Kailas Manasarovar Yatra via Kerung (By Bus)

(Manasarovar Parikrama by bus and Kailas Parikrama by foot / horse)
12 to 26 September 2024

In the remote Nagari region of Western Tibet, in one of the highest, loneliest and most desolate places on earth, rises a sublime snow-clad pyramid of rock, ‘Mount Kailas’. Its reputation is near-legendary. To pilgrims of four religions this 22,028 ft. rock pyramid is the ‘abode of gods’ and is the ‘Navel of the Earth’. For well over a thousand years pilgrims have made this arduous journey and circumambulated the mountain in an ancient ritual of devotion; for them Kailas is a site of immense natural power. Here the temporal and eternal unite and the divine takes physical form.

For Hindus, Kailas is the throne of Shiva and for Buddhists it’s a gigantic natural mandala; but for both it is the epicenter of Tantric forces. Tibetans know it by the name of “Ghang Ringpohe” (Jewel of Snow). In its shadow lies the holy lake, ‘Manasarovar’, born from the mind of Brahma. Even to non-believers, the mountain and the lake are the crowning jewels of a magical land of pure light and intense colour, in the rarefied atmosphere of 15,000 ft. and above.

To the Hindu pilgrims who walk the thirty two mile path around it, Kailas is Meru embodied in ice and stone, and even a single circuit erases the sins of lifetime. A holy land made doubly sacrosanct by the presence of nearby Lake Manasarovar, a fifteen mile wide circle of deepest blue which is amongst man’s most ancient holy site. Hindus believe that by taking a dip in the holy waters of Manasarovar all the sins in this life are washed away. Even Buddhists believe that Queen Maya bathed in these holy waters before giving birth to Lord Buddha.

The Ramayana says: ‘There is no mountain like Himalchal [Himalaya], for in it is Kailas and Manasarovar. As the dew is dried up by the morning sun, so are the sins of mankind by the sight of Himalchal.’ The Indus, the Sutlej, the Brahmaputra and the Karnali all have their sources in this small corner of Western Tibet dominated by Kailas – a geographic reality with uncanny parallels to Mount Meru, from whose summit are said to flow four great rivers which water Asia. Kailas’ four faces are oriented in four directions: the eastern is of crystal, the western is of ruby, the southern of lapis lazuli and the northern of gold. Atop its summit the sacred River Ganges falls from the heavens, and divides into four great rivers which water four quarters of the earth.

Details of the ‘Kailas’s Sojourn’
‘Mount Kailas’, being in the remotest region on earth, is approachable only by land journey, either on foot or by vehicle. The Chinese invaded Tibet and entry to this region by any outsider was forbidden. The Cultural Revolution could pull down only the man made monuments; but it was unable to touch the true source of the region’s sanctity, which springs from a place beyond human control. In 1981, under a special agreement between India and China, the first group of Hindu pilgrims in twenty-two years visited Kailas and Manasarovar. But this was only possible through Govt. of India and after making a dangerous, long, convoluted trek through the dense forests of Uttarakhand. This trek, even to a fit person, was a challenge; as it used to take you along the Kali River, across the Lipulekh pass on the Indo-Chinese border and then into Tibet. Later this part of the Himalayas was made accessible by Karakoram Highway, which connects China to Pakistan by road. The friendship bridge on the border of Nepal and China used to be our first halt on this overland journey from Kathmandu. Due to the devastating earthquake which hit Nepal twice in May 2015, this road via Kodari and Zhangmu was badly damaged and has been closed down.

Responding to a very persistent demand from Indian and Nepal operators to open another route for Kailas Manas Yatra, the Chinese government has opened the Rasuwagadi – Kerung border crossing for normal tourist operations.

The Kerung border is located around 140 Kms from Kathmandu in Northwest direction and lies in the Rasuwagadi district of Nepal. Due to very narrow and winding roads, it will take around 9 to 10 hours from Kathmandu to reach Syabrubesi. We will spend one night at the border town of Syabrubesi / Timure and will cross the border the next day. After reaching Kerung, which is around 26 Kms from the border, the next day we will travel to Saga in comfortable deluxe coaches. At Saga we will rest for one day to get properly acclimatized.

This journey from Kerung will take us across many small, big rivulets; high passes, dusty roads and the great Brahmaputra or Tsangpo River. Driving through this cold desert we will reach the shores of Manasarovar on 7th day. After the holy bath and Pooja on the shores of Manasarovar the next day, we will proceed to the base of Kailas Parikrama at Darchen. The Parikrama takes three days on foot or on the horseback. During the Parikrama we will have night halts at Dirapuk and Zuthul Puk. This trek will take us across Dolma La at around 19,000 ft. After completing the circumambulation around Mount Kailas, we will retrace our drive and start the return journey.

Itinerary for Kailas – Manasarovar Yatra Via Kerung (14 Nights & 15 Days)

Day-1
Reaching by Kathmandu. Stay in Hotel Hyatt Place or similar hotel. (L, D)

Day-2
Half-day sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath & Buddha Neelkanth, Temple of Sleeping Vishnu. Kailas briefing, final preparations of yatra. Stay in 3-star hotel on twin sharing basis in Kathmandu. (B, L, D)

Day-3
Drive Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (2,380 m. / 7,808 ft.) and then to Timure. 140 Kms. Total 9 – 10 hrs. (Drive by a A / C Bus). Overnight stay in River View Guest House OR Similar (B, L, D)

Day-4
Early morning drive from Timure to China border. After crossing the border proceed to Kerung (2,700 m. / 8,858 ft.) (26 Kms, Around 1 ½ hrs drive) (Drive by Deluxe bus) Visit the only Hindu style temple. (Optional & on own expense). Overnight at Hotel Pilgrim’s Inn OR Similar. (B, L, D)

Day-5
Drive Kerung to Saga (4,850 m. / 15,345 ft.) Around 240 Kms. 5 – 6 hrs. (On this day Brahmaputra is crossed.) (Drive by Deluxe bus). Overnight stay in Hotel Saga or Similar hotel (B, L, D)

Day-6
Rest day at Saga for acclimatisation. Overnight stay in Hotel Saga or Similar hotel (B, L, D)

Day-7
Drive Saga to Manasarovar and Parikrus) Yatris will get an excellent opportunity to bathe in the holy Lake Manasarovar. Overnight stay in Parmarth Ashram / Guest House. (B, L, D)

Day-8
Pooja at Manasarovar in the morning, Afternoon drive to Darchen (4,620m. / 15,240 ft.) 35 Kms. 1 hrs. Overnight stay in Kailash Himalaya Hotel. (B, L, D)

Day-9
Drive up to Starting point of Kailas Parikrama ahead of Tarboche. (13 Kms.) Start trek to Dira Puk (4,890m. / 16,040 ft.) 7 Kms. 6 – 7 hrs. Overnight stay in Hotel Dira Puk (B, L, D)

Day-10
Continue Parikrama over Dolma La (5,650 m. / 18,600 ft.) to Zuthul Puk (4,760 m. / 15,700 ft) 18 Kms. 9 – 10 hrs. Overnight stay in Zuthul Puk Guest House.. (B, L, D)

Day-11
End Kailas Parikrama near Darchen, 10 Kms. 3 – 4 Hrs. Drive back to Saga. Around 478 Kms. 8 – 10 Hrs. Overnight stay in Hotel Saga or Similar hotel (B, L, D)

Day-12
Drive from Saga to Kerung and then exit to Syabrubesi. Overnight stay in Guest House.(B, L, D)

Day-13
Drive from Syabrubesi to Kathmandu. 130 Kms. 9 – 10 hrs. Stay in Hotel Hyatt Place or similar hotel. (B, L, D)

Day-14
Rest day in Kathmandu. (This will be useful in case of any delays during the yatra) Stay in Hotel Hyatt Place or similar hotel. (B, L, D)

Day-15
Transfer to the airport for your onward journey

Where Will I Stay?

INDIAN / NEPAL PORTION

4 Nights in Hotel Hyatt Place OR Hotel Royal Singi OR in similar hotel in Kathmandu on twin sharing basis; FB Vegetarian Plan.

TIBET PORTION

Best available accommodation on sharing basis in Guest Houses & hotels in Tibet at Kerung, Saga, Lake Manasarovar, Darchen, Dirapuk & Zutulpuk. (Dormitory type accommodation)

How willI travel?

No Visa is needed for Indian passport holders to enter Nepal, but a valid passport is a mandatory.
A valid passport is a mandatory for all Indian citizens to apply for Tibetan / Chinese Visa. The passport must be valid till after at least 6 months of the Yatra. Only group visa is issued for Tibetan Section and will be issued on a piece of paper. It is mandatory to travel in group in Tibet and no one is allowed to travel alone.
For non- Indian citizens, the passport must be valid till after at least 6 months of the Yatra. They are also required to carry 3 photocopies along 3 passport size-coloured photographs. They should get their visa for Nepal done on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Kathmandu – Kerung Border - Kathmandu travel by very simple Non-A/C bus.
Certificate of successful completion of Yatra.
Free Kailas Manasarovar Yatra DVD after completing the yatra.
Arrival / Departure transfers from KTM airport in non-A/C coach.
1 Half Day Sightseeing Tour to Pashupatinath & Buddha Neelkanth in non-A/C coach.
Yaks / Horses for carrying common luggage during Kailas Parikrama
Travel by a comfortable Luxury coach in Tibet.
In case of un-avoidable/ un-favouring conditions, Hills and Trails reserves the right to make on-the spot changes in which case the group leader’s decision will be considered as the final word.

What about my health?