Overview
Mount Kailash is perhaps the most sacred of Holy Mountains in Tibet. Together with the two lakes of Mansorovar and Rakas Tal, the region is one of the few truly natural wonders of the World. Three of the Orient's greatest rivers; The Yaluzhangbu, The Mekom, and The Indus, all take their source within a hundred kilometres of this 'snow capped jewel' which has attracted Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bonpos from the four corners of Asia for centuries. This tour also include the fascinating sites of Tsada in the ancient kingdom of Guge. These 11th Century city-states offer one an extraordinary journey back in time. It is noted for its fine frescoes which the kings of Guge commissioned the finest artists in Kashmir to paint, while both sites promise absolutely breathtaking scenery as we cross the Lhadak Range into the Sandstone canyon of the Sutlej River.
Short Itinerary
Day 01 Lhasa (by air)
Day 2 Lhasa (BL)
Day 3 Lhasa(BL)
Day 4 Lhasa/Gyantse/Shigatse(about 380km,altitude 3836m, BL)
Day 5 Shigatse/Lhatse (BLD)
Day 6 Lhaze /Saga (BLD)
Day 7 Saga/Zhongba/Payang(by jeep, 4480 m, 255 kms, BLD)
Day 8 Paryang/Lake Manasoravar( by jeep, 4560 m, 260kms, BLD)
Day 9 Lake/Darchen (by jeep, 60 km, 4560 m, BLD)
Day 10 Darchen/Kailash(Circuit Trek - DIRAPHUK, 6 hrs, BLD)
Day 11 Diraphuk /Zutrulphuk(4790m, 6 hrs, BLD)
Day 12 Zutrulphuk/Darchen(2-3 hrs, BLD)
Day 13-14 Tsada/Zhada( BLD)
Day 15 Tsada/Huoer(BLD)
Day 16 Darchen/Payang(about 310 km on the way, BLD)
Day 17 Payang/Saga(about 260km drving, BLD)
Day 18 Saga/Sangsang(300km, BLD)
Day 19 Sangsang/Latse/Shigatse (about 270km, BL)
Day 20 Shigatse/Lhasa(280km, BL)
Day 21 Lhasa(B)
Itinerary Detail
Day 01 Lhasa (by air)
Arrive in Lhasa, meet and greet at the airport, transfer to the hotel, the afternoon is left open. You could have a good rest to get to use to the high altitute, welcome dinner, stay in Lhasa Hotel(4 star)
Day 2 Lhasa (BL)
Full day tour in Lhasa: visit Potala Palace, Jokang Temple , Bakhor Bazaar, stay in the same
Day 3 Lhasa(BL)
Visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Norbulingka, a brief meeting for the cominng adventure, stay in the same
Day 4 Lhasa/Gyantse/Shigatse(about 380km,altitude 3836m, BL)
Pass Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier and Baiju Monastery(or Pelkochode), drive to Shigatse, prepare food and the other necessity for the following trip, stay in Shigatse Hotel(3 star) or the similar, donï¿œt forget have a shower today
Day 5 Shigatse/Lhatse (BLD)
Visit Sakya Monastery on the way, and further on to Lhatse, camping at the outskirt of the town
Day 6 Lhaze /Saga (BLD)
From Lhaze onwards, we will be driving on rugged roads. Saga, meaning 'Happy Land', is situated along the Tsangpo River in a region criscrossed by the upper Brahmaputra and its tributaries. The land becomes rugged, the air thinner and the sky endless and impossibly blue.
Day 7 Saga/Zhongba/Payang(by jeep, 4480 m, 255 kms, BLD)
From Saga it is 145 km to Zhongba. The road is good & the trip can be completed in 4-5 hrs. There is also a small monastery at the western end of town on a hill.From Zhongba onwards the southern road deteriorates. There is also danger of vehicles getting stuck. But this section of the road has panoramic views of mountains on either side of the road, stay in tent;
Day 8 Paryang/Lake Manasoravar( by jeep, 4560 m, 260kms, BLD)
From Paryang to Lake Mansorovar is a long drive of 10 hrs or more. There will be several river crossings & we drive past Mayum la pass (4600 M). The scenery is stunningly beautiful with panoramic views of the Himalayas, Chiu Gompa at Lake Manasorovar. Chiu Gompa is at a fabulous location a top a hill overlooking Lake Manasorovar, another high light of today is the visit the Ghost Lake, which is only 8km away from the Lake Manasorovar but while Lake Mana. Is always sunny and with fresh water, it is clouded and salty. That the difference of Holy and ghost. You could have a breathtaking view of the Namunali Peak(7694m) in the evening.
Day 9 Lake/Darchen (by jeep, 60 km, 4560 m, BLD)
About 60 kms north of Lake Manasorovar is Darchen, the main gateway & the village. Here we organize yaks or ponies for the Kailash circuit trek, stay in tent or overnight in Gangdisi Hotel(Kailashi Hotel)
Day 10 Darchen/Kailash(Circuit Trek - DIRAPHUK, 6 hrs, BLD)
This Kailash circuit covers 53 kms & can be done in 3 days. We head west in clockwise direction & after a few kilometers the trail climbs up to a cairn at 4730 m from where the southern face of Mt. Kailash comes to view. En route visit Tarboche where annual flagpole raising ceremony takes place during Saga Dawa, stay in tent
Day 11 Diraphuk /Zutrulphuk(4790m, 6 hrs, BLD)
Toady we cross Drolma la pass (5630 M) & Gauri Kund Lake (5608 m) where Hindus worship & immerse themselves in the icy waters of the lake. Stay in the tent.
Day 12 Zutrulphuk/Darchen(2-3 hrs, BLD)
The final end of the parikrama is an easy 2-3 hrs walk down to where the river emerges on to the Barga plain. We complete the 3 day circuit trek of Mt. Kailash.We will drive north further and camping.
Day 13-14 Tsada/Zhada( BLD)
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. We will spend another day in the area to visit the ruins of the Guge Kingdom, which ruled western Tibet 300 years ago.
Day 15 Tsada/Huoer(BLD)
Day 16 Darchen/Payang(about 310 km on the way, BLD)
It is a hard driving day on the road, with Gobi and broken road most of the time,camping somewhere when sunset
Day 17 Payang/Saga(about 260km drving, BLD)
Camping the same place 20km before Saga.
Day 18 Saga/Sangsang(300km, BLD)
From Saga we dive face to east and along the Yalongzangp River.Camping.
Day 19 Sangsang/Latse/Shigatse (about 270km, BL)
Today will get back to the second biggest city of Tibet,and can take a hot shower after 2 weeks and a big dinner as well.Overnight in Shigatse Hotel(3*)
Day 20 Shigatse/Lhasa(280km, BL)
After a short visit of Tashilumpio Monastery in this town, we will carry on the way back to Lhasa. Road is quite good. Stay in Lhasa Hotel
Day 21 Lhasa(B)
Transfer to the airport for the flight back. The end of the tour.
Essential Infos
Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS) is common at high altitudes, and depends on the elevation, the rate of ascent and individual susceptibility. Most visitors to Tibet will suffer from at least some symptoms that will generally disappear through acclimatization in several hours to several days.
Symptoms tend to be worse at night and include headache, dizziness, lethargy, loss of appetite, nausea, breathlessness and irritability. Difficulty sleeping is another common symptom, and many travelers have trouble sleeping for the first few days after arriving in Lhasa.
To prevent acute mountain sickness:
- Drink extra fluids. The mountain air is dry and cold and moisture is lost as you breathe. Evaporation of sweat may occur unnoticed and result in dehydration.
- Eat light, high-carbohydrate meals for more energy.
- Avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of dehydration, and don't smoke.
- Avoid sedatives.
- Don't push yourself when climbing up to passes, rather take plenty of breaks.
- Avoid catching cold before you entering Tibet.
Everest Base Camp Trek
Makalu Everest Trek
09.05.2012
