Itinerary

Mt Kailash & Manasarovar 2010

YATRA DATE
1)  17-07-10  to  03-08-10
2)  15-08-10  to  01-09-10

I T I N E R A R Y
Day 01:
Kathmandu Arrival/ transfer to hotel/ if time permits we will be visiting Pashupatinath for Arati tour at 5:30pm (between 5:00 to 7:30pm).


Day 02:
Kathmandu
Morning: breakfast/ guided tour of Kathmandu holy sites including Pashupatinath, Boudanath/Soyambhunath and Nilkantha Narayan. Back to hotel for lunch. Afternoon: final preparation for Yatra. Personal gear and equipment will be checked. If anyone needs o buy or rent any gear we can assist you.


Day 03:
Drive from Kathmandu to Nyalam (3700m) 175 Km /9 hrs. Over Night at Guesthouse. Journey begins early in the morning (around 5am). Breakfast in hotel (or packed breakfast on the way/ Kodari), the road follows the river valleys of the Sunkosi and Bhotakosi rivers, passing through green mountains and cliffs. By the noon we get to the Tibetan boarder. Depending on the road conditions, we may stay in Zhangmu. If road conditions permit, we will continue 30km to Nyalam.


Day 04:
Rest Day for acclimatization Over Night at Guesthouse: Nyalam (3700m) This day gives us a chance to relax and acclimatize to the high altitude. It is important to stay hydrated and extremely aware of your body’s physical condition


Day 05:
Drive to Saga (4200m) 232km / 8 hrs. Over Night at Guesthouse / Camp: The road climbs up to the, La Lung (5124m) then drops down before heading western part of Tibet. Road to east goes to Lhasa, capital city of Tibet. The driving is difficult, but the stunning views of the Himalayas and in particular Shisha Pangma (8012m) more than make up for the rough travel. By late afternoon we will cross the Bhramaputra river and a quick drive will bring us to Saga.


Day 06:
Drive to Paryang (4500m) 285 km / 8 hrs. Over Night at Guesthouse / Camp: Our jeeps and trucks roll through the gigantic valleys following the various rivers through the grazing lands of yaks and sheep. The landscape is highlighted by snow capped peaks rising out of the distant sand dunes. Depending on the season, many Tibetan nomads and traders in traditional dress will inhabit this area.


Day 07:
Drive to Lake Manasarovar (400m) 298km / 9 hrs. Over Camp: This is the longest driving day of the trip. By late afternoon the drive through the green pastures and huge valleys gives way to the first sighting of Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. We will drive to Thogu holiest bathing gate of Manas.


Day 08:
Drive to Tarchen (4600m) 60km Over Night at Guesthouse: Lake Manasarovar (4500m). Today is pradosham day at Lake Manasarovar is regarded as the most holy of all of Tibet’s many lakes. According to Hindu and Buddhist cosmology the four great rivers of the Indian sub-continent, the Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Ganges, and Indus all arise from the lake. It is said that Lord Vishnu floated in it for an eternity, dreaming, until the life force stirred, and out of the water’s infinite potential sprang forth all of creation. This day offers a wonderful opportunity to see the great lake Manasarover with mt. Gurula Mandhata (7728m) on south and Holy Kailash on the north. After bath and Puja drive to Tarchen via Chiu monastery and hot spring.


Day 09:
A day to prepare for the Kora (Those who are interested and fit can trek or ask jeep driver to take Austapad for Puja, please be ready for tips to driver for the extra work). We can readjust the day as per the needs.


Day 10:
Full moon day, saga festival at Tarboche and back to Tharchen guest house.


Day 11:
Drive to Tarboche (5 km) trek to Dirapuk (4800m) Over Night at Camp. Today is full moon day, mini pooja at north face of Mount Kailash: Our first day of trekking around Kailash begins at Tarpuche. As we make our way along the route we pass numerous chortens as well as the sky burial site of the 84 Mahasiddas. We will also have wonderful views of cascading creeks, streaming water falls and the mighty west face of Kailash. We will pass the Chukku Gompa and 5 hrs later arrive at the Dirapuk Gompa where we will set up camp for the night. Total hiking for the day will be 15 km 7 hrs


Day 12:
Trek to Zutulpuk Gompa (4790m) Over Night at Camp: The hardest but holiest day of the pilgrimage. We will cross through a rocky expanse dotted with stone cairns draped with the clothes offered by pilgrims as a spiritual sign of death. Gaurikunda is one of the holiest sites to view/ visit from the top. Further hiking brings us to the accent up to Dolma-La pass (5630m). After a nice break at the top of the pass we will head down the steep trail to our eventual campsite at Zutul-Puk Monastery (the cave of miracles where Milarepa meditated) Total hiking for the day will be 18 km 8 hrs


Day 13:
Trek to Tarchen and drive to Manasarovar Hor Over Night at Camp: Trek to Tangsar Tangmar and drive to Manasarovar Hor a 3 hrs walk brings us to where the river emerges onto the Borkha plain. Our jeeps will be waiting to transport us to our camp at Lake Mansarovar.


Day 14:
Drive to Dongba(345km) 10 hr.


Day 15:
Drive to Nyalam (296km) 8-9hrs.


Day 16:
Drive to Kathmandu (163 km) 6-7 hrs / Stay in hotel / celebrate successful trip with banquet for all yatris


Day 17:
Extra one night stay in Katmandu


Day 18:
Transportation to airport / departure.