KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA

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 Budhanilkantha Temple also known as 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 do shopping 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.

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 Budhanilkantha Temple also known as 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 do shopping 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.

After breakfast, the group will drive to Syabru Besi (2380m) in a bus and from there it is a short drive to the Nepalese border Rasuwagadhi (1850m) which is about 15 kms 01 hour) from Syabru Besi. 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 Kyirong (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 Kyirong (also spelled as Gyirong or Kerung or Keyrong 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. Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Max. Elevation: 2700m, Distance Covered: 265 kms / 7-8 hours approx, Accommodation Style: Sharing basis 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 them in rehydration as well as in improving the breathing system.

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. Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Max. Elevation: 4640m Distance Covered: 175 kms to Saga / 300 kms to Saga Accommodation Style: 3* equivalent hotel sharing basis

This day is reserved for acclimatization in Tibet’s tough climatic conditions. Our tour manager might take you for short hike in and around Saga 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.

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. Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Max. Elevation: 4590m Distance Covered: 480kms Accommodation Style: Guesthouse Dormitory Style 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

Early morning visit the Mansarovar lake for 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. 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, our sherpas will collect and distribute the water. After prayer the group is ready to drive to Darchen and will travel through Rakshasa Taal 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. After performing pooja at Lake Manasarovar, we will drive to Darchen, the base camp of Mount Kailash. From Darchen, we will proceed to visit ASHTAPAD, a highly sacred site in the JAIN tradition. According to Jain belief, Rishabhanatha (Adinath), the first Tirthankara, attained moksha (ultimate liberation from the cycle of birth and death) at Ashtapad. The site is therefore revered as a divine place symbolizing spiritual elevation and eternal freedom. Ashtapad visit charges: CNY 650 per person (to be paid directly by each guest) to local guide.

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 Kailash yatra 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 Kailash kora. From Yama Dwar we start 13 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. Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Max. Elevation: 5210m Distance Covered: 06 kms drive + 13 kms hiking Accommodation Style: Guesthouse Dormitory Style Important remark : Group members who want to make change in their schedule and do not want to go for trekking may visit Yam Dwar and come back to the hotel at Darchen.

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 Gauri Kunda. 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 19 kms to reach Zuthulpuk Gompa for night stay. Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Max. Elevation: 5630m Distance Covered: 19 kms challenging trekking Accommodation Style: Guesthouse Dormitory Style 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.

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. And then drive to Saga by completing the remaining course (approx. 30%) of Lake Manasarovar parikrama by vehicle. Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Max. Elevation: 4640m Distance Covered: 492kms Accommodation Style: 3* equivalent hotel sharing basis

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. Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Max. Elevation: 2700m Distance Covered: 175kms Accommodation Style: 3* equivalent hotel sharing basis

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. Meals included: Veg Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Max. Elevation: 1400m Distance Covered: 265kms Accommodation Style: 4* hotel sharing basis

Intime you will be transferred to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International airport to board your flight back to your hotel/next destination Meals included: Veg Breakfast