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Introduction
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.
A Shiva-linga
shaped Mt. Kailash from the Northern Face
For the
Hindus Mount Kailash is the earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru, their
spritual 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.
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Itinerary
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Day
01:
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Arrive
Kathmandu. Meet and transfer to hotel.
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Day
02:
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At
leisure in Kathmandu. Obtain Chinese Visa.
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Day
03:
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Morning
drive to the frontier town of Nepal at Kodari. From here, a
short walk to the friendship bridge for the drive on a local
available vehicle to Zhangmu, the main entrance of Tibet,
China at the height of 2,300 m. which is about 145 kms from
Kathmandu. In Zhangmu, you will be received by guide from
our Tibetan counterpart. After all the formalities at the
check post here, our journey continues for another 35 kms
which can take almost 3 hours through the up-winding road to
Nyalam with beautiful scenery as the drive brings us for the
overnight stay at Nyalam(3,700 m.). The lodges and guest
houses here are very simple and basic. You can expect the
unexpected as the China Tourism in Tibet is slowly picking
up since last 7-8 years.
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Day
04:
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Rest
day for acclimatization and local hikes around.
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Day
05:
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Morning
drive to the first pass of Lelung La at 5,050 m. From here a
superb view of the high himalayas can be seen from
Gaurishanker, Shisapangma to Langtang Himal. From here the
road diverts towards near Shisapangma on the trail to Saga
on the absolute windswept landscape on the rough dirt road.
Saga, one of the large village enroute to Kailash. The drive
can take approximate 5-6 hours depending upon the road
condition. We will be camping near the village for the
overnight.
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Day
06:
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Another
morning drive through the windswept territory passing many
villages and camps of Yak herders with the distance view of
snow capped mountains. After 5-6 hours of drive brings us to
Paryang for the overnight stay.
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Day
07:
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From
Paryang, our journey continues to Darchen, the start of our
Parikrama or Kora. The drive passes through open territory
with a view of distant mountains, Yak herders camp, if lucky
you might come across a herd of Kang (Wild Ass). The drive
takes us to a high pass of over 5,000 m. before we arrive at
Darchen (4,480 m). Darchen is located beneath the majestic
holy Mount Kailash, a small village with couple of guest
houses. During the auspicious pilgrimage time, this place
will be flooded with Pilgrims with hundreds of tents all
around. Darchen,the beginning and end point of the Kora.
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Day
08:
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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 at Dirapuk
(4,750 m.), after 5-6 hours walk. Camping on the nice grassy
meadows with a view of Kailash, north west face.
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Day
09:
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Today
our circumbulation (Kora) leads to much higher side of the
holy path just beneath the 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 camp after 5-6 hours walk. Zuthulphuk has
a small monastery.
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Day
10:
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The
winding gradual tracks finally ends our holy pilgrimage walk
(5 hours) at Darchen for the overnight.
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Day
11:
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After
completing the holy Kora at Darchen, our next spiritual
destination takes to Lake Mansarovar for the holy bath. It
is believed a ritual bath delivers a pilgrims to paradise
and drink of its holy water relinquishes the sins of a
hundred lifetimes. The drive from Darchen takes a little
over 2 hours on the dirt road. Lake Mansarovar, one of the
largest salt lake in Tibet. We will be camping at the shore
of the lake very close to the monastery and its village.
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Day
12:
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Rest
day at Lake Mansarovar for dip in the Lake and local hikes
around.
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Day
13:
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Retrace
the journey back to Paryang, appr 5-6 hrs. of drive.
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Day
14:
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Continue
drive back to Saga.
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Day
15:
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Drive
back to Nyalam.
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Day
16:
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Drive
to Zhangmu and continue towards Kathmandu after the holy
memorable journey of a lifetime. Transfer to Hotel.
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Day
17:
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Free
for souvenir shopping and other independent activities.
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Day
18:
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Transfer
to Airport for International departure.
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Package
Price:
Indian Nationals:
INR 66,666 per person on twin sharing basis
INR 71,998 per person on single occupancy basis
Foreign
Nationals:
US$ 1,799 per person on twin sharing basis
US$ 1,919 per person on single occupancy basis
The package
price covers:
Airport
transfers in Kathmandu, Twin sharing accommodation at 3 Star
Standard Hotel in Kathmandu on BB Basis, Transportation Kathmandu /
Tibet Border / Kathmandu by private vehicle, Camping arrangement
backed by Nepalese Sherpa crew on full board basis, Hiring charge of
Sleeping Bags, Transportation inside Tibet by Land Cruiser (4 pax
per land cruiser), Necessary Yak & Yakmen for Kailash Kora,
Applicable entrance fees to visit Monasteries, Normal Tibet Entry
Visa fee, One halfday sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley.
The package
price doesn't cover:
Lunch &
Dinner while in Kathmandu, Travel & Medical Insurance, Rescue
Evacuation in case of emergency, Expenses of personal nature,
Airfare to Kathmandu & back,
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