Nepal Kailash & Guge Kingdom Nepal Tibet Tour 2019
The Kailash Manasarovar tour from Nepal in 11 to 15 days is the prime focus of most pilgrimage travelers to western Tibet. it is pilgrimage destinations of Buddhism, Bon, Hindu and Jainism from long time ago. But it no longer remains only a pilgrimage destination. Every year hundreds of adventurers gratify by its natural beauties and geographical rareness.
Mt.Kailash, Kang Rinpoche in Tibetan, is situated at a height of 6714 m (22156 ft) above sea level. For four Major religions of the world, i.e. for Buddhism, Jainism, Bompo (a religion prior to Buddhism in Tibet) and Hinduism, Mount Kailash is the spot of utmost reverence. For the Buddhists, Kailash is the center point of the universe. For the Jains, Kailash is the Mount Ashtapada, a very holy place of pilgrimage. For the Bompo followers, Kailash is the nine-faced swastika mountain and is constantly emanating great power. For the Hindus Kailash is the Sumeru Parvat, the spiritual center of the world around which all the earthly powers revolve. If there are heaven abodes on earth, Mt. Kailash & Mansarovar Lake is to be treasured as the most celestial. Its flames give birth to four great Asian rivers the Indus, Bramaputra, Ganges and Sutlej.
Tibetan Buddhists believe Kang Rinpoche, which means Precious Snow Mountain, is a natural mandala representing the Buddhist cosmology on the earth. The Jains believe this is the place where their religion's founder was spiritually awakened.
It is indeed a rare opportunity and privilege for all devotees who have been dreaming to be close to the home of the Gods in this world.
13 days Nepal Kailash-Guge-Nepal trip outline
Day 01: Kathmandu-Gyirong - arrival at Gyirong (3700m). 230km, 9-10 hours Drive.
Day 02: Gyirong to Saga (4600m), 120km, 6/7 Hours Drive. o/n at Saga Hotel
Day 03: Saga-Paryang-Manasarovar Lake (4560m). 506km, 7/8 Hours Drive.?o/n at local guesthouse.
Day 04: Manasarovar Lake-Darchen (4560m) 40km, 2 Hours Drive. o/n at Himalaya Kailash Hotel or similar one per request
Day 05: 1st day of your trek to Diraphuk Monastery. ?25km, 7 to 8 hours trek
Day 06: 2nd day trek to Zuthulphuk Monastery (4790m) 22km, 6 To 7 hours trek.
Day 07: Last trek day to Darchen, 11km, 4 Hours Trek.
Day 08: Darchen-Zanda (3650m, similar altitude of Lhasa) 280km, 8 hours drive.o/n at local family guesthouse.
Day 09: Tsanda-Tholing Monastery- Tsaparang-Guge Kingdom Ruins-Tsanda. o/n at local family guesthouse.
Day 10: Tsanda-Tirthupuri Hotspring-Manasarovar (320km, about 4 hours driving).?o/n at local guesthouse.
Day 11: Manasarovar-Saga, 506km (descending and easier driving 8 hours). o/n at Saga Hotel.
Day 12: Saga-Gyirong. 120km, 8 hours drive. o/n at Gyirong Hotel.
Day 13: Gyirong-Kathmandu by yourself
2019 Nepal Kailash Manasarovar Guge Itinerary Details
Day 01 Arrival in Gyirong 0m), 165km, 4/5 hours drive
You will be picked up from Kathmandu and transfer to Nepal Tibet border. Upon your arrival past the border, you will be greeted by our Tibetan guide and driver on Tibetan side, then you will be transfered to Gyriong town. Overnight at the Gyirong Hotel.
Day 02 to Day 04: Gyirong-Saga-Manasarovar-Darchen overland adventure
The journey across the Thongla pass(4950m) and stunning Peikutso lake at the foot of Mt. Shishapama (8012m) to the far-west Tibet plateau, it passes through a region where the lifestyle remains close to what it has been for centuries, driving over the moony landscapes and vistas are vast but sparsely inhabited, the enliven and lone groups of nomads families dwelling in the low, black tents are tending flocks of sheep and herds of ubiquitous yaks are can be seen along the route, nevertheless, the abounding wild lives can be found in this region like herds of wild ass, Tibetan gazelle, wild yaks and so on. Finally the perspective view of supernatural peak of Kailash can be achieved from the Lake Manasarovar, spend a night on the holy lake side by absorbing the striking beauties of mystical lake Manasarovar. Hike up to Chiu monastery perching on the small hill offers a breathtaking panorama of the lake Manasarovar. Accommodation (local family guesthouses)
Day 05 to Day 07 (3 days Circumambulation trekking)
Darchen the formerly important sheep station for the local nomads and their cattle is now populated with numbers of guesthouses and restaurants, it is located right in front of white sentinel Kailash and it is also the starting and ending point of Kailash circuit, the 58km circumambulation follow the footstep of devoted pilgrims with the alpine valley, blooming glacier and spectacular view of the great north face of Kailash can be seen end of the day, after cross the challenging Dolma la pass(5600m), the trail descent the steep and rock-strewn valley to Zuthulphuk and then on the next day a easy trek to Darchen. Accommodation (budget hostel or guesthouses)
Day 08: Darchen to Tsanda (about 280km, 4-5 hour driving), arrival around 4 pm
Drive further south-west towards Ali, and then turn off to Zanda at Moincer, through a long zigzag road down and up incredibly eroded gorges and gullies, sooner the capital of the ancient kingdom of Guge can be seen down below in the valley floor. From various vantage points on the descent into Toling town, there are some of the spectacular views of canyons and sand dunes in the upper Sutlej valley. The vast sweep of the Himalayans is discernible, as the range turns North West from Nepal and along the Indian border as far as Ladakh and Kashmir spanning several hundred kilometers. Moreover, ruins of temples and caves of ancient Guge kingdom still breathing with exquisite murals and decorative motifs that dating back more than 1000 years. Accommodation (budget hostel or guesthouses)
Day 09 Tsanda-Tholing-Tsaparang-Guge Kingdom Ruins-Tsanda
Guge Kingdom in Ngari, Tibet, is discussed within archeological circles in similarly reverential tones as the Mayan Civilization and Pompeii. The three have in common that they were abruptly destroyed at their peak and obscured from the world for centuries. Also that when excavated, all were found to be in an uncannily well-preserved state. There are a dozen or so households scattered around the ruins of the ancient kingdom, none that have any connection with its original inhabitants. Exactly how this kingdom of 100,000 inhabitants disappeared from view 350 years ago is still a matter of debate. The Guge Kingdom is much larger than the ruined city. It was founded 1,300 years ago by a member of the Tubo royal family, and was once the seat of rule over the whole Tibetan plateau. At the height of its power, the kingdom's territory covered all of Ngari Prefecture. It existed for over 700 years and reigned over by more than kings before vanishing in the 17th century. The kingdom's abrupt downfall is widely attributed to a religious war. Guge subjects were Tibetan Buddhists at the time Portuguese Jesuits entered the region via India. These Portuguese missionaries converted first the queen and then the king. Lamas were appalled, and felt compelled to look to Kashmir for help. This collaboration culminated in the Kashimiri army's invasion and eventually annexation of Guge. Accommodation: Tsanda Guesthouse
Day 10 Tsanda-Tirthupuri Hotspring-Manasarovar (320km, about 4 hours driving)
On the way back, we drive to visit the enjoy the Hotspring if you like (you can choose by yourself), finally we drive back to Holy lake Manasarovar where we may arrive around 5 or 6 pm (it depends on how much time you spend on the way), leisure time on the bank of the holy lake. Accommodation: Qiu Gompa Guesthouse
Day 11: Manasarovar-Saga, long time drive for about 506km (descending and easier driving, taking about 8 hours), arrival around 8 pm, o/n at Saga Hotel.
Day 12: Saga-Gyirong, enjoy the landscape (about 120km, taking about 4-5 hours), o/n in Gyirong Hotel.
Day 13: Gyirong-Kathmandu (230km) Drop off in Kathmandu. Accommodation on your own.
Service included
- All necessary travel permits to Tibet;
- Tibet group visa;
- Transfer between Kathmandu and Tibet border (Optional, please specify in inquiry)
- Private guide: English speaking local Tibetan guide;
- Experienced driver;
- Transportation in Tibet: Ranging from 4WD Jeeps to van or bus per the group size
- Meals (optional, please specify in inquiry)
- Lodging: available from 3 star hotels to budget guesthouses as specified
- Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the program;
- Pick-up and send-off services at the beginning/end of the tour;
- Lodging and meals for guide and drivers;
- One big oxygen cylinder for emergence case
- Basic camping gears: tents, mattresses and sleeping bags;
- First aid kit;
- Liability travel insurance;
- Yaks and porters during the trekking days (Optional);
- Cook and cooking gears (Optional)
- Full board meals during the trekking days (Optional)
Service not included:
-Travel insurance, covering cancellation and emergency evacuation (recommended);
- Expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc.);
- International flight/train (please specify if you need the booking)
- Meals that are not specified in the itinerary
- Gratuities for the guide and driver
If you want to have a different Kailash tour, please View More Tibet Group Tours
