MT. KAILASH AND GUGE KINGDOMS (SKTBT – 125) |
|||
17 days exploration of the fabled “ Guge Kingdom” & Holy Mount Kailas |
|||
|
The Kingdom of Guge, founded in 868 and became a focal point for the preservation of Buddhism in Tibet until the 17th century. After the assassination of King Lang Darma in 842 by his own brother, Buddhism in Tibet was completely snuffed out for nearly 100 years. In 1040, a renowned Indian pandit named Atisha arrived in Guge Kingdom and spent some times at Tholing Monastery where he created a resurgence of interest in Buddhism which eventually spread all over Tibet. |
|||
TREK ITINERARY |
|||
Day 1: Kathmandu - Nyalam, (3750 m), 155 kms From Kathmandu the road climbs steadily uphill out of the Kathmandu valley past, breathtaking views through a luxuriant, deep gorge shifting to a windy barren pass. 0/N Nyalam Guest House. |
|||
Day 2: Saga, (4280 m) The road follows south of the Pelgu-Tso, continues across the plain with stunning Himalayan views. The route then follows a narrow gorge before climbing to a pass and dropping steeply down to a ferry crossing over the Yarlung Tsangpo. |
|||
Day 3: Paryang, (4750 m), 255 kms From Saga it is 145 km to Zhongba. The road is good & the trip can be completed in 4-5 hrs. There is also a small monastery at the western end of town on a hill. From Zhongba onwards the southern road deteriorates. There is also danger of vehicles getting stuck. But this section of the road has panoramic views of mountains on either side of the road. |
|||
| Day 4: Lake Manasarovar, (4560 m), 260 KMS |
|||
Day 5: Darchen (4560 M), 30 kms About 30 kms north of Lake Manasorovar is Darchen, the main gateway & the village. Here we organize yaks or ponies for the Kailash circuit trek. |
|||
Day 6: Kailas circuit trek - Diraphuk: (6 hrs) This Kailash circuit covers 53 kms & can be done in 3 days. We head west in clockwise direction & after a few kilometers the trail climbs up to a cairn at 4730 m from where the southern face of Mt. Kailash comes to view. En route visit Tarboche where annual flagpole raising ceremony takes place during Saga Dawa. |
|||
Day 7: Diraphuk - Zutrulphuk, (4790 m), 6 hrs Toady we cross Drolma Ia pass (5630 M) & Gauri Kund Lake (5608 m) where Hindus worship & immerse themselves in the icy waters of the lake. |
|||
| Day 8: Darchen The final end of the parikrama is an easy 2-3 hrs walk down to where the river emerges on to the Barga plain. We complete the 3 day circuit trek of Mt. Kailash & drive back to Darchen.. |
|||
DAY 9: Darchen - Tirthapuri The final end of the parikrama is an easy 2-3 hrs walk down to where the river emerges on to the Barga plain. We complete the 3 day circuit trek of Mt. Kailash and drive to Tirthapuri where there is a hot spring. Pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash is not complete without visiting Tirthapuri for the Tibetan Buddhists. |
|||
Day 10: Thoiling |
|||
Day 11: Thoiling and Tsaparang Sightseeing around Tholing and Guge Kingdom |
|||
Day 12: Purang Drive to Purang and visit the Khojarnath monastery |
|||
Day 13: Lake Manasarovar Drive back to Lake Manasarovar near Hor Qu. |
|||
Day 14 / 16: Nyalam |
|||
| DAY 17: Zhangmu-Kathmandu |
|||
Cost Includes: |
Cost Excludes: | ||
|
|
||
|
|||
