Simikot Kailash Lhasa Tour

Simikot,  Kailash and Lhasa Tour begins after taking scenic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj to Simikot (2910m) in  far Western Nepal and starts trek in the world of Shangri-La. This tour will offer the exceptional type of trekking familiarity, which takes you to Tibet's mythical Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, via the hidden upper Humla valley in Nepal's western most Tibetan frontier commencing from Simikot. The Simikot, Kailash and Lhasa tour leads through a wonderful mountain area, past villages of the Thakuri, along rivers and across the Nara Lagna Pass (4580m/15022ft ) where you can see the vast Tibetan plateau and en-route their ancient culture and Tibetan tradition which, offer an great opportunity to experience Tibetan way of living museum. You will hike to the Nepali/Tibetan border till the village of Sher on the Tibetan side, where a vehicle (Jeep) will pick you up and drive toTaklakot. Geographically you are directly south of Kailash, which Hindus and Buddhists view as the "centre of the world". On your way to the holy mountain you will wander along the western shore of Lake Mansarovar and camp.  Mt Kailash, located to the far west of Tibet, is the most sacred mountain in Asia, which is venerated by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and the ancient Bon religion of Tibet. From it flow four great rivers - the Karnali, the Indus, the Sutlej and the Brahmaputra - which drain the vast Tibetan Plateau. It is an important site for Tibetan and Indian pilgrims who make a 53km circuit, or ‘Kora’, of the mountain.

This circumambulation, clockwise for Buddhists and Hindus and anti-clockwise for Bon followers, is said to erase the sins of a lifetime. The mountain itself is 6714m high and with its four sheer walls and snow capped peak is an awe-inspiring sight. This circumambulation, clockwise for Buddhists and Hindus and anti-clockwise for Bon followers, is said to erase the sins of a lifetime. The mountain itself is 6714m high and with its four sheer walls and snow capped peak is an awe-inspiring sight. During the Mt. Kailash Tour we will spend three days in Lhasa for visiting the wonderful sights of this fascinating city after completing a ‘Kora’ around Mt Kailash and then fly to Kathmandu or move to your onward destination.

Outline Itinerary

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

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

DAY 03:  Fly from Kathmandu -  Nepalgunj & Transfer to Hotel.

Day 04: Fly to Simikot (2960m) & Trek to Dhara Pokhari (2300m/7455ft), 4-5 hrs trek.

Day 05: Simikot -  Salli Khola (2700m/8856ft),  5-6 hrs trek.

Day 06: Salli Khola -  Muchu (2920m/9578ft), 5-6 hrs trek. 

Day 07: Rest & acclimatization day.

Day 08: Muchu -  Sipsip (4330m/14202ft) 4-5 hrs trek.

Day 09: Sipsip - Hilsa (3720m/12201ft), 5-6 hrs trek

Day 10: Hilsa - Taklakot (3930m/12890ft), drive to Manasarovar (4560m/18565ft) 4-5 hrs drive.

Day 11: At Manasarovar

Day 12: Lake Manasarovar -  Tarboche (4750m/15580ft), 6-7 hrs drive.

Day 13: Tarboche -  Dira-Puk (4900m/16072ft), 4-5 hrs drive

Day 14: Dira Puk - Zutul-puk (4790m/15712ft), 4-5 hrs trek

Day 15: Zutul Puk -  Darchen (4560m/14956ft), 4-5 hrs trek.

Day 16: Darchen - Paryang (4750m/15580ft), 7-8 hrs drive.

Day 17: Paryag -  Saga (4600m/15088ft) , 8-9 hrs drive.

Day 18: Saga -  Shigatse (3900m/12792ft), 4-5 hrs drive. 

Day 19: Shigatse Sightseeing & drive to Gyantse (3950m/12956ft), 4-5 hrs drive. 

Day 20: Gyantse Sightseeing & drive to Lhasa (3650m/11972ft), 4-5 hrs drive. 

Day 21 & 22: Lhasa sightseeing tour.

Day 23: Lhasa - Kathmandu (1 hr. flight)

Day 24: Final departure

COST INCLUSIVE

•    All necessary Airport transfers (Airport pick up, drop, border pick up and etc.)

•    3 nights accommodation in Kathmandu at 2 star Hotel on BB plan: two nights before tour departure and one night after the trip.

•    Tibet special  tour permit, upper Simikot/Humla(Nepal Part) special trekking permit, Mt Kailash & Kora (Parikrama) special permit

•    Tibet visa

•    All entrance fees in Tibet to monasteries, museum and different monuments.

•    Flight Kathmandu/Nepalgunj/Simikot & Lhasa/Kathmandu flight.

•    3 star accommodation on BB plan with A/C in Nepalgunj which is quiet important because temperature is +45 above.

•    All necessary airport tax.

•    Full  meals during the trip (breakfast/Lunch & dinner)

•    Shigatse/Lhasa/Kathmandu tourist accommodation and breakfast.

•    All necessary accommodation in tent/guest house on twin sharing base.

•    Trekking guide & cook. (food, salary, equipment, insurance, transportation and accommodation)

•    Nepal Part necessary porters for baggage, camping gears (tens, mattress, kitchen equipments and many more) and their meals, well paid salary, equipments, insurance & accommodation.

•    All necessary camping gears such as: High quality tents, mattress, kitchen gadgets, Kitchen tent, dining tent, chairs, table, sleeping bags -20 above.

•    Tibetan local tour guide  approved by Tibet Tourism Board (TTB) & driver (while in Tibet) their food, well paid salary, insurance, equipments and accommodation.

•    Transport by 4500 Land cruiser (4 people each) in Tibet part & Nepal Tibet border (friendship bridge) to Kathmandu.

•    Adequate oxygen cylinders for entire tour.  

•    Yak & Yak-men to carry baggage, food, camping equipments, fuel and etc. while making Kora (Parikrama) of Mt. Kailash.

COST EXCLUSIVE

•    Nepal visa

•    Personal expenses likewise: shopping, telephone call, laundry

•    Soft drinks, mineral water & alcoholic drinks.  

•    Extra cost of the transportation, porterage etc involved due to snowfall, landslide and unspecified services

•    Any additional expenses caused beyond our control such as natural calamities, flight delays, rescheduling or cancellation, accidents etc.

•    Tips to tour crews.

•    Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu

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:  Fly from Kathmandu -  Nepalgunj & Transfer to Hotel.

Transfer to domestic airport and fly to Nepalgunj, about  one and half hour scenic flight brings you to the southern Nepal border with India. This  flat land with quite tropical, hot and humid  climate. Transfer to Hotel and check in air-conditioned  room which is top most necessity to avoid from mosquito and heat. Overnight in Nepalgunj at Hotel.

Day 04: Fly to Simikot (2960m) & Trek to Dhara Pokhari (2300m/7455ft), 4-5 hrs trek.

Early morning transfer Nepalgunj airport and we fly north of Nepalgunj about 50 minutes to Simikot, the headquarter of Nepal's most remote district, Humla. After meeting our crew, we set off on our trek, ascending from the airstrip on a rocky trail past terraced fields of barley and wheat. We ascend a forested ridge above the village town of Simikot, before making a long steep descent past Dandaphoya. The trail is then fairly level, through walnut and apricot trees, until we come to the scattered village of Dharapokhari which is separated by the Yakba Khola (Yakba stream). Overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 05: Simikot -  Salli Khola (2700m/8856ft),  5-6 hrs trek.

Leaving our campsite, we cross a long scree slope and follow the river to a waterfall near the shepherds' camp at Chachera. We then climb over a ridge and bypass the village of Kermi before entering a big valley with walled fields of potato and buckwheat. After walking through a sparse pine forest we descend from the ridge to the Salli Khola(Salli stream) and camp by the river. Overnight at Tented Camp

Day 06: Salli Khola -  Muchu (2920m/9578ft), 5-6 hrs trek. 

We cross the river and climb over a rocky ridge before descending to the grey waters of the Humla Karnali. After crossing another ridge we come to a sandy meadow where goat herders often camp by the river. Beyond the meadow the valley narrows and we cross several more ridges, passing the villages of Yalbang and Yangar. The trail then winds its way precariously above the river. Overnight at Tented Camp

Day 07: Rest & acclimatization day.

Explore Muchu village, washing and take full day rest. Make side trip 2-3 hrs can be possible according to personal interest. Overnight at Tented Camp

Day 08: Muchu -  Sipsip (4330m/14202ft) 4-5 hrs trek.

We follow the trail over a ridge to the Tumkot Khola and then walk along the rocky stream bed for a short distance before beginning a steep climb through a rock-filled gully. We pass through Palbang and its bright yellow mustard fields to the small settlement of Yari and beyond here the route climbs up the valley towards a pass, the Nara Lagna La (4580m/15022ft). We camp below the pass in a meadow known as Sipsip. Overnight at Tented Camp

Day 09: Sipsip - Hilsa (3720m/12201ft), 5-6 hrs trek

From Sipsip we ascend steeply to a rock cairn marking the top of the Nara Lagna La (4580m/15022ft). Descending from the pass, we have views of the Tibetan Plateau before arriving at the village of Ranipauwa. Beyond here, we slip and slide on a surface of loose pebbles down to the Humla Karnali. Overnight at Tented Camp

Day 10: Hilsa - Taklakot (3930m/12890ft), drive to Manasarovar (4560m/18565ft) 4-5 hrs drive.

Shortly after crossing the Nepal/Tibet border which is marked only by a stone pillar, we meet our Tibetan guide and Jeep then; drive about 130km, via the large trading centre of Taklakot, to Manasarovar, the most venerated of Tibet's many lakes. Overnight at Tented Camp

Day 11: At Manasarovar

Today will be spent at Manasarovar, allowing our bodies time to acclimatize to the altitude and exploring this fascinating place. We will visit the picturesque Chiu Monastery on the north-west shore of the lake with the imposing sight of Mt Kailash in the background. Overnight at Tented Camp

Day 12: Lake Manasarovar -  Tarboche (4750m/15580ft), 6-7 hrs drive.

We drive for about 35 km towards Mt Kailash and Tarboche which is marked by a tall pole adorned with prayer flags. This is the starting point for our Kora, the 53 km trek around the mountain. Overnight at Tented Camp

Day 13: Tarboche -  Dira-Puk (4900m/16072ft), 4-5 hrs drive

From Tarboche, we walk up the Lha Chu Valley through beautiful green meadows and streams with Mt Kailash towering above us. We follow the river which enters a narrow canyon with high, steep cliffs and spectacular waterfalls. Continuing up the valley, the north face of Kailash comes into view before we reach the ancient monastery at Dira-puk. Overnight at Tented Camp

Day 14: Dira Puk - Zutul-puk (4790m/15712ft), 4-5 hrs trek

We now leave the Lha Chu Valley and enter the Drolma Chu Valley, heading up towards a high pass, the Drolma La (5630m). It's a tough climb to the summit which is festooned with prayer flags but from there it is all downhill or flat to Zutul-puk, with views of one of the highest lakes in the world, Thukpe Dzingbu Lake, known as the Lake of Compassion. At Zutul-puk, there is a monastery and several meditation caves and a cave containing an image of Milarepa. Overnight at Tented Camp

Day 15: Zutul Puk -  Darchen (4560m/14956ft), 4-5 hrs trek.

On the final day of the Kora we cross several streams, and follow an impressive gorge. Along the way we are once again treated to magnificent views of Kailash. We then enter the Bharka plain and it's about an hour's walk through this desert-like landscape to Darchen. Overnight at Tented Camp

Day 16: Darchen - Paryang (4750m/15580ft), 7-8 hrs drive.

Today is a long drive, about 300km, along the way; we cross the Mayun-la and make several river crossings. The scenery along this section is one of the most panoramic of the entire journey. Overnight at Tented Camp

Day 17: Paryag -  Saga (4600m/15088ft) , 8-9 hrs drive.

We continue driving today along a 255km stretch of road to Saga, passing through the small, dusty town of Zhongba en route. Overnight at Tented Camp

Day 18: Saga -  Shigatse (3900m/12792ft), 4-5 hrs drive.

Today is the longest drive of our journey, 452km to Shigatse. Leaving Saga, we pass the turn-off for the northern route and skirt around a lake, passing through a series of valleys. Approaching Kaga, we'll come across the first trees and agricultural fields that we've seen for many days and the town itself is situated next to a picturesque lake. We continue on to Lhatse where we join the paved Friendship Highway and follow it for the final 150km to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 19: Shigatse Sightseeing & drive to Gyantse (3950m/12956ft), 4-5 hrs drive. 

This morning in Shigatse we have time to visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet, before driving 90km to Gyantse. Once in Gyantse, we can explore the Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Gyantse Kumbum. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed stupa and its many chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 20: Gyantse Sightseeing & drive to Lhasa (3650m/11972ft), 4-5 hrs drive. 

A spectacular 261km drive today will take us over the Karo La (5045m), where we are treated to the awesome sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred metres of the road. Beyond the small, developing town of Nagartse, the road follows the bank of a beautiful turquoise lake, the Yamdrok-tso, for about 20km. We then cross the Khamba La (4794m) and continue on to Lhasa. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 21 & 22: Lhasa sightseeing tour.

These days you will be engrossed with sightseeing and excursions of the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Drepung, Norbulingka, Barkhor Square. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 23: Depart from Lhasa

Morning drive to Gonggar airport and 1 hr. flight through the Trans- Himalaya including Mt. Everest(8848m) to Kathmandu & transfer to Hotel.

Day 24: Final departure

Transfer to international airport and fly to onward destination.

                   "OR"

Join the different extension trip

Departure Dates for Simikot Kailash Lhasa Tour