In May 1993, the government of China and Nepal reached an accord that allowed the first treks across the border between the two countries. While it had been a route for Nepali pilgrims for years, foreign trekkers weren't allowed to cross from Nepal into Tibet. Early English explorers visited Mt. Kailash in variety of disguises whereas numerous individual trekkers managed to make their way from Tibet into Nepal.
We begin our itinerary for this trip with a flight to simikot , located in the far west region of Nepal . Then we spend few days trekking across Humla region of Nepal before we enter Tibet with a cross- over of Nara la Pass 4325m at Taklakot. Humla is Nepal's highest , northernmost and most remote region which is culturally and scenically very reward to trek through. The people of the Northern Humla are Bhotia people whose roots are in Tibet and they still enjoy the privilege to graze their animal in the Tibetan plateau.
Taklakot an interesting town where you will see Indian traders and tourists, Chinese and Tibetan traders, Muslim traders from Khasgar, Nepali traders from Humla trading salt, wool and Indian goods and Chinese government officials and army men.
After Taklakot, we drive for one day to reach Mt. Kailash and the sacred lake of Manasarovara . Kailash is the holiest mountain both to the Buddhist people who live in the Himalayan belt and the Hindu people who live down in the plains of India. Known as Kang Rimpoche among the Himalayan Buddhist, Mt. Kailash represent the center of the universe. For the Hindus, it is the abode of Shiva - the God of all Gods in Hindu mythology. Manasaravar, also holiest among all lakes is also the origin of three great rivers of Indian sub-continent the Sutlej, Brahmaputra and the Indus. It is believed that any one taking a dip in this lake is released of any sin he has committed in his life.
After the holy dip ,we prepare for the traditional three day parikrama / kora ( circumambulation )of the Mt. Kailash , joined by pilgrims from Tibet, Nepal and India. Some Tibetan pilgrims prostrate miles to make this life time pilgrimage.
After the kora / parikrama we drive to Lhasa - the capital city of Tibet. En-route to Lhasa we stop visit Shigatse and Gyantse - Tibet's importatnt cultural cities. We spend a couple of days touring the famous city of Lhasa and fly to Kathmandu over the eastern Himalaya to end this trip. |
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