Tibet Hike - Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar

  Tibet

Dates: 11-29 May, 01-19 June, 21 June - 12 July, 14-31 July, 08-29 Aug, and 11-29 Sept.

Description: An overland journey from Kathmandu in Nepal to the sacred sites of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar to complete a kora around each. This is for those who only want the south west of Tibet - no time is devoted to Lhasa on this trip.

Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu. You are transferred to the Excelsior Hotel.

Day 2 Kathmandu. Guided half day tour of the city. Free time to relax as we complete the group visa process for you. Overnight at the Excelsior Hotel.

Day 3 Kathmandu to Zhangmu (2300m) We leave Kathmandu early in the morning, driving for 123km through the beautiful Nepalese countryside to Kodari on the Nepal - Tibet border. After completing the border formalities at both the Nepalese and Chinese immigration posts we drive up a series of incredibly steep switchbacks to Zhangmu on the Tibetan side of the border.

Day 4   Zhangmu to Nyalam (3750m) It's a short drive today of only 30km to Nyalam, but again it's on a steep winding road which passes through a mossy gully with cascading waterfalls.

Day 5   Nyalam We spend a rest day in Nyalam today in order to acclimatise before heading up higher. A short way out of town there is a small temple, Nyalam Pelgye Ling, which is associated with Milarepa.

Day 6 Nyalam to Peiku-Tso Today we drive 150km to the huge lake called Peiku-tso. From Nyalam, we cross two high passes, before leaving the Friendship Highway and following the road towards the lake.

Day 7 Peiku-Tso to Zhongba A longer day's drive today, 255km, takes us first to Saga, where we join the main route from Lhasa. Just before Saga, we cross the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) on a ferry. We continue on across the vast dry plains to the small town of Zhongba.

Day 8 Zhongba to Mayun- La From Zhongba, we set out across the plains once more to Paryang and this section of our journey has some incredibly panoramic scenery. Beyond Paryang, there are several river crossings to negotiate and we make our camp just below the Mayun-la.

Day 9   Mayun- La to Manasarovar (4560m)   Today we drive the final stage to the beautiful Lake Manasarovar, just 30km south of Mt Kailash. It is separated from another lake, Rakshas Tal, by a narrow strip of land and the two lakes are linked by a small channel. On the rare occasions when water flows in this channel, it is said to be a good sign for the Tibetan people. Overnight near Seralung Gon.

Day 10 Manasarovar Kora Today we start the circumambulation around the lake, initially keeping to the shoreline, then up onto a sandy headland. We cross 6 rivers today the largest being the Trak Tsangpo River. In the Trak Tsangpo valley there is plenty of wildlife as there is food and water in abundance. You can see the days objective, Trugo Gon, but it is still a long way off. Although mostly on level ground this will be a tough day as your legs get properly exercised for the first time in a week or so. We stop at the ruins of Nyego monastery and if the sky is clear and the air still, we will see Kailash reflected in th water. The final section is soon completed to arrive at Trugo Gon. Overnight in tents or in the guest house.

Day 10 Manasarovar Kora We hug the shoreline for most of today, first heading west and then north. At the south west corner of the lake there are often swarms of insects and it may be necessay to cover your mouth, nose and ears with a scarf. The shoeline now has a low cliff and you will see evidence in the caves that show these were once a home for some souls. Above the caves is the Gelukpa monastery of Gotsuk Gon, worth a visit just for the view of the lake from the monastery roof. Continue on towards Jiu monastery where we will camp for the night. If the nearby Sutlej River is flowing it is a good sign for Tibetan people (it has not flowed for some time now).

Day 11 Manasarovar Kora The final day on the kora and we follow the shoreline back to Seralung Gon. Overnight at Seralung Gon.

Day 12 Manasarovar to Tarboche (4750m) Leaving the lake, we drive for about 48 km towards Mt Kailash and Tarboche. This is the starting point for our Kailash kora (53km).

Day 13 Trek - Tarboche to Dira-Puk 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 13th century monastery at Dira-puk.

Day 14 Trek - Dira-Puk to Zutul-Puk (4790m)   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. As well as the monastery at Zutul-puk, there are several meditation caves and another cave containing an image of Milarepa.

Day 15 Trek - Zutul-Puk to Darchen (4560m) 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 landscape to Darchen.

Day 16 Darchen to Paryang (4750m) Today is a long drive, about 300km, back to Paryang. We re-cross the Mayun-la and several rivers.

Day 17 Paryang to Saga (4600m) We continue driving today along a 255km stretch of road to Saga, passing through the small town of Zhongba en route.

Day 18 Saga to Nyalam (3750m) Leaving Saga, we again cross the Yarlung Tsangpo by ferry, and pass by Peiku-tso before arriving back at Nyalam.

Day 19 Nyalam to Kathmandu (1400m)   From Nyalam, we head back to the border town of Zhangmu. From Zhangmu, it's a short drive to the Friendship Bridge which spans the Bhote Kosi River and marks the Tibet / Nepal border. We say goodbye to our Tibetan guide and driver and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari where we will be met by our Nepalese staff. After completing the re-entry formalities we continue the drive to Kathmandu which, depending on road and weather conditions, should take about 5 hours. Overnight at the same hotel as day 2.

Day 20 Depart from Kathmandu. Transfer to the airport.

Highlights: In the south west of Tibet is Mount Kailash, the most sacred mountain in Asia, which is venerated by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and the ancient Bon religion of Tibet. From it flows four great rivers the Karnali, the Indus, the Sutlej and the Brahmaputra which drain the vast Tibetan Plateau and provide most of the water supply to south and east Asia. Mt Kailash is an important site for Buddhist and Hindu 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 as you hike around its base.

Cost in US$: USD 2700 - USD 3300

Participants Travel to Tibet Independently

Post-Program Services Include:

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Nepal Kingdom Foundation & Muirs Tours's Mission Statement: The Nepal Kingdom Foundation was established in 1982 to develop community spirit and preserve the culture and traditions of the Nepalese people in the UK. In 1999 the objectives were extended to include development projects in Nepal to help the needy of one of the world's poorest countries. The not-for-profit tour operation - Muirs Tours was set up in July 1999 by the Nepal Kingdom Foundation as a means of raising funds for use in projects in Nepal and the Nepalese Community in the UK. From the outset Muirs Tours planned to provide trips to other places outside of Nepal and support to other charities. It currently supports the WWF, the John Muir Trust, Tourism Concern, Survival International, the Tibetan Government in exile, the American Indian Heritage Foundation as well as the Nepal Kingdom Foundation.

Year Founded: 1982 & 1999