Tour Itinerary
Nepal Tour & Mount Kailash Trekking in Tibet
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nepal (Kathmandu Airport)
Pick up from airport, rest in hotel. Evening visit to Monkey Temple lies on the hilltop only a kilometer far from Thamel for Kathmandu evening Valley view.
Day 2: Whole day sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley.
After breakfast you have sightseeing tour in Kathmandu Valley. The Valley is cradle of Nepali culture and civilization. It is the largest valley in the Midlands and certainly the most beautiful. There are seven UNESCO recognized World Heritage Sites within 20 kms in average. Those are: Swayambhu Nath Stupa, Boudha Nath, Bhaktapur City, Changu Narayan Temple, Pashupati Nath Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square. Today we arrange you to visit all above Cultural Centers. Over night in hotel.
Day 3: Kathmandu to Zhangmu (2300m)(124km)
Assemble at Eco-friendly Treks and Expedition (P) Ltd office at 5.30 hrs for an approximately 8 hours drive to Kodari Friendship bridge on a clear morning, en route, one will get a clear view of Mt Langtang, Mt Garui Shankar, Mt Melungtse and Khumbu Himal. After completion of custom and immigration check, book into hotel.
Day 4: Zhangmu to Xegar (4350m)(244km)
From Zhangmu the road follows the deep valley of Bhote Koshi River with lots of waterfalls. Aft 2.5 hours drive; reach Nyalam Pass (3800 m) viewing other mountain ranges like Mt Langtang, (7245m), Mt Shisapangma (8013 m), Mt Dorje Lhakpa (6980m), Mt Makalu (8201m). Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Xegar to Dongpa (425 km)
This is more interesting and scenic route than others. After reaching the Tibetan plateau from the Nyalam Valley take the left (west) fork at a road junction marked by a wooden Chinese sign post near road marker 615 km (instead of going east to Dingri and Lhatse) Cross the Dingur Thang (Porang) plain to beautiful Pelku Lake. The impressive Sisapangma massif is close by on the left. From the Lake's western shore turn north to Saga on the north bank of the Tsangpo, then west to Zhongba. Overnight in tent.
Day 6: Dongpa to Darchen (270 km)
For thousands of years the Kailash area, from here the Indus, Sutluj, Ganges and Brhamaputra river originate, has been held sacred by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and followers of Bon, Tibet's indigenous religion. Even today, pilgrims carry out devotional circumambulations here, having coverage on Mt. Kailash by pilgrim path from all over Tibet. Overnight at hotel in Darchen.
Day 7: Rest in Darchen
Darchen is only 6 km. off the main Shiguanhe (Ali) road, is the point of departure for the pilgrimage around Mt Kailash. Your staffs make ready yak to carry trekking gears and foods and you will visit to Darchen Monastery. This two-story monastery in the center of Darchen largely provides shelter for pilgrims and serves as a trading post. The main image is Sakyamuni; the mural defaced and poor west of Darchen Gon is the Small Mani Lhakhang with a large new Mani wheel. This site marks the location of the old flagpole of Darchen. Before starting around Kailash. Pilgrims often circumambulate Darchen Monastery and the Mani Lhakhang.
Day 8: Darchen to Drira Phuk (6 hrs)
From Darchen the wide Pilgrim path leads northwestward skirting the base of an outlier ridge of Mt Kailash. Clearly defined mountain from here is Nampa, Api, Saipal and Darchula in Nepal. Respectively you visit Chaktsal Gang, Tarboche, Drachom, Ngagye Durtro Drubchu, Khandro Drora, naro Bonchung Phuk Tshokzhung, Tschechu Chorten Kangnyi. Sershung (Gold Pot) Chuku Bridge, Chuku Monastery Gotshang Phuk and at last Drira Phuk and overnight here in tent.
Day 9: Drira Phuk to Zutrul Phuk
This steep, strenuous, sometime frigid hike goes from Drira Phuk Monastery to the Drolma La (5680 mt.). The altitude gain is about 7 km. From the monastery, re-cross the bridge and follow the right north bank of the Drolma La Chu. The trail zigzags up the slopes past innumerable cairns. Offerings to Drolma, lining the path. Pilgrims recite the Drolma mantra "Om Tare Tu Tare Ture So Hah" along the way. The last stretch to the pass is very steep. Another 4 hours, you walk all the way down to Zutrul Phuk and over night in tent.
Day 10: Zhutrul Phuk to Darchen (2.5 hrs.)
Continue southwest along the Zhong Chu. Cross a footbridge over the Gedhum Lha Chu, regarded by pilgrims as the urine of Kailash. Beyond is the footprint of Milarepa on top of a rock marked by stone mandalas. Then come to an oval, fissured rock. According to a legend, Dhenma, King Gesar of Ling's general, lay in ambush here for Tselha Dorje of Tazik (Persia). As the latter advanced, he spotted the general and threw his sword at him. It missed but sliced the rock. Dhenma then killed the Persian with an arrow. The Zhong Chu now leaves the gorge to enter the wide Barha plain. Reach a trail junction. The main Khora goes west towards Darchen, another trail to the southeast leads to the Khorlam of Mansarovar, and the south-trend path goes to Barga and Purung. Regain Darchen after crossing a wood bridge over the Darchen Chu. Over night at hotel in Darchen.
Day 11: Darchen to Mansarowar (4388m)
Sacred Lake Mansarovar is located in west Tibet between Mt Kailash (6714 m) and the Gurla Mandhata Range Memo Nani (7694m). Fro Hindus, Mansarovar floats beneath the shadow of holy Kailash as the lake formed in the mind of God. It was created to show the omnipotence of Brahma's mind, manas. Tibetan know it as Mapham Tso, 'the unconquerable lake. In any language, this is the holiest, most famous lake in Asia. West of Mansarovar is lake Raksas Tal, named after the flesh-eating demons of Hindu mythology believed to lurk within its waters. Pilgrims generally shun a representation of dark, malevolent forces, this lake. In contrast to the eight monasteries that dotted the shores of Mansarovar, Raksas has only one temple, Tsegye. According to legend, the water of this smaller lake has poisonous. This condition changed when a gold fish from Mansarowar tunneled through a narrow isthmus to let sacred water flow into Lake Raksas Tal, this neutralizing the poison. The channel created is known as Ganga Chu, and Tibetans carefully watch its level to divine the state of the country. High water augurs well of Tibet and its citizens. During much of this century, the salt-encrusted channel was a virtually dry and led explorer like Sven Hedin to doubt its existence. Only in the last few years has water flowed between the two lakes again; some say this coincides with the resurgence of religious practice in Tibet.
Day 12: Mansarowar Rest or Excursion
Today you round the sacred Lake Mansarovar by driving.
Day 13: Mansarowar to Saga
Same way back to Saga and Overnight in Saga
Day 14: Saga to Tingri (4350m)
Day 15: Tingri to Zhangmu (2300m)
Day 16: Zhangmu to Kathmandu (1350m)
Day 17 Rest and souvenir shopping
Today you will spend your last day of this trip in Nepal with shopping Nepali products as souvenir for your family and friends or as you like. If necessary your guide is happy to help you for shopping.
Day 18: Drive back to KTM Int'l Airport for onward flight.
In the morning, after breakfast (or as your flight schedule back from Nepal), we will go Kathmandu Airport to say you bye. It is sad for us to leave with you!
The Zhangmu - Kailash Package includes
Accommodation on twin sharing basis at Guest Houses and two men tents during camping, Sherpa staffs, freshly cooked full board meals, dining and toilet tents, all transportation by Toyota land Cruisers (4 WD) and support trucks, Yak and Yak Porters during the circumambulation, English speaking Tibetan Guide, Monastery entrance fees, all necessary Tibet permits with the Kailash Permit.
