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Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar constituting one of the grandest of the Himalayan beauty spots. The perpetual snowclad peak of holy Kailas of hoary antiquity and celebrity, the spotless design of nature's art, of most bewitching and overpowering beauty, has a vibration of the supreme order from the spiritual point of view. It seems to stand as an immediate revelation of the Almighty in concrete form, which makes man bend his knees and lower his head in reverence. Its gorgeous silvery summit, resplendent with the luster of spiritual aura, pierces into a heavenly height of 6690 meters (22028 feet) |
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Day 01 : Kathmandu |
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Arrival in the capital of Nepal. Transfer to hotel for rest. Overnight stay will be in a hotel at Kathmandu. |
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Day 02 : Kathmandu |
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Visit the holy temples of Pashupatinath, Boudhnath, Swayambhunath, and the Krishna Mandur temple at Patan. Free time can be utilized for some local sightseeing and shopping. Briefing will be provided on the Holy Yatra and final preparations. Overnight stay will be in a hotel at Kathmandu. |
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Day 03 : Kathmandu-Nyalam (165 km) |
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After breakfast drive to the Nepalese border town of Kodari. The custom and immigration formalities are completed here and the Friendship Bridge is crossed on foot. The pilgrims are then transferred on to Land Crusiers (4500 series), the sturdy four-wheel-drive vehicles that are controlled and guided by Tibetans. The accompanying Nepalese Sherpas get into the waiting trucks after loading the food materials, tents, sleeping bags, gas, water, etc. and the onward journey into the Tibetan/ Chinese region continues. En route the town of Zhangmu(2200m) necessitates a halt for Chinese customs checking and clearance. Lunch would be served at this border town and the Chinese Yuan could be obtained for personal expenses. Then we proceed to the small town of Nyalam(3880m) for an overnight stay in a lodge. |
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Day 04 : Nyalam |
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Relax the whole day and get acclimatized to the high altitude. A slow walk down the market place would be ideal for the mind and body. Overnight stay will be in a lodge. |
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Day 05 : Nyalam-Saga: (Approx 230 km) |
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Drive through dusty roads and mountainous terrain and relish the marvelous view of the huge and bluish lake Pieko-Tso. The Brahmaputra River (Yarlong Tsangpo) is crossed over a bridge and after steering through rough roads; we enter a river valley with scattered villages. The landscape gradually changes to the high plains of Tibet, soft, beautiful and photogenic. We continue on, past the turn-off for the northern route, and arrive at the settlement of Saga (4840M.). Stay overnight in lodge. |
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Day 06 : Saga- Paryang: (Approx 255 km) |
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We drive through some high passes traversing the amazing Tibetan Landscape. We pass the village of Zhongba before arriving at Paryang (4575m). The panoramas are some of the most beautiful on our journey. |
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Day 07 : Paryang-Mansarovar (Approx 270 km) |
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On the way we drive across some huge plains, then some rivers and pass some camping spots favored by truck drivers. The climb to the Mayum La is initially gentle but the top section is steep. The reward is a magnificent panorama that continues as we drop down and pass the stunning Mayum -tso Lake. 80km further we camp close to the shores of the serene Lake Manas Sarovar and look across to the magnificent Gurla Mandhata (Memo Nani, 7694m). The view of Mount Kailash is breathtaking, inspiring and inviting. |
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Day 08: Lake Mansarovar (4530M) |
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The day will be spent at Manas Sarovar, exploring the fascinating area. We drive and trek to the picturesque Chiu Monastery on the northwest shore of the lake. After the Parikrama of the Divine Lake on wheels, a holy dip will not only cleanse the body but also purify the soul. Our itinerary is designed to coincide our stay here with the Full Moon Day. Stay at Chiu Gompa during parikarma. |
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Day 09: Chiu Gompa - Darchen (35 km) |
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After a short drive we reach the foothills of Mount Kailash, Darchen(4575m). All those desirous of hiring yaks and yak men for personal use during the Parikrama can do so after bargaining with the yak men. Getting early to bed will ensure a fresh beginning to the 32 miles circumambulation of the Holy Mount Kailash. |
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Day 10: Darchen-Tarboch Drive. Treck to Dirapuk |
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Early morning we leave in our jeeps for the Parikrama and are dropped 7kms away at Shersong, where our yak team joins us. After loading all our essentials on the yaks we begin our trek through green meadows and streams with Mount Kailash towering nearby. The pilgrims who do not wish to undertake the Parikrama can return and relax on the banks of the Manas Sarovar Lake. The trekkers follow the river that enters a narrow canyon with high, steep cliffs and spectacular waterfalls. Continuing up the valley, the north face of Kailashjee comes into view before we reach a 13th century monastery at Dira-puk (4910m). We camp at a site over looking the magnificent and soul-stirring waterfall originating from the Spiritual Mountain. |
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Day 11: Dirapuk-Zutulpuk |
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This trek is over the Droma La to Zutul-puk (4795m) or nearby. We now leave the Lha Chu Valley and enter the Drolma La (5490m). It is a tough climb to the prayer-flag festooned summit but from where it is all-downhill. We pass above the Lake of Compassion (Gauri Kund /Thupke Dzingbu Lake), which is one of the highest Lake in the world. Depending on how people feel, we camp in the valley below the pass or at the monastery at Zutul-Puk, where there are several meditation caves and also a cave containing an image of Milarepa. |
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Day 12: Zutulpuk- Darchen-Mansarovar |
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After breakfast track for 6 km, board the stationed jeep for drive to Mansarovar. Lunch and dinner will be provided in the camp. |
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Day 13: Mansarovar to Paryang |
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Day 14: Paryang- Saga (Approx 225 km) |
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We continue driving the next day along a 225km stretch of road to Saga, passing through the small, dusty town of Zhongba en route. |
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Day 15: Saga-Nyalam |
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Leaving Saga, we cross the bridge over Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) and continue our journey across the vast open plains, there are stunning Himalayan views, particularly of Shishapangma and the Pieko-Tso Lake. Overnight halt at Nyalam. |
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Day 16: Nyalam-Kathmandu |
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Cascading waterfalls lace the drive from Nyalam towards the Nepalese-Tibetan border joined by the Friendship Bridge. After a short halt at Zhangmu, where the Tibetans offer to change any spare Yuan into Nepalese Rupees, we drive down to Kodari. We thank our Tibetan guide and drivers and offer them a token of love and gratitude in the form of tips or gifts. We cross the bridge over the Bhote Kosi River, walk to the Nepalese immigration control in Kodari, complete the re-entry formalities and get transferred to our hotel in Kathmandu. This should take about 5 hours depending on the road and the weather conditions. |
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Day 17: Kathmandu to Onward Destination |
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In morning, we will offer our thanks to Budhanilkantha, and then transfer to the airport for the flight to onward destination or for homeward return journey. |
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Spritiual & Holy aspect of Mount Kailash, Mansarovar, & Kailash Parikrama in Veda & Purana |
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It is the abode of LORD SHIVA and his divine consort PARVATHI. It expounds the philosophy of PURUSHA and PRAKRITI - SHIVA and SHAKTI. The radiant SILVERY summit is the throne of TRUTH, WISDOM and BLISS-SACHIDANANDAM. The premordial sound AUM (NADABINDU) from the tinkling anklets of LALITA PRAKRITI created the visible patterns of the universe and the VIBRATIONS (DVPANI) from the feet of Shiva (NATARAJA) weaved the essence of ATMAN - the ultimate truth. The spreading resonance and limitless patterns constitute the grosser forms of all matters to accurate scale. This is the cosmic dance (THANDAV) visualized in millions of forms by the devotees. The silvery mount is the apex where the sound (NADA) and the lights merges and the true Yogi transcends both these and merges into OM. Mind is the knot tying consciousness and matter this is set free here. This is the heart of Indian Philosophy and civilization and the grand Manasarovar reflects the total Indian consciousness.
Kalpa Viruksha tree is supposed to adorn the slopes. The south face is described as Saphire, East the crystal, west as Ruby and the North as Gold. The city of KUBERA is situated here. Ganga after originating from the toe of Mahavishnu entered the lunar circle and descended on peak of Kailasa. Shiva quelled her furiousness by receiving her on his matted locks. Ganga, it is believed descends further from Kailash and after circuiting Kailasa seven times divides herself as four rivers. The major rivers of India and Nepal originate in this area Brahmaputra (Lohita) Indus (Sindhu) Sutlej (Shatadru) and Karnali.
Every object in this area is sanctified and each one is related to gripping legends. As one ascends through PARIKRAMA one encounters holy peak of RAVANA PARVAT, HANUMAN PARVAT, PADMASAMBHAVA, MANJUSRI, VAJRADHARA, AVALOKITESWARA, JAMBEYANG, SHAVARI, NORSENG etc. the learned address five of them as PANCHABUDHAS. The track takes one through Dhira Puk, Sbi4asthalandfmally to DOLMA (The highest point). This pass belongs to DEVI - PARVATI and is an important point of worship. This point is considered as the point of spiritual renaissance. One can have the best view of Manasarovar and Ravana Tel from the south west point of Kailash during Parikrama.
The grand view of Gulra Mandhata, Manasarovar and Ravana Lake hypnotises the onlooker into subliminal aura. Ravana is claimed to have prayed at this lake (Ravana Tal / Rakshas Tal) and had the audience with Shiva. Manasarovar was created by Brahma at the request; of the great Rishis. This mind born lake contains the essence of all the Vedas. This is the place for holy ceremonial bath: oblations to the ancestors are offered here. Both the lakes are full of swans.
The scriptures reiterate that that who take the holy dip at Manasarovar and carry out the Parikrama around Kailash are absolved of their sins through generations and is absorbed into the Supreme Finality. To him, there is no rebirth, sorrows or joys: he is one with the ultimate - He is one with Shiva: He becomes the Shiva. SHIVOHAM. SHIVOHAM. |
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