Religious Significance & History

Mt. Kailash (6714m) is the most sacred mountain in Asia. It is believed to be the physical embodiment of the mythical Mt. Meru, which is said to be the center of the universe or ‘navel of the world’. Mt. Meru is depicted as a mandala, and its image occurs throughout both Buddhist and Hindu parts of Asia. Images of Mt. Meru occur as far away as Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobadur in Indonesia. Mt. Kailash is holy to followers of several religions; Hinduism, Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Jains. To Hindus, Kailash is the abode of Shiva and nearby Manasarobar Lake is the means or soul of Brahma. Tibetans call Kailash Kang Rimpoche. Jains worship it as Mt. Ashtapada, the peak from which the religion’s founder, Rishabanatha, achieved spiritual liberation. Followers of Bon-Po, the ancient pre-Buddhist shamanistic religion of Tibet, revere Kailash as the soul of Tibet.

The circumference of Mt. Kailash is an important pilgrimage for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Hindus perform a parikarama, Buddhists call it a Kora. You are welcome to do either of these, or simply make a trek around the peak. Tibetan Buddhists believe that a single Kora washes away the sins of one life and that 108 circles secure nirvana in this life. Devout Tibetans often make the 52 km circle in a single day. Indian Pilgrims make the circuit in three days, but this also is rushed, particularly since the circle, though mostly level, involves the crossing of a 5630m pass. A four-day trek is far more enjoyable and rewarding.

Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims make a clockwise circuit of the peak. The Bon-Po tradition is to loop Mt. Kailash in the opposite direction. As you circle Mt. Kailash by the traditional route, you will meet followers of Bon-Po making a Kora in the opposite direction. When I was at Kailash there was a large contingent of Bon-Po pilgrims from faraway Kham and Nakchu. We were astounded at the huge number of adherents to what has been described as an ‘ancient pre-Buddhist’ religious pilgrimage making the counterclockwise circuit. There is also an ‘inner Kora’ that passes two lakes to the south of Kailash. Tradition dictates that only those who have completed 13 loops of Kailash may follow this inner route. This tradition is so important to Tibetans that we are required to assure our hosts that we will not violate the sanctity of this route before they allow us to proceed to Darchan.
Geography

Another geographical factor that contributes to the mystical aspect of Kailash is that nearby are the headwaters of four major rivers of the Indian subcontinent; Sutlej, Karnili (a major tributary of the Ganges), Brahmaputra and Indus. The mouths of these rivers are more than 2,000 km apart, yet they all have their source within 100 km on Mt. Kailash.

Manasarovar Lake
At an elevation of 4510m, Manasarovar Lake is more important to Hindus than to Buddhists. Hindu pilgrims make an 85km circuit around Manasarovar that is made longer and more difficult by marshes and complicated stream crossings. The Tibetans, being more pragmatic, often make a circuit of the lake in the winter when the streams are frozen and the time to complete the loop is shorter. Near Manasarovar is another large lake, Rakshas Tal, the ‘Demon Lake’ that holds far less spiritual significance. Both lakes are considered places of spiritual journeys.
Trithapuri Cave

It is situated 70 Km west of Kailash which on the bank of River Satlaj. It is very colorful area with Hot Springs. It is believed that it is the place where the demon Bhasmasure was burnt to ashes. The area is made from red and white mountains.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Beautiful Snowcapped Mountains
Himalayan Panoramic Vistas
Buddhist Monasteries & Hindu Holy Places
Participate in Ancient Holy Pilgrimage
Natural Hot Spring, Cave, & Beautiful Salt Lake
Observe numerous cultures and peoples

Arrival & Departure Information

Arrive in Kathmandu before 2:00 pm on Day 1. Sherpa Mountain Travel will meet you outside the customs area and immigration area at the airport. Your guide will answer any questions you might have and brief you about the immediate arrangements. The trip leader will hold a short briefing at the hotel regarding the trek arrangement and general orientation.
Note—Some flights from the U.S. require one to three (1-3) days of travel (since you lose a day due to time difference) and overnight en route. More specific details will be sent to you in your pre-trip packet of information.

Air Travel

International Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. For air reservations, we can book for you in order to get a group rate. When booking a flight using “frequent flyer” miles, you may need to book your own flight. Please check with our staff before purchasing or obtaining your tickets, so we may verify your arrival and departure schedule.

Activity Levels

Sherpa Mountain Travel trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active, have a spirit of adventure, and a positive attitude. You should be an experienced hiker in good physical condition. Trekking in Nepal is for active people who enjoy walking, even up or down steep hills (there is very little level walking in Nepal). We expect you to have some recent hiking experience and be in good health. All gear and camp supplies will be carried by porters or pack animals, leaving you free to carry only a light daypack.

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We will spend a considerable amount of time at altitudes above 11,000 feet, which can make the hiking strenuous. Exercise at high altitude compounds the physiologic stress. High altitude can sometimes create discomfort and symptoms of illness that you do not experience while exercising at low elevations, such as shortness of breath, restlessness or sleeplessness at night, and headaches. The guide will have the final decision on any adjustment in the itinerary for individual health interest of all trekkers.

We recommend that you start a moderate training program several months before departure, then slowly build up to a more strenuous level. Regular aerobic exercise for at least one hour 4-5 times a week is good. This may include; aerobic fitness classes, power walking, jogging, cycling on hills, swimming, and cross-country skiing; especially at high altitudes. Since training is highly sport-specific, include some hiking or running in your program. Additionally, you must be able to sustain exercise for prolonged periods.

Consult your physician if you have questions concerning your underlying health. We can help answer questions for you or your physician concerning required levels of fitness and health conditions at altitude. If you have concerns about your ability to do this trek, we can suggest appropriate alternatives.

Life on a Camping Trek

The days typically start at 6:30 a.m. with the appearance of smiling Sherpas at the door of your tent bearing a mug of steaming tea. This is soon followed by a large bowl of hot water for washing. Then it’s time to pack your bags and sit down to a hearty breakfast of porridge, eggs, and toast. By 7:30 or 8:00 you’re off on the trail.
For about three hours you’ll walk through villages, forests, and up and down green hills and valleys. There’s plenty of time to visit local teashops, stop for a view or a photo, and exchange a smile or greeting (Namaste!) with the friendly Nepali people who share the trail. A trailside lunch breaks up the day, giving you time to rest and refuel with a substantial hot meal prepared by the staff. After about an hour of eating, napping, and relaxing, it’s time for the afternoon hike.

You arrive in camp by 4:00 p.m. with time to wash up and get settled in your tent before enjoying tea and snacks in the dining tent. The next two hours before dinner are free to write in your journal, read a few pages in a novel, play cards, engage in conversation, or simply relax. The day closes with a hearty multi-course dinner, which often includes ethnic cuisine as well as American favorites (we like the yak cheese pizzas and momos—Tibetan dumplings). After dinner you can gaze at the stars and the moonlit peaks, recount the events of the day, or retire to your tent to read for a while or drift off to sleep.

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Your Guide

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you natural and manmade wonders only locals know of; they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights and culture with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. They also have knowledge in rescue and first aid. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way!

What’s Included with the Trip Reservation Fee?

A fluently English speaking, experienced, local guide
Nice hotel Accommodations in Kathmandu
Camping accommodations and all trek arrangements, including all meals on trek guides, porters and cook staff, gear and equipment (comfortable and roomy two-person tents, full length comfortable foam sleeping pads, kitchen and dining tents)
Three healthy tasty meals per day: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Airport transfers
Sightseeing in Kathmandu (as noted in the itinerary)
Ground transportation
National parks entrance fees and permits

What’s Not Included with the Trip Reservation Fee?

International airfare
Hotel accommodations en route to Katmandu, Nepal
Meals not noted on itinerary (Meals while in Kathmandu and snacks during trek are trekkers responsibility, any alcohol purchases during trip is responsibility of trekker.)
We strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Sherpa Mountain Travel, which includes trip cancellation insurance. Or check with your insurance company for overseas travelers insurance.
Tips are not included in trip price.

Tips to lead trekking guide and Sherpa staff; visas; excess baggage charges; airport taxes; entrance fee at historical site in Kathamandu, cost of obtaining a passport or medical immunizations; items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.). We list suggestions of items to bring on website.
*Depending on your choice of air carrier, you may need to overnight in Bangkok or Delhi en route to Kathmandu. We will be happy to make hotel reservations for you.
Limitation of Liability

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These paragraphs (together with the Release of Liability section of the Application Form) define our responsibility with respect to all our trips. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY.

Payment of your deposit represents your acceptance of the following terms and conditions:

Sherpa Mountain Travel gives notice that services provided in connection with its itineraries, including transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurants, and other services, are purchased from various independent suppliers who are not affiliated with Sherpa Mountain Travel in any way. Although we endeavor to choose the best suppliers available, Sherpa Mountain Travel has no right to control their operations and therefore makes these travel arrangements upon the express condition that Sherpa Mountain Travel and its own agents and employees, shall not be liable for any delay, mishap, inconvenience, expense, irregularity, bodily injury or death to person, or damage to property occasioned through the conduct or default of any company or individual engaged in providing these services. Each of these passenger conveyance companies, tour companies, hotels, etc., is subject to the laws of the state or country where the service is provided.

Sherpa Mountain Travel shall not be liable for (a) expenses such as additional hotel nights and meals not specified in the individual trip itineraries, but which may be required to get to or from a trip start or end; (b) expenses due to the delay of a trip for any reason (e.g. bad weather, trail conditions, land slides, flooding, sickness, or other contingency for which Sherpa Mountain Travel cannot make provision; (c) expenses incurred in recovering luggage lost by airlines, belongings left behind on a trip, or in shipping purchases or other goods home from abroad; (d) bodily injury or property damage for any reason, including but not limited to acts of God, weather, quarantines, strikes, civil disturbance, theft, default, changes in government regulations, terrorism, war, or failure of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, etc., over which Cain Travel has no control. The right is reserved to substitute both trip leaders and hotels from those listed in the catalog, as well as reverse the order of places to be visited and make reasonable changes in the itinerary where deemed advisable for the comfort and well being of the passengers.

Trip Member's Responsibility

Trip members have the responsibility to select a trip appropriate to their abilities and interests. In order to assist you, we grade each trip with a rating. We are also happy to discuss the trip with you, as well as provide you with names of past participants who can discuss their experience with you. Trip members are held responsible for being in sufficient good health to undertake the trip. Trip members are responsible for preparing for the trip by studying the itinerary and pre-departure information packets sent by Sherpa Mountain Travel and for bringing the appropriate clothing and equipment as advised therein

Trip Cancellation Insurance:

We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation and travel insurance. This comprehensive travel insurance provides coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, loss of baggage and travel documents, baggage delay, medical expenses and emergency assistance.

Why Sherpa Mountain Travel is Your First Choice for Adventure

Sherpa Mountain Travel is a socially responsible Travel company with guides that have decades of experience who are native of the Himalayan region. We provide value and integrity to each client. We provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service possible.
Questions?

Feel free to call us at 303-507-2530, or email info@sherpamountaintravel.com.
We look forward to the adventure with you!

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Trip Rating

We want to be sure you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Rating System ranks each trip from 1 to 7 according to the degree of activity and general travel rigors (1 is the easiest and 7 the most expeditionary). With each trip description, there is also a Trip Summary that briefly describes trip conditions. Please refer to your “Trip Detail” box to see the trip grade. Use this rating system to determine which trips are the best fit for your Himalayan adventure.

Easiest Most Strenuous
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Questions? Call us at 303-507-2530, or email us at . We’re here to help.

Easiest: 0-2 hour daily hikes
Hotel-only night stays (no outdoor camping), optional scenic hikes with very little elevation gain or loss (city walking or country driving sightseeing).
Easy to Moderate: 2-4 hour daily hikes
Hotel night stays and/or deluxe, safari-style camping, scenic hikes of two to four hours (2-4 hours) on some days. Treks in this category may include transportation by jeep or mountain flight. Other physical activities sometimes offered, such as kayaking or camel riding (optional on some trips).
Moderate: 4-6 hours daily hikes
Full-day gradual trail hikes (4-6 hours) on most days through rolling countryside, occasionally on steep trails. Many of our hotel-based country walking tours are in this category. Treks in this category may include transportation by jeep or mountain flight. Other physical activities sometimes offered, such as kayaking or camel riding (optional on some trips).
Moderate to Strenuous: 5-7 hours daily hikes
Full-day hikes (5-7 hours) through mountainous terrain with significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down 1,000-2,000 feet) on most hikes. Hikes are at altitudes of 9,000-13,000 feet.
Strenuous: 6-8 hours daily hikes
Full-day hikes (6-8 hours) through mountainous terrain, steep ascents and descents (hiking up or down 1,500-2,500 feet). Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 13,000 to 18,500 feet are in this category, as well as certain sea kayaking expeditions with rugged conditions.
Very Strenuous: 6-8 hours daily hikes at high altitudes
Full-day hikes (6-8 hours) through mountainous terrain, steep ascents and descents (hiking up or down 2,000-3,000 feet). Most hikes takes place at altitudes over 18,500 feet.
Most Strenuous: 6-8 hours daily hikes and climbs at extremely high altitude
Full-day hikes (6-8 hours), including technical climbing through mountainous terrain, camping, walking through glaciers, and hiking at extremely high altitudes (over 19,500 feet).

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu.
Travel from your home port to Kathmandu. All flights cross the dateline and a day is consequently lost. Arrive in Kathmandu, where our staff will meet you and transfer you to the Yak & Yeti Hotel, a classic five-star hotel located in the Durbar Marg district. They have great food from all over the world, fabulous shopping, and Durbur Square, with its numerous temples and markets, is nearby.

Day 2: Leisure Day in Kathmandu

While we wrap up last minute paperwork with the Chinese Embassy, you will have a casual day of; shopping for souvenirs in the streets of Kathmandu, visiting the palaces, Thamel District, Hindu temples and shrines, Buddhist stupas, or just relaxing at the hotel. Favorite destinations are Swayambunath, a Buddhist temple with prayer flags descending from the highly ornate steeple and situated on a small hill that offers outstanding views of the city.

Day 3: Zhangmu to Nyalam
Enjoy a morning drive to the Nepalese frontier town of 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. A short break at Zhangmu for check-post formalities. Proceed for 35 kms (approximately 3 hours) to the city of Nyalam (3,700 m) for dinner and overnight stay. (The lodges and guest houses here are comfortable, simple, and basic.)

Day 4: Nyalam
Rest for full day at Nyalam for acclimatization and local hiking.

Day 5: Lelung
Morning drive to the first pass of Lelung La at 5,050 m. to enjoy the superb view of the high Himalayan Mountains (like Gaurishanker, Shisapangma to Langtang Himal). From here the road diverts towards Shisapangma on the trail to Saga on the wide windswept landscape on the rough dirt road. Saga is one of the large villages’ enroute to Kailash. The drive can take approximate 5-6 hours depending upon the road conditions. Halt for a dinner and overnight stay in camps near the village.

Day 6: Paryang
Breakfast and another morning drive through the windswept territory passing many villages and camps of Yak herders with the distant view of beautiful snow capped mountains. After 5-6 hours of driving we arrive in Paryang for the overnight stay.

Day 7: Darchen, base of Mt. Kailash
From Paryang, our journey continues to Darchen, the start of our Parikrama or Kora (circle of Mt. Kailash). The drive passes through open territory with a view of distant mountains, Yak herders’ camps, and if we are lucky we might come across a herd of Kang (wild donkeys). The drive takes us to a high pass of over 5,000 m before we arrive at Darchen (4,480 m). Darchen, a small village with couple of guest houses, is located beneath the majestic holy Mount Kailash. During the auspicious pilgrimage time, this place will be flooded with Pilgrims with hundreds of tents all around. Darchen is the beginning and end point of the Parikrama (Hindu pilgrimage) and Kora (Buddhist pilgrimage) around Mt. Kailash.

Day 8: Dirapuk
The first day's parikarama or Kora is a gradual walk with multitudes of other local pilgrims chanting and praying. The trail leads to few ups and downs till we reach our camp at Dirapuk (4,750 m.), after 5-6 hours walk. Camping on the nice grassy meadows with a view of Mt. Kailash, we stop at the northwest face at Dirapuk for overnight camping.

Day 9: Zuthulphuk
Today our parikarama leads to much higher side of the holy path just beneath the Mount Kailash. The walk will bring us to one of the highest points at Drolma La, at 5,200 m., before descending to the gradual field towards Zuthulphuk for the overnight camp after 5-6 hours of walking. Zuthulphuk has a small monastery.

Day 10: Back to Darchen
The winding gradual tracks finally ends our holy pilgrimage walk (5 hours) at Darchen where we rest overnight.

Day 11: Lake Mansarovar
After completing the holy pparikarama at Darchen, our next spiritual destination takes to Lake Mansarovar for the holy bath. It is believed a ritual bath delivers a pilgrims to paradise and a drink of its holy water relinquishes the sins of hundreds lifetimes. The drive from Darchen takes a little over 2 hours on the dirt road. Lake Mansarovar is one of the largest salt lakes in Tibet. We will be camping at the shore of the lake very close to the monastery and its’ village.

Day 12: Lake Mansarovar
Enjoy a day of rest at Lake Mansarovar. You may dip in the lake and enjoy local hikes.

Day 13: Paryang
Retrace the journey back to Paryang, approximately 5-6 hours drive.

Day 14: Saga
Continue the drive back to Saga, approximately 5-6 hours drive.

Day 15: Nyalam
Drive back to Nyalam, approximately 5-6 hours drive.

Day 16: Zhangmu to Kathmandu
Drive to Zhangmu after completing an ancient religious pilgrimage and continue towards Kathmandu to complete your journey of a lifetime. Transfer to Hotel.

Day 17: Final Sightseeing Day in Kathmandu
Spend your last day in Kathmandu souvenir shopping, visiting temples, shrines, or museums, and enjoying other independent activities.

Day 18: Transfer to Airport for International departure
Sherpa Mountain Travel will transport you from your hotel to the airport for your departure.

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