Mt. Kailash (6714 m) is the most sacred mountain in Asia and holiest mountain in Tibet. The grandeur of Mt. Kailash can be rivalled by a very few mountains in the world. Situated in the far corner of the Tibetan plateau, this legendary snow capped jewel is revered by different religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jain & Bonpo) as one of the most sacred and challenging in the world. Four of all the great orient’s rivers; The Brahmaputra, the Sutlej, the Indus & the Karnali originate from Mt. Kailash and around. At the base two vast lakes; Mansarovar & Rakastal are situated.
Mt Kailash is holy to followers of four religions. For the Hindus, Mt Kailash is regarded as the earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru, a spiritual centre of the universe, which is described in the Hindu mythology as a fantastic pillar of 84,000 miles around which everything revolves with its root to the lowest hell and summit touching the heaven. Mt. Kailash is itself an abode of Shiva (lord of the universe) who shares this magnificent mountain with his consort Parvati and nearby Mansarovar Lake is the means or soul of Brahma (Hindu god for creation) where a bath offers a pilgrim an access to paradise and drink of its holy water wipes out the sins of hundred lifetimes.
Tibetans call Kailash Kang Rimpoche. Jains, a religious group in India as Mt Ashtapada worship it the peak from which the religion’s founder Rishabanatha and is taken as the holy pilgrimage where their first prophet achieved enlightenment. Bonpo, the ancient pre- Buddhist shamanistic religion of Tibet reveres Kailash as the soul of Tibet. Milareppa, a poet-saint of Tibet is believed to have spent several years meditating in a cave in this holy Mt. Kailash. It is equally sacred for the Bon religion where its founder Shranrab is believed to have descended from heaven.
The journey to Mt Kailash & Lake Mansarovar has always been taken as one of difficult tour but attracting more and more numbers of pilgrims and visitors every year. The holiest and difficult part of this journey is the circumbulance (Kora in Tibetan) around Mt. Kailash which takes 2 days minimum. It starts from Dherapuk (5029 m) and finishes at Darchen (4550 m) via Dolmala (5600 m) the highest point enroute.
The best season for visiting Mt. Kailash is between May & October. The weather is generally stable with cool temperature during the day. To be prepared with sufficient cold weather gears. The tour is either from Kathmandu – Kodari - Kailash - Kathmandu (14 Days - Drive in/out) or Kathmandu – Nepalgunj - Simikot - Kailash - Kathmandu (9 Days by Helicopter).
Visa
Minimum of 2 weeks in advance, a firm booking with full payment along with full passport details (full name, Sex, Nationality, Passport Number, date of birth and profession) should reach us. We arrange Chinese visa. However, 5 full working days is required with a condition that client should be available in Kathmandu; otherwise urgent charge will have to be borne by the client. Tibet tour requires visa in-group, some time people staying longer will have to get the group visa split. It costs generally 5000 INR if anyone /some of the members from the group visa document have different programme.
Clothing & Equipment
From Oct-March warm clothes are required to fight the frostily cold and from April-September light clothes to shun the scorching heat. However a jacket and sweater are advised through out the years as the weather may unexpectedly changes. The following clothing and equipments are suggested for your own protection and safety.
• Comfortable boots and Sandals
• Down Jacket, Polar fleece, Light quilted.
• First aid box (Antiseptic, Ban Aid, Bandage roll, Sun/Body lotion, Chip stick, Cologne, Cotton, Cough drop, Dettol /Listerine, Glare protection
• Mouth Freshness, Mustard Oil, Nose Inhaler/ Vicks, Rubber bands, Small plastic bag, Toilet papers, Vaseline)
• Hot water bottle.
• Ladies can select other cloths as per interest.
• Light bag for very essential personal belongings.
• Personal medicine (Request your Doctor for effective medicines to cover the followings – Acidity, Body & Joint pains, Chest congestion’s, Cold, Constipation, Cough, Diarrhoea, Fever, Headache, Indigestion, Loose motion, Muscle Pulls, Nose Blocks, Sneezing, Sore throat, Stiffness, Stomach cramps, Store eyes, Swellings, Vomiting)
• Pure wool and thick cotton socks
• Rain coat with hood
• Sleeping Bag down with inside extra cove
• Sun hats, Sun / Snow glasses
• Dust masks, Dust cover and Facial tissues
• Thermal underwear (Inner-full fitting) wool
• Torch with spare cells & bulbs, Candles/Lighter
• Towels and Walking stick
• Water purification tablets.
• Warm light gloves, Wool cap (ear covering) & scarves
• Wool pullovers-polo neck, Flannel shirts
• Video camera, Binoculars, Swiss knife (multi purpose)
Documents
You are advised to bring the following documents properly with you.
• Passport with Photostat copies
• Passport size Photographs
• Identity cards
• Diary and Ball pens for addresses, contacts and small notes etc.
• Maps, Charts and Books etc.
• Travel Cheque, credit cards & Currency.
• Airline tickets & vouchers.
• Other document for your personal purposes.
Preparation
If you are planning for the Holy Yatra, you should be aware that it is rigorous and challenging trip where we have to spend all the time at high altitudes. So, at least 2 month regular practice is recommended either 2 hour daily running, swimming, or joining on a health club may help to complete the Yatra successfully. Reduce drinking alcoholic beverage & smoking habits. Consult your Doctor to assess the state of your health to function safely within your own limitations.
Route & Climb
The route from Kathmandu to Friendship Bridge [Nepal-China boarder] is narrow and scary but most of it is black topped. The high altitude Tibetan terrain is dry, cold, windy and dusty. Night is colder rather than Day. Torrential rains and strong icy winds is common feature. Flooding rivers and landslides are frequent. The average altitude is above 3500 m and the route covers many high altitudes pass.
Altitude Problems & Health
Oxygen is less at higher altitudes. Travelling in Tibet involves high altitude and can be strenuous. The inclement weather and high altitude induces certain illness generally not encountered over the plains. Clients with heart and lung problems or blood diseases should consult their doctor before booking the trip. Very often the cases of altitude sickness have been reported. Simple headache, fever, loss of appetite or stomach disorders can happen before the acclimatization.
