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Trip code: Kailash21
Price: € 2,585
Grade: 3 : Arduous
Duration: 22 days
Maximum altitude: 5,600m
Flight Kathmandu > Lhasa included
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Tibet
Trip details
Destination :
Lhasa to Mt Kailash, Tibet
We value our travellers :
This is a "Premium Tour" including :
- Altitude acclimatization program
- Guest House acommodation during the Kora
- Fly to Lhasa
Grade : 3 : Arduous
1 : Easy | 2 : Moderate | 3 : Arduous | 4 : Strenuous | 5 : Very arduous
Duration : 22 days
Dates :
- 04 - 25 April 2011
- 27 April - 18 May 2011
- 16 May - 06 June 2011
- 05 - 26 september 2010
- 29 september - 20 October 2010
- 24 October - 14 November 2010
- 15 November - 6 December 2010
Best season : March - June | September - November
Trip Price : € 2,585
Group size : 2 - 12
Single supplementary : € 150
Single room supplement mandatory when no sharing room: €95
Recommended previous experience :
Annapurna circuit, Mustang trek, Dolpo trek, Mt Kenya or similar
Further info :
Extra service (with supplement) :
- Mountain flight to see top of Everest - 40mn
- Helicopter mountain view - Private
- Ayurveda massage - 1/2 day
Mount Kailash is situated in Northern part of the Himalayan range on the tibetan plateau. At 6,714m / 22,028ft Mt Kailash is a spendid cone shaped mountain covered with glittering ice on its rocky sharped faces. It is also the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, Jain and pre-Buddhist animistic Bon-po religion. Mount Kailash is believed to be the earthly manifestation of the spiritual center of the universe and the home of Lord Shiva. The circomambulation or Kora of the mountain is a holy moment that leads to the turquoise Manasarovar Lake up to the Droma La pass over 5600m. Buddhists and Hindus pilgrims are walking around the mountain clockwise while Bon-po walk anti-clockwise.
It is a spiritual holy trip in wild tibet. A stunning experience among pilgrims. An unforgattable experience in the heart of religion believes.
Itinerary
- Day 01 : Welcome in Kathmandu. O/N Hotel.
- Day 02 : Free day in Kathmandu. Visa day to get for Tibet. O/N Hotel.
--- start acclimatization program --------
- Day 03 : Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa (alt. 3650m). Free afternoon. O/N Hotel.
- Day 04 : Sightseeing in Lhasa. Jokhang Temple & Sera Monastery. O/N Hotel.
- Day 05 : Visit Potala palace (morning or afternnon visit). Free time. O/N Hotel.
- Day 06 : Visit Norbulinka Park, The Summer Palace. Drive to Gyantse (alt. 3950m). O/N Hotel.
--- get fully acclimatized --------
- Day 07 : Visit of Khumbum Monastery. Drive to Shigatse (alt. 3900m). O/N Hotel.
- Day 08 : Visit of Tashilamphu Monastery. Drive to Lhatse (alt. 4050m). O/N Hotel.
- Day 09 : Drive to Saga (alt. 4300m) following the river Yarlung Tsongpo. O/N Guest House
- Day 10 : Drive to Baryang (alt. 4549m). O/N Guest House
- Day 11 : Drive to Mayumla Pass (alt. 4900m) & Lake Manasarovar. O/N Guest House
- Day 12 : Acclimatization day around Holy Lake Manasarovar (alt. 4520m). O/N Guest House
- Day 13 : Drive to Darchen. O/N Guest House
--- start of the Kora --------
- Day 14 : Holy Pilgrimage Trek around Mt Kailash. O/N Guest House
- Day 15 : Trek across Droma La pass (5600m) to Zutul-Puk (alt. 4760m). O/N Guest House
- Day 16 : Trek to Darchen & drive to Manasarovar. O/N Guest House
--- end of the Kora --------
- Day 17 : Drive to Paryang. O/N Guest House
- Day 18 : Drive to Saga. O/N Guest House
- Day 19 : Drive to Zhangmu. O/N Hotel.
- Day 20 : Drive to Kathmandu. O/N Hotel
- Day 21 : Half-day guided tour of Kathmandu. Free afternoon. O/N Hotel.
- Day 22 : Transfer to Airport for International departure
Cultural interest
Mount Kailash is the highest mountain in Tibet. Its glaciers are the source of some of the longest rivers that floods through asia : Sutlej, Indus Karnali that nourrish the Gange and the longest one, Brahmaputra. The mountain is considered as "precious jewel of snows" - Kang Rinpoche - where Shiva and Parvati are in meditation to distroy all sorrows. The trek around the mountain is arduous due to altitude and remoteness. The round of Mt Kailah is a 3 days trip along a 52km trail. Every year, thousands of devotees do the Kora performing body-length prayer posture on uneven terrain. The mountain is sacred and cannot be climbed to the top.
Lake Manasarovar It is one of the highest fresh-water lakes in the world. The turquoise lake is 88km circumference, 90m depth covering 320-sq-kms surface. Swans, considered as sacred birds, black cranes and other wild species are living around the lake. The Lord Brahma first created the lake in the mind, getting the actual name from the combination of two Sanskrit words manas (mind) and sarovara (lake). Lake Mansarovar is also considered as a place of pilgrimage and the Kora starts with a bath in the Mansarovar water that is believed to bring salvation. It is a great moment of devotion and a fascinated experience.
Climate & season
Summer is usually the best time of the year to trek around Mt Kailash. From April to June the weather is sunny with clear blue sky offering great views of the mountains. September and October are also a perfect time to enjoy stable and clear weather. On clear days Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range can be seen in the distance. Nevertheless, February, March and early November are also good months to benefit from a quiter environment and less pligrims in tea-houses. Those months are still sunny but extremely cold at night with more snow falls.
The raining season starts from mid-May to September and you may experience more showers and rain falls during those months. July and August are less recommended as precipitations cause landslide and road blockage making your trip a little bit more adventurous but the sceneries are fantastic. During this season, the sky is incredibly beautiful, blanketed with deep-grey clouds showering the fields.
Sunlight is very intense and sun radiation very strong. The Tibet plateau is very high in altitude and the thin air does not shield the sun radiation and UVs. The elevation of the Droma La pass is 5600m altitude with lots of days of sunshine. Protect your eyes with category 4 sunglasses, use a high SPF sunblock cream for your skin and always wear a hat or a cap to protect you from the sun.
Lhasa - Mt Kailash Route
The trek starts from Lhasa and a 3 days sightseeing tour to adapt your body to altitude and lower the effects of altitude sickness. It is a fantastic insight discovery of Tibetan buddhism and ancient monasteries. You trek though the Southern route towards Saga in the magnificient Yarlung Tsanpo Valley. Road conditions are good from Lhasa but will get dusty and bumpy as you get closer to Kailash. Traditional tibetan villages, young sheperds herding their sheeps and yaks grazing in fields can be encountered along your trip through the remote plateau.
Tibet & Nepal team
We provide highly experienced local guide in Tibet. They know very well the regions crossed. They will always be pleased to share with you the treasures of Tibet and will make your trip enjoyable. Our leaders speak fluent english, nepali, tibetan and chinese for the well-being of the group. The team will support and assist you in friendly sharing moments.
What about tipping ?
In Tibet tipping driver and guide is expected and common although it is not compulsory. If you feel your guide or driver has done a good job, please allow approximately USD 20$ per day per person to be divided equally between Tibetan crew staff. As the season in Tibet is quite short, extra income are often expected to sustain the rest of the year with less tourits. Then, we highly recommend that you leave a tip to theTibetan staff.
In Nepal tipping is less expected. Nevertheless, wages and living standard are very low. If you feel that the service is good, we recommend leaving a tip of 500 roupies or so.
Visa and Permits
We arrange your visa and permits at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu as well as the permit for the Kailash Kora. No need to get a visa for China before departure, it will automatically be cancelled and remplaced by a specific visa for Tibet. Nevertheless, it is important you send us a copy of the identity pages of your passeport upon booking. An extra fee is applicable at the rate of USD 115$ for all nationality and USD 200$ to American passport holders. It is also highly recommended to book your international flight arriving in Kathmandu either on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday as the Embassy opens on Monday, Wednesday & Friday.
On the way back a re-entry visa has to be paid directly in Kodari village at the entrance point in Nepal. Please, allow USD 100$ to bear the cost of the visa for Nepal. Also bring 2 ID photos and your passeport. Prefer a multi_entry visa at Kathmandu airport to pay the extra fee upon arrival directly from Nepal.
Accommodation
We take care of all accommodations during your trek, hotels in Kathmandu as well as Guest house on your trek. All hotels and guesthouse rooms are on double or triple sharing basis. Nevertheless, we can provide a single room at affordable price, please ask.
We always stay focused on providing the most suitable accommodation in regard of the comfort and the quality of the service based on the local standard. In Lhasa you will be at the Yak Lhasa Hotel or similar and in Kathmandu, Thamel Hotel or similar. They are renowned for their hospitality, comfort and their ideal situation in the centre of town. Internet service is also available from those hotels (with extra charge).
On the way to Kailash, we provide the best accomodation available to make your trip a memorable journey.
Health condition & acclimatization
Our program includes an air trip to Lhasa at 3650m altitude (instead of driving to the Tibet border which is too low in altitude) from Kathmandu to allow your body to adapt to higher elevation. In Lhasa, we have planned 3 full days to ajust yourself to low oxygen environement for an efficient acclimatisation process. During that time, enjoy your stay, avoid strenuous activity and alcohol to fully ajust yourself to the lack of oxygen.
It is essential that you get fit and healthy before your trek. This trek is not recommended for heavy smokers and for those who have heart problems or respiratory ailment. We will require a medical certificate from your doctor that allows you to participate the trip. Prepare yourself physically especially as the walk can be strenuous during the Kora of Kailash and while crossing Droma La pass in high altitude.
From Lhasa, the trek leads to Kailash in personal and comfortable 4WD Landcruiser. Nevertheless, altitude has to be considered as you can suffer from Altitude sickness.
Extra altitude service
We provide oxygen pressured bottles on your itinerary in case of mild-altitude sickness or breathing problem.
We also carry one Gamow Bag - Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) per group during the Kora if you suffer from severe altitude sickness.
A landcruiser will be organised to drive you to the Nepal border in case of casualty, severe injury or extreme Altitude Sickness Symptoms. From Nepal, an Helicopter rescue can also be organised (if available). Your guide's decision is final at that stage. Be sure that you have the adequate insurance.
Please, keep in mind that you are fully liable for all rescue and rapatriation expenses occuring before the end of your trip. Make yourself sure that you are fully covered as your insurance will have to bear the costs beforehand.
What does the trip include
Price Includes
- Welcome at Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu.
- All hotel/airport transfer.
- Hotel rooms in Kathmandu, double occupacy, on B&B Basis.
- Domestic flight Kathmandu – Lhasa.
- All meals on set menu in Tibet
- All accommodation in Tibet.
- Private landcruiser transport.
- Guided tours included in your itinerary with entry fees.
- Guide and driver (English speaking).
- Nepal crew salary, insurance, food and lodging.
- Permit fees.
- Comprehensive medical kit.
- Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) for safety in altitude.
Price does not include
- International flight to / from Kathmandu and all applicable taxes.
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu.
- All personal clothing & personal equipment.
- All expenses of personal nature (Laundry, Phones, Tips, bar bills ...).
- Tibet Visa fee of US$ 115 for foreigners and US$ 200 for Americans.
- Personal / Medical / Travel insurance and Rescue evacuation in case of emergency.
- Any expenses for early returning member due to sickness, injury or any other reason.
- All applicable transport charges in case of flight postponement, road disruptions or landslide.
- Extra staff or additional vehicule.
- Poney or Yak transportation.
- All drinks.
- Tips.
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