Saga Dawa, Holy Mount Kailash via Limi Valley Trek

 

Duration: 30 Days

Grade: 3 to 4

When to Visit: 21st May 2009 Saga Dawa Festival Trip

Start: Kathmandu

Finish: Kathmandu

Price: $4545 / £2997 / €3596 Per Person, Group discounts available

 

Itinerary

Day 1.
Welcome to Nepal! Arrive Kathmandu; where we will meet you at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Short briefing by trekking staff, about your immediate arrangements. (1300m)
Day 2 & 3. Explore Kathmandu (Sightseeing in Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath and Swayambhunath Stupas, Bhaktapur, Patan and Kathmandu durbar squares) and preparation for the trip.
Day 4.
Fly Kathmandu-Nepalgunj (Western Nepal). Overnight in hotel.
Day 5.
Early morning 50 minute flight to Shimikot and start walking .Trek to Dharapuri. (1920m)
Day 6.
Trek Dharapuri -Kermi. We will start to follow Karnali River from today with magnificent surroundings of mountain, rivers and old villages of Khasa. (2300m)
Day 7.
Trek Kermi-Yalbang Gompa We will continue to follow the Karnali river, We will have brief visit of the Yalbang Gompa. It is the largest and most impressive Gompa in this area. This monastery has been recently built to represent the monastery of Namkha Khyung dzong at the source of Karnali River, west of holy Mt.Kailash. Around one hundred monks live with their guru (Pema Rigsal Rempoche) here. (2890m)
Day 8.
Yalbang- Tumkot Khola. Another good, day in the Karnali Valley. (2850m)
Day 9.
Trek to Yari. Today will begin to ascend, leave the Karnali River behind until we reach to Hilsa. We will climb gently to small Tibetan village Yari. (3750m)
Day 10.
Trek to Hilsa following the rugged mountain trail and crossing Nara la pass. (4620m)
Day 11.
Welcome to Tibet. Drive to Taklakot. After crossing the Karnali suspension bridge, you will reach first village of Tibet name Sher where our Land cruiser, truck and Tibetan Guide will be waiting for us. We will drive from here to Taklakot, visiting Khojarnath Gompa, which was built in the 10th century by great Buddhist translator Rinchhen Zangbo. Enjoy beautiful landscape, scenery of Gurlamandata and Darchula Himalayan range. The Chinese army will do a formal immigration check here. Overnight in basic guest house.
Day 12.
Drive to Lake Manasarovar. This drive will take us about 3 hours passing many typical Tibetan Settlements keeping Gurla Mandata on the right. And enjoy the first glimpse of Holy Kailash with famous Raksass Lake.
Day 13.
We will rest a full day at Manasarovar Lake, holy bath and explore around lake.
Day 14.
Drive to Darchen via Chiyu Gompa. Today we drive to Darchen, about one and half hours drive (46km). This is the day to prepare for the Kora. We will have short Hike to Gyang Drag Gompa toward south base of Kailash. (4650m)
Day 15.
Kora starts. Trek to Drira Phug Gompa via Chaktsal gang, Darboche, and Chuuku Gompa. We will camp near the north face of Kailash, from where one can view symmetrical and most attractive face of Mt.Kailash. (4900m)
Day 16.
Trek to Zuthulphuk (cross 5600mt Dolma pass). This is the day every body talks about. This will be the hardest day of trek will take about 8 hours We will have an early breakfast and begin our trek towards Dolma la(5650mtrs)... The difficulty of the day’s walk will seem worth it as we peer up at glorious Mt. Kailash. We will camp near medicine Buddha Mountain in Lam Chu Valley. (5600m)
Day 17.
Trek to Darchen (Kora ends). We will take 5 hours trek to Darchen making short visit to Zuthulphuk Gompa and Melarepa cave then continue drive to Tirthapuri, Which is another holiest place in West Tibet. Perform another Short Kora here and enjoy hot spring bath.
Day 18.
Attend Saga Dawa festival and drive to Tirthapuri Sutej canyon. (4500m)
This was one of the most important and influential Buddhist centres in western Tibet. Founded by Rinchhen Zangbo.
Day 19.
Sightseeing in Tholing and Tsaparang.
Day 20.
Drive to Lake Manasarovar.
Day 21.
Drive to Hilsa and trek to Manepeme. Start exploring Limi Valley. (3970m)
Day 22.
Trek to Til Chu. (3700m)
Day 23.
Trek to Jang. (3930m)
Day 24.
Trek to Talung. (4380m)
Day 25.
Trek to Shinjungma. (3600m)
Day 26.
Trek to Simikot. (2960m)
Day 27.
Fly to Nepalgunj, and then take your onward flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel.
Day 28.
Free day, evening culture show and dinner.
Day 29.
Free day, This day is for any unforeseen delays en route
Day 30.
Departure or free day. Namaste!

 

Included:

- All airport pick ups and transfers by private coach or car
- Hotel in Kathmandu based on twin sharing bed and breakfast
- Tibet Visa and permits
- Nepal area trekking permits
- Flights to Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Shimikot and hotel in Nepalgunj on full board basis
- Horses/yaks and porters to carry the goods and supplies during the trek
- All the staff (guides, cooks and other supporting staff), their insurance and equipment
- Camping equipment (Tents, mattress) we recommend you to bring your own sleeping bag
- All meals from day 4 to day 28
- Transport in Tibet by four wheel drive land cruiser or jeep and supporting truck with guide
- Nepalese side transportation by coach

 

Not Included:

- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu (please allow up to a total of USD100)
- Bar bills and other personal expenses
- Personal equipment
- International airfare
- International airport departure taxes (USD25)
- Domestic airport departure tax (USD2.50)
- Rescue charges if necessary (it is essential you have your own travel insurance with suitable cover)
- Nepal visa fees
- Yak's or horses to ride
- Any costs due to unexpected and unforeseen circumstances such as snowfall, flight cancellation due to the bad weather and landslides
- And any other expenses which are not mentioned on above