Simikot - Mt. Kailash Tour

This day, after breakfast in hotel you will tour around the Kathmandu valley. Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, is set in a valley surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains. We will prepare the restricted area permit for Simikot – Hilsa this day.  

We will first go to Kathmandu Durbar Sqaure then Swoyambhunath, Boudhanath and finally Pashupatinath. Stay overnight at hotel.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: (World Heritage Site): Kathmandu Durbar square is one of the popular place which is liked by many visitors due to its exquisite architecture and artistic embellishment. It consists of Huge Royal Palace with different temples dating back from the 15th to the 18th century. The house of the living goddess, the ferocious Kal Bhairav, the red monkey god, the Hanumandhokha palace, the Ashok Binayak temple, Kasthamandap, the Temple Taleju and hundreds of erotic carvings are some few examples of the sights at the square. All woodcarvings, statues and architecture in this area are exceptionally fine.

Swoyambhunath: Swoyambhunath is one of the most glorious Buddhist stupa. It is said to be 2000 years old. Swoyambhunath is, perhaps, the best place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. The stupa is among the most ancient in this part of the world and its worshippers are diverse from Newar nuns, Tibetan monks and Brahman Priests to lay Buddhist and Hindus. Swoyambhunath provides an excellent view of the Kathmandu valley.

Afternoon as per the flight time for Nepalgunj transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport where 50 minutes flight brings you at Nepal Far South in Nepalgunj with super panorama of peaks during air-borne and on reaching Nepalgunj transfer to near airport hotel with afternoon free to see the city areas of Nepalgunj.

Today we will head towards airport and fly to Simikot. On Simikot we will be received by our trekking and camping staff, Simikot headquarter town of Mugu / Humla district around far North West Nepal offering stunning views of Mt Api and Saipal peaks. We will have to trek for about 4 hours to reach Dharapuri.

From Simikot begin our first day walk to overnight camp at Dharapuri village, leading to a climb through farm fields of barley into forested ridge then downhill towards farm villages to reach Dharapuri for first overnight camping of this trip. Around far west region villages inhabited mostly by Thakuri people of Hindu religion, people around Mugu and Humla been in trade with Tibet for hundreds of years using same trail to Tibet border of 5-6 days walks.

Today we will head towards Sally Kohla nearby Kermi village which takes about 5 hours. The journey continues leading to a climb and crossing a stream reaching the last village of Thakuri people and the end of rice fields. From here on ups and down path around grazing area and crossing Sally- Khola (stream) nearby beautiful waterfalls to our overnight camp a short distance from Kermi village, this place with hot springs of an hour walk.

Today we will head towards Muchu which takes about 5 hours. Morning starts with an uphill through Yangar village on paved path built with rocks and woods and then crossing suspension bridge over Humla Karnali River, and then climb to a stream past apricot garden area and finally reaching Muchu village to our overnight camp, this small village with an old monastery and a border Police Check Post.

After a nice stop at Muchu, our journey descend towards Thumkot village which takes about 4 hours, after a break then climbing away from Humla - Karnali River walking on a steep-sided narrow gorge. From here a long hour trek leads slowly to a climb reaching at Torea village for overnight camp, with afternoon free at leisure to catch up with your dairy and explore this village.

Today we will head towards Sip Sip which takes about 5 hours. As the walk progress altitude gains with morning climb to reach a small ridge at 3,500 meters high, from here countering on ridge top, offers grand vista of Yari valley area and high snowcapped peaks, after a short stop walk leads by an irrigation canal to a large wide valley of Jhyakthang chu this place marked with prayer walls entering into Buddhist culture villages of Tibetan influence. 

After a good walk reaching a moderate size Yari village built with stones, this village has another police post, with government custom office and a school. Farmlands with terraces yielding sufficient crops growing millets, barley, amaranth (Marcia) wheat, buckwheat’s, potatoes and radishes. After a nice stop walk continues with a climb on a wide valley encountering group of traders, pilgrims and pack animals-goats, sheep’s and yaks, then reaching at Sip-Sip a small place of cattle herders with few shops. Our camp is made near a stream at the bottom of Nara Lagna pass.

Today we will head towards Hilsa via Nara Lagna which takes about 6 hours. From this camp morning walk leads to a climb on a ridge with huge rock atop at Nara Lagna pass at 5,000 m / 15,030ft, the highest spot of this walk on Nepal side. The pass offers grand panorama of Tibetan plateau with Humla Karnali River down below and green barley fields of Sher or Sera, distance views of Api and Saiphal peaks. After a pleasant stop walk downhill on dusty trail to Humla Karnali River to reach Nepal border at Hilsa village, a frontier post with few tents and stone houses surrounded with barley fields, just across the bridge a stone pillar marks Nepal-Tibet border.

Morning an hour climb to Sher in Tibet, on leaving Nepal, where our Tibetan guides and driver will receive for an interesting drive to Taklakot also known as Purang in Tibetan. Taklakot an important major market town for Tibetans, Nepali and as well for Indian traders with a separate bazaar areas, during summer months an important wool trade takes place between nomadic Drogpa herdsmen and Nepali traders our overnight stop in local guest house.

After Taklakot or Purang to reach Mansarovar it takes around 3 hours. Within Tibet with complete change of environment with the local people including town and way of living, from Taklakot a holy pilgrimage begins with a scenic drive to Lake Manasarover on leaving Karnali River valley; As the drive continues over pass and then reaching a flat barren and arid country beneath massive Mt. Gurla Mandhata at 7,728 meters, from here drive leads over Thalladong pass 5,050 meters high with views of Rakshesh Lake and holy Mt. Kailash.

From the pass downhill to Chu Gompa located by the western bank of Lake Manasarover for overnight stop in a guest house or camping (depending upon the season for Indian and Tibetan pilgrims)

This day at first we will visit the sacred and holy Masarovar Lake. Lake Manasarover, a holy lake located between Mt. Kailash (6714 m) and the Gurla Mandhata mountain range at (7694 m). Manasarover floats beneath the shadow of holy Kailash as the lake formed in the mind of Gods. Masarovar Lake as well as Mt. Kailash is believed as abode of Lord Shiva and holds great importance amongst the Hindu as well as Buddhist people. Mansarovar is known as the purest lake in the world with the belief that if anyone drink the water then that person is purified from the sins he has done in the 100th lifetime.

After performing the ritual / spending the peaceful time in Mansarovar we will drive towards Darchen (40 km) which takes about 1 hour to reach there. Darchen is located right next to the Mount Kailash and is the base of circumambulation (“Kora” in Tibetan). It takes 3 days to complete the Kora of Mt. Kailash. Stay overnight at Guest House.

After breakfast we will drive for 45 minute towards Tarboche (18 km), starting point of Kailash Kora. Tarboche is located in Yamadwar which is known as the gateway of god of death. Kailash stands at 6,714m, heart of ancient Shangshung kingdom supposed country of pre- Buddhist Bonpos origin.  Today we will have to walk for around 5/6 hours (15 km) to reach Dirapuk. In the meantime we can see the breathtaking views of Himalayas like: Ape, Kamet, Gurla – Mandala and so on. Stay overnight at Guest House.

This day is the hardest as well as longest pilgrimage trek of Kora which takes about 6/7 hours of Kora from Dirapuk to Zutulpuk (20 km). This day we will have to walk about 550 m ascent and 600 m descent. We will start to walk from the Dirapuk to Jarok Donkhang village and then hike to Shiva-tsal (belief: undergo through the death to born again) and then ascend to Drolma La Pass (5634 m) (belief: reborn after reaching at top) and then descend down to the banks of river Lham-Chu Khir and reach Khando Sangam La (east side of Mt. Kailash). A big boulder represents goddess Dolma or Dromo (Tara) this place festooned with prayer flags. This spot is the physical and spiritual high point of pilgrimage. After resting there for while we head towards Juthulpuk which is famous for its miracle cave. On the cave it is believed that Milerappa, great ascetic used to perform miracles. Stay overnight at Guest House.

After breakfast we will complete the Kora by walking for about 3/4 hours and return back to Darchen village. After resting and having lunch we will head back through the same route to Saga village. Stay overnight at Guest House.

After breakfast we will drive back through the same way enjoying the scenic view to Kerung. Stay overnight at Guest House.

After breakfast we will drive back towards Kathmandu (150 km). We will have to follow the procedures in immigration to return Nepal Tibet Border. After 9 hours of ride we will reach Kathmandu. Stay overnight at Hotel. 

This day will be a free day in Kathmandu. In meantime we can do sightseeing such as Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changunarayan. If not we can also do shopping or various other activities. Stay overnight at Hotel. 

Enjoy your last day on Kathmandu before departure. At your mentioned departure time our correspondent will pick you up from hotel and transfer to airport and depart you with warm hearts.