Trek in Western Nepal and cycle to Kathmandu from Mount Kailash
Finally it is ready; the tour we have been talking about for a few years or at least since many of you cycled from Lhasa to Kathmandu with Mads.
In the far west of Tibet, in the province of Ngari and the land of the drokpas or nomads of the high plateaus, sits the legendary Mount Kailash, or Kang Rimpoche (precious snow-peak, as known by the Tibetans). Kailash, on 'the roof of the world', is the most sacred mountain in Asia, venerated by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and followers of the ancient Bon religion. Tibetan and Hindu pilgrims have been making the 53km kora, or circuit, of Kailash for centuries. This circumambulation, clockwise for Buddhists and Hindus, and anti-clockwise followers of the ancient Bon religion, is said to erase the sins of a lifetime.
To complete the Kailash pilgrimage one should bath in the sacred Lake Manasarovar, stunningly set on the Tibetan plateau bordered by the majestic Gurla Mandata. Mount Kailash itself is 6714m high, and with its four sheer walls, distinctive snow-capped peak, and valleys peppered with brightly-clad Tibetan pilgrims, is an awe-inspiring sight. From it flow four great rivers of Asia: the Karnali, the Indus, the Sutlej and the Brahmaputra, all of which drain the vast Tibetan Plateau.
The journey to Kailash begins with a five-day trek to the Tibetan border from Simikot, in the fabled region of Humla in far west Nepal, where the people are Bhotias of Tibetan descent. This wild trek through Humla takes us deep into the most remote region of Nepal where the culture is still distinct and traditional (we will see old men with weathered, Central Asian faces, sitting smoking a hooka), the scenery spectacular, and the ancient trade routes still in use.
From the Tibetan border we will mount our trusted metal steeds and cycle towards the Holy Mountain and the almost equally important Holy lake of Manasarovar.
The Kailash Kora itself is one of the best short treks in the Himalaya, crossing a pass of 5,600 meters, with campsites under the north face of Kailash and in other spectacular sites, all done with the Tibetan pilgrims, who have come as far as eastern Tibet for this once-in-a-lifetime trip to erase their sins, and acquire merit for humanity.
With plenty of trekking, a bit of exploring and some good karma under our belts, we embark on an epic cross-Tibet cycle expedition back to Kathmandu. Forget the friendship highway and all its traffic out here we are almost on our own in the wild scenery of Western Tibet. It takes us 11 amazing days to reach the border with Nepal and a shower in the Last Resort before we a day later climb back into the Kathmandu valley and celebrate in style that we have completed the amazing journey.
Brief Itinerary Day 01 - Arrive Kathmandu 1400m
Day 02 Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Day 03 Fly to Nepalganj
Day 04 Fly to Simikot - trek to Yakba Khola 2250m
Day 05 Trek to Sale Khola 2830m
Day 06 Trek to Thumkot Khola 2900m
Day 07 Trek and (maybe) bike to Sip Sip 4300m
Day 08 Across the Nara Lagna La to Sher
Day 09 Ride to Rigong 4300m
Day 10 Ride to Manasarovar Lake (Chui Gompa) 4550m
Day 11 Cycle to Darchen 4560m and relax
Day 12 Trek past Chuku Gompa 4750m to Dira-phuk
Day 13 Trek over the Drolma La to Meadow Camp
Day 14 Trek to Darchen, Drive to Hor 4550m
Day 15 Bike to Base of Mayun La
Day 16 Cross Mayun La
Day 17 Through Paryang and Across Soge La (4750m)
Day 18 Through Old Donba to base of Sing La (4900m)
Day 19 Across Sing La into Niugu valley
Day 20 Ride to Saga
Day 21 Ride to Kiyrong turnoff
Day 22 Ride to Sagur (Shaku turnoff)
Day 23 Back to Fridship Highway
Day 24 Ride to Nyalam
Day 25 Ride to Last Resort
Day 26 Ride to Kathmandu
Day 27 free in Kathmandu
Day 28 Depart KTM
|
Print
Recommend
Enquire
