|
|
 A
Journey the Roof Of the World – Tibet & To the Navel
of the World –
Mt. Kailash |
|
A
PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE
Hindus - abode of Shiva and
perceived as the physical manifestation of the mythical Mount
Meru. They believe that a circuit of the mountain will erase
the sins of a life time and break the karmic cycle. Also believe
that the waters of the sacred Lake Manasarover were created
from the mind or Manas of Brahma, the god who symbolises the
creative force in the universe.
Buddhists
- call the mountain Kang Rinpoche, the 'precious snow mountain'.
This is the cosmic mountain, a link between the physical world
and the spiritual universe.
Jains
- know Kailash as Mount Ashtapade. It was on the mountain that
the founder of the faith, Rishabanatha, attained spiritual liberation.
The prevailing faith in Tibet, prior to introduction of Buddhism,
was the Bonpo religion. To
the adherents of Bonpo, Kailash was, and is still known as the
nine-storied swastika mountain, the mystical soul of the Tibetan
Plateau. The swastika is the holy image for all these religions
and is symbolic of spiritual strength.
THE
ABODE OF THE GODS
Particular significance of Kailash for Hindus is that it is
the mythical home of Shiva.
His home is shared with his consort Parvathi,
a manifestation of Shakti, the Goddess and female force in the
universe, and his two sons, Kartikeya
his warrior son and Ganesh,
the lovable and hugely popular elephant-headed God.
It is from the mountains, flowing from the hair of Shiva, that
the River Ganges mythically
descends into the plains of India. Many Hindu legends are concerned
with Shiva and are therefore naturally set around Kailash.
THE
SOURCE OF FOUR GREAT RIVERS
Kailash and Manasarover have also been dubbed the fountainhead
of the world. |
|
Early pilgrims recognized Kailash and
the nearby lake as the source from which stemmed the river systems
of virtually the whole of the Indo-Gangetic plain. Indeed within
a few miles of the holy peak can be traced the source of the
rivers Indus, Brahmaputra, Sutlej,
Karnali, and although somewhat further off, the holy
river Ganges.
The rivers which find their source in this remote part of the
Tibetan Plateau enter the plains thousands of miles apart, a
unique and extraordinary phenomenon. |
THE
FULCRUM OF THE UNIVERSE
|
|
| The Vishnu Purana explains
how the world is made up of seven continents, ringed by
seven oceans. The central island has Meru as its core,
bounded by three mountain ranges to the north and three
to the south. Mount Meru is the central fulcrum of the
universe, and the navel of the world, from which four
mighty rivers take their source. |
|
| As the early Vedic beliefs became transformed
into the religions we are aware of today, so Kailash
has become the earthy avatar of Mount
Meru. |
THE
SOURCE OF ALL TANTRIC ENERGY
Through the concept of Mount Meru,
Kailash symbolises the subtle channel of psychic energy that
runs up the spinal column. As such it is a standard yogic exercise
to imagine the body in the context of the mountain and thus
to deepen an |
apprehension of the
earth consciousness, and of the balance of opposing forces
such as male and female, or ying and yang.
Meru is often depicted at the centre of mandalas, geometric
projections of the universe used by tantric cults as meditative
tools. The mountain is an inner image of a divine pattern
that infuses and orders creation. |
|
| ‘Man’s response to Kailash
and Manasarovar is varied and fascinating, emotionally moving
in itself. But underlying the different cultural and religious
expressions is a more fundamental reality, a realm approached
not only by reason but by intution and faith. Faith does move
mountains. In the case of Kailash it has lifted an earthly peak
into the realm of the divine, transforming it into a symbol
of the single unifying centre lying at the heart of all creation.’
|
| From ‘Kailas, on Pilgrimage to the
sacred Mountain of Tibet’ by Russell Johnson and Kerry
Moran. |
"
A Journey the Roof Of the World – Tibet & To the Navel
of the World –
Mt. Kailash " |
Kathmandu-Lhasa-Gyantse-Lhatse-Saga-Paryang-Mansarovar-MountKailash
(Parikrama) - Mansarovar-Paryang-Saga-Tingri-Nylam/Zangmu-Kathmandu |
| Total no
of days |
: |
21 |
| Best season |
: |
May-September |
| Grade |
: |
Moderate / Strenuous |
|
| The Tour |
 Day
01: Arrive Katmandu
|
|
| The Vishnu Purana explains
how the world is made up of seven continents, ringed by
seven oceans. The central island has Meru as its core,
bounded by three mountain ranges to the north and three
to the south. Mount Meru is the central fulcrum of the
universe, and the navel of the world, from which four
mighty rivers take their source. |
| Day
02: Kathmandu |
| Visit Pashupatinath,
Bodhnath and Darbar Squar. Complete the last minute visa
formalities and preparation for the trip. Overnight at
hotel. |
|
Day
03: Kathmandu-Lhasa – by SZ 407 dep. 0950 hrs / arr. 1235
hrs
(local time) / 3650m |
| Morning transfer to the airport for an
hour-long flight to Tibet. This spectacular flight takes us
right across the main Himalayan range and provides us with magnificent
mountain views. After landing at Gonggar Airport and meeting
our Tibetan guide, it is further 2 hours drive to Lhasa where
on arrival we will check into our Hotel. It is advisable to
rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa’s
altitude. |
| Day
04: Lhasa |
| Morning free to rest and relax to acclimatize
to the rarefied air. After Lunch we will visit the Norbulingka,
the summer Palace of the Dalai Lama, as well as the Jokhang
Temple. This Temple is possibly the most sacred shrine in Tibet
and there is always a procession of devout Tibetans through
the complex. Surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkor – a
maze of narrow cobbled streets, which is the central market
of Lhasa. After the visit return t your hotel for overnight
stay. |
| Day
05: Lhasa |
| This morning we will
visit the Potala Palace, which dominates the city of Lhasa.
A spectacular building, it contains the private quarters
of the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand staterooms
and many important chapels. There has been a palace on
this site since the 5th or 6t century, but the present
palace was constructed I the 17th century.
|
|
| A visit to the Drepung Monastery this
afternoon will compete a truly awe-inspiring day. Founded in
the 14th century, this monastery was once the largest in the
world, with a population of around 10,000 monks. These days
that figure is down to several hundred, but there is still much
here of interest as it was left relatively unscathed during
the Cultural Revolution. Also visit the Sera monastery and drive
back to your hotel for overnight stay. |
| Day
06: Lhasa-Gyantse – by surface / 259 kms / approx. 6-7
hrs / 3950m |
| Today we start our overland journey
towards Mansarovar. Traveling by jeep along the Friendship
Highway we cross the Khamba La (4794m) from which there
are stunning views across the waters of Yamdrok-tso Lake
to the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa (7252m). We continue
westwards over another high pass the Karo La (5045m) where
we are treated to the spectacular sight of a huge glacier
tumbling down to within a few hundred meters of the road.
After passing through beautiful valleys and colourful
Tibetan villages we arrive in the town of Gyantse |
|
|
| Day
07: Gyantse-Lhatse by surface / 213 kms / approx. 5-6 hrs /
4050m |
Before leaving Gyantse
if time permits this morning we will visit Gyantse Dzong
and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a fort dating from 14th
century from which there are amazing views of both Gyantse
itself and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. The Kumbum
s a large gold-domed stupa and its many small chapels
house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals.
We then continue on to Shigatse, a short drive of only
90 kms, which is the second largest city in Tibet and
after exploring the local market we will continue our
journey to Lhatse. En-route we will make a side tip to
the monastic town of Sakya. The main attractions here,
apart from its red and white striped buildings are its
monasteries. Form Sakya we continue on to Lhatse. Overnight
in guesthouse / camp. |
|
| Day
08: Lhatse – Saga – by surface / 273 kms / approx.
8-9 hrs / 4600 m |
| A few kilometers beyond Lhatse, we cross
the Brahmaputra River and after the crossing, the road enters
a river valley with scattered villages. This is a beautiful
area for photographs. We continue on, past the turn-off for
the northern route and arrive at Saga. On arrival check into
your guesthouse / camp. |
| Day
09: Saga-Paryang – by surface / 229 kms / approx. 7-8
hrs / 4750 m |
| From Saga, we drive through the amazing
Tibetan landscape, passing through the small town of Zhongba,
before arriving at Paryang. The scenery along this section is
one of the most panoramic views of our journey. On arrival explore
the area. Overnight in camp. |
Day
10: Paryang-Mansarovar – by surface / 277kms / approx.
7-8 hrs /
4557 m |
| We continue of journey and along
the way we must make several river crossings. Eventually
we arrive on the shores of the serene and beautiful lake,
surely one of the most stunning places on the earth. At
14,950 ft the highest fresh water lake in the world has
something truly spiritual about it. Overnight in guesthouse
at Mansarovar. |
|
| Day
11: Mansarovar |
| Day free to rest and perform Puja
Ceremonies. / Spend the day exploring this fascinating
place. You |
|
| can visit the picturesque Chui Monastery
on the northwest shore of the lake with the imposing sight of
Mt. Kailash. In the background. |
Day
12: Kailash Parikrama – drive to Darchen by surface –
35 kms / 3-4 hrs/
1st day trek
/ 8 kms / 3-4 hrs / approx. 4650m |
| Commence the traditional clockwise
circuit of Kailash. The circuit is nearly 50 kms long
and will take four days to complete. We will therefore
be able to proceed at a leisurely pace and visit the three
important pilgrimage monasteries en route. On the first
day, we drive to Darchen and start Kora. The trail continues
across the plain to Shershong. An hour past Shersong is
a bridge leading to Chhuku Gompa high on the hill above.
The west bank trail leads across the slopes to our overnight
camp near Damding Donkhang that offers a good view of
the west face of Mt. Kailash. |
|
| Day
13: Continue Parikrama – 2nd day trek / 11 kms /5-6 hrs
/ 5100m |
| Second day of the pilgrimage
begins, crossing a log bridges as the north face of Kailash
comes into view. As you reach the Gompa at Dirapuhuk you are
rewarded with a fine view of the north face of the holy Mt.
Kailash. The route climbs onto a moraine eventually meeting
the trail from the east bank. The trail leads up past piles
of clothing, the local Tibetan pilgrims leave an article of
clothing or some of their possessions leaving there past life
behind them. We stop for the overnight in the meadow just few
minutes from the main trail. |
Day
14: Continue Parikrama over Dromala Pass to Zuthul Puk –3rd
day trek
/ 17 kms / 7-8 hrs / 4730m. |
| We will reach the highest
point of the trek today, the Drolma La at 5636m. Devotees
of all religions prostrate before this stone and walk
around it three times before continuing on. We camp in
a lovely green meadow below Zutulpuk Gompa. From one point
in this last section there is a view of the mysterious
east face of Kailash. |
|
Day
15: End Kailash Parikrama near Darchen-
3rd day trek / 10 km; 3-4
hrs/4520m-Drive
to Mansarovar – 2hrs |
| The last day of our
holy walk ‘kora’ leads to a stream. |
|
| The last leg of the trek makes a dramatic
exit from the river valley on to the plain. The walk passes
to a Mani walls decorated with carved yak skulls. A short walk
from here brings you to the windswept little township of Darchen
for the celebration after completing the most awaited highlight
of the trip. From Darchen a short drive will lead us to our
overnight stop at lake Mansarovar. |
| Day
16: Drive Manasarovar to Paryang. (4750m) 270km |
| This section of our journey has some incredibly
panoramic scenery. We cross the Mayun - la and several rivers.
|
| Day
17: Drive Paryang to Saga. (4699m) 255km. |
| We continue driving today along
a 255km stretch of road to Saga, Passing through the small,
dusty town of Zhongba en route. |
|
| Day
18: Drive Saga - Peiku Tso 150km or Tingri (4390m) |
| Today we drive 150km
to the huge lake called Peiku-tso. Before leaving Saga,
we cross the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) on a
ferry. |
| Day
19: Drive Peiku Tso or Tingri to Nyalam (3750m) 150km
or Zhangmu (2300m)180km. |
| Leaving Tingri, we
cross another two high passes, the Lamlung La (5124m)
and Shung La (5200m). Once more we are rewarded withmagnificent
views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho-Oyu,
Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar. We stay overnight at the
Nyalam. |
|
| Day
20: Drive Nyalam or Zhangmu to Kathmandu (1400m) 160km. |
| From Nyalam, we head back
to the boarder town of Zhangmu. From Zhangmu, it's a short drive
to the Friendship Bridge which spans the Bhote Kosi River and
marks the Chinese - Nepalese boarder. We say goodbye to our
Tibetan guide and driver and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control
in Kodari where we will be met by our Nepalese staff. After
completing the re - entry formalities we continue the drive
to Kathmandu which depending on road and weather condition,
should take about 5 hours. Afternoon free to rest and relax
or to explore the downtown. Overnight at hotel.
|
| Day
21: Depart for onward journey. |
| In time transfer to airport to connect
flight for onward journey. |
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Mount Kailash Journey
