thousands of years, 6714m high Mt. Kailash in Western Tibet has been a pilgrimage site. For both Hindus and Buddhists, the pyramid -shaped ountain and nearby Lake Manasarovar are sacred, and belie ved to be the abode of Gods. The Indian subcontinent’s four major rivers draw from the area, adding to its sanctity.
Trekking : 3 Days
Departures : April and September
Costs : Click here for price list
For thousands of years, 6714m high Mt. Kailash in Western Tibet has been a pilgrimage site.
For both Hindus and Buddhists, the pyramid-shaped mountain and nearby Lake Manasarovar are sacred, and belie ved to be the abode of Gods. The Indian subcontinent’s four major rivers draw from the area, adding to its sanctity. The Buddhist saint Milarepa is reputed to have beaten a rival from the Bon religion to the summit, and in doing so revealed the superiority of Buddhism. The legends surrounding this holy place are many, but today no one is allowed to climb the mountain. Instead, for Buddhists, the clockwise walk around Kailash is a lifelong goal. Though many pilgrims attempt it in a day, normally the 53km circuit takes three days, including the crossing of the Drolma La Pass. For trekkers, the encounters with pilgrims, coupled with the breathtaking views of the mountain and its glaciers, make for an awe-inspiring experience. On this holiday, we fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa in Tibet. We have two days to acclimatise and see the sights of the city, including the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, before setting off overland across Tibet by Landcruiser. With the Himalaya ranged to the south, our journey over the great plateau is broken by a visit to the cultural enclave of Shigatse, traditionally the seat of the Panchen Lama, where we wander through the labyrinth of Tashilhunpo Monastery. Stopping at Gyantse, we will see the magnificent 14th century Kumbum chorten and fort, en route to the sacred lake of Manasarovar.
On our three day trek around Kailash, we will be overtaken by pilgrims attempting to complete the circuit in a day. Because of the altitude, we will be taking it at a leisurely pace, so as to make the most of the fantastic scenery and special atmosphere of the place. At the end of the trek, our journey continues as we head east again, to cut through the Himalaya on the spectacular descent from the Tibetan Plateau to the Nepalese border and on to Kathmandu.
Fitness & Experience: While the trek itself is not especially arduous, most people will feel the effects of altitude. For this reason, the route is well-paced and we have plenty of time to acclimatise before setting off. A good level of fitness will help you cope better and enjoy the trek.
Outline Itinerary :
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 2: Sightseeing tour of historic Kathmandu and its temples. Time at leisure to shop and explore.
Day 3: Fly Kathmandu-Lhasa. Transfer to the city for a 3 night stay.
Days 4-5: Exploring in and around Lhasa. Acclimatisation days.
Days 6-10: Travelling overland with stops at Gyantse and Shigatse. Stunning mountain views, encounters with nomadic herdsmen and eagles and vultures soaring overhead will break up the journey.
Day 11: A rough day on the road, with river crossings to add excitement and our first glimpses of Kailash.
Day 12: Arrive at Lake Manasarovar. Explore around the lake and enjoy wonderful views from Chiu Gompa, a hill-top monastery.
Days 13-15: Trekking around Mt. Kailash
Days 16-19: Overland drive to Kathmandu. 1 night stay.
Day 20: Departure to onward place.