Past Tours

Mount Kailash Kora
for VESAK
18 May to 13 June 2009

Tour led by Jeremy Ball

Kailash is a mountain venerated as the centre point of the manifest universe. It is the ultimate pilgrimage. Mount Kailash or Gang Rinpoche as it is affectionately and reverentially known to Tibetans translates as “Snow Jewel”. It is honoured by the Bön, Buddhists, Hindu and Jain traditions. For the Hindus it is the abode of Siva and for the Tibetans many mystical and miraculous things have occurred there. It is set high on the Tibetan plateau, in the far west of Tibet, in a very remote part of the world. This makes it incredibly appealing to the eye and the senses.

A kora (or devotional circumambulation) of Mount Kailash forms the main part of this journey however we will also explore the major religious and cultural sites of Tibet, spending five days in Lhasa and visiting monasteries and sacred sites on the way to Kailash. We will travel to Tibet via the ancient Nepalese capital of Kathmandu, and visit the North Face of Chomolungma (Mount Everest) and Za Monastery on the return journey. The kora of Kailash and travelling on the Tibetan plateau for the first time is both a liberating and taxing experience emotionally, physically and spiritually. To allow for a smoother experience and more time for devotional practice and appreciation of the mountain we take a gentle five day kora.

To cater for varied needs and fitness levels, we also have tents, yaks, excellent guides and cooks and provide high standard four wheel drive vehicles and the best drivers to transport the group.

Day 1 - 18 May - Arrive in Kathmandu, transfer to Bodhanath
Day 2 - 19 May - Pashuputinath and Swayambanath
Day 3 - 20 May - Kopan Monastery
Day 4 - 21 May - Fly to Lhasa and rest
Day 5 - 22 May - Lhasa – Jokhang and Norbulingka
Day 6 - 23 May - Lhasa – Drepung and Sera
Day 7 - 24 May - Lhasa – Potala Palace
Day 8 - 25 May - Tsurphu Monastery
Day 9 - 26 May - Gyantse Stupa
Day 10 - 27 May - Sakya Monastery
Day 11 - 28 May - Commence journey to Kailash - Lhatse
Day 12 - 29 May - Saga
Day 13 - 30 May - Paryang
Day 14 - 31 May - First view of Kailash, arrive Darchen
Day 15 - 1 June - Gyendrak Monastery and start of Kailash Kora
Day 16 - 2 June - Last day of Kora, trek to North Face
Day 17 - 3 June - Rest day at North Face
Day 18 - 4 June - Kora – Droma-la pass, 5,400m
Day 19 - 5 June - Final day of Kora, night at Lake Manasarovar
Day 20 - 6 June - Rest day at Manasarovar, visit Gosul Gompa.
Day 21 - 7 June - Mount Kailash for Saga Dawa (Vesak festival)
Day 22 - 8 June - Return journey - Paryang
Day 23 - 9 June - Tingri
Day 24 - 10 June - North Face of Chomolungma (Mt Everest) and Za Rongbuk
Day 25 - 11 June - Drive back to Kathmandu
Day 26 - 12 June - Rest day in Kathmandu
Day 27 - 13 June - Fly home

Price: $AUS6950 ex Kathmandu (including flight to Lhasa)

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