Manasarover

Pilgrimage to Mount Kailash & Lake Manasarover yatra- 15 days (FIXED DEPARTURE DATE FOR 2011) Location: Tibet, Asia Overview:

Mount Kailas: since time immemorial, most of the people of the East have believed that somewhere in the Himalayan massif, between China and India, stood a sacred mountain: the navel of the earth, the axis of the universe. From its summit flowed a mighty river which fell into a lake, from which stemmed the great rivers of Asia. This was the holiest of mountains, revered by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains as the home of their gods. In metaphysical terms it was Meru or Tise; in its earthly manifestation it was Kailas, the crystal, or Kang Rinpoche, jewel of the snows. The swastika mountain. "As the dew is dried up by the morning sun so are the sins of men dried up by the sight of the Himalaya, where Shiva lived and where the Ganga falls from the foot of Vishnu like the slender thread of a lotus flower. There are no mountains like the Himalaya, for in them are Kailas and Manasarovar." From the Skanda Purana. A great mass of black rock soaring to over 22,000 feet, Mt. Kailash has the unique distinction of being the world's most venerated holy place at the same time that it is the least visited. The supremely sacred site of four religions and billions of people, Kailash is seen by no more than a few thousand pilgrims each year. This curious fact is explained by the mountain's remote location in far western Tibet. No planes, trains or buses journey anywhere near the region and even with rugged over-land vehicles the journey still requires weeks of difficult, often dangerous travel. The weather, always cold, can be unexpectedly treacherous and pilgrims must carry all the supplies they will need for the entire journey.

Hindus believe Mt.Kailash to be the abode of Lord Shiva. Like many of the Hindu gods, Shiva is a character of apparent contradictions. He at once the Lord of Yoga and therefore the ultimate renunciate ascetic, yet he is also the divine master of Tantra, the esoteric science that regards sexual union as the most perfect path to spiritual enlightenment. According to legend, immortal Shiva lives atop Kailash where he spends his time practicing yogic austerities, making joyous love with his divine consort, Parvati, and smoking ganja, the sacred herb known in the west as marijuana, Hindus do not interpret Shiva's behaviors as contradictory however, but rather see in him a deity who has wisely integrated the extremes of human nature and thus transcended attachment to any particular, and limited, way of being. For a Hindu, to make the arduous pilgrimage to Kailash and have the darshan (divine view) of Shiva's abode is to attain release from the clutches of ignorance and delusion. Kailash is sacred to other religions as well. The Jains call the mountain Astapada and believe it to be the place where Rishaba, the first of the twenty-four Tirthankaras attained liberation. Followers of Bon, Tibet's pre-Buddhist, shamanistic religion, call the mountain Tise and believe it to be the seat of the Sky Goddess Sipaimen. Additionally, Bon myths regard Tise as the sight of a legendary 12th century battle of sorcery between the Buddhist sage Milarepa and the Bon shaman Naro Bon-chung. Milarepa's defeat of the shaman displaced Bon as the primary religion of Tibet, firmly establishing Buddhism in its place. While the Buddha is believed to have magically visited Kailash in the 5th century BC, the religion of Buddhism only entered Tibet, via Nepal and India, in the 7th century AD. Tibetan Buddhists call the mountain Kang Rimpoche, the 'Precious One of Glacial Snow', and regard it as the dwelling place of Demchog (also known as Chakrasamvara) and his consort, Dorje Phagmo. Three hills rising near Kang Rimpoche are believed to be the homes of the the Bodhisatvas Manjushri, Vajrapani, and Avalokiteshvara.

ITINERARY: MOUNT KAILASH MANASAROVAR YATRA -15 DAYS

Day 01: Katmandu Arrival and transfer to hotel, overnight stay at Katmandu. Day 02: Katmandu - After breakfast start to Katmandu sightseeing including Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath and Budha Nikanth Darshan, back to hotel and rest of the day is free for packing and program briefing. Day 03: Katmandu to Nyalam (3700 mts.) - This is the first day of the Yatra. After breakfast depart from Katmandu to China border by tourist coach. It takes about 05

hours. Our agent will complete custom formalities and check into Tibet - an autonomous part of China. After lunch drive to a small Tibetan town called Nyalam by Land Cruiser. Overnight stay at Nyalam Guest House. Breakfast and dinner in camp side and packed lunch will be provided. Day 04: Nyalam Full day acclimatization - Full day free for excursion of Nyalam city. Day 05: Nyalam to Saga (4500mts.) - After breakfast drive from Nylam to Saga for about 07:00 hours which is 220 kms. Overnight stay at Saga in tent or guesthouse. Day 06:Saga to Paryang (4450 mts.) - After breakfast proceed to Paryang for about 06:30 hours which is 195 Kms. Overnight at Paryang in tent or guesthouse. Day 07: Paryang to Mansarovar (Hore 4500 mt.) - After breakfast leave for Manasarovar in a distance of 225 km which takes about 08:00 hours. This is the first day stay at the bank of the Manasarovar Lake. Overnight stay in tent or guesthouse. Day 08: Mansarovar to Darchen - Mansarovar Parikrama by Land Cruiser. We will choose the special point to take dip in Manasarovar Lake and do Pooja of Lord Shiva. Full day free for spiritual activities. Drive around 2.30 hrs to Darchen and overnight stay there. Day 09:Darchen to Diraphuk (4890 mts.) - This is the first ay of Kailash Parikrama. We should start our journey after breakfast as early as possible. This day we have to walk continuously for about 6 to 7 hours. Yak will carry all our goods and equipment. Overnight stay at Diraphuk in tent. Day 10 :Diraphuk to Zhulthulphuk (4790mts.) - This day is very sensitive and we have to pass Dolma-La Pass, which is 5400 mt. above sea level. The weather in unpredictable in Doma-la Pass and at any time snowstorm can fall. So we try to start our journey as early as possible. In route we can have Darshan of Gaurikund but it is very difficult to go and touch. Overnight stay in route to Zhulthulphuk in tent. Day 11: Zhulthulphuk to Paryang - We will Trek down to Darchen later our tour starts back for Kathmandu following the same route and same system applies for all subjects of our accommodation and meal. Day 12: Paryang to Saga - Drive back to Saga. Day 13: Saga to Nyalam- Drive back to Nyalam, which is the last stay in Tibet part. Day 14: Nyalam to Katmandu - After custom formalities we will be picked up by Nepal side and continue drive to Kathmandu for about 05.00 hours and check into same hotel.

Day 15:Morning check out hotel, transfer to airport, catch flight for next Destination. Option for early departure or you use your extra day for Himalayan mountain flight, Manakamana road trip, or Muktinath tour (Contact Loyal Travels & Tours for more information about optional day trip at additional cost).

Mount Kailash Manasarovar Yatra 15 Days (Fixed Departure Date for 201

Mount Kailash Manasarovar Yatra(Fixed Departure Date for 2011)

Months Aprill May June July August September Dates 13 (Full Moon), 24, 28 08, 12 (Full Moon), 17, 22, 26, 29 02, 07, 11 (Full Moon), 16, 23, 30 03, 08 (Full Moon), 14, 21, 28 02, 08 (Full Moon), 16, 25 07 (Full Moon), 15, 22, 29 Inner Kora

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Tour Cost: US $. 1910.00 Indian Rupees. 73,500.00 Cost is based on Kathmandu - Kailash - Kathmandu Minimum group size 26 pax ESTIMATE FOR ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES 1. Horse for personal ride on kora days is around US $200.00 2. Extra ride for day trip to Astapad US $45.00 3. Extra day in Kathmandu INR 1800.00 for Indian and 45.00$ for others with 2 meals and accommodations. 4. INR 2200.00 for Manakamana day trip including both way cable car tickets and transportation. 5. Muktinath and Manakamana day trip INR 16500.00 per person including one night in Pokhara, one nights Jomsom round trip flight with meal, transport. COST INCLUDES: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Arrival & departure transportation. Sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Budhanilkantha. 3 nights hotel at Kathmandu on twin sharing basis with all meals Transfer to Kodari by tourist bus. Tibet side: accommodation in decent hotel/tents.

6. While camping we provide two-man tents, mattresses, sleeping bag & camping equipments like dining & toilet tents. 7. Pure vegetarian meals, Japanese land cruisers (4WD) & support trucks. 8. English speaking Tibetan guide. 9. Nepali tour leader. 10. Gamow bag, oxygen, basic first-aid kit. 11. Kailash permit & normal Tibet/China visa fee. 12. Kodari land tax.

COST EXCLUDES: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Airfares from Home - Kathmandu - Home. All beverages, Photography charges and Telephone calls. Travel Insurance of clients. Emergency evacuation expenses. Riding Yak/Horse for Kailash Parikrama (direct payable to Yak/horse herder). Extra cost in the event of landslide for hiring additional transportation. expenses of personal urgent visa fee etc & Services other than specified.

What we provide to our clients: 1. Sleeping bag, down Jacket, Gamow bag and Oxygen. 2. We don't charge extra for the parikrama. If you wish to take help of a yak or horse, the cost will be approx US$ 80 for Yak and USD 200 for horse payable directly to the yak herder. All Indian pilgrims are advised to hire one. You have to understand that the yaks are not domesticated but are meant to carry luggage. Model of payments 1. 20 days prior to tour departure date, 100% of the total cost should reach Loyal Travels & Tours Pvt. Ltd account by telex transfer with passport of client. Tour Cancellation policy 1. All notice of cancellation must be sent to our office in written. Verbal cancellations will not be entertained. 2. 20 days before trip departure 10% of total trip cost. 3. 15 days before trip departure 50% of total trip cost. 4. 10 days before trip departure 90% of total trip cost. 5. 07 days and less departure 100% of total trip cost.

IMPORTANT PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION:

Clothing: Casual wears and comfortable walking shoes are the rule of Tibet . Be sure to bring warm clothing as nights and early mornings can be quite chilly to down right cold. Indian Pilgrims strictly no Sari. Bring all the film, medicine, cosmetics, personal toilet items etc. that you will need from home as these are difficult if not impossible to obtain on the way. A small first aid kit is also a good idea. Also quite useful is a route map, to know where you are going and have been each day. What to take: Winter wear: Gore-Tex material, though expensive, is highly recommended. Down jacket, raincoat or windbreakers, thermal under wears, Jackets, warm trousers & woolen shirts (cotton will also do), warm sweaters, woolen gloves, sun hat, comfortable shoes, light leather boots in case of snow, woolen balaclava ('monkey cap') & scarf/dust mask to protect your eyes & nose from dust. Bring with you: Snacks along the way. Chocolates, dry fruit, toffees, glucose; 'namkeen' etc. Strong water bottle & water purifying tablets. Personal medical kit and Diamox tablet (for high altitude). Sun glasses (to protect your eyes from UV, which is especially strong in high altitudes). Sun block or sun screen lotion, wet tissues (Fresh-ones are excellent to wipe off the dust), clothes-line/clips, needle & thread, deo-spray (handy for smelly boots/feet and for a round of spray in the toilet tent!), toilet paper, torch & spare batteries, daypack (small shoulder bag), Camera & films, Binocular. Health: This is one of the toughest high altitude road journeys on earth. You Must be physically fit - no two ways about that. Generally patients with asthma & heart problems have a problem acclimatizing to high altitudes. In your interests it is essential you should be examined by your doctor to know about your health condition and your ability to cope up with the rigors of high altitude travel for days in 'no road' conditions, extreme cold, dust, trekking to an altitude of 19500ft during the Parikrama, etc. Altitude Sickness: As you are traveling over high terrain, you are likely to experience symptoms and discomfort of altitude sickness (headache, loss of appetite, nausea, exhaustion, sleeplessness, breathlessness etc.) until your body adjusts to the elevation. This can take a couple of days or more depending on an individual. For this reason alone, we have made it mandatory to stay 2 nights at Nyelam (12000ft) and a night in Simikot those who take journey of Helicopter before moving on to the higher altitudes. Drink plenty of water, be calm, and do not exercise. Do not drink alcohol or smoke prior to and during the tour. We also recommend you carry a strip of diamox tablets. Do consult your physician on the dosage. We provide Gamow bag (a special equipment to prevent sickness from high altitude) on this tour.

Currency: The unit of Chinese currency is Yuan. USD 1 = 7.00 Yuan. 1 Yuan = INR 6.50 approx; Money can exchange at Bank of China at Zhangmu or from the locals at Zhangmu or Kodari. Exchange all your remaining Yuan at the end of the trip at Zhangmu itself before re-entering Nepal . Risks & Liability: Loyal Travels and Tours Pvt. Ltd and its associates will put every effort to make your journey smooth and pleasant. However, all the tours in Tibet are conducted strictly under the rules & regulation of Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB). Therefore, Loyal Travels and Tours Pvt. Ltd and its counterpart shall not be responsible for any change and alteration in the program due to unavoidable circumstances such as landslide, road blockage, flood, snow, political unrest, and cancellation of flight, delay arrival, sickness or accidents. Any extra cost incurred thereof shall be borne by the clients on the spot.

For more information please visit our official website: www.loyaltour.com and mail at info@loyaltour.com