Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrimage Tour Via Simkot

Am: After breakfast, proceed to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International airport to board schedule flight to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. Flight duration – 45 minutes.

Upon arrival meet the waiting chartered Helicopter in Nepalgunj airport and fly to Hilsa (3720m). Upon arrival in Hilsa, walk to Sher for about 45 minutes, where our passports and other travel documents will checked by Chinese Army. In Sher meet our Tibetan Driver and Guide along with Nepali Kitchen Staff and start drive to Taklakot for another 1 and ½ hour, where we complete our entire immigration formalities for the entrance to Tibet. After completing immigration formalities check in at Guesthouse in Taklakot.

Dinner and overnight at Taklakot.

Free day for rest and acclimatization in Taklakot.

Dinner and overnight at Taklakot.

After breakfast meet waiting vehicle and start scenic drive to picturesque Chu Gompa on the northwest shore of the Lake Mansarovar with the imposing sight of Mt. Kailash in the background.

Duration of drive – 3 hours.

Rest of the day is free for optional programs or other leisure activities.

Dinner and overnight guesthouse.

Free day in Mansarovar to explore around the lake, Holy Dip, Puja etc.

Dinner and overnight at guesthouse.

In the morning after breakfast we drive to Chukku Gompa, where we would meet our porters & yak. After reorganizing the load we start for the trek. The normal pilgrims route stays on the east bank of the Lha Chu. But for better views of Kailash and generally better campsites, we cross the west bank trail across a scree slope to arrive at a good camping ground at Damding Donkhang (4890 m / 16040 ft), a grassy spot that offers good views of the West face of Mt. Kailash. It is also known as the Valley of yaks as one can see hundreds of yaks grazing on the meadow.

We continue on a rocky path walking along the Belung Chu and Dunglung Chu streams as the North face of Kailash comes in view. On the opposite side of the Lha Chu you can see several groups of nomad tending herd of goats and yaks. As one reaches the Gompa and a frugal guesthouse at Drira Phuk, we are rewarded with a fine view of the North face of Mt. Kailash. The three lower hills in front of Mt. Kailash from this vantage point are the Manjushree, Avalokitesvara and Vajrapani representing wisdom, kindness and power.

Dinner and overnight camp at Drira Phuk.

Start trek from Drira Phuk and cross the Lha Chu on a wooden bridge. If one continues to trek up the Lha Chu, one would reach the true source of the Indus. The Kora route takes a serious climb on to a moraine eventually meeting the trail from the East bank. The trail now climbs more gently to a meadow full of fat marmots (phiya) at 5212 m / 17095 ft.

Climb past piles of clothing at Shiva-tsal (5330m / 17490 ft). As apart of their custom, Tibetans leave an article of clothing or a drop of blood here as part of leaving their past life behind them. Continue past thousands of small rock cairns to a large cairn at 5390 meters passing the Dikpa Karnak, a sin testing stone. It is said that those without sin can squeeze through the narrow hole between the boulders while a sinner no matter how small cannot pass through! The trail now leads across a boulder field and climbs through large rocks to a tiny stream. Climb onto a ridge and continue gently on to the Dolma La at 5630 m / 18470 ft.

A big boulder on the pass representing the goddess Dolma (better known by her Sanskrit name Tara) is festooned with prayer flags and streamers. It is traditional to leave and take something as part of the collection of coins, prayer flags, teeth and other offerings attached to the rock. The trail from the west side of the pass is steep and rocky at first and then begins a series of switchbacks as it passes Gauri Kund. Many more switchbacks and steep descents leads to the valley and then further descend for about an hour to arrive alongside the Lham Chhukhir at 5150 m / 16890 ft), the evening’s campsite on the banks of a river near Sabje Dratok. A huge rock at Sabje Dratok has footprints on it which is believed by pilgrims to be of Lord Buddha. Continue further to Zutulphuk Gompa at an altitude of 4,790m.

Early morning continue along the River to last prostration point (Chaksal Gang) from where we get good views of Manasarovar lake but no views of Mt. Kailash. Where we will meet the waiting vehicle and start drive back to Taklakot via Lake Mansarovar.

Dinner and overnight at Guesthouse in Taklakot.

After early breakfast, complete immigration formalities and drive to Sher where our Tibetan Staff will abandon us. After bidding farewell to Tibetan Staffs, walk to Hilsa for about 45minute and get on to a waiting helicopter and board the flight to Nepalgunj. Upon arrival in Nepalgunj check in at hotel for some rest and refreshment. After some rest, transfer to Nepalgunj airport to board the flight to Kathmandu.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu meet, assist and transfer to hotel for refreshment and rest.

Pm: Free evening for personal activities.

Eve: Group farewell dinner. .

Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu

Free until final departure transfer to Kathmandu’s International Airport.