Simikot Kailash EBC Lhasa Trip - 20 Days

Our representative will be at airport waiting to welcome you in Nepal and then transfer to the booked hotel. And evening trip briefing program will be commenced.

Today we have half day sightseeing of Kathmandu valley. And evening your trip will start with the flight to Nepalgunj.

After landing in Simikot, at 2910m, the thing is lunch. Our 65-km trek to the Tibetan border begins by climbing from the Simikot air-strip, and passing by the water source for the upper Simikot Khasa village. Climbing the trail from here, we reach the Simikot Lagna Pass, at 3000 m. It does not look far, but it is a long 300-metre pul to the top of forested ridge overlooking the town. After decending for 1 hour the rail goes toward Darapori our overnight halt.

The trail this day starts off reasonably level. We pass by a Thakuri village called Tuling, and wild nut and apricot trees provide welcome shade along the bank of the River Karnali as the trek passes through Dharapori at 2300m. We cross the Yabka Khola (also known as Dhara-pori Khola), and soon We reach the campsite of Dharapori, which has a few teashops. Walking another 10 minutes brings us the Thakuri village of Dharapori situated on the top of a ridge which also has a police check-post. Below this village, a bridge over the Humla Karnali leads to a couple of Lama villages called Jad Kholsi and Khangalgaon. These villages belong to the Tugchulungba community and the route to these villages passes the Thakuri village of Hitan (thakuri) Kholsi. This is the last Thakuri village in the valley and the upper limit of rice cultivation. From Dharapori, the trail goes straight along the right bank of the Karnali River to the Gharapori Khola, a small tributary of the Karnali. Ascending from this stream of Dharapari Khola,the trail undulates along the Karnali River up to Chachera at 2350 m, a cave campsite used by sheep caravans. Thre is also nice waterfall nearby. Just above this waterfalls is a Lama village called Chyadog, which also belongs to the Tugchulungba community. Then climb over a ridge past swarms of lizards sunning themselves as we approach Kermi, situated besides a stream, at 2690 m. Kermi is the last Tugchulungba village.The actual route by passes Kermi and the only camp nearby is below the village.

This day, we begin by walking over a ridge to a big valley with walled potato and buckwheat fields, and climb through a sparse pine forest to a rock cairn on a ridge at 2900 m. This is the Salli Pass, where the trail meets up with the on from Limi. If we want to be proceed via Limi, turn right and follow the path into the jungle. Otherwise,descending steeply to the Tsongsa Khola (Salli Khola), We will cross a suspension bridge.After this, climb a steep rocky ridge and drop back towards the fast-flowing, light grey waters of the Humla Karnali.Climb over another ridge before descending to Yalbang Chaur, a meadow and goat herders' camp beside the river at 2760m. An annual barter trade between traders from Taklakot and the Humli people used to take place at this site in November. But, since the Taklakot people no longer face food shortages,they have stopped coming. From Yalbang Chaur, after climbing over two more ridges, We reach Yalbang village at 2890 m.From this village onwards to Yari, all villages belong to the community of the Yultsodum.Yalbang shares its hydroelectric power supply with its neighbour, Yangar,a few kilometers away. After a half-hour ascent from yalbang, We reach a newly built Nyingmapa monastery called Taglung Gompa or Yalbang Gompa at 3000 m, which has a good camping site.

From this monastery, walk straight for about 15 minutes until the trail branches into two alternative trails to Muchu. The route to the straight is the old route that follows a steep trail over a high ridge called Hilling La (pass) at 3500 m. From Hiling pass, we can see the beautiful valley of Muchu and Yari. This is one of the advantages of taking the upper route. From there, the route descends sharply to the Karnali River to reach a suspension bridge where we meet the newly built trail. Fortunately, we can now follow a new route, a lower path that avoids the climb. The newly built Yangar-Muchu trail passes through the compact settlement of Yanga, in some places going through tunnels beneath the houses, then climbs behind a rock spur to a fast –flowing stream. From there, the route descends smoothly to the bank of the Karnali River at 2770m. After walking along the river, with more than an hour of ups and downs, we reach a new suspension bridge, at 2800 m, which crosses over the Karnali below Muchu, where one meet the Hilling pass trail . After crossing the suspension bridge over the Karnali river ascend to a stream, rock-hop across it and climb past apricot orchards to a totally defunct Kangnyi, marking the entrance to Muchu village at 2920 m. In this village there is a gompa where the image of Jowo (Bodhisattva) Sakyamuni has been installed. The trail passes below the gompa and stone houses of Muchu. Climb through the orchards and fields of the village to a ridge, then drop into a ravine and climb to a chorten on the opposite side. There are a few houses on the ridge, and a border police post hidden just behind it. The ridge near the chorten offers a good view of the upper part of the valley and of Tumkot village and its large white gompa on the next ridge. At the foot of the gompa is Tumkot Khola, which,at 2850m, is our campsite.

Today you will walk straight to Bungmachhe Khola (a tributary of the Karnali) at 2900m. There you cross a wooden bridge and the Humla Karnali disappears into a steep cleft northward behind the high ridge that will make you climb uphill for the next two days. The first part of the climb from the Bungmachine Khola is quite steep. The route enters a steep, rock-filled gully. It is a long, slow slog up to Lanang ridges at 3270m. The path levels out as it ascends to a cairn, at 3310m, then descends gently through juniper trees and climbs again to Palbang, with its single tea house at 3380m. Palbang, has a Nepali name, Pani Palbang. After walking straight for about an hour, we reach the teashop of Bhyagute Pani. From there, walking straight for about half an hour, we enter the villages of Yari. After Chang Ngoi village of Yari, you reach the customs office and check post, at 3670m, and ascending about 15 minutes, you reach the beautiful Zing Jyan campsite of Yari at 3750m. Then we acend a bit toward Thado dhunga to the base of Nara La Pass (4330m) for overnight halt.

From here, the trail ascends through meadows and across streams to Thado Dhunga at 4160m. We then climb to Sipsip, near the foot of the Nara Lagna pass, at 4330m. Despite the remoteness of this location, there is a considerable amount of traffic. We will meet traders, pilgrims and pack animals-goats, sheep and yaks. Local yaks and crossbreeds carrying timber to Tibet are frequently seen. The upper Humla people, especially the people from Muchu VDC have no other form of livelihood than the export of timber to Tibet. The export of raw materials from Humla, either timber to Tibet or herbs to India, does not really benefit the locals economically, and has been resorted to since the dying out of the trans Himalayan caravan trade. But now, WFO's Food for Work programme is providing at least a temporary alternative to the local people while they contribute to the building of the road. From Sipsip, the trail makes a steep, continuous ascent along the side of the ridge above Shipship to a huge rock cairn atop the Nara Lagna pass at 4580 m. A short distance below the pass, We round a ridge for a view of the Tibetan Plateau, the Humla Karnali, and the green barley fields of Sher far below. From the Nara Lagna pass, you follow the newly built trail down to Hilsa at 3730 m. After crossing the Karnali suspension bridge at Hilsa, We ascend about 20 minutes and reach at 3860m, the first border village of Tibet, called Sher on the Chinese side. This border is perhaps one of the most informal border crossings in the world and serves as a trading mart with Nepal. At Sher, Our vehicle will be waiting for us to pick up our entire tour to Tibet, Mt. Kailash.

Today we will have a fantastic overland drive toward Mansarover (Mapham Yumtso) via Rakshas Lake (Langka Tso) on the newly developed paved road to Gosul gompa monastery. From here we start a short pilgrimage walk toward Mansarover Lake. Time permiting visit Chiu monastery on the hill top overlooking your Guesthouse at Manasarover.

Today we have full day at Manasarover, in the morning time we will have holy deep at the Lake. It is believed that if you take holy deep at the lake you will wash away the sins of lifetime. And day time we will have Mansarover circumambulation to have different faces of Kailash. after that in Evening we will drive to Darchen the foot of Mt. Kailash for the night halt.

Today our Kailash trek starts. From Darchen we drive around 12km to Tarboche the starting point of Kailash. All our yaks are waiting at Tarboche for our baggage. We start walking from Tarboche to Diraphuk having different Kailash South west faces. If you would like to visit the Chuku Gompa it is along the way but you need to hike up to rocky mountain for half an hour. Evening we will have visit of Diraphuk monastery.

Today we have long way thats why we start early morning around 7 AM Beijing time in order to pass Dolma La pass which is the toughest one during Kailash yatra tour. It takes around 4 hrs to get passed the pass, once the pass is done the trail follow steep down toward Dzutulphuk.

After 2.5 hrs trekking from Dzutulphuk, our vehicle will meet at Mani wall then we will drive to Darchen. After lunch we will drive to Paryang a beutiful Tibetan local town, for night halt.

Today you will have scenic drive on the Tibetan highland road with views of Himalaya and Sand dunes along the way toward Saga for night halt.

Today you will have a scenic drive because you could exlore Pelko Lake one of the beutiful salt lake along the way, After that you will have further drive to Tingri or Tashi Dzong for night halt.

Morning you will visit Rongbuk Monastery adjoining with Everest Base Camp North side in Tibet. After that further drive to Shigatse - the second largest city in Tibet. After some rest you will have a visit of Tashilhungpo Monastery - The seat of Panchen Lama.

Today morning you will drive to Gyantse city which is 90km far from Shigatse and a Short sightseeing will be done here visiting Palkor Chod Monastery and Kubum Stupa after that the road follows along side of Yamdrok (Turquise) Lake. You will have a scenic drive along exploring the lake and Karo La glacier toward Lhasa city.

Two full days sightseeing in Lhasa visiting, Potala Palace, Norbu Linka Summer Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Ramoche Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Tibet Musium and Barkhor Tibetan market.

Today you have free time until your flight or train time after that you will be dropped to Airport or train station for final departure to your home.