Mount Kailash, located in far west corner of Tibet, is the most sacred peak of Asia. The beauty of the 6700 meter high Mount Kailash, that looks like a symmetrical cone shaped rock perpetually capped by pure crystalline ice, is described in various mythological and literary works.
Hindu pilgrims consider the mountain to be the home of their God-Lord Shiva. For Buddhists, Mount Kailash is said to be the Center of the Universe-the axis mundi in Asian cosmology. Every year hundreds of pilgrims travel from all over the Indian sub continent and Tibet to make the ritual circumambulation around the mountain in their quest for enlightenment.
Itineray Details
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Nyalam (3750m.) 150 kilometers takes about 8 to 9 hours. Stay overnight at hotel in Nyalam.
Day 02: A rest day at Nyalam for acclimatization. Stay overnight at hotel in Nyalam.
Day 03: Drive from Nyalam to Pelku-Tso to Saga, takes about 8 hours. Overnight at camp in Saga
Day 04: Drive from Saga-Zhongba-Paryang (4540m, 255km, 8 hrs). It is at Saga where the road will connect with the main road from Lhasa. You continue on across the vast dry plains to the small Tibetan town-Zhongba and from here further to Paryang for overnight stay at camp.
Day 05: Drive from Paryang to Lake Manasarovara takes 8 hrs.
Day 06: Rest at Lake Mansarovar. Today, you will rest at Mansarovar Lake for holy dip, puja and other ritual performance. You can take leisure walk or excursion along the lakeside. Stay overnight in a camp.
Day 07: Early morning you will drive to Mansarovar Parikarma by Jeep. If time permits, visit Chui Gompa. In the afternoon you will drive to Darchen (4560m.). Stay overnight at Guest House in Darchen.
Day 08: Drive for approximately 8 kilometers from Darchen Tarboche, the trek starting point of Kailash Parikarma. Trek to Dira Puk (4775m.) 12 kilometers which takes about 6 to 7 hours. Stay overnight at Guest house.
Day 09: Continue drive to Parikarma over Dolma La Pass (5650m.) to Zuthul Puk (4700m.) 22 kilometers which takes about 10 to 11 hrs. Stay overnight at Guest house.
Day 10: The Kailash Kora ends today after an easy trek of about 14 kilometers. You will then proceed to Hor Qu (4560m) at Lake Manasarovar. Stay overnight at Guest house.
Day 11: Drive from Darchen to Paryang (4540m.). The road is rough and there are some rivers to cross. Wild antelope and kiang (the Tibetan wild ass) are a common sight. This is the land of the Drogpa nomads and you will pass many encampments with large herds of sheep and goats. The drives are long, bumpy and often dusty but the scenery is magnificent. Photo stops are a must!
Day 12: Drive from Paryang to Saga. It is another long day drive, 255 km to Saga passing through the small, dusty town of Zhongba en route. Stay overnight at a camp.
Day 13: Drive from Saga to Nyalam (3800m.) via Paigutso. Leaving Saga, you will cross the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) by ferry and continue our journey for 110km across the vast open plains. Stunning Himalayan views, particularly of Shishapangma, accompany us as you head towards a huge lake, the Paigutso. You will continue driving south towards the Nepalese border, joining the Friendship Highway. You cross a high pass, the Lalung La (5200m.) and come to the small town of Nyalam. Stay overnight at hotel in Nyalam.
Day 14: Drive from Nyalam to Kathmandu.