Destination Nepal

The Kingdom of Guge was founded in 868 and became a focal point for the preservation of Buddhism in Tibet until the 17th century. After the assassination of King Lang Darma in 842 by his own brother, Buddhism in Tibet was completely snuffed out for nearly 100 years. In 1040, a renowned Indian Pandit named Atisha arrived in Guge Kingdom and spent some time at Tholing Monastery where he created a resurgence of interest in Buddhism that eventually spread all over Tibet. Tsaparang and Tholing retained their importance within Western Tibet as political and religious centres until the 17th Century. Today, more than 300 years later, all that remains is a huge complex of caves, living quarters and temples, some of it in an excellent condition, the rest in ruins. This place can be visited in combination with the Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar Tour via either a northern route (Shiquanhe) or a southern route via Saga – Paryang and Manasarovar.  The trip can be designed to accommodate your personal preferences for time and destinations.

Below, we have designed an itinerary that commences in Kathmandu to Zhang-Mu then continues onward to Western Tibet. The tour eventually takes us to the Guge Kingdom and brings us back to Kathmandu via Zhang-Mu (the Tibetan border town).

Route: Kathmandu – Mt. Kailash – Guge Kingdom and return back
Mode of transport : Land Cruiser
Maximum elevation : 5400 m

Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Free time
Day 03: Jeep tour: Kathmandu to Nyalam
Day 04: Jeep tour: Nyalam to Saga, meet with group
Day 05: Jeep tour: Saga – Paryang
Day 06: Jeep tour: Paryang – Lake Manasarovar (Chhurgu Gompa)
Day 07: Jeep tour: Chhurgu gompa to Darchen via Rakash taal
Day 08: Jeep tour: Darchen to Darboche then start trekking to Dera Phuk Gomba (4860 m)
Day 09: Trekking, Dera Phuk Gomba to Zutul Phuk (4750 m)
Day 10: Trekking, Zhutulphuk gomba to Darchen
Day 11: Jeep tour: Darchen to TirthaPuri
Day 12: Jeep tour: Tirthpuri – Guge Kingdom
Day 13: Sightseeing around Tholing and Guge Kingdom
Day 14: Jeep tour: Guge Kingdom to Tirthapuri
Day 15: Jeep tour: Tirthapuri to Chiu Gompa
Day 16: Jeep tour: Chiu Gompa to Paryang
Day 17: Jeep tour: Paryang to Saga
Day 18: Jeep tour: Saga to Nyalam
Day 19: Drive, Nyalam – Zhangmu – cross the border then drive back to Kathmandu

It is possible to make a tour to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar combining with the major attractions of Central Tibet (Tsedang, Samye, Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Yangpachen and Sakya). Generally our tour covers Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Sakya and eventually it merges with the main route from Kathmandu to Kailash in Saga (a small Tibetan town). Our tour to Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar from Lhasa requires at least 19 days. However, depending on the time frame and places you choose to cover in the tour, the tour can be made longer or shorter.

Lhasa to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar tour commences from Kathmandu with an hour Trans-Himalayan flight to Gonggar Airport in Tibet. Our Tibetan guide meets you at the airport and escorts you to the main city (Lhasa), which is 98 km away from the airport. In Lhasa, we will enjoy a two-day guided sightseeing tour that covers almost all the major attractions situated inside Lhasa. After that we start our journey to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar via Gynatse, Shigatse and Sakya Monastery. As usual, “Lhasa to Mt. Kailash Tour” consists of a 3-day circumambulation around holy Mt. Kailash. The tour ends at Zhang-Mu.

Lhasa – Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar – Lhasa tour

Itinerary:

Day 01: Upon arrival in Lhasa – meet at the airport and transport you to your hotel
Day 02: Sightseeing tour of Lhasa: Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and Norbulinka
Day 03: Sightseeing tour of Lhasa: Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Square
Day 04: Jeep tour: Lhasa to Gyante
Day 05: Jeep tour: Gyatse to Shigatse
Day 06: Jeep tour: Shigatse to Lhatse via Sakya Monastery
Day 07: Jeep tour: Lhatse to Saga; overnight camping
Day 08: Jeep tour: Saga to Paryang; overnight camping
Day 09: Jeep tour: Paryang to Lake Manasarovar (Chhurgu Gompa)
Day 10: Jeep tour: Lake Manasarovar to Darchen via Chiugompa; overnight in guest house
Day 11: Trekking around Kailash – early morning drive to Tarboche then start trekking to Deraphuk Gomba
Day 12: Trekking around Kailash – Cross Dolma-La pass then trek to Zutul Phuk Gomba
Day 13: Trekking around Kailash – finish trek and drive to Lake Manasarovar (Horaa Qui)
Day 14: Jeep tour: Lake Manasarovar to Paryang ; overnight camping
Day 15: Jeep tour: Paryang to Saga; overnight camping
Day 16: Jeep tour: Saga to Lhatse; overnight in guest house
Day 17: Jeep tour: Lhatse – Shigatse
Day 18: Jeep tour: Shigatse – Lhasa
Day 19: Free time in Lhasa
Day 20: Fly out from Lhasa.

Kailash Manasarovar Tour by Helicopter
Ex-Kathmandu  – 11 days
Ex-Lucknow     – 09 days

For many travelers, Tibet has a special appeal. This is particularly true of the remote south-western corner where the great curve of the Himalaya swings northwards tilting the Tibetan plateau towards the heavens. Here in isolation, is a solitary mountain and two azure lakes that have been a focus for human interest since earliest times.

Hindus regard Mt. Kailas as the earthly manifestation of Mt Meru, their spiritual centre of the universe. It is also known as a “world pillar,” 84,000 miles high around which all else revolves. On the summit sits Lord Shiva who shares this lofty peak with his consort Parvati, daughter of Himalaya. Below, Manasarovar floats in the shadow of holy Kailas as the lake formed in the mind of God. It was created to show the omnipotence of Brahma’s mind (Manas). To bathe in the lake and to drink its waters is to be delivered to the paradise of Brahma and to cleanse the sins of a hundred lifetimes. Lying as they do beneath the symbolic temple of Kailas, Manasarovar and Raksas Tal represent the water tanks present at the entrance to every Hindu temple. The round shape of the former is like the sun and the curved outline of Raksas Tal symbolizes the moon. These ideas are expressed in the names of the two lakes, Manasarovar being associated with ‘light’ and Rakshas Tal meaning the ‘lake of the demons’. To Hindus Manasarovar symbolizes the receptive, female aspect of creation, the yoni; while Mt Kailas symbolizes the active male aspect, the lingam. In 1948 some of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were ceremonially scattered on the holy lake.

For the Jains, Kailas is acclaimed as the site where their first prophet achieved enlightenment.

The area is also the land of origin of the pre-Buddhist Bon-pos and the site where their founder Shenrab descended from heaven. It is the spiritual centre of the ancient Bon empire which once included all of western Tibet. Mt Kailas is their soul mountain. They also call it ‘nine-storey Swastika Mountain’, thus describing the mountain’s prominent markings and recalling that the swastika is an ancient Asian symbol for ??. When a Buddhist revival embraced this area from Ladakh in the tenth century it absorbed many Bon traditions. The Bon-pa also circumambulate Mt Kailas but in their traditional anti-clockwise manner, opposite to Buddhists and Hindus.

Mt Kailash is known to the Tibetans as Kang Rimpoche, ‘Precious Jewel of the Snow.’ Like the Hindus, Tibetan Buddhists recognize Mt Kailas as the manifestation of Mt Meru, the ‘navel of the world,’ rising ‘like the handle of a mill-stone’ into the heavens. It is said that from the slopes of Mt Meru a stream flows into Manasarovar and from this lake four mythical rivers flow in the four cardinal directions to the ocean. These rivers are now associated with the four major rivers originating near here; the Indus, Tsangpo, Karnali and Sutlej.

Manasarovar Lake, Tibetans know as Mapham Tso, the ‘Unconquerable Lake’. The name records a magical contest between the Tibetan poet and mystic Milarepa, and the Bon priest Naro Bhun Chon which occurred here in the tenth century. Their tussles are marked in numerous sites around the region. In any language it is the holiest most famous lake in Asia. For Tibetans, Mt Kailas is the mythical palace of Demchok, the powerful Tibetan tutelary deity who ‘tears asunder the elephant-hide of ignorance’ and his consort Dorjee Phagmo. The two symbolize compassion and wisdom, making Kailas and Manasarovar the perfect complement: father and mother of the earth.

Out-lined tour itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu. Our Representative will meet you & transfer to Hotel. Overnight Hotel.
Day 2: AM: Sightseeing Tour and Fly to Nepalgunj from kathmandu. OR Arrival in Lucknow & transfer to Nepalgunj. Overnight Hotel Sneha.
Day 3: Early morning fly to Simikot by Fixed Wing and complete immigration formality. Overnight Sunvalley Resort.
Day 4: Early morning fly to Hilsa by Helicopter. From Hilsa trek to Sher and drive to Taklakot (3400 m.). Purang Guesthouse
Day 5: Rest day in Purang for acclimatization. Purang Guesthouse
Day 6: Drive, Purang to Lake Manasarovar (Chiu Gompa – 4550 m.). Paramartha Guesthouse
Day 7: Drive, Lake Manasarovar to Yam Dwar via Darchen (4664 m.) then trek to Deraphuk (4920 m). Overnight Camp
Day 8: Trek over Dolma-La (5600 m.) then continue to Zutrul phuk (4780 m). Overnight Camp
Day 9: Finish parikrama near Darchen then drive back to Sher, finish immigration and walkdown to Hilsa. Overnight Camp.
Day 10: Early morning, Helicopter flight to Simikot and then fixed wing flight to Nepalgunj. Same day transfer to Lucknow. OR Fly to Kathmandu, Overnight Hotel.
Day 11: Departure.

Group Departure Tour Cost:

Ex-Kathmandu (10nights/11days): INR. 140,000/- per person (nett)
Ex-Lucknow (08nights/09days) : INR. 125,000/- per person (nett)
Supplement for NRI’s ( INR. 15,500/- per person)
Single Room Supplement (Nepal): (INR. 3,000/- per person)

Service Includes:
1. Arrival departure transfer in Kathmandu.
2. Two nights accommodation (3 star) in Kathmandu on full board basis (twin sharing)
3. Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.
4. Flight tickets Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu.
2. Pick up from Lucknow & drop to Lucknow by private transfer
3. Hotel Sneha to Airport transfer in Nepalgunj
4. Nepalgunj to Hilsa & back to Nepalgunj by Helicopter
4. Domestic airport taxes
5. Tibet group visa and travel/trekking permits
6. Guesthouse accommodation in Tibet except in Parikrama (trekking part)
7. All meals in Tibet (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
8. Transportation in Tibet in 4WD Land Cruiser (4 passengers in one Land Cruiser)
9. English speaking Tibetan guide
10. Necessary supporting crew (Cook, Sherpas, tour Manager from Nepal)
11. All necessary camping equipments for Parikrama
12. Yaks & Yak men during the Parikrama (circumambulation) around Mt. Kailash
13. Gamow bag (pressure bag) and oxygen for emergency use
14. Medical kit bag
15. Humla region restricted area permit & royalties
16. Porter cost in Hilsa (while going and coming back)
17. All applicable taxes & service charges.

Service Excludes:
1. Riding Horse or Yak during the Parikrama
2. A visit to Khojarnath temple
3. Your travel insurance
4. Rescue and evacuation service
5. Personal expenses
6. Bottled drinks
7. Tip for guide & driver
8. Any additional cost due to natural calamity and unforeseen circumstances.

Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar Tour – 15 days

Over the centuries pilgrims have constantly been braving their way to Mt. Kailash in order to attain spiritual enlightenment despite the harsh weather and frequent bandits attack in the gone days. The journey/yatra itself burns out the sins collected in one’s lifetime. You won’t be surprised to find yourself a renewed person after your journey of a lifetime. A drop of water from beautiful and serene Lake Manasarovar sets you free from our poisonous world. The Lake lies 30 km further from Mt. Kailash and is the source of four great rivers in Asia: the Indus, the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), Karnali and the Sutlej.

The Hindu scriptures reiterate that those who take the holy dip at Manasarovar and carry out the Parikrama around Kailash are absolved of their sins through generations and is absorbed into the Supreme Finality. To him, there is no rebirth, sorrows or joys: he is one with the ultimate – He is one with Shiva: He becomes the Shiva. SHIVOHAM. SHIVOHAM.

The awesome view of Lake Manasarovar, Gulra Mandhata and Ravana Lake bewilders the onlooker into subliminal aura. Ravana, the great actor in Hindu Ramayan epic, is claimed to have prayed at this lake (Ravana Tal / Rakshas Tal) and had the audience with Shiva. Manasarovar was created by Brahma at the request; of the great Rishis. This mind born lake contains the essence of all the Vedas. This is the place for holy ceremonial bath: oblations to the ancestors are offered here. Both of the lakes are full of swans.

The entire area echoes with spiritual vibrations. Even the agnostics shall discover new Balance amidst that fathomless serenity. One has to experience it. It is widely believed that those who are ordained only could be there.

Organizing Trek:
As this sacred place happens to be located in absolute remoteness a visit for mankind was something of a dream in the past. Now the dream has turned into reality by making it possible to reach there due to a network of motorable roads and major highways. Adventure begins with a sweeping panoramic flight over the magnificent Himalayas to Lhasa – the capital city of Tibet or drive straight from Kathmandu to Zangmu, the borderland of Tibet. From here a drive in a 4WD Land Cruiser will take us to the holy Lake Mansorover and Mt. Kailash for the pilgrimage circumambulation and to achieve our ultimate spiritual goal before returning back to Kathmandu.

The experienced team of Trekkers’ Society has developed several optional tours to Mt. Kailash that fit with all age group ranging from 14-70 year old. Here are the some of sample itineraries:

ITINERARY KAILASH-MANASAROVAR YATRA WITH LHASA