Detailed itinerary for 18 Days tour to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa(4WD Vehicles):
Tailor-made tour for Mount Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa
DAY 01
Arrival Kathmandu: Take off for The Kailash Yatra! Arrive Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative at the Tribhuvan International Airport who will assist you to transfer to your pre-booked hotel, en route visit Pashupatinath Temple – the abode of Lord Shiva. Overnight at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza or Gokarna Golf and Spa Resort in Kathmandu.
DAY 02
Temple visit in Kathmandu: After breakfast, proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhnath Stupa. Proceed for OPTIONAL Muktinath Darshan after breakfast to worship Lord Vishnu. Evening free in Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza or Gokarna Golf and Spa Resort in Kathmandu.
Muktinath Darshan cost by helicopter will be approx. INR 20000 per person extra, on first come/first serve basis subject to group size in multiple of 22) - In case of unfavorable weather conditions, we shall be arranging an excursion to Manokamna Temple (100 km / 3 hrs. one way) @ INR 1600 per person).
DAY 03
Fly Kathmandu to Lhasa (3650 m) 1 hr. 30 minutes flight: After breakfast, we will transfer the group to Tribhuvan International Airport to board Air China's Flight to Lhasa. Upon arrival at Gonggar Airport, the group shall be met by our local representative and transfer provided to your hotel in Lhasa. The group will reach the Hotel in about 2 hrs. The first day will be spent resting to acclamitie with the altitude because Kathmandu is at 1200 m above sea level and Lhasa is at 3650 m. So it needs some time to acclimatize with the altitude. Overnight at Hotel Brahamputra or Four Points by Sheraton in Lhasa.
DAY 04
Lhasa - Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street: Jokhang Temple: The Jokhang temple, a massive building consisting of three floors and an open roof all filled with chapels and chambers, has undergone extensive reconstructions and additions since the 7th century, particularly during the 17th century reign of the fifth Dalai Lama. While parts of the existing temple structure date from earlier times, most of the murals are from the 18th and 19th centuries and few statues (with the notableexception of the Joyo Sakyamuni) are older than the 1980's. The temple was sacked several times during Mongol incursions but its worst treatment has been at the hands of the Chinese since their occupation of Tibet in 1959. The Jokhang is the most celebrated temple in Tibet. Because the temple is not controlled by a particular sect of Tibetan Buddhism it attracts adherents of all the sects as well as followers of Bon-Po, Tibet's indigenous religion. Three pilgrimage circuits exist in Lhasa, each directing pilgrims to the Jowo Sakyamuni statue: the Lingkhor, which encircles the city’s sacred district; the Barkhor, which encloses the Jokhang temple; and the Nangkhor, a ritual corridor inside the Jokhang. Every day throughout the year hundreds of pilgrims circumambulate each of these three circuits. Some pilgrims will cover the entire distance by prostrating every few feet, and others will walk slowly, chanting sacred mantras and spinning hand-held prayer wheels. For more than a thousand years millions of pilgrims have trod these sacred paths with devotion in their hearts; this cumulative focusing of intention and love has charged the Jokhang with an enormously powerful field of sanctity.
Barkhor Street: The center of the old Lhasa, Barkhor is a circular street, which is the oldest street in Lhasa and remains very traditional. It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts assemble and a place to which a visit must be paid. It was said that in the seventh century when Songtsen Gampo, the first Tibetan King (617 or ?-650) who unified Tibet, married Chinese Princess Wencheng and Nepal princess Tritsun. Later Princess Tritsun built Jokhang Temple to accommodate the Jowo Sakyamuni aged 12 brought to Tibet by Princess Wencheng. Barkhor is the road which pilgrims tramped out around Jokhang Temple through centuries. Buddhist pilgrims walk or progress by body-lengths along the street clockwise every day into deep night. They comprise most of Lhasa's floating population.
Potala Palace: Potala was the winter palace of the Dalailama, which was originally built in the 7th century by the king Sotsen Gampo and rebuilt to the present size by the 5th Dalai lama in the 17th century. Built in the mid-18th century by the 7th Dalailama, Norbulingka, the Jewel Park was the Dalai lama's summer palace, it covers 100 acres with palaces, pavilions and a zoo.
Overnight at Hotel Brahamputra or Hotel Lhasa in Lhasa.
DAY 05
In Lhasa visiting Norbulinka Palace and Drepung Monastery: After breakfast, visit Norbulinka Palace and Drepung Monastery.
Norbulinka Palace: Norbulingka, meaning Jewel Park, was Dalai Lama's summer palace since the Seventh. Its light-hearted air makes it less demanding than most sights in Lhasa The Norbulinka is well worth a visit at festival times and public holidays. On Shoton Festival, the park is crowded with picnickers, and traditional Tibetan opera performances are also held there. Khamsum Zilnon is a very eye-catching building behind the main gate. It was originally a Han style pavilion and later changed into a theater where the Dalai Lamas watched Tibetan opera. Tsokyil Potrang is a group of buildings on water. Dalai Lamas used to read in a hall of the palace. In 1922, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama began to build his Golden Lingka and Chensel Potrang, which is located at the back of the woods. Various flowers, grasses and trees were planted around. The palace was heavily painted with murals, which bear strong Han characteristics. Takten Migyur Potrang, meaning Eternal Palace in Tibetan, was completed in 1956 for the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. Though it is called New Summer Palace, it is a very traditional architecture except for its interior modern facilities. In the palace there are many splendid murals painted by a Fourteenth Dalai Lama's painter. The topics of the murals include Tibetan officials, Sakyamuni preaching under a Bodhi tree, and Tibetan history from its founding by the Holy Monkey, the vicissitudes of Tubo Kingdom (633-844) and Tibetan Buddhism to Panchen Lama and Dalai Lama's interviews with Chairman Mao Zedong in Beijing. The present Dalai Lama's private apartment is also on view, remaining untouched. In a little sutra hall, there is a Dalai Lama's throne which is wrapped in gold foils and decorated with gems.
Drepung Monastery: It was established near Lhasa, Tibet in 1416 by Chojey Tashi Palden. It had four departments, of which Loseling, or "The Hermitage of the Radiant Mind," was the largest, housing more than three quarters of Drepung's ten to fifteen thousand monks. Drepung Loseling was especially close to the Dalai Lama incarnations; the Second Dalai Lama made his residence here in 1494, and subsequent incarnations maintained this link. After the Chinese Communist invasion of Tibet in 1959 and the forced closure and destruction of its 6,500 monasteries, some 250 monks from Loseling managed to escape the holocaust and rebuild their institution in Karnataka State, South India. The traditional training program was thus preserved. Over the years many more young spiritual aspirants have fled Chinese-occupied Tibet and sought entrance into the monastery, thus helping to preserve their traditional culture. The number of monks presently in the re-established Drepung Loseling has increased to more than 2,500. Overnight at Hotel Brahamputra or Hotel Lhasa in Lhasa.
DAY 06
Drive to Shigatse (3900 m) - 350 km/ 7-8 hrs.: After breakfast, visit Norbulinka Palace and later drive to Shigatse. Shigatse is the second biggest city in Tibet, 90KMs away from Gyangtse. The famous Tashillunpo Monastery in Shigatse, seat of the Panchan Lama, one of the six important Gelupa Monasteries in China, was built in 1447 by the first Dalailama. Overnight at Hotel Shigatse or Hotel Mansarovar in Shiagtse.
DAY 07
Drive from Shigatse to Lhatse (4350 m) 308 km. / 6 - 7 hrs.
After early breakfast, leave for Lhatse (308 km. / 6 - 7 hrs). Packed lunch will be served en route. Arrive at Latse. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Shanghai.
DAY 08
Drive from Lhatse to Saga (4640 m) 300 km. / 8 - 9 hrs.
After early breakfast, leave for Saga (300 km. / 8 - 9 hrs.). Packed lunch will be served en route. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Saga or equivalent.
DAY 09
Drive Saga to Prayang (4750 m) 255 kms/ 6 - 7 hrs. drive : After breakfast, drive to Paryang (4750 m) 255 kms/ 6 - 7 hrs. drive through the windswept territory passing many villages and camps of Yak herders with distance view of snow capped mountains. On this day the road is quite flat, hence the drive will be comfortable compared to other days. Overnight at Prayang Parmarth Guest House.
DAY 10
Drive Prayang to Hor Quo (4560 m) 223 km/ 5 - 6 hrs. drive: After breakfast, drive to Mayum River for 112 km and have lunch. Thereafter drive to Hor Quo (4560 m) 223 km/ 5 - 6 hrs. We continue driving crossing Mayum La pass (5200 m) and arrive at Hor Quo. Today is the day of lifetime, as we will have the first sight (darshan) of Holy Mt. Kailash and Holy Lake Manasarovar. Camp on the bank of Holy Mansarover Lake. Overnight at Parmarth Chui Gompa Guest House / fixed tents.
DAY 11
Mansarovar Parikarma (4520 m) 115 km/ 4 - 5 hrs. & drive to Darchen (4620 m): After breakfast, it is a day for Puja & Holy bath in the holy lake. We will be doing Mansarover Parikarma by Jeep (4520 m) 115 km/ 4 - 5 hrs. On the way, we will stop near Trugu Gompa for Holy Bath in Holy Lake Mansarovar. During this parikarma, we will have a picnic lunch on the bank of Holy Lake Mansarovar.
Time Permitting visit Chui Gompa. For optional hot spring bath. Afternoon, drive to Darchen (4620 m). Darchen is located beneath the majestic holy Mount Kailash, a small village with couple of guesthouses. During the auspicious pilgrimage time, this place will be flooded with Pilgrims with hundreds of tents all around. Darchen is the beginning and end point of the Kora. Time permitting, one may visit to Serrlung Monastry and to Nandi Parvat which offers an excellent view of Mount Kailash. We will be staying for an overnight in Darchen and will prepare ourselves for Kailash Parikarma. Overnight at New Hotel Darchen / equivalent.
DAY 12
Drive to Tarboche (13 km) and trek to Dirapuk (4860 m) 7 km/ 5 - 6 hrs.: After breakfast, drive approx. 13 Kms. to Tarboche, the trek starting point of Kailash Parikrama. Tarboche is also known as the outer "Asthapath". The first day of our Kora is a gradual walk with multitudes of other local pilgrims chanting and praying. The trail leads us to few ups and downs till we reach our camp/guest house at Dirapuk (4860 m) 7 km/ 5 - 6 hours trek. Camping on the nice grassy meadows with a view of Kailash, north west face. Those not feeling themselves fit to continue parikarma will drive back to Darchen and wait for the Parikarma group to return. Overnight at Dirapuk Hotel.
DAY 13
Continue Parikrama over Dolma La Pass (5600 m) to Zuthul Phuk (4700 m) 19 kms./10-11 Hrs. (O/Nt New Fixed Camp):: Today our circumbulation (Kora) leads to much higher side of the holy path just beneath the Holy Mount Kailash. The walk will bring us to one of the highest point at Drolma La, 5,200 m. before descending to the gradual field towards Zuthulphuk for the overnight stay after 5-6 hours walk. Zuthulphuk (4760 m) 18 km/ 9 - 10 hrs.
After early breakfast, group will set off as the sun's rays break over the ridges above. After the footbridge the trail rises up a rocky slope. Take this gently but steadily. It soon reaches a level walk. The peak of Mount Kailash rises to the right and can now be seen linked to a long spur, which joins the eastern ridge. This is the top edge of the glacial valley from which the Lhachu ("Divine River") flows.
This day is the climax of this holy journey & is the most difficult day of our journey. One has to pass through Drolma La Pass - 5680m - highest altitude on this tour. Physically it is the most arduous day. At the pass is a large boulder depicting Tara, festooned with prayer flags. Here too Tibetans leave a memento of themselves such as a tooth, a lock of hair or even a personal snapshot.
After perhaps 30 minutes, we descend a steep, rock-strewn path to the valley below. Just below the pass is Lake Tu-je Chenpo Dzingbu (Gauri Kund) i.e. "The Pool of Great Compassion". Take great care now because it is easy to sprain your ankle or worse. You must negotiate steep staircases down to a snowfield. The only way down is to jump from boulder to boulder across a large rock fall. On the ridge above is a formations known as the Lekyi Ta-ra ("Axe of Karma"), as though one's moment ripen in an accident, suffering or death.
A final steep descending staircase brings you to the valley floor. From here it is still about 5 hours to the day's destination with no shelter in between. It is vitally important to remain on the right hand side of the river, the West bank. If not, you will get trapped, unable to cross it. The walk now becomes very pleasant and relaxing (as long as the weather is clear and there is no howling gale.) The path follows the gentle slope of the valley over grassy fields and clear brooks for several Kilometers before it narrows and turns further south to merge with another valley before reaching Zuthulphuk, the "Miracle Cave" of Milarepa. Overnight stay in the Second Camp. Overnight in Fixed Camp.
DAY 14
Zuthulphuk to Darchen trek 10 km/ 4 - 5 hrs. Drive to Paryang.: The morning can be spent exploring the caves and visiting the temples and shrine that has been built around Milarepa's cave. A married elderly couple supervises the temple, which is usually an active residence for over half a dozen Tibetan devotees, helpers, or relatives who continuously busy themselves with the tasks of maintaining the buildings.
One imagines Milarepa's disciples meditating here. Many of the caves contain meditation platforms, self-contained by dry stonewalls which divide them from their cooking partitions and entrance areas. It is well worth the short climb up to these caves before beginning the final stage of the trek. The winding gradual tracks finally ends our holy pilgrimage walk 10 km/ 4 - 5 hrs. Once we reach at the trek end point near Darchen. Our land cruisers will be waiting to take the group to Paryang by tracing our footsteps returning home leaving the Holy place. (Those who could not do parikarma would be waiting to welcome other group members at this point). Overnight at Prayang Parmarth Guest House.
DAY 15
Drive Prayang to Saga (4600 m) 255 kms/ 6 - 7 hrs. drive
After breakfast, drive to Saga. Overnight at Hotel Saga or equivalent.
DAY 16
Drive Saga to Nyalam (3700 m) 240 Kms./ 6 - 7 hours drive
After breakfast, drive to Nyalam. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel Nyalam or similar
DAY 17
Drive Nyalam to Kathmandu: Drive downhill to Zhangmu & Friendship Bridge where transportation awaits for our final leg of journey to Kathmandu (150 Kms)/ 8 - 9 Hrs. After reaching Friendship Bridge, we'll be leaving our Tibet side vehicles on the other side of border and will walk for approximately 15 minutes towards Nepal Immigration Post where our coach for Nepal would be waiting for us. Our Border guide will assist us to shift our belongings towards Nepal Side of the bridge. Overnight at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza or Gokarna Golf and Spa Resort in Kathmandu.
DAY 18
Fly back to your home with memories of Mount Kailash & Holy Lake Mansarovar
After breakfast, free for souvenir shopping and other independent activities. In time transfer to International Airport to board your onward flight.... else you may extend your stay in Nepal to visit Pokhara or Chitwan National park or Dhulikhel or just relaxing at your hotel / resort.
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