MOUNT KAILASH MANASAROVAR TREKS
Mount Kailash (6600m) is a popular holy mountain in Tibet and is likewise acknowledged as Tise, Kailash or Kang Rinpoche (Jewel of the Snows). Mt. Meru (Kailash) is sacred to the Hindus, Buddhists and other as the center of bodily and metaphysical universe. For hindus, it represents the house of Shiva. For buddhists, it is a terrestrial projection of the cosmic mandala of Dhyani Buddhas and Boddhisatvas that represent the wheel of life. For the religious pilgrim, Mt. Kailash plus Manasarovar is the religious pursuit. For the journey-lover, it offers rugged beauty, remoteness and solitude. If you tour to Mount Kailash at some point of the month of May, it additionally gives you the possibility to witness the Buddhist festival of Saga Dawa while most are during the full moon. This tour gives rigorous overland riding, hiking and tenting, passing the far off and wild western Tibet, in altitudes 2800m to 5600m.
Overview
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley
Day 03: Kathmandu – Syafru Besi >>> 150 km-9 hr
Day 04: Drive Syafru Besi – Kerung border (2700m)
Day 05: Free day for acclimatization
Day 06: Drive Kerung – Saga (4200m) >>> 220 km-6 hr
Day 07: Drive Saga – Lake Manasarovar (4590m) >>> 370 km-6 hr
Day 08: Drive Manasarovar – Darchen (4663m) >>> 35 km-1 hr
Day 09: Drive Darchen – Yama Dwar – Parikrama – Deraphuk Gompa (4920m) >>> 18 km-5 hr
Day 10: Deraphuk – Zuthulphuk (4760m) >>> 22 km-9 hr
Day 11: Drive Zuthulphuk – Manasarovar (Hor Que)
Day 12: Drive Manasarovar – Saga (4200m)
Day 13: Drive Saga – Kerung
Day 14: Return to Kathmandu or proceed to another destination
Itinerary Details
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
We receive and welcome you at Tribhuvan international airport in Kathmandu, showing our signboard outside the airport terminal. You are then transferred to the respective accommodation for a wonderful stay.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley
After breakfast, sightseeing experience starts with city tours and some heritage sites.
Day 03: Kathmandu - Syafru Besi >>> 150 km-9 hr
The road goes through green mountains and cliffs following Trisuli river and dhunche all the way to Syafru Besi. We stay overnight at Syafru Besi.
Day 04: Drive Syafru Besi - Kerung border (2700m)
After breakfast we begin driving to Kerung border. It takes around 2 hours to reach Kerung border. We complete the border formalities and drive to Kerung Town.
Day 05: Free day for acclimatization
Rest in Kerung for acclimatization purpose.
Day 06: Drive Kerung - Saga (4200m) >>> 220 km-6 hr
We drive approximately 220 km to reach Saga (4200m). The road climbs up to Thong-La Pass (5120m), La Lung (5050m) and then passing through Lake Peikutso, and continues to Saga. We pass through gigantic valleys following the rivers with an eye-catching view of grazing lands of yak, sheep and himalayan goat. The landscape is highlighted by snow capped peaks following the way to Dongba.
Day 07: Drive Saga - Lake Manasarovar (4590m) >>> 370 km-6 hr
We continue our journey to Manasarovar, that is around 6 hours drive. The holiest Lake manasarovar is the source of four great holy rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra, Sutlej and Indus river. It is said that lord Vishnu floated on it for an eternity, until the life force stirred, and out of the water’s infinite potential sprang forth all of creation.
Day 08: Drive Manasarovar - Darchen (4663m) >>> 35 km-1 hr
This day offers a wonderful opportunity to see the great lake Manasarovar with Mt. Gurula Mandhata (7728m) on south and Holy Kailash on the north. After a holy dip, we drive to Darchen( Base camp of Mt. Kailash ) via Chiu monastery and hot spring.
Day 09: Drive Darchen - Yama Dwar - Parikrama - Deraphuk Gompa (4920m) >>> 18 km-5 hr
After breakfast, we drive almost an hour to Tarboche (Yama Dwar). We pass through numerous chortens as well as site of the 84 Mahasiddas.This is a parikrama starting point where one can see the closest view of Mt. Kailash. Then we start trekking to reach Deraphuk (4880 m).
Day 10: Deraphuk - Zuthulphuk (4760m) >>> 22 km-9 hr
This is the hardest but holiest day. We will cross through a rocky expanse dotted with stone cairns draped with the clothes offered by pilgrims as a spiritual sign of death. Gaurikunda is one of the holiest sites. Further hiking brings us to the accent up to Dolma La pass (5630m). After a nice break at the top of pass, we head down the steep trail to our eventual campsite at Zuthulphuk monastery (cave of miracles where Milarepa meditated).
Day 11: Drive Zuthulphuk – Manasarovar (Hor Que)
After a short trek, we reach near Darchen from where we will be picked up for Manasarovar (Hor Que) side.
Day 12: Drive Manasarovar - Saga (4200m)
Drive continues from Manasarovar to Saga, that is around 230 km taking almost 6 hours. Upon reacing Saga, we are free to relax.
Day 13: Drive Saga - Kerung
We return the same way back to drive to Kerung.
Day 14: Return to Kathmandu or proceed to another destination
You may opt for returning back to Kathmandu or proceeding to another destination.
Essential Information
Passport & visa
All foreigners beside Indians have to get a visa to enter Nepal. Unlike other countries, Nepali consulates and embassies issue visas without much fuss. On-arrival visas also are issued instantly at Tribhuvan international airport or at the border checkpoints. It may without difficulty be acquired at the Nepal/China border too. While you arrive at the airport you have to fill in a form and submit a passport photo. A single entry visa is valid for 15, 30 or 90 days. At the airport, you could pay this sum in any major foreign currency. Kids below 10 are required to have a visa however are not charged. In case you are making plans to go to India, Tibet and Bhutan you can follow for a more than one entry visa. You could change your single entry visa to multiple visa at Kathmandu’s immigration office. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months. All foreign nationals getting into Nepal are required to arrange a visa either on arrival or in advance. A Nepalese visa may be received both prior to your arrival at a Nepalese embassy abroad and on arrival in Kathmandu at the airport. Note: Citizens of Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Liberia are not subjected to obtain the Nepalese visa upon arrival. Nepalese visa can also be secured at entry at Nepalese borders.
Lukla [Everest]
Please note the flights to and from Lukla rely on weather conditions. Awful weather might delay flights. While planes are grounded due to terrible climate, helicopter charter organizations operate mountain flights to Lukla. On your request, we even arrange a helicopter flight (to or from Lukla) for you. Whilst trekking in the mountains we stick to the standard itinerary. However if bad weather persists or if something occurs (natural calamities like landslide, avalanche or so), our trek leader regulates the itinerary. For instance, if horrific climate persists for days that disrupts your journey time table, you get the choice to cancel your trek to Everest and book other trekking regions – Annapurna, Langtang and many others or a cultural excursion. We assist on proper itinerary for you; one which fits your budget and time.
Weather
The coldest month is January and the hottest is July. We say weather of Nepal is mild which means winter is dry and summer is hot. Monsoon lasts from around June to August. However rest of the year is dry. March to May is spring and September to November is autumn and they are additionally the most pleasant seasons. During winter (December, January and February), temperature drops down with snowstorms mainly in the high mountain areas.
Banking and foreign exchange
Payment in hotels, travel offices and airways can be made in foreign exchange. Credit card payments are common at major business institutions. There are plenty of machines or ATMs in towns and most will receive cards issued through any of the banking networks. Cards like Visa, Master, JCB and American express are simply universal at hotels, restaurants, airlines and major visitor centers.
Custom formalities
Upon arrival in Nepal, your luggage should be cleared by customs at the entry. You are allowed a private computer, digital camera, movie/video camera or so. If you buy an antique item in Nepal and need to take it back home with you, it needs to be licensed by the department of Archaeology. In Nepal, it is unlawful to take items abroad that are 100 years or older.
Emergency
Please do not forget to provide your emergency contact records whilst filling out forms. You could mention the contact information of a member of the family or a person close to you.
Safety and security
Nepal is one of the most secure and hospitable destination for tourists. Nepalese are friendly and most of them assist visitors. Crime rate is very low as Nepal police is strict and smart. Tourism police is always on high alert and stand by. As per the review, it has been found that travelers rarely experience any hassle and difficulties while in Nepal.
Phone/SIM/data plan
Upon arrival in Nepal, you can get a sim card at ease under certain terms & conditions. We can arrange it on your behalf. While in mountains, you may face some difficulties to receive internet range. In that case, you might need mobile data plan since it works everywhere. We assist on this if you require. Yet wireless internet works in majority of cities & towns nowadays. Internet system has already been installed even in Mt. Everest. These days you can mostly get a good internet access in Nepal.
Electricity
In Nepal the standard voltage is 220 – 230V and the frequency is 50 HZ. In cities, maximum hotels have multi-adapter style sockets but in the mountains the teahouses may or may not have these. It would be good to have international adapter with you to fit your devices. Some teahouses along the trail use solar too.
Vaccinations
We advise you to go to a health practitioner specialized in travel associated illnesses months before your trip departure. Take the specified boosters and vaccinations. You ought no longer to fear about tropical illnesses in case you are hiking in the mountains.
Baggage
On the path while your heavy baggage is carried by porters, you shall be carrying a light daypack of your valuables and accessories. Please make sure the baggage for a porter does not weigh more than 20 kg. One porter usually carries the bags of two guests. The luggage allowance for domestic flights is 20 kg. Maybe you ought to pay for extra luggage if your general bag weight exceeds it.
Body condition & experience
Walking in higher altitudes is physically demanding. In case you are in proper health; have common physical wellness, positive attitude, self-confidence and strong determination; you can easily do the trek. We would suggest exercising and walking regularly for some weeks prior to the experience. This may assist you on your energy and balance. Participants who have coronary heart, lung and blood illnesses are required to seek advice from their physician before participating.
Altitude sickness & Acclimatization
At higher altitudes, air gets scanty and oxygen level decreases. One has to acclimatize properly before going higher. Going too rapid will result in acute mountain illness. The symptoms consist of issue in breathing, nausea, headache, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, vomiting and many others. If left untreated, it might affect major organs too. All our itineraries permit enough time for acclimatization. One or two relaxation days have been allocated at lower elevations before you challenge into the higher levels (3500 to 4000 meters and above). This could supply your body enough time to get used to thin air. Additionally our guides bring a first-aid kit to stop and minimize the signs and symptoms of altitude sickness. On the trail, keep yourself hydrated with fluids as dehydration doubles the risk. To be more secure, we advise you to consult your medical doctor earlier than booking a trek.
Equipment & packing list
We also want you to take into account that the clothing items may vary with season and the trek duration. The listing given below is a basic guideline that may help you for your adventure:
Valid passport, passport size photos, airline tickets, insurance
Dollars, pounds or Euros
Payment cards, ATM, coins
Required clothing … etc …
Travel coverage
It is a good idea to have a travel insurance policy whilst traveling to Nepal. Nepal is a great destination where most of the travelers encounter grand himalayan peaks and enjoy special adventure excursions. You will attain above 4000m in most of the treks in Nepal and it is fine to have a policy that covers clinical and emergency rescues. Helicopter rescue and emergency evacuation is common in Nepal so that you ought to pick out insurance accurately. It is a wise selection to have insurance coverage that can pay directly to hospitals as opposed to you having to pay for it.
Arrival & Departure
We offer airport pick up and drop off. On arrival at the Tribhuvan international airport in Kathmandu, we are there to welcome you. On the final day, you will be transferred to the international airport well in time (3 hours prior to your flight’s scheduled departure) to catch your flight.
Include/Exclude
*Airport / hotel / pick up & drop off on a tourist vehicle ✓
*Guided town tour in Kathmandu valley or related attractions ✓
*All meals throughout the trek (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) ✓
*Guesthouse accommodation during the trek ✓
*Required trek staff, guides and porters for your bags ✓
*Trekking equipment and special clothing ✓
*Food, accommodation, coverage, device and medicine ✓
*National park permits, TIMS permits & tickets ✓
*Vehicles to/from Kathmandu ✓
*Sightseeing/monument entry tickets in Kathmandu ✓
*Government tax, vat & revenue ✓
*Official costs ✓
*Visa fees
*Travel insurance that covers emergency rescue and evacuation
*International flight fares and airport tax
*Alcoholic, canned or any beverage
*Gratuities & private expenses
*Any other that is not mentioned within the prices include section …