Location :
Western
Region Of Tibet, Tibetan Himalayas
Comfortable Trip Duration :
30 Days
Highest Altitude:
6,675m
Best Time To Visit:
June To
September
14 Days Tour Program : Zhangmu -
Tingri - Lungjhang - Nomad's Camp - Lamna-La
Pass - Dza-Rongphu - Everest Base Camp - Rongphu
- Xegar - Shigatse - Gyantse - Yamdrok-Tso
Lake - Lhasa - Kathmandu
14 Days Tour Program : Kathmandu
- Lhasa - Sigatse - Ngamring - Saga - Prayang
- Mansarover - Darche Chuku Gompa - Dara Phuk
- Laham Chuu Valley - Zutrul Valley - Zutrul
Phuk - Darchan Paryang - SAGA - Pegu Tso -
Zhangmu - Kathmandu - Delhi
The Path To Nirvana
The majestic Himalayas figure prominently
not only in the topography of India but in
its history and mythology as well. The youngest
mountain range in the world, and yet the mightiest,
the Himalayas are many things to many people.
Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash, which is believed to have been
formed 30 million years ago when Himalayas
were in their early stage of formation, is
one of the most revered places in the Himalayas.
Spread out on the Tibetan plateau beside Mount
Kailash is the giant lake of shifting colours
- Lake Mansarovar. Brahma, the creator, had
a mind (‘Man’) for the creation
of a lake (‘Sarovar’), hence its
name. A pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and a
bath in the Mansarovar is believed to bring
about salvation (Moksha).
The Yatra or The Journey
People have been visiting Kailash
- Mansarovar for centuries. Almost all the
major passes of Uttaranchal Himalayas lead
to Kailash - Mansarovar. The important ones
in the Kumaon region are Lipulekh, Lampiya
Dhura, Nuwe Dhura, Lowe Dhura, Unta Dhura,
Jayanti and Kungri Bingri. Since 1981, under
the auspices of the Indian ministry of external
affairs and with the cooperation of the Chinese
government, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam has
been conducting trips to Kailash - Mansarovar
through the Lipulekh pass. The number of people
allowed visiting Kailash - Mansarovar is limited
and it is hoped that in the near future, more
Indian pilgrims will be allowed to visit Western
Tibet, the region of sacred mountains and
lakes.
The Legend
It is because of Kailash - Mansarovar, which
is 865-kms from Delhi, that Kumaon is sometimes
called “Manaskhand”. Many myths
are associated with this unusual mountain
and lake. The Buddhists, the Jains and the
Bonpas of Tibet too, all revere this spot
with great fervour and devotion. Therefore,
it is not surprising for a devotee to come
across the worlds “Om Mani Padme Hum”
(“Hail to the jewel (of Creation) in
the Lotus) written on stones and taken from
Buddhist scriptures. The Bonpas make an anti-clockwise
pilgrimage around Mt. Kailash whereas the
believers of the jain faith specially visit
astpaad near the southern face of kailash
in the kailash --mansarovar region.
The Kailash Mansarovar Lake
The circumference of Mansarovar is 88-km,
its depth is 90m and total area is 320-sq-kms.
The lake freezes in the winters and melts
only in spring. It looks unbelievably fascinating
on moonlit nights when an ethereal ambience
pervades the atmosphere. The circumference
of Rakshas Tal, also known as “Ravan
Kund”, is 122-km. A 6-km long natural
channel - “Gangachhu” - connects
Manas with Rakshas Tal.
General Travel Tips for Kailash Mansarovar
Yatra
Accommodation : Accommodation
will be very simple with a cozy room with
common bathrooms and toilets. However, hot
water will be provided in every room for refreshing
and for drinking.
Food : The food will be
supplied from our side while camping breakfast,
lunch & dinner with occasional tea break.
While staying in lodges enroute the meal will
be provided from the best available Chinese
or Tibetan restaurants. The food will be very
simple as per the clients taste. All meals
provided will be vegetarian.
Clothing & Accessories : Depending
upon the season, during June, July, August
till September, day time will be pleasant
and quite warm with about 15-20 degrees celcius.
During afternoon time 1-4 pm can be windy.
The morning and evening will be chilly between
minus 2 to 0 degree celcius. We recommend
one down jacket, one warm thick pull-over,
one thin pull-over, two warm pants, two light
loose cotton pants, one warm windproof cotton
jacket, four cotton sleeve T-shirts, two thermal
under pants, two thermal vests, one rain coat,
one pair each of light tennis shoes &
light rubber sandal, six pairs of warm woolen
socks, one light cotton or silk scarf, one
large cotton or silk scarf, one pair of warm
gloves, soft paper tissues, monkey cap &
sun hat, two towels, Wind - Rain Jacket, sun
hat, sun glass, sun cream, chap stick.
Transportation : During
the drive we will be providing a 4 wheel drive
(Land cruiser or similar), truck as a backup
with all camping gear and crew. Maximun 4-5
person will be accommodated in a land cruiser.
While on trek, during the Kora, we will provide
Yaks to carry the camping & your personal
heavy gears.
Guide / Escort : A Tibetan/
English speaking guide will escort the group
throughout the trip including few Nepali staffs
for the camping.
Photography : As Tibet
get very bright sunlight due to thin air,
so taking photographs can be quite glare.
We recommend you to take the advise from the
photographic shop while purchasing the film
rolls for Tibet. Taking photographs inside
monastery will be charged as per Monastery
rule. Please ask your guide before taking
photographs inside the monastery or Army Camps.
Medicine : We suggest you
to bring your own first aid kit with adequate
medication regarding altitude sickness, naussea,
dehydration and some pain killers.
Insurance : We highly recommend
all clients to be insured against Medical,
accidents & necessary emergency evacuation,
if needed.
Physical Fitness : Before
booking for this trip with us, clients should
be in sound good health preparation for this
trip. We advise bit of excersise like morning
or evening walk or jogging.
Visa & Documentation : Clients
must be in possession of a valid passport
to obtain visa. We will require the following
details from your passport at the time of
booking the trip - Full Name as in Passport,
Nationality, Date of issue & expiry of
Passport, Passport No, Date of Birth &
Occupation
Altitude Sickness : Acute
mountain sickness is a frequent problem in
the Himalayan region. The altitude of the
peaks and trails between them are among highest
on earth. Acclimatization to altitude above
3000 meters takes time. The body undergoes
a number of physiological changes some of
which are immediate like increased pulse rate
& respiratory rate. Others appear more
slowly over a period of weeks like the change
in acid base balance and production of extra
red blood cells. These changes plus the effect
of intense sunlight, walking hard & dehydration
may cause a number or mild vague symptoms
such as Loss of appetite, fatigue, headache,
nausea, dizziness, palpiatations, sleeplessness,
mild shortness of breath with exercise.
The best treatment is prevention! Avoid rapid
ascends, take acclimatization symptoms seriously
using rest days or diamox. If symptoms are
severe and the patient is ill DESCEND IMMEDIATELY,
300 Meters of descent or more should be sought.
This usually give rapid improvement.
Equipment on Trip : We
provide 2 men roomy tents to sleep in. We
also provide Dining Tent, Kitchen Tent, Toilet
Tents, Dining Tables, Folding Chairs and full
kitchen utensils. We will provide Sleeping
Bag and Foam Mattress for bed. Personal
Equipment Check-List: You need atleast 3 pair
of change of your clothing for this trip.
Shorts, skirt or lightweight trousers are
ideal in the heat of the day along with T-shirt,
long sleeved cotton shirts and sun hat. During
the evening and the higher altitudes warmers
clothing will be needed, breeches, track.
Well fitting, comfortable boots are to be
preferred over training shoes for the actual
trekking and clothing will be required for
both extremes of climate, for hot sun when
trekking through the lower foothills to freezing
temperatures at night when camping in the
high valleys.
FIBRE PILE JACKET: [1]
SHORTS OR SKIRT: [1]
LIGHT COTTON TROUSERS: [1]
BREECHES /TRACK SUIT BOTTOMS /ULTRA FLEECE
TROUSERS: [1]
DUVET JACKET: Down or synthetic
WOOL BALACLAVA, WOOL MITTS:
WATERPROOFS : Jacket and trousers
SUN HAT
SCARF : Silk/Nylon, useful for keeping the
sun off the back of your neck
SUNGLASSES / GOGGLES: Essential to get a pair
which cuts out 100% UV rays
SUN CREAM : High protection factor [15 or
higher] or high altitude glacier cream
LIP SLAVE/LABISAN: Protection for the lips.
Get one with a sunscreen
WATER BOTTLE: 1 litre metal
IODINE : 2% SOLUTION [TINCTURE OF IODINE]
obtained from most chemists put into a small
glass dropper bottle. 8 drops of iodine will
sterlise 1 litre of water in 20 minutes.
TOILET ITEMS :
Soap, Towel, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Shampoo,
Comb, Sanitary protection, Toilet rolls [2],
etc. Toilet paper is provided on Trek.
HEAD TORCH: [Petzl recommended] -spare batteries
and bulbs
SEWING KIT
SMALL KNIFE : Swiss army style - has many
uses NOTEBOOK/DIARY/PENS
SMALL PADLOCK : Useful for locking your kit
bag
4 PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS
A COPY OF YOUR INSURANCE CERTIFICATE
MONEY BELT
READING MATERIAL : [1BOOK]
WALKMAN and 2 tapes - for those early nights.
Spare batteries
CHOCOLATE BARS, SWEETS!
PERSONAL MEDICAL KIT.
SMALL PLASTIC BAGS /STUFF SACS OR PILLOW CASES:
To separate and keep the gear in your kit
bag in order
CIGARETTE LIGHTER: for burning toilet paper
and rubbish.
OPTIONAL: SKI STICK:
Telescopic for easy carrying THERMAREST: Or
similar self-inflating mattress, gives decadent
luxury
CAMERA GEAR
GAMES: Cards, chess etc. for the evenings
UMBRELLA: Not only for rain, makes a great
sunshade
WET WIPES: Or similar.
Insurance & Emergency Expenses
: We suggest that clients insure
themselves against a comprehensive claim policy.
Which should also include Helicopter Evacuation
if necessary. Please note that our Kailash
Tour Package does not include any rescue or
evacuation expenses in emergencies. Any Emergency
arrangement other than regular straight forward
tour itinerary service should be borne by
the client themselves.
Camera & Films : A 35
mm system with interchangeable lens will allow
you to get the best shots in most situations.
A wide angle [28-35mm] and a telephoto [80-200mm]
are very useful. Skyling filters protect your
lens [skylight IB] and a polarizing filter
is useful for snow scenes. A brush for cleaning
your lens is important and your camera and
lens need to be in protective cases. Kodachrome
64 is excellent for slides and for prints
100 ASA film is suitable. Faster films may
be needed if using zoom lenses and 200 ASA
film would be required if you plan to visit
Chitwan National Park. 12 rolls of film per
trek is not too many for the enthusiast.
General Considerations when Packing
: Keep the weight and bulk down to
a minimum. Baggage allowance on most international
flights is 20 Kg's/44 lbs.. Most people tend
to bring more clothes than they do actually
need. You will only need one change of clothes
for Kathmandu. On trek it is important to
dress in layers. When it is hot you will only
be wearing a base layer, when it gets colder
you can add to this until you are wearing
most of your clothes!
Personal Medical Kit : We
suggest that you bring the Elastoplast, Adhesive
tape, 4" crepe bandage, Elasticated knee
and /or ankle support if you experience strain
these joints, Blister dressings, e.g. moleskin,
compead, spenco dressings, Nasal Decongestant,
Throat lozenges/ glucose sweets, * Wide spectrum
antibiotic [Ciproxin recommended], Anti -diarrhoea
- Immodium or Lomotil, * A course of Flagyll
[treatment of giardia], * Codeine Phosphate
- constipator, cough suppressant and pain
killer, Cold and flu suppressant, Aspirin
/ paracetamol., Rehydrate powder - useful
for adding to your water bottle and for fluid
replacing purposes.' Small pair of scissors,
Any special medicines you require
Liability : Connecting Horizons
acts as an intermediary between the concerned
airlines, hotels, transport/tour- operators
and local tourist offices providing the services.
Connecting Horizons or its PSA or its sub
agent, is therefore not responsible for any
loss, injury sustained by the tourists, including
those occurring outside the touring programs.
Additional expenses incurred due to delay,
accidents, natural disaster, political actions
and unrest must be borne by the tourists.
Program, prices, services and conditions are
based on those valid at the time of printing
and are therefore subject to change without
advance notice before or during the tour.
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