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TIBET
Pilgrimage to Mansarover and the Holy Mt. Kailash

MT.KAILAS claimed to be at the apex of the Hindu religious axis. It is also one of the highest mountain in Tibet at 22,022 feet, and Lake Mansarovar at 14,950 feet is said to be the highest fresh water lake in the world. Certainly a difficult region with variables and extreme weather conditions. The distance from Lhasa for example is approximately 2000 km. Only during the last few years have many ordinary or not so ordinary travelers been able to experience this region. Road conditions are difficult much of the time and we have to make many preparations to ensure that we have a reasonable chance of Kailash. We need to carry our own food and camping equipment. Basic lodges and tea-houses can be found but the plateau is so remote that it is possible to travel for several days without finding food. To travel for days on this remote plateau with the chance encounters of nomads herding their sheep or Yaks is to be transformed in to another way of life, to see and become part of such a devout pilgrimage as shown by pilgrims around Mt. Kailash and lake Manasarovar is to put some aspects of our western way of life in to their proper perspective.
We begin the tour by traveling from Kathmandu and departing by road to the Nepal/Tibet border town of Zhangmu where we collect our transport. We return by the same route. The day to day programme is outlined as follows:

01. Arrival day , welcome at airport ,evening enjoy Nepali dinner and cultural program.
02. Start with special breakfast & leave for full day sight seeing in Kathmandu valley (Pashupatinath,Boudhanath and BudaNilkhantha overnight at Hotel.
03. Early morning drive from Kathmandu –Nyalam (3700m Tibet) Zhangmu( Nepal and Tibet Border), on the way breakfast at Dhulikhel , Lunch at Zhangmu, after immigration and custom formalities we drive to a small town Nylam. it will be total 7 hours drive from Kathmandu . Accommodation in Guesthouse /Camps ,food at our own kitchen .
04. Complete rest in nyalam for acclimatization.
05. After breakfast drive to Saga (4500m) it is 220 km in distance and it will take about 7 hrs. We will see beautiful lake named Pigutso on the way . we will serve you hot tea /coffee / mineral water with pack Lunch Overnight in Guesthouse /Camps.
06. After Breakfast drive to Parayang (4450m)it is 180kmand will take about 6-7 hrs. Overnit in Guesthouse/Camps Pack lunch on the way.
07. Drive to Lake Manasarover (4560m) It is quit long day about 225km. Itwill take about 8 hours. Overnight incamps at the bank of Manasarover.
08. Rest at lake Manasarover ,whole day Puja and explore around. overnight in Camps.
09. Drive to Darchan (4660m) just about 2 hours drives. Rpack for 3 days trek. Overnight in Camps.
10. Trek to Diraphuk (5050m) Khora starts . total about 6-7 hours walk 400mof climbing overnight in Diraphuk near north face of Kailash. Overnight in Camps.
11. treak to Zutholphuk : This is the hardest day in the trip , it includes one highest pass 5600m ( Dolma-La) . This is about 8 hours walk , we will serve pack lunch at the afternoon .Overnight in Camps.
12. Darchan , Khora ends same day drive to Horr (east coast of Manasarover or down to Mayuam-la. Overnight in camps.
13. Drive to Saga from . Overnight in Guestgouse/Camps.
14. Drive to Nyalam.. Overnight in Guesthouse /Camps.
15. Drive to Kodari and drive to Kathmandu.

On the above programmed the roads are not tarred. The average distance covered is 30-40 km per hour. Most of the roads are bumpy and sandy.
The climate in Tibet can be extreme varying from 25 C. in the day time to -5C. to – 10C.at night. Winds blow at a speed of 50-60 km per hour and at times more.
Price per person with the Group size minimum 12 pax is INR 59999.00 (for Indian Nationals)

Accommodation:
Accommodation in 4 men high altitude tents will be provided. While camping we shall be providing all tents, mattresses, sleeping bags and camping equipment required for the trip, expect for personal clothing. No laundry service will be available throughout the trip.
Food & Beverage: We will be providing vegetarian breakfast and dinner cooked by our sherpas at camp site, who will be taken from Kathmandu. You will be required to bring sufficient supplementary food like biscuits, nuts, pickles, bujias, Swahilis, freeze-dried milk and your favorite tinned products to add variety to the meals. Lunch will be packed of light snacks.

Transportation:
Throughout the journey you will be traveling in Japanese 4 wheel Drive Land cruisers and no walking is required. A truck will be required for all the luggage and camping gear except between Zhangmu & Kodari and while doing the "Parikarma".(circumambulation)
Staff: Sherpas who are capable to work & cook on high altitudes will be accompanying the group. They will be in charge of setting of tents, cooking etc.
Visas and Documentation: You must be in possession of a valid passport. We will obtain your Visa for Tibet, and will require the following information when making your reservation.
01 -Full name as it appears in your passport
02- Passport number,
03 -Date of expiry
04 -Place of issue
05 –Nationality
06 -Date of birth
07 - Occupation.
08 – Sex
09 – Postal Address
09 -Two passport size photographs are also required.
Additionally, you must allow a minimum of 7 working days in Kathmandu the visa to be physically stamped in your passport. getting a visa for Tibet as an Indian passport is guaranteed once the tour is booked.
Guide/Escort: Chinese English speaking guide will escort the group throughout.
Currency: Money can be exchanged at the Bank of China. The Hotels also change money for you; all credit cards are accepted at Lhasa. The unit of Currency is Yuan (US$ 1=8 Yuan.)
Air Port Tax: The airport departure tax at present (2003) is 90 Yuan, which is around USD 12. The Gongkar airport is 95 kilometers far from Lhasa.

The following is not included:
Insurance: We recommend that you insure your self against sickness:
Emergency Rescue, accident, hospitalization, cancellation, etc, as we accept no responsibility for damages or expenses which may arise from mishaps to persons or their belongings during this pilgrimage.
Accessories: We recommend that you bring the following items to make your journey more comfortable.
01. Personal first aid kit.
02. Toilet with toilet paper
03. Flashlight with extra batteries
04. Sun glasses
05. Water bottle-unbreakable
06. Note book, pens, pencils
07. Camera and film and extra batteries for electronic cameras
08. Binoculars
09. Duffel bag: Long(36 inches or so) heavy duty canvas or nylon bag that can be secured with padlock. Waterproof it by lining with a thick plastic bag.
10. Rain Gear: Your raincoat should be roomy and have a water proof hood.
11. Foot wears; Your hiking boots should have thick soles and high enough to provide adequate ankle support. A spare pair of thongs or sneakers to wear in camps.
12. Pocket Knife, sewing kit, compass, Altimeter, drinking cup, butane cigarette lighter, towel, plastic bags (a few of each size- strong), dust masks, strong sun cream and chap stick, Money Pouch or belts etc.
13. Water Purification tablets.
14. As temperatures vary greatly between day and night (from 25 degrees centigrade to below 0 degrees centigrade, it is best to wear layers of warm clothing . Besides the normal clothes, the following items are recommended; down jackets, down pants, gloves, well worn in walking shoes, woolen socks, sun hat, a raincoat or a folding umbrella, woolen sweater, and light jacket with hood. All jewelry is best left at home, as no safe deposit boxes are available in Tibet.