Circling Kailash (23 days, 22 nights)
Mount Kailash (6,714m/22,028ft), the holiest mountain in the Himalayas, is the spiritual centre for four great religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and the pre-Buddhist animistic Bon. To Tibetans it is known as Khang Rinpoche (Precious Jewel of Snow), and they see it as the navel of the world. It is said that a stream from the mountain pours into a nearby lake and from here rivers flow in the four cardinal directions: the River of the Lion-Mouth to the north, the River of the Horse-Mouth to the east, the River of the Peacock-Mouth to the south, and the River of the Elephant-Mouth to the west. Strangely enough, four major rivers do indeed originate near Kailash: the Indus, the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), the Karnali and the Sutlej. The circumambulation of Mt. Kailash is an important pilgrimage for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bons. Hindus perform a parikama, Buddhists call it a kora. Buddhists believe that a single kora washes away the sins of one life and 108 circuits secure nirvana in this life. Devout Tibetans often make the 52-km circuit in a single day. Hindu, Buddhist and Jain pilgrims make a clockwise circuit of the peak, while Bon tradition is to circumambulate in the opposite direction.
From Kathmandu fly to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Explore ancient palaces and monasteries. Circle temples with locals and monks. Board land-cruisers for the bumpy ride to the highlands towards Kailash. At Darchen, begin the four-day circumambulation of Mt. Kailash. This involves crossing Drolma la pass (18,600 ft.). From here, resume bumpy land-cruiser ride to the not-so-bumpy Friendship Highway connecting Nepal to Lhasa. Your trip ends in Kathmandu.
Arrive Kathmandu. Met on arrival. Transferred to Hotel Tibet. Rest of day free. (D)
Visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver door. Here, you'll probably witness a Hindu cremation along the banks of the Bagmati River.
Then drive to Bhaktapur, the City of Devotees, for lunch and a tour of the royal palace square. Bhaktapur is a medieval city in the Kathmandu valley and is least disturbed by modern life. Here, you can absorb the architectural splendor of the five-storied Nyatapola temple, or the sculptural delight of the Peacock Window. (B,L)
In the morning, visit Bodhanath, the Stupa of a Million dew drops, to watch monks and devotees circumambulate the largest stupa in the world. Drive to Patan for lunch in the garden of the Patan Museum Café. After lunch, visit the well-maintained Patan Museum storing ancient Nepali artifacts, followed by a tour of Patan Durbar Square. Drive back to Kathmandu. (B,L)
Fly Kathmandu to Lhasa. Evening free. (B,L)
Monks debating at Sera (Photo: Claudine)
Two days of sightseeing in Lhasa. Visit Potala Palace, the seat of the Dalai Lamas. Explore Sera monastery and watch monks practice their debating skills. Circle the holy Jokhang Temple in the heart of the Barkhor square, the older Tibetan sector which has managed to retain its true Tibetan identity. (B,L)
Drive to Gyantse via Yumdrok Tsho. Gyantse is a quaint Tibetan town - despite the Chinese "development", it is possible to walk along alleys and feel the Tibetan charm. Gyantse is the site of the Kumbum stupa which, unlike stupas in Nepal, has a stairway that allows you to climb to near the top. Continue to Shigatse and explore the large Tashilunpo monastery complex. This monastery is the seat of the Panchen Lamas. (B,L)
You will meet your Nepali crew near Saga and from here it is camping in tents and eating meals prepared by your Nepali staff. Drive through the barren Tibetan plateau on bumpy road to the base of Mt. Kailash. (All meals)
Begin circumambulation on foot. If permitted, an extra day is planned at Tarboche where there is a sky-burial site. Tarboche is also the site of the pole-raising ceremony during the Saga Dawa festival. On the circumambulation, you will come across hundreds of Tibetans who have made their way from all over Tibet - some prostrating all the way. You will also cross the Drolma la (18,600 ft.) which isn't very steep (by Himalayan pass standards) but is at high altitude. (All meals)
Mansarovar lake (Photo: Jenny)
From Kailash drive to Mansarovar lake for a rest day. Here you may explore the many monasteries by the lake. (All meals)
Continue drive back to Nepal. (All meals)
Drive to Kathmandu. (All meals)
Contingency day in Kathmandu. If not required, explore more sites in Kathmandu. (B,L)
Transfer to airport for departure. (B)
A completed reservation form must be either faxed to us or scanned and emailed as an attachment.
Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com
Fax: 977 – 1- 4412647
You must also send us a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person and an additional $400 for Tibet airfare. The deposit can either be wired to us or paid by personal check. We will refund up to $30 to cover your wire expenses. Wire details will be provided.
The balance of the amount must be paid on arrival, either in traveler’s checks or cash.
Download reservation form here »
If you cancel at anytime prior to the beginning of the trip, you forfeit your deposit. No refunds will be made for unused services on the trip.
This trek is rated challenging and involves some long days of hiking - up to 8 hours. Highest elevation reached is at the Drolma La pass (18,500 ft.). The trek requires physical fitness and involves walking through rocky terrain and landslides, but we do not expect to walk through ice (except as a result of any weather anomalies). No technical climbing experience is required nor do you have to be a very experienced hiker.
This trek does involve sleeping and hiking at high altitude. We will, as we do for all high-altitude treks, provide a GAMOW bag for this trip. A GAMOW bag is a portable hyperbaric chamber that looks like an inflatable extra-large sleeping bag. The effective altitude inside the inflated GAMOW bag is about 5000 feet lower than the altitude you are at; it has been very effective in the past in relieving headaches and other symptoms of altitude sickness.
We plan and organize journeys for hundreds of travelers every year. Please ask us for references from clients who have previously trekked with us.
Read Journal from previous trip: Pilgrimage of the Heart - 2004
View Photos from previous trip: Pilgrimage of the Heart - 2004
Treks:
Tours:
Arriving early or leaving late? Nepal (and the region) has a lot to offer besides your main trip to Kailash. Depending on the extra days you have and your budget, we would be glad to match you up with one of the following activities:
Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com
Phone
Land Line: + 977 1 4416813
Mobile: + 977 98410-00724