Duration : 13 Nights / 14 Days
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is considered as one of the most pious pilgrimage for the followers of Hindu and Jain religion and at the same time the most difficult trekking trip of Asia. However, with Kailash Mansarovar overland tours the difficult terrain of Kailash Manasarovar becomes comparatively easy and accessible with the modern road infrastructure and transport system in Tibet. This 14 days long trip filled with spirit of adventure begins from Kathmandu with a rough and scenic drive to Keyrung, crossing Nepalese border at Rasuwagadi. The black top roads of Tibet leading to Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash offers scenic view of snowcapped mountains and great Tibetan plains.
Day-1- Arrive Kathmandu
Start your trip from Kathmandu today as you arrive at Kathmandu international airport. Upon arrival the representative of Max Holidays will greet you outside the airport and will provide you transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. Rest of the time is free. Dinner and night stay will be at the hotel.
Day-2- Kathmandu Sightseeing
At around 08.00 am the temple visit will start. We will try to reach Pashupatinath Temple before 09.00am to attend aarti in the main temple. Also visit many small and big temples in the complex. After visiting Pashupatinath Temple visit the ‘Sleeping Vishnu’ Temple (Jal Narayan Temple) and Guheshwari Mata Temple. After visiting temples, drive back to your hotel and spend time in preparing for the next day travel to Nepal-China border. If you want to buy some stuff for your trip you may pay a visit to the popular market of Thamel. Here you may get almost every item related to trekking and adventure activities. In the evening, we will have short briefing program followed by introduction of all group members. Overnight stay and dinner at the hotel.
Optional Tour : An hour mountain flight over the world’s highest mountain peaks can be a feast for the eyes of the travelers. The flight departs at around 06.30am from domestic airport. If you want to take this trip, please book in advance to avoid non-availability of seats.
Day-3- Kathmandu To Shyabrubesi
After breakfast, the group will drive to SyabruBesi (2380m) in a bus. The drive to SyabruBesi is not long in distance but the bad road conditions and traffic can make it much tiring, uncomfortable and time taking. Estimated driving time is around 07 – 08 hours to cover the distance of 148kms. Upon reaching SyabruBesi, stay will be organized in a lodge. Dinner and stay at SyabruBesi.
Day-4- Shyabrubesi To Keyrong
Today the group will be entering China and there can be time taking formalities at the border immigration. The guide might announce early wake up and breakfast so that we reach the border early to avoid rush of pilgrims at the border immigration counter. We start our short drive to the Nepalese border Rasuwagadhi (1850m) which is about 15 kms 01 hour) from SyabruBesi. After completing immigration formalities, the group will cross the border on foot to reach China side. The pilgrims are then transferred on their Chinese bus for onward 110 kms drive to Keyrong (2700m). Travel in sturdy and comfortable vehicles that are controlled and guided by Tibetans. The accompanying Nepalese Sherpas get into the coaches after loading your luggage, necessary food materials, water supply etc and the onward journey into the Tibetan/Chinese region continues toward the town of Keyrong (also spelled as Gyirong or Kerung sometimes). On arrival, check into your guesthouse and take rest. Our kitchen crew will serve hot tea or coffee with light snacks within short interval of time, after setting their kitchen. Then you can stroll around hotel vicinity or go for a walk in nearby markets. Dinner will be prepared by our Nepalese chef and serve between 7 to 8 PM (local time). Overnight stay will be in a guesthouse at Keyrong in dormitory style.
Important Remark : As you are staying now travelling in high altitude, there might be some consequences of uneasy feeling with your health, therefore it is advised to all travelers that they drink liquid more as possible that may be in any form of soup, juice, tea, coffee or hot water etc. This will help they in rehydration as well as in improving the breathing system.
Day-5- Free Day Keyrong For Acclimatisation
This day is reserved for acclimatization in Tibet’s tough climatic conditions. Our tour manager will assist you for a short hike in and around Keyrong for warming up your body to adjust with Tibet’s high altitude. Also, you can enjoy the day with chanting Bhajan or Katha in the guesthouse. (Note – If situation permits, the guides may take the group to Saga today for night stay).
Day-6-Keyrong To Saga / Dongba
The enjoyable drive through the mountains terrain and then the plains of Tibet provides us a marvelous view as we travel to Saga from Keyrong. Cross the Yarlung Zangpo (Brahmaputra River) and then turn for the northern route, and arrive at beautiful town of Saga (4640m). Saga is a beautiful Tibetan town with some fairly good hotel or guesthouses, some good local restaurants and market where you can spend good time while acclimatizing. Meals and night stay will be at Saga.
Note : If time and situation permits, the guide will take the group further to Dongba for night stay to minimize the driving time for the following day to Lake Mansarovar
Day-7- Saga To Lake Mansarovar
Today is an important day of your drive as today you will not only reach the holy Lake Mansarovar but will also get the first glimpse of holy Mount Kailash. The drive starts early as we have to travel a long way to Lake Mansarovar and there are several check points on the way which will make the journey tiring and time taking. It is estimated to start the drive by 07.00 am. Before Mayumla Pass (4900m) we will stop at the check post. From here we continue our drive to Lake Mansarovar and get the first darshan of Mount Kailash. Though the drive today is long but the road conditions are good and surrounded with scenic beauty. Reach Lake Mansarovar and check into a guesthouse. Dinner and stay will be at the guesthouse.
Night view of Lake Mansarovar : In the night the travelers may pay a visit to Lake Mansarovar to witness its beauty under the moon light. Though visiting lake in the night is completely safe but it is advisable to go in a group and if possible take a Nepalese Sherpa with you for any required help. Cover yourself properly with warm clothes or blanket as the temperature outside will be cold. Also don’t forget to carry a torch and a whistle.
Day-8- Lake Mansarovar To Darchen
Early morning visit the Mansarovarlake for holy bath, performing puja, hawan and other rituals as per your own customs. The lake looks stunning in the morning and the beautiful sight of Mount Kailash makes it even more delightful. The water of the lake will be definitely very cold but the devotees are always full of spirituality and devotion and do not wish to skip this holy bath. It is to be noted carefully that the recent change in the law of Tibetan Govt has restricted dip bath in the lake and has categorized it as a punishable offence. So kindly refrain from going inside the lake and for the bath ask our sherpas only to bring water in a bucket for you. After dip bath and prayer the group is ready to drive to Darchen and will travel through RakshasaTaal and Chiu Gompa by performing 70% parikrama of the holy lake. Remaining part of parikrama will be performed while coming back from Darchen after kora of Mt. Kailash.
On reaching Darchen check into the hotel and spend rest of the time relaxing and preparing for the next day kora of Mount Kailash. Dinner and night stay at the hotel.
Day-9-1st Day Kora/ParikramaOf Mt. Kailash, 12 Kms Trek To Dirapuk
Today, we wake up early and after taking light breakfast, we head to Tarboche. Do not forget to fill your water bottle before leaving for the trek. All pilgrims have the opportunity to visit Yama Dwar before trek (kora) starts. Tarboche is the point (towards the South face of Mount Kailash) where one can hire horse/pony to ride on the trek during the kora. The price and availability of horse/pony and porter is controlled by the local Union and Kailashyatra trip operators and our team will have no control over it. From Tarboche we proceed to Yama Dwar which is considered to be the start point of Kailashkora. From Yama Dwar we start 12 kms trek to Dirapuk slowly and gradually. The trek to Dirapuk Gompa today is fairly easy but as you walk in high altitude lack of oxygen in the air makes the trek little difficult, as you feel short of breath on the trek. We will take a stop in the middle of the trek where we find some small shops and tea stall and then again continue to Dirapuk. On reaching Dirapuk the pilgrims will see the majestic Mount Kailash standing high on right side of their trek. Take some beautiful photos and then continue to your guesthouse near Dirapuk Monastery. The night will be too cold below zero degree temperature so we will have quick and light dinner (Khichdi, soup etc) and rest in the bed.
Important remark : Group members who want to make change in their schedule and do not want to go for trek may visit Yama Dwar and come back. They may ask the guide to arrange for their hotel stay in Darchen and can pay for their hotel and other additional expenses directly
Optional trip from Darchen : It is possible to arrange a visit to Ashtapad from Darchen on request of the pilgrim but please be informed that one should trek from Darchen to Ashtapad and back to Darchen, as there is no transport service permitted by Chinese authorities in this area. The trip to Ashtapad is subject to permission of local authorities and on direct payment basis to Tibetan Guides.
Optional visit from Dirapuk :Charan Sparsh (5475 m is 3 kms trek from Dirapuk Gompa. One can ask the tour guide to organize for this short trek to touch feet of holy Mt. Kailash. This visit is not a part of the tour package and depends on guide’s decision and availability of time. The trek towards the feet of Mt. Kailash is tough and is not compulsory for the guide to arrange. All expenses for organizing this additional visit is to be paybel by the pilgrims directly to the guide.
Day-10- 2nd Day Parikrama, 22 Kms Trek To Zuthul pukh Via Gauri Kund
Wake up very early morning before dawn and witness the first sunlight on Mt. Kailash offering amazing view of the ‘Golden Kailash’. Take a quick light breakfast, fill hot water in your flask and carry your snacks for the lunch and get ready to begin the trek towards Zuthulphuk. This day is considered as the toughest day of this entire trip as the trek goes steep up continuously up to Dolma-La pass (5630 m) and then steep down to GauriKunda. Near Dolma La pass you will witness colourful flags around and belongings of people spread nearby. This place is called Shiva Tsal (Shiva Sthal). It is said that people performing parikrama must leave something behind here may be a used cloth or ornament or a drop of blood or a lock of hair which symbolizes the act of leaving this life behind and wishing for the end of a miserable life. The total trek today we have to cover is about 22 kms to reach ZuthulpukGompa for night stay.
Important remark : If at Dirapuk you do not feel for continuing trek further to Zuthulpuk and wish to change your schedule and go back to Darchen for night stay, you must inform the guide for additional arrangement for you. All additional expense for the change including accommodation and meals at Darchen are to be taken care by the traveler(s) changing their schedule.
Day-11- 3rd Day Trek To Darchen, Drive To Saga
This is our last day on Mount Kailash trek. Wake up and after light breakfast we continue our trek down to reach Darchen. We walk on gradual trek for about 6 kms and reach at a point where the vehicles are waiting for us. The vehicles will take us to Darchen where other group members are waiting. After some refreshment continue drive to Saga by completing the remaining course (approx. 30%) of Lake Manasarovar parikrama by vehicle. Relaxed time and stay at guesthouse in Saga.
Day-12- Saga To Keyrong
After breakfast we begin our journey towards Keyrung. We cross the bridge over beautiful Brahmaputra River and continue our journey across the vast open Tibetan plains. The journey offers stunning Himalayan views, particularly of Shishapangma and the Pieko-Tso Lake. Driving on well-pitched roads and mountainous terrain we reach Keyrung for night stay.
Day-13- Keyrong To Kathmandu Via Rasuwagadhi
After breakfast, drive towards Keyrong border. Here we walk to the Nepalese immigration control in Rasuwagadi, complete the Nepal entry formalities and get transferred to your vehicle standing in Nepal side. Drive further to Kathmandu. This drive may take about 7-8 hours or more by bus depending on road and traffic conditions. Dinner and night stay will be in the hotel at Kathmandu.
Day-14- Depart From Kathmandu
Intime you will be transferred to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International airport to board your flight back to your hotel/next destination.
•INCLUSIONS :
1. Transport during the tour as per itinerary.
2. All pickup & drop at one point.
3. All accommodation on double/triple/quad sharing.
4. Accommodation for as per itinerary.
5. Driver’s TADA.
6. All fuel charges.
7. All state taxes.
8. Complimentary use of recreational activities.
9. Hot and Cold Water.
10. Doctor on call in the hotel. (Charge Payable)
11. 10% Discount on Laundry services.
12. Assistance provided by the driver throughout the tour.
•EXCLUSIONS :
1. Camera fees, alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, bottled water and starters.
2. Services of the vehicle on leisure days and for sightseeing not included in the itinerary.
3. Entrance fees at all tourist attractions or any activities fees apart from inclusions.
4. Peak Season Charges.
5. Medical and Travel Insurance.
6. All personal expenses, optional tours and extra meals.
7. Anything not mentioned under “Inclusions”.
8. GST 5%.
9. The company shall not be responsible for any death(i.e import of dead body or anything
accident, natural calamity , delay, or any kind of theft, During the tour.
10. Any increase in Govt. Taxes, fuel prices and any new applicability of new taxes from the
Government.
11. Any upgradation in the hotel room category.