Trips China Tibet

Mount Kailash - The Center of The Earth

MOUNT KAILASH is one of the holiest of natural shrines for the Hindus, Bhuddhist, Jains and the indigenous Tibetan Bonpos in the Himalayas. Mount Kailash is situated in the south- western part of Tibet, and lapping at its foothills are the turquoise blue, calm waters of Lake Manasarovar. Considered a home of the Gods, it is said, if you stand on your toes here, you can touch the sky.

At 6714m Mt. Kailash, also known as Tise, Kailasa and Kang Rinpoche (Jewel of the Snows), has since time immemorial been celebrated in many Eastern cosmologies as Mt. Meru, the axis mundi.

As the center of the physical and metaphysical universe, Mt. Meru is sacred to the Buddhist, Jains, the Hindus and the Bonpos. For the Buddhists, the mountain represents a terrestrial projection of the cosmic mandala of Dhyani-Buddhas and Boddhisatvas - The Wheel of Life.

For the Bonpos, Kailash was the sacred nine storey Swastika Mountain, upon which the Bonpo founder Sherab alighted from heaven. Kailaskhand, as the region is known, is also the source of four great rivers flowing into the subcontinent - Indus, Brahmaputra, Karnali and Sutlej.

It is a Hindu belief that Kailas is the throne of Lord Shiva. Here he sits in perpetual meditation with his consort Parvati, daughter of Himalaya. This is the holy place where Lord Shiva recited the Ramayana to Parvati. For Hindus, Mount Kailas and the Manasarovar are considered to be the ultimate pilgrimage destinations. It is said that a ritual bath in the sacred Manasarovar will relinquish the sins of a hundred lifetimes.

What is the significance of circumambulating Mt. Kailash?

Circumambulation of Mt Kailash, a circuit of 53km, is the ultimate goal of all pilgrims. Hindus call the circumambulation as "Parikrama" and Tibetans as " Kora". It is believed that a single kora cleans the sins of a lifetime while 108 koras will give you Nirvana - the complete emancipation ! For most Tibetan pilgrims, one kora is just a one long day walking whereas Western and Indian visitors, make it in a 3 days well
supplied trekking.

The Kora begins in Darchen in a clockwise direction of the mountain and includes various sites of religious significance.

Lake Manasarovar

Lake Manasarovar is the most venerated of the Tibet's Lakes. According to Hindu mythology, it was formed in the mind of Brahma - the creator of the world for his sons to bathe after having performed austerities. Indian pilgrims gets purified by taking a dip in the holy water and also collect some water in a bottle to present to their neighbors back home.

Not many people are interested in taking the kora of Lake Manasarovar as it's a tough 4 days trekking with well supplied team. Indian Pilgrims simply take dip in the water and may request the driver to take them around.

Included

• 2-way internal / domestic return airfares between Chengdu & Lhasa including airport taxes
• Full accommodation arrangement ( hotels in Chengdu, Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and guesthouse in other places ) with daily breakfasts on twin-share basis
• Full transport arrangement & airport transfers in both 4WD ( in Tibet ) & van ( in Chengdu )
• Entrance tickets to the listed scenic spots as well as special travel permits for Tibet
• Either Chinese or English speaking guide service
• All expenses for guides, drivers, and vehicles
• Oxygen support for overland journey & trek in Tibet
• Complimentary use of sleeping bags and down jackets, if required

Excluded

• 2-way international economy class return airfares between Singapore & Chengdu & associated airport & other taxes
• Meals during tour except for breakfast which is provided with accommodation
• Tipping & gratuities to guide & driver
• Fees for photography inside monastery chapels & other places where extra fees are required
• Personal travel insurance, pre-trip medical immunizations, and all expenses of a personal nature

Beware that any trip to Tibet will involve high altitude travel and may be tough especially for most of us who live at sea level. The main deciding factor to whether you'll enjoy the trip or not will be your ability to acclimatize to the high altitudes within the prescribed trip period. We will provide oxygen support during the overland & trek period but do note that this is not a substitute for proper acclimatization which is subjective and cannot be pre-determined in each person.

At high altitudes between 4000m to 5200m, even an easy walk will push your lungs pretty hard if one is not well-acclimatized enough so sufficient acclimatization is one of the main criteria to an enjoyable & comfortable time on this outing. On certain days, the overland drives will be long so this trip may not be suitable for those who dislike long drives as well as unprepared people looking for a comfortable holiday. All participants must travel with an open mind and positive attitude. For many, however, the superb beauty of the Tibetan highlands will more than often not make up for whatever discomfort you may experience on the trip and leave you with lasting memories of this adventure of a lifetime.

All participants are strongly advised to join our weekly GCS to tune up their fitness for this trip.