This is for those who only want the south west of Tibet - no time is devoted to Lhasa on this trip. Complete a kora around Mount Kailash plus a stay of two nights at the side of Lake Manasarovar with many pujas (prayer sessions). This itinerary provides the chance to circumambulate the single most sacred place on earth and is best suited to those on a pilgrimage. The trip is open to all, it does not matter what your beliefs are, as long as you respect other beings.

In the far west of Tibet is Mt Kailash, the most sacred mountain in Asia, which is venerated by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and previously 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. Buddhists and Hindus circumambulate clockwise and its anti-clockwise for Bon followers. To circumambulate once 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.

Tailor Made Itinerary      Saga Dawa Festival Pilgrimage

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 and 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 (except for those who repeat it each year, Hi Greg) with its stunning scenery and cultural highlights. You need to be conditioned to hard hiking / trekking over a number of days. Although we make it as easier by providing yaks to carry your main baggage while trekking.  Also you can consider hiring a horse for part or all of the kora.  For your safety we provide a portable compression chamber and a supply of oxygen to treat altitude sickness.

Client Feedback

Detailed Itinerary - 19 days in Nepal and Tibet, plus travelling time

Day 1  Arrive in Kathmandu.  You are transferred to your hotel (usually Tibetan owned). Only breakfast are provided whilst you are in Kathmandu, giving you the freedom to choose one of the many places to eat.

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 your hotel. B.

Day 3 Kathmandu Valley   The three cities of the Kathmandu valley, Kathmandu City, Patan and Bhaktapur are explored today, as the final preparations are made for our pilgrimage to Tibet. Overnight at your hotel. B.

Day 4  Kathmandu to Nyalam (3750m)  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. It's a short drive now of only 30km to Nyalam, but again it's on a steep winding road which passes through a mossy gully with cascading waterfalls. Overnight in a suitable lodge. B, L, D.

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. Overnight in a suitable lodge. B, L, D.

Day 6  Nyalam to Saga  Today we drive 250km to Saga, the site of a great festival in May each year.  From Nyalam, we cross two high passes, with great views of the 8000+ m peak of Shishapangma. We continue to the huge lake called Peiku-tso. We eat our packed lunch at the lakeside, then continue our journey to saga. Overnight camping or in a suitable lodge. B, L, D.

Day 7  Saga to Prayang  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. We cross the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) by ferry. We continue on across the vast dry plains to the small town of Zhongba. From Zhongba, we set out across the plains once more to Paryang and this section of our journey has some incredibly panoramic scenery. B, L, D.

Day 8  Prayang to Lake Manasarovar (4560m)  Beyond Paryang, there are several river crossings to negotiate as we drive the final stage to the beautiful Lake Manasarovar, just 30km south of Mt Kailash. The auspicious day for the group as we have our first glimpse of the Holy Manasarovar and of Mount Kailash from Horr Chu La (pass).  Lake Manasarovar is separated from another lake, Rakshas Tal, by a narrow strip of land. On the rare occasions when water flows between the two, it is said to be a good sign for the Tibetan people.  Overnight camp near Seralung Gon. B, L, D.

Day 9  Manasarovar  Today we enjoy the tranquility at the lake, or join in one of the many pujas (prayer sessions) that are part of the pilgrimage process. Some will sit in meditation all day, others will take a holy dip in the waters. Overnight in tents or in the guest house B, L, D.

Day 10  Manasarovar to Darchen (4560m)  Leaving the lake, we drive towards Mt Kailash and stop at Darchen. This is the starting point for our Kailash kora (53km).  Overnight in a lodge.  B, L, D.

Day 11  Kailash Kora / Parikrama - Darchen to Diraphuk Gompa  The Kora / Parikrama begins as we walk the 8kms to Tarboche and then we trek up to Diraphuk Gompa. Packed lunch will be served on the way.  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 13^th century monastery at Diraphuk. Overnight at our own camp or a lodge. B, L, D.

Day 12  Kailash Kora / Parikrama - Diraphuk to ZutulPuk Gompa (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 Zutulpuk, 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 Zutulpuk, there are several meditation caves and another cave containing an image of Milarepa. Overnight at our own camp or a lodge. B, L, D.

Day 13  Kailash Kora / Parikrama - Zutul-Puk to Darchen (4560m)  On the final day of the kora / Parikrama 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. Our vehicles await us, and take us back to Lake Manasarovar. Overnight camp near Seralung Gon. B, L, D.

Day 14  Manasarovar to Prayang (4750m)  Today is a long drive, about 300km, back to Praryang. We re-cross the Mayun-la and several rivers. Overnight at our own camp or a lodge. B, L, D.

Day 15  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. Overnight at our own camp or a lodge. B, L, D.

Day 16  Saga to Nyalam (3750m)  Leaving Saga, we again cross the Yarlung Tsangpo by ferry, and pass by Peiku-tso before arriving back at Nyalam. Overnight at a lodge. B, L, D.

Day 17  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 your hotel. B, L.

Day 18 Kathmandu Relax and wonder through the streets of Kathmandu.  An evening of Nepalese culture and dinner to wish you a good journey home. Overnight at your hotel. B, D.

Day 19  Depart from Kathmandu. Transfer to the airport. B.

Fixed Departure Dates - 2006:
April 17th - May 4th, May 17th - June 3rd, June 12th - 29th, July 12th - 29th, August 9th - 26th and September 8th - 25th.

                                                    Email for availability.

Price Indication per person 2006: 

Standard Package

GBP1212 / USD2098  for 1 person
GBP1184 / USD2050  for 2 or 3 people booking simultaneously,
GBP1155 / USD1998  for 4 – 12 people booking simultaneously.     

The base currency is the US Dollar and payment in any other currency may need to be adjusted for changes in the exchange rate.  The prices are were calculated when 1.73 USD was equal to 1 GBP.         

What is Included
The price allows for joining in Kathmandu. Luxury 4X4 Toyota Landcruisers for all the transportation in Tibet from Kathmandu, Nepal and back.  Tibet visa fees (unless there is less than two months available prior to departure – in which case an additional charge is necessary).  English speaking Tibetan guide and assistants.  Low quality hotels (that is all there is) in western Tibet or camping with our staff providing a full service. Fully supported tented camping elsewhere which includes all the food you’ll need, with tea and coffee. Hotel and 2 airport transfers in Kathmandu. Yaks to carry your main baggage while trekking.  A portable compression chamber and a supply of oxygen to treat altitude sickness.

What is Not Included
Long-haul airfare and departure taxes. Local departure taxes must be paid in local currency of about N.Rs. 1000 (GBP9 / USD15) when leaving Nepal. Personal Travel Insurance. Nepali double entry visa fees of about GBP55 / USD92. Hire of horses and horse handlers. Tips, vaccination costs, all items of a personal nature and all alcoholic and other bottled drinks.

Airfare (from the UK)
As a guide, the international airfare should be about £450 in the Nepal low season (July to September) for economy class. 

Kathmandu Hotels (extra nights)
We can arrange accommodation for any additional nights. Prices per person from as little as GBP4 / USD7, with two star quality at GBP9 / USD16 and three star at GBP15 / USD25 per person per night. Luxury options up to GBP250 / USD350 per night per room.

Visas
A double entry visa is required for Nepal if you plan to visit Tibet and return via Nepal and this will cost about GBP55 / USD92. We can arrange the Nepali visa for you should you wish for an additional fee.  The Tibet visa is arranged for the group by Muir's Tours.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk  As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.