Mount-(Mt) Kailash & Mansarovar Yatra 2011

The pilgrimage to kailAsh - mAnasarovar through the Indian side is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) along with other agencies like the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN). All those who would like to go on pilgrimage to kailash have to apply subsequent to the call for applications published in leading dailies in the month of February. 


The pre-requisites is a valid Indian passport. (Money - about Rs. 55,000 and health of course). If the passport is not ready, still "applied for" also may get considered. But it is mandatory to have one before the start of the yatra. From the applicants on random lottery type of selection the yatris are chosen for the pilgrimage. 


The yatra is conducted in 16 batches, each batch having a maximum of 36 yatris. The yatra season starts in early June and the last batch starts the pilgrimage as late as end of August. The chosen applicants for each of the batch are informed in advance. (Sometimes yatris should be ready to start just in a week's time after getting the notification.) On receipt of the selection notification, the applicant must confirm the yatra by telegram to the ministry and follow it up by sending a Demand Draft for Rs 2,000 favoring KMVN. If an applicant declines to take the offer or fails to pay the amount in time, the applicants on the waiting list would be considered for the yatra.

Significance of Mt. Kailash

Traditionally, Indians have embarked on many difficult yatras and, in the process, found that some places radiate and elemental energy not felt elsewhere.

Physically the journey culminates in a definite destination, a tirth sthana or a place that enables one to 'cross over'. The symbolic crossing is from ignorance to knowledge, from mortality to immortality.

Gauri Kund

While proceeding downwards from Dolma - La (Dolma Pass), a steep descent to Gouri Kund at 5608 m, also called the Lake of compassion as referred to in the shiva Purana this is the setting for the legend of Parvati and how Ganesh acquired his elephant head bathing in the emerald waters of the kund, Parvati fashioned an image of Ganesh from the soap suds on her body, breathed life into it and placed it at the entrance of her home to prevent anyone entering. Lord Shiva happened to return at this point of time and was stopped by Ganesha.

Mansarovar

Manasarovar is what remains of the Lake Tethys, considered the source of all creation. As the legend goes, Brahma created this lake for his meditation and worship. Literally speaking it is manas + sarovar. Manas refers to the mind of the supreme God Brahma, the lake being its outward manifestation. The sacred Manas is at a height of 4560 m with a circumference of 110 km, which can be trekked in about three days. It has a depth of 300 ft and covers an area of 350 sq. kms.

Parikarma (Kora)

The Parikarma, or circumambulation, of the natural shrines forms an important part of the journey to Kailash and Manasarovar. The Shiva Purana says: 'There is no sin in the world which cannot be destroyed by circumambulation. Hence one should dispel all sins by circumambulation alone. The parikrama or circumambulation of Kailash is a three - day trip, 53 kms long, and the most sacred for all yatris.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter

Duration : 11 Nights / 12 Days
Destination : Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Simkot - Hilsa - Taklakot - Mansarovar Lake - Darchen - Tarboche (Kailash Parikarma) Dirapuk  - Dolma pass - Zuthul Puk - Darchen - Taklakot - Hilsa - Simkot - Nepalganj - Kathmandu

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Day 1.  : Arrival Katmandu and transfer to your hotel Overnight at Katmandu.

Day 2 : Half – day  city tour of Pashupatinath temple.
P.M Briefing about the Kailash – Mansarovar tour. Overnight at Katmandu.

Day 3 : Transfer to airport for your Chartered Helicopter or flight to Nepalgunj. On arrival transfer to hotel and Rest.

Day 4 :  Early morning transfer to Airport for Chartered Helicopter or flight to Simkot for immigration formalities and proceed to Hilsa by chartered Helicopter Flight. After arrival at Hilsa, we set out for Sera, a short hike of approximately 1K.M to the Tibetan Border where our Land cruisers will be waiting.

Day 5.  : Full day free for acclimatize and relax at Taklakot.

Day 6. : Drive from Taklakot to Mansarovar (120kms, 3Hrs.)

Day 7 : During morning hour take holy bath or just relax at the bank of holy Mansarovar Lake. After breakfast drive for Mansarovar parikarma via Chuigumpa and hot spring. Arrive Darchen and Overnight at camp or Guesthouse.

Day 8 : Drive to Tarboche 8Kms perform Pooja at asthapath before starting Parikrama. Start Kailash Parikrama, trek to Dira Puk (12kms. 4 – 5 Hrs.) Overnight at Camp.

Day 9 : Continue Parikrama over Dolma pass at Zuthul Puk (22kms. 7 – 8 Hrs.), Overnight at camp.

Day 10 : End Parikrama near Darchen (14Kms. 3 – 4 Hrs.) driving to Taklakot. Overnight at Guesthouse or Camp.

Day 11 : Early in the morning drive to Sera via Khojarnath Temple (an Ancient Temple of Lord Rama, Laxumana and Sita). We walk back to the Hilsa helipad to wait for our flight back to Simkot. After immigration,. Proceed for Nepalgunj and further proceed to Katmandu by flight . Overnight at Katmandu.

Day 12 : Final departure transfer for onward journey.

Tour Includes:
1: Visa and Permit fees.
2: Helicopter Simikot – Hilsa - Simikot
3: Flight Nepalgung – Simikot – Nepalgung
4: All meals ( Strictly vegetarian)
5: Guest houses enroute Kailash Mansarovar.
6: Toyota land Cruiser  in four sharing basis.
7: 3 Star category hotel in Nepalgung.
8: Porters/ Guide etc.
 

Tour does not Include
1: Medical insurance.
2: Air Fare in case tour is completed at Kathmandu.
( Nepalgung – Kathmandu)
3: Any unforeseen expense due to natural clamity, political disturbance etc.
4: Any item not specified or included

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra - Tour Packages

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu. Meet and transfer to hotel.

Day 02:  After breakfast, proceed for half day sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath Temple and Budhaneelkantha. Evening at leisure in Kathmandu. Obtain Chinese Visa.

Day 03:  Morning drive to the frontier town of Nepal at Kodari. From here, a short     walk to the friendship bridge for the drive on a local available vehicle to Zhangmu, the main entrance of Tibet, China at the height of 2,300 m. which is about 145 kms from Kathmandu. In Zhangmu, you will be received by guide from our Tibetan counterpart.  After all the formalities at the check post here, our journey continues for another 35 kms which can take almost 3 hours through the up-winding road to Nyalam with beautiful scenery as the drive brings us for the overnight stay at Guest House in Nyalam(3,700 m.).   The lodges and guest houses here are very simple and basic. You can expect the unexpected as the China Tourism in Tibet is slowly picking up since last Decade.

 Day 04:  Stay at Nyalam for acclimatization. The group will be taken for option 3 Hrs. trek in Nyalam which would definately help pilgrims in getting used to Trek conditions for Kailash Parikrama.

Day 05:  Morning drive to the first pass of Lalung La at 5,050 m. From here a superb view of the high Himalayas can be seen from Gaurishanker, Shisapangma to Langtang Himal. Drive to Saga(4640 m) 240 Kms./ 6-7 Hrs. for the overnight at Guest House.

Day 06:  From Saga drive to Paryanga(4750 m) 255 Kms/6-7 hrs. drive. O/nt. at Guest House.

Day07:Drive from Paryang to Hor Qu(4560 m) 225 kms./6-7 Hrs. Mansarover Parikarma by Jeep with packed Lunch near Trugo Monastery with optional Bathing at the place as this is one of the best banks of Holy Lake for Bathing, Bathing Tents would be arranged accordingly. Overnight Guest House at Chui Gompa

Day 08 AM . Morning Free for Prayer & later Drive to Darchen(4560 M)

Darchen is located beneath the majestic holy Mount Kailash, a small village with couple of guesthouses. During the auspicious pilgrimage time, this place will be flooded with Pilgrims with hundreds of tents all around. Darchen, the beginning and end point of the Kora. Serlungf Monastery & optional trek to Nandi Parbat for an excellent view of Mount Kailsah. The Group will stay O/night at Darchen Guest House & make final preparation for the Kailsah Parikrama. O/night at Guest House.

DAY09: Drive approx. 08 Kms. From Darchen to Tarboche, the trek starting point of Kailash Parikrama.The first day of our Kora is a gradual walk with multitudes of other local pilgrims chanting and praying. The trail leads us to few ups and downs till we reach our camp at Dirapuk (4,750 m.), after 5-6 hours walk. Overnight at Guest House with a view of Kailash, north west face.

                                                                                   

                                                                                                    

Day 10:   Today our circumbulation (Kora) leads to much higher side of the holy path just                                                                                                                                                                     beneath the  Mount Kailash. The walk will bring us to one of the highest point at Drolma La, 5,200 m. before descending to             the gradual field towards Zuthulphuk for the overnight camp after 5-6 hours walk. Zuthulphuk(4700m) has a small monastery.

 

Day 11:  The winding gradual tracks finally ends our holy pilgrimage walk (5 hours) & drive to Paryang(270 Kms/6-7 Hrs.).  O/Nt. Guest House. 

Day 12: Drive to Saga. O/nt. Guest House

Day 13: Drive to Nyalam. O/Nt. Guest House

Day 14:  Drive down to Friendship Bridge where transportation awaits for drive to Kathmandu(150 Kms)/4 Hrs.   O/nt. Hotel.

Day 15:  Morning Free for souvenir shopping and other independent activities. In time transfer to International Apt to connect departure flight