Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Nyalam and it takes about seven hours. You stay
overnight at hotel in Nyalam. You embark on a scenic drive from
Kathmandu to Kodari. Walk to the Friendship Bridge and drive uphill to
Zhangmu. After completing custom and immigration formalities, proceed
to Nyalam.
Day 02: Drive from
Nyalam to Saga (4600m) which takes about seven hours. You stay
overnight at hotel in Saga. Past Nylam the road climbs to the 5120 M
Thong-la pass then drops down before climbing to the Lalung-la pass
(5124 M). To the south there are views of Shisha Pangma (8012 M). The
road follows south of the Pelgu-Tso, continues across the plain with
stunning Himalayan views. The route then follows a narrow gorge before
climbing to a pass and dropping steeply down to a ferry crossing over
the Yarlung Tsangpo.
Day 03: Drive from Saga to Prayang (4750m), the base of Mayumla Pass and it
takes about six hours. You stay overnight at hotel in Prayang. From
Saga it is 145 km to Zhongba. The road is good and 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.
Day 04: Drive from
Prayang to Darchen (4620m) which takes about eight hours. You stay
overnight at hotel in Darchen. From Paryang, your journey continues to
Darchen, the start of our Parikrama or Kora. The drive passes through
open territory with a view of distant mountains, Yak herders camp, if
lucky might come across a herd of Kang (Wild Ass). The drive takes us
to a high pass of over 5,000 m. before we arrive at Darchen (4,480 m).
Darchen is located beneath the majestic holy Mount Kailash, a small
village with couple of guest houses. During the auspicious pilgrimage
time, this place will be flooded with Pilgrims with hundreds of tents
all around. Darchen,the beginning and end point of the parikrama.
Day 05: From
Darchen trek starts for circuit around Mount Kailash. You stay
overnight in camp. Trek to Serlung Monastery and to Asthapath for an
excellent view of Nandi Parbat and Holy Mount Kailash. You will stay at
Darchen and make final preparation for the Kailash Parikarma.
Day 06: Mount Kailash, This day being a “Full Moon”, the view is extraordinary and worth seeing. You stay overnight at camp.
Day 07: Trek back to Darchen. You stay overnight at lodge in Darchen. The
winding gradual tracks finally ends our holy pilgrimage walk (5 hours)
at Darchen for the overnight.
Day 08: Short
drive to Lake Manasarovar . You stay overnight at camp. After
completing the holy pparikarama at Darchen, our next spiritual
destination takes to Lake Mansarovar for the holy bath. It is believed
a ritual bath delivers a pilgrims to paradise and drink of its holy
water relinquishes the sins of a hundreds life times. The drive from
Darchen takes a little over 2 hours on the dirt road. Lake Mansarovar
is one of the largest salt lakes in Tibet. You will be camping at the
shore of the lake very close to the monastery and its village.
Day 09: Stay at Lake Manasarovar. You stay overnight at camp. This is rest day
at Lake Mansarovar for dip in the Lake and local hikes around.
Day 10: Drive to Prayang via Mayumla Pass. You stay overnight at camp/lodge.
After Mount Kailash tour you take a 300 km drive crossing Mayum-la and
several rivers. The scenery along this section is some of the most
beautiful of the entire journey, and a distant storm drifting in back
of Tibetans, horses & sheep is a surreal sight.
Day 11:
You continue drive to Saga. You stay overnight at camp/lodge. You
continue driving for another 255km to Saga passing through dusty town
of Zhongba and a few smaller passes.
Day 12: Drive from Saga to Nyalam. You stay overnight at camp/lodge. Crossing
Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) by a ferry, you continue driving
250 km to Nyalam. Soon after leaving Saga the road opens into a wide
flat plain and passes through huge turquoise lake, the Peiku-Tso with
spectacular view of Shishapangma (8027m) as the backdrop. Further drive
across Lalung La (5200m) through a perfect blend of breathtaking views,
alpine meadow trails, picturesque hamlets and an abundance of
wildflowers finally brings you to Nyalam at 3750 meter.
Day 13: Drive from Nyalam to Kathmandu. From Nyalam, you drive down to the
border town of Zhangmu. From Zhangmu, it’s a short drive to the
Friendship Bridge which spans the Bhote Kosi River and marks the
Chinese - Nepalese border where you part with your Tibetan guide and
driver and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari where you
will be met by your Nepalese staff. After completing the re-entry
formalities you continue the drive to Kathmandu which, depending on
road and weather conditions, should take about 5-6 hours.
