Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet
- Trip length : 20 Days
- Grade : Moderate to fairly challenging
- Starts in : Kathmandu
- Ends in : Kathmandu
- Accommodation : Hotel, Lodge and camping
- Transportation : 4WD Land cruiser with support truck
- Maximum altitude : 5630m in Doma pass behind mount Kailash
Mount Kailash, located in far west corner of Tibet is the most sacred peak of Asia. The beauty of the 6700-meter high mountain, that looks like a symmetrical cone-shaped rock capped by pure crystalline ice all the time, is echoed in various traditional literary works. Dominating the north of the Himalayan barrier with its spectacular view, the Mount Kailash (or Mt. Kailas) is equally venerated as the holiest pilgrimage site by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bön-Po. Tibetans regard this mountain as the manifestation of Mount Meru, “the navel of the earth”, whereas the founder of Bon religion, Tonpa Shenrab, is believed to have descended here from heaven. Hindus consider it as the abode of Lord Shiva, Buddhists as that of Samvara and Jains as a sacred site where their prophet, Rishabha attained spiritual enlightenment. With its four sheer walls, distinctive snow-capped peak, and valleys interspersed with brightly-clad Tibetan pilgrims, Mount Kailash or Kang Rimpoche (‘precious snow-peak’, as known by the Tibetans) is an awe-inspiring sight. Four great rivers of Asia : the Karnali, the Indus, the Sutlej and the Brahmaputra (Tsangpo) originate from here. A three-day trek (Sanskrit parikrama or Tibetan Kora) around Mount Kailash culminates at a height of 5630 meter at Drolma La (pass). It is accomplished clockwise by the Buddhist and the Hindu, and anti-clockwise by the followers of the ancient Bon tradition. This pilgrimage is said to erase the sins of a lifetime. To complete the Kailash pilgrimage one should bath in the sacred Lake Manasarovar, stunningly set on the Tibetan plateau, bordered by the majestic Gurla Mandata in the south-western direction. On the journey to Mount Kailash across the windswept Tibetan plateau, you will see monasteries at the top of cliff, wild-looking and hardy but hospitable Tibetans, yak caravans journeying over snowy passes, and the great peaks of the Himalaya with a foreground of grazing herds, yak skin tents and glittering turquoise lakes. Visiting Norbulingka, Sera and Drepung monasteries, Potala Palace, Jokhang temple and Barkhor markets, you will gain an in-depth understanding of Tibetan ancient culture and civilization. On this overland tour on 4WD land cruisers guided by an experienced staff, you will be able to explore a colourful mosaic of Tibetan arts, crafts, history, culture, custom, tradition, lifestyle and cuisine and will eventually get some glimpses of a profound spirituality. You will become a witness to a host of indigenous cultures on your tour to Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and other significant cities on the way. Further drive across the wide open spaces of the Tibetan Plateau will bring you to Lake Manasarovar, before completing a circumambulation, kora of Mount Kailash. From there, you will re-cross the vast arid plains before heading south to Nyalam at the Nepalese border and finally return to Kathmandu.
This is truly the trip of a lifetime with its stunning scenery and cultural highlights. The tour starts with a comprehensive briefing on the trip in Kathmandu followed by the sensational trans-Himalayan flight to Lhasa that passes over Mt. Everest and many among the highest peaks of the world.
The weather in Tibet between May to September is expectedly dry and sunny with rain in July and August. The day temperatures can be as high as 22 degrees centigrade whereas the early morning and late evening temperature can go as low as 0 or even - 10 degree centigrade specially at the altitude of 5200 m, the highest camp during the circumambulation. High blood pressure is a counter-indication to this type of high altitude journeys.