Indian Travel Packages  »  Piligrimage Tour Package   »  Piligrimage Tour - 8
Kathmandu - Kodari - Zhangmu - Lelung La - Paryang - Darchen - Kora - Dirakpur - Drolmala - Zuthulphuk - Nyalam

Introduction

Mt. Kailash, 6,740 m. is situated to the north of the Himalayan barrier, wholly within Tibet. It is the perfect mountain with awesome beauty, with 4 great faces. It is the spiritual centre for four great religions: Tibetan, Buddhism, Hinduism, the Jain religion and the pre-Buddhist animistic religion - Bonpo. To Tibetans it is known as Khang Rimpoche (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. Tibetans believe that it is the residence of Demchog, a fierce looking tantric deity who lives there with his consort, Dorje Phagmo. For the Tibetans also, it is a particularly special place in that their poet saint Milarepa, spent several years here meditating in a cave. A Shiva-linga shaped Mt. Kailash from the Northern Face for the Hindus Mount Kailash is the earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru, their spritual centre of the universe, described as a fantastic ‘world pillar’ 84,000 miles high, around which all else revolves, its roots in the lowest hell and its summit kissing the heavens. On the top lives their most revered God, Shiva, and his consort Parvati. For the Jains, an Indian religious group, Kailash is the site where their first prophet achieved enlightenment. For the older, more ancient religion of Bon, it is the site where its founder Shanrab is said to have descended from heaven. It was formerly the spiritual centre of Zhang Zung, the ancient Bon Empire that once included all of western Tibet. Bon people walk around the mountain in a counter clockwise manner, unlike the other religions. Over the centuries pilgrims have constantly journeyed immense distances to achieve enlightenment or cleanse themselves of sin, braving enormous distances, particularly harsh weather and bandit attacks. Itinerary

Day 01 :
Arrive Kathmandu. Meet and transfer to hotel.

Day 02 :
At leisure in Kathmandu. Obtain Chinese Visa.

Day 03 :
Morning drive to the frontier town of Nepal at Kodari. From here, a short walk to the friendship bridge for the drive on a local available vehicle to Zhangmu, the main entrance of Tibet, China at the height of 2,300 m. which is about 145 kms from Kathmandu. In Zhangmu, you will be received by guide from our Tibetan counterpart. After all the formalities at the check post here, our journey continues for another 35 kms which can take almost 3 hours through the up-winding road to Nyalam with beautiful scenery as the drive brings us for the overnight stay at Nyalam(3,700 m.). The lodges and guest houses here are very simple and basic. You can expect the unexpected as the China Tourism in Tibet is slowly picking up since last 7-8 years.

Day 04 :
Rest day for acclimatization and local hikes around.

Day 05 :
Morning drive to the first pass of Lelung La at 5,050 m. From here a superb view of the high himalayas can be seen from Gaurishanker, Shisapangma to Langtang Himal. From here the road diverts towards near Shisapangma on the trail to Saga on the absolute windswept landscape on the rough dirt road. Saga, one of the large village enroute to Kailash. The drive can take approximate 5-6 hours depending upon the road condition. We will be camping near the village for the overnight.

Day 06 :
Another morning drive through the windswept territory passing many villages and camps of Yak herders with the distance view of snow capped mountains. After 5-6 hours of drive brings us to Paryang for the overnight stay.