Simikot Kailas Lhasa Tour

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

The ancient pre-Buddhist bon religes of Tibet saw mountains as power points linking heaven and earth, and Mount Kailash as the soul Mountain of the kingdom of Zhang Zhung. The struggle for the hearts and minds of Tibetans between traditional Bon and modern Buddhist centered on Kailash, and the story of the contest of Magic between the Bon deity Naro Bon Chung and the Buddhist saint Milarepa to decide which cult could claim the sacred mountain is still told today Legend has it that Milarepa won, but was magnanimous enough in victory to bequeath a nearby peak to the Bon-po and agree that they might still circumambulate Kailash. The Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1951, subsequent internal unrest and the devastation wrought on Tibetan monastic culture during the Cul.Rov resulted in the hermetic sealing of borders with India and Nepal. Ancient trading links and pilgrimage routes were instantly abolished and many remote frontier communities were pitched into economic oblivion. In a remarkably conciliatory gesture, the Chinese agreed to reopen the border on the Humla Karnali in northwest Nepal early in 1993, allowing foreigners to approach Mount Kailash on foot legally for the first time in history. Today, it is possible to make your own pilgrimage to kailash through one of the most enchantingly beautiful and unspoiled corners of Nepal, instead of suffering the week-long ordeal of an overland journey from Lhasa. For travelers interested in the ancient history and culture of the Himalaya, this is a unique opportunity. After our Kailash journey we'll travel through this amazing country, staying in the best traditional hotels Tibet has to offer. In the towns of Lhatse, Gyantse, Shigatse and Lhasa we explore further monasteries and fully immerse ourselves in the Buddhists culture. In addition we will see the highest and biggest lake in Tibet.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day 1: Kathmandu (1300m.) arrival — Pick up from the airport/ Drive to hotel. Dinner Day 2: Kathmandu — Breakfast, trip to City and temples, back to Hotel for lunch. After lunch, final preparation for yatra i.e, checking and demonstration of equipments which will be used during yatra. If anybody needs to buy or get things on hire, our staff will give you company. Dinner. Day 3: Fly to Nepalganj — Today we take the ninety minute flight to Nepalgunj in the far south west of Nepal. It is a busy crowded city which lies close to the Indian border. Day 4: Fly to Simikot (2960m) then trek to Dhara Pokhari (2300m) — This morning we fly north for about 50 minutes to Simikot, the headquarters of Nepal's most remote district, Humla. After meeting our crew, we set off on our trek, climbing up from the airstrip on a rocky trail past fields of barley and wheat. We ascend a forested ridge above the town of Simikot, before making a long steep descent past Dandaphoya. The trail is then fairly level, through walnut and apricot trees, until we come to the scattered village of Dhara Pokhari which is divided by the Yakba Khola. Day 5: Trek to Salli Khola (2700m) — Leaving our campsite, we cross a long scree slope and follow the river to a waterfall near the shepherds' camp at Chachera. We then climb over a ridge and bypass the village of Kermi before entering a big valley with walled fields of potato and buckwheat. After walking through a sparse pine forest we descend from the ridge to the Salli Khola and camp by the river. Day 6: Trek to Muchu (2920m) — We cross the river and climb over a rocky ridge before descending to the grey waters of the Humla Karnali. After crossing another ridge we come to a sandy meadow where goat herders often camp by the river. Beyond the meadow the valley narrows and we cross several more ridges, passing the villages of Yalbang and Yangar. The trail then winds its way precariously above the river before we cross a suspension bridge to the village of Muchu. Day 7: Rest day — Today is a rest day which we'll spend in and around Muchu, exploring the village with its stone houses and gompa. Day 8: Trek to Sipsip (4330m) — From Muchu, we follow the trail over a ridge to the Tumkot Khola and then walk along the rocky stream bed for a short distance before beginning a steep climb through a rock-filled gully. We pass through Palbang and its bright yellow mustard fields to the small settlement of Yari and beyond here the route climbs up the valley towards a pass, the Nara Lagna. We camp below the pass in a meadow known as Sipsip. Day 9: Trek to Hilsa (3720m) — From Sipsip we ascend steeply to a rock cairn marking the top of the Nara Lagna (4580m. Descending from the pass, we have views of the Tibetan Plateau before arriving at the village of Ranipauwa. Beyond here, we slip and slide on a surface of loose pebbles down to the Humla Karnali Day 10: Trek and drive to Taklakot (3930m) — Shortly after crossing the Nepal/Tibet border which is marked only by a stone pillar, we meet our transport and drive via Khojar Nath ( Temple of Rama, Saita and Laxman) Takla kot is the large trading centre of west Nepal Tibet border. Day 11: Rest day for acclimatize — Day 12: Holy-Manasarovara — At 14950-ft/ 4558m. Today you will be sent to the highest lake of fresh water with turquoise complexion in the world is full of fishes and swans. Holy Kailash Parbat, Mt. Gurula-Mandala, Lake Rashekshi are lying on its surrounding. The region is considered rich for gold and other mines, hot springs and hundreds of wild living creatures. Night will be spending at Chu Gumba. Day 13: Puja and drive to Tarchen (14975ft) 40km — Manasarovara is the lake of compassion, tranquility and bliss. After completing the memorable morning Bath and Puja we will be heading towards Tarchen. It is considered as a base camp for the Holy Kailash Parikrama. Day 14: Trek to Dehara Puk/5000m — It is one of the exciting days walking along the beautiful rocky cliffs; water falls with some clouds in the clear blue sky make you feeling that Great God Shiva is every where with tons of blessing to you. Time to time the face of Kailash Parbat will be keep on appearing. For 15 km trail it takes almost 7 hrs. Day 15: Hardest but Holiest day of your pilgrimage Yatra with Dolma-La (pass) of 18600ft between two valleys: — Yamasthal should be crossed to reach the Shiva-sthal while your steps go closer to the pass. Once you reach the top, just do the holiest offering and sit down for meditation to forget yourself. Once your steps go down, Parvati-stal and Gauri Kunda are on the way. By the late afternoon you will arrive Zuthal Puk (the cave of Miracles. The great ascetic Milerappa is supposed to have performed miracles here). Day 16: End of Kailash Parikrama and drive to Manasarovara — After walking 3 hours, all the driving crew will be waiting your arrival. By the late afternoon you will be at your lodge/camp Day 17: Drive to Paryang — Drive to Paryang (277km) 7-8 hr. Day 18: Drive Paryang to Saga — Drive Paryang to Saga (230km) 7-8 hrs Day 19: Drive to Tingri — Drive to Tingri 6-7 hr. Day 20: Drive to Rongbok. — Drive to Rongbok. Day 21: Drive to Lhatse — Drive to Lhatse Day 22: Drive to Shigatse — Drive to Shigatse Day 23: Drive to Gyantse. — Drive to Gyantse. Day 24: Drive to Lhasa. — Drive to Lhasa. Day 25: Lhasa. — Lhasa. Day 26: Lhasa Sightseeing Tour — Lhasa Sightseeing Tour Day 27: Fly to Kathmandu — Fly to Kathmandu

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE