Circling Kailash (trip)

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Circling Kailash

  • Kathmandu airport, Nepal
  • Active & Adventure
Tibet, Asia

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contact Crystal Mountain Treks:

Period offered: May-October. The provider (view their profile) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.


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from $3,845* per person23 DaysMay-October
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 4
Operator: Crystal Mountain Treks 10 people max
Mount Kailash (6,714m/22,028ft), the holiest mountain in the Himalayas, is the spiritual centre for four great religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and the pre-Buddhist animistic Bon.  To Tibetans it is known as Khang Rinpoche (Precious Jewel of Snow), and they see it as the navel of the world.  It is said that a stream from the mountain pours into a nearby lake and from here rivers flow in the four cardinal directions: the River of the Lion-Mouth to the north, the River of the Horse-Mouth to the east, the River of the Peacock-Mouth to the south, and the River of the Elephant-Mouth to the west.  Strangely enough, four major rivers do indeed originate near Kailash: the Indus, the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), the Karnali and the Sutlej. The circumambulation of Mt. Kailash is an important pilgrimage for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bons.  Hindus perform a parikama, Buddhists call it a kora.  Buddhists believe that a single kora washes away the sins of one life and 108 circuits secure nirvana in this life.  Devout Tibetans often make the 52-km circuit in a single day.  Hindu, Buddhist and Jain pilgrims make a clockwise circuit of the peak, while Bon tradition is to circumambulate in the opposite direction.

From Kathmandu fly to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Explore ancient palaces and monasteries. Circle temples with locals and monks. Board land-cruisers for the bumpy ride to the highlands towards Kailash. At Darchen, begin the four-day circumambulation of Mt. Kailash. This involves crossing Drolma la pass (18,600 ft.). From here, resume bumpy land-cruiser ride to the not-so-bumpy Friendship Highway connecting Nepal to Lhasa. Your trip ends in Kathmandu.

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Locations visited/nearby

Tibet, Asia

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Itinerary

Day 01 - Kathmandu

Arrive Kathmandu. Met on arrival. Transferred to Hotel Tibet. Rest of day free. (D)

Day 02 - Kathmandu

Visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver door. Here, you'll probably witness a Hindu cremation along the banks of the Bagmati River.

Then drive to Bhaktapur, the City of Devotees, for lunch and a tour of the royal palace square. Bhaktapur is a medieval city in the Kathmandu valley and is least disturbed by modern life. Here, you can absorb the architectural splendor of the five-storied Nyatapola temple, or the sculptural delight of the Peacock Window. (B,L)

Day 03 - Kathmandu

In the morning, visit Bodhanath, the Stupa of a Million dew drops, to watch monks and devotees circumambulate the largest stupa in the world. Drive to Patan for lunch in the garden of the Patan Museum Café. After lunch, visit the well-maintained Patan Museum storing ancient Nepali artifacts, followed by a tour of Patan Durbar Square. Drive back to Kathmandu. (B,L)

Day 04 - Kathmandu - Lhasa

Fly Kathmandu to Lhasa. Evening free. (B,L)

Day 05 and 06 - Lhasa

Two days of sightseeing in Lhasa. Visit Potala Palace, the seat of the Dalai Lamas. Explore Sera monastery and watch monks practice their debating skills. Circle the holy Jokhang Temple in the heart of the Barkhor square, the older Tibetan sector which has managed to retain its true Tibetan identity. (B,L)

Day 07 and 08 - Gyantse to Shigatse

Drive to Gyantse via Yumdrok Tsho. Gyantse is a quaint Tibetan town - despite the Chinese "development", it is possible to walk along alleys and feel the Tibetan charm. Gyantse is the site of the Kumbum stupa which, unlike stupas in Nepal, has a stairway that allows you to climb to near the top. Continue to Shigatse and explore the large Tashilunpo monastery complex. This monastery is the seat of the Panchen Lamas. (B,L)

Day 09, 10 and 11 - Darchen

You will meet your Nepali crew near Saga and from here it is camping in tents and eating meals prepared by your Nepali staff. Drive through the barren Tibetan plateau on bumpy road to the base of Mt. Kailash. (All meals)

Day 12, 13, 14 and 15 - Kailash circumambulation

Begin circumambulation on foot. If permitted, an extra day is planned at Tarboche where there is a sky-burial site. Tarboche is also the site of the pole-raising ceremony during the Saga Dawa festival. On the circumambulation, you will come across hundreds of Tibetans who have made their way from all over Tibet - some prostrating all the way. You will also cross the Drolma la (18,600 ft.) which isn't very steep (by Himalayan pass standards) but is at high altitude. (All meals)

Day 16 and 17 - Mansarovar

From Kailash drive to Mansarovar lake for a rest day. Here you may explore the many monasteries by the lake. (All meals)

Day 18, 19 and 20 - Drive to Zhangmu

Continue drive back to Nepal. (All meals)

Day 21 - Zhangmu to Kathmandu

Drive to Kathmandu. (All meals)

Day 22 - Kathmandu

Contingency day in Kathmandu. If not required, explore more sites in Kathmandu. (B,L)

Day 23 - Final departure

Transfer to airport for departure. (B)

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