Himalayan Holidays Nepal

Day-to-Day Itinerary

• Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
  Upon arrival in Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, meet, assist Himalayan Holidays representative and transfer to the hotel where there will be welcome refreshments and a tour briefing followed by room check-in-assistance.
  
  Evening:Welcome dinner at an authentic Nepali restaurant with cultural program.
  
  Overnight at the Guesthouse.
• Day 02: Full day Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu
  After breakfast, proceed to full day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley to explore the major attractions of the ancient Kathmandu city like the Kathmandu Durbar Square, the “Temple of Living Goddess- Kumari”, the Hanuman Dhoka Square, Pashupatinath Temple Boudhanath Stupa & Swayambhunath Stupa etc.
  
  Note: The Tibet (Chinese) visas will be processed.
  Overnight stay at hotel in Kathmandu
• Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj
  After breakfast, proceed to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International airport to board the flight to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. Flight duration-45 minutes.
  
  Nepalgunj is a Terai district of Nepal located in the far western region. It is one of the most commercial hubs of Nepal, which lies close to the Indian border and is a major trading town since centuries ago. From the airport it is about 20 minutes drive to the hotel.
  Overnight Hotel in Nepalgunj.
• Day 04: Fly to Simikot (2960m)
  After breakfast, transfer to Nepalgunj domestic airport to board the flight to Simikot, the headquarters of Humla District.
  
  Humla district is one of the most remote regions of Nepal with no other means of transportation except air transportation. Rest of the day is free for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight at Simikot.
• Day 05: Fly to Hilsa (3720m), and move off to Taklakot (3930m)
  After breakfast, transfer to Simikot domestic airport to board the chartered helicopter flight to Hilsa. Upon arrival in Hilsa , walk to Sher for about 45minute, where our passports and other travel documents will checked by Chinese Army . In Sher meet our waiting Tibetian Driver and Guide along with Nepali Kitchen Staff and strat drive to Taklakot for another 1 and ½ hour, where we complete our entire immigration formalities for entrance of Tibet. After completing immigration formalities transfer to the guesthouse.
  Dinner and overnight at Taklakot.
• Day 06: Rest day at Taklakot for acclimatization.
  Whole day is free for rest and acclimatization in Taklakot.
  Dinner and overnight at Taklakot.
• Day 07: Drive to Chu Gompa.
  After Breakfast meet waiting vehicle and start scenic drive to picturesque Chu Gompa on the northwest shore of the Lake Mansarovar with the imposing sight of Mt. Kailsah in the background. Duration of drive-3 hours.
  
  Rest of the day is free for optional programs or other leisure activities. Dinner and overnight at Camp or Guesthouse in Chu Gompa.
• Day 08: Chu Gompa to Darchen (4560m / 14950 ft)
  Drive from Chu Gompa to Darchen (4560m / 14950 ft) 1½ -2 hrs to commence the circumambulation around Mt. Kailash. It is believed to be the physical embodiment of the mythical Mount Meru, said to be the center of the universe or ‘navel of the world’. Mt. Meru is often depicted as a mandala and its image occurs throughout Buddhist and Hindu parts of Asia. The circumambulation of Mt. Kailash (6714 m /22028 ft) is an important pilgrimage for religious. We stay at guesthouse in Darchen & complete all our formalities for the trek such as hiring of yaks, porters, etc.
  Dinner and overnight stay at Darchen guesthouse.
• Day 09: Darchen to Drira Phuk – 4 hrs . (4890 m/ 16040 ft)
  In the morning after breakfast we drive to Chukku Gompa, where we would meet our porters & yak. After reorganizing the load we start for the trek. The normal pilgrims route stays on the east bank of the Lha Chu. But for better views of Kailash and generally better campsites, we cross the west bank trail across a scree slope to arrive at a good camping ground at Damding Donkhang (4890 m / 16040 ft), a grassy spot that offers good views of the West face of Mt. Kailash. It is also known as the Valley of yaks as one can see hundreds of yaks grazing on the meadow.
  
  We continue on a rocky path walking along the Belung Chu and Dunglung Chu streams as the North face of Kailash comes in view. On the opposite side of the Lha Chu you can see several groups of nomad tending herd of goats and yaks. As one reaches the Gompa and a frugal guesthouse at Drira Phuk, we are rewarded with a fine view of the North face of Mt. Kailash. The three lower hills in front of Mt. Kailash from this vantage point are the Manjushree, Avalokitesvara and Vajrapani representing wisdom, kindness and power.
  
  Dinner and overnight camp at Drira Phuk.
• Day 10: Drira Phuk to Sabje Dratok (5150 m / 16890 ft),
  Start trek from Drira Phuk and cross the Lha Chu on a wooden bridge. If one continues to trek up the Lha Chu, one would reach the true source of the Indus. The Kora route takes a serious climb on to a moraine eventually meeting the trail from the East bank. The trail now climbs more gently to a meadow full of fat marmots (phiya) at 5212 m / 17095 ft. Climb past piles of clothing at Shiva-tsal (5330m / 17490 ft). As apart of their custom, Tibetans leave an article of clothing or a drop of blood here as part of leaving their past life behind them. Continue past thousands of small rock cairns to a large cairn at 5390 meters passing the Dikpa Karnak, a sin testing stone. It is said that those without sin can squeeze through the narrow hole between the boulders while a sinner no matter how small cannot pass through! The trail now leads across a boulder field and climbs through large rocks to a tiny stream. Climb onto a ridge and continue gently on to the Dolma La at 5630 m / 18470 ft.
  
  A big boulder on the pass representing the goddess Dolma (better known by her Sanskrit name Tara) is festooned with prayer flags and streamers. It is traditional to leave and take something as part of the collection of coins, prayer flags, teeth and other offerings attached to the rock. The trail from the west side of the pass is steep and rocky at first and then begins a series of switchbacks as it passes Gauri Kund. Many more switchbacks and steep descents leads to the valley and then further descend for about an hour to arrive alongside the Lham Chhukhir at 5150 m / 16890 ft), the evening’s campsite on the banks of a river near Sabje Dratok. A huge rock at Sabje Dratok, has footprints on it which is believed by pilgrims to be of Lord Buddha.
  Dinner and overnight camp at Sabje Dratok.
• Day 11: Sabje Dratok to Hor
  Trek from Sabje Dratok along the river. After crossing the stream of the Khado – sanglam, we arrive at another Chaksal Gang, the third prostration point and from where we get the last view of the east face of Mt. Kailash during the circumambulation. After about 3 hrs we arrive at the Zutul-puk Gompa (4790m / 15710 ft) where there is a cave in which the saint Milarepa is said to have meditated. It is said that he adjusted the height of this cave to make it more comfortable. His footprint still remains on the roof. Trek along the Jhong Chu River to a bridge, cross it before descending to 4610 m, the last prostration point (Chaksal Gang) from where we get good views of Manasarovar lake but no views of Mt. Kailash. Actually the vehicles can come up to this point but if one does want to continue on to Darchen to complete the full circle, a trek for about one hour through Mani walls and carved yak skulls will lead you back to Darchen. Upon arrival at Darchen, get on the waiting vehicles & drive to the campsite (2 hrs) flanked by the settlement of Hor to the northeast corner of the Lake Mansarovar.
  Dinner and overnight camp at Mansarovar.
• Day 12: Drive to Taklakot.
  After breakfast, start drive to Hor (Near to Lake Manasarovar) where we will take a holy dip in Lake Manasarovar and perform Puja in the bank of Lake Manasarovar. After Puja, drive back to Camp for lunch. After lunch proceed for Lake Manasarovar Parikarma by Land Cruiser and exit to Taklakot.
  Dinner and overnight at hotel in Taklakot.
• Day 13: Drive to Sher, Walk to Hilsa & Fly back to Nepalgunj & Connect to Kathmandu.
  After early breakfast, complete immigration formalities and drive to Sher where our Tibetian Staff will abandon us. After bidding farewell to Tibetan Staffs, walk to Hilsa for about 45minute and get on to a waiting helicopter and board the flight to Nepalgunj and connect flight to Kathmandu.
  
  Upon arrival in Kathmandu’s Domestic Airport, meet and assist Himalayan Holidays representative and transfer to the hotel.
• Day 14: Final Departure from Kathmandu.