Kailash Yatra
Holy Mana Sarovar Yatra
2023
Please kindly choose one of the following dates. This helps a lot to be at Holy Mana Sarovar and Kailash on right time of year i.e., either on New Moon Day or Full moon days. If anyone ask me which the best time is to follow i.e. New Moon or Full moon, my recommendation will be New Moon time. On new moon days you can feel beautiful environment including falling starts at Holy Mana Sarovar. Shiva followers’ priority can be New Moon time and Buddha’s follower on Full Moon days.
Here is recommended dates to follow or to stat the planning the great Yatra in 2023.
|
Full Moon-2023 |
New Moon-2023 |
Night at |
||||||||
Month -> |
05 |
06 |
07 |
08 |
08 |
05 |
06 |
07 |
08 |
09 |
|
Day 01 |
02 |
29 |
27 |
26 |
25 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
Kathmandu |
Day 02 |
03 |
30 |
28 |
27 |
26 |
15 |
14 |
13 |
11 |
11 |
Kathmandu |
Day 03 |
04 |
31 |
29 |
28 |
27 |
16 |
15 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
Border town |
Day 04 |
05 |
01 |
30 |
29 |
28 |
17 |
16 |
15 |
13 |
13 |
Kyirung |
Day 05 |
06 |
02 |
01 |
30 |
29 |
18 |
17 |
16 |
14 |
14 |
Kyirung |
Day 06 |
07 |
03 |
02 |
31 |
30 |
19 |
18 |
17 |
15 |
15 |
Saga |
Day 07 |
08 |
04 |
03 |
01 |
31 |
20 |
19 |
18 |
16 |
16 |
Mana Sarovar |
Day 08 |
09 |
05 |
04 |
02 |
01 |
21 |
20 |
19 |
17 |
17 |
Darchen |
Day 09 |
10 |
06 |
05 |
03 |
02 |
22 |
21 |
20 |
18 |
18 |
Derapuk |
Day 10 |
11 |
07 |
06 |
04 |
03 |
23 |
22 |
21 |
19 |
19 |
Juthjal Puk |
Day 11 |
12 |
08 |
07 |
05 |
04 |
24 |
23 |
22 |
20 |
20 |
Saga |
Day 12 |
13 |
09 |
08 |
06 |
05 |
25 |
24 |
23 |
21 |
21 |
Kyirung |
Day 13 |
14 |
10 |
09 |
07 |
06 |
26 |
25 |
24 |
22 |
22 |
Kathmandu |
Day 13 |
15 |
11 |
10 |
08 |
07 |
27 |
26 |
25 |
23 |
23 |
Kathmandu |
Day 14 |
16 |
12 |
11 |
09 |
08 |
28 |
27 |
26 |
24 |
24 |
Departure |
Month: 05 May, 06 June, 07 July, 08 Aug, 09 Sept.
Full moon/ New Moon: At Man Sarovar, Darchen or Derapuk
PLAN A: via Lhasa to
KAILASH!
Day 01: Sunday/Monday: Kathmandu arrival
Day 02: Kathmandu guided tour
Day 03: Kathmandu guided tour
Day 4: At Lhasa (3600 m high):
Upon
arrival, our guide and the driver will greet you either at airport or railway
station and drive to your respective hotel in Lhasa, stay at hotel for adapting
to the high altitude, as it, s good if you don, t push yourself harsh and take
it easy. Even if you want to walk out, make it light as it, s your first day in
Tibet. And make sure that you drink mineral water more than usual. Try to avoid
having alcohol on first three nights in Tibet. Your guide will introduce you
the tomorrow’s program. Accommodation is in Shambala Palace.
Day 5: At Lhasa:
Full
day sightseeing of Lhasa, in the morning, you can visit the treasure house
Potala Palace- the central attraction of whole Lhasa. It is founded in 7th
century and since then it had been used as a palace of every successive leader
of Tibet. In the afternoon, your guide will lead you to visit the Sera
monastery, which was founded in 1419, in 15th century. It’s the
second largest yellow hat lineage monastery in whole Lhasa. If you are hiking
enthusiast or don’t have any sign of altitude sickness, ask your guide to lead
an hour hiking through the pilgrimage path around the monastery and it’s worth
taking chance. While visiting monastery, you will witness the monks doing
philosophical debates in the courtyard. Accommodation is in Shambala Palace.
Day 6: At Lhasa:
Today,
we will visit Drepung monastery, it was once the largest yellow hat lineage
monastery of whole of Tibet and it was founded in 1416 and one get to see some
magnificent statues of buddha which are dated back to 15th century. Even
if it was badly affected during the cultural revolution, but still some of the
original buildings which are dated back to 15th century can
be seen even today. In the afternoon, your guide shall guide to the Jokhang
temple which is situated in the old Tibetan quarter of Lhasa. It was founded in
7TH century, considered one of the first Buddhist temple ever built
up in whole Tibet, founded even before the full fledge Buddhism came to Tibet.
Founding this Buddhist temple is a mark of initiating the Buddhism here. After
the visit, we advise you to take a circumambulation around the temple, as you
can witness some of hundred years old authentic buildings and you will come
across hundreds of local pilgrims doing pilgrimage circuit around the temple.
If you are interested in shopping, you will be welcomed by souvenir shop
owners. You will be escorted to the hotel by our tour guide. Accommodation is
in Shambala Palace
Day 7: Gyantse (13467ft high, 260 km) 6–7-hour drive.
Today,
we drive to Gyantse town where you can find authentic lifestyle of Tibetan
people. The journey involves crossing of two high passes Kamba La (15,700 ft)
and Karo La (16,500ft) and will drive you through beautiful Yamdrok Tso Lake
which is 40 miles long. Yamdrok Tso Lake is one of the four holiest lakes of
Tibet and has turquoise green water. As we leave the lakeshore behind, the road
climbs to Karo La (16,500ft) pass, where you will make a short stop, you will
discover a huge Mt. Nyechenkangsar (7190mt) capped with huge glacier. The whole
journey from Lhasa to Gyangtse takes 7 hours long. Once you arrive the
destination, you shall see a huge ancient fortress as well as beautiful
Monastery. If time permits, your guide will lead you to visit Palchoe
monastery, if not one can do the sightseeing next morning. In short, the whole
journey takes you through awesome valley and breath-taking panorama. We will
check in hotel and relax at Gyantse town. Accommodation in Gyantse Hotel
Day 8 Shigatse (12,785ft high, 90km) 1–2-hour drive.
After
breakfast, we will visit the Pelkor Chode and Kumbum Monastery-the main
highlights of Gyantse City. Kumbum Stupa is the landmark of Gyantse and can be
spotted from a long distance. If you are a hiking enthusiast, you may also
attempt hiking the historical fortress of Gyantse. View from the fortress over
the city is just superb. From Gyantse, it is less than 2-hour drive to
Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet. The journey will be through native people’s
farmland and the region has got the most fertile land in whole central Tibet
and it is known as “land of barley”. Once we arrive Shigatse, we check in hotel
and later take a relaxing walk through the Shigatse's Flea market which is a
nice bargaining place for Tibetan souvenir. In the afternoon, you will visit
the famous Tashi Lhunpo monastery. Accommodation in Gesar Hotel (4 Star)
Day 9: Shigatse- Saga (4060m/15088ft ,400km) 6–7-hour drive.
Today,
our day starts with driving over friendship highway and indeed we must prepare
for a long day drive, as we drive over couple of medium height passes, while one
the way, you will see some lonely nomadic tents, with flock of yaks and sheep
roaming on a Tibetan plateau. Moreover, you will witness a lake beautiful
although not very famous. As you drive further, you will see a huge Brahmaputra
River from where you may see some Himalayan Mountain and will definitely be a
panoramic drive all the way to Saga town. Accommodation in Norling Hotel
Day 10: Saga-Mana Sarovar Lake (500 km,4560m|14957ft) 5–6-hour
drive.
We
start little earlier than usual, as today will be the longest drive of your
whole trip as we must cover 500km. On the way, you may see some wildlife and of
course, since you have become close to India and Nepal, will see some snow
caped Himalayan mountains and vast pasture lands. The trip involves crossing
several sandy rivers and couple of vast sand dunes. You shall discover some
ancient ruins and meet the highest point that you will be crossing today is big
pass called Mayum-la pass(5216m|17108ft) As you arrive Mana Sarovar Lake site,
we will have first glance of holy Mt. Kailash. So, we either check in guest
house or put the camp near the holy lake Mana Sarovar. Accommodation in Guest
house
Day 11: Mana Sarovar -Darchen village(30km|4660m15285ft) 1 hour
drive.
As
you get up from your bed, your morning starts with beautiful view of holy Mana
Sarovar Lake and the stood still giant snow caped Mt. Gurla Mandata (7728mt). It’s
refreshing to walk along with the bank of this lake in the morning and right
after the breakfast, your guide will lead you on a small hill to visit chiu
monastery, from where you can take some outstanding pictures of the lake,
Mt.kailash and Mt.Gurla Mandata . It’s only an hour drive to the next
destination, i.e., Darchen village. Rest of the day, you will stay there to
prepare for the following 3 days trek around Mt. Kailash. Accommodation in Himalaya
hotel.
Day 12: Trek from Darchen to Drirapuk (4910m|16102ft\18kmtr) 7-8
hour walk.
You have to begin your trek from
Darchen, we suggest you leave around 8 am and your trek will be mostly through
lha chu valley and along with this river. While doing the trek, you shall come
across many local pilgrims, perhaps you may meet pilgrims, circumambulating the
whole circuit just by prostration and it takes more than 20 days to complete the
whole circumambulation of Mt. Kailash. Moreover, you shall see the Mt. Kailash
from different angle. today, you are destined to stop at Drirapuk, right below
the northern face Mt. Kailash, perhaps you can take a beautiful picture of it.
If you are still not tired, you do have an option to visit a temple which is
built up over a meditation cave, i.e., Drirapuk temple. Accommodation
in Guest House.
Day 13 trek from Drirapuk
to Zultrul puk (4790|15711ft) 7-8 hour walk.
Bid farewell to Lha Chu valley and
prepare for the toughest part of the whole pilgrimage. You will enter the dolma
Chu Valley, heading up towards a high pass, the dolma la(5630mt/18566ft) which
is engrossed with full of prayer flags on top of it. This particular pass is
the highest point you will cross in your whole trip. As you start descending
from pass, you will pass by a small lake which is known to be world, s highest
lake. As you climb down Dolma la pass, your trek gets easy as there won’t be
much climbing. Then, after few hours of walk, you will reach your destination,
Zultrul Puk. Either you spend a night in tent. At your station, you can visit
the Zultrul Puk temple as you will have plenty of time. Accommodation
in Guest House
Day 14 trek to Darchen,
(14km-40km)- Mana Sarovar Lake.
The last day pilgrimage is pretty
easier and all you have to do is, walk along with river and after an hour walk,
you will have a view of Demon Lake which lies quite nearby holy Mana Sarovar
lake. Within 3 hours walk, you will reach your destination. As you finish your
trek, you will proceed to Mana Sarovar Lake and will spend a night there. It
will be good idea to take a bathe in famous hot spring water and accommodation
in Guest House.
Day 15 Mana Sarovar Lake
–Saga 7-8 hour drive.
We Retrace our drive back to saga
town. Accommodation in Norling Hotel.
Day 16 Saga – Kyirong border (4300mt./260km) 4-hour drive.
This
time, you will be driving over unsurfaced road most of the time and you must
cover 260km to reach your next destination. Today, you will witness one of the
most beautiful lakes which is called Pikutso and as you arrive Kyirong border,
you shall spend one last night in Tibet. Accommodation in Kyirong hotel.
Day 17 Departure from Tibet .
Our
representative and driver will drive you to the border custom and tour guide
shall assist you in going through custom procedure. Then you will be driven to
Kathmandu in a private vehicle by our Nepali staff. Ends the trip.
Day 18 Kathmandu – Fly back home, or stay more days……
PLAN B: ROAD TO KAILASH!
DAY 01: Kyi rung-China –Depend the month of the trip we can start earlier from Kathmandu. We will be planning to be at the border before mid-day. If your trip is after mid-June to Mid Aug, we may plan to start the trip earlier i.e. (on 2nd day itself) or we can have helicopter options.
DAY 02: Kyi rung China, it is such as joyful town to be, full of greens and mountains, lots of air, good hotels, shopping facilities, old temple to pray and good friendly people. Explore one of the best border towns in the world, the gate way to Holy Himalaya (Mt. Kailash).
DAY 03: Saga- A Good joyful driving day. Crossing valleys, peaks, high pass, lakes, and Holy Brahmaputra. This is first day to feel what the highland is and how life with nature blends here. It is a big day physically and not easy to catch everything since too many things goes on a single day.
DAY 04: We start little earlier than usual, as today will be the longest drive of your whole trip as we must cover 500km. On the way, you may see some wildlife and of course, since you have become close to India and Nepal, will see some snow caped Himalayan mountains and vast pasture lands. The trip involves crossing several sandy rivers and couple of vast sand dunes. You shall discover some ancient ruins and meet the highest point that you will be crossing today is big pass called Mayum-la pass(5216m|17108ft) As you arrive Mana Sarovar lake site, we will have first glance of holy Mt. Kailash. So, we either check in guest house or put the camp near the holy lake Mana Sarovar. Accommodation in Guest house.
DAY 05: Mana Sarovar -Darchen
village(30km|4660m15285ft) 1 hour drive.
As you get up from your
bed, your morning starts with beautiful view of holy Mana Sarovar Lake and the
stood still giant snow caped Mt. Gurla Mandata (7728mt). It,s refreshing to
walk along with the bank of this lake in the morning and right after the
breakfast, your guide will lead you on a small hill to visit chiu monastery,
from where you can take some outstanding pictures of the lake, Mt.kailash and
Mt.GurlaMandata . It, s only an hour drive to the next destination, i.e.,
Darchen village. Rest of the day, you will stay there to prepare for the
following 3 days trek around Mt. Kailash. Accommodation in Himalaya hotel.
DAY 06: Trek from Darchen to Drirapuk
(4910m|16102ft\18kmtr)
7-8 hour walk/ OR 1 HOUR’S DRIVE*-
You have to begin your trek from
Darchen, we suggest you to leave around 8 am and your trek will be mostly
through lha chu valley and along with this river. While doing the trek, you
shall come across many local pilgrims, perhaps you may meet pilgrims, circumambulating
the whole circuit just by prostration and it takes more than 20 days to
complete the whole circumambulation of Mt. Kailash. Moreover, you shall see the
Mt. Kailash from different angle. today,you are destined to stop at Drirapuk,
right below the northern face Mt. Kailash, perhaps you can take a beautiful
picture of it. If you are still not tired, you do have an option to visit a
temple which is built up over a meditation cave, i.e., Drirapuk temple. Accommodation
in Guest House.
DAY 07: Trek from Drirapuk to Zultrul puk (4790|15711ft) 7-8
hour walk (YOU CAN WALK ONLY
THIS HIGH PASS PART AND DRIVE BACK TO DARCHEN AS WELL*)-
Bid farewell to Lha Chu valley and
prepare for the toughest part of the whole pilgrimage. You will enter the dolma
Chu Valley, heading up towards a high pass, the dolma la(5630mt/18566ft) which
is engrossed with full of prayer flags on top of it. This pass is the highest
point you will cross in your whole trip. As you start descending from pass, you
will pass by a small lake which is known to be world, s highest lake. As you
climb down Dolma la pass, your trek gets easy as there won, t be much climbing.
Then, after few hours of walk, you will reach your destination, Zultrul Puk. You
spend a night in tent. At your station, you can visit the Zultrul Puk temple as
you will have plenty of time. Accommodation in Guest House.
DAY 08: Darchen, (14km-40km)- Mana Sarovar lake-
The last day pilgrimage is pretty
easier and all you have to do is, walk along with river and after an hour walk,
you will have a view of Demon Lake which lies quite nearby holy Mana Sarovar
Lake. Within 3 hours walk, you will reach your destination. As you finish your
trek, you will proceed to Mana Sarovar Lake and will spend a night there. It
will be good idea to take a bathe in famous hot spring water and accommodation
in Guest House.
DAY 09: Mana Sarovar Lake –Saga 7–8-hour drive.
We Retrace our drive back to saga
town. Accommodation in Norling Hotel.
DAY 10: Kyirong border
(4300mt./260km) 4-hour drive
This
time, you will be driving over unsurfaced road most of the time and you must
cover 260km to reach your next destination. Today, you will witness one of the
most beautiful lakes which is called Pikutso and as you arrive Kyirong border,
you shall spend one last night in Tibet. Accommodation in Kyirong hotel – or
drive to Kathmandu, Nepal, same day or next using roads (6 hrs) or Helicopter.
Joining:
If you are individual and interest to join on the ongoing
Yatra, we will let you know possible dates when time comes closer. Just send us
copy of your passport and full address to contact.
Winter gear is highly expensive specially gore-tex/
north face product but great in quality. If you are regular travellers to have
good quality down jackets, raincoat or
windbreakers, thermal under wear, warm trousers & woolen shirts (cotton will
also do), gloves, bigger sun hat, comfortable
shoes, light leather boots in case of snowing, woolen balaclava (monkey cap)
& scarf / dust mask to protect your eyes and nose from dust (if too dry).
All these items are possible to buy in Kathmandu in one shop. There are
original with high costs and Nepal made with very practical price as well.
Do
not forget to bring the snacks for along the way (specially on
Parikarma days) such as chocolates, toffees, glucose, namkeen etc. strong water
bottle (2 lt), personal medical kit and “diamox” 10 250mg tablets for each (for
high altitude,). Sunglasses (to protect your eye from UV, which is especially
strong in high altitudes). Sun block or sun screen lotion, wet tissues
(fresh-ones are excellent to wipe off the dust).
INR 10.70: 1 RMB (Yuan)
US$1: 6.8 RMB (Yuan)
Money change
is always easier as long as you di it in Kathmandu, Lhasa, Nepalgunj, Kyirung
or Purnag.
If you plan
this trip with good time to acclimatize your body the trip is completely risk free
from high altitude point of view. However we, as person or company i.e. Holy
Himalaya Eco Trek Pvt. Ltd. or its associated partners i.e. Indian, Nepali or
Chinese (Foreign Exchange Center of Tibet Autonomous Region) will not bear
any risk and will not offer any alternate program if incase the trip cancels
because of any unavoidable circumstances. We do recommend each of you to have full
insurance against medical, trip cancelation, evacuation, personal accident. In
insurance language it calls ‘sports’ to walk on high altitude which is closer
to 18,000ft from sea level.
Fit body is
basic requirement for the high altitude trip. Patients with asthma & heart problems are not
adjustable on extreme cold, walking all the way to 18500ft during the
Parikrama.
Spending life below 3000m and going high,
anyone can suffer on the highland. Likely to experience symptoms
and discomfort of altitude sickness (headache, loss of appetite, nausea,
exhaustion, sleeplessness, breathlessness etc) until your body adjusts to the
elevation.
Drinking
plenty of pure water (3lt each day at least), minimize alcohol (if you are
user), control your smoking habit’ prior and during the tour, carry “Diamox”
tablets (at least 10tablets/250mg), Holy Himalaya do provide a Gamow bag (a
special bag to use in high altitude if some really need help) on any high land
tour.
Note:
Travelling on the high altitude
is always a challenge for our body system. The best way to travel is of course
Ascend gradually. If you are travelling Above 9,000ft (2750m), do plan (please
be sure that your agent is planning the trip properly) to stay at least one extra day as
acclimatization day on every 3,300ft (1,000m) if you wish to have safer and
joyful time on the final destination.