Trip Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrival at Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02 : Preparing for Tour and Tibet visa
Day 03: today we will fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj is s town situated near the India-Nepal border and lies in the sub-tropical lowlands in Terai region.
Day 04: on the second day of our tour we will fly to Simikot from Nepalgunj ascending about 750m. This flight will take about 50 minutes and offers extraordinary views to Nepalese Himalayas. This flight will offer a thrill of flight between tall hills and mountains, which you might not find easily in any other part of the world. The landing at the tiny mountain airstrip at Simikot is an unforgettable experience. Today we will go for the initial climbing of few hours through the villages of Tuling, following trial that passes through walnut and apricot trees to the village of Dharapari. We will call it a day and rest for the night here.
Day 05: Kermi 2682m.
Today we will follow the Hulma Karnali and trek through the rice and wheat fields to a point where the valley narrows and the river is choked with the huge mountain rocks. As per the legends these rocks represents the silver fishes that swam up from the Ganges and couldn’t make it any further. Rice is not grown above this point and we will be passing through small fields of buckwheat and open pine woodland. Right infront of us well be towering snow capped mountains and beautiful waterfalls.
Day 06: Yalbang Gompa 2950m.
Today we will pass our first pass i.e. the Soli La (2990m). Then we will descend to cross the sturdy suspension bridge built in 1995. We will then climb above the Humla karnale to the Gompa at Yalbang which is an excellent Campsite. Here the views are awesome and there will be lots of friendly monks speaking excellent English.
Day 07: Tumkot Khola 2800m.
We will follow the trial that at many occasions comes close to the river. We will go through the path built up with rocks and timber. Then we will cross the Humla Karnali River and climb steadily to Munchu which lies at the altitude of 2920m above the sea level. Here we will come across a police check post. Then we will follow the trial that passes below Gompa and the stone houses of the village. We will then gently descent to the river bank where we will camp and call it a day.
Day 08: Thado Dunga 3854m.
Today after the breakfast we start our journey again and leave the Humla karnali River to meet after two days time, crossing the Tumkot River. A two hour climb brings us to a ridge crest at 3310m marked by a large cairn. We will continue our trek through the open juniper trees past Palbang and to the village of Yari where with a small shop and a school. We can rest there for a while and move on to a meadow half an hour away from Yari to camp for the night. This meadow is locally known as Dzungjen. We need to get acclimatized for the next day so we can climb up the ridges for an aid to acclimatization. From the top of the ridges we can view fantastic scenery of Sipal Himal.
Day 09: Hilsa 3720m.
toady we will climb from our campsite to Nara Lagna- 4850m, which takes about 3 and half to 4 hours of time. The summit is marked by two huge cairns draped with prayer flags. Below, we can look into Tibet where the arid hillsides are a stark contrast to the greenery of the Humla region we have recently trekked through. It’s a steep downward climb to Shar where our Land cruisers wait for us. En route we might come across the traders with lots of sheeps and goats carrying rice for the Tibetan side or salt for the Nepalese side.
Day 10 - 11: Lake Manasarovar 4558m
we will have to climb a short distance to Sher, a Tibetan salt trading post. This a windswept place built by the government where passports and day sacks will be inspected. This is where we enter the Tibetan authority. Here we will meet out Tibetan guide and board our vehicles for two hours drive to Purang. Purang is also called TaklaKot and is situated at the height of 3930m above the sea level. This rough 2 hours drive will give you a general idea about what lies ahead. On the way we can visit Khojarnath where a large red Gompa is situated. We will continue our driving and call it a day and rest for the night when we reach Chiu Gompa.
The ninth day is a day we separate for the acclimatization of our body in the high altitude. During the day we can explore the meditation caves in this area or we can take a bathe in the holy water of Lake Manasarovar. Chiu Gompa is situated on rocky cliff and offer the view of Mount Kailash over the plains in distant.
Day 12: Darchen
today we will drive for mere 1.5 to 2 hours to Darchen. Darchen is a cluster of buildings within walled compound that’s makes the pilgrim’s gateway to Mt. Kailash.
Day 13: Dri Ra Phuk gompa 5010m
today we head north up the Lha Chu Valley and enter the \'Valley of the Gods\' through the \'two legged chorten\' known as Chorten Kangnyi. It’s a gentle hike on a well defined path at the right side of the river. On the way you can find many nomadic herders herding yak and sheep to the grazing areas west of mountains. Then we will cross the Lha Chu to camp below Dri Ra Phuk gompa at the height of 5010m. The view of Kailash’s north face is very impressive from the Gompa.
Day 14: Zutul Phuk gompa 4820m
today we will begin our trekking with steep climb on a winding path over a moraine ridge to a level meadow area. Our route will take us to Shiwa Tsal cemetery where we can see that the Tibetans have left part of their clothing of drop of blood to respect the dead ones. From here is a steady climb to the Dolma La at the height of 5630m. Dolma La is marked by streamers of prayer flags and a huge Dolma stone that represents the goddess Dolma. Then the trial descends by the series of rocky switchebacks above the froxen lake of GouriKunda to reach the Valley of Zhong Chu. We will folloe the river and call it a day to camp in the area of Zutul Phunl Gompa at the height of 4820m. This hike will take around 7 hours of your time. What you will pass through and things you will come across in this tour will make it a truly memorable day.
Day 15: Tirthapuri
this is our final day on the Kora. Today we will take an easy three hours trek as we exit Zhong Chu valley through a narrow George reaching Darchen. From Darchen we will drive for three hours to reach Tirthapuri, which is one of the holiest places after Mt. Kailash and Lake Masasarovar, as its name suggests. Tirthapuri has a hot spring where you can enjoy the warmth of natural hot springs. These hot springs are believed to be sulphuric rich and said to cure various skin disease.
Day 16: Horchu 4550m.
Today we will drive from Tirthapuri to the northern tip of Lake Masasarovar, through the barren Tibetan plateau.
Day 17: Paryang 4050 m.
today we will be driving through a rough road crossing few rivers on the way. On the way to Prayand sight of a wild antelope and kiang (the Tibetan wild ass) is common. This drive is rusty and bumpy but the sceneries are magnificent. You are suggested to take a stop now and then for photo shoot. Reaching Prayang we will call it a day and spend the night there.
Day 18: Saga 4600.
Today we will drive from Prayang to Saga. Saga is a typical Chinese and Tibetan town Saga and rest there for the day and night. Saga is getaway Western part of Tibet including Mt. Kailash. We will camp at saga and spend the night there.
Day 19: Nylam
today we will join the friendship highway form saga to drive towards Nyalam. The road passes through a pass Lalung La from where a breathing view of Everest can be captured. After a whole day’s drive we will reach Nyalam in the evening to spend the night in s nice and cozy nyalam hotal.
Day 20 : today after the morning breakfast you will drive from Nyalam to Zhangmu, through the winding downhill road offering you fantastic views of beautiful waterfalls. This drive will take around an hour. A few kilometers drive from Zhangmu will take you to the friendship bridge on the Bhotekoshi River, which separates Tibet from Nepal. You will drive through the lush greenery of Nepalese countryside for five hours to reach Kathmandu to enjoy its evening markets and bustling beauty. En route you can stop for quick fish snack at Chehere and Dolalghat.
Day 21 : Final Departure from Kathmandu.
