Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

After you arrive at the international terminal of Kathmandu airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our company representative. You will be picked up from the airport and taken to a hotel by the Himalayan Forever staff. When you arrive at the hotel, check out your incredible rooms, and then, once you've had a chance to rest, visit the Himalayan Forever office for a meeting. 

There are several landmarks and monuments within Kathmandu valley. This city holds seven UNESCO listed world heritage sites within a radius of 20km. This comprises the Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa, the durbar squares of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur, among many other places. We can visit these locations or any other location of your choice. 

Kathmandu Durbar Square:

Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as Hanuman Dhoka Square, stands as a testament to the city's royal history. Surrounded by ancient palaces, courtyards, and temples, this UNESCO World Heritage Site encapsulates centuries of Nepalese architecture. The square served as the royal palace for the Malla kings and later the Shah dynasty.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by the magnificent Hanuman Dhoka Palace, a complex adorned with intricately carved wooden windows and doors. The Kumari Ghar, home to the living goddess Kumari, adds an air of mystique to the square. The Kumari, a prepubescent girl chosen as the living embodiment of the goddess Taleju, occasionally makes appearances at her window, captivating onlookers.

Exploring the narrow alleys surrounding the square reveals hidden courtyards, shrines, and vendors selling traditional artifacts. The combination of historical charm and vibrant street life makes Kathmandu Durbar Square an unforgettable destination.

Pashupati Nath:

A short journey eastward leads to the sacred grounds of Pashupati Nath, one of the holiest Hindu temples in the world. Nestled on the banks of the Bagmati River, Pashupati Nath is dedicated to Lord Shiva and draws pilgrims from across the globe.

The main temple, adorned with intricate wood carvings and golden spires, stands as the focal point of the complex. Only Hindus are allowed into the inner sanctum, but visitors can witness the rituals and ceremonies from the eastern bank of the river. The atmosphere is infused with spirituality as devotees perform rituals, sadhus (holy men) meditate, and the scent of incense wafts through the air.

Pashupati Nath is not only a religious site but also a reflection of Nepal's rich architectural heritage. The surrounding area, with its ancient statues, shrines, and ghats, provides a serene backdrop to this spiritual haven.

Boudha:

Heading northeast from Pashupati Nath, the journey culminates at the iconic Boudha Stupa, a symbol of Buddhism and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The colossal white dome, adorned with the watchful eyes of the Buddha, dominates the landscape, creating a serene and contemplative ambiance.

The Boudha Stupa is encircled by a bustling market, where locals and tourists alike peruse a plethora of shops offering Tibetan artifacts, prayer flags, and traditional handicrafts. The rhythmic prayer chants, the spinning of prayer wheels, and the fluttering of colorful flags create a mesmerizing atmosphere.

The stupa itself is a marvel of symmetry and symbolism. Pilgrims circumambulate the structure, spinning prayer wheels and offering prayers, while monks in nearby monasteries engage in their daily rituals. As the sun sets, the stupa is illuminated, casting a tranquil glow that adds to the spiritual aura.

After having breakfast in Kathmandu, start your journey by heading towards the north from the valley. Enjoy the scenic views of the lush, rolling hills and valleys while riding in the comfort of a jeep. The route passes through several farming villages and cities, and travelers may see several snow-capped peaks in the northwestern direction. The route continues on through twisting hills until it reaches Dhunche, the headquarter of the Rasuwa district. This city is the gateway to entering Langtang National Park, the first park established in  Himalayan region. 

Moreover, this region is basically the home of Tamang people, the indigenous old tribes interwoven with Buddhism religion and culture. Take a short refreshing break at Dhunche, and then drive downhill to Syabrubesi village to spend the night, before entering Tibet.

Take a short drive from Syabrubesi in the morning and you will reach to the border of Nepal and Tibet at Rasuwagaddi. The route is 15km long and the drive takes around 1 hours. Our Tibetan drivers and guides will receive you at the border and help you with the necessary immigration and customs formalities. Hop on new jeep and after driving for few hours on a good road, you will reach Kyirong, a small town in Tibet. 

Kyirong a famous religious and historical place in Tibet, and a great saint named Guru Millerepa lived here during the 11th century. He is renowned for his tantric insight, poetry, folk singing, and his song are still sang by local herdsman and villagers. Our guide will book the best available lodge or guest house available in this city for you to spent the night. During the spare time in afternoon, relax and enjoy views of Ganesh and Langtang Himal that lies between the border of Nepal and Tibet.

This is the first day of our long drive in Tibet , which passes nomad camps, sheep and yak herds, and arid terrain. Enjoy the majestic view of Gaurishankar, Shishapangma, and Langtang Himal from the pass.Continue to drive through Khunmen Tso, Sinling, Karru Ongchen, and Peiku Tso Lake (4400m). Furthermore, we will be crossing the river Brahmaputra (“Yarling Tsangpo” in Tibetan) to reach Saga (4600m). After reaching Saga, stay there for the night in the guest house.

Start driving from Saga on the terrain road which offers the view of several mountains in the distance. We travel for a while before passing through Zhongba, a tiny village, and finally reach Paryang. Paryang is the first place of our tour that provides the view of Mt Kailash and the holy lake of Mansarovar. 

Manasarovar is the highest freshwater lake on the planet which has a turquoise complexion. It is surrounded by Mt.Kailash, Mt. Gurula-Mandata, and Lake Rakchyas which simply seems heavenly. As you approach this serene and sacred lake, the historic Chiu Monastery becomes visible on the North West shore of the lake. From this vantage point, you can have a glimpse of the majestic Mount Kailash.  Out team will arrange a beautiful guesthouse for you to stay the night in Paryang.

After spending a worthwhile time in the shores of the sacred Lake Manasarovar and witnessing the snowy massif of Gurla Mandhata just across the lake, we drive for 40 km to reach Darchen. This place serves as the base for Mt Kailashkora (circumambulation). This 53 km long Kora was constructed in just three days.Stay in a nice local guest house here.

The whole journey from Darchen to Dirapuk Monastery is 20 kilometers(5km drive and 15km trek), mostly uphill. It will be one of the most memorable days of your journey as you walk along the beautiful rocky cliffs and cross waterfalls and some clouds in the clear blue sky. After reaching Dirapuk, stay in a nice hotel for the night!

This is the hardest trek of our pilgrimage journey, but the hard work would be worth as you are going to have a deep spiritual experience in this day. Start the journey from Dira Puk and cross Dolma La pass that stands at the altitude of 5670 m. Once you reach the top of the pass, make some holy offerings as per the ritual of this place and sit down for a deep peaceful meditation. Many tourist in the past has claimed this to be a life changing experience. Start to trek again and by the late afternoon, you will arrive at Zuthul Puk where the great ascetic Milerappa was said to have performed miracles. Stay there for the night at a local guest house. You will ascend for 550 m and descent 600m in this day.

This is the last day of Mount Kailash Parikrama which is around 8 Kms and we trek towards Darchen to complete our parikrama/kora. We walk on gradual path for some time and reach to a place where our guide and team members are waiting for us on a jeep. After taking some rest, we drive towards Saga through the route of Lake Mansarovar. We arrive in Saga after a few hours of drive and spend the night there in a beautiful guest house. 

After having an early breakfast, we keep driving towards Keyrung. On the way, we cross the bridge over beautiful Brahmaputra River and continue our journey across the vast open Tibetan plains. This route offers stunning views of several Himalayan peaks, in addition to Shishapangma and the Pieko-Tso Lake. We arrive at Keyrung after driving in steep terrain and well-pitched road. Stay there for the night!

From Kyirong, travel down to the Nepalese border of Rasuwagadi and bid farewell to our Tibetan guide and driver. A short walk from here will lead you to the Nepalese Immigration Control center where our the Nepalese escorts from our team will be waiting to receive you. Complete the necessary re-entry formalities and start the scenic drive to Kathmandu. After some hours, you will finally reach the capital city of Nepal, Kathamandu. 

This is your last day in Nepal and you should get ready for final departure as per your international flight time. You will be escorted to the airport by the Himalayan Forever Trek guide and team. Our guide and staff will bid you a farewell as you depart for your country. You will surely never forget this wonderful experience and adventure of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Namesty!