Day 1: Lucknow to Nepalgunj
We will pick you up at noon in Lucknow for the transfer to Nepalgunj or Surkhet (depending on circumstances). It's about a 5 hour journey by vehicle across the border and into Nepal. Overnight and dinner at the hotel.
Day 2: Nepalgunj to Simikot
We will start in the morning with a flight by fixed-wing aircraft as per the weather condition and availability to the small airstrip at Simikot. Overnight and dinner at the hotel in Simikot.
Day 3: Heli from Simikot to Hilsa & Drive to Taklakot
Drive Time: Hilsa to Taklakot (27 km - 2 hrs).
We will leave Simikot in the morning and fly through helicopter to Hilsa. We may need to wait several hours in Hilsa for everyone to arrive before continuing by road to the Purang border into China. We will need to cross several checkpoints that can be time-consuming before getting into Tibet and continuing on to Taklakot for the night.
Day 4: Rest Day in Taklakot
Taklakot is at 3900m and we will spend the day here as a rest day and to let our bodies acclimatize to the altitude. After gaining altitude so quickly it's not uncommon for guests to have minor symptoms of altitude sickness on arrival. Free to explore around Taklakot. The sources of the Indus, Ganges and Yarlung all lie within 100 km giving this location a mythological status.
Day 5: Taklakot to Mansarovar Lake
Drive Time: Taklakot to Mansarovar Lake (95km - 2 hrs). Parikrama of Mansarovar (3 hrs - 90 km)
We will leave Taklakot in the morning and head towards Lake Manasarovar. After about 70km we will reach Rakshas Tal where we will have the first views of Kailash. Lake Mansarovar is one of the highlights of the trip upon reaching the lake we will have time to collect water and take in the beauty of the this mystical and holy location. Lake Manasarovar is fed by the glaciers of Kailash and guests will have time for puja and to circle the lake by vehicle.
Day 6: Drive to Darchen & Trek to Dirapuk
Drive Time: Drive to Darchen (2hrs)
Trek Time: Trek to Dirapuk (12kms / 5 to 6 hours / 4860m)
Today begins our circuit, Parikrama, around Mount Kailash. We will start with a short drive to to Darchen and then onward to Tarboche before trekking to Dirapuk at 4860m. We have great views of the north face of Mt. Kailash and the opportunity for touching the feet of Mt. Kailash (Charan Sparsh). Stay overnight in the Mud house.
Note: Travelers who are not physically fit can return to Darchen to wait for the group and skip the difficult day 2 of the trek.
Day 7: Outer Kora - Trek to Zuthulphuk via Dolma La Pass
Trek Time: Trek to Zuthulphuk via Dolma La Pass (22km / 7 to 8 hours / 5670m)
This is the most challenging day of the trek as we cross over Dolma Pass at 5680m and we will get an early start at 7am. Once across the pass we will descend to Gaurikund and continue along the river to to Zuthul-puk.
Note: If you are not doing the trek/parikrama, then you will still be waiting at Darchen
Day 8: Finish Trek & Travel to Hilsa or Simikot
We will start around 8am after breakfast for the short 2 hour trek to meet our waiting vehicle. We will head to Darchen to pickup group members that did not complete the trek. Leaving Darchen we will head back to Hilsa in Nepal and if possible continue by helicopter to Simikot.
Day 9: Hilsa or Simikot to Lucknow
This is the last day of our journey and we will proceed from Simikot by helicopter and then flight to Nepalgunj where we will get our vehicle transport back to Lucknow. End of program.
