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Mt. Kailash Trekking Pilgrimage Overland Adventure |
22 Days / 21 Nights from $3555USD |
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| Kashgar ~ Karhilik~ Mazar ~Dahongliutan ~ Ritu ~Shiquanhe ~ Zhanda ~ Darchen ~ Mt.Kailash ~ Paryang ~Saga ~ Lhatse ~ Shigatse ~ Gyantse ~ Lhasa
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| To the world¡¯s Hindus and Buddhists, Mt Kailash is the high, remote western borderland of Tibet is the centre of the universe, the holiest of holy. It definitely looks the part, raising like a lone apparition form the windswept alpine meadows that surround it on all sides. On its immaculate white 22,000-foot summit legend says, the worlds of humankind and gods meet. Pilgrims come from as far away as the tropical plains of southern India and beyond to walk the ancient, shrine studded pilgrims¡¯ trails that circle the base of the holy-peak. |
2005 Departure dates
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22 Days / 21 Nights from $3,555USD
Begins Kashgar and Ends Lhasa (Xinjiang & Tibet region)
June 18
July 09, 23
Aug 06, 20, 27
Sep 10, 17
Additional departure dates may become available as these sell out or you can choose your own departure date.
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Full itinerary |
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01. Arrival in Torghat Pass from Kyrgyzstan to Kashgar China Hotel Seman
The bus sets off early in the morning for the 100km climb to Chinese frontier. The road crosses two mountain passes giving views over the Fergana range before reaching the top of the 3,752m Torghat pass. This journey has been called 'the most exiting route into Central Asia'. At the top of the pass we say goodbye to our Kyrgyz guide and transfer to a Chinese bus for the descent into the Chinese province of Xinjiang. The landscape changes from dry dusty hillsides to irrigated, tree lined farmland on the 160km drive to Kashgar.
02. Kashgar City tour by small coach Hotel Seman
Modern Kashgar is actually two cities which coexist in a sometimes surreal juxtaposition of the ancient and modern. The population is split into two very different communities: Uygur Muslims and Han Chinese. During a full day of sightseeing we visit the Id kah Mosque, the Apak Hoja tomb, the old town and bazaar, the famous 'Sunday' market, and the sights of modern Chinese Kashgar including the huge statue of Mao towering above People's park.
03. Kashgar / Karhilik 244km 4X4 Jeep Hotel Karhilik
Drive southeast about five hours (170 miles) along the great Taklamakan Desert, where Sir Aurel Stein and Sven Hedin carried out their great explor ations at the turn of the 20th century. We'll pass through Yengisar, famous for its 400-year-old history of knife making, and Shache (Yarkant), once a great city on the Silk Road (and larger than Kashgar). Continue to Karhilik (Yecheng), located in a well-watered agricultural zone.
04. Karhilik / Mazar 240km 4X4 Jeep Guest house
Once we leave the fertile fields of Karhilik the terrain becomes dry and dusty. The road climbs a dramatic series of hairpin bends to reach the summit of a 3,150m mountain pass, and then drops down the other side towards the Kudi river valley. After lunch the road follows the river valley rising relentlessly to the top of a 5,000m road pass. Another dramatic descent takes us to the army checkpoint at Mazar beside the Yarkant River.
05. Mazar / Dahongliutan 304km 4X4 Jeep Guest house
Between the two site, you will climb over a 4000m-pass,grom the top of the pass from Mazar to Dahongliutan about 70km,if weather is clear, you can see a 8611m high mountain located at China=Pakistan border.
06. Dahongliutan / Ritu 420km 4X4 Jeep Guest house
Today we will drive through the highest pass on the Xinjiang - Tibet highway, and visit a border lake ¨C Bangongtso (owned by China and Pakistan).
07. Ritu / Shiquanhe 120km 4X4 Jeep Shiquanhe Hotel
Shiquanhe is the government site for Nagri prefecture, pass by it to Zhanda, which is now a small town, but from the 10th - 17th century, here was the political and economical centre to the powerful kingdom - Guge kingdom which ruled this area. Enjoy the miracle view of the ruins in the glory of sunset.
08. Shiquanhe / Zhanda 355km 4X4 Jeep Guest house or camping
The river-Bram putra in India originates from Mt.Kailash and flows through the highland town- Shiquanhe (Shiquanhe has another name --Gar, most people now call Shiquanhe as Gar town). We will spend a day driving to Zhanda, a small town situated deep in a valley. The drive itself offers a breathtaking view of sand-rock formations shaping the deep valley.
09. Zhanda 4X4 Jeep Guest house or camping
Today we will spend a full day in the area to visit the ruins of the Guge Kingdom, which ruled western Tibet 300 years ago. We will visit the Guge Palace, about 12 miles (or 20 kilometers) away and spend the afternoon visiting the Tholing Monastery and the Tsaparang Monastery.
10. Zhanda / Darchen 330km 4X4 Jeep Gangdis Hotel or camping
The windblown settlement of Darchen is the pilgrim¡¯s gateway to Mount Kailash. Darchen is a small community with only about a dozen permanent buildings, but during the summer it swells to a teeming tent city from the influx of pilgrims.
11. Darchen / Mt.Kailash begin trekking 4X4 Jeep Camping
The pilgrim¡¯s kora around Mount Kailash starts and finishes in Darchen. The town itself may trigger mixed feelings - you may encounter the fascinating sight of pilgrims camping by the town, cooking and washing to prepare for their journey to Mount  Kailash, while the inspiring view of beer bottles, left by tourists who have finished the trek, is likely to bring you back to reality. We will have an early start today and after meeting our yak team, we will begin our 3-day trek in Mount Kailash. The highest pass of the hike is at 18,373 feet (5,600 meters), an altitude at which walking can become quite a demanding task. We will move at a slow pace and take plenty of breaks along the way. Today we will trek 6 hours from Darchen to Dhira Phuk (16,450 feet or 5,010 meters) and camp at the Gompa (monastery) there near the back side of Holy Kailash were we can see beautiful views of the mountain. We will start by walking to Darboche where the Saga Dawa Festival is held, marked by a tall pole adorned with prayer flags. We will then walk up the La Chu Valley through green meadows and streams with Mount Kailash towering nearby. We will follow the river which enters a narrow canyon with high, steep cliffs and spectacular waterfalls. Continuing up the alley, the north face of Mount Kailash comes into view before we reach the 13th century monastery at Dhira Phuk. Trek duration about 7hrs and height is about 5050m.
12. Trekking around Mt. Kailash Camping
Today we will trek 6-7 hours from Dhira Phuk to Dzutrul Phuk (15,700 feet or 4,790 meters). We will leave the Lha Chu Valley and enter the Drolma Chu Valley, heading up towards a high pass, the Drolma La (18,200 feet or 5,490 meters). It is a tough climb to the prayer flag festooned summit, but from here it is all downhill. We will pass above the Gaurikund Lake or Tuje Dzingbu (the Bathing Pool of Compassion) which is one of the highest lakes in the world. Hindu pilgrims are supposed to take a ritual bath here, but the surface ice is often too thick to actually do so. We will camp overnight at the Dzutrul Phuk Gompa (monastery) near the Tibetan nomads, where there are several meditation caves and another cave containing an image of Milarepa.
13. Trekking around Mt. Kailash Camping
Today we will finish the kora with a 4-5 hour trek from Dzutrul Phuk back to Darchen. We will cross several streams and follow an impressive gorge on this trip. Along the way, we are once again treated to magnificent views of Mount Kailash. We then leave the valleys for the Bharka plain and it is about an hour walk through this desert-like landscape to Darchen, where we will join hundreds of other pilgrims in celebrating Saga Dawa. Although the trail is relatively easy, this is a tough day¡¯s walking.
14. Darchen / Paryang 277km 4X4 Jeep Guest house or camping
Today we will be driving again on rugged roads to Paryang enjoy views of Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarova and an uninterrupted view of the Himalayas bordering India and Nepal en route.
15. Paryang / Zhongba / Saga 253km 4X4 Jeep Guest house or camping
Drive to Saga via Zhongba with beautiful views of Himalayas to right hand side. Saga, meaning ¡°Happy Land¡±, is situated along the Tsangpo River in a region crisscrossed by the upper Brahmaputra and its tributaries. The vast Tibetan plain becomes rugged, the air thinner and the sky endless and impossibly blue.
16. Saga / Sangsang/ Lhatse 299km 4X4 Jeep Guest house or camping
From Saga onwards, we will be driving on rugged roads for 299 kilometers to Lhatse. Sangsang is a very tiny town, but very important especially to the drivers, because they can have a stopover for more road information ahead to judge when and how to go nest step. Lhatse is the last shabby town out from Mt.Kailash. In Lhatse, you can have a shower or drive to enjoy the bath in hot spring (15km to the east of the town).
17. Lhatse / Shigatse 220km 4X4 Jeep Shigatse Hotel 3star
A four ¨Chour drive brings us to Tibet¡¯s second largest city, Shigatse. Visit to Sakya Monastery the fortress-like monastery at Sakya once represented the seat of absolute spiritual and temporal authority in Tibet.
18. Shigatse / Gyantse 91km 4X4 Jeep Gyantse Hotel
Here we visit Tashihunpo monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama hence one of the most important monasteries in Tibet Altitude 3800m.Visit to Tashihunpo Monastery which stands on the slope of Mount Niser, southwest of Shigatse. It covers an area of about 300,000 square meters and has a floor space of about 30,000 square meters., Bazaar and Palcho Monastery which lies about 230 kilometers (143 miles) south of Lhasa and 100 (62 miles) east of Shigatse at the foot of Dzong Hill. Built as a Tibetan monastery, its structural style is very unique.
19. Gyantse / Lhasa 290km 4X4 Jeep Lhasa Hotel 3star
Today you will visit the Kumbum Chorten, Palkhor Monastery, and the market place. The Kumbum contains a remarkable selection of 15th century Newari murals, notable for their elegance and grace. Then depart for the scenic journey to Gyantse through the passes of Kampa La (15,840 feet) and Karo La (16,500 feet) along the turquoise blue Yamdok Lake. This vast lake is the home of many species of birds, and is a veritable high altitude oasis.
20. Lhasa City tour by small coach Lhasa Hotel 3star
Begin your touring of Lhasa's incredible monasteries and Buddhist tradition with a tour of Sera monastery, founded in 1419 by the great scholar, Tsongkhapa. Sera were one of Tibet's great monastic universities, whose four main temples are adorned with elaborate murals and statuary. If you walk up behind the monastery, you will see a series of rock paintings and carvings. This afternoon visit the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. Several different wings were built by successive Dalai Lamas, reflecting centuries of Tibetan artistic styles. Return to your hotel this evening.
21. Lhasa City tour by small coach Lhasa Hotel 3star
A full day of sightseeing will begin at the Potala, the most famous building in Tibet. This monolithic palace rises out of the cliff face outside of town. Containing over 1,000 rooms, temples, and courtyards, the Potala was the home of the Dalai Lama, and is now an important symbol for Tibetan independence. It is a marvel of art and architecture, and represents the zenith of Tibetan building. The frescoes inside of it represent the changing periods of Tibetan art. Next, visit the Jokhang, the spiritual heart of Tibet. Often having made grueling pilgrimages across the country, pilgrims flock to the temple, the most sacred in Tibet. The Jokhang's murals and artifacts have remained comparatively unscathed over the last thirty years of upheaval in Tibet. Round off your day with a tour of the Barkhor, the lively market place that encircles the Jokhang.
22. Lhasa / Katmandu By air
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Katmandu. End of your Mt.Kailash trekking adventure.
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| 2005 Prices |
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Group Size
Minimum Size: 04persons
Double: $ 3,555
Single: $ 3,950
TOUR COST INCLUDES
All permits to enter Tibet and Mt. Kailash area and travel insurance inside China
All accommodations as mentioned above including tents
Transportation as 4X4 jeeps and one luggage truck, support horse/yaks and herders during trekking
All meals in the itinerary
Cooking services with cooking equipments by expert cook
All entrance fee for sightseeing places as mentioned above
English speaking guide and driver service
TOUR COST EXCLUDES
Sleeping bags and special trekking facilities
Airfare (240USD$) and international airport tax (11USD$) form Lhasa to Katmandu
Tips for guide and drivers
Supplementary trips and services not mentioned,
Personal expenses, visa costs |
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