Simikot Kailash Lhasa Tour

5.00/5 from 480 reviews
At a Glance
  • DestinationTibet
  • Duration22 days
  • Trip DifficultyStrenuous
  • ActivitiesTrek/Tours
  • AccommodationHotel/Guesthouse
  • MealsB.L.D
  • Group SizeMin. 4 Pax
  • BEST TIMEApril - June and Sept - Nov

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Trip Overview

Simikot Kailash Lhasa Tour of 22 days is a spiritual journey to Mount Kailash, one of the holiest mountains in the world. Hundreds of Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Bon pilgrims visit Mount Kailash in western Tibet each year. Join us on this holy once-in-a-lifetime trip to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.

You cover the journey to Mount Kailash on foot from Simikot, a mountainous town in Nepal's remote far-west region. This is a pilgrimage to the sacred mountain in its purest form. The inner peace of setting eyes on the summit of Mount Kailash after trekking for several days is worth experiencing.

Your trip starts after you arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital city. From Kathmandu, you fly to Simikot via Nepalgunj. Leaving Simikot you trek through remote villages of the Khaas and Bhotia communities in the Humla region.  The trail meanders above Karnali, Nepal's longest river. At Hilsa you cross the Friendship Bridge and reach the Tibetan side. Your local Tibetan guide and driver will be waiting for you on the other side ready to drive you to Mansarovar Lake.

Hindus believe the sacred lake of Mansarovar was formed in Lord Brahma's (the creator of the universe) mind.  Buddhists and Jains regard this lake as a holy site as their saints Milarepa and Rishabha meditated here. You can pray and meditate at the shore of the lake before driving on to Darchen.

You begin your kora or circumambulation of Mount Kailash from Tarboche by walking through the 'Yam Dwar' (the gate of salvation). For Hindus walking around Mount Kailash is like attaining a new life. Each step they take around the abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati helps them get rid of sins and bad karma they have accumulated in their lifetime. By the time they complete their parikrama, their souls are renewed and their spirits refreshed.

Buddhists complete the kora to receive blessings from their saint Milarepa, who they believe is still meditating on the mountain. Ashtapad the holy mountain of the Jains is located in Mount Kailash. It was at Ashtapad that Rishaba, the first Guru of the Jains, received enlightenment. Bons consider Mount Kailash as the center of the universe and walk around it counterclockwise.

It takes three days to complete the kora. You get clear views of the mountain's four faces while trekking around it. After completing the kora, you will be driven to Saga via Mansarovar Lake. From Saga, you proceed to Shigatse, Tibet's second-largest city. At Shigatse, you explore the Tashilhunpo Monastery and the local market. Leaving Shigatse you drive towards Lhasa. Our guide will take you on a tour of Lhasa's iconic landmarks – Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Norbulingka, Barkhor Street, and Drepung Monastery. Your trip ends with a scenic Himalayan flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

The best seasons for this trip are spring and autumn. The weather conditions during these seasons remain ideal for trekking. The days remain warm and the skies clear with occasional clouds and rain. Since this trip involves trekking at a high altitude one needs to be physically fit and possess a high endurance level.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime journey to one of the holiest mountains in the world. Join us in this sacred pilgrimage through some of the dramatic and wildest landscapes in the Himalayas.

Detail Itinerary

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Arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Our airport representative will welcome you and explain the program further. There are no planned activities for the day, so check into the hotel. Enjoy your overnight stay at the hotel.

Touring the World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley that includes: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Pasupatinath Temple. Overnight at hotel, breakfast included.

Today we take a 90 minute flight to Nepalgunj in the far south-west of Nepal. It is a busy crowded city which lies close to the Indian border. Overnight at hotel, breakfast included.

We take a 40-minute flight from Nepalgunj to Simikot and admire the beauty of the soaring mountain cliffs from our airplane. Simikot, the head quarter of the Humla District, is cut off from the rest of the country due to its remoteness. While here, we learn about the local people and their rich culture, which is closely tied to the Tibetans because of the close proximity of the two places. We have lunch at Simikot and also register for the permit at the police office. From Simikot, we ascend for a while, then descend towards the village of Tuling. We continue walking through jungles and villages along the Karnali River towards Dharapori. Overnight at the guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Our walk is on relatively flat trails beginning with the trail alongside the Karnali River. We walk along the fields cultivated mainly with barley, buckwheat, rice and potatoes. There are two hot springs near Kermi where we may soothe our aching bodies. We can also visit ancient Buddhist monasteries close to Kermi --Laikyo Gompa and Lhundrup Choeling Gompa. Overnight at the guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Today’ trek is a flat and steep ascent until reaching a small pass and crossing a suspension bridge over the Salli River. From here one can enjoy views of the beautiful pine trees and the mighty Karnali River. We will also visit the remote Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery. Overnight at the guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We walk on a trail above the Karnali River. As we ascend further, the greenery begins to vanish and so do the smaller bushes. They give way to pine trees and rocky hills. After reaching Tumkot, we visit Dhungkar Choezom Monastery, one of the most important Sakya monasteries in the Tibetan region. Overnight at the guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Today's trek is on a relatively easy trail above the Karnali River. After walking a few miles we begin to notice the change in climate, vegetation and landscape which becomes more rocky and secluded. The trees that you see are not pine trees anymore. They are now short and low junipers. Overnight at the guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We cross the first pass of the trek today, the Nara La pass (4,620m). The vegetation is bleak by now and the landscape is familiar to that of Tibet. After crossing the pass we will be greeted by excellent views of the beautiful Tibetan plateau and Yari Village. From here on, it is a shaky descent down until Hilsa, a border town which is also a dropping point for the pilgrims on their way to Mt. Kailash by helicopter. Overnight at the guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We walk across the Friendship bridge at Hilsa where the Chinese officials will check our permits and passports. We also meet our Tibetan guide here. We then drove to Manasarovar, passing Rinzin Zangpo Gompa and Kangje Village along the way. Overnight stay at the Guesthouse.

Holy Mansarovar is the lake of compassion, tranquility and bliss. After completing the memorable morning bath and puja we will be heading for Holy Mansarovar Parikrama by land cruiser with packed lunch and continue drive towards Tarchen (Darchen). If time permits, we visit Chui Gompa. Tarchen is considered as a base camp for Holy Kailash Parikrama. During the auspicious pilgrimage time, this place will be flooded with pilgrims with hundreds of tents all around. Overnight stay at the Guesthouse.

After breakfast drive to Tarboche – starting point of Kailash Parikrama. Tarboche is also known as outer “Asthapath”. It is one of the exciting days walking along the beautiful rocky cliffs; waterfalls with some clouds in the clear blue sky make you feeling that Great God Shiva is everywhere with tons of blessing to you. Time to time the face of Kailash Parbat will be kept on appearing. For 7 km trail it takes almost 7 hrs. Overnight at the Government Guesthouse.

Today you will be climbing to Drolma-la (Dolma-La 18368ft) and then descending gradually to Zuthulpuk (4760m). Yamasthal should be crossed to reach the Shiva-sthal while your steps go closer to the pass. Overnight at the Government Guesthouse.

Morning free time to explore the caves, temples and shrine around Milarepa cave. After walking 3 hours, all the driving crew will be waiting for your arrival. By late afternoon you will be at your lodge in Dongba. Overnight stay at Guesthouse.

Drive Dongba to Nyalam (376 km) 7-8 hrs. Overnight stay at Guesthouse.

Today, we leave Nyalam behind. We pass the Bhote Koshi River and cross the Chinese - Nepalese border. After a short drive, we bid our Tibetan guide a goodbye. We then drive and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari. Our Nepalese staff will complete the re-entry formalities and we drive to Kathmandu. Overnight Stay at Hotel.

Spend the day in Kathmandu, to rest or to explore, as per your inclination. Overnight at hotel, breakfast included.

Approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight, a representative from the Nepal Hiking Team will take you to the airport.

Cost Includes

  • All ground transports in private vehicle including airport transfers
  • Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
  • Kathmandu city tours including all entry fees, tour guide and private vehicle
  • Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj to Simikot including departure tax
  • A night accommodation at a standard hotel in Nepalgunj with breakfast
  • Best available twin sharing lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek in Nepal part
  • Best available twin sharing Lodge/Guesthouses during the Tibet tours till Saga without meals
  • Accommodation at a 3-star category hotel in Xigaste and Lhasa with breakfast
  • All your standard meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trekking Nepal part
  • One highly experienced, helpful and friendly guide, porters (1 porter for 2 people) and their food, accommodation, salary, equipment etc. for Nepal part trek
  • Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) approved guide for Tibet tours
  • Yaks and Yak-men to carry baggage while Kailash Parikrama
  • Tibet entry travel permit, Chinese visa and applicable entry fees during the trek/tours in Nepal/Tibet
  • Lhasa to Kathmandu flight in economic class
  • All government taxes and official expense

Cost Excludes

  • Meals not specified in the 'Meal Inclusions' in the itinerary'
  • Travel insurance
  • International airfare
  • Nepal entry visa
  • All cold drinks such as: alcoholic beverages, mineral water, Coke, Fanta, juice, etc.
  • Nepali staff for Tibet tours
  • Shopping, laundry, internet, phone bills
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Extra cost of transportation, porters involved due landslides, snowfall
  • Services other than specified. Extra days stay at Kathmandu / any other place
  • Tips for trekking staff and driver (Tipping is appreciated but it is not mandatory)

Cost and Date

Start Dates refer to your arrival date in Nepal. End Dates correspond to your return date from Nepal.

The Simikot Kailash Lhasa Tour set departure dates are tailored for the group joining option. If the 22 days Simikot Kailash Lhasa Tour departure dates don’t fit your schedule, we can include alternative dates that better suit your needs.

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