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Wanting a private / tailor made journey to the area of Lake Manasarovar and Mt. Kailash. You can design the itinerary yourself, with our help. Maybe your wish is to trek (a kora) around Kailash and visit Lake Manasarovar, with additional time at these sacred places or maybe with an excursion into the Lapchi Khola or the Guge Kingdom.
A trek into the Lapchi Khola, near the border at Nyalam, is an interesting hike with a strong spiritual aspect as it was here that Milarepa sought solitude.
Lapchi Khola
The Guge Kingdom is famous for sculptures, murals and stone inscriptions. The White Palace, the Red Palace, Yamantaka Chapel, Tara Chapel and Mandala Chapel are well preserved and are definitely worth a visit. The murals are about Buddha Sakyamuni, Songtsen Gampo and the kings of Guge.
Alternative of Fixed Departure Dates & Lower Price Saga Dawa Festival Pilgrimage
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 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 for anyone.
Only 30km from Mt Kailash is the important pilgrimage site,
the beautiful and serene Lake Manasarovar. According to Hindu writings it was formed in the mind of Brahma. Pilgrims can also be seen
circumambulating this lake, a distance of 90km.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu. Transfer to the Tibetan owned Excelsior Hotel or similar. No meals provided as there is so many good places to eat.
Day 2 Kathmandu. Relax on a half day tour of Kathmandu, while we finalise the group visa. Overnight in the Excelsior Hotel or similar. No meals provided as there are so many good places to eat.
Day 3 Kathmandu. Relax on a full day tour of Kathmandu and other important sites in the valley. Overnight in the Excelsior Hotel or similar. No meals provided as there are so many good places to eat.
Day 4 Kathmandu to Nyalam (3750m) We leave Kathmandu early in the morning, driving for about 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. We then drive for another 30km to Nyalam, again on a steep winding road which passes through a mossy gully with cascading waterfalls. Overnight in a very basic dormitory. 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 very basic dormitory. B, L, D.
Day 6 Nyalam to Saga Today we drive about 250km to Saga and along the way pass the huge lake called Peiku-tso. We cross two high passes, before leaving the Friendship Highway and we then head west towards Saga. Overnight in a very basic lodge or tented camp. B, L, D.
Day 7 Saga to Prayang A day's drive of about 255km, takes us from Saga across the vast dry plains to the small town of Prayang. Overnight in a very basic lodge or tented camp. B, L, D.
Day 8 Prayang to Manasarovar (4560m) Beyond Prayang, there are several river crossings to negotiate before we see our first view of Mount Kailash from Horr Chu Pass. We then arrive at 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 in our tented camp on the lake shore. B, L, D.
Day 9 Manasarovar Today will be spent at the northern area of Lake Manasarovar, exploring this fascinating place. We will visit the picturesque Chiu Monastery on the north-west shore of the lake, with the imposing view of Mt Kailash as the backcloth. There will be puja, meditation and spiritual dips into the lake for pilgrims. Overnight in our tented camp on the lake shore. B, L, D.
Day 10 Manasarovar to Tarboche (4750m) Leaving the lake, we drive for about 35 km towards Mt Kailash and Tarboche. This is the starting point for our kora, the 53km trek around the mountain. Overnight in a very basic lodge. B, L, D.
Day 11 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. Overnight in our tented camp. B, L, D.
Day 12 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. Overnight in our tented camp. B, L, D.
Day 13 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-like landscape to Darchen. We then drive to Lake Manasarovar. Overnight in our tented camp on the lake shore. B, L, D.
Day 14 Manasarovar to Prayang Today is a long drive, about 260km, back to Prayang. We re-cross the Mayun-la and several rivers. Overnight in a very basic lodge or tented camp. B, L, D.
Day 15 Prayang 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 in a very basic lodge or tented camp. 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 in a very basic dormitory. 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 in the Excelsior Hotel or similar. No meals provided as there are so many good places to eat.
Day 18 Kathmandu. Free time to further explore the city, before you fly home.
Dates: Private Dates Only
Price Indication per person 2006:
GBP5120 / USD8858 for 1 person
for 18 days in Asia.
GBP2398 / USD4150 for 2 people booking simultaneously, for 18 days in
Asia.
GBP1647 / USD2850 for 3 people booking simultaneously, for 18 days in
Asia.
GBP1270 / USD2198 for 4 people booking simultaneously, for 18 days in
Asia. Email for
availability
Additional
Days: Approximately GBP80 / USD137 per
person
The US Dollar is the base currency and payment in any other currency may need to be adjusted for changes in the exchange rate. The prices above were calculated when 1.73 USD was equal to 1 GBP.
Alternative of Fixed
Departure Dates & Lower Price
You can book as an individual, but we need a minimum of 5 for
the trip to proceed at these prices. We are happy to plan a trip
for smaller groups.
What is
Included in the sample itinerary
The price allows for joining in Kathmandu. Luxury 4X4 Landcruisers for all the
transportation in Tibet. Transfers in Nepal. Tibet visa fees (unless there is
less than two months available prior to departure – in which case an additional
charge is necessary). English speaking guides. Low quality lodges / hotels (that
is all there is) in Tibet and a 3 star hotel in Kathmandu - room only. Yak and
Yak leaders to carry the group equipment. Fully supported tented camping where
possible which includes Asian vegetarian food and drinks as served with meals.
What is Not
Included in the sample itinerary
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 GBP450
(Nepali low season – July to September) rising to GBP580
- GBP650 (Nepali high season – March, April and October
and November) for economy class.
Kathmandu - Choice of Hotels
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.
