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This 19 days’ trip is a unique blend of trekking and pilgrimage, offering you a rare opportunity to ambulate along the orthodox yet challenging routes, simultaneously getting a true sense of the native culture and life patterns. The day kicks off with sightseeing tour to the four most renowned structures listed in UNESCO world’s heritage list- the Pashupanith temple, the maha stupa- Swayambhunath, Boudanath- the oldest and the largest stupa and Patan Durbar Square-the museum city. The next day, we take a flight to Nepalgunj, the western terai plains of Nepal and from there we fly to Simikot, which happens to be one of the most remote places of Nepal. Here begins our trek and it continues till we offer our tribute to the holy lake of Mansarovar and eventually circumambulate Mt.Kailash, to conclude our trip. The Mansarovar and Mt Kailash hold a special corner in the hearts of every devout pilgrim as well as trekkers. Before we reach Kailash, we travel along the ancient pilgrimage routes and trade links, passing through various places like Salli Khola(2700m), Muchu (3120m), Sipsip (4300m), Hilsa (3720m). After the completion of a 5 days’ Kora- circumambulation of Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar, we drive back to Saga for overnight stay. The next day, we cross the Nepal- China border and head to Kathmandu.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: KTM Sightseeing Tour
Day 03: Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
Day 04: Flight to Simikot (2870m) and trek to Dharapori (2360m/4-6 hrs)
Day 05: Trek to Salli Khola (2700m/5- 6 hrs)
Day 06: Trek to Muchu (3120m/ 5- 6 hrs)
Day 07: Trek to Sipsip (4300m/6 - 7 hrs)
Day 08: Trek to Hilsa (3720m/ 6 - 7 hrs)
Day 09: Cross the border, visit to Purang and transfer to Tritapuri (4560m)
Day 10: Garuda Valley Sightseeing, Evening Transfer to Darchen (4565m)
Day 11: First day of kora: hiking to Dirapuk Monastery (5000m/ 6 hrs)
Day 12: Second day of kora: acclimatization, short hiking to North Face of Kailash (6 hours by walk)
Day 13: Third day of Kora: hiking to Zuthul Puk(4760m, 6-7 hrs ) via Drolma-la pass (5,750m)
Day 14: Fourth day of Kora: hiking to Darchen (4565m, 2-3 hours) and transfer to Manasarowar
Day 15: A Full day Kora around the Mansarovar Lake
Day 16: Transfer to Saga (4450m)
Day17: Transfer to Zhangmu (2250m)
Day 18: Transfer to Kathmandu
Day 19: Fly Home
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel by Marron Treks’ representative. Short briefing will follow concerning the necessary formalities and your trekking itinerary. Depending upon the time of your arrival you may spend free time visiting nearby tourist sites or resting.
Day 02: KTM Sightseeing Tour
Today you will be touring around Kathmandu and visiting the most popular landmarks therein viz. the famous temple of Pashupatinath, Boudanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The antique Durbars of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur still carry charms of the olden days. After your tour, you will be dropped back to hotel where you spend your night.
Day 03: Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
After our short excursion within kathmandu, we take an hour's flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj in western Nepal. Nepalgunj, a border town near the Nepal-India border in the west, is the gateway to Simikot of Humla. The town itself is an interesting Terai town of Nepal offering the views of diverse cultural melting pot. Nepalgunj greets us with some sightseeing places which include Mini Zoo, local market, and nearby villages. Overhere, we prepare for our next day's flight to Simikot. O/N in hotel.
Day 04: Flight to Simikot (2870m) and trek to Dharapori (2360m/4-6 hrs)
During our 40-minutes’ flight from Nepalgunj to Simikot, we enjoy the fantastic scenery of vertical mountain cliffs. Simikot, cut off from the rest of the country due to its remotenesss, is also the headquarters of Humla district. At Simikot, we get an opportunity to interact with the people and observe their culture and traditions which belong to the Tibetan origin. We take our lunch at Simikot and also register for the permit at the police office. From Simikot, we climb initially before descending towards the village of Tuling. We continue walking through jungle and villages along Karnali River toward Dharapori. Overnight at Dharapori.
Day 05: Trek to Salli Khola (2700m/5- 6 hrs)
Our walk is relatively flat until Kermi. Then after, we follow the Humla Karnali basin. There are two hotsprings near Kermi. After bypassing the village at Kermi we enter into the widening valley which gives passage to thinning pines to walk. We cross the Salli La Pass to descend to Salli Khola. Overnight at Salli Khola.
Day 06: Trek to Muchu (3120m/ 5- 6 hrs)Today, we cross the suspension bridge at Salli Khola and walk along a relatively flat terrain to reach at Yalbang. At this site of absolute remoteness, we will be greeted by the Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery. We step furthe above the Karnali River. The more we move upward the lesser vegetation we see. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Karnali River we will be at Muchu. Overnight at Muchu.
Day 07: Trek to Sipsip (4300m/6 - 7 hrs)
At this juncture, we pass the Muchu Checkpoint to descend to Tumkot, where we get a magnificent view of the Dhungkar Choezam Monastery up the hill. Once we leave the Karnali River, we have to walk through higher altitude to be at Yari. At Yari we pass the police checkpost and further come across the increasingly barren landscapes. While heading towards Sip Sip, we enjoy the views of Erega mountain and vicinity of Thado Dhunga (4043m), the base camp for the Nara Lagna pass . Overnight at Sipsip.
Day 08: Trek to Hilsa (3720m/ 6 - 7 hrs)
We ascend the Nara Lagna Pass (4330m) and get indulged on the great views of the Tibetan plateau. As we descend, we arrive at the Ranipauwa village. Our further steps descend to the Humla Karnali which enroutes us to Hilsa, the border town on the Nepal side of the Nepal-China (Tibet) border. Hilsa is also a helipad for dropping the pilgrims on their way to Mt. Kailash. Overnight at Hilsa.
Day 09: Cross the border, visit to Purang and transfer to Tritapuri (4560m)
Crossing the Nepal-China (Tibet) border, we will be at Taklakot of Tibet, a trading town on the Tibetan side of the border. Then we drive to the customs office in Taklakot. Prior to our drive to Tritapuri, we visit the ancient Purang gompa and engage ourselves in sightseeing the unique Buddhist frescoes. Overnight at Tritapuri.
Day 10: Garuda Valley Sightseeing, Evening Transfer to Darchen (4565m)
Today we make a foray into some of the enigmatic caves of Garuda valley and the ruins of some ancient cities. In the evening, we reach Darchen, where we spend our night at the proximity of the Holy Lake, the Manasarovar. With full of intriguing remnants into our memory, we retreat back to Manasarowar in the evening. Overnight in Manasarowar. Overnight at Darchen.
Day 11: First day of kora: hiking to Dirapuk Monasterys (5000m/ 6 hrs)
We begin our Kora of Mt. Kailash. Kora , in Tibetan language refers to ‘circumambulation or revolution’ (the pilgrims circumambulate Mt. Kailash performing full body prostrations). The first day out of Darchen involves a six-hours’ hike in a deep valley through walls of red rock. We continue across the plain to Shershong. We further cross a bridge leading to Chhuku Gompa high on the hill visible from the valley. The trail leads to Dirapuk from where we can enjoy a stunning view of the north face of Mt. Kailash. Overnight at Dirapuk.
Day 12: Second day of kora: acclimatization, short hiking to North Face of Kailash (6 hours by walk)
The second day of the Kora is essential to get acclimatized to the climb. This will also be a hiking day to the north faced wall of Mt. Kailash. Although the hike is exclusive of the actual Kora, we do not miss the opportunity to put us face to face with the greatness of Mt. Kailash.
Day 13: Third day of Kora: hiking to Zuthul Puk (4760m, 6-7 hrs ) via Drolma-la pass (5,750m)
We go on to trek about 6-7 hours around Mt. Kailash. On the way, we cross the Drolma La Pass filled with five different colored praying flags. Then we move to Dzutul Puk Camp. Here in Dzutul Puk, we can behold some ancient monasteries. Overnight at Dzutul Puk.
Day 14: Fourth day of Kora: hiking to Darchen (4565m, 2-3 hours) and transfer to Manasarowar
After the completion of Kora of Mt. Kailash at Darchen, we drive to Mansarovar which takes at least 3 hours. Overnight at Mansarovar. Day 15: A Full day Kora around the Mansarovar Lake This day, the visitors take a sip of the holy water of Lake Mansarovar and store some of it to carry back home as this water is believed to purify the place we sprinkle it on. There is a belief that the holy water sanctifies one from the sins committed. The pilgrims perform the Kora of Mount Kailash and take a holy dip in this Lake to purify themselves. Overnight at Mansarovar.
Day 16: Transfer to Saga (4450m)
We drive from Mansarovar to Saga. Passing through some small towns on the way and across Mayum La Pass we can see the wonderful view of towns called Zhongba and Paryang. Saga is a town which is at an altitude of 4640m. Saga straddles the Dargye Tsangpo river above its junction with the Brahmaputra. Overnight at Saga.
Day 17: Transfer to Zhangmu (2250m)
Today we return to Zangmu where we have to cross the first dam on the Brahmaputra/Yarlong Zangbo river and then drive to Nyalam. The journey takes us about 6-7 hours. On the way, we have we can get the glimpses of Mt. Shishapangma , Everest and other peaks as well. Finally, we reach Zhangmu, the border town. Overnight at Zangmu.
Day 18: Transfer to Kathmandu
We drive to the border check point to go through the custom formalities. After reaching Friendship Bridge, we will be leaving our Tibet plated vehicles, and will walk for approximately 15 minutes towards Nepal. From Kodari, it takes another 4-5 hours’ drive to Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 19: Fly Home
The Kailash adventure in the Himalayas comes to an end today. A representative of Marron Treks will escort you to the airport for your final departure. If you wish to extend your trip with MarronTreks, please let us know so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
