Kailash Manasarovar Yatra 2011

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Mount Kailash (officially: Kangrinboqê; Tibetan: Gang Rinpoche, Wylie: Gangs Rin-po-che; ZWPY: Kangrinboqê; Pinyin: GangrénboqÃ* Feng; Hindi , Kailasa Parvata) is a peak in the Gangdisê mountains in the Tibet region of China, the source of some of the longest rivers in Asia—the Indus River, the Sutlej River, a tributary of the Indus River, and the Brahmaputra River—and is considered as a sacred place in four religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bön faith. In Hindu mythology, it is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva. The mountain lies near Lake Manasarowar and Lake Rakshastal in Tibet.

There have been no recorded attempts to climb Mount Kailash; it is considered off limits to climbers, in deference to Buddhist and Hindu beliefs. It is the most significant peak in the world that has not seen any known climbing attempts.

Pilgrimage

Every year, thousands make a pilgrimage to Kailash, following a tradition going back thousands of years. Pilgrims of several religions believe that circumambulating Mount Kailash on foot is a holy ritual that will bring good fortune. The peregrination is made in a clockwise direction by Hindus and Buddhists. Followers of the Jain and Bönpo religions circumambulate the mountain in a counterclockwise direction. The path around Mount Kailash is 52 km long.

Some pilgrims believe that the entire walk around Kailash should be made in a single day. This is not easy. A person in good shape walking fast would take perhaps 15 hours to complete the 52 km trek. Some of the devout do accomplish this feat, little daunted by the uneven terrain, altitude sickness and harsh conditions faced in the process. Indeed, other pilgrims venture a much more demanding regimen, performing body-length prostrations over the entire length of the circumambulation: The pilgrim bends down, kneels, prostrates full-length, makes a mark with his fingers, rises to his knees, prays, and then crawls forward on hands and knees to the mark made by his/her fingers before repeating the process. It requires at least four days of physical endurance to perform the circumambulation while following this regimen. The mountain is located in a particularly remote and inhospitable area of the Tibetan Himalayas. A few modern amenities, such as benches, resting places and refreshment kiosks, exist to aid the pilgrims in their devotions. According to all religions that revere the mountain, setting foot on its slopes is a dire sin. It is claimed that many people who ventured to defy the taboo have died in the process.

Following the Chinese army entering Tibet in 1950, and political and border disturbances across the Chinese-Indian boundary, pilgrimage to the legendary abode of Lord Shiva was stopped from 1959 to 1980. Thereafter a limited number of Indian pilgrims have been allowed to visit the place, under the supervision of the Chinese and Indian governments either by a lengthy and hazardous trek over the Himalayan terrain, travel by land from Kathmandu or from Lhasa where flights from Kathmandu are available to Tibet and thereafter travel over the great Tibetan plateau (ranging 10,000 to 16,000 feet) by car.

The journey takes four night stops, finally arriving at Tarchen (4600 m). Walking around the holy mountain (a part of its official park) has to be done on foot or pony; it takes three days of trekking starting from a height of around 15,000 ft to crossing the Dolma pass (19,000 ft) and encamping for two nights en route.

First, near the meadow of Dirapuk gompa - 2 or 3 km before the pass and second, after crossing the pass and going downhill as far as possible (viewing Gauri Kund in the distance).

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra

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World's highest pilgrimage - KAILAS MANASAROVAR (CHINA) - Pithorgarh (642 km from Delhi) to Tawaghat by bus (120 km, 914 m). Trek to Pangu (9 km, 2238 m), Sirka (9 km), Gipti (16 km), Buddhi (17 km, 2740 m), Kathi - Gunji (17 km, 3200 m), Kalapani (8 km, 3600 m), Samchan (9 km), Navidhang (4200 m), Lipu le (5122 m, 5 hour) : 100 km, 7 days. Cross the border and reach Taklakot (4600 m, Tibet) and to Manasarovar lake (4530 m) by Jeep. Mount Kailash (6740 m) parikrama via Dolma la (5700 m) by trek/over Yak : 3 days. This trek is severe, expensive and difficult. Limited Visas - Annually 600 to 700 Indians attends the yatra, refer government advertisement on popular dailies : 30 days. Tour cost Rs. 60,000/- ( in 2004).

Season : April to October.

Another route to Kailas Manasarovar is from Kathmandu via Friendship bridge at Nepal border. Drive Kathmandu to Nyalamu (3800 m, 165 km, 8 hour) via Zangmu. Then to Yak Kharka (4675 m, 240 km, 9 hour) via Lalung La Pass (5050 m) and Paiku Tso. Drive Yak Kharka to New Dongpa (4500 m, 160 km, 6 hour) via Saga (4640 m). Drive to Mayumla phedi (4500 m, 210 km, 7 hour). Drive to Manasarovar (4560 m, 120 km, 8 hour). Manasarovar parikrama in Landcruiser.

Drive to Darchen (4560 m). Start Kailash Parikarma (3 day trek, 54 km) from your campsite to Dira Puk (4775 m, 14 km, 6 hour) following the Lha Chu stream. Continue Parikarma over Dolma La Pass (5636 m) to Zuthul Puk (4700 m, 22 km, 10 hour). Just below the Dolma la is the Gauri Kund. Trek to Darchen (14 km , 4 hour). Drive to Hore and then to Kathmandu :
15 days, 2400 km.

World's highest pilgrimage

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Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar

Health : This is one of the toughest high altitude road journeys on earth. You MUST be physically fit - no two ways about that. Generally patients with asthma & heart problems have a problem acclimatising to high altitudes. In your interests it is essential you should be examined by your doctor to know about your health condition and your ability to cope up with the rigours of high altitude travel for days in 'no road' conditions, extreme cold, dust, trekking (or 'yakking') to an altitude of 19500 ft during the parikrama etc.

Altitude Sickness : As you are travelling over high terrain, you are likely to experience symptoms and discomfort of altitude sickness (headache, loss of appetite, nausea, exhaustion, sleeplessness, breathlessness etc.) until your body adjusts to the elevation. This can take a couple of days or more depending on an individual. For this reason it is mandatory to stay at Nyalam (12000 ft) for 2 nights before moving on to the higher altitudes. Drink plenty of water (3-4 litre a day), be calm, do
not exercise. Do not drink alcohol or smoke prior to and during the tour. We also recommend you carry a strip of Diamox tablets (not recommended for pregnant ladies and people allergic to sulpha drugs). Do consult your physician on the dosage.

An alternative medicine is the homeopath variant called COCA-6X, which has been used satisfactorily by some of our yatris but is to be taken after due consultation with your physician. This is ideal for those allergic to sulpha drugs. Gamow bag - a special equipment to prevent sickness from high altitude.

www.high-altitude-medicine.com/

Currency : The unit of Chinese currency is Yuan. USD 1 = 8 Yuan. 1 yuan = INR 6 approx; 1 INR= 1.60NC. Money can be exchanged at Bank of China at Zhangmu or from the locals at Zhangmu or Kodari (who'll find you in any case). Drive a hard bargain with the locals for a good deal. Please note that Rs.500/1000 notes are banned in Nepal. So, carry Rs.100
notes only. Exchange all your remaining yuans at the end of the trip at Zhangmu itself before re-entering Nepal.

Risks & Liability : Circumstances such as landslide, road blockage, flood, snow, political unrest, sickness or accidents are possible on the 1100 km / 4 day drive over the vast expanse of the remote and desolate Tibetan plateau.

***Those having health problems can fly from Kathmandu to Nepalganj and then to Hilsa camp by Helicopter.

Day 1 : Drive to Manasarovar (lake) camp (4560m) via Sher.
Day 2 : Manasarovar parikrama by jeep takes 3-4 hour (subject to road conditions). Drive to Darchen/ Tarboche. Night stay at Darchen Guest House or camp at Tarboche.
Day 3 : Trek to Dira Puk (4909m). 20 km, 6-7 hour. Camp
Day 4 : Trek to Zuthul Puk (4790m) via Dolma La Pass (5636 m). 18 km, 8-9 hour. Camp
Day 5 : Darchen (14 km , 4 hour by trek) and drive to Manasarovar camp (4560m).
Day 6 : Drive to Hisa camp and fly to Nepalganj.

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Kailash - Manasarovar Yatra

One of the World's high altitude Hindu pilgrimmage in China. There are two main routes : 1. The traditional trekking route through Uttarakhand in India via Lipu lekh pass at the Chinese border and 2. The long and comparatively easy road route via Kathmandu, Nepal.

The trekking through the first route is organised by Government of India. Those who are planning for this yatra has to contact the External Affairs Ministry website in January itself.

Application form

Season : Last week of May to September end in groups of 60 pilgrims.

Cost : Rs 1 lakh

Duration : 27 days

Age : Above 18 year, Medically fit for high altitude trek

Selection : By lucky draw due to limited number of Visa

Distance : 865 km from New Delhi (760 km from Delhi is Tawaghat, located near Pithoragarh), India. 1000 km from Kathmandu, Nepal via Nyalam, Saga, Paryang and Manasa Sarovar lake.

Contact : General Manager (Tourism), KMVN Limited, Nainital, Uttarakhand. Ph : 0594 2236356.


The second yatra route is preferred by many and private tour operaors are conducting tours from Kathmandu.