Let us take you to the region of holy Mount Kailash and Manasarovar - the navel of the universe and the gateway to the heavenly realms of Bhagavan Shiva Ji and Goddess Parvati. As we know, Kailash region is revered as the most sacred land by Hindus, Buddhists, Bonpos and Jains alike. Even the non-religious people cannot escape its beauty and power. As the source of four major rivers in Asia - the Indus, Brahmaputra, Sutlej and Karnali, it supports and nourishes the civilizations in the continent. Since the early ages, Yogis, and lay devotees have put their faith in this magial place and have received transcendent power and wisdom.

We the founders of the Secret Himalaya are from this region and have the opportunity to be blessed by this land very often but even then, every sight and pilgrimage to this site seems like the first one, the sight of Kailash and lake Manasarovar appears fresh and magical and pristine always.

In the year 2008, we invite all the devotees of the Kailash Ji, Shiv Ji to take a pilgrimage trip and purify the souls and mind. We arrange helicopter tours – ideal for the devout pilgrims with less time to take lengthy and tough overland journey through Tibetan plateau, also ideal for the people with age and health conditions.

After arrival in Kathmandu, you will fly to Nepalgunj and then to Simikot. After acclimatization in Simikot for a day, chartered helicopter will pick you up and drop to Hilsa at Nepal/Tibet border. After a short walk, you will meet the Tibetan crew with the land cruisers. From there, you will drive to Purang and then to Holy Manasarovar and Kailash Parbat. After Puja, Manasarovar Snan and Kailash Parikrama, you will be picked up by the helicopter from Hilsa back to Nepalgunj and Kathmandu. For logistical arrangements, the tour booking has to be made at least 3 weeks in advance.

For private groups, trips can be arranged in any date

Itinerary:

• Day 1/2: Arrive to Kathmandu, tour of sacred sites including Pashupatinath
• Day 3/4: Fly to Nepalgunj and Simikot – acclimatization in Simikot
• Day 5: Fly to Hilsa by helicopter drive to Purang
• Day 6: Acclimatization at Purang
• Day 7: Drive to Manasarovar Lake and parikrama
• Day 8: Puja and holy bath, & then drive to Darchen
• Day 9: Drive to Darboche and Walk to Diraphuk
• Day 10: Walk to Khando Shanglham (Dakini path)
• Day 11: Walk to Darchen and drive to Hilsa
• Day 12: Fly back to Simkot – Nepalgunj – Kathmandu
• Day 13: Fly back to Home
  

Optional extension of Kailash Parikrama - 3 full days

• All the airport transfer and pick up
• Twin sharing accommodation at Hotel in Kathmandu full board basis.
• Tibet visa, special permits and entrance fees
• Lodging in Guest Houses in Tibet or 2 men tent during camping
• Transportation in Tibet by Toyota Land cruiser (4-person in each jeep)
• Supporting truck for Luggage and Nepali staff.
• Full back up staff from Nepal (guide, cook, Sherpas )
• Insurance for staff
• Camping equipments (tents, mattress, sleeping bag and jacket)
• Yaks and Yak men to carry our supplies during the Parikarma
• Oxygen cylinders, Mask and Gamoe bag (high altitude chamber)
• Tour of Kathmandu

• International Airfares
• Bar bills (coca cola, mineral water etc)
• Personal Insurance & emergency rescue by Jeep or Helicopter charges
• Extra porter & transport charges in the event of landslides INR 500 per pax.
• Personal clothing & accessories.
• Personal Yak to ride during Parikarma 
• Personal, medical and evacuation insurance
• Laundry and tips

Risk and Liability:
It is our full commitment to make your journey safe and comfortable. However, Tibet tours are strictly run under the regulations of Tibet Tourism Bureau of People’s Republic of China. Sacred Himalayan Journey or its Tibet counterpart agent shall not be responsible for any alternation or cancellation of program due to any unavoidable circumstances beyond our control such as road blockade, landslide, rainfall and snow, political unrest cancellation of flight, delayed arrival, sickness or accident. And the extra cost incurring due to those circumstances shall be borne by the clients on the spot. Also it is important to note that Tibet is a remote place with rough road conditions and harsh climate. Therefore, we highly advise clients to expect such conditions as well as to have full insurance coverage against medical and personal accidents.

Visas and Documentation:
You must have a valid passport for the trip. Indian passport holders do not require any visas for Nepal. Foreign nationals should apply for a double entry Nepal Visa from the Nepalese Consulate or Embassy in their country though single entry visa are also issued at the airport and all other entry points. Photocopies of passports will be required at least 3 weeks prior to departure for Tibet. Group Visas for Tibet will be arranged by us. You are advised to allow two working days in Kathmandu before your trip as it allows us to get your visa which requires your original passport.

Accommodation:
Guest houses in Tibet are basic but we will try to arrange the best available accommodation. We will set up camps where possible. We will carry camping gears including tents, comfortable mattresses and bed sheets, pillows and sleeping bags etc.

Food & Beverages:
Our crew will provide vegetarian breakfast and dinner during the trip at camp site. However, additional supplementary snacks like biscuits, nuts, pickles, bhujias, Swahilis, freeze-dried milk and your personal favorites are recommended too.

Transportation:
In Tibet, we will use 4 wheel drive land cruiser for transportation and supporting truck for carrying camping gears and luggage. Road in west Tibet is not black topped and is uneven. The average driving distance is 30-40 km/ hour with average speed of 70 to 80 km/hour. Road between Kodari (Nepal border) to Zhangmu and few places on the way are affected by landslides in the monsoon causing delays and some short hiking.

Climate:
The climate in Tibet can be extreme varying from 25 c in the daytime to -5o to -10oc at night. Winds blow at a speed of 60-80 kms per hour.

Camping and crew:
A team of Nepalese Sherpas will be accompanying the group to set up the camp and general trip, and to provide personal assistance for safety issues. All camping gears and meals for the trip will be carried. Chinese and English speaking guide will escort the group throughout Tibet.

Clothing:
As temperatures vary greatly between day and night (from 25◦c to - 0◦c) it is best to wear layers of warm clothing. Please see equipment and gears for detail.

Insurance:
It is advisable that you have insurance that covers general sickness as well as emergency rescue, accident, cancellations etc.

Health and Safety:
Although no health certificate or inoculation are required for entry into Tibet, because of the rugged mountain terrain, height altitude and non-availability of good medical facilities, we require that you have check up and take suggestions from your  doctor.  For additional help during the trip, our crew will carry first aid kit, oxygen cylinder and high altitude pressure chamber to help you in cases of altitude sickness.

Additional Information

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) also called altitude sickness is caused by ascending too fast in areas above 2500m and can be fatal if the symptoms such as nausea, headache and vomiting are ignored. The oxygen level in these areas is half the amount at the sea level. Your body needs time to adjust to that level of oxygen in the air. For treks below elevation of about 3000m, altitude sickness is generally not a problem. In order to prevent AMS, you need to slowly ascend up, giving your body enough time to adjust to the new oxygen level. It is safe to spend 2-3 nights between 2000m/6562ft and 3000m/10,000ft before going higher. For areas above 3000m, it is advisable to spend a night at every 300m/1000ft gain and a rest day at every 900-1000m/3000ft. You have to identify the symptoms, and only ascend if you are relatively symptom-free. Further information on altitude sickness can be found in any trekking books or let us know if you need more information. On each tour, we carry PAC (Portable Altitude Chamber) and oxygen for use in case of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).

Communication:
In Kathmandu, all the communication facilities are available. You may use our address as your contact address in Kathmandu. In Tibet, you can post mails and make international calls from Zhangmu and then Darchen.

Photography
It is advisable to buy films in Kathmandu, although print films are available in Tibet. Photography is allowed in most places expect security posts. Most of the monasteries usually charge some fee for photographs. All valuables must be declared at customs including cameras and video cameras.

Currency
All major currencies and TCs are accepted in Zhangmu Bank, Tibet in return for Yuan. Credit cards are accepted.

Time
GMT +6 hours

Custom
Valuable goods taken for personal use (cameras, radio, watch, jewellers and video ) should be declared at customs office by completing a Customs Declaration Form and brought back on return journey. Antiques must be properly certified otherwise they may be seized.

Season
The best time of the year to travel to Western Tibet and the Kailas Manasarovar region is during the months of May-June and late August to October. It is possible to travel during the months of July & August but the monsoon rains cause landslides and delay in travel.