Mt Kailash Lake Manasarovar, Tibet
Tibet remains one of the most interesting, remote and undeveloped parts of the world, situated at an average elevation of 5,000(16,000ft) above sea level.
Mount Kailash (6,638 metres) is a peak in the Gangdisê Mountains, which are part of the Himalayas in Tibet. It lies near the source of some of the longest rivers in Asia: the Indus River, the Sutlej River (a major tributary of the Indus River), the Brahmaputra River, and the Karnali River (a tributary of the Ganges River). It is considered as a sacred place in five religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Ayyavazhi and the Bön faith. In Hinduism, it is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva andas a place of eternal bliss. The mountain lies near Lake Manasarowar and Lake Rakshastal in Tibet. There have been no recorded attempts to climb Mount Kailash; it is considered off limits to climbers in consideration of Buddhist and Hindu beliefs.
The circumambulation of Mt Kailash will coincide with Saka Dawa which is one of the most important sacred Buddhist days. The whole of the Tibetan month is celebrated and particularly on the full moon day, Buddha had performed three most important deeds, he was born, attaining enlightenment and parinirvana. During Saka Dawa people place special emphasis on dharma practice like circumambulation of monasteries and stupas, prostrations, taking precepts, reciting mantras, offering mandalas, doing sadhanas and saving animals lives, etc. All the merits will be multiplied 100,000 times from your dharma practices. The full moon day will be on Day 14 (15th June) of the trip.
The trip to Tibet is not for the faint hearted; the traveling can be hard, adventurous and often unpredictable. Due to Tibet’s high altitude travelers with a history of heart, lung or anemia problems should consult a doctor before even thinking about a visit. As this trip includes a strenuous 3 day walking trip you should have a good level of fitness.
The infrastructure of the tourist industry in Tibet is still very basic in this remote country. Please do not expect the standards you are accustomed to in the west. However, every effort will be made under the circumstances to ensure a smooth and pleasant trip.
Nepal has a rich cultural heritage Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world visit various religious places located in Kathmandu. Kathmandu is main city of the Kathmandu Valley and has a rich history of nearly 2000 years old and Bboth Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimas come to visit places such as Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Baudhanath. Other cities of Patan (Lalitpur) and Bhaktapur also form part of the Kathmandu Valley.
Nirvana Tour - Mt Kailash Itinerary
Tibet & Everest Base Camp Itinerary 2- 22 June 2012
21 days – 20 nights
2 June 2012 Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu International airport meet where you will be met by an Ekno Experience representative and transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu.
Overnight Kathmandu
3 June 2012 Day 02: After breakfast drive into the Kathmandu Valley for sightseeing. Evening at 5:00 pm will introduce with all group and do a final check on equipment that we need to take for the trek.
Overnight Kathmandu
4 June 2012 Day 03: Kathmandu - Lhasa:
After breakfast, transfer to International Airport. fly to Lhasa. The flight leaves 09:35 and arrives in Gungar airport, Lhasa (China Standard Time) at 1300 hrs. Flight to Lhasa takes 1 hour 10 minutes. During the flight you will be able to see the Yarlung Tsangpo river, Lake Yamdrok, Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m) and Mt. Makalu (8463m) and Mt. Everest (8848m) weather permitting). One of our representatives from Tibet will meet you at Airport and transfer to selected hotel in Lhasa (airport is 1 hour (62 km) from the centre of Lhasa). The rest of the day for acclimatization.
Overnight Lhasa
5-6 June 2012 Days 04/05: In Lhasa (3650m):
For these two days you be spending your time sightseeing and take excursions tothe Potala Palace, the Jokhang temple, surrounding Barkhor market, Drepung Monastery, Norbhulinka Monastery and Sera Monastery.
Overnight Lhasa
7 June 2012 Day 06: Lhasa-Gyantse (3950m)-261 kms:
The drive takes you to Gyantse via the Kambala Pass (4794m) and the Karo La Pass (5010m) and The Karo La climbs between two mountains, Nozing Khang Sa (7223m) and Ralung (6236). While driving you will see the Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake) which takes approx. 1 hour to cross.
Overnight Gyantse
8 June 2012 Day 07: Gyantse-Xigatse-Lhatse(3900m)-290kms
Gyantse is 264 kms southwest of Lhasa on the northern bank of Nyang Chu river. In the 15th century it served as the capital of a small kingdom. During our stay in Gyantse we visit Tashi Lumpo Monastery and around lunchtime we drive to Xigatse and visit Xigatse Bazaar.
Overnight Xigatse
9 June 2012 Day 08: Saga (4450m), 232km:
This will be long day Xigatse over the sandy and rocky land of plateau of Tibet passing through spectactular scenery and hopefully some of the nomadic people of the area chasing thousands of yaks and sheep.
Overnight Saga
10 June 2012 Day 09: Drive from Saga to Paryang (4600m) 285 km / 7-8 hrs :
Our jeep passes 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 you may also see many of the Tibetan nomads and traders in traditional dress who inhabit this area.
Overnight Paryang
11 June 2012 Day 10: Drive from Paryang to Lake Manasarovar (4558m) 277km / 8 hours:
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 make our way to the small village of Hor Chu on the eastern banks of Lake Manasarovar.
Overnight Lake Manasarovar
12 June 2012 Day 11: Lake Manasarovar (4558m)
) 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. 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 visiting Trugo Gompa (Monastery) we will head to Chiu Gompa (night stay) stopping for a the view of Rakshesi Lake close by.
Overnight Chiu Gompa.
13 June 2012 Day 12: Drive from Manasarovar to Tarchen (4575m) 40km:
After completing a morning bath and puja we will head north towards Tarchen. It is considered the base camp for the Holy Kailash Parikrama. Depending on the itinerary options, we can drive to Trithapuri hot springs (prearrangement required) and back to Tarchen (140km). We will stay the night at Tarchen. If group are interested we can have Austapad trip (Atamalingam Dharsan) as well by late afternoon.
Overnight Tarchen
14 June 2012 Day 13: Drive to Tarpuche (5 km) trek to Dirapuk (4909m)
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 waterfalls 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 7/8 hrs.
Overnight Camping
15 June 2012 Day 14: Trek to Zutulpuk Gompa (4790m)
Saka Dawa today and is a very important day – the day when we celebrate Buddha’s Brith, Enlightenment and Parinirvana Day. Today ishardest but holiest day of the pilgrimage. We will cross through a rocky expanse d with stone cairns draped with the clothes offered by pilgrims as a spiritual sign of death. Gaurikunda is one of the holiest site to view/ visit from the top. We accent up to Dolma-La pass (5630m). After a 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 6/7 hrs.
Overnight Camping
16 June 2012 Day 15: we trek to end of valley/ drive to Tarchen / Last day of the Kailash Parikrama. A 3hr 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.
Overnight Camping
17 June 2012 Day 16: Drive to Dongba (345km) 10 hr.
Overnight Dongba
18 June 2012 Day 17: Drive to Tingri (296km) 8-9hrs.
Overnight Tingri
19 June 2012 Day 18: Drive to Rumbuk (3/4 hours 5020 mts) take a lunch trek/drive to Everest Base Camp.
Overnight Everest Base Camp.
20 June 2012 Day 19: Drive to Nyalam (6/7 hours).
Overnight Nyalam
21 June 2012 Day 20: Drive to Kathmandu (163 km) 6-7 hrs / Stay in hotel / celebrate.
Overnight Kathmandu
22 June 2012 Day 21: Easy morning and Transportation to airport / departure.
COST
India component cost ex Delhi:
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Australian Dollars |
A$4,995 |
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(Prices are based on a minimum of 4 people)
Includes
- Kathmandu & Lhasa tour
- All the visa and entry fees (for Tibet), Passport holders can have 3 days transit visa on each visit (free of cost) or a 30 day visa.
- 3 meals on the entire trip
- Accommodation - twin sharing room in cities and group sharing rooms on the entire trip. Tented camp wilbe used where indicated on the itinerary
- Kathmandu-Lhasa flight
- Australian Guide and Australian Buddhist Teacher and supporting staff.
- Guided tour for all trip
- Sleeping bag and jackets
- Yaks on trekking days to carry all the personal belongings
- New Model (4500) jeep for 4 persons with driver.
Excludes
- Airfares to and from Nepal
- Nepali visas
- Travel Insurance (compulsory)
- Occasional optional items not identified in itinerary description
- Tipping and personal expenses
- Bottled water and other beverages not included with meals
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