| The
Sacred History of Mount Kailash As long
as there have been ancient religions in Asia, there has been a reverence
for Mount Kailash. The cosmologies and origin myths of Hinduism,
Buddhism, and Jainism each speak of Kailash as the axis mundi -
the center and birthplace of the entire world. Kailash is spoken
of as the mythical Mt Meru in the Vedas. The mountain was indeed
legendary even before the great Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the
Mahabharata, were written.
Hindus believe Mount Kailash to be the home of
Lord Shiva. According to Sanskrit literature, the immortal Shiva
lives atop Kailash where he spends his time practicing yogic austerities
with his divine consort, Parvati. For a Hindu, to make the Yatra
to Kailash and have the darshan (divine view) of Shiva's home is
to attain release from the clutches of ignorance and delusion.
Tibetan Buddhists call the mountain Kang Rimpoche,
the 'Precious One of Glacial Snow.' To Jains, Kailash is known as
Astapada, the place where Rishaba (the first of the twenty-four
Tirthankaras) attained liberation. And for followers of Bon, Tibet's
pre-Buddhist, shamanistic religion, Kailash is Mount Tise - the
site of a 12th century battle between the Buddhist sage Milarepa
and the Bon shaman Naro Bon-chung. |
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Price
- List |
25-37
are very ideal size to be |
Indian
Passport Holders (the rate is based on US $ and
Indian exchange rate Jan 2008) |
Others |
15+
1 free |
IRS70,000,00 |
US$2200.00 |
24+
1 free |
IRS65,000,00 |
US$1900.00 |
32+
2 free |
IRS61,000,00 |
US$1800.00 |
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A rough Estimate for additional
activities/items
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Yak/horse for personal
ride on kora days is around 150$. |
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Extra ride for day trip
to Astapad US $25. |
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Day trip to Kailash Core
(Ganga Top/ Rishi Cave) US $100.00. |
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Kodari -Border additional
expenses US $20.00. |
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Visa Fee for Tibet - 60
US $ including rush hour fees. |
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Extra day in Kathmandu
IRs1000.00 for Indian and 30$ for others with 2 meals
and accommodations. |
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IRs 1500.00 for Manakamana
day trip including entry fee, transfer and 2
meals/accommodation for a night |
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Muktinath and Manakamana
day trip IRs15500.00 based on 22+ group size
including one night in Pokhara/ 2 meals. |
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IRs600.00 for sleeping
bag/jacket hiring charge |
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Hotel
in Kathmandu |
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Holy Himalaya, Hotel Marshyangdi, Hotel Vaisali |
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Package
Includes |
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All transportation in Nepal
(bus) and Tibet (4x4 Landcruisers) |
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Experienced support team / English
speaking guide-group leader |
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All accommodations and vegetarian meals
in Tibet |
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3 nights accommodation in high quality
hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast and dinner |
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Guided sightseeing /darsan tour of
Kathmandu |
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All permits/visas for Tibet (free 3
day Nepali transit visa) |
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Transportation for luggage and staff
in Tibet |
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Yaks for hauling group and personal
gear during trek |
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All sleeping gear (tents, sleeping
bags, camping mattress) |
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End of trip Banquet |
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Walking stick / sun hat |
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Kailash Yatra DVD on request |
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Package
Does Not Included |
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Airline
ticket to/from Kathmandu |
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Visa
for Nepal (you can get it on arrival at the airport) |
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Expenses
of a personal nature such as beverages, bar bills,
laundry, phone calls, bottled drinks extra meals,
etc. |
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Any
additional itinerary options |
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Helper/yaks/horse
to support individual on the trekking days. |
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Airport departure tax |
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Inquiry
about this trip |
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Pilgrim's General
Information
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Mount Kailash and Lake
Manasarovar : Yatra & Parikrama
Considered
the most important sacred site of four religions and 2 billion people,
Mount Kailash is a breathtaking fusion of rock and ice soaring to
over 22,000 feet in the farthest reaches of western Tibet. This
venerated holy place also holds the unique distinction of being
one of the least traveled, with no more than a few thousand yatri
(pilgrims) visiting each year because of the weeks-long, awe-inspiring
journey it takes to reach the mountain.
Eco Trek allows yatri from all over the world
the opportunity to hike and experience the 52km parikrama (circumambulation)
around the sacred Kailash. With the help of our friendly and knowledgeable
staff, pilgrims can undertake this epic, once-in-a-lifetime journey.
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Mount Kailash and Lake
Manasarovar Yatra : Overview
Over an
unforgettable 18 days, all yatri will take in the great countryside
of far western Tibet and numerous holy monasteries before reaching
the base of Mount Kailash and beginning the circumambulation. (For
those clients who feel that hiking the entire route might be too
difficult, yaks and horses can be hired for an additional cost to
assist you on your kora.)
Before their pilgrimage, yatri will be led to
the nearby holy waters of Lake Manasovar, known as the Lake of Consciousness
and Enlightenment, where they will have the opportunity to take
a sacred bath and perform puja on the banks. Eco Trek staff will
also set up a bathing tent and heat the chilling water of Manasovar
for clients who prefer a private experience. |
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Custom Tours
Eco Trek offers the opportunity for clients to
design and create a custom trip with us to the Mt Kailash region.
There are various ways to access the Kailash region. There are many
holy sites only a couple days drive away. Often spiritual communities
or academic institutions many want a very specific and detailed
trip. Others might want to take the highest end option of a helicopter
flight to Kailash region. There is also a 5 day trek from the Nepali
town of Simikot to the Tibetan border just south of Lake Manasovar.
Eco Trek truly wants you to enjoy the beauty of your pilgrimage
to this Holy place. |
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| Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar
Yatra : Itinerary |
| Day 01 : |
Arrive Kathmandu |
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Pick up
from the airport/transfer to your hotel. Time permitting,
you may want to start exploring the capital city (local guides
are available). In the evening, meet the group for dinner
and a trip briefing |
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| Day 02 : |
Kathmandu |
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After breakfast, we set out for a guided
tour of Kathmandu's holy sites,including Pashupatinath and
Boudanath, before heading back to the hotel for lunch. The
afternoon is spent making final preparations for the trip.
Staff members can assist you in buying or renting any missing
gear, and you may check any unnecessary luggage. Group dinner
in the evening.
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| Day 03 : |
Kathmandu to Zhangmu or Nyalam
145 or 175 km : 8 to 10 hours of driving |
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We embark on our
journey at 5:00am, stopping in Dhulikhel (1 hour 30 mins drive)
for breakfast or we do start after breakfast from Kathmandu
itself. After leaving Dhulikhel, the road follows the valleys
of the Sunkosi and Bhotakosi rivers, passing through lush
countryside and dramatic cliffs. We reach the Tibet border
in the afternoon, then continue on to either Zhangmu (2300m)
or Nyalam (3750m), depending on road conditions. Overnight
in a local hotel. |
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| Day 04 : |
Rest day
in Nyalam |
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This day gives us a chance to relax
and acclimatize to the high altitude in Nyalam (3750m). It is
important to stay hydrated and extremely aware of your body's
physical condition, which the staff will monitor at all times. |
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| Day 05 : |
Nyalam
to Saga 232 km : 7 to 8 hours of driving |
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Past Nyalam (4450m) the road climbs
up to La Lung (5124m) then drops down before heading western
part of Tibet. The driving is difficult, but the stunning views
of the Himalayas, particular Shisha Pangma (8012m), more than
make up for the rough travel. By late afternoon we cross the
Bhramaputra River and a quick drive brings us to the town of
Saga. |
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| Day 06 : |
Drive
from Saga to Paryang (4600m) 285 km : 7 to 8 hours of driving |
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Our jeeps and trucks roll through the
dramatic valleys following the various rivers through the grazing
lands of yaks and sheep. The landscape is highlighted by snowcapped
peaks rising out of the distant sand dunes. Many Tibetan nomads
and traders in traditional dress inhabit this area. |
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| Day 07 : |
Drive
from Paryang to Lake Manasarovar (4558m) 277km : 8 hours of
driving |
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This is one of the longest driving
days of the trip. By late afternoon the drive through the green
pastures and massive valleys gives way to the first sighting
of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. We will make our way
to the small village of Hor Chu on the eastern banks of the
holy lake or drive all the way to western banks, Chiu monastery
for an overnight stay
Lake Manasarovar is considered the holiest 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 flow from its shores. This day offers
a wonderful opportunity to visit the great lake and take in
the spectacular views of Mount. Gurula Mandhata (7728m) to the
south and Kailash to the north. From there we will visit the
Trugo monastery before heading to the Chiu monastery for an
overnight stay. |
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| Day 08: |
Manasarovar to Tarchen (4575m)
140 km : 5 hours of driving |
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In the morning, the Eco Trek staff
will set up private bathing tent on the shores of Lake Manasarovar
for the traditional sacred bath most pilgrims perform before
circumambulating the holy mountain. Once so cleansed, we will
head north towards Tarchen, a village considered the base camp
for Kailash. Depending on the itinerary options, we can also
drive to Trithapuri hot springs and back to Tarchen (140km).
We will stay the night at Tarchen. |
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| Day 09 : |
Rest Day |
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On this day you
will have the option to rest and relax in Tarchen or explore
the Valley of Gods. Those who wish to do so will drive into
the spectacular mountain amphitheatre at the base of Mount
Kailash where we will do part of the inner parikarma and where
puja and prayers can be offered given to Ausaparbat and Nandi
Hill. In the afternoon we will return to Tarchen to spend
the night. The walk to Core i.e. Saptarishi Caves also possible
to plan if Yatris are physically fit and done the circumambulation
earlier. Nandi Kora is part of it. |
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| Day 10 : |
Trek to Dirapuk (4909m) Total
hiking for the day: 15 km : 7 to 8 hours |
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Our first day
of trekking around Kailash begins at Tarpuche. As we make
our way along the route we pass numerous chortens (stupas)
as well as the sky burial site of the 84 Mahasiddas. We will
also take in wonderful views of cascading creeks, streaming
waterfalls and the mighty west face of Kailash. We will pass
the Chukku monastery and arrive at the Dirapuk monastery about
five hours later, where a where we will set up camp for the
night. |
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| Day 11 : |
Trek to Zutulpuk Monastery
Total hiking for the day: 18 km/6 to 7 hours |
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The hardest
day of the pilgrimage is also the holiest. We will cross a
rocky expanse dotted with stone cairns draped with the clothes
left as offerings by pilgrims who have come before us. After
visiting Gaurikunda, one of the holiest sites on the trek,
further hiking brings us to the ascent up to Dolma-La pass
(5630m). After a nice break at the top of the pass we will
head down the steep trail to our eventual campsite at Zutulpuk
monastery (4790m), site of the cave of miracles where Milarepa
meditated. |
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| Day 12 : |
Trek to end of
valley : Drive to Tarchen |
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On the last day
of your Kailash parikrama, a three-hour walk brings us to
where the river emerges onto the Borkha plain. Our jeeps will
be waiting to transport us to our camp at Lake Mansarovar. |
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| Day 13 : |
Drive to Dongba |
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345 km/10 hours
of driving |
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| Day 14 : |
Drive to Nyalam
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| Day 15 : |
Drive
to Kathmandu 163 km/6 to 7 hours |
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Arriving
back at the hotel in Kathmandu, we will celebrate our successful
trip with a banquet for all yatris (pilgrims). Overnight in
hotel. |
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| Day 16 : |
Day
for yourself |
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Option
for early departure or you use your extra day for Himalayan
mountain flight, Mankamana road trip, or Muktinath helicopter
tour (contact Eco Trek for more information about option day
trip at additional cost) |
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| Day 17 : |
Transfer
to airport/departure |
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