General

Day 1: Depart for Kathmandu (Nepal) via Delhi

Depart from London Heathrow Airport on your scheduled flight to Kathmandu via Delhi. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey.

Day 2: Arrive Delhi – Kathmandu

Welcome to India. On arrival at Delhi International Airport, please follow the sign for TRANSIT to board your flight for Kathmandu.

Welcome to Nepal. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu), clear immigration (you can get Nepal Visa on arrival – Multiple Visa entry approximately cost USD$40 per person), collect your luggage and follow sign for exit. You will be greeted with traditional flower garland by our Representative and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to recover from jet lag and get ready for the adventures awaiting you!

In the evening we attend a group meeting for briefing and preparation for Kailash Yatra.

In the evening dinner at the hotel.

Meals: Dinner | Overnight: Kathmandu

Day 3: Kathmandu – City tour

After breakfast embark on the sightseeing tour to visit some of Kathmandu’s highlights. At Boudhanath, discover one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. A UNESCO World

Heritage Site, the stupa dominates the skyline and is a truly unforgettable sight. You’ll also take in Kathmandu City, where you can admire the temple of the Living Goddess (Kumari), and the Kasthamandap – one of Nepal’s largest and most noted pagodas from which the city got its name. Visit Durbar Square, stunning temples are overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, while Swayambhunath, a Buddhist Stupa said to be 2,000 years old, stands high above the city.

We also visit Pashupatinath Temple, where you can perform Puja, Rudrabhisek and Hawan. Continue to visit Budanilkantha temple (Sleeping Vishnu Bhagwan).

In the afternoon free time at leisure or go shopping to purchase last minute items for the yatra.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Kathmandu

Day 4: Kathmandu – Fly Kathmandu to Lhasa (3650 m) 1 hr. 30 minutes flight

After breakfast we will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu to board your flight to Lhasa, Tibet. Upon arrival at Gonggar Airport, Lhasa the group shall meet our local representative who will escort the group to the hotel in Lhasa. It will take about 2 hours for the group to reach the hotel.

Spend the first day free to acclimatize with the altitude as Kathmandu is at 1200 m above sea level and Lhasa is at 3650m.

Distance covered : 610 kms, Altitude : 3660 m

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Lhasa

Day 5: Lhasa – City tour of Lhasa

After breakfast proceed for city tour of Lhasa include visiting the world famous Potala palace , Jokhang temple and Barkhor street.

Potala Palace: Potala was the winter palace of the Dalai Lama, which was originally built in the 7th century by the king Sotsen Gampo and rebuilt to the present size by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Built in the mid-18th century by the 7th Dalai Lama, Norbulingka, the Jewel Park was the Dalai lama’s summer palace, it covers 100 acres with palaces, pavilions and a zoo.

Jokhang Temple : This is a huge building structure consisting of three floors and an open roof all dotted with chapels and chambers. The Jokhang Temple has undergone massive additions and reconstructions since the 7th century and particularly during the reign of 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. While parts of the existing temple structure date from Potala Palace Tibet earlier times, most of the murals are from the 18th and 19th centuries and few statues (with the notable exception of the Joyo Sakyamuni) are older than the 1980’s. The temple was sacked several times during Mongol incursions but its worst treatment has been at the hands of the Chinese since their occupation of Tibet in 1959.

The Jokhang is the most celebrated temple in Tibet. Because the temple is not controlled by a particular sect of Tibetan Buddhism it attracts adherents of all the sects as well as followers of Bon-Po, Tibet’s indigenous religion. Three pilgrimage circuits exist in Lhasa, each directing pilgrims to the Jowo Sakyamuni statue: the Lingkhor, which encircles the city’s sacred district; the Barkhor, which encloses the Jokhang temple: and the Nangkhor, a ritual corridor inside the Jokhang. Every day throughout the year hundreds of pilgrims circumambulate each of these three circuits. Some pilgrims will cover the entire distance by prostrating every few feet, and others will walk slowly, chanting sacred mantras and spinning hand-held prayer wheels. For more than a thousand years millions of pilgrims have trod these sacred paths with devotion in their hearts; this cumulative focusing of intention and love has charged the Jokhang with an enormously powerful field of sanctity.

Barkhor Street: The centre of the old Lhasa, Barkhor is a circular street, which is the oldest street in Lhasa and remains very traditional. It is a place where Tibetan Norbulinka Palace culture, economy, religion and arts assemble and a place to which a visit must be paid. It was said that in the seventh century when Songtsen Gampo, the first Tibetan King (617 -649) who unified Tibet, married Chinese Princess Wencheng and Nepal princess Brikhuti. Later Princess Brikhuti built Jokhang Temple to accommodate the Jowo Sakyamuni aged 12 brought to Tibet by Princess Wencheng. Barkhor is the road which pilgrims tramped out around Jokhang Temple through centuries. Buddhist pilgrims walk or progress by body-lengths along the street clockwise every day into deep night. They comprise most of Lhasa’s floating population.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Lhasa

Day 6: Lhasa – Shigatse (3900 m) – 290 km / 7-8 hrs

After breakfast we drive via the new road to Shigatse which is the 2nd largest city of Tibet. Built in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama the Tashillunpo Monastery in Shigatse is a very important monastery in China as it is known as seat of the Panchan Lama. It is where the world’s highest (33m) gold gilded statue of future Buddha Maitreya is located. Overnight in hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Shiagtse

Day 7: Shigatse – Saga (4450 m) – 440km / 8-9hrs

After early breakfast, we continue our journey and drive to Saga. The drive is quite long today. Packed lunch will be served by our representative en route. On arrival check into Hotel  for dinner and overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Saga

Day 8: Saga – Manasarovar Lake (4550m) – 445km / 10hrs

Today is the day for the lifetime that you are going to have Darshan of the Holy “Mt. Kailash & Lake Mansarovar” – Very auspicious day for all people who will have first glimpse of Holy Manasarovar and view of Mt. Kailash from Horchu Pass.

After breakfast at around 8 am, we drive through Mayum – la pass (17000ft) – the highest point of the driving. On the way pack Lunch. Upon arrival at Lake Mansarovar we have to change our transport and use Chinese Govt Bus for Kailash Mansarovar Region. We will proceed for Mansarovar Parikrama by Bus/van. (110 KM approx. however we will only do half today).
Note:-

1. Passengers who cannot go on the Kailash Parikarma will stay in Darchen for 3 days.
2.  Passengers can either do the Kailash Parikrama on foot or choose to hire a horse at an additional cost.
3. We recommend you to hire a porter for the Parikarma duration at an extra cost.

Optional Hire Cost:-

1. Porter hire cost approx USD$120. (Can be share between two persons, Porter will carry only one bag and porter might be your horse man unless you have only hired a porter).
2.  Horse hire cost approx USD$320 per person.
3. Once Horse or Porter is booked, money is non refundable once the booking is confirmed.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Mansarovar Guest House

Day 9: Manasarovar Lake – Darchen

The abode of god will be a lifetime achievement.  Puja, Havana worship, Meditation, Holy bath etc.

This afternoon we will go for a hike approximately 2hr drive (45km) 4560m.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Manasarovar

Day 10: Darchen – Dehrapuk (12 km trek) – Mt. Kailask Parikrama

After breakfast drive to Dharboche Yamdwar Darshan and start Parikrama of Mt. Kailash. Today is the first day of your Kailash Parikrama where you have to Trek for about 6 to 7 hours. You will visit the North Face of Mt Kailash and touching the feet of Mt. Kailash (Charan Sparsh). Reach Dehrapuk 16300ft.

Note: Passengers who do not wish go for Parikrama can go back to Dharchen after Pooja

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Guest House

Day 11: Dirapuk – Zhulthulphuk by trek (22 km) walk approximately 08 / 10 hours

This day is very sensitive and we have to pass Dolma-La Pass, which is 5660 Mtr. The most difficult journey throughout the Yatra-trek up to the 18,600ft. Parikarma Continues, this is the day every pilgrims talks about, the most difficult journey through out the trip.

The weather in unpredictable in Doma-la Pass and at any time snowstorm can fall. But you can touch the Kailash parvat. So we try to start our journey as early as possible. En-route we can have Darshan of Gaurikund but it is very difficult to go and touch. Overnight stay at Guest House 3-4 pax dormitory accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Zuthulphuk in Guest House

Day 12: Zuthulfuk – Saga

We will trek around 8 kms to complete the 3 days Parikarma circuit trek of Mt. Kailash and reach to the point where the Coach will be waiting for us and drive us to Horachu Mansarovar . Drive from Darchen to Saga for overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Guest House

Day 13: Saga – Shigatse – 9hrs drive

After breakfast we leave Saga and drive back to Shigatse. Upon arrival check into the guesthouse / hotel in Shiagtse for overnight stay. Rest of the day at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Shigatse

Day 14: Shigatse – Lhasa

This morning after breakfast drive back towards Lhasa. After lunch free time for shopping. Overnight in hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Lhasa

Day 15: Lhasa – Kathmandu by flight

After breakfast transfer to Lhasa Airport to board your flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free time at leisure / go shopping. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Kathmandu

Day 16: Kathmandu – London via Delhi – Fly back to home

This morning after breakfast transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu, to board your flight for London via Delhi.

On arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport Delhi, please follow the sign for TRANSIT and board your flight for LONDON.

Meals: Breakfast

On arrival at London Heathrow Airport, follow signs for arrival/baggage claim, clear immigration, collect baggage and follow sign for exit.

** Your tour ends, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful holiday. **