Mt. Kailash (6714m.) is the holiest mountain in Tibet . The Grandeur of Mt. Kailash can be rivaled by a very few mountains in the world. Situated in the far corner of the Tibetan Plateau, this legendary snow capped jewel is revered by different religious(Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism & Bonpo) as one of the most sacred and Challenging Pilgrimages in the world. Four of the orient's Greatest rivers, the Brahmaputra, the Sutlej, the Indus and the Karnali originate from around the Mt. Kailash at the back of the mountain, are two vast lakes called Manasarovar & Rakastal.

For the Hindus, Mt. Kailash is regarded as the earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru , a spiritual centre of the universe which is described in the Hindu mythology as a fantastic pillar of 84,000 miles around which everything revolves with its root to the lowest hell and summit touching the heaven. Mt. KAILASH is itself an abode of Lord Shiva, lord of the Universe, who shares this magnificent mountain with his consort Parvati. There at the back is the sacred Lake Manasarovar where a bath offers a pilgrim an access to Brahma's (Hindu god of creation) paradise and drink of its holy water wipes out the sins of hundred lifetimes. Jains, a religious group in India with many similarities with Buddhism, Mt. Kailash is taken as the holy Pilgrimage where their first prophet achieved enlightenment.

For the Tibetans, Mt. Kailash is known as Ghang Rinpoche (Jewel of the snow) of Tise (Tibetan name) like the Hindus, recognize Mt. Kailash as handle of a mill-stone into the heavens. Milarepa, a poet-saint of Tibet is believed to have spent several years meditating in a cave in this holy Mt. Kailash . Mt. Kailash is equally sacred for the Bon religion. The mountain is at the site where its founder, Shranrab is believed to have descended from heaven. However, it is interesting to know that the Bon people circuit the Holy Mountain in an anti-clockwise manner just opposite to the Hindus & Buddhists.

The journey to Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar has always been taken as one of the most difficult ones in the world, but attracting more and more number of pilgrims and visitors every year. Because of it most remote location in Tibet , it takes minimum of 6 days either from Kathmandu via Kodari Border Point or Lhasa that also with the convenience of 4 wheel drive vehicles. Access to Mt. Kailash with an entry from the far western part of Nepal , via Simikot is also possible, but involves two way a total of 12 days hazardous treks which could be good for the young and energetic tourists only. These days, most people undertake this tour/pilgrimage from Kathmandu through the Kodari Border Point..

The holiest and difficult part of this Journey is the circuit (Kora in Tibetan language) around Mt. Kailash which takes minimum of 3 days. The "Kora" starts and finishes at Darchen (4550m.), a small settlement serving as the base camp to the mountain. The highest point at the route around Mt. Kailash is Drolma La (5600m).

The shortest tour you can undertake is a 15 day program which takes you from Kathmandu - Kodari - Zhangmu - Mt. Kailash - Kodari back to Kathmandu .

If you to visit Lhasa , heart of Tibet , the itinerary starts with an overland drive from Kathmandu to Mt. Kailash via Kodari and ends at Lhasa with a way back flight to Kathmandu or vice versa. In fact we have a few itineraries so we hope we can serve anyone sarching for this beautiful tour. Our different itineraries can be found below, feel free to contact us when you have questions about our itineraries.

The best season for visiting Mt. Kailash is between May and October. This time of the year the weather is generally stable and visibility is at its best with cool temperature during the day and below freezing point at night .This way, being prepared with sufficient cold weather gear including fuel stove and good tent is always advised.

As far as high altitude sickness is concerned, besides observing the normal high altitude disciplines, having one day in Lake Manasarovar and one day at Darchen at rest is worth considering.

These days getting visa for Tibet is no problem at all. HIMALAYAN ROCK can enable you to obtain the visa in couple of days time.

In brief, Mt Kailash has been enchanting and inviting all pilgrims and adventure lovers from different corners of the world .A trip to this holy place offers you a holiday that is more than a dream, a voyage of adventure, discovery and spiritual happiness.

1.) KATHMANDU/ Mt. KAILASH / KATHMANDU (via ZHANGMU) - 14 NIGHTS 15 DAYS

Day 1 : Drive Kathmandu (1300m)- Zhangmu (2500m) - Nyalam (3750m), 6-7 hrs. Nights at hotel / camp.
Day 2 : Drive Nyalam to Paiko Tso (4350m), 7 hrs - camp.
Day 3 : Drive Paiko Tso - Zhongba (4700m), 6-7hrs. - camp.
Day 4 : Drive Zhongba -Mayum La (5200m), 6-7 hrs - camp.
Day 5 : Drive Mayum La - Lake Manasarovar (4550m), 5-6 hrs - camp
Day 6 : Explore Lake Manasarovar - drive to Darchen (4560m), 1hr - camp.
Day 7 : Start Trek (circuit around Mt. Kailash ) from Darchen - Dirphuk (4890m), 6-7 hrs. - camp.
Day 8 : Trek Dirphuk - Zutul Puk 4790m.), 6-7 hrs. - camp.
Day 9 : End trek at Darchen, 6-7 hrs. - camp.
Day 10 : Drive Darchen to Tirthapuri (4300m), 3hrs. Enjoy hot water spring and have special relaxation-camp.
Day 11 : Drive Tirthapuri - Nyogze (4350m), 6-7 hrs. - camp.
Day 12 : Drive Nyogze - Paryang (4450m), 5-6 hrs. - camp.
Day 13 : Drive Paryang - Saga (4400m), 5-6 hrs. - camp.
Day 14 : Drive Saga-Upper Nyalam (3750m), 7-8 hrs. - camp/hotel.
Day 15 : Drive Nyalam -Zhangmu (2300m) - Kathmandu , 6-7 hrs. Transfer to your hotel.

2.) KATHMANDU/SIMIKOT/Mt. KAILASH/KATHMANDU - 20 NIGHTS 21 DAYS

Day 1 : Fly Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Overnight Hotel.
Day 2 : Transfer to airport and fly to Simikot - start trek to Majhgaon (2270m) - camp.
Day 3 : Trek Majhgaon - Khermi (2690m) - camp.
Day 4 : Trek Khermi - Yanger (2850m) - camp.
Day 5 : Trek Yanger - Palbang (3380m) - camp.
Day 6 : Trek Palbang - Nara La (4330m)-camp.
Day 7 : Trek Nara La - Sher (3860m) Tibet border. Drive to Purang (Taklakot, 3930m) - camp.
Day 8 : Rest day for acclimatisation at Purang - camp.
Day 9 : Drive Taklakot to Manasarovar (4550m) - camp.
Day 10 : Drive Manasarovar - Darchen (4560m) - camp.
Day 11 : Start trek around Mt. Kailash - camp at Damding Donkhang (4890m) - camp
Day 12 : Continue treks - camp at Jarok Donkhang (5210m) - camp.
Day 13 : Continue trek to Zutul Phuk (4790m) - camp.
Day 14 : End trek at Darchen - camp.
Day 15 : Drive Darchen to Tsaprang / Toling (3680m), 6-7hrs. - camp.
Day 16 : Explore Toling (9th century Kingdom of Guge but in ruin form) - camp in Tsaprang.
Day 17 : Drive Tsaprang - Horfe (4520m), 6-7hrs. - camp.
Day 18 : Drive Horfe - Paryang (4450m), 8hrs. - camp.
Day 19 : Drive Paryang - Saga (4400m), 5-6 hrs. - camp
Day 20 : Drive Saga - Upper Nyalam (3750m), 7-8 hrs. - camp / hotel.
Scenic drive through the Tibetan country-side past Paiko Tso Lake & small villages and over the Nyalam Pass (3800m) from where you can enjoy a lifetime view of Mt. Everest , Mt..Sishapangma & Mt. Cho Oyu (weather permitting) and then descend the Tibetan plateau through the winding mountainous road and overnight at Nyalam.
Day 21: Drive Nyalam - Zhangmu (2300m) - Kathmandu ,.6-7 hrs. Transfer to your hotel.

3.) KATHMANDU /KAILASH/LHASA - 21 NIGHTS 22 DAYS

Day 1 : Drive Kathmandu (1300m.) - Zhangmu (2500m) / Nyalam (3750m), 6-7 hrs. - overnight hotel / camp.
Day 2 : Drive Nyalam - Paiko Tso.(4350m), 6-7 hrs. - camp.
Day 3 : Drive Paiko Tso - Zhongba (4700m), 6-7hrs.- camp.
Day 4 : Drive Zhongba - Mayum La (5200m), 6-7 hrs. - camp.
Day 5 : Drive Mayum La - Lake Manasarovar (4550m), 5-6 hrs. - camp
Day 6 : Explore Lake Manasarovar - drive to Darchen (4560m), 1hr. - camp.
Day 7 : Start trek (circuit) around Mt. Kailash from Darchen - Dirphuk (4890m), 6-7 hrs.- camp.
Day 8 : Trek Dirphuk - Zutul Puk (4790m.), 6-7 hrs. - camp.
Day 9 : End trek at Darchen, 6-7 hrs. - camp.
Day 10 : Drive Darchen to Tirthapuri (4300m), 3hrs - Enjoy hot water spring and have special relaxation-camp.
Day 11 : Drive Tirthapuri - Tsaprang (3680m) / Toling (3700m), 6-7 hrs. - camp.
Day 12 : Explore Toling and Tsaprang (9th century Kingdom of Guge but in ruin form) - camp.
Day 13 : Drive Tsaprang - Horfe (4520m), 6-7hrs. - camp.
Day 14 : Drive Horfe - Paryang (4450m), 8hrs. - camp.
Day 15 : Drive Paryang - Saga (4400m), 8hrs. - camp.
Day 16 : Drive Saga - Lhatse (3900m), 6hrs.- guesthouse
Day 17 : Drive Lhatse- Shigatse (3900m), 6-7hrs., crossing over a pass of 5220m - hotel.
Day 18 : Morning sightseeing to the Panchen Lama's Tashilunpo Monastry and drive to Gyantse (3950m), 2hrs. and visit Kumbum Stupa & Phalkor Monastry - hotel.
Day 19 : Drive Gyantse to Lhasa (3650m), 7-8hrs. - .Full day picturesque drive crossing over Karo La (5010m), Kamba La (4794m), colourful Yamdrok Tso Lake and the Tibetan lifeline river Brahmaputra - Yarlung Tsangpo)-hotel
Day 20 - 21 : Two full day sightseeing tour to Lhasa including Jokhang Temple , Barkhor Bazar, Potala Palace , Drepung & Sera Monastries - hotel in Lhasa
Day 22 : Early Morning drive to GONGGAR airport for Departure flights to Kathmandu or to your on ward destination.-Transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu !!

SERVICE NOT INCLUDED:

• British, French, Candadian, Japanese & Austrian nationals shall pay extra US$ 25 per person for Tibet Entry Visa
• Airport taxes, Agent for Tibet visa
• Charge for photography in the monasteries
• Insurance and expenses of personal nature such as drinks, tips etc. any extra cost involved on the road in case of landslide or what so ever including porter charge from border to Zhangmu and vice versa.

BOOKING & VISA:
Minimum of 2 week in advance, a firm booking with full payment along with full passport details (full name, sex, nationality, passport number, date of birth and profession) should reach us. We arrange Tibet / China visa, however, 5 full working days are required with a condition that client should be available in Kathmandu; otherwise Agent charge will have to be paid by the client.

CANCELLATION
50% of the tour cost will be charged as cancellation fee when you cancel the tour within 7 days prior to tour departure. No refund, there after no shows, arrival delay or what so ever reason.

ALTITUDE & HEALTH TIPS
Travelling in Tibet is an adventure involving high altitude and could be strenuous. While most visitors have only minor effect from the altitude, we advice specially the guest with known heart or lungs or blood diseases to consult their doctor before travelling. Mild headache, fever, loss of appetite or stomach disorder can take place in a process of acclimatisation. Our advice for better acclimatisation: drink 4 ltr of water minimum a day, do not exhaust yourself too much, breathe deep and take more rest then usual!

BEST SEASON

May to August.

RISK & LIABILITY:
HIMALAYAN ROCK always make all efforts to make your journey smooth and pleasant. However as all Tibet tours are run strictly under Tibet tourism Authority. HIMALAYAN ROCK or its agents shall not be responsible for any change or cancellation of programs due to on avoidable circumstances such as road blockade, flood, snow, political unrest, cancellation of flight, delayed arrival of clients, sickness, accidents or breakdown of vehicles. Any extra cost occurring shall be paid by the Clients on the spot. So it is must advisable to the clients to have full insurance against medical and personal accident risk. A cancellation insurance is also most recommended.

CONTACT
Please feel free to contact us for questions about our Tibet tours and our itineraries. We will be pleased to answer all questions and help we the best way we can.