Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar by Fixed Wing and Helicopter

Accommodation

Mt. Kailash (6638 m, 21778 ft): Situated in Tibet, China It is also called Kang Rinpoche or ‘The precious Jewel of the Snow’. Four major religions respect this mountain. Hindus consider it as the abode of Lord Shiva. Buddhists consider it as the manifestation of Sakyamuni, the Buddha. For the Jainis, this is the place of their first saint Adinath’s emancipation. For Bons, the followers of pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet, their founder saint Shenrab is said to have descended on its peak. Mt. Kailash also known as Mt. Meru, is referred to as the navel of the earth. Four great rivers flow within a radius of 50 kms in four different directions. To the South is the sapphire face from where Karnali flows the Karnali, from the West flows the Sutlej, from the gold face on the North flows the Indus and eastwards flows the Brahmaputra, locally known as Yarlang Sangpo. Lake Mansarovar: Situated at 4590m/14800ft, it is one of the largest freshwater lakes at such altitude. Major rivers like Sutlej, Indus, Brahmaputra and Karnali have sources near the lake. Mansarovar is what remains of the Lake Tethys, considered the source of all creation. As the legend goes, Brahma created this lake for his meditation. Literally speaking it is manas+sarovar. ‘Manas’ refers to the mind of the God Brahma, the lake being its outward manifestation. The lake is at a height of 4560m with a circumference of 80 km, which can be trekked in about three days. It has a depth of 300 feet and covers an area of 320 sq kms. It is amongst the highest fresh water bodies in the world. It is believed that Sapta rishis come to bathe every morning in this lake between 3 to 5 am and this time is called 'Brahmamuhurta'. According to a legend, Queen Maya was given a bath by the Gods in its waters before she gave birth to Buddha. Holy also to Buddhists, it was once surrounded by 8 monasteries. Lake Manasarovar represents the female energy of Yoni of the Universe, while Mt. Kailash symbolizes the male energy of the Lingum. Rakshas Taal (Lake): To the west of Lake Manasarovar is Lake Rakshas Tal. It is connected to Lake Rakshas Tal by the Ganga Chhu channel. In Buddhism, Lake Manasarovar, which is round like the sun, and Lake Rakshas Tal, shaped as a crescent are respectively regarded as 'brightness' and 'darkness'. Rakshas Tal’s salty water, a stark contrast to the fresh water of Lake Manasarovar.It is here Ravaana, the devil of Treta Yuga meditated and prayed to lord shiva and received eternal power which he used to terrorized the world and lord Vishnu in his avatar as lord Ram killed him and freed the world from his terror. This lake is adjacent to Manasarovar and several major rivers start from this lake. Yama Dwar: It is the entrance to the Kora and Parikrama for Mt. Kailash. It is located at 4,724m, 15,500 feet. Every home needs a main gate from which visitors can enter. Since Kailash Parbat is the home of Lord Shiva (as the white people call Him), Yam Dwar serves at its main gate from which all the devotees enter the parikrama route around Mount Kailash. Yam Dwar, which deals with heaven and souls, is guarded by Yamraj. Yamraj brings mortal souls to his Yamlok and passes judgments on the deceased person’s merits and sins, evaluating their deeds and releasing them for the ultimate cosmic journey to heaven or Kailash. While no one knows where Yamraj stays, we can visit places associated with Yamraj at this mysterious door around Kailash Parvat. It is also believed that Yamaraj stays in Kalichi or Patal, which is located beneath the Earth. This is why in Hinduism, it is encouraged to perform good Karma. Shiva Tsal: Climb past piles of clothing at Shiva- tsal (5330 m / 17490 ft). As a part of their custom, Tibetans leave an article of clothing or a drop of blood here as part of leaving their past life behind them. Continue past thousands of small rock cairns to a large cairn at 5390 m passing the Dikpa Karnak, a sin testing stone. It is said that those without sin can squeeze through the narrow hole between the boulders while a sinner no matter how small cannot pass through! The trail now leads across a boulder field and climbs through large rocks to a tiny stream. Climb onto a ridge and continue gently on to the Dolma La at 5630 m / 18470 ft. Detailed Itinerary of Kailash Mansarovar yatra by flight option from Kathmandu/Nepal (11 nights / 12 days)

Fitness & eligibility

1

Meeting point

Kathmandu

What to bring

• ESSENTIAL GEARS
• Trekking Backpack 55-60 liters
• Two comfortable walking pants or Trousers
• Rain proof Layer or a Goretex layer to wear outside of down jacket or fleece
• Thermal wear/Base Layers two sets, Preferably Merino or smart wool
• 5 sports underpants and 6 pair socks
• A pair of Winter Gloves and light fleece gloves
• Gore Tex Hiking Shoes and one light pair trekking shoes (HOKA/ALTRA/LA SPORTIVA)
• Trekking Poles 
• Cat 3 or 4 Sunglasses that protects from UV rays  and Cap and Warm HAT (Topi)
• One Down Jacket
• One Fleece Jacket or Mid Layer 
• Full sleeve dry fit t shirts 2
• 1 litre Nalgene water bottle (also to keep us warm at night)
• MEDICINES 
• Sunscreen 1 tube + Lip Balm 1 small tube
• Diamox (Acetazolamide) 125 mg 24 tabs
• Advil/Tylenols/Nyquils
• Enough pack of Electrolytes
• Pepto Bismol or other Ant Diarrhoeal Medicine
• Vitamin C tablets and Vitamin B 12 enough for two weeks
• SNACKS
• A pack of Jolly Ranchers and Trail Mix
• Cliff Bars or Protein BAR
• Beef and Turkey Jerky, Salamis, Cheese Sticks etc
• HYGIENE PACKS
• Trekking Towel 
• Travel size body wash and shampoo (hotel type)
• Toothbrush and Paste
• Small pack of refreshing face wipe (We will get toilet paper in Nepal)
• Deodrant Stick (not spray) small sick
• Small clothe wash tube to wash socks and underpants