SCYTS-017: MOUNT KAILASH AND THE FAR WEST (23 DAYS)

Mount Kailash is perhaps the most sacred of Holy Mountains in Tibet. Together with the two lakes of Mansarovar and Rakas Tal the region is one of the few truly natural wonders of the World. Three of the Orient's greatest rivers; The Brahamaputra, The Sutlej, and the Indus, all take their source within a hundred kilometers of this "snow capped jewel" which has attracted Hindus, Buddhists, Jain and Bonpos from the four comers of Asia for centuries. The journey there entails a long ride over Tibet's great western plateau, through a region inhabited by wild animals and only the occasional nomad. For this reason we have two versions of the programme, both of which avoid any unnecessary backtracking.

In the more popular route which enters and exits through Nepal we have included the fascinating sites of Toling and Tsaparang in the ancient kingdom of Guge. These 11th Century city-states offer one an extraordinary journey back in time.Tsaparang is noted for its fine frescoes which the kings of Guge commissioned the finest artists in Kashmir to paint, while both sites promise absolutely breathtaking scenery as we cross the Lhadak Range into the Sandstone canyanoof the Sutlej River.

Our second version is perhaps one of the world's epic journeys: Beginning in Nepal we travel first to Kailash and then head north, dropping thousands of the meters into the cases of the Taklamakan desert before crossing the mighty Karakorum Mountain to Hunza and finally Islamablad.

Day 1:Kathmandu/Lhasa:Spectacular views of Everest and Shishabangma Ranges from the air. Rest after lunch from altitude fatigue. Optional walk around the Jokhung area.              Overnight at Lhasa Hotel
Day 2_3: Visit the Holy city's greatest sites: Jokhang Temple, Potala and
Norbulingka Palaces,the Gelugpa monasteries of Sera and Drepung,and of course the Barkor Market. We also offer short visits to the Art School,the hospital of traditional medicine,and Lhasa'a interesting leather factory.                        Overnight at Lhasa Hotel
Day 4:Lhasa to Gyantse(Vehicle-250km):Drive south along the Kyichu River,cross the Gampa-La pass with excellent views of Yamdrok Lake.Picnic lunch at the Lake.Visit the picturesque castle and Palkor Chode Temple with its famous stupa.        Overnight at Gyantse Hotel
Day 5:Gyantse to Shigatse(Vehicle-90km): Visit the picturesque castle and
Palkor Chode Temple with its famous stupa. After lunch short drive to Shigatse, Tibet's second city and seat of the Panchen Lamas.
                                           Overnight at Shigatse Hotel
Day 6: Shigatse to Raga(Vehicle)392km):Cross the Brahamaputra by ferry at
      Lhatze. Through Ngam Ning Sangsang and finally Raga.
                                         Overnight at Raga Guesthouse
Day 7:Raga to Tsochen (Vehicle-242km):Journey into wild open spaces. Cross the Semoh-la pass(5,500m) and descend along valley dotted by nomad tents to the small settlement of Tsochen.  Overnight at Tsochen Hotel
Day 8:Tsochen to Gertse(Vehicle-278km):Wild asses, antelope, wolves,foxes and hares have all been seen here. Nomads come to trade in Gertse from the salt lakes to the north.      Overnight at Gertse Hotel
Day 9:Gertse to Yen Hu:(Vehicle)Enter the upper Indus Valley.
Overnight in simple accomodation at the remote salt lake of Yen Hu.
Day10:Yen Hu to Ali(Vehicle):Follow the north bank of the Indus to Shiquan He-a modern town in this remote outback. 
 Overnight at Shiquan He Guesthouse
Day11:Ali to Tuoling(Vehicle):Cross the Lhadak Range, through spectacular
gullies into the Sutlej River Canyon where lie the 900 year old ruins of Toling and Tsaparang.        
Overnight at Toling Guesthouse or camping
Day12:Tsaparang(Vehicle):Amongst towering canyon walls lies the cave citadel of Tsapar-and capital of the ancient kingdom of Guge with fine 11th centuary frescoes.
                             Overnight at Toling Guesthouse or camping
Day13:Toling to Darchen(Vehicle):Different route over the Lhadak Range to
      Tutapuri hot springs.Short drive to Darchen in the shadow of Mt Kailash.                                                 Camping
Day14-16:(Trekking):With porters and yaks we begin the circuit around the holy mountain. Our Tibetan guide takes us to the temples and sacred sites along the way.Encounter pilgrims from all over Tibet.          
Camping
Day17:(Vehicle):Lake Manasarovar:Relax at Chiu Monastery on the shores of Lake Manasarovar.                                       Camping
Day18: Manasarovar to Burang (Vehicle):Discover the numerous bazaars run by local traders, Khampas, and Naplis from Humla and Darchula. Climb the cliff face to Simbiling Monastery with fine views through the central Himalaya to the Indian and Napali borderlands.                   
Camping
Day19:Burang to Paryang(Vehicle):Past remote azure lakes, over the Mayumla and along the upper Brahmaputra. Overnight at a guesthouse or camping
Day20:Paryang to Sega(Vehicle)Drive past caravans of Yaks and great flocks of sheep and goats with the TransHimalaya to the North, and the Himalaya to our south.                      Overnight at Sega Hotel
Day21:Sega to Shegar(Vehicle)Bear south towards Nepali border and cross the Gyatso-la pass with its commanding view of Mount Everest.
                                             Overnight at Shegar Hotel
Day22:Sherga to Dram(Vehicle)Witness the Everest Range at Tingri and Mt
Shishipangma after Gurtso. Descend to Nyalam and Milarepa's cave with its excellent views of the Hamalaya. Down the Sunkosi to Dram.
                                            Overnight at Dram Hotel
Day23:Dram to Dhulakel(Vehicle-86km)If there has been flooding there may be a short descent on foot. Cross the Friendship Bridge into Nepal.