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TIBET: Mt. Kailash Overland Tour - 16 Days
This trip offers a unique insight into Tibet's unique scenery, culture & experience the majestic beauty of Mt.Kailash
In the far west of Tibet is Mt Kailash, 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.
Only 30km from Mt Kailash is another important pilgrimage site, the beautiful and serene Lake Manasarovar. According to mythology it was formed in the mind of Brahma, and Indian and Tibetan pilgrims can also be seen circumambulating this lake, a distance of 90km.
On this trip, we drive from Kathmandu to the Tibetan border at Zhangmu. We then drive across the wide open spaces of the Tibetan Plateau to Lake Manasarovar, before completing a Kora around Mt Kailash. From there we retrace our route to Kathmandu, enjoying once again the arid beauty of the vast plains. This is truly the trip of a lifetime with its stunning scenery and cultural highlights.
Trip Facts
Trip length:16 Days
Grade: Soft Adventure Trek
Starts in: Lhasa
Ends in: Kathmandu
Accommodation: Hotel, Lodge and camping
Transportation: 4WD Land cruiser with support truck
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek
Maximum altitude: 5630m
Outline Itinerery
Day 01: Drive to Zhangmu (2300m)
Day 02: Drive to Nyalam (3750m)
Day 03: Rest day in Nyalam
Day 04: Drive to Peiku-Tso
Day 05: Drive to Zhongba
Day 06: Drive to below Mayum - La
Day 07: Drive to Manasarovar (4560m)
Day 08: At Manasarovar
Day 09: Drive to Tarboche(4750m)
Day 10: Trek to Dira-Puk
Day 11: Trek to Zutul-Puk (4790m)
Day 12: Trek to Darchen(4560m)
Day 13: Drive to Paryang (4750m)
Day 14: Drive to Saga (4600m)
Day 15: Drive to Nyalam(3750m)
Day 16: Drive to Kathmadu (1400m)
Detail Itinerery
Day 1: Drive 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 2: Drive 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 3: Rest day in 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 4: Drive 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 5: Drive 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 6: Drive to below Mayum - 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 7: Drive to Manasarovar (4560m)
Today will be spent at Manasarovar, 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.
Day 8: At Manasarovar
Today will be spent at Manasarovar, 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.
Day 9: Drive to Tarboche(4750m)
Leaving the lake, 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 53km trek around the mountain.
Day 10: Trek to Dira-Puk
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 13th century monastery at Dira-puk
Day 11: Trek 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 12: Trek 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-like landscape to Darchen.
Day 13: Drive to Paryang (4750m)
Today is a long drive, about 300km, back to Paryang. We re-cross the Mayun-la and several rivers.
Day 14: Drive to Saga (4600m)
We continue driving today along a 255km stretch of road to Saga, passing through the small, dusty town of Zhongba en route.
Day 15: Drive to Nyalam(3750m)
Leaving Saga, we again cross the Yarlung Tsangpo by ferry, and pass by Peiku-tso before arriving back at Nyalam.
Day 16: Drive to Kathmadu (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 Koshi River and marks the Chinese - Nepalese 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.
- The mix of Touring and/or general Trekking,
- The remoteness of the areas visited,
- The number of guides or porters required,
- The standard of accommodation required (if there is a choice),
- The type of ground transport used,
- The length of your visit, and
- The size of your group.
Depending on group size the costs of treks and tours range from:
1 to 3 pax US$ 68 to 153 P/p per night.
4 to 8 pax US$ 58 to 138 P/p per night
9 to 14 pax. US$ 55 to 125 P/p per night.
15 to 20 and above US$ 51 to 107 P/p per night
Single supplement US$ 25 to 60 per night.
Note: The itinerary and cost for Peak climbing, Mountaineering, Tibet, Bhutan and India tours and trek are conditional apply.
Notwithstanding the costs shown above, we can tailor tours to suit almost any budget. Feel free to email us for more information.
Note: One tour leader will be free of cost for tours with 15 or more paying guests only.
Children's bellow three years is free if sharing with their parents. And need to pay if they are participating on the trekking, and above three to nine year children half of the price.
Cost Includes: Accommodation in 3 to 4 star hotels in the cites as your choice, basic accommodation in a lodge or tea house or camping (depending on your itinerary and choice) during treks, guides and porters on treks, all land transfers by private vehicle, 3 meals a day on treks, all jungle safaris, all sightseeing tours as per itinerary and all necessary entry fees, permits and airport transfers.
Cost Excludes: Personal expenses, domestic air tickets, airport tax, drinks (soft drink, mineral water and alcoholic beverages and hot-shower on the trek), personal insurance, and extra cost due to natural calamities or accidents outside of our control.
Please note that our guides speak the following English languages and if required we will provide your language spiking guide on extra cost.
Note: Please contact exploretrek@wlink.com.np for more information and prices
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Contact Information:
Explore Alpine Adventure NepalP.O. Box: 4546, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977 1 4700714 / 4700175 / 4701974
Fax: +977 -1 - 4700970
Email: alpinetravel@wlink.com.np
exploretrek@wlink.com.np
Skype Address: explore.alpine
MSN Messanger: explorealpine
Yahoo Messanger:explorealpine
Unlimited Everest Rolwaling Trek with Panorama Views Amazing Annapurna Manang, Tilicho Lake and Thorangla-Pass Jomsom Manaslu and Annapurna Hidden Valley Trek, Manang Everest with High Pass Trekking Upper Mustang TrekWestern Nepal Dolpo Rara Lake Trek
Our Guest Says
SteveAnyon-Smith18 April 2000
This was my third trek in Nepal, having visited the Annapurna Region in 1995 and with Bharat and Dave in the beautiful and wildlife-filled Langstang Valley in1998. Bharat's company "Explore Alpine Adventure"....
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