A pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash the sacred mountain of Tibet is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. Mt Kaliash is the source of four great asian rivers. For Hindus it is the throne of Shiva, for Buddhists, a gigantic natural Mandala. Also the epicenter of Tantric forces for both religions. This trek takes you from the far western town of Simikot, along an old trade route into Tibet. An arid, wild, country dominated by the peaks of Api and Saipal Himal, this is the world of the Nepalese and Tibetan traders. You will encounter travelers with horses and yaks laden with goods. After a few days trek on the Nepal side we take you to Tibetan border market Purang where Nepalese, Tibetan and Indian traders meet to exchange wares. The highlight of the trip is to visit Rakshastal (Devil Lake), the holy Lake of Mansarovar, "born from the mind of Bramha", trek around the Mt. Kailash and visit the former Gu-ge kingdom with its two main centres of Toling and Tsaparang.
Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj which takes about an hour. Nepalgunj is a border town along Nepal-India border in the southwestern part of Nepal. Stay overnight at Lodge/Hotel.
Take early morning flight from Nepalgunj to Simikot in Northwestern Nepal. Simikot is a gateway to Humla as well as Tibet. Enjoy scenic mountains such as Mt. Saipal and wonderful valleys. Stay overnight at lodge.
Your trekking starts from today. Most of the trail passé through uninhabited land dotted with green vegetation and pine forests till you reach Majgaon. One of the peculiar experiences is of seeing donkeys carrying loads-the only mode of transport in this remote area. Stay overnight at Camp/Lodge.
The trail further goes alongside the Humla-Karnali River passing over high rocky slopes. You will see typical Neplali houses flanked by blooming barley, buckwheat, potatoes and rice. Once you reach Kermi you will get introduced to Buddhist culture. Lakiyo Gompa and Lhundrup Choeling Gompa are two popular monasteries in the area. Stay overnight at Camp/Lodge.
Much of today’s walk is through barley and buckwheat fields and pine forests. You will be crossing the first suspension bridge over the Sali River. Don’t forget to visit the monastery of the Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery. The monastery hosts a big statue of Sakyamuni Buddha as well as of Guru Rinpoche. Stay overnight at Camp/Lodge.
You cross the river and climb over a rocky ridge before descending to the grey waters of the Humla Karnali. After crossing another ridge you come to a meadow where goat herders often camp by the river. Beyond the meadow the valley narrows and you cross several more ridges, passing the villages of Yalbang and Yangar. The trail then winds its way precariously above the river before you cross a suspension bridge to the village of Muchu. Stay overnight at lodge.
This is a long day trek but the view is outstanding. Stay overnight at lodge.
After you reach the Hilsa on foot, you will cross the border and our meet Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities, you will drive to Purang (3900 meters). On the way, you will visit Koujia monastery that takes around 45 minutes. After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest and take it easy (28 kms, 3900 meters). Stay overnight at hotel in Purang.
After breakfast we will drive to Manasarovar , spent at Manasarovar, allowing our bodies time to acclimatize to the altitude and exploring this fascinating place. We will visit the picturesque Chiu Monastery on the north west shore of the lake with the imposing sight of Mt Kailash in the background. Stay overnight at lodge.
After breakfast we will drive to Tirthapuri Sightseeing there and drive back to Darchen. Stay overnight at lodge.
After breakfast we will drive to Tarpoche 6km and stared Trek from Tarboche, we walk up the Lha Chu Valley through beautiful green meadows and streams with Mt Kailash towering above us. We follow the river which enters a narrow canyon with high, steep cliffs and spectacular waterfalls. Continuing up the valley, the north face of Kailash comes into view before we reach the 13th century monastery at Dira-puk. Stay overnight at lodge.
We now leave the Lha Chu Valley and enter the Drolma Chu Valley, heading up towards a high pass, the Drolma La [5630m]. It's a tough climb to the summit which is festooned with prayer flags but from there it is all downhill or flat to Zutul-puk, with views of one of the highest lakes in the world, Thukpe Dzingbu Lake, known as the Lake of Compassion. As well as the monastery at Zutul-puk, there are several meditation caves and another cave containing an image of Milarepa. Stay overnight at lodge.
Morning you will visit Milarepa Cave. On the final day of the Kora, we cross several streams, and follow an impressive gorge. Along the way we are once again treated to magnificent views of Kailash. We then enter the Bharka plain and it's about an hour's walk through this desert-like landscape to Darchen. Stay overnight at hotel.
Drive from Darchen to Purang and to Nepali border (exit Tibet) and enter Hilsa. Stay overnight in lodge.
Today you will do a short and easy trek to Manepeme. Much of the trail is straight with few ups and downs. Stay overnight at Camp/Lodge.
The path ahead is rocky and barren adorned with few Juniper trees here and there. Along the way you will stop by to observe Ya Yip Phuk an ancient cave used by Lotsawa Rinchen Sangpo (985-1055), a famous translator of Buddhist scriptures, for meditation. You will pass through Lamka La at 4300m, before descending down to the village of Til. Til is a scenic village with monasteries, whitewashed building, well paved courtyards and surrounded by fields of barley. Stay overnight at Camp/Lodge.
From here on the trail will be rocky. By now you have reached the upstream of Limi River. The river provides a good ecology for such rare animals as mountain goats, snow leopard and blue sheep! Halji is a small village of Bhotia people who follow Tibetan ritual and practices. The 14th century monastery of Rinchenling Gompa is located right in the center of the village. Stay overnight at Camp/Lodge.
It’s an easy 4-hour walk from Halji to Jang, along the Limi Khola (river). Jang is the third and the last village in the Limi Valley. Stay overnight at Camp/Lodge.
Trek to Talung will take at least 4 hours. You will be again gaining altitude as you pass through uninhabited landscapes. Stay overnight at Camp/Lodge.
The trek from Talung to Shinjungma is the high point trek of the entire trip. Our difficulty to cross the Nyalu La Pass (4949m), one of the highest passes in the world is rewarded by a spectacular view of Humla district along with Tibet in the north. Impressive mountains such as Mt. Saipal (7031m) and Mount Tise or Kailash (6714m) will leave you spell bound. Once you leave the pass you will head towards Shinjungma passing through beautiful high Altitude Lake of Selma Tso. Stay overnight at Camp/Lodge.
Your next stop is Kermi village. You will be making a impressive descend of almost 1000m today. It’s a pleasant walk through pine and birch forests and along the beautiful Salli Khola, with rocks towering on both sides of the trail. Kermi is popular for hot spring, where traveler can relax. Stay overnight at Camp/Lodge.
Today you will pass through Darapuri and Majgaon is to return to Simikot. Stay overnight at Camp/Lodge.
You will catch early morning flight to Nepalgunj and then a connecting flight to Kathmandu.
a) Nepal Part:
b) Tibet Part:
Hansjorg Pfaundler, Helmut Huber
Dear Nava,
Many thanks for your perfect support, which allowed us to have a great time in Nepal and Tibet.
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