Kailas Manasarovar Yatra Via Lhasa by HILLS AND TRAILS 2017 In the remote Nagari region of Western Tibet, in one of the highest, loneliest and most desolate places on earth, rises a sublime snow-clad pyramid of rock, ‘Mount Kailas’. Its reputation is near-legendary. To pilgrims of four religions this 22,028 ft. rock pyramid is the abode of gods and is the ‘Navel of the Earth’. For well over a thousand years pilgrims have made this arduous journey and circumambulated the mountain in an ancient ritual of devotion, for Kailas is a site of immense natural power. Here the temporal and eternal unite and the divine takes physical form. In its shadow lies the holy lake, ‘Manasarovar’, born from the mind of Brahma. Even to non-believers, the mountain and the lake are the crowning jewels of a magical land of pure light and HILLS AND TRAILS 3 / 8, Chandrashekhar Society, intense colour, in the rarefied atmosphere of 15,000 ft. and Swami Nityanand Marg, Andheri (E), above. Mumbai – 4000069, Maharashtra, India. PH: +91 22 26840175 / 9869065211 / 9820033295 / 9969036175 / 9820050294 / 26871042 hillsandtrails@gmail.com Website: http://hillsandtrails.in
ABOUT THE KAILAS MANASAROVAR YATRA: ‘Mount Kailas’ , being in the remotest region on earth, is approachable by land journey only, either on foot or by road. The Chinese invaded Tibet and entry to this region by any outsider was forbidden. The Cultural Revolution could pull down only the man made monuments; but it was unable to touch the true source of the region’s sanctity, which springs from a place beyond human control. In 1981, under a special agreement between India and China, the first group of Hindu pilgrims in twenty-two years visited Kailas and Manasarovar. But this was only possible through Govt. of India and after making a dangerous, long, convoluted trek through the dense forests of Uttaranchal. This trek takes 30 days and even to a fit person it’s a challenge, as the trek takes you along the Kali River, across the Lipulekh pass on the Indo- Chinese border and then into Tibet. Latter this part of the Himalayas was made accessible by Karakoram Highway, which connects China to Pakistan by road. The friendship bridge on the border of Nepal and China is the first halt on this overland journey from Kathmandu. This journey through the cold desert of Tibet plateau starts from Zhangmu . The travelling done in comfortable deluxe Non A / c coaches, and the journey is much more comfortable compared to the Govt. of India route. Due to the devastating earthquake which hit Nepal twice in May 2015, the road via Kodari and Zhangmu is badly damaged and has been closed down. The Chinese have till now only allowed the yatra through Simikot – Hilsa – Sher – Taklakot route and through the land route via Lhasa . So we have decided to take the route via Lhasa, which the Chinese are trying to promote, for whatever reason. After spending two nights in Kathmandu we would take a flight to Lhasa , the capital of Tibet . We would spend two nights at this scenic place. One can visit the world famous Norbulinka and Potala Palace, the original residence of Dalai Lama . Then we would drive towards Kailas Manasarovar area. Enroute we would halt at Shigatse and Saga . This journey would take us across many small, big rivulets; high passes, dusty roads and the great Brahmaputra or Tsangpo River . Driving through this cold desert we would reach the shores of Manasarovar on 7 th day. After the holy dip and Pooja on the shores of Manasarovar the next day, we would proceed to the base of Mt. Kailas at Darchen to start the Kailas Parikrama. The Kailas Parikrama takes three days and could be done on foot or on the horseback.
During this Parikrama we would have night halts at Dirapuk and Zuthul Puk. This arduous trek would take us across Dolma La at around 19,000 ft. After completing the circumambulation around Mount Kailas, we would retrace our drive back and start the return journey. ITINERARY: DAY 01: MUMBAI - KATHMANDU (1,300 M. / 4,290 FT.) After landing at the Tribhuvan International airport in Kathmandu , we would be transported to Hotel Radisson. (If the mentioned hotels are not available a similar hotel would be made available) In the evening we would have a meeting which would give us the detailed information about the yatra. Rest of the time would be free for everybody to spend time in some last minute shopping. Overnight in Hotel Radisson or a similar hotel. (L, D…) DAY 02: KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING AND THEN FINAL PREPARARTIONS OF YATRA. We would be visiting The Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, which is considered as one of the most holy temple of Lord Shiva . After visiting this ancient Shiva temple, we would be visiting the Budha Neelkanth or The Sleeping Vishnu temple. This temple has a statue of Vishnu in the middle of water body, sleeping on Sheshnag or snake. In the afternoon, after lunch, we would make the final preparations for the yatra and transfer our luggage. We would also leave back the extra, unnecessary luggage in the hotel. Overnight in Hotel Radisson or a similar hotel. (B, L, D…) DAY 03: FLY FROM KATHMANDU TO LHASA (3,650 M. / 11,975 FT.) 2 TO 3 HRS. After an early and sumptuous breakfast, we would check in at Tribhuvan International Airport to catch a Trans Himalayan flight to Lhasa. This 2 hours flight would fly high over the Himalayan giants like Mt. Everest, Mt. Cho Oyo . If
the weather is clear we can see these lofty snow clad summits. Though the flight time is only 2 hours; by the time we reach Hotel Manasarovar in Lhasa , it would be late in the evening due to the time difference between Nepal and Tibet. We would rest for the remaining part of the day. Overnight in Hotel Manasarovar or similar hotel. (B, L, D…) DAY 04: LHASA SIGHTSEEING AND ACTIVE REST FOR ACCLIMATISATION AT LHASA As we would be landing in Lhasa by air, we would be gaining height very fast. At these high altitudes the reduced atmospheric pressure causes reduction in available oxygen. Our bodies would need to get used to these rarified environment. This would take some time. To help our body to get acclimatised faster we would take one day’s active rest at Lhasa. So to get acclimatised better we would go for local sightseeing at Lhasa. We would be visiting The Jokhang Temple, the Barkhor Bazaar in the morning and then in the afternoon we would visit the famous Sera Monastery and Norbulinka Palace . After coming back to the hotel, we would do the last minute preparations for the Yatra, which would be beginning the next day. Overnight in Hotel Manasarovar or similar hotel. (B, L, D…) DAY 05: DRIVE FROM LHASA TO SHIGATSE (3,840 M. / 12,599 FT.) 270 KMS. 6 – 7 HRS. After breakfast early in the morning we would leave the hotel and would proceed for Shigatse , which is the 2 nd biggest city in Tibet . The road which has been built by the Chinese few years back is impeccable and really makes the journey enjoyable. After crossing the Brahmaputra on the outskirts of Lhasa city, we would be
driving all along its banks right up to Shigatse. The world’s highest railroad also runs parallel to the road right up to Shigatse and we can see this man made wonder from a very close quarters. Zigzagging through the barren countryside, which has got some beautiful green villages on the way, the road takes us to the 2 nd biggest city in Tibet, Shigatse , by late evening. Overnight in Hotel Getsar or similar hotel. (B, L, D…) DAY 06: DRIVE FROM SHIGATSE TO SAGA (4,850 M. / 15,345 FT.) 448 KMS. 9 – 10 HRS. This would be a really long drive. The countryside doesn’t change much, as on this 6 th day of the tour we drive on the Karakoram Highway towards the town of Saga. This town is on the junction of another road which goes towards Nepal. As we start our journey out of Shigatse, immediately we cross a junction where one road goes towards the Northern side of Mt. Everest . After crossing various high altitude passes we reach Saga very late in the evening. Saga Town is the biggest town on this route after Shigatse. We could spend some time in the shops around the street and look for some cheap Chinese gift items. Overnight in Hotel Saga Grand Western Post or similar hotel. (B, L, D…) DAY 07: DRIVE FROM TO SAGA TO PARYANG (4,540 M. / 14,900 FT.) AND THEN TO MANASAROVAR THEN TO CHUI GOMPA. (4,560 M. / 15,000 FT.) 380 KMS. 7 – 8 HRS. This would be a very special day as on this day we would have the first glimpses of Manasarovar as well as Mt. Kailas . After breakfast we would proceed further towards Paryang . After negotiating some more high passes we would be travelling through the cold desert of Tibet. If we would be lucky we could see the Tibetan Wild Ass, The Siberian Cranes and Antelopes on the way. The vastness of the Tibetan plateau is so great that it would be impossible to pen it. We would drive through the hamlet of Old Dongpa and through typical desert sand dunes. Every day on this yatra we would start the long journey early in the morning and the yatra would follow the same pattern every day till we reach the start of the Parikrama.
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