Tibet Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar Tours By Helicopter

Kailash Manasarovar Helicopter Tour

Kailash Manasarovar Tour by Helicopter (via Lucknow) - 9 days

Kailash Tour Via Lucknow

There is ample justification for regarding Mount Kailash – the highest mountain exclusively within Tibet – as the holiest of all holy places. For Hindus, this awe-inspiring lone peak is the representation on earth of Mt Meru, the spiritual centre of their universe and a ‘world pillar’ 84,000 miles high, around which all else revolves. Hindus believe that Kailash is the home of Lord Shiva, who sits at the summit with his consort Parvati, otherwise known as the daughter of the Himalayas.

The ‘Parikrama’, circumambulation, or journey round the base, of Mount Kailash, is said to wipe out a whole lifetime of accrued sins and many people report that they feel renewed or changed for the better after undertaking this spiritual journey.

It is not just Hindus for whom Kailash is imbued with such great meaning. The Jains regard the mountain as the place where their first prophet achieved enlightenment and it is also of great spiritual significance for Buddhists and for those who still follow the ancient Bon religion. Buddhists call Kailash the “Precious Jewel’ peak and they, too, make many circumambulations in order to achieve enlightenment.

Lake Manasarovar Tour Via Lucknow

Additionally, the great lakes Manasarovar and Rakshas Tal which lie in the shadow of Kailash, are also manifestations of aspects of the Hindu religion and symbolize the water tanks at the entrance to every Hindu temple. Manasarovar, shaped like the sun and therefore symbolizing the light, is believed to be the lake formed in the mind of God, created to show the omnipotence of the mind of Brahma. This is why bathing in the lake and drinking in its water is a purifying process for Hindus and a way of reaching the Brahma’s paradise. Just one drop of water from the serenely beautiful Manasarovar is said to set one free from the contaminations of the poisonous world. Rakshas Tal, on the other hand, is more moon-like in shape and has come to be connected with the dark and with demonic forces.

This whole area resonates with very deep mythical and religious vibrations and even agnostics cannot remain unmoved by the atmosphere, discovering a greater sense of equanimity by gazing upon this utterly serene landscape. A journey to the Mount Kailash area is truly an experience of a lifetime – and we can facilitate your great spiritual adventure by arranging a trek tailored to your special requirements.

However, we recognize that some people would like to see Kailash and the holy lakes, but may be hampered by time restraints. For these pilgrims, we have devised a special itinerary which cuts the whole journey down to 9 days by using helicopter transport between Nepalgunj and Simikot/Hilsa. Taking this version of the trip means that you can still enjoy the full Kailash and Lake Manasarovar experience in an unhurried manner.

Below is a 9 days itinerary that we have offered here. If you need to cut down your traveling time even further, we can probably adapt the program to your requirements, so please contact us for further details.

Out-lined tour itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Lucknow by flight / train. We meet you there & transfer to Nepalgunj. Hotel Sneha
Day 2: Early morning, fly to Simikot – 30 minutes halt - then fly to Hilsa. From Hilsa trek to Sher and drive to Taklakot (3400 m.). Purang Guesthouse
Day 3: Rest day in Purang for acclimatization. Purang Guesthouse
Day 4: Drive, Purang to Lake Manasarovar (Chiu Gompa – 4550 m.). Paramartha Guesthouse
Day 5: Drive, Lake Manasarovar to Darchen (4664 m.). Hotel Kailash
Day 6: Drive, Darchen to Yam Dwar then trek to Deraphuk (4920 m). Local Guesthouse
Day 7: Trek over Dolma-La (5600 m.) then continue to Zutrul phuk (4780 m). Local Guesthouse
Day 8: Finish parikrama near Darchen then drive back to Taklakot. Purang Guesthouse
Day 9: Early morning, drive back to Sher – trek to Hilsa & fly back to Nepalgunj. Same day transfer to Lucknow.

Departure Dates for 2008
Lucknow Arrival Departure for Hilsa
On 3rd September On 4th September
On 10th September On 11th September
On 17th September On 18th September
On 24th September On 25th September

Itinerary on Detail:

DAYS ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS ACCOMMODATION
Day 01

ARRIVAL IN LUCKNOW & TRANSFER TO NEPALGUNJ.

Arrive at Lucknow airport OR train station, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to Nepalgunj (Administrative Head Quarter of Western Nepal). The drive will take approximately 5 hours, arrival in Hotel & refresh. Evening – tour briefing.

 Hotel Sneha
Day 02

FLY, NEPALGUNJ - SIMIKOT – HILSA, THEN DRIVE TO PURANG (Taklakot – 3400 m.).

Early morning transfer to airport (10 minutes from Hotel) for flying to Hilsa (the boarder between Nepal and China). But before reaching Hilsa, our Helicopter must land at SIMIKOT (the administrative head quarter of Northern frontier of Nepal) because the boarder immigration office is situated here only and according to the regulation of Nepal, we must go through the immigration check before we get entered into the China side. The entire formalities take about 30 to 45 minutes.

After completing the formalities in Simikot, we continue our journey to Hilsa. Once we land at Hilsa, we cross the River Karnali through a suspension bridge and get entered to the China side then continue TREKKING up to the “Sher village”. The Chinese immigration Office and Boarder Check Post is situated in Sher village. Our vehicles (Land Cruisers & truck) are waiting there as well. The actual trek takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour to reach Sher from the suspension bridge.

Due to the different pace of walking, it may take at least two hours to gather all group members & luggage in immigration office up in Sher. However, the formalities don’t take long time but it depends on the mood of Chinese Police.

From Sher, it takes another an hour to reach Taklakot (Purang -3700 m.).

- Nepalgunj to Simikot flight: 1 hour.
- Simikot to Hilsa flight: 20 minutes.
- Hilsa to Sher trek: 1 hour.
- Sher to Taklakot drive: 1 hour.

Purang Guesthouse
Day 03

REST DAY IN TAKLAKOT (PURANG) FOR ACCLIMATIZATION

Today, you will have rest in Taklakot for acclimatization purpose. In fact, you have gained an enormous height within a day while coming in Taklakot, so before making any further journey to the higher elevation, your body should be acclimatized properly with the atmosphere in high altitude. So, it is significantly important to spend a day here for your health.

However, we can also arrange a short visit to the Khojarnath temple (the ancient temple of Ram, Sita and Laxman) which is an optional program and you have to pay for transport (going and coming back) as well as the entrance fee of the temple.

OR, you may stroll around the city on your own and visit the ruins of ancient Taklakot.

Khojarnath temple:
Khojarnath temple is the ancient temple of Ram, Sita and Laxman. The temple (Monastery) is 1100 years old.

- Takalakot to Khojarnath temple: 45 minutes (one way) by Jeep.

Purang Guesthouse
Day 04

DRIVE, PURANG TO LAKE MANSAROVAR (Chiu Gompa – 4550 m.)

Early morning (after breakfast) you will depart for Lake Manasarovar (4560 m- Chui Gompa). The drive takes about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. On the way, we will have a short break in Rakshas Taal (Lake Ravana) to take some pictures & observe the sceneries.

After taking a short break in Rakshas Taal, you will continue your journey to Lake Manasarover. After having holy dip and lunch, we start for circumambulation around the lake Manasarovar by jeep. The journey around the lake requires approximately 3 hours.

- The distance of Mansarovar circumambulation: 72 km
- Taklakot to Lake Manasarovar: 3 hours.
- Jeep tour around Lake Manasarovar: 3 hours.

 Paramartha Guesthouse
Day 05

DRIVE, LAKE MANSAROVAR TO DARCHEN (4664 m.).

In the morning, perform Pooja (worship) & Snan (holy dip) after that we head out to Darchen (Mount Kailash base camp, 4662m).

- Lake Mansarovar to Darchen – 40 km
- Lake Mansarovar to Darchen drive – 1 hour & 30 nimutes.

 Hotel Kailash
Day 06

DRIVE, DARCHEN TO YAM DWAR THEN TREK TO DERAPHUK (4920 m)

Early morning, drive to Yam Dwar (OR Serson, 10 kms / 4750m), the auspicious gateway to the Parikrama (circuit) around Mt. Kailash. As well as, this is the sky burial sites of local Tibetan people. From here, you can see the closest view of Mt. Kailash.

Also, this is the particular place from where the group normally splits in two parts. Those, who are willing to perform the holy circumambulation around the Mt. Kailash will start trekking from this place and the rest of the people who are not willing to go for trekking will return Darchen on Jeep and wait for others to come.

The trail to Deraphuk is easy & flat but because of the high elevation of the area, you will find this trek a tough one. The total journey to Deraphuk Gompa (4890m/18 km). requires a 5 to 6 hours respectively. However, it depends on your pace.

- Darchen to Yam Dwar drive – 45 minutes.
- Yam Dwar to Deraphuk trek – 5 hours

Local Guesthouse
Day 07

TREK TO ZUTRUL PHUK (4780 m). VIA DOLMA PASS (5600 m.)

Early morning start up hill trekking to Dolma-La (5600 m). This is the toughest day of this journey. The entire trail up to Dolma-La is gradually up and from here the trail rapidly drops down to the next valley (Zutulphuk). The holiest water pool (glacial lake – Gauri kunda) is just situated beyond this pass. This is the lake, people believe, where Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva used to take bath.

After making down hill trek to the valley (the next side of the high pass), the trek up to Zutulphuk Gomba requires another two hours.

- Deraphuk to Zutrul phuk Gomba – 8 hours

 Local Guesthouse
Day 08

FINISH TREK NEAR DARCHEN THEN DRIVE BACK TO TAKLAKOT

Today, you will complete the circumambulation around Mt. Kailash. The trek will be finished near Darchen where our vehicles will be waiting to fetch you and transfer to Taklakot.

- Zutrul phuk to trek ending point: 3 hours
- Darchen to Purang drive: 4 hours

Purang Guesthouse
Day 09

DRIVE TO HILSA – FLY NEPALGUNJ & DRIVE BACK TO LUKHNOW

Early morning (after breakfast), you will drive to Sher village then trek down to Hilsa (45 minutes) and take Helicopter flight to Nepalgunj via Simikot.

From Nepalgunj airport, you will directly drive to Lucknow. Our representative will escort you up to Lucknow.

- Purang to Sher: 1 hour.
- Sher to Hilsa trek: 30 minutes.
- Hilsa to Simikot: 20 minutes flight.
- Simikot to Nepalgunj: 1 hour.
- Nepalgunj to Lucknow drive: 5 hours

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Tour cost: INR. 99,000/- per person (nett)

SERVICE INCLUDES:
1. One night accommodation in Nepalgunj on full board basis (twin sharing)
2. Pick up from Lucknow & drop to Lucknow by private transfer
3. Hotel Sneha to Airport transfer in Nepalgunj
4. Nepalgunj to Hilsa & back to Nepalgunj by Helicopter
4. Domestic airport taxes
5. Tibet group visa and travel/trekking permits
6. Guesthouse accommodation in Tibet except in Parikrama (trekking part)
7. All meals in Tibet (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
8. Transportation in Tibet in 4WD Land Cruiser (4 passengers in one Land Cruiser)
9. English speaking Tibetan guide
10. Necessary supporting crew (Cook, Sherpas, tour Manager from Nepal)
11. All necessary camping equipments for Parikrama
12. Yaks & Yak men during the Parikrama (circumambulation) around Mt. Kailash
13. Gamow bag (pressure bag) and oxygen for emergency use
14. Medical kit bag
15. Humla region restricted area permit & royalties
16. Porter cost in Hilsa (while going and coming back)
17. All applicable taxes & service charges.

SERVICE EXCLUDES:
1. Riding Horse or Yak during the Parikrama
2. A visit to Khojarnath temple
3. Your travel insurance
4. Rescue and evacuation service
5. Personal expenses
6. Bottled drinks
7. Tip for guide & driver
8. Any additional cost due to natural calamity and unforeseen circumstances.

Important Notes:

1. Accommodation in Tibet will be provided in dormitory room OR in a double bedded room (possibility only in Taklakot) depending on places & availability. We provide attached bath room only in Taklakot but bathroom has no hot shower.

2. During the Parikrama (Kora), we bring Yaks & Yak men to carry your luggage, foods & equipment. The IPSC (Indian Pilgrimage Service Center) will provide Yaks for us. The ratio of Yak is, two pilgrims = one Yak.

If you require extra Yak to carry your luggage, you have to inform us at least 2 days in advance. The price depends on the flow of tourists. The more demand, the higher cost.

3. 1 Yak handler will be provided for every 3 yaks.

4. Depending on weather condition and group size, we may provide fixed wing aircraft in between Nepalgunj and Simikot but in between Simikot and Hilsa there is no alternative other than Helicopter.

5. We must land at Simikot for going through the immigration formalities of Nepal government while going and coming back, both times.

6. During the Parikrama (circumambulation) we prefer to provide the accommodation in Guesthouse. But the number of Guesthouses are limited. If the guesthouses are fully occupied, we provide camping accommodation. There is alternative way other than sleeping in the Tent.

7. On your request, we can arrange Horse for riding on Prikrama (circumambulation), but you should book & confirm this at least 2 days in advance. The price of Horse depends on the time and the flow of tourists in the region. The higher demand, the bigger price. You can’t ride the Horse for the entire journey because the trail on second day is quite rough and Horse needs break as well.

8. The weather condition in the mountain (Simikot and Hilsa area) plays the vital role on this journey. So, due to the weather fact the trip might be delayed to depart by one or two days in the beginning.

Simultaneously, if the weather in between Simikot and Hilsa is bad, the Helicopter can’t come to pick you up at Hilsa. In this case, you have to stay in Hilsa and our company provides accommodation and foods. Only basic foods and accommodation is available in Hilsa.

So, every passenger on this journey is advised to keep some spare days in the Yatra.