Nepal Florid treks(p.)ltd

Mount Kailash, located in far west corner of Tibet it is the most sacred peak of Asia. The beauty of the 6700 meter high Mount Kailash, that looks like a symmetrical cone shaped rock capped by pure crystalline ice all the time, is echoed in various mythological and literary works.

Hindu pilgrims consider the mountain to be the home of their God-Lord Shiva. For Buddhists, Mount Kailash is said to be the Center of the Universe-the axis mundi in Asian cosmology. Every year hundreds of pilgrims travel from all over the Indian sub continent and Tibet to make the ritual circumambulation around the mountain in their quest for enlightenment and this trek will join them on their journey.

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Nyalam and it takes about seven hours. You stay overnight at hotel in Nyalam. You embark on a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Kodari. Walk to the Friendship Bridge and drive uphill to Zhangmu. After completing custom and immigration formalities, proceed to Nyalam.

Day 02: Drive from Nyalam to Saga (4600m) which takes about seven hours. You stay overnight at hotel in Saga. Past Nylam the road climbs to the 5120 m Thorong-la pass then drops down before climbing to the Lalung-la pass (5124 m). To the south there are views of Shisha Pangma (8012 M). The road follows south of the Pelgu-Tso, continues across the plain with stunning Himalayan views. The route then follows a narrow gorge before climbing to a pass and dropping steeply down to a ferry crossing over the Yarlung Tsangpo.

Day 03: Drive from Saga to Prayang (4750m), the base of Mayumla Pass and it takes about six hours. You stay overnight at hotel in Prayang. From Saga it is 145 km to Zhongba. The road is good and the trip can be completed in 4-5 hrs. There is also a small monastery at the western end of town on a hill. From Zhongba onwards the southern road deteriorates. There is also danger of vehicles getting stuck. But this section of the road has panoramic views of mountains on either side of the road.

Day 04: Drive from Prayang to Darchen (4620m) which takes about eight hours. You stay overnight at hotel in Darchen. From Paryang, your journey continues to Darchen, the start of our Parikrama ( circumambulation) or Kora. The drive passes through open territory with a view of distant mountains, Yak herder’s camp, if lucky might come across a herd of Kang (Wild Ass). The drive takes us to a high pass of over 5,000 m. before we arrive at Darchen (4,480 m). Darchen is located beneath the majestic holy Mount Kailash, a small village with couple of guest houses. During the auspicious pilgrimage time, this place will be flooded with pilgrims with hundreds of tents all around. Darchen,the beginning and end point of the parikrama.

Day 05: From Darchen trek starts for circuit around Mount Kailash. You stay overnight in camp. Trek to Serlung Monastery and to Asthapath for an excellent view of Nandi Parbat and Holy Mount Kailash. You will stay at Darchen and make final preparation for the Kailash Parikarma.

Day 06: Mount Kailash, This day being a “Full Moon”, the view is extraordinary and worth seeing. You stay overnight at camp.

Day 07: Trek back to Darchen. You stay overnight at lodge in Darchen. The winding gradual tracks finally ends our holy pilgrimage walk (5 hours) at Darchen for the overnight stay at camp.

Day 08: Short drive to Lake Manasarovar . You stay overnight at camp. After completing the holy parikarama at Darchen, our next spiritual destination takes to Lake Mansarovar for the holy bath. It is believed a ritual bath delivers a pilgrims to paradise and drink of its holy water relinquishes the sins of a hundreds life times. The drive from Darchen takes a little over 2 hours on the dirt road. Lake Mansarovar is one of the largest salt lakes in Tibet. You will be camping at the shore of the lake very close to the monastery and its village.

Day 09: Stay at Lake Manasarovar. You stay overnight at camp. This is rest day at Lake Mansarovar for dip in the Lake and local hikes around.

Day 10: Drive to Prayang via Mayumla Pass. You stay overnight at camp/lodge.
After Mount Kailash tour you take a 300 km drive crossing Mayum-la and several rivers. The scenery along this section is some of the most beautiful of the entire journey and a distant storm drifting in back of Tibetans, horses & sheep is a surreal sight.

Day 11: You continue drive to Saga. You stay overnight at camp/lodge. You continue driving for another 255km to Saga passing through dusty town of Zhongba and a few smaller passes.

Day 12: Drive from Saga to Nyalam. You stay overnight at camp/lodge. Crossing Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) by a ferry, you continue driving 250 km to Nyalam. Soon after leaving Saga the road opens into a wide flat plain and passes through huge turquoise lake, the Peiku-Tso with spectacular view of Shishapangma (8027m) as the backdrop. Further drive across Lalung La (5200m) through a perfect blend of breathtaking views, alpine meadow trails, picturesque hamlets and an abundance of wildflowers finally brings you to Nyalam at 3750 meter.

Day 13: Drive from Nyalam to Kathmandu. From Nyalam, you drive down to the border town of Zhangmu. From Zhangmu, it’s a short drive to the Friendship Bridge which spans the Bhote Kosi River and marks the Chinese - Nepalese border where you part with your Tibetan guide and driver and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari where you will be met by your Nepalese staff. After completing the re-entry formalities you continue the drive to Kathmandu which, depending on road and weather conditions, should take about 5-6 hours.