MAX-ALTITUDE

4,890 m /16,040 ft

LOCATION

Nepal, Tibet

GROUP-SIZE

Min. 2 Pax.

DIFFICULTY

Moderate

After reaching Hilsa, walk to sher for 45 minutes and drive to Taklakot by crossing Nepal Tibet Border. After that drive to Chu Gompa on the northwest shore of the Lake Mansarovar with the imposing sight of Mt. Kailash and scenic picturesque around the trails. We will spend religious day in the Lake Mansarovar and then drive to Drira Phuk en route Damding Donkhang. After overnight at Darira Phuk we will trek to Zutulphuk Gompa with the natural scenery of Lha chu, Shiva-tsal, Dolma la, Gauri Kund, etc. after that we will drive to Taklakot and then to Sher and Walk to Hilsa. From Hilsa we will fly to Nepalgunj and then connect to Kathmandu.


Itinerary
Day 01

Arrival in Kathmandu & Connect to Nepalgunj.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, meet, assist Himalayan Holidays representative and transfer to Kathmandu’s International Airport to board the flight to Nepalgunj.

Upon arrival in Nepalgunj, transfer to nearby hotel.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Nepalgunj.

Day 02

Fly to Hilsa via Simikot by Chartered Helicopter & drive to Taklakot (3,930 m)

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.

Day 03

Rest day at Taklakot for acclimatization (3930m).

Free day for rest and acclimatization in Taklakot.

Dinner and overnight at Taklakot.

Day 04

Drive to Chu Gompa / Lake Mansarovar (4560m).

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.

Day 05

Religious day in Lake Mansarovar (4560m)

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

Dinner and overnight at guesthouse.

Day 06

Darchen to Drira Phuk – (4890 m)

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.

Day 07

Drira Phuk to Zutulphuk Gompa (4,790 m)

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.

Day 08

End Parikarma and drive to Taklakot.

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.

Day 09

Drive to Sher, Walk to Hilsa & Fly back to Nepalgunj & Connect to Kathmandu.

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

Day 10

Final Departure from Kathmandu.

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

Inclusions
Cost Includes
  • All Airport / hotel / airport transfers in Kathmandu & Nepalgunj in a private vehicle.
  • 1 night stay at Hotel in Kathmandu on full board basis.
  • 1 night stay at hotel in Nepaljung on full board basis.
  • Humla Special permits fees.
  • Chinese / Tibet Visa.
  • Permit and visa fees for Nepali Team.
  • Tibet Travel Permits issued by Tibet Tourism Federation and Mt. Kailash & Lake Mansarovar travel permits (upon issuance of these permits, the Chinese Embassy will only then grant Tourist Visa to enter Tibet.)
  • Toyota Land Cruisers – 4500 model or Bus in Tibet (as above)
  • Fully organized 07 nights / 08 days Mt. Kailash & Lake Mansarovar programme as per itinerary with accommodations at Guesthouse in Taklakot and Darchen on room sharing basis. (All meals prepared by Sherpa cook and kitchen staffs).
  • Carefully prepared all pure vegetarian meals by our own Kitchen team.
  • Assistance of an experience English Nepal & Tibetan Guide and reliable Sherpa support.
  • Tibet travel permits, special permits for Mt. Kailash, entrances fees to monasteries and services of Yaks and Yak men (One Yak for every 3 pax) to carry all camping gears, food stuffs and clients personal luggage during the Kailash Kora (Parikarma).
  • Oxygen cylinders with mask and regulators in each vehicle.
Cost Excludes
  • Nepal entry and re-entry visa fees (No charge for Indian nationals).
  • Personal insurance and evacuation charges.
  • Hire of extra Yaks/horses or extra porters for personal use (could be arranged).
  • Entrance fees to monasteries and photography charge (as applicable).
  • Expenses of personal nature such as bar bills, alcoholic beverages, aerated drinks, laundry services, telephone calls, souvenirs, extra mileage, personal gratuities as tips to guides, drivers and tips, etc.
  • Airfare and Helicopter Chartered costs (quoted separately)