they circumambulate the Jokhang, stopping regularly to peruse the merchandise at the stalls lining the route.
Day 24
Fly to Kathmandu [1400m]
We leave Lhasa early in the morning for the 2 hour drive to Gonggar Airport and our flight back to Kathmandu. The Air China takes us right across the main Himalayan range and the mountain views are spectacular.
Day 25
Departure: Transfer to airport for final departure to onward destination.
3 nights accommodation hotel in Kathmandu/ tourist standard hotel with bed and breakfast
Two Men tent, dining tent, toilet tent, Mattresses for Tibet tours & Trekking
Trekking crews - Cook, Cook helper & guide
Fresh food cooked by our cook, meal will be pure vegetarian & Non vegetarian
Japanese Landcruser 4WD 4500 model and support truck for carry food
English speaking guide from Tibet and Nepali guide
Monastery Entrance fee & Grassland fees
Mount Kailash permit
7 days permit from Simikot to Taklakot
Tibet visa &Travel Permit
Yaks and Yak man for 3 days round Mount Kailash
Oxygen / Alt. Gamo Bag (Altitude Air pressure bag )
Package Excludes:
Personal expenses
International Airport tax 25.00
Travel insurance
All expenses of personal nature
Bar bills and Beverage
Tips for staff
Photography charges
Rescue jeep incase needed if some one go back earlier than group
Extra cost incurred in case of Landslide or natural problem
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
Sleeping bag & Jacket
Nepal visa and Re-Entry Nepal visa
Nepal entry visa fee per person US$30 only
Note:
Given itinerary is suitable for keen walkers who are able to walk for 4-5 hours in a day, As you are traveling in a remote mountain region, we can not guarantee the weather condition, it could be change unexpected. There will be experience Nepali leader or guide and helpers. The guides and their helpers’ assistants will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if necessary.
For further information and price details please write us: info@clubmountain.com
