Arrival at Kathmandu airport, pick
up by our correspondent and transfer to the hotel. (At the foot of the
Himalayas, where they assure that their gods live, Nepal stands, a land of
spectacular landscapes, temples and cities with a rich cultural heritage. These
seem to transfer the traveler to medieval times on their walks through
KATHMANDU, BHAKTAPUR and PATAN, the three urban cities that represent the
backbone of the country. Stay overnight at hotel.
This day, after breakfast in hotel you will
tour around the Kathmandu valley. Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, is set in a
valley surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains. We will prepare the restricted
area permit for Simikot – Hilsa this day.
We will first go to Kathmandu Durbar Sqaure
then Swoyambhunath, Boudhanath and finally Pashupatinath. Stay overnight at hotel.
Kathmandu Durbar Square: (World Heritage Site): Kathmandu Durbar square is one of the popular place which is liked by many visitors due to its exquisite architecture and artistic embellishment. It consists of Huge Royal Palace with different temples dating back from the 15th to the 18th century. The house of the living goddess, the ferocious Kal Bhairav, the red monkey god, the Hanumandhokha palace, the Ashok Binayak temple, Kasthamandap, the Temple Taleju and hundreds of erotic carvings are some few examples of the sights at the square. All woodcarvings, statues and architecture in this area are exceptionally fine.
Swoyambhunath: Swoyambhunath is one of the most glorious Buddhist stupa. It is said
to be 2000 years old. Swoyambhunath is, perhaps, the best place to observe the
religious harmony in Nepal. The stupa is among the most ancient in this part of
the world and its worshippers are diverse from Newar nuns, Tibetan monks and
Brahman Priests to lay Buddhist and Hindus. Swoyambhunath provides an excellent
view of the Kathmandu valley.
Afternoon
as per the flight time for Nepalgunj transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport
where 50 minutes flight brings you at Nepal Far South in Nepalgunj with
super panorama of peaks during air-borne and on reaching Nepalgunj
transfer to near airport hotel with afternoon free to see the city areas
of Nepalgunj.
Today
we will head towards airport and fly to Simikot. On Simikot we will be received
by our trekking and camping staff, Simikot headquarter town of Mugu / Humla
district around far North West Nepal offering stunning views of Mt Api and
Saipal peaks. We will have to trek for about 4 hours to reach Dharapuri.
From
Simikot begin our first day walk to overnight camp at Dharapuri village,
leading to a climb through farm fields of barley into forested ridge then
downhill towards farm villages to reach Dharapuri for first overnight
camping of this trip. Around far west region villages inhabited mostly by
Thakuri people of Hindu religion, people around Mugu and Humla been in
trade with Tibet for hundreds of years using same trail to Tibet border of
5-6 days walks.
Today
we will head towards Sally Kohla nearby Kermi village which takes about 5
hours. The journey continues leading to a climb and crossing a stream reaching
the last village of Thakuri people and the end of rice fields. From here
on ups and down path around grazing area and crossing Sally- Khola
(stream) nearby beautiful waterfalls to our overnight camp a short
distance from Kermi village, this place with hot springs of an hour walk.
Today
we will head towards Muchu which takes about 5 hours. Morning starts with an
uphill through Yangar village on paved path built with rocks and woods and
then crossing suspension bridge over Humla Karnali River, and then climb to a
stream past apricot garden area and finally reaching Muchu village to our
overnight camp, this small village with an old monastery and a border
Police Check Post.
After
a nice stop at Muchu, our journey descend towards Thumkot village which takes
about 4 hours, after a break then climbing away from Humla - Karnali River
walking on a steep-sided narrow gorge. From here a long hour trek leads
slowly to a climb reaching at Torea village for overnight camp, with
afternoon free at leisure to catch up with your dairy and explore this village.
Today
we will head towards Sip Sip which takes about 5 hours. As the walk progress
altitude gains with morning climb to reach a small ridge at 3,500
meters high, from here countering on ridge top, offers grand vista of Yari
valley area and high snowcapped peaks, after a short stop walk leads by an
irrigation canal to a large wide valley of Jhyakthang chu this place
marked with prayer walls entering into Buddhist culture villages
of Tibetan influence.
After
a good walk reaching a moderate size Yari village built with stones, this
village has another police post, with government custom office and a
school. Farmlands with terraces yielding sufficient crops growing millets,
barley, amaranth (Marcia) wheat, buckwheat’s, potatoes and radishes. After
a nice stop walk continues with a climb on a wide valley encountering group
of traders, pilgrims and pack animals-goats, sheep’s and yaks, then
reaching at Sip-Sip a small place of cattle herders with few
shops. Our camp is made near a stream at the bottom of Nara Lagna pass.
Today
we will head towards Hilsa via Nara Lagna which takes about 6 hours. From this
camp morning walk leads to a climb on a ridge with huge rock atop at Nara
Lagna pass at 5,000 m / 15,030ft, the highest spot of this walk on Nepal
side. The pass offers grand panorama of Tibetan plateau with Humla Karnali
River down below and green barley fields of Sher or Sera, distance views
of Api and Saiphal peaks. After a pleasant stop walk downhill on dusty
trail to Humla Karnali River to reach Nepal border at Hilsa village, a
frontier post with few tents and stone houses surrounded with barley fields,
just across the bridge a stone pillar marks Nepal-Tibet border.
Morning
an hour climb to Sher in Tibet, on leaving Nepal, where our Tibetan guides and
driver will receive for an interesting drive to Taklakot also known as
Purang in Tibetan. Taklakot an important major market town for Tibetans,
Nepali and as well for Indian traders with a separate bazaar areas, during
summer months an important wool trade takes place between nomadic Drogpa
herdsmen and Nepali traders our overnight stop in local guest house.
After
Taklakot or Purang to reach Mansarovar it takes around 3 hours. Within Tibet
with complete change of environment with the local people including town
and way of living, from Taklakot a holy pilgrimage begins with a
scenic drive to Lake Manasarover on leaving Karnali River valley; As the
drive continues over pass and then reaching a flat barren and arid country
beneath massive Mt. Gurla Mandhata at 7,728 meters, from here drive leads
over Thalladong pass 5,050 meters high with views of Rakshesh Lake and
holy Mt. Kailash.
From
the pass downhill to Chu Gompa located by the western bank of Lake Manasarover
for overnight stop in a guest house or camping (depending upon the season
for Indian and Tibetan pilgrims)
This
day at first we will visit the sacred and holy Masarovar Lake. Lake
Manasarover, a holy lake located between Mt. Kailash (6714 m) and the
Gurla Mandhata mountain range at (7694 m). Manasarover floats beneath the
shadow of holy Kailash as the lake formed in the mind of Gods. Masarovar Lake as well as Mt. Kailash is
believed as abode of Lord Shiva and holds great importance amongst the Hindu as
well as Buddhist people. Mansarovar is known as the purest lake in the world
with the belief that if anyone drink the water then that person is purified
from the sins he has done in the 100th lifetime.
After performing the ritual / spending the peaceful
time in Mansarovar we will drive towards Darchen (40 km) which takes about 1 hour to reach there. Darchen
is located right next to the Mount Kailash and is the base of circumambulation (“Kora” in
Tibetan). It takes 3 days to complete the Kora of Mt. Kailash. Stay
overnight at Guest House.
After breakfast we will drive for 45 minute towards
Tarboche (18 km), starting point of Kailash Kora. Tarboche is located in
Yamadwar which is known as the gateway of god of death. Kailash
stands at 6,714m, heart of ancient Shangshung kingdom supposed country of
pre- Buddhist Bonpos origin. Today we will have to walk for around 5/6
hours (15 km) to reach Dirapuk. In the meantime we can see the breathtaking
views of Himalayas like: Ape, Kamet, Gurla – Mandala and so on. Stay
overnight at Guest House.
This
day is the hardest as well as longest pilgrimage trek of Kora which takes about
6/7 hours of Kora from Dirapuk to Zutulpuk (20 km). This day we will have to
walk about 550 m ascent and 600 m descent. We will start to walk from the
Dirapuk to Jarok Donkhang village and then hike to Shiva-tsal (belief: undergo
through the death to born again) and then ascend to Drolma La Pass (5634 m)
(belief: reborn after reaching at top) and then descend down to the banks of
river Lham-Chu Khir and reach Khando Sangam La (east side of Mt. Kailash). A
big boulder represents goddess Dolma or Dromo (Tara) this place festooned
with prayer flags. This spot is the physical and spiritual high point of
pilgrimage. After resting there for while we head towards Juthulpuk which is
famous for its miracle cave. On the cave it is believed that Milerappa, great
ascetic used to perform miracles. Stay overnight at Guest House.
After breakfast we will complete the Kora by walking
for about 3/4 hours and return back to Darchen village. After resting and
having lunch we will head back through the same route to Saga village. Stay
overnight at Guest House.
After breakfast we will drive back through the same way enjoying the
scenic view to Kerung. Stay overnight at Guest House.
After
breakfast we will drive back towards Kathmandu (150 km). We will have to follow
the procedures in immigration to return Nepal Tibet Border. After 9 hours of
ride we will reach Kathmandu. Stay overnight at Hotel.
This day will be a
free day in Kathmandu. In meantime we can do sightseeing such as Patan Durbar
Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changunarayan. If not we can also do
shopping or various other activities. Stay
overnight at Hotel.
Enjoy your last day on Kathmandu before
departure. At your mentioned departure time our correspondent will pick you up
from hotel and transfer to airport and depart you with warm hearts.