KAILASH YATRA

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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


  • The given date is based on working days while you are in Kathmandu which helps a lot to issue the visa on time. 
  • If you wish to follow Lhasa route, we will have 18days plan base on similar time at Holy Mana Sarovar and Mount Kailash.



ITINERARY

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.




Info

  •      There (*) is dust road to the Darchen the holy North Face and even on the returning after Dolma La, Yatri can drive back. It means even a day kora is possible. But depend how the authority acts by the time.
  •     Visa, permits we do all the necessary jobs for it to entire to Tibet, so do not worry about it and any individual Chinese Visa may not works on this destination.
  •       Standard price for 18 days with Lhasa tour is 3500US$ and 14 days road trip is US$2500.00 per person, this includes costs in Kathmandu as well.
  •      Group size: 20 or plus on each group.
  •     Age bar: Generally, there will be age bar for Indian passport holders, but after covid, concern authority has not set any lines yet.
  •     Passports and Group: Always good not to mixed with Indian passports as long as possible since the visa process and  operational directions is different with Indian passport holders in general.
  •    Requirement for booking: US$100.00 non-refundable booking fees and copy of passports, balance within 1 month of your Kathmandu arrival day for the Yatra.
  •     Flight to Kathmandu and return: This is not included on the price. Please book the flights on time to avoid the last minutes high charge. If you are coming from India, there are more cheaper options to fly and using road.
  •     Health Status: Fit to go outdoors, especially high altitude. Please talk to doctors or those who been on the Yatra earlier. We do not need any certificate to present, it is only safety issue.
  •      Meals: on the entire trip we will serve simple south Asian veg meals.
  •    Transport and road conditions: Tibet has beautiful modern road, and all their tourist standard transports are high level one for luxury or comfort.
  •   Hotel & Lodge: Except the Mana Sarovar and Derapuk/Juthal Puk, all are moder with attached bathrooms and hot shower facilites. Generally, you will get sharing room.

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.


Trip Includes:

  • Airports transfers
  • Hotel / room on win sharing basis using best hotel on the central location of town. Such as Holy Himalaya.
  • Visit to Pasupathi Nath Temple and Sleeping Vishnu.
  • Flights to Lhasa and return.
  • Twin sharing rooms on cities/ town.
  • 3simple veg meals each day on the entire trip,
  • Luggage vehicles (on bigger group),
  • Guide (s) who can communicate English from Tibet/China.
  • Duffel, Gore-Tex Jackets (returnable- once the trip is over)
  • Vehicle or Yak & Yak man to support the luggage on walking days.
  • All entry fees in Tibet/ Nepal.
  • Medical back up (Gamow bag, oxygen cylinder, oxy- meter for safety)


Excludes:

  • Beverages on the entire trip.
  • Additional bills (if you order separately or stay extra which not mentioned on the outlines)

  • Walking stick, water bottle.
  • Personal Insurance which should be included evacuation, medical costs as well.
  • Personal horse and helpers for the Parikarma days (on the earlier years the price was closer to 3000.00 RMB for 3 days and subject to change)- the price is fixed as per demand and supply – totally with local suppliers.
  • Tips and donations.
  • Charter helicopter flight share by 5 person is possible to use with additional amount of US$250.oo each way using from Kyirung route.


Tour Cancellation policy:

  • Cancellation will not be entertain once visa is issued. 


FAQ:

  • Max altitude is 5650m, Dolma La, 2nd day of your parikarma. The height of Kailash is: 6714m


Clothing:

while you are in Nepal you feel comfortable (Ladies) in Sari if that is what you do wear at home. Jeens or any causal dresses are very welcome in Nepal as long as you feel comfortable with.  Comfortable walking shoes, warmer dresses (loose  wearing rousers are beeter while you are travelling in road or on Parikarma days) since day will be warmer (closer to 20C, but morning and evening can be closer to 0C temperature, anytime), personal bath/toilet items, medicine, cosmetics.

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).

 




The current exchange rate is: 

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.


Risk and Liabilites:

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.  

 

Body action on the high altitude: 

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.