KAILASH MANSAROVAR PHOTO GALLERY
High on the remote western Tibetan plateau in the northern most region of the Himalayas, sits Mount Kailash, the Holy
mountain. The Tibetan people have named it Kang Rinpoche, or snow jewel, and the Hindus refer to it as Mount Meru.
Buddhist, Hindu and Jain pilgrims from the world over visit this holy mountain to circumambulate rather than scale the
22,028- foot high peak.
Hindus who walk around the 52-mile circumference of Mount Kailash use the term Parikrama. They believe that Lord
Shiva, one of their three main Gods, resides atop what they call Mount Meru. Tibetans refer to the clockwise
circumambulation as a Kora. Both words mean the same thing - Pilgrimage. Walking this distance on foot can do away a
lifetimes worth of sins.
The Jains who refer to the Kailash as Mount Ashtapada believe the founder of their faith, Rishabanatha, resides atop the
mountain. And the Bons, the religion which predates Buddhism in Tibet, maintain that the entire mystical region and the
Nine story Swastika Mountain is the seat of all power.
Mount Kailash is also the source of four major rivers: the Indus, the Brahamputra, the Karnali and the Sutlej. The
comparison to the Indian legend of Mount Meru from whose summit flows four great rivers that irrigate all of Asia is hard
to miss.
Eighteen miles southeast of Kailash is the circular, turquoise Lake Mansarovar or Tso Rinpoche (precious lake) a 64-
mile circuit, which is rarely completed except by the most devout. Bathing in the lake, or even dousing ones head with the
holy water is said to be of enormous spiritual benefit to those who can brave the icy water which many claim contain
miraculous powers. Hindus are told that complete immersion into the lake ensure they be reborn as a god. Day 01 : Arrive Kathmandu & transfer to hotel. Kathmandu in itself a wonderful town where one can stroll for hours
together and roam around the Thamel area to have a look at the latest trekking and mountaineering gear at
various branded showrooms. Night halt at Kathmandu. Day 02 : Half day Kathmandu sightseeing tour takes us to all important landmarks of Kathmandu including Bhaktapur -
Patan twin towns, Sri Pasupathinath temple etc. and a visit to the market for any last minute shopping.
Night halt at Kathmandu. Day 03 : Early morning departure to Kodari (Nepal Border) by Tourist Bus, complete Nepal Immigration formalities and
cross the Friendship Bridge. Reach Zhangmu (China Border) after finishing the Chinese Emigration / Customs
formalities. A huge rush at the China border may make it mandatory to spend a long time for these formalities.
Proceed to Nyalam by Land Cruiser for night halt. Day 04 : Full day rest at Nyalam for acclimatization. Nyalam is the gateway to Tibet. The transition from greenery to therugged, dry, deserted fauna becomes distinct at Nyalam. Optional visit to Miralepa caves & night halt at Nyalam. Day 05 : The entire journey hence forth consists of sandy ups and downs that get converted at times into High Altitude
Passes offering views of the Annapurna ranges towards Nepal. We cross the Himalayan Highland to reach
Saga for night halt. Day 06 : The journey from Saga to Paryang is another exhaustive day’s travel as we traverse the roof top of the world to
arrive at a Guesthouse for night halt. Day 07 : Drive westaard to Lake Manasarovar which offers the first glimpses of Mt. Kailash and continue to Chui Gompa
(4560m) on the shores of the holy Lake. Nighthalt at Camp or Guest House. Day 08 : Manasarovar Lake Parikrama by Land Cruiser and proceed to Darchen. Darchen is the starting point of Kailash
Parikrama. An optional visit to Ashtapaad, which has great significance for Jains, can also be organized
from Darchen. Night halt at Darchen. Day 09 : Drive 13 Kms from Darchen to Tarboche, the starting point of Kailash Parikrama. Right from the begining of the
Parikrama, we traverse Mt. Kailash from its left and reach Dirapuk (4775m) for night halt. Day 10 : Probably the toughest day of the entire Pilgrimage. Early morning dep. for Zutulphuk by crossing the massive
Dorlma La Pass (nearest point to Mt. Kailash peak). The climb towards Dorma La pass seems to be
unending as also one can experience the scarcity of oxygen in the air. But on reaching the top, one has a
feeling of self realization and all the efforts one has spent in reaching here seem to pay off. At the base of Mt.
Kailash, one of the most sacred of lakes, Gauri Kund can be seen. Here onwards we descend to Zuthulpuk
for night halt. Day 11 : We cover the last leg of 6 kms, which is moreover a flat walk to be met by civilization and the drive down up to
Manasarovar. Day 12 : Manasarovar to Paryang. Day 13 : Paryang to Saga. Day 14 : Saga to Nyalam. Day 15 : Nyalam to Zangmu & then cross the Friendship Bridge to reach the Kodari. Transfer to Kathmandu for nighthalt. Day 16 : Proceed to Delhi / Mumbai / Pune. Himalayan Adventurers has organized this pilgrimage in two batches which will proceed for the pilgrimage on01June & 01 July '10. The fees for this trek will be Rs. 75,000/-per participant. This will include the entire traveling from Kathmandu to
Kathmandu, accommodation at all the camps and all meals along the pilgrimage . However, the expenses for traveling
from Pune to Kathmandu and back, personal porterage, shopping etc. will have to be borne by the participant. |
