Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

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ITINERARY

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SHIV LING KAILASH DARSHAN ITINERARY

Day 1

ARRIVAL KATMANDU

Day 2

KATHMANDU - DAY CITY TOUR

Morning: breakfast guided tour of Kathmandu holy sites including Pasupatinath, Boudanath/Soyambhunath and Nilkantha Narayan. We will come back to hotel for lunch. Afternoon, final preparation for Yatra. Personal gear and equipment will be checked. If anyone needs to buy or rent any gear we can assist you.

Day 3

DRIVE FROM KATHMANDU TO NYALAM (3700m) 175 KM/9 HRS. OVER NIGHT AT, GUESTHOUSE

Journey begins early in the morning (around 5 am). Breakfast in hotel (or packed breakfast on the way Kodari), the road follows the river valleys of the Sunkosi and Bhotakosi rivers, passing through green mountains and cliffs. By the noon we get to the Tibetan boarder. We will continue 30km to Nyalam. Overnight Stay .

Day 4

NYALAM � FREE AND EASY

Rest Day for acclimatization Over Night at Guesthouse: Nyalam (3700m) This day gives us a chance to relax and acclimatize to the high altitude. It is important to stay hydrated and extremely aware of your body's physical condition .

Day 5

DRIVE FROM NYALAM TO SAGA (4200M) 232KM/8 HRS. OVER NIGHT AT SAGA 3 STAR HOTEL/DONGPA GUEST HOUSE

The road climbs up to the, La Lung (5124m) then drops down before heading western part of Tibet. Road to east goes to. Lhasa, capital city of Tibet. The driving is difficult, but the stunning views of the Himalayas and in particular Shisha Pangma (8012m) more than make up for the rough travel. By late afternoon we will cross the Bhramaputra river and a quick drive will bring us to Saga.

Day 6

DRIVE FROM SAGA TO LAKE MANASAROVAR (400M) 398KM / 9 HRS. OVER NITE AT MANAS

Our jeeps and trucks roll through the gigantic valleys following the various rivers through the grazing lands of yaks and sheep. The landscape is highlighted by snow capped peaks rising out of the distant sand dunes. Depending on the season, many Tibetan nomads and traders in traditional dress will inhabit this area.This is the longest driving day of the trip. By late afternoon the drive through the green pastures and huge valleys gives way to the first sighting of Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. We will drive to The holiest bathing gate of Manas.

Day 7

LAKE MANASAROVAR THEN DRIVE TO TARCHEN (4600M) 60KM OVER NIGHT AT GUESTHOUSE

Lake Manasarovar (4000m). Lake Manasarovar is regarded as the most holy of all of Tibet's many lakes. According to Hindu and Buddhist cosmology the four great rivers of the Indian sub-continent, the Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Ganges, and Indus all arise from the lake. This day offers a wonderful opportunity to see the great lake Manasarovar with Mt. Gurla Mandhata (7728m) on south and Holy Kailash on the north. After bath we will perform Akanda Homa/Havan Puja then drive to Tarchen via Chiu monastery and hot spring.

Day 8

DRIVE FROM DARCHEN TO TARBOCHE (5 KM) TREK TO DIRAPUK (4800M) OVER NIGHT AT CAMP

Mini puja at north face of Mount Kailash: Our first day of trekking around Kailash begins at Tarpoche. As we make our way along the route we pass numerous chortens as well as the sky burial site of the 84 Mahasiddas. We will also have wonderful views of cascading creeks, streaming water falls and the mighty west face of Kailash. We will pass the Chukku Gompa and 5 hrs later arrive at the Dirapuk Gompa where we will set up camp for the night. Total hiking for the day wilt be 15 km 7 hrs.

Day 9

DIRAPUK (4800M) OVER NIGHT AT CAMP/GUEST HOUSE

North Face Charan Sparsh. (Special arrangement will be made for this rare darshan). Touching of the North Face. Not included in normal Kailash yatra. FULL MOON.

Day 10

TREK FROM DIRAPUK TO ZHUTUL PUK GOMPA (4790M) OVER -NIGHT AT CAMP/GUEST HOUSE

The hardest but the holiest day of the pilgrimage. We will cross through a rocky expanse dotted with stone. Cairns draped with the clothes offered by pilgrims as a spiritual sign of death. Gauri Kund is one of the holiest sites to view/visit from the top. Further hiking brings us- to the accent up to Dolma-La pass (5630m). After a nice break at the top of the pass we will head down the steep trai1 to our eventual campsite at Zhutul Puk Monastery (the cave of miracles where Milarepa meditated. Total hiking for the day will be 18 km 8 hrs.

Day 11

TREK FROM ZHUTULPUK TO TARCHEN. OVER NIGHT AT GUEST HOUSE

Trek to Tangsar Tangmar and a 3 hrs walk brings us to where the river emerges onto the Barkha plain and Our jeeps will be waiting to transport us to Darchen then to Manasarovar Hor. our camp will be at Lake Mansarovar. Time permit we will perform Homa/Siva puja at Lake Manasarovar.

Day 12

6 JULY 2012 � DRIVE FROM TARCHEN TO SHERLUNG GOMPA

DARCHEN TO ASTAPATH, SAPTHARISHI CAVES AND NANDHI PARIKRAMA - After breakfast, proceed to Serlung Monastery and to Nandi Parvat, which offers an excellent view of Mt. Kailash. Overnight stay in Darchen.(Special arrangement will be made for this rare inner parikrama). Not included in normal Kailash yatra. Special permit and experience Sherpas will guide us to fulfill this dream darshan.

Day 13

SIVA LINGA DARSHAN

Special day trip to Yandrak Gompa then climb a mountain to view Mt Kailash in the shape of Siva Linga. Overnight at Guest House in Darchen OR Lake Manasarovar.

Day 14

DRIVE FROM DARCHEN TO MANASAROVAR TO NYALAM (4600M) 500 KM

After breakfast, drive to NYALAM. Overnight at the local guest house.

Day 15

NYALAM (3750m) TO BORDER - DRIVE TO KATHMANDU (1350m)

Drive downhill to Zhangmu and the Friendship Bridge where transportation awaits for the final leg of the journey to Kathmandu (150 km) / 8 - 9 hr. After reaching the Friendship Bridge, you will be leaving the Tibet vehicles on the other side of the border and will walk for about 15 minutes towards the Nepal Immigration Post where the coach for Nepal would be waiting for you. The border guide will assist you to shift your belongings towards the Nepal side of the bridge. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 16

KATMANDU

Last minute shopping and prepare for departure.