This trip in Nepal and Tibet is a combination of adventure and spirituality. This high altitude trek starting from Simikot in Nepal ends at the border of Nepal and Tibet after which you transfer to Kathmandu. The trip starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and then to Simikot. The trek heads towards the border at Hilsa and then head towards Mt. Kailash and Manasarovar. The second leg of the journey after Mt Kailash and Manasarovar is driving more or less. We will drive to the border of Nepal at Liping and head back to Kathmandu for final departure. This trip is popular among westerners because of high adventure and great trekking experience compared to other routes to Mt. Kailash and Manasarovar.
Meet our representative at the airport who will transfer you to the Hotel. Hotel checking-in and go for sightseeing tour. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Morning – breakfast in the hotel. After that leave for the full day UNISCO HERITAGE sightseeing tour, visit Swyambhunath Temple, Patan Durbar Square and Bungmati Village. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Breakfast in the hotel. Afternoon take an hour flight to Nepalgunj. Airport to hotel transfer in Nepalgunj and late afternoon you have free time to explore the market area.
After arriving Simikot take helicopter to Hilsa (30 min) and drive to Purang (3700 m) after crossing the border. After early breakfast we fly to Simikot from Nepalgunj. Complete Nepal immigration formalities before continuing our helicopter flight to Hilsa. Drive to Chinese Border from Hilsa and we continue our drive to Purang. On arrival at Purang, check in at Hotel.
Our walk is on relatively flat trails beginning with the trail alongside the Karnali River. We walk along the fields cultivated mainly with barley, buckwheat, rice and potatoes. There are two hot springs near Kermi where we may soothe our aching bodies. We can also visit ancient Buddhist monasteries close to Kermi --Laikyo Gompa and Lhundrup Choeling Gompa.
Today’ trek is a flat and steep ascent until reaching a small pass and crossing a suspension bridge over the Salli River. From here one can enjoy views of the beautiful pine trees and the mighty Karnali River. We will also visit the remote Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery. Overnight in Yalbang.
We walk on a trail above the Karnali River. As we ascend further, the greenery begins to vanish and so do the smaller bushes. They give way to pine trees and rocky hills. After reaching Tumkot, we visit Dhungkar Choezom Monastery, one of the most important Sakya monasteries in the Tibetan region.
Today's trek is on a relatively easy trail above the Karnali River. After walking a few miles we begin to notice the change in climate, vegetation and landscape which becomes more rocky and secluded. The trees that you see are not pine trees anymore. They are now short and low junipers.
We cross the first pass of the trek today, the Nara La pass (4,620m). The vegetation is bleak by now and the landscape is familiar to that of Tibet. After crossing the pass we will be greeted by excellent views of the beautiful Tibetan plateau and Yari Village. From here on, it is a shaky descent down until Hilsa, a border town which is also a dropping point for the pilgrims on their way to Mt. Kailash by helicopter. Overnight in Hilsa.
We walk across the Friendship bridge at Hilsa where the Chinese officials will check our permits and passports. We also meet our Tibetan guide here. We ascend from Hilsa to Purang and pass Rinzin Zangpo Gompa and Kangje Village along the way. In Purang, we visit the ancient Purang Gompa and explore the unique Buddhist frescoes of IIX century.
On our way to Montser we pass through Rakshas and Mansarover lakes. After reaching Montser we settle down for a while then visit Tirtapuri (4510m). Located northwest of Mount Kailash, the Tirthapuri Hot Springs are closely associated with Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche). Pilgrims bathe in pools fed by the springs, visit the monastery containing the guru's footprint and dig for healing stones along a one-hour pilgrimage route. After touring Tirtapuri we return back to Montser to spend the night.
It takes us around 2 hours to reach the Garuda Valley that lies to the southwest of Mt Kailash. It contains mysterious caves, some of which have never been explored. Many believe that this was the cradle of the Tibetan civilization during the time of the Shang Shung kings, long before Buddhism reached the roof of the world. For those interested in the archeological and historical sites, Garuda Valley will be a dream come true. After touring the amazing valley we move to Darchen a small town, situated right in front of the sacred Mount Kailash.
Today, we begin our Kora of Mt. Kailash. The first day out of Darchen involves a six-hour hike in a deep valley through walls of red rock. We continue across the plain to Shersong. We further cross a bridge leading to Chhuku Gompa high on the hill visible from the valley. The trail leads to Dirapuk from where we will have a stunning view of the north face of Mt. Kailash.
Today will be the most difficult section of our journey. We climb Drolma-la Pass at 5,750m/19,910ft. The pass whose name literally means the pass of Tara is beautiful and is filled with five-colored praying flags. From Drolma-la Pass, we descend to Dzutul-puk. At Dzutul-puk, we come across the incredible Thugje Zinbu (Lake of Compassion) and a few ancient meditative caves. Overnight in Dzutul-Puk.
We gradually wind out of the valley towards Barka plain. After completing the holy Kora of Mount Kailash at Darchen, we drive for 2 hours to Manasarovar Lake. The lake holds religious significance for both Hindus and Buddhists. As per Hindu theology, Lake Manasarovar is a personification of purity, and one who drinks water from the lake is believed to go to the abode of Lord Shiva after death. Buddhists also associate the lake with the legendary lake known as Anavatapta in Sanskrit where Queen Maya is believed to have conceived Buddha. Overnight in Manasarovar.
Today, we circumambulate the beautiful Manasarovar Lake which has a circumference of 90 km making it one of the highest fresh water lakes in the world. The belief is that the Kora of Mount Kailash is completed only with a holy dip in the lake and a drink of its holy water relieves one from the sins of a hundred lives. We circle round Manasarovar by Jeep, and if time permits, we visit Chui Gompa, another attraction of Manasarovar. Overnight in Manasarovar.
Today, we have to accomplish a long drive from Manasarovar to Saga traversing through the sacred historic Chiu Monastery. We continue driving past Hor Quo and across the Mayum La pass (5,200m). While passing through, we will have glimpses of small towns like Zhongba and Paryang. This journey covers 270 km from Manasarovar to Paryang and adjoins Saga, 255 km away from Paryang. From Saga instead of going towards Lhasa, we drive along a different route to Kathmandu. Overnight in Saga.
At our return, we cross the Yarlung Tsangpo or Brahmaputra River and then drive to Nyalam. At the first pass we stumble upon Paigu-Tso, a huge lake with Mt. Shishapangma (8,027m) at its background. We also get a glimpse of Mt. Everest as the road climbs the Lalung La Pass (5,124m). After crossing yet another pass, Tong La (5,120m), we finally reach the border town Zhangmu.
We drive to the border check point to go through the custom formalities. After reaching Friendship Bridge, we will be leaving our Tibet-side vehicles, and will walk for around 15 minutes towards Nepal. From Kodari, it takes another 4-5 hours drive to reach Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Today you will be free for your own activities like shopping. Afternoon we will drop you at the Kathmandu Airport end of the package.
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Getaway Nepal Adventure (P.) Ltd.
Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 98510 38 908
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