Kailash Kora and explore Guge Kingdom

Trip Facts
  • Duration 16 Days
  • Destination Tibet
  • Difficulty Level Strenuous
  • Max Altitude 5010m
  • Trip Start and End Kathmandu-Kathmandu
  • Best Season July-September

Kailash Kora  and explore Guge Kingdom

(Kyirong - Kailash – Guge Kingdom - Kyirong)

The mount Kailash trip starts from Kathmandu that heading towards Kyirong along the Syabrubesi Highway. The drive will take you through the lush greenery of the Nepalese countryside, passing through the Trishuli and Bhotekoshi valleys, ultimately leading you to the Tibet border.

As you leave the Bhoutekoshi gorge behind, you'll ascend to the Tibetan Plateau. From here, you'll travel west across the vast, stark, and scenic highland plateau. It will have the first glimpse of Mount Kailash on the distant Horizon, an experience to spotting giant pyramids amid the Sahara desert as you begin your journey.

Along the way, you'll encounter numerous pilgrims traveling in caravans or small groups, all headed towards this once-in-a-lifetime classical trip. In the West Valley, you're likely to meet hundreds of Tibetan nomads, many of whom will have walked for months to reach their holy destination.

After completing the Kora, the journey extends to the Guge Kingdom in Western Tibet. Here, you'll explore the ruins of the capital of the Guge Kingdom, a powerful kingdom with a splendid civilization that thrived over 1,000 years ago.

Upon completing the exploration, you'll return to Manasarovar Lake and continue back along the same route through Kyirong, eventually returning to Kathmandu.

 

Itinerary

ExpandCollapse

Early morning, departure to Kyirong following the Langtang Syabrubesi Highway from Kathmandu. The drive take you to the lush greenery of Nepalese countryside along theTrishuli valley, Bhotekoshi valley which leads you to frontier. Overnight stay in a Guest House to Nepalese side.

  • Accommodation Guest House
  • MealsB
  • Max Altitude2600m

 After the formalities of visa and permit in check post of Kyirong, we will change the vehicle for Kailash where we meet our Tibet crew. Then we drive about 4hrs to Saga. It is a rather short trip but scenery is good as well. The altitude of Saga County is about 4600m. After arrival at the town, spend some time acclimatize yourself to the high altitude here. Avoid strenuous activities.

 

  • Accommodation Guest House
  • MealsB
  • Max Altitude4600m.

Rest day in Saga for acclimatization. We could also make a visit to around it

  • Accommodation Guest House
  • MealsB
  • Max Altitude4600m.

Our journey in vast Tibetan plateau continues and passes the small town of Zhongba. If the time permits we could also do a visit in the town. Often we drive along the side of the rivers. We cross two passes: Lablung La (4565m) and Soge La on the way. We could see a huge pasteurization of yaks and sheep. Far south we could see snow covered peaks near by you, lots of rocky peaks and sand duns give you an ideal world.

  • Accommodation Guest House
  • MealsB
  • Max Altitude4540m.

Today we are required to cross several rivers and often we drive along side of the rivers and cross the Mayum-la (4600m). We could admire the first view of Mount Kailash from Horq Chu Pass. We then arrive at the beautiful Lake Manasarovar, just 30km south of Mt Kailash. It is separated from another lake, Rakshas Tal, by a narrow strip of land and a small channel links the two lakes. On the rare occasions when water flows in this channel, it is said to be a good sign for the Tibetan people. The scenery is stunningly beautiful with panoramic views of the Himalaya

 

  • Accommodation Guest House
  • MealsB
  • Max Altitude4560m.

Today we spent at the northern area of Lake Manasarovar, the highest lake of fresh water with turquoise complexion in the world is full of fishes and swans, exploring this fascinating place. The region is considered rich for gold and other mines, hot springs and hundreds of wild living creatures.
As it is scared holy lake here the pilgrims perform pooja, meditation and spiritual dips into the lake.  

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD

Darchen is situated about 30 kms north of Lake Manasorovar, and it is a main gateway and the main point to arrange a yak and yakman for the trek to the Kailash kora. So our staff arrange all required material and food stuff.
The two-story Darchen Gon monastery is a part of the Drukpa sect and the center of the town serves as a trading post and shelter for pilgrims.  
In west of the gompa is the Mani Lhakhang that has a large, new mani prayer wheel. This is the site where the original old flagpole of Darchen was located. When beginning their kora pilgrimage around Kailash, many pilgrims often circumambulate the Darchen Gon monastery and the Mani Lhakhang before setting out.

 

  • Accommodation Camp or Lodge
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude4660m.

Today is the first day of trek to Kora that is about 53km away and can be reached there only after 3 days trek. So about 6hr take you to Dhira phuk and camp at the Gompa near the backside of holy Mount Kailash where you can see beautiful view of Kailash. Visit Tarboche on the way where annual flagpole raising ceremony takes place during Saga Dawa

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude5010m

You leave the Lhachu valley and enter the Dorma chu valley, crossing Drolma la pass (5630m.) and Gauri Kund Lake (5608 m) or Tuje Dzingbu (the bathing pool of compassion) where Hindus worship and immerse themselves in the icy waters of the lake pour the religious purpose.

 

  • Accommodation Camping
  • MealsBLD
  • Max Altitude4790m

Today, trek back to Darchen crossing several streams, Shiva Tal, Gaurikund Lake and following an impressive gorge and rocky trail lead down the valley to some stone guesthouses alongside the Lham-Chhukhir on this trip. Along the way you are once again treated to magnificent views East Face of Mt Kalaish. Then  drive to Tirthapuri.  You can visit the sacred hot springs there and the cave of Padmasambhava.  

  • Accommodation Guest House
  • MealsB

We drive Tsaparang  to  Toling. Visit Tsaparang castle and Toling Monastery.  O/N Guest House

 

  • Accommodation Guest House
  • MealsB

Guge was an ancient kingdom in Western Tibet. More than 1,000 years ago, a powerful kingdom with a splendid civilization was born here. But after over 700 years of rule, the kingdom was destroyed by internal disorder and invasion from the outside. What is left here are the ruins of the capital of the Guge Kingdom. Located in Zhada County, the ruins are well-known throughout the world and are under key protection of the State. Drive back to Toling. O/N Guest House (EP).

 

  • Accommodation Guest House
  • MealsB

Today is a long drive, about 480km, 8 hrs drive to Paryang.

 

  • Accommodation Guest House
  • MealsB

We continue driving today along a 250km stretch of road to Saga. O/N Guest House (EP).

 

  • Accommodation Guest House
  • MealsB

Today we will drive from Saga to Kerung through a hidden valley and vast stretch of lush grasslands and stunning wildlife. The comfortable climate in the valley makes up for a nice place to relax.

  • Accommodation Guest House
  • MealsB

 After China Custom formalities at Kyirong a border town with Nepal. From here, you will enter the lush green valley Rasuwa and Langtang valley, which leads you to Kathmandu. On the way you will come across diverse culture and ethnicity of the Tibetan people and the rich flora and fauna preserved in the Langtang National Park

 

    Not satisfied with this regular itinerary?

    Are you thinking to plan your custom trip now.

    Included

    Transfer:

    • Nepal: Airport/hotel/airport in Kathmandu and Kathmandu/Kyirong (China Border) by Landcruisser/scorpio or private bus importance of the group
    • Tibet:  Transportation as per the itinerary by necessary vehicle
    • Accommodation as per itinerary on BB basis in hotel/Guest house section, camping section in full board (meal made by our cook), full board section 14 days in total as per itinerary.
    • English-speaking Tibetan guide
    • All necessary permits
    • Chinese visa
    • 1 cook and Kitchen utensils  (from 5 pax onward)
    • Yak and yak herder
    • Trip briefing by Tibet expert & entertain questions
    • Trip Information pack
    • Gift pack ( prayer flag or string of flag & paper prayer Lungta)

    Note: Offer Prayer flag or Lungta (string of prayer flag) in high passes, temple for good fortune or long life.

    Excluded
    • Hotel in Kathmandu
    • Tibet Visa Fee (Acceptable in US$ cash only)
    • Travel insurance
    • Expenses during any rescue operation
    • All meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in hotels/ Guest Houses.
    • Nepal re-entry visa fee
    • Alcoholic beverages &  bar bills
    • All expenses of personal nature, phone calls, laundry, trekking equipments (sleeping bags... etc)  
    • Gratuity to staff.
    • Any expenses beyond our control such as roadblock, due to natural calamities, accidents incurred during rescue services and unforeseen events. Etc…
    • Additional portable oxygen cylinder (US$ 20 per bottle )
    • Extra charge for hiring yak and yak herder personally.
    • Services not mentioned herein.