Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Mt. Kailash, 6,740 m. is situated to the north of the Himalayan barrier, wholly within Tibet. It is the perfect mountain with awesome beauty, with 4 great faces. It is the spiritual centre for four great religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, the Jain religion and the pre-Buddhist animistic religion - Bonpo. To Tibetans it is known as Khang Rimpoche (Precious Jewel of Snow) and they see it as the navel of the world. It is said that a stream from the mountain pours into a nearby lake and from here rivers flow in the four cardinal directions. The River of the Lion Mouth to the North, the River of the Horse Mouth to the east, the River of the Peacock Mouth to the south and the River of the Elephant Mouth to the West. Strangely enough, four major rivers do indeed originate near Kailash, the Indus, the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), the Karnali and the Sutlej. Tibetans believe that it is the residence of Demchog, a fierce looking tantric deity who lives there with his consort, Dorje Phagmo. For the Tibetans also, it is a particularly special place in that their poet saint Milarepa, spent several years here meditating in a cave.

For the Hindus Mount Kailash is the earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru, their spiritual centre of the universe, described as a fantastic 'world pillar' 84,000 miles high, around which all else revolves, its roots in the lowest hell and its summit kissing the heavens. On the top lives their most revered God, Shiva, and his consort Parvati.

For the Jains, an Indian religious group, Kailash is the site where their first prophet achieved enlightenment. For the older, more ancient religion of Bon, it is the site where its founder Shanrab is said to have descended from heaven. It was formerly the spiritual centre of Zhang Zung, the ancient Bon Empire that once included all of western Tibet. Bon people walk around the mountain in a counter clockwise manner, unlike the other religions.

Over the centuries pilgrims have constantly journeyed immense distances to achieve enlightenment or cleanse themselves of sin, braving enormous distances, particularly harsh weather and bandit attacks.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 Kathmandu
Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to Royal Singi Hotel (***)

Day 02 Kathmandu
One half day sightseeing in Kathmandu

Day 03 Kathmandu/ Kodari/ Tibet/ Nyalam
Early morning drive to Kodari border by bus (5hours) cross the Friendship Bridge to meet our crew from Tibet side and continue the trip by landcruisers to Nyalam, o/n at local guesthouse.

Day 04 Nyalam
One day free at Nyalam for acclimatization.

Overnight: Hotel.

Day 05 Saga
Drive about 325Km to Saga o/n. Guest House

Day 06 Paryang
Drive 260Km to Paryang o/n. Guest House.

Day 07 Mansarovar
Drive 265Km to Mansarovar stay at Hor Guesthouse near the northern shore of Mansarovar.

Day 08 Mansarovar/ Chiu Gompa
Start a morning pleasant drive around Lake Mansarovar (30km) reaching Chiu Gompa, en-route visit Qiugu Gompa (one of the ancient location where Hinduism's Pooja was practiced), after arrival of Chiu Gompa we will try a holy bath there, o/n guesthouse near Chiu Gompa.

Day 09 Tirthapuri/ Tarchen
Today will be a tough day, we drive about 70km rough road to Tirthapuri - a region known for medicinal hot springs and a geyser where in a story of Hinduism demon lost the fight to the god was burnt to ash, righteousness finally overcome the unrighteousness. We will enjoy the hot springs as well as a magnificent view of River Satlej. And we will pass by Rakshash tal the sister lake of Mansarovar. After Tirthapuri we will drive to Tarchen (Base Camp of Mt. Kailash), our guide will arrange Yaks and Yak helpers for our next 3 days Kora around Mt. Kailash, and in the mean time all group members will have a last chance for their own physical evaluation. For those not feeling so comfortable can choose to stay in Tarchen or Chiu Gompa near Lake Mansarovar, while others can prepare for the next 3 days trek around Mt. Kailash. stay at Guest House.

Day 10 Diraphuk/ Tarboch
Trek about 22Km to Diraphuk, "Tough day" After breakfast drive to Tarboch (8km) and start trek (Kora of Mt. Kailash) to Diraphuk (5000m) light lunch on the way, dinner at camp. o/n camping.

Day 11 Zuthulphuk
Trek about 20 Km to Zuthulphuk, this is the day all pilgrims talk about, the most difficult journey through the Yatra, slowly climb over Dolmala Pass (5637m) and descend down to Zuthulphuk, o/n camping

Day 12 Tarchen
Trek about only 6 km down to the point where our landcruisers will be waiting for us, drive to Tarchen (10km), after lunch continue drive 30 km to Hor Guest House. o/n local guesthouse.

Day 13 Paryang
Drive to Paryang.

Day 14 Saga
Drive to Saga.

Day 15 Nyalam
Drive to Nyalam

Day 16 Kathmandu
Drive to Friendship Bridge and meet our Nepal side staff and continue the trip back to Kathmandu, o/n Royal Singi Hotel.

Day 17 India
Fly back to India.