Overview
As the dew is dried up by the morning sun, so are the sins of the human beings by the sight of Kailash & Lake Manasarovar - Skanda Purana.
Mt. Kailash, 6700 meter peak, also referred as the Meru, Sumeru, Sushumna, Hemadri (golden mountain), Ratnasanu (jewel peak), Karnikachala (lotus mount), Amaradri, Deva Parvatha (summit of gods), Gana Parvatha, Rajatadri (silver mountain) in religious scriptures, is situated in the Western Tibet. The beauty of Mt. Kailash, which looks like a symmetrical cone shaped rock capped by pure crystalline ice all the time, is echoed in various mythological and literary works, this is the place where Lord Shiva and his divine consort Parvati live.
A three-day circumambulation (Parikrama or Kora) around Mt. Kailash, which is also considered as the navel of the earth, involves crossing 5630 meter Dolma La (pass) which is believed to belong to Devi Parvati. Completing a Kora (Parikrama) is believed to erase the sins of a lifetime.
Only 30km from Mt Kailash is another important pilgrimage site, the beautiful and serene Lake Manasarovar. According to Hindu Mythology it was formed in the mind of Brahma, and the Goddess Parvati is believed to have taken the form of the lake Manasarovar. Taking a bath in this holy lake assures the deliverance from sins of a life time. Even drinking the waters of lake frees a human being from sins of all kind. Myth has it that the gods come to bathe every morning in this lake between 3 to 5 am and this time is called 'Brahmamuhurta'. Another legend has it that Parashuram's ashram also situated on a hill on the banks of Manasarovar. Brahmaputra, Indus, Sutlej, and Karnali, the major rivers of India and Nepal originate from here.
The scriptures reiterate that a pilgrimage to these holy sites not only assures absolution of one’s sins through generations but also forms the ultimate realization of one’s spiritual pursuit.
On this trip, we drive from Kathmandu to the Tibetan border at Zhangmu and continue drive to Nyalam for overnight halt. We then drive across the ‘roof of the world’ to Lake Manasarovar. After completing a Kora around Mt Kailash and a holy dip in Manasarovar we retrace our route back to Kathmandu.
GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION FOR MT. KAILASH & MANASAROVAR YATRI
Every year thousands and thousands of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain pilgrims throng Mt. Kailash traversing remotest and toughest regions of the Himalayas in pursuit of spiritual realization. High altitude, rugged terrain and arid climatic condition make the journey a quite arduous. Bureaucracy, at times, also become quite complicated. Overall management of a pilgrimage to Kailash calls for a very skillful maneuver and support of highly skillful staff with state-of-art equipment.
We have been catering the every needs of a pilgrim for last 9 years. Due to our outstanding level of service over these years, The Explore Nepal has the honour to be the most trusted and reliable partner for many prestigious organizations in India and abroad. Each year we have conducted Kailash pilgrimage tour for more then 1000 Yatri of many prestigious religious organization, private or Govt firms, families etc. In Tibet we have our own operation office and have teamed with very influential and expert staff members who play a very crucial part to make your journey a hassle free and as enjoyable as it can be. Our Nepali supporting team is specially trained to work with religious tour group. Each of our staff members are well versed with every religious aspect of the pilgrimage, this is a rare case in most of the agencies who are accustomed to work with non-religious westerners.
We would invite you to join us for your ultimate pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash and Manasarovar and set yourself free from the sins of life time and sanctify your spiritual life.
We have appended following broad guideline and related information in order for you to plan your YATRA.
VISA & ENTRY PROCEDURE
For Tibet, we organize a group visa, and in order to do this we will need a copy of your passport at least three weeks prior to the commencement of your trip, followed by your original passport one week before the trip departure date.
Tourism regulations in Tibet are subject to change without prior notice, as per current regulation Chinese Embassy issues visa on Monday, Wed and Fri. Incase of US passport holder there will be additional charge of USD 14
For Any national other then Indian will need a multiple entry visa for Nepal which can be obtained either from your nearest Nepalese consulate or on arrival in Nepal. If you are staying only 3 days in Nepal you are entitled to free visa.
GUIDE & OTHER SUPPORTING CREW
Throughout your time in Tibet you will be accompanied by a knowledgeable Tibetan guide who will not only act as an interpreter but will also provide a valuable insight into the Tibetan way of life. The whole trip is fully catered by our qualified and experienced crew from Nepal and a special Indian cook (or a Nepali cook trained on Indian food preparation. A support crew from Nepal contains one sirdar (local tour leader), one cook (either an Indian or a Nepali) and the numbers of kitchen crew, Sherpa assistants. Numbers of support crew depends on the size of the group.
During Kailash parikrama luggage and food supplies will be carried by Yaks. If you need ride Yaks during Kora you pay directly to the Yak herder.
ACCOMMODATION
In Tibet sleeping and eating will be on tents unless specified otherwise in the itinerary. Where guest houses are mentioned in the program we endeavor to stay in the best possible accommodation, you should be aware that most of the guest houses in Tibet are quite basic. The bedrooms are usually very small; the shared bathroom facilities are often outside. At times, it may be necessary to stay in a dormitory with several other travelers if individual rooms are not available.
In Lhasa extension trips, accommodation in Lhasa will be at Dhood Gu or similar standard hotel. It is renowned for its hospitality and warm Tibetan atmosphere and is perfectly situated in the centre of town just a few minutes walk from the Jokhang Temple and Barkor. In other places along the route, accommodation will be in the best available hotels. Meals will either be in the hotel or at a restaurant of your choice (where available). Whilst on the road, lunch will be at one of the many Chinese tea shops along the way which generally serve a variety of noodle and vegetable dishes.
TRANSPORTATION
The roads in Tibet can at times become quite rough and impassable for many vehicles; it can at times become quite rough and impassable for many vehicles, so for this reason we use Land cruiser 4WDs. For deluxe trips we use Toyota 4500 and for standard trips Toyota 62 is used. These vehicles are extremely reliable and will make the journey as comfortable as possible. For the section between Kathmandu and Tibet border transportation will be by comfortable private mini tourist coach. There will be a truck for carrying luggage, camping equipments etc.
A TYPICAL DAY
A typical day begins with a hot cup of morning tea, followed by a bowl of hot water for washing. After packing your bags and having a good breakfast, you board the vehicle and drive to next station for overnight halt, each day’s drive is approx 7-8 hrs depending on road condition.
While preparing breakfast our kitchen crew also prepare lunch at the same time and pack it in a hot case which shall be served on the way around midday. Drive continues after picnic lunch reaching the overnight halt place around late afternoon or early evening. Upon reaching campsite (or guest house) the kitchen crew will serve tea/coffee/hot water and some light snacks while other supporting staff set up tents. Dinner is served in dining tent within 1 hr of reaching the camping site (or Guest house).
FOOD/DRINKS
Except on Lhasa extension trip your kitchen crew will provide tasty, plentiful and nutritious meals daily with a variety of local and Indian dishes. Food will be prepared either by an Indian specialist cook or a Nepali cook specially trained on Indian food preparation.
We use as much fresh produce as possible and our cooks and kitchen crew maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness and food preparation hygiene. Special dietary requirements can always be catered for.
To start the day, breakfast consists of a choice of bread, puri, bhaji, corn flakes, fried potato, beaten rice, samosa, pakoda, halwa, upama and other dishes of Indian taste.
Lunch is generally a selection of Indian delicacies such as Dosa, sambar, rice, seasonal vegetable curry, paratha, chole, puri, followed by selected sweet dishes and fresh fruits.
Dinner is usually assorted Indian dishes like rice, dal, seasonal vegetable curries, roti, salad, khichidi, papad, dosa and other item of Indian taste, followed by a variety of vegetable soups and completed with sweet dishes and fresh fruits.
During entire tour in Tibet you will be supplied mineral water. Refreshing drinks, dried fruits and assorted tits bits are kept in each car which you can take during day’s drive. Tea, coffee and other health drinks are also provided at all meals.
BEST TIME FOR TRAVELING
Despite the high altitude of the Tibetan Plateau, the daytime temperatures are actually quite mild. Between April and November the average temperature ranges form 15-25 degrees Celsius and the skies are generally clear and blue. From July to August though there can be the odd shower during the day. The nights, however, can be very cold and temperatures can drop below 0 degrees Celsius. During the day a light shirt or jumper and lightweight pants will be suitable, but a warm fleece or down jacket is recommended for the evenings.
The best time of year for Mt. Kailash tour is from April to the beginning of October.
HEALTH/VACCINATION
Vaccination requirements change frequently, so we suggest you consult your doctor at least 2 months prior to your trip. We also recommend that each person carries their basic medicines. The main health consideration in Tibet is altitude related illness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). You may experience some mild symptoms initially, such as headache, lethargy, nausea and difficulty sleeping, but these should lessen within a few days. A supply of bottled oxygen is carried in the vehicle at all times should it be required. We also carry a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) in case of altitude sickness.
On Lhasa extension trips the hotels in Lhasa, Shigatse & Gyntse are equipped with oxygen. Doctors will also be available on call. A supply of bottled oxygen is carried in the vehicle at all times. If you have ever suffered from altitude sickness, or have a heart or breathing complaint, we highly recommend you consult your doctor about your suitability for traveling to Tibet before booking. When flying to Lhasa we recommend you rest for the afternoon to help acclimatization.
If you have any pre-existing medical condition, please consult your doctor before booking and bring adequate medication for any such condition. There are no inoculations required for Tibet, however, a rabies vaccination is recommended. Your doctor will be able to advise you on the most appropriate vaccinations or precautions to take.
We carry life saving equipments like Gammov Bag, Oxygen and a set of Medical kit. In the case of a serious sickness or a casualty, which we believe will not happen; you shall be driven by a land cruiser to nearest Nepal – Tibet border as helicopter is not allowed to fly in Tibet. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back in Kathmandu.
RECOMMENDED LISTS OF CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT
The clothing you bring will need to allow for both the warmth of the days and the chill of the nights.
Following items are recommended to carry on such trip …
Down jackets*, warm cloths such as woolen hand gloves, socks, muffler, sweater, monkey cap, warm trousers, thermal underwear, rain coat, wind stopper, jacket, sun-hat, sunglasses (UV protection) walking shoes, knife, water bottle, unbreakable thermos, camera, film, torch, extra batteries, pencil, notebook, chapstick, sun cream, cold cream, a your basic medicines, (don’t carry any sedative drugs), soap, towel, dust mask, hot water bag and other basic odds and ends.
It's not really necessary to spend a lot of money buying extra equipment and clothing before your trip. Warm fleece and woolen clothing is available quite cheaply in Kathmandu and down jackets, can be either bought or hired at very reasonable prices.
EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING PROVIDED BY COMPANY
Sleeping bag, foam mattress; walking sticks, complete kitchenette, candles/kerosene lantern, tables, chairs, sleeping tent (a two-men tent), kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, toilet chair and other basic odds & ends.
* We can rent out down jacket for INR 500 for whole trip.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
You are booking with The Explore Nepal P. Ltd., 100, Vinayak Marg, Kamaladi, Kathmandu, Nepal, Tel: (977 1) 4226130, Fax: (977 1) 4224237
It is a fundamental condition of booking that you acknowledge that this is a journey into one of remotest and toughest regions of the Himalayas which requires some flexibility. The itinerary provided to you taken as guideline only. Although every effort will be taken to keep to the given itinerary, we cannot be held responsible for any delays caused by International or domestic flights, strikes, Govt. regulations/Interference (change in regulation and system etc), weather or natural casualties etc.
In such cases, The Explore Nepal shall be responsible for providing suitable alternatives, which could be decided upon mutual agreement.
Your booking will be confirmed by mail or email once we have received:
* Down payment of INR 6500
* Signed copy of booking form
We much prefer that you pay the balance at least 6 weeks before the tour begins or upon arrival in Kathmandu before the trip departure.
PAYMENT INSTRUCTION
You can pay us using any of the following modes:
* transfer money to our given bank detail
* pay cash upon arrival
* pay by credit card
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you cancel at least 6 weeks before the tour your deposit will be forfeited. If you cancel less than six weeks before the departure date the cancellation charge will be 25% of the total trip cost, if cancelled in less then a week 50% of total cost & for no turn up 100% cost shall be charged.
The tour will not be cancelled unless we are forced to do so because of unusual or unforeseeable circumstances (force majeure), such as a major natural disaster, major political unrest or war.
If we cancel the tour we will promptly refund all payments made to us, i.e. including the deposit. We shall not be liable to refund any additional expenses that you may have incurred (such as insurance, visas, vaccinations and other incidental costs).
In case of the journey broken of early return upon client's own wish or causes, The Explore Nepal shall not be liable to any refund of the days not utilized. Clients have to pay for the hotel or any extra costs incurred after leaving the itinerary.
You have to buy travel insurance which includes adequate cover for baggage, medical expenses, cancellation, helicopter evacuation and emergency repatriation.
All information and advice provided (vaccinations, climate, clothing, equipment, visas etc) is given 'in good faith but without responsibility by us.
You agree to abide by the authority of the leader/guide assigned by The Explore Nepal.
If you have a complaint that cannot be dealt with immediately, or you are not satisfied with the response please notify us in writing within 10 days of the tour completion. We shall try to agree on a settlement this process shall be governed by the laws of Nepal.
We believe that booking for this tour is made after going through given booking conditions and are abided by.