Total no. of days: 20
Tour Type: Tibet Tour
Maximum altitude: 6714m
Fixed Departure : Every Saturday

This circumambulation, clockwise for Buddhists and Hindus and anti-clockwise for Bon followers, is said to erase the sins of a lifetime. The mountain itself is 6714m high and with its four sheer walls and snow capped peak is an awe-inspiring sight.

Only 30km from Mt Kailash is another important pilgrimage site, the beautiful and serene Lake Manasarovar. According to mythology it was formed in the mind of Brahma, and Indian and Tibetan pilgrims can also be seen circumambulating this lake, a distance of 90km.

Considering the significance of Mt. Kailash, you will see untold number of religious and ritualistic sites along this difficult 50 kms trek. Amid views of plains, rivers, glaciers, and the majestic mountains of Nepal, Tibet and India, you will pass unending rows of prayer flags, lucky chortens, several prostrations points, and monasteries.

Along the way are also places that are steeped in legend. The sky burial site of the 84 Mahasiddhas was once used only for lamas and monks. Sky burials are traditional ceremonies in which the corpse is left in the open for vultures to consume; the belief is that the body is thus returned to the sky. Although there may be sky burials going on while you are at Mt. Kailash, don? venture into the area and disturb the proceedings. They are extremely private and foreigner with cameras are not welcome.

Lake Mansarovar
The Hindus believe that to plunge into the freezing cold waters of the Lake Manasarovar and walk around its circumference is to erase a whole lifetime of sins. Tibetans believe that they can negate their wrongdoings merely through walking.

To the Tibetans, this lake they call ·Victorious·is the holiest in the land, believed to be where the gods washed Buddha? mother before she gave birth. According to the Hindus, Brahma created the lake for his sons to bathe in while they medicated on Mt. Kailash. Whether Indian pilgrim, Tibetan pilgrim or western traveler, one can see Lake Mansarovar? holy origins manifested in its breathtaking beauty. It? ringed by mountain peaks and filled with clear, bright-blue waters that look just a breath away from the sky. The lake was once surrounded by eight monasteries, which symbolized the eight points of the wheel of Dharma, but red guards destroyed most of them during the cultural revolution. Restoration is in the works.

Mansarovar is home to many other Buddhist mythological landmarks, as well. There? the Memmo Nanyi, a peak where the goddess of wisdom lives. The lake also represents the sun or lightness, while its smaller neighbor , lake Rakshas Tal, is its complementary moon or darkness. According to to Tibetans, it? a good omen when the waters of Mansarovar flow into the Rakshas Tal, and while the former? waters are healing, Rakshas Tal? are poisonous.

Most travelers explore the lake during day hikes from Chiu Monastery, which lies on the northwest corner of Mansarovar. The Monastery overlooks the lake from a hilltop, the views from the roof are tremendeous. There is also a cave at the monastery that is considered one of Guru Rimpoche? meditation sites.

Only a handful of zealous travelers undergo the four to five day kora around Lake Mansarovar , due to its challenging terrain. It basically goes along the circumference of the lake, diverging slightly at the northern shore to avert the marshes. Beginning at Chiu Monastery, the kora moves in a clockwise direction, of course. On the trek you will see mountain views, hot springs, mani stones, geysers, glaciers, caves, cliffs, ritual bathing sites and several monasteries

Mount Kailash, the holiest of all holy peaks and abode of the great Hindu God Lord Shiva and Kang Ringboche to Tibetans Buddhisium. As this sacred place happens to be in absolute remoteness a visit for mankind was something of a dream in the past, now the dreams has turned into reality by making it possible to reach there due to the net work of motorable roads and major highways. Adventure begins with a sweeping panoramic flight over the great Himalayas into Tibet. Once in Lhasa the capital city and the hub of Trans Himalayan and Silk Road trade route, we have time to get acclimatised and visit some interesting places including the majestic beautiful Potala Palace. After Lhasa a drive in a land cruiser will take us to the holy Lake Mansorover and Mt.Kailash for the pilgrimage circumbulation and to achieve our ultimate spiritual goal before returning back to Kathmandu.

Program Details

Day 01: KATHMANDU
Arrive Kathmandu meet at the airport and transfer to hotel welcome drink, check in, fixed the room and luggage. Completely free day rest or short walking. (Service starts)

Day 02: KATHMANDU
Kathmandu sight seeing for Hindu temple: Pashupatinath, Buddhist shrine Swayambhu Stupa.

Day 03: KATHMANDU
Free day for your own your shopping and personal interest.

Day 04: FLY LHASA, TIBET
Fly Kathmandu to Lhasa O/N Lhasa (11850 ft) - The land of Gods "Lhasa" in Tibetan means "the land of gods" and is the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region is located between 29o 36'N and 19o 06' E at the north bank of Kyichu river, a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, at an altitude of 3650 meters above he sea level. Lhasa has history of more than 1300 years and it's been the center of politics, economy, culture and religion in Tibet since ancient times. There are numerous scenic spots and historical attractions, among which Potala Palace, orbulingka, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Ramoche Temple, being the most famous.

Day 05: LHASA, TIBET
Lhasa sightseeing as Potala Palace and Jorkhang Temple [Drepung & Sera Monastery Thangkha festival] Jorkhang Temple: Jokhang Temple situated in the center of the old section of Lhasa, and was built in the mid - 7th century A. D. and later extended by successive rulers, it has now become a gigantic architecture complex. Located in the east, facing to the west, it is a four-storied Temple with splendid golden roofs. It has architecture feature of Tang Dynasty and also assimilated very much features from both Nepalese and Indian Buddhist Temples. The murals in the temple mainly depict the life stories of historic characters. The temple houses many historical relics since Tang Dynasty and statues of King Songtsen Gompa, Princess Wencheng, Princess Bhrikuti Devi (Nepalese). "Princess Willow" (a tree), and "The Uncle - Nephew Alliance Tablet" can be seen at the front gate of the temple. Jokhang is the country' s spiritual center, and the holiest destination for Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. It houses the sitting statue of Sakyamuni when he was 12 years old.

Day 06: LHASA, TIHBET
Sightseeing Drepung and Sera with Norbulingka [Festival] Drepung Monastery: Situated five Km's distance to the western suburb of Lhasa at the foot of Mt. Ganpoi Uze. Jamyang Choje, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the founder of Gelugpa Sect, founded Drepung Monastery, in 1416. The monastery, occupying an area of 250,000 squire meters with a fixed number of 7,700 monks, is the largest monastery in Tibet. The monastery keeps plentiful historical relics, Buddhist scriptures, and arts and crafts.

Day 07: GYANTSE, TIBET
Lhasa to Gyangtse (overnight at Gyangtse hotel with b/b sight-seeing Tashilunpu Monastery) Shoton - [Yogurt Festival] Gyangtse (13050 ft): A small agricultural town famous for its wool carpets and The Phalkor Choide Chorten.Between the monastery and the fort, this unique structure built in 1414 Consists of five stories representing the five steps to enlightenment, topped by thirteen rings which Symbolize the stages of advancement towards Buddhahood. There are 108 halls inside, each with Frescoes and Buddha Shrines, the frescoes showing a strong Indian influence. Before 1959 traders Coming from Kalimpong and Gangtok (India) used to enter Tibet through Yandong and then to Gyantse, en route to Lhasa.

Day 08: XIGATSE, TIBET
Gyangtse to Shigatse (overnight at Sangdrobtse hotel with b/b sight-seeing Baijui Monastery) [Festival] Shigatse (Xigatse) - 12600 ft. "Shigatse" in Tibetan means " the Estate that fulfills One's Wishes". There is a bustling 'free' market at the foot of the ruins of the Xigatse Fortress where One can buy local handicrafts embedded with coral and turquoise, Tibetan daggers, Chinese porcelain And yak butter. It is situated between 29o 02'N and 88o 08'E in the south - west of the Tibet Autonomous Region where Nyangchu River joins the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Shigatse is the second Biggest town in Tibet and it is the center of transportation and the distributing center of agriculture And husbandry products of southeastern part of Tibet. It is famous for the great Monastery.

Day 09: NGANGRING, TIBET
Shigatse to Ngangring (camp) [Festival]

Day 10: SAGA, TIBET
Ngangring to Saga (camp) [Festival]

Day 11: PAYANG, TIBET
Saga to Payang (camp) [Festival]

Day 12: LAKE MANSAROVAR, TIBET
Payang to Hor (camp near by Lake Monasarova) [Festival]

Day 13: MT KAILASH, TIBET
Hor to Kailash (overnight at Taching hotel without b/b) [Festival] Mt Kailash & Lake Manasarovar: Buddhists and Hindus regard Mt. Kailash a 6,675 m. rock pyramid as the abode of the gods And the earthly manifestation of the mythical Mount Mera, Pillar of the Universe. For over a thousand Year's devout pilgrims of both religious have ritually circulated this sacred mountain and the holy lake Mansarover in act of worship, which continues even today.

Day 14: MT KAILASH
Trek around Mt.Kailash (camp) [Yerpa Monastery Festival]

Day 15: MT KAILASH
Trek around Mt.Kailash (camp)

Day 16: MANASAROVAR
Trek around Mt.Kailash end of the trek then to Lake Monasarova (camp)

Day 17: PAYANG
Lake Monasarova to Payang (camp)

Day 18: SAGA
Payang to Saga (camp)

Day 19: PEIGUTSO
Payang to Peigutso (camp)

Day 20: ZHANGMU-NYALAM-KATHMANDU
Peigutso to Zanghmu check out to Ktm Zhangmu (7000 ft.): Better known by its Tibetan name, Khasa. A small settlement clinging to a hillside 10Kms. from the Friendship Bridge across the Bhotekoshi River. Since the closure of the China/India border from Gangtok, Zhangmu has become the major trading point between Tibet and Nepal. The climate is quite different from the hinterland. The hills around Zhangmu are heavily wooded with many waterfalls in summer and impressive ice formations it winter. It has a bank, a post office, a government store, and is presently undergoing a construction boom to meet the demands of trade and tourism.