Day 1: Kathmandu Arrival
We will pick you up at the airport in Kathmandu when you arrive and provide transfer to the hotel for the night. Enjoy your free time in the afternoon and evening. Dinner will be provided.
Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel and at 10am we will leave the hotel for a full day of sightseeing with visits to Pashupatinath Temple, Saktipeeth and Budhanilkantha. At 4pm will have a briefing at the hotel in preparation for the journey. Pack and prepare for your trip.
Day 3: Kathmandu to Dhunche or Syabrubesi
Drive Time: Dhunche (2000m / 130 km / 6 hrs) or Syabrubesi(1600m / 145 km / 6.5 hrs)
Our journey to Tibet begins today with a 6 to 8 hour drive to either Drive to Dhunche or Syabrubesi (another 15km further). Where we will stay at a local tea house. Syabrubesi is a small mountain village in Nepal at the base of the Langtang Range.
Day 4: Drive to Kerung County
Drive Time: Rasuwagadhi (1800m / 15 km / 45 min from Syabrubesi) and Kerung county (3950m / 3 hrs / 105 km)
Today we will drive to Rasuwagadhi for border crossing formalities before continuing to Kerung county also called Gyirong for the night. Today we gain about 2000m in elevation so having some symptoms of Altitude Sickness such as a headache is common but they should resolve in the next day or so.
Day 5: Drive to Saga
Drive Time: Kerung county to Saga (100 km / 5hrs / 4640m)
We will leave from Kerung county after breakfast in the morning and drive to Saga today. Saga lies in a semi-arid plateau and is a major intersection. It's the last stop for travelers to stock up on any significant supplies. Relax in the afternoon and explore the town.
Day 6: Drive from Saga to Mansarovar Lake
Drive Time: Saga to Manasarovar Lake (450km - 7 - 8hrs). Parikrama of Manasarovar (2 hrs - 90 km)
Lake Manasarovar is one of the highlights of the trip and it's well worth the long drive today. We will get an early start around 8am and stay overnight near the lake shore. Upon reaching the lake we will have time to collect water and take in the beauty of the lake. Lake Manasarovar is a holy lake fed by the glaciers of Kailash and guests will have time for puja and to circle the lake by vehicle.
Day 7: Drive to Darchen
Drive Time: Drive to Darchen (2hrs)
We will have most of the day to spend at the lake and guests may perform Puja (prayer ritual) or simply enjoy the beauty and remoteness of the place. After lunch we will head to Darchen where we will stay overnight at the guest house.
Day 8: Drive to Tarboche & Trek to Dirapuk
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 Tarboche and then trek 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 9: 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 10: 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 11: Hilsa or Simikot to Kathmandu or Lucknow
We will proceed from Simikot by helicopter and then flight to Nepalgunj and finally a flight to Kathmandu. Alternatively if you would like we can provide transport to Lucknow in which case it would be the end of the program.
Day 12: Kathmandu Depart
This is the last day of the program and we will transfer you to the airport around 2 hours before your flight time. Today is Breakfast Only.
