Mount Kailash Via Simikot Trekking Trip - 20 Days

Arrive at Kathmandu after a scenic flight over the mountains. Meet the representative of Himalayan trekkers and transfer to Hotel.

Explore the listed heritage sites with our city guide.

Kathmandu Durbar Square - Kathmandu Durbar Square lies in the center of the valley and has some of the most interesting monuments of Nepal. The Kasthamandap, the building from which Kathmandu derived its name, the Kumari Ghar, the home to Living goddess Kumari, the Taleju temple and the most interesting palace - the Hanuman Dhoka, now a museum are some of the places we explore. 

Swayambhunath Stupa - Swayambhunath stupa is also referred to as the ‘Monkey temple’ and is one of the 7 UNESCO world heritage sites of Kathmandu. Situated on a hilltop about 4 Km from the city center, this stupa is the oldest monument in Kathmandu and comes from the Vajrayana sect of Mahayana Buddhism. 

With a pair of eyes in each direction, this place is a spiritual center for the locals and tourist visiting this area. The hilltop also offers the scenic view of the Kathmandu valley and the Himalayas.

Khokana and Bungmati - These two Newar Villages are located in the outskirts of the Patan District and are proposed to be tentative UNESCO heritage sites by the Nepal government. 

Khokana has the temple of Rudryaini and is also famous for the Mustard oil production. Bungmati, 20 minutes walk from Khokana through paddy fields is full of old Newari houses and architecture. These twin villages are one of the best places to experience Nepal’s age-old heritage and to observe the daily life of the People. You will feel like walking in 18th century Europe as you go through these streets.

In the evening, prepare for the trip.

Today we take our early flight from Kathmandu airport to Nepalgunj. It is about an hour flight to Nepalgunj - far western part of Nepal. It's a city near to the border of Nepal and India and the door to Simikot, Humla. 

Since its also a Terai belt of Nepal, you can experience varied cultures of Nepal. We explore the local villages, market, and much more.

After early breakfast, we fly to Simikot from Nepalgunj. Complete Nepal immigration formalities before continuing our helicopter flight to Hilsa. Drive to Chinese Border from Hilsa and we continue our drive to Purang. On arrival at Purang, check-in at Hotel.

Our walk is on relatively flat trail alongside the Karnali River. We walk along the fields cultivated mainly with barley, buckwheat, rice, and potatoes. There are two hot springs near Kermi where we may soothe our aching bodies. 

We can also visit ancient Buddhist monasteries close to Kermi - Laikyo Gompa and Lhundrup Choeling Gompa.

Our trek today is a flat and steep ascent until reaching a small pass and crossing a suspension bridge over the Salli River. From here one can enjoy views of the beautiful pine trees and the mighty Karnali River. 

We will also visit the remote Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery. Overnight in Yalbang.

We walk on a trail above the Karnali River. As we ascend further, the greenery begins to vanish and so do the smaller bushes. They give way to pine trees and rocky hills. 

After reaching Tumkot, we visit Dhungkar Choezom Monastery, one of the most important Sakya monasteries in the Tibetan region.

Today's trek is on a relatively easy trail above the Karnali River. After walking a few miles, we begin to notice the change in climate, vegetation, and landscape which becomes more rocky and secluded. 

The trees that you see are not pine trees anymore. They are now short and low junipers.

We cross the first pass of the trek today, the Nara La pass (4,620 m). The vegetation is bleak by now and the landscape is familiar to that of Tibet. After crossing the pass we will be greeted by excellent views of the beautiful Tibetan plateau and Yari Village. 

From here on, it is a shaky descent down until Hilsa, a border town which is also a dropping point for the pilgrims on their way to Mt. Kailash by helicopter. Overnight in Hilsa.

We walk across the Friendship bridge at Hilsa where the Chinese officials will check our permits and passports. We also meet our Tibetan guide here. We ascend from Hilsa to Purang and pass Rinzin Zangpo Gompa and Kangje Village along the way.

In Purang, we visit the ancient Purang Gompa and explore the unique Buddhist frescoes of IIX century.

On our way to Monster, we pass through Rakshas and Mansarover lakes. After reaching rakshas lake, settle down for a while then visit Tirtapuri (4510 m). Located northwest of Mount Kailash, the Tirthapuri Hot Springs are closely associated with Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche). 

Pilgrims bathe in pools fed by the springs, visit the monastery containing the guru's footprint and dig for healing stones along a one-hour pilgrimage route. After touring Tirtapuri, we return back to to spend the night.

It takes us around 2 hours to reach the Garuda Valley that lies to the southwest of Mt Kailash. It contains mysterious caves, some of which have never been explored. Many believe that this was the cradle of the Tibetan civilization during the time of the Shang Shung kings, long before Buddhism reached the roof of the world. 

For those interested in the archeological and historical sites, Garuda Valley is a dominant one. After touring this amazing valley, we move to Darchen - a small town, located right in front of the sacred Mount Kailash.

Today, we begin our Kora of Mt. Kailash. The first day out of Darchen involves a six-hour hike in a deep valley through walls of red rock. We continue across the plain to Shersong. 

We further cross a bridge leading to Chhuku Gompa high on the hill visible from the valley. The trail leads to Dirapuk from where we will have a stunning view of the north face of Mt. Kailash.

Today will be the most difficult section of our journey as we climb the Drolma-la Pass (5750 m /19910 ft). The pass whose name literally means the pass of Tara is beautiful and is filled with five-colored praying flags. 

From Drolma-La Pass, we descend to Dzutul-puk. At Dzutul-puk, we come across the incredible Thugje Zinbu (Lake of Compassion) and a few ancient meditative caves. Overnight in Dzutul-Puk.

We gradually wind out of the valley towards Barka plain. After completing the holy Kora of Mount Kailash at Darchen, we drive for 2 hours to Manasarovar Lake. The lake holds religious significance for both Hindus and Buddhists. 

As per Hindu theology, Lake Manasarovar is a personification of purity, and one who drinks water from the lake is believed to go to the abode of Lord Shiva after death. Buddhists also associate the lake with the legendary lake known as Anavatapta in Sanskrit where Queen Maya is believed to have conceived Buddha. Overnight in Manasarovar

Today, we circumambulate the beautiful Manasarovar Lake which has a circumference of 90 km making it one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. The belief is that the Kora of Mount Kailash is completed only with a holy dip in the lake and a drink of its holy water relieves one from the sins of a hundred lives. 

We circle round Manasarovar by Jeep, and if time permits, we visit Chui Gompa, another attraction of Manasarovar. Overnight in Manasarovar.

Today, we have to accomplish a long drive from Manasarovar to Saga traversing through the sacred historic Chiu Monastery. We continue driving past Hor Quo and across the Mayum La pass (5200 m). While passing through, we will have glimpses of small towns like Zhongba and Paryang. 

This journey covers 270 km from Manasarovar to Paryang and adjoins Saga, 255 km away from Paryang. From Saga instead of going towards Lhasa, we drive along a different route to Kathmandu. Overnight in Saga.

At our return, we will have a scenic drive to a town called keyrong for overnight stay.

We drive to the border checkpoint to go through the customs formalities. After reaching Friendship Bridge, we will be leaving our Tibet-side vehicles and will walk for around 15 minutes towards Nepal. From Keyrong, it takes another 5-6 hours drive to reach Kathmandu. 

Later in the evening, Himalayan Trekkers will organize a farewell dinner for successful trip completion in an authentic Nepali restaurant.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Finally, our Kailash tour concludes successfully. Today we exchange your feelings and experience about the trip while we move to the airport for the final departure. Hope to see you again!!

Airport Drop Off in a Private Vehicle.