Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2012

Mt. Kailash presents probably the biggest irony in tourism world and pilgrimage destinations. It is the most renowned and divine place visited by the devotees across the boarders. The mountain is an important religious destination for many religions like Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism and holds different significance to different religion just like the various names it has. The mountain towers up to 22,000 feet above sea level and is considered to be one of the toughest high rises to climb or even reach. Pilgrims even with the toughest of vehicles take weeks to reach here through a journey, which is nothing less than a great challenge.

For Hindus, Mt. Kailash is the sacred abode of Lord Shiva, 'The God of Destruction' of evil and sorrow. Hindus consider this mountain as eternal heaven and the center of soul and spirituality. As the legend has it, Lord Shiva sits atop Mt. Kailash meditating and practicing yoga. The mountain is assumed to be the center of the world and the four rivers flowing through Kailash dividing the world in four different regions. In fact, the famous rock cut Ellora caves in Maharashtra is named after Mt. Kailash. The walls of this cave have many carvings related to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Buddhist call it Mountain Kang Rimpoche, 'The Precious One of Glacial Snow'. The locales of Tibet call it Tise. They consider this to be the resting place of Buddha Demchok and the place where the intimidating battle between Milarepa and Naro Bonchung took place. Milarepa was the master of Tantric Buddhism (magic), and Naro Bonchung was the champion of Bon religion. After a long battle, no results was in sight and both came to a conclusion that the one who reaches the top of the mountain first wins. Soon Naro Bonchung got on his magic drum and proceeded towards the tip, but to everybody's amazement, Milarepa sat there meditating. As Naro Bonchung was about to reach the top, Milerapa sprang into action and overtook him by riding the rays of Sun. Since then Buddhism prevails in Tibet.

Mt. Kailash is also an important religious center for Jains as well. They call this mountain Mt. Ashtapada. According to their religion, this is the place where the great sage Rishabhadeva, the founder of Jain religion, attained nirvana, here on the peak of Mt. Ashtapada.

With no railways, roadways or air route anywhere close to Mt. Kailash, this is no easy place to reach. Only physically fit and mentally tough people who are totally devoted towards their journey to Kailash can reach their goal. Take into account at least 10 days of rigorous walking if you start immediately after reaching the foot of the hill. It is advised that take a few days extra to get accustomed to the climate at such a high altitude. There are different ways to reach the tip of this mountain, the most commonly used being the Xinjiang highway which starts from Kashgar city and reaches Kailash via Shiquanhe. Others important routes are northern route, southern route and India Nepal Border So, if you wish to take on this journey and ready to endure the difficulties, this could be your path to enlightenment.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Day 02: Kathmandu valley sightseeing & trek preparation (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Day 03: Transfer to Nylam (3.750m/12335ft, 156km, 7-8 hours)

Day 04: Acclimatization, some hiking

Day 05: Transfer Nyalam to Saga (4,600m/15,131ft, 232km, 7-8 hours)

Day 06: Transfer Saga to Tritapuri (4,560m/15,000ft)

Day 07: Garuda valley sightseeing and transfer to Darchen (4,560m/15,000ft, 60km, 1-2 hours)

Day 08: First day of kora: hiking to Dira-puk (4,760m/15,675ft, 20km, 6 hours by walk).

Day 09: Second day of kora: hiking to Dzutul-puk (4,790m/15,765ft, 18km, 6-7 hours by walk) via Drolma-la pass (5,750m/19,910ft).

Day 10: Third day of kora: hiking to Darchen (4,560m/15,000ft, 14km, 3-4 hours) and transfer to Masasarowar.

Day 11: Full day at Manasarovar

Day 12: Transfer Mansarovar to Saga (4,600m/15,131ft, 535km, 10-12 hours).

Day 13: Transfer Saga, Nyalam (3.750m/12335ft, 232km, 7-8 hours)

Day 14: Transfer Nyalam, Kathmandu (1,355m/4,457ft, 156km, 7-8 hours).

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Meet MMT (Mountain Mart Treks) airport representative at International Airport and transfer to your choice of Hotel /Resort /Guest house. Free afternoon. Involve well come dinner held by MMT management, introduce guide, trip briefing and check trip necessities.

Day 02: Kathmandu valley sightseeing & trek preparation (1,300m/4,264 ft)

After breakfast, day will start our guided trip to cultural world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley such as, pilgrimage sites of Hindus temple Pashupatinath, the world biggest Stupa Bouddhanath, visit Swoyambhunath Stupa also known as monkey temple. After exploring the surrounding areas visit historical Patan Durbar Square & Kathmandu Durbar Square (Freak Street) with temple, unique ancient art, architectures, museum and Kumari (living goddess). Evening pre-trip counseling and ensure once again trekking gears, medical kid and trek legalization needs.

“OR”

Leisure and easy day for different interest.

Day 03: Transfer to Nylam (3.750m/12335ft, 156km, 7-8 hours)

After breakfast we depart for the Tibet border. Lunch at the border. Clear Nepali customs/immigration and a 15 minute walk across Friendship Bridge to Tibet where the Chinese border police will check passport & visa. Here, our land cruiser awaits. 30 minute drive from Kodari to Zhangmu, where second immigration formalities have to be done. From Zhangmu to Nylam is 3 to 4 hours scenic drive. Overnight at Guesthouse in Nylam.

Day 04: Acclimatization, some hiking

After breakfast we will take a small walk through Nylam village to visit monastery. An option for a 2 hour trek for acclimatization or rest at the guesthouse. Overnight at the same guesthouse.

Day 05: Transfer Nyalam to Saga (4,600m/15,131ft, 232km, 7-8 hours)

Enjoy the views of snow capped mountains; we will be passing through the first highest pass of Lalung La Pass (5000m) where a magnificent view of high Himalayas can be seen such as Gaurishanker, Shishapangma, and Langtang Himal. We will be crossing the holy river Bhramaputra. Overnight at hotel in Saga.

Day 06: Transfer Saga to Tritapuri (4,560m/15,000ft)

The road condition is fair. Enjoy vast Tibetan Plate, landscape changes from sandy dunes to rocky vistas to savannah type. As we near the sacred Mansarowar lake, the historic Chiu Monastery becomes visible on the north-west shore. We will have the first sight of Holy Kailash and Mansarovar. The drive continues to Tritapuri, supposed to be related with the name "Tibet", an important site for the Buddhists.

Day 07: Garuda valley sightseeing and transfer to Darchen (4,560m/15,000ft, 60km, 1-2 hours)

The Garuda Valley or Kyunglung lies to the southwest of Mt Kailash. The Garuda Valley contains mysterious caves some of which have never been explored. The valley is the source of an ancient kingdom of Shangshung, the ruined cave cities in the valley are remains of early Tibetan civilization. Afternoon we will visit Tritapuri. It is important place of Tibet, related with Presious Gura Padmasambhava. As the legend says he subdued a demon at this place. Return back to Darchen. Darchen is the starting and completion point for the the Kailash Kora.

Day 08: First day of kora: hiking to Dira-puk (4,760m/15,675ft, 20km, 6 hours by walk).

Today is first day of kora. Lush green meadows and murming mountain springs follow with us along our walking through Lhachu valley. At the end of this day north face of Kailash arises in front of us and we reach Dira-puk monastery.

Day 09: Second day of kora: hiking to Dzutul-puk (4,790m/15,765ft, 18km, 6-7 hours by walk) via Drolma-la pass (5,750m/19,910ft).

Today we are going to climb at Drolma-la pass (Pass of Tara), filed with five-colored praying flags. This is the most difficult part of our way. Then we start the descending to Dzutul-puk. Very attractive lake Thugje Zinbu (Lake of Compassion) opens to our eyes. Some ancient meditative caves are visible here.

Day 10: Third day of kora: hiking to Darchen (4,560m/15,000ft, 14km, 3-4 hours) and transfer to Masasarowar.

We gradually wind out of the valley getting finally in to the Barka plain. After completing the holy Kora of Mount Kailash at Darchen, we drive to Lake Mansarovar. The drive from Darchen to Mansarovar takes about 2 hours. Overnight at Mansarowar.

Day 11: Full day at Manasarovar

Full day at Lake Mansarovar. Lake Manasarowar has a circumference of 90 kilometers. It's one the highest fresh water lakes in the world. The belief is that the Kora of Mount Kailash completes only with a holy dip in the Lake Manasarovar and a drink of its holy water delivers one from the sins of a hundred lives. We also make the Kora around Mansarovar Lake by Jeep. Time permits us to visit Chui Gompa.

Day 12: Transfer Mansarovar to Saga (4,600m/15,131ft, 535km, 10-12 hours).

Today, we have a long drive from Mansarovar to Saga. It's the same route we came by, via Paryang and Zhongba. However, from Saga instead of going toward Lhasa, we drive along a different route toward Kathmandu.

Day 13: Transfer Saga, Nyalam (3.750m/12335ft, 232km, 7-8 hours)

Cross the Yarlung Tsangpo or Brahmaputra River and then drive to Nyalam. Pass by a huge lake Paigu-Tso with Mt. Shishapangma (8027m) in the background. Don't miss the sight of Everest as the road climbs the Lalung La at 5124m. After crossing another pass, the Tong La at 5120m, we finally reach Nyalam.

Day 14: Transfer Nyalam, Kathmandu (1,355m/4,457ft, 156km, 7-8 hours).

Drive to Zhangmu, the border town on the Tibet side. Go through the custom formalities. After reaching Friendship Bridge, we'll be leaving our Tibet side vehicles, and will walk for approximately 15 minutes towards Nepal. From Kodari it takes another 8-9 hours drive to Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Departure Dates for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2012