Hidden from the eyes of the world
by the mighty Himalayan peaks, Mount Kailash, the crest jewel of creation has, over millennia, drawn sincere pilgrims from many faiths to its feet to contemplate the oneness in the power of nature. Kailash is the heart and soul of the Himalayan regions and the most sacred of all the world’s holy mountains. It stands alone, in silent contemplation, above the Tibetan plains, drawing the eyes of all who come near with its power and purity. The circumambulation (walking around the mountain) is an act of penance and prayer. With each step the pilgrim is taken deeper into the silence within, whilst taking in the sacred landscape without. One circle (pradakshina) symbolises one revolution of the wheel of life or the cycle from birth to death. With each step there is purification and exaltation. This sacred journey is for a small number of spiritual seekers wishing to deepen their connection with the inner consciousness. The trek requires a reasonable level of fitness.
“The overwhelming sacredness of this mountain cannot fail
to bring every pilgrim to their knees.
It reveals the sacredness in each heart”
– Savitri
Schedule
DUE TO COVID 19, THE NEXT PILGRIMAGE WILL BE IN 2022
Day 01 September 4th
Arrive at Lhasa (3658m): Pick up either from Gongkar Airport or from Lhasa train station and drive to Lhasa
Our Tibetian Guide will come to receive on the airport. Our Guide will give you briefing about tomorrow and also the days in Lhasa. We will Rest for the day in Hotel for acclimatization and walk around the Street enjoying the Tibetian and Chinese culture.
Day 02 September 5th
Explore Lhasa Full Day: Sightseeing of Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery and Barkhor Market.
Our Guide will take us to explore some of the scenic beauty of Lhasa. Including Bharkhor Square which is popular devotional circumambulation for pilgrims and locals. The walk around Bharkhor Square is about 1 Km long; And then Sera Monastery which is one of the three Gelug University Monastery.
Purification ceremony with lamas. Visit monks debating in debate courtyard.
Day 03 September 6th
Second day Explore Lhasa: Sightseeing of Potala Palace & Drepung Monastery.
Potala Palce is chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th dalai lama fled to india during 1959 Tibetan uprising. It is now a museum & World Heritage Site. The construction of Potala Palce was started in 1645 A.D. by 5th Dalai Lama.
And the Drepung is the Thirf University Monastery of Tibet. It was the largest monastery in the world at that time which housed 7,700 monks but some time 10,000 monks, founded by jamyang Choqe tashi Palden (1397-1449) in 1416 A.D.
Day 04 September 7th
Lhasa- Yamdrok-Tso lake and Ghyantse 260 km(B): In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Gyantse .On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa .
Later, we will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside; At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass; Then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet’s third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse).In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the Far view of Gyangtse Fortress.
Day 05 September 8th
Gyantse to Shigaste (93km) 3900m: After about two hours of driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, we may visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field. We visit Largest Tashilampo monastery at Shigatse city and walking tour around. Stay overnight in Shigatse (Hotel on BB)
Day 06 September 9th
Shigatse to Saga (320 km – 8 Hours) 4450m: It is long driving through high passes on the way. Time to time stop at view point of Himalaya and beautiful Lakes. Enjoy the view of snow capped mountains; magnificent view of high Himalayas can be seen such as Gaurishanker, Shishapangma, and Langtang Himal. We will be crossing the holy river Bhramaputra.
Day 07 September 10th
Saga to Lake Manasarovar (370km – 8 Hours): Today is the most auspicious day for all of us as we will see the first glimpse of holy Kailash and sacred Lake Mansarovar. A lifetime achievement, here we can perform a holy dip, Relax and explore around the Mansarovar area. Overnight guest house near at Lake
Day 08 September 11th
Exploration around and drive to Darchen 4575 (40km – 1 hour). Overnight at Guest house: Have enough time to exploration around Lake Mansarovar. Get morning view of lake with sunrise. You will spend more than half day and drive to Darchen for overnight. Bath with Mansarovar water is preferable with most of the pilgrimage. Puja or hawan at bank of the lake, exploration of hot spring near from chiu Gumpa. Overnight at guest house.
Day 09 September 12th
Drive to valley of the God and start Kailash kora: Reach Dirapuk (18km – 7 Hours) 4900m. Overnight at guest houseWe start early drive from Darchen after your breakfast. Our staff will provide you packed lunch for on the way. Drive to valley of the god which is also called Yamadwar. Start walking towards Derapuk. Walking trail is flat land and some minor up hills. Reach at Dehrapuk and have north face of mount Kailash. overnight at guest house.
Day 10 Sept 13th
Day at North face of Kailash – Option to hike Mount Kailash Inner (Charansparsa): Day spend at 4,900 miter altitude, which can be also more helpful to take full day rest and small hike around. Or serious hike to Charansparsa (Kailash Inner) which is about 9 hours both way and reach closer of Mount Kailash
Day 11 September 14th
Kailash kora second day: Reach at Juthulpuk (4760m) via Dolma La pass, 5613m. (19km – 9 Hours). Overnight at guest houseToday is the hardest and most important day of the tour. Start walking very early in the morning. Hardest up hills till Dolma La pass and suddenly downhill towards Gauri Kunda and further trek to Juthulpuk. You will view different faces of Mount Kailash time and again. Overnight at guest house
Day 12 September 15th
End of Kailash kora: Reach at Saga (16km walk with 3 hours). Overnight at guest houseWe take gentle and easy walk towards Darchen from Juthulpuk. Catch your transportation and drive back to Saga via darchen at same day. On the way you will have chance to take holy water from Mansarovar. Overnight at guest house
Day 13 September 16th
Drive back to Shigatse: Overnight at HotelWe drive back same way to Shigatse. If we have not visited Tashilampo Monastery before, chance again to reach there.
Day 14 September 17th
Drive back to Lhasa: Overnight at Hotel Same way back to Lhasa.
Day 15 September 18th
Departure from Lhasa
Documents needed for pilgrimage
For entry to Tibet we need a scanned copy of your passport as well as China visa. This visa can be obtained in New Zealand. The Tibet travel permits will be sent to the group leader by post. The original copy of permits will need to be collected in China so a one night stay enroute is required.
Cost
$500 donation to the Prema Charitable Trust + shared costs for the journey.
Secure your place: $500 deposit (non-refundable) for the final payment please contact Jenny@kawaipurapura.co.nz
Cost excludes
o Personal equipment, personal insurance, emergency evacuation charge and personal medical expenses
o Personal horse and helper if you need in Kailash kora
o Extra activities not mentioned than in itinerary
o Tipping
o Airfares to and from Lhasa
o Chinese visa
o Lunches and dinners (there are many option at authentic tibetan restaurants)
Pilgrimage Guide Savitri
SAVITRI (JENNY COTTINGHAM) | CO-FOUNDER, WELLPARK COLLEGE OF NATURAL THERAPIES |
DIRECTOR, KAWAIPURAPURA & SACRED EARTH RETREATS
For Savitri, meditation at the holy mountains of India and Tibet, have been a life-changing experience. The deep transformation that is possible in places where the divine realms interface with the physical, has inspired her to share these experiences with small groups of pilgrims. She has been travelling to the Himalayas for over 18 years, living in a cave in the high mountains among saints and yogis. Sent by the brother of Kailash, Shivaling, in 2007, she led her first group to this sacred place. She knew she would return.
The deep inspiration received from the Himalayas has led to Savitri (Jenny Cottingham) co-founding Wellpark College of Natural Therapies, and establishing Kawai Purapura Retreat Centre as well as Sacred Earth Retreat in Karekare, to provide educational and supportive contexts for healing and self-discovery. In her experience “Kailash unwraps everyone like the opening of a present, unwrapping all the outer layers to reveal the breath taking sacredness within each heart.’
