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Journey to Sacred Mt Kailas
May 26 - Jun 15, 2009
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Detailed Itinerary
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Day 1 Friday, June 6: Arrive Kathmandu |
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Arrive Kathmandu You will be met by your group leader and transferred to the
hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given
around 5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag,
sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket and the completion of your Tibet visa
application. There are a million things to see in Kathmandu and we recommend you
spend this day wandering the town and exploring the valley on bicycle or by
taxi. Evening drinks are held in the hotel for all arriving today. Drinks and
snacks will generally be served from 6:30 pm until 7:15pm, and this is a great
opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members before heading out
to dinner. |
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Day 2 Saturday, June 7: In Kathmandu, Half Day Sightseeing Tour |
| This morning a sightseeing tour has been arranged, taking in the key attractions
in and around Kathmandu. In the afternoon you have time to explore Kathmandu,
Patan, Bhaktapur, and the lesser-known towns that dot the valley on foot, by
bicycle or trishaw. The area has an amazing range of fascinating highlights,
whatever your interest. Excellent bookshops, extensive markets, and novelty and
handicraft shops contrast with fantastic centres of cultural and spiritual
significance - Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in
the world. |
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Day 3 Sunday, June 8: Fly Kathmandu to Lhasa |
| The flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa takes an hour and is without doubt one of the
most spectacular flights in the world. The flight path takes us just east of the
Everest massif, with unrivalled views of the remarkable Kangshung face of
Everest. On arrival at Lhasa Airport you will be transferred to the city – a
drive that takes around two hours. |
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Day 4/5 Mon/Tues, June 9/10:
In Lhasa |
In Lhasa Two days are scheduled to appreciate the rich cultural history of Lhasa.
We include visits to the Jokhang, the Norbulingka (the Summer Palace of the
Dalai Lama), and the famous Potala Palace. We also include visits to the nearby
monasteries of Drepung and Sera.
The Jokhang The Old City of Lhasa was built around the Jokhang, the most sacred
temple in Tibet. Established in the 7th century when Buddhism was first
introduced into Tibet, the temple has been considerably enlarged, particularly
during the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama. Within the Jokhang, a series of temples
are situated on the ground and the upper floors – some are closed to the public,
but our guide will be able to give you a detailed description of each of the
main chapels. The main entrance to the Jokhang is always full of activity, with
pilgrims prostrating themselves as they conduct their prayers before continuing
on their ritual circuit around the temple. This circuit area, together with the
Barkhor– the marketplace outside the Jokhang – is a gathering place for
Tibetans, who may have travelled for many months to reach Lhasa. The Barkhor is
the ‘real Tibet’, with a multitude of stalls selling anything from ceremonial
scarves to Chinese thermos flasks. You can spend many hours there
people-watching, although be sure to ask first before taking any photographs.
Sera and Drepung monasteries. It is a short drive out of Lhasa to visit two of
the most important Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. Drepung Monastery was founded
in the 15th century. A century later the 2nd Dalai Lama established the Ganden
Palace that was to be his residence until the 17th century when he moved to the
Potala Palace in Lhasa. While at the monastery we visit the huge Main Assembly
Hall and the famous teaching colleges. Sera Monastery once housed a huge
monastic population of around 5000 monks. However since the Cultural Revolution
the number of resident monks has fallen to a few hundred. Like Drepung it was
founded in the 15th century and includes several important teaching colleges
(including the famous debating courtyard) and the Main Assembly Hall with its
important thangka's and impressive statues.
The Norbulingka This large compound, situated to the west of the city, is where
successive Dalai Lamas spent their summer months. Indeed, the 14th (current)
Dalai Lama preferred to stay in this summer palace, rather than in the cold,
isolated chambers of the Potala. The Palace of the 14th Dalai Lama is situated
in the centre of the compound, and little seems to have changed since the time
when he escaped into exile in 1959. Most of the private quarters are open to the
public, which always includes a steady flow of Tibetan pilgrims keen to pay
homage to their exiled leader. The Palace of the 13th Dalai Lama, situated on
the perimeter of the Norbulingka, is also open to the public.
The Potala Palace is one of the highlights of a visit to Lhasa. It is divided
into two main complexes – the outer white building that housed the
administration, and the Red Fort, where chapels, tombs and the living quarters
of the Dalai Lama are located. Founded in 1645 during the reign of the great 5th
Dalai Lama, the White Palace was completed in 1648, twelve years after the Dalai
Lama’s death. To avoid possible problems, the head monks related to the masses
that the 5th Dalai Lama was in deep meditation until after the Red Palace was
completed. It is normal to approach the Potala through the Western Gate and make
your way slowly through the labyrinth of chambers to the lower floor of the Red
Fort. The most impressive hall within this medieval building is the chamber
housing the tombs of the former Dalai Lamas, including the massive golden tomb
of the 5th Dalai Lama. This chamber is currently undergoing renovation, however,
and is not open to the public. Nearby is the chapel commemorating Padmasambhava,
the Tantric sage who introduced Buddhism to Tibet. On the upper middle floor is
the tomb of the 13th Dalai Lama, while the next floor contains the official
Reception Hall and living quarters, some of which are open to the public. We
complete our visit to the Potala Palace by leaving through the main gate to the
Red Fort, before descending the series of steps to the marketplace immediately
in front of the palace. The time spent in the Potala will depend on the number
of pilgrims and tourists that are visiting while we are there. |
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Day 6 Wednesday June 11: Drive to Gyantse |
| From Lhasa we drive down the Kyichu Valley to the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra)
before ascending to the Khamba La (Khamba Pass) at 4900m. The views are
outstanding – in the foreground is the vast freshwater Yamdrok Tso or Turquoise
Lake, while to the south the snow-capped ranges merge with the main Himalayan
range. We drive around the lake before crossing the Karo La (5200m) to reach
Gyantse. We visit the remarkable octagonal chorten, the Kumbum (or Pango Chorten)
– built in 1444 on a series of four levels, each of which contains separate
chapels. |
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Day 7 Thursday, June 12: In Shigatse |
| In Shigatse we visit the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in 1447 by the
1st Dalai Lama. Since the time of the 5th Dalai Lama in 1642, the abbot of
Tashilhunpo has been known as the Panchen Lama (literally the ‘Great Scholar’).
Over the generations, the Panchen Lama became established as the chief spiritual
and temporal adviser of the huge western portion of Tibet known as Tsang, and at
times was even considered a rival to the Dalai Lama. |
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Day 8/9/10 Friday, June 13 – Sunday, June 15: Drive to Kailas
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| The drive to Kailas is spectacular and demanding but never boring. Our first
stage heads across country to the trading town of Saga where we continue on
taking us close to the shores of the Tsangpo River to our sheltered camp on yak
herder’s pastures. The second stage is the most demanding, our tracks traversing
a number of sandy sections en route to the settlement of Samsang. Our views of
the Himalaya are magnificent and continue on the final stage as we make our way
slowly to Tarboche and our camp immediately below Kailas. Note that campsites
throughout the drive to Mt Kailas will depend on road conditions, the
capabilities of the Tibetan drivers, the condition of the vehicles and group
preferences. We complete the drive to Tarboche at the base of Mt Kailas. |
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Day 11 Monday, June 16: At Mt Kailas |
| We witness the arrival of many Tibetan pilgrims who may have spent up to a month
travelling across Tibet to attend the festival. An ideal day to explore the
trails in the vicinity of Mt Kailas and undertake treks that afford fine views
of the South Face of this sacred mountain. On the day before the full moon the
huge ceremonial pole is lowered to the ground and all the prayer flags removed
in preparation for the full moon day. |
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Day 12 Tuesday, June 17: At Kailas, Saga Dawa festival |
| After the full moon the monks offer their prayers and blessings to the huge
gathering before the ceremonial pole is slowly lifted by means of support
poles). The event takes several hours creating a feeling of awe and expectation
before the pole is finally put into place. This is undoubtedly a high point on
the Tibetan Buddhist calendar for it is said that the way the pole tilts when it
is finally erected will determine the cultural prosperity of Tibet for the
following year. After the festival we commence our trek following the more
devout pilgrims to commence the ‘kora’ or pilgrimage around Mt Kailas – the kora,
around the base of Mt Kailas. We follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims that
takes us past a dome outcrop known as “Padasambhavas Tomb’ before the valley
widens out below the Dri Puk Monastery. It takes between four to five hours to
complete with a magnificent camp below the North Face of Kailas. |
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Day 13 Wednesday, June 18: Trek around Mt Kailas
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| The second stage we ascend to the Dolma La (5630 metres). En route the trail
passes an area referred to as Shive Tso which is marked by a large collection of
discarded clothing –where pilgrims are said to undertake a symbolic death,
leaving an item of clothing behind before proceeding to the pass. The final 200
metres climb to the pass is not unduly strenuous while on the pass the pilgrims
pay homage to the gods of the pass. It is a very special occasion particularly
at this time of the year. We descend on the far side of the pass to the Tukje
Tso – ‘The Compassionate Lake’ – in a spectacular setting beneath huge rock
cliffs before descending further to the eastern valley and a grassy camp. |
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Day 14 Thursday, June 19: Complete trek, transfer Lake Manasarovar |
| On the third stage we head down the valley to the small monastery of Zutrul Puk.
The site known as the miracle cave marks the place where the celebrated Buddhist
teacher Miilerepa performed miracles in a contest with the high priest of the
Bon Po’s, the original animistic religion introduced to Tibet before Buddhism.
Miilarepa won the contest but consented for the followers of Bon Po to continue
their own pilgrimage around Mt Kailas in an anti clockwise fashion. A tradition
that still holds today. From Zutrul Puk it is a further two to three hours trek
across the open plains and past lines of mani walls and prayer flags to the
roadhead where our vehicles transfer us to the shores of Lake Manasarovar. |
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Day 15
Friday, June 20: Camp alongside Lake Manasarovar |
| A full day to savour the landscape and surrounding on this renowned lake, with
opportunities to walk along the shores of the lake and also visit some of the
nearby monasteries. |
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Day 16-19 Saturday, June 21 – Tuesday, June 24: Drive to Zhangmu
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| Our drive to Zhangmu follows the first two and a half stages to Saga before we
cross the Tsangpo by local ferry and head to our third camp. This section of the
drive takes in panoramic views of the Himalaya including Shishapangma (8012m).
We reach the main Lhasa to Kathmandu highway and commence the breathtaking drive
through the Sun Kosi Gorge to the border town of Zhangmu. |
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Day 20 Wednesday, June 25: Drive to Kathmandu |
| After completing Chinese immigration and customs formalities we transfer our
gear by truck down the eight-kilometre stretch that leads to the Friendship
Bridge and Nepal. You will require a re-entry visa at this border, so please
have your documentation ready. After clearing Nepal’s customs and immigration,
our chartered bus will complete the drive to Kathmandu. A celebratory dinner
will be organised this evening at a traditional Nepali restaurant. Overnight in
Kathmandu. |
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Day 21 Thursday, June 26: Trip concludes in Kathmandu |
| The trip concludes upon check out from the hotel. |
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(B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control. |
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| PLEASE NOTE: It is essential that participants are aware that
we may be affected by changes in air schedules and weather conditions; something
which is not unusual in Tibet. |
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Tour Inclusions
& Price |
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| Tour Includes: |
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Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Lhasa on
a bed and breakfast basis. |
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Comfortable hotel accommodation in Shegar,
Shigatse and Gyantse on a full-board basis. |
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Internal flights Kathmandu/Lhasa. |
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Tented accommodation en route to Kailas
between Shigatse and Zhangmu. |
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Local sightseeing in Lhasa, Gyantse and
Shigatse. |
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All transport by private bus or jeep. |
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All airport transfers. |
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Gear package - including kit bag, sleeping bag
and down jacket. |
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Emergency medical kit. |
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Portable altitude chambers - for assisting
with acclimatization. |
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International airport transfers. |
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Half day sightseeing in Kathmandu |
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| Tour does not include: |
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Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. Allow US$10 per
meal. |
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International Airfare |
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Items of a personal nature such as phone
calls, laundry, etc. |
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Tips. |
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Airport and departure taxes |
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Visa - note that Tibet visa is payable on
arrival in Kathmandu. Current cost is US$50 |
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Travel Insurance. |
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| Tour Price |
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| Tour Price Per Person (Land Only) |
Single Supplement |
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USD $4350.00 |
Please inquire |
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Note: The above costing is subject
to change without notice.
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| Please call us for a quote on airfare from
your home city |
NOTE: To avoid surcharges due to the volatility of the Canadian
dollar, all tour prices listed are in US dollars. Payments may be made in either
US dollars or the equivalent in CDN dollars. |
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