Mt.
Kailash TOUR with Mansarovar Excursion
14 Days |
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 Tibet
one of those extraordinary destination where indeed adventure
lurks around every corner! Adventure on the road is never short
on the beautiful Trans-himalayan drive, through mountain, passes,
promising a panorama of a cultural and scenic diversity unsurpassable
anywhere. It culminates on an arid plateau - a veritable
treasure trove of architectural masterpieces - the Buddhist
monasteries of Drepung, once the largest in the country The
Jhokhang - a spiritual center, and the awesome palaces of the
Dalai Lama - Norbulinga ( the summer palace ) and the Potala
( 
the traditional seat ). Ancient Barkhor Bazaar still barters
the bric -- a -- brac, in a region that's not so much a little
strange as utterly surreal. Pilgrimage to Mansarovar and the
Holy Mt. Kailash Mt. Kailash claimed to be the apex of the Hindu
religious axis is also one of the highest mountain in Tibet
at 22,022 feet, and Lake Mansarovar at 14,950 feet is said to
be the highest fresh water lake in the world. Certainly a difficult
region to reach due to the variable and extreme weather conditions.
The distance from Lhasa for example is approximately 2000 km.
Only
during the last few years have lots of ordinary and not so ordinary
travelers, been able to experience this region. Road conditions
are difficult much of the time and we have to make many preparations
to ensure that we have a
reasonable chance of reaching Kailash. We need to bring our
own food and camping equipment. Basic lodges and tea-houses
can be found but the plateau is so remote that it is possible
to travel for several days without finding food available. To
travel for days on this remote plateau with the chance encounters
of nomads herding
their sheep or yaks is to be transformed into another way of
life, to see and become part of such a devout pilgrimage as
shown by pilgrims around Mt.Kailash and Lake Mansarovar is to
put some aspects of our western way of life into proper perspective.
We
begin the tour by traveling to Kathmandu and departing by road
to the Nepal/Tibet border town of Zhangmu where we collect our
Transport. We travel by the SOUTHERN route and after our pilgrimage
(religious or secular) we return by the same route. The day
to day program is outlined as follows: Fixed departure (see
our TOUR SCHEDULE) Kathmandu - Tibet/Nepal border - Kailash
- Tibet / Nepal border - Kathmandu overland 14 days tour (Operating
Minimum Size 4 pax):
Full
package tour including
all transportation by TOYATA landcruiser + supporting
truck, English speaking guide, all necessary Tibet permits and
visa, Mt. Kailash circuit fee, Yak and Yak porter during the
3 days circumambulation. Full board of food & camping gears
(tents & sleeping bags), cook along with coking equipment.
Cost
doesn't include: Nepal re-entry visa fee, extra cost in the
event of landslide and expenses of personal nature.
ITINERARY
DAY
01 KATHMANDU - KODARI (BORDER) NYALAM
We will meet the group at Friendship Bridge and transfer
them up to the Zhangmu border custom and help them to go through
the custom formalities and after lunch continuously drive to
Nyalam. The road condition from where we meet and up to Nyalam
is bumpy and tough we can keep only 5-40km/per hour driving
speed following a winding road up with a quick gaining of altitude
from Zhangmu border 1700 meters to Nyalam 3700 meters. But so
far we still have a view of green mountains and many water falls.
The weather in this area is damp in the summer time, moisture
degree is high so it gets many rains especially in summer season
causing troublesome water flood and landslides. So what we will
remind our clients to be fully prepared for this first day tough
trip. And what if our vehicle and not come down to Friendship
bride even to Zhangmu border because of the landslides then
we will have to hire porters or trucks to bring us up to meet
our team at the other side of landslides then our clients are
due to pay all the extra cost. We will find a campsite to camp
overnight at Nyalam. (CAMPING)
DAY
02 NYALAM-LABLUNGLA PASS-PAIKU TSO
Drive from Nyalam bridge Camp to Lablungla Pass we stop
here to enjoy the fascinating Himalayan panorama and the Tibetan
landscape. We then drive to Paiku Tso(Lake). The huge blue lake
Paiku Tso on the right and Shisa Pangma Himal 8012metre on the
left is an idyllic campsite. (CAMPING)
DAY
03 PAIKU TSO LAKE- SAGA-DZONGBA
Drive through an exotic valley then a hauntingly beautiful
vista opens in about an hour. The cross-country drive over the
undulating landscape with no human in sight will give us a Wild
West impression. We meet a better smooth gravel topped road
and the drive will be very enjoyable until when we approach
uphill and downhill drive to the bank of the Brahma Putra. So
serene and beautiful is the whole area that all will enjoy immensely.
We cross the river by ferry then drive through the military
town of Saga and continue driving to an old deserted town called
old Dzongba. Having negotiated we shall drive to Dzongba Check
post where our passports and the drivers documents will be examined.
We shall stay quiet. Then drive through the wide Dzongba plain
and reappear at the riverbank of Brahmaputra. On the ground
we shall see a lot of red flowers. We will find a campsite to
camp overnight.
DAY
04: DZONGBA-PARYANG RIVER-MAZOMLA PASS
Start to drive early morning having going through the village
of Gaqoi, we shall come to a ridge and a new visit opens in
front of us. We get off the vehicles and walk down the sandy
slope while our vehicles will trundle down. We see innumerable
sand dunes. They are semi- circulars in shape. Beyond the waters
of a lake and the Brahmaputra glitters and beyond as the backdrop
are the Himalayas. The whole scenery walled village of Paryang,
continue to drive across the river on a wide valley then arrive
at the Brahmaputra River again and drive along the right bank
and gradually gain the altitude finally reaching the high point
at 5370 meters, the pass is known as Mazola Pass. Descend and
drive along the boulder strewn section. In landcruiser the bumps
will not be felt that badly. We then drive enjoying the beautiful
scenery of Hanuma Lake and camp near the lake.
DAY
05: MAZOMLA-DARCHEN
We drive on the undulating plain for about an hour then
reach the river valley and drive along the west bank and reach
a cross section of roads when a vista will open. Manasarover
so huge and blue with Gruel Mandata Himal 7728 on the left and
Kailas, THE MOST SACRED MOUNTAIN on our right.
We then drive to Darchen having gone through two check
posts. Darchen
with its rows of white tents. We shall stay in a lodge overnight.
(Darchen Guesthouse)
DAY
06: MOUNT KAILAS
Early in the morning, having had the breakfast, we stroll
west from our lodge and our yaks and staff shall follow us.
At 4700 metres, the trail is so gradual that we feel as though
we are walking somewhere in Rajasthan. In about an hour we come
to a chorten, a collection of prayer flags fluttering in the
air. We then descend to Lhachu River valley then head northerly
direction towards Diraphuk. We shall camp here.
The western face of Kailas will be in constant view.
DAY
07: MOUNT KAILAS
Gradual climb to Drolma La 5470metres pass noting various
religiously important places of great significance. Just after
the pass we shall take off our Tea Shirt, Vest or a blouse and
put on a new one to remark the start of a new life. We then
descend to Gauri Kund (hope no one dares to take a plunge) and
to a camp at Zuthulphuk.
DAY
08: MANASAROVER
We walk downstream viewing the eastern face of Kailas and
arrive at Darchen. Collect our left luggage, have light lunch
then proceed to Manasarover, hopefully to camp at the beach,
but in case of the inclement weather, we shall stay at Chiu
Gomba Lodge. An experience. (Extra fee paid by clients themselves).
DAY
09: MANASAROVER
Early morning visit to Manasarovar, if one dares to take
a dip wash the SINS away and view the sunrise and have a leisure
walk around the lake.
DAY
10: MAZOMLA PASS
Return
to Mazomila Pass.
DAY
11: DZONGBA
Return to Dzongba.
DAY
12: PAIKU
TSO
Return to Paiku Tso.
DAY
13: NYALAM
Return to Nyalam.
DAY
14: NYLAM - KATHMANDU
Drive to friendship bridge and exit to Tatopani (Kodari)
again drive to Kathmandu. |
