Kailash Trekking via Simikot with Guge Kingdom

Upon your arrival at Kathmandu at TIA, a representative of Himalayan Wander Walkers will warmly welcome you to Nepal and will escort you towards your hotel. If your arrival time is in the morning you can do a short tour or you can just relax and walk around the town. Sometimes you have come a few days earlier for a permit. For that, we will let you know when to arrive in Kathmandu and need your original passport.

Overnight: at the hotel set with BB plan.

Visit the world’s heritage sites. Which is the oldest of the three major cities in Kathmandu Valley – famous for its Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples, and you can catch the traditional artisans working with woods, stones, and metals? Today after breakfast we will start the city tour to most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu valley. These landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites; including the historic Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swyambhunath) and the world largest Buddhists stupa, Bouddhanath. Briefing regarding the trek with two-way question-answer with the trip leader (The Guide).

Overnight: at the hotel set with BB plan.

From Kathmandu, we fly on any domestic carrier to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj, a town in the western Terai, is very close to the Indian border and the Bardia National Park. It is a major transport hub for western, mid-western, and far-western regions of Nepal. Possibly, on the same day flight to Simikot 2,910 m. If no flight to Simikot on this day, sleep in a hotel in Nepalgunj.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

If the flight to Simikot on time then you will start the day with a trek to Dharmapuri. The route takes you on a hill above the village Simikot. Then, it goes steeply down to the Karnali River. The camp will be in a beautiful place on the river at Dharmapuri. If the flight takes late due to bad weather and not enough time to reach Dharmapuri, you stay in Simikot. Residents of this place are a combination of Thakuris with Hindu culture and Bhotias from Tibet migrant Buddhists. Simikot is the district headquarters of Humla, the far-flung of Nepal. The remote valleys are still traded routes from Tibet. Sheep and mules are Himalayan transport here. So, those animals carrying rice & salt to Nepal, there will be exchanged for salt.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

This day will be hot on a sunny day, you see walnut and peach trees line the path that leads along the Karnali River to Kermi and sees a beautiful waterfall, Here live primarily Bhatia Buddhists. The village is situated above the camp. And hot springs can be visited in a day which lies between campsite and village above.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

A narrow path leads along the river Salle Khola to the Yalbang Gompa. The steep trail brings you through a pine forest on a hill pass (2,990 m) and down to the Salle Khola, sometimes we make a camp at Salle Khola camp near the river, it depends on an itinerary. Then slow accent to Yalbang Gompa next two and a half an hour. Slowly take the Tibetan influences. Here the population of the villages is mostly Tibetan Buddhists. Here you go camping. For luck, you can visit the evening puja experience in the monastery.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

This day, you visit on the way nice and traditional village of Yangar 2,850m and Much 2,920m reach you today Tumkot. Along the way, you encounter as usual salt traders, who transport their goods with sheep and goats in Nepal. Farmers farming on that level barley, wheat & potatoes. By the way, this day you cross the Karnali River at the bottom of the Muchu.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

All the way following the Kailash pilgrimage route via Smikot. This is a beautiful trail, you will see some waterfalls stream opposite of your trail. Yari village (3,670 m), the last settlement on Nepalese territory.  Views on Saiphal Himal (7,000 m). The landscape is barren and receives Tibetan fictional characters. Your camp is situated above one hour of Yari.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

Today is an easy trail leads up to Sipsip 4,300 m and Nara La passing 4580m. But walk slowly at the high altitude. Bypassing the Nara la top, you can enjoy the first glimpse of the Tibetan highlands. In an impressive way, you get down to the Karnali River, Hilsa 3720m. The suspense bridge marks the way to Tibet. Here you will find the Tibetan Department. After customs, formalities continue to Purang driving about an hour approximately.

The Purang town lies at Karnali River near the border with Nepal and it’s also called Taklakot. Also, Purang is connected by the old pilgrimage route across the Lepu Lekh Pass into India. In this market, Tibetan wool, sheep, yaks, and a colorful selection of Chinese, Indian and Nepalese goods are traded. Here, an interesting meeting nomadic Khampa, Nepalese and Chinese. On a hill above the town make you refresh by seen Gombas and snow-topped peaks.

Overnight at Guest House in Purang.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

You first see the mandala of Mount Kailash from a pass viewpoint after shortly driving across the Tibetan villages from Purang. The links "Mondsee" Rakshasa, right, the "Sonnensee" Manasarovar and in the center stands the pyramid of Kailash. Driving continues to Tirthapuri, where Padmasambhava meditated. In this beautiful peaceful place, still, the breath of old Tibet is an alive traditional place of pilgrimage, with hot sulfur springs.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

If the trip goes well as plan then we will take a rest for bathing, relaxing, and washing clothes, and time for reflection, with the pilgrims to circumstance a little hill, to meditate. If you have another program is included then drive through the canyon with packed lunch. It goes into a fascinating journey to Khyunglung near old Bon monasteries called Guru Gem. Here you will find beautiful hot springs, where you may be able to take a bath. Then drive back to the camp in the evening - Tirthapuri.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

Drive to Tholing for about 3 hours, on the way picturesque spectacular scenery and take lunch at Tholing restaurant then visit Tholing with its white and red monasteries and drive to Tsaparang, capital of Guge Kingdom.

Overnight at guest house.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

After breakfast visits the Guge Kingdom with the Morning view in Sutlej valley. The former royal cities of the Kingdom of Guge are located in a spectacular canyon in the Sutlej River, India is not so far from here. Tholing Tsaparang were the most important cities in Tibet during the 11th Century and by 1042 of the scholar Atisha was invited to India by Tholing. Particularly impressive is the amazing murals in the palace and the monasteries are situated on a hilltop landscape. During the ten to twelve centuries, this was the center of Tibetan culture, which still testifies to the impressive murals. Overnight at guest house.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

All the way back three and a half hours to the main road towards Kailash Darchen. Day trip to Gangda and Sirliung Gompa if the local government allowed.  

Overnight at guest house.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

You can drive to Tarboche for about 30 minutes or start trekking around the holy mountain of Kailash the highlight of the trip is two and half-day  (51 miles) of the Holy Mount Kailash Kora/circumstance, which is called by the Tibetans and the Hindus Kora or Parikrama for the circumstance. The western valley with Padmasambhava, the great magician, at Dirapuk gompa at 4.900m height. From there, it offers a fantastic view on the north side of Mount Kailash.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

After cross the wooden bridge little climb takes you the graveyard after Shiva Tsal Vajrayogini, as a symbol of death, pilgrims leave here back a piece of clothing or a little hair as well as money for next time. The Dolma La Pass is situated at 5630m, it is the physical and spiritually the highest point of the Kailash trip via Simikot. The Dolmala pass awaits you with colorful prayer flags. After the pass bellow appears Gauri Kund Lake (Tso Tuksche). Hindus take a bottle of holy water for their home. The eastern valley is associated with Milarepa, the famous Tibetan hermit, whose history is closely interwoven with the mountain. The camp will be set near the Zutrulphuk Gompa have the ability to go between the latching points individually.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

After visit for the Pooja at Zutrulphuk Monastery, about three hours trekking to the ending point of Kora and time to say goodbye to the Yakpas {Yak man} where to pick you up by jeep, 30 minutes drive to Horchu or walk for full kora to Darchen about an hour approximately, camp at Manasarovar Lakeside Camp.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

This day will be a lazy day after Kailash Kora, washing clothes, drying things, and just walk around the lake relaxing. Or Drive to Trough Gumba where you will have wonderful views of Mount Kailash across the blue Manasarovar Lake like the sky.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

Drive along the Tsang Po river (Brahmaputra} the tour show you views on the Dolpo,  Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri massive and on the north side of the Kingdom of Mustang of Nepal Himalaya ranges.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

After breakfast Drive to Kerung. Enjoy Grandview of Mt Shishapangma(8021mt High) Gauri Shankar and other high mountains from Gurung La Pass(5050mt.high) Dongpa. Overnight at the hotel.

Meal: full-board, three times a day.

From Kerung, you cruise down to the border town Rasuwagadi Nepalese border where you bid farewell to your Tibetan guide and driver and hike down to the Nepalese Immigration Control where you will be met by your Nepalese escorts. After completing the re-entry formalities you continue the scenic drive to Kathmandu which, depending on road and weather conditions, should take about 7-8 hours.

Overnight at Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast and lunch.

A day for shopping and relaxation after a long journey.

Overnight at hotel with Breakfast.

Farewell dinner.

We are saying goodbye as your journey to Nepal comes to an end today. If you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. Approximately 3-4 hours before your scheduled flight a representative from Himalayan Wander walkers will take you to the airport. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.

Meal: Breakfast.