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NEW! MOUNT KAILASH & LAKE
MANASAROVAR
22 DAYS HOTELS/GUESTHOUSE/CAMPING ALONG PILGRIM TRAILS Nestling amidst the high plateaux and snow-capped peaks of western Tibet is mystical Mount Kailash; the holiest mountain in Asia, it is the centre of the spiritual universe for Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and devotees of the ancient Bon faith. Following pilgrim trails from Nepal, we cross the Himalaya to the shores of Lake Manasarovar and join the devout to circumambulate the mountain on this journey of a lifetime. Trekking in Remote Humla From the bustling streets of Kathmandu, two breathtaking flights take us alongside the Himalaya and half-way across Nepal to Simikot, in the remote north-west. The headquarters of Humla, this lively village is the starting point of a route across the high passes into Tibet; trodden by pilgrims for centuries, it has only been opened to foreigners in recent years. Passing patchwork fields of wheat, potatoes and apricots; trading with Tibet is still the economic mainstay for the resident Bhotia people. High Passes to Lake Manasarovar Sharing the trail with excited pilgrims, traders and heavily laden goats and yaks, we cross the Nara Lagna Pass (4580m) to the Tibet/Nepal border, then journey by jeeps to the frontier village of Taklakot where Nepalese wood and rice is exchanged for salt, grain and wool. Ascending past small settlements we reach the Gurla pass (4950m) separating the shimmering twin lakes of Manasarovar and Rakshas Tal, associated with forces of light and dark respectively. An incredible turquoise blue, the pure waters of Manasarovar are home to shoals of fish and its shores provide a resting place for thousands of migratory birds. Pilgrim Trails around Mount Kailash The impressive domed snow-covered peak of Mt Kailash (6714m) is considered by the devout to be the "navel of the world"; four of the Subcontinent's most sacred rivers Lake Manasarovar
TREKKING GRADE C/D
Ref
BKE
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/ Kathmandu. 2 Arrive Kathmandu. 3 Walking tour of Old Kathmandu. 4 Visit Pashupatinath and Bodhnath; fly Nepalganj, western Nepal. 5 Fly Simikot, commence 6-day trek, camp near Tuling. 6 Trek to Chumsa Khola valley. 7 Trek Muchu via Yangar. 8 Trek to near Yari. 9 Acclimatisation day. 10 Trek across Nepal/Tibet border; drive Taklakot. 11 Drive Lake Manasarovar; visit monastery. 12 Acclimatisation day at Lake Manasarovar. 13 Drive Darchen; commence 4-day trek around the pilgrimage circuit (kora) of Mount Kailash. 14 to 16 On trek around Mount Kailash, on final day drive Lake Manasarovar. 17 Drive Poyaangi. 18 Drive Saga. 19 Drive Nyalam. 20 Drive Tibet/Nepal border at Zhangmu and on to Kathmandu. 21 AM optional Everest flight; PM fly London. 22 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 4nts hotel, 1nt guesthouse, 14nts camping; 19 breakfasts, 15 lunches & 16 dinners included. See p41. Mode of Travel: Bus/4WD/Flights. Comment: Due to the high altitudes reached, this trek is graded strenuous to tough and should only be attempted by experienced trekkers. Certain departures are timed to coincide with the Buddhist Saga Dawa festival see dates and prices supplement for full details. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, drivers, local guides, porters and camp crew. Group Size: Approx. 11 to 15.
(Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra and Sutlej) trace their sources to within 100 kilometres of its slopes. We join the pious, many continually prostrating themselves, on a circuit of the holy mountain, past prayer flags and chortens, sacred sites and temples. Returning to Nepal by road, we reflect on a journey that is believed to wash away the sins of a lifetime.
DATES AND PRICES Flight Inc 22 days Sat to Sat
REF:BKE
2008 deps flight land Price in £s inc only *07 Jun-28 Jun 2699 2199 06 Sep-27 Sep 2699 2199 2009 Price in £s *+27 May-17 Jun 2775 2275 08 Aug-29 Aug 2775 2275 05 Sep-26 Sep 2775 2275 Land Only tour: 20 days - start Kathmandu day 2 (Sun), end Kathmandu day 21 (Fri) * Visit Saga Dawa Festival. + Wed to Wed (Land Only Tue/Tue) Plus Local Payment: US$300 (approx £145) payable Kathmandu Single Room Option: £510* see p41 for details. These are guide prices, see p45 for details.
Nepalese monks/Chris Cooley
DAMDING DONGKANG JAROK DONKHANG ZUTUL-PUK T I B E
Kailash 6714m 4-day Kailash trek Gurla Mandhata 7728m Simikot
Kailash 6714m Darchen
Mount Kailash & Lake Manasarovar Ref BKE
QING ZANG
LAKESIDE CAMP
Rakas Tal
mla Hu
T Ga n (CHINA) Sh gdi se an Lake Manasarovar
Kailash & Humla treks
TAKLAKOT
TIBET
(CHINA)
6-day Humla trek Saipal 6882m
POYAANGI SAGA
Gurla Mandhata 7728m
H
I
NEPALGANJ
INDIA
km 0 250
NEPAL
M
km
TAKL AKOT NEPAL ali Sher CHUMSA TULING YARI Simikot MUCHU
40
rn Ka
A
L
NYALAM
A
KATHMANDU
Visit Pashupatinath & Bodnath
Everest 8848m
Y
A
Main image: On the trail around Mount Kailash
0
Saipal 7050m
From
NEPALGANJ
For latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk
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