Introduction :
Mt. Kailash, 6,740 m. is situated to the north of the Himalayan barrier, wholly within Tibet. It is the perfect mountain with awesome beauty, with 4 great faces. It is the spiritual centre for four great religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, the Jain religion and the pre-Buddhist animistic religion - Bonpo. To Tibetans it is known as Khang Rimpoche (Precious Jewel of Snow) and they see it as the navel of the world. It is said that a stream from the mountain pours into a nearby lake and from here rivers flow in the four cardinal directions. The River of the Lion Mouth to the North, the River of the Horse Mouth to the east, the River of the Peacock Mouth to the south and the River of the Elephant Mouth to the West. Strangely enough, four major rivers do indeed originate near Kailash, the Indus, the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), the Karnali and the Sutlej. Tibetans believe that it is the residence of Demchog, a fierce looking tantric deity who lives there with his consort, Dorje Phagmo. For the Tibetans also, it is a particularly special place in that their poet saint Milarepa, spent several years here meditating in a cave.

For the Hindus Mount Kailash is the earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru, their spritual centre of the universe, described as a fanatastic 'world pillar' 84,000 miles high, around which all else revolves, its roots in the lowest hell and its summit kissing the heavens. On the top lives their most revered God, Shiva, and his consort Parvati.

For the Jains, an Indian religious group, Kailash is the site where their first prophet achieved enlightenment. For the older, more ancient religion of Bon, it is the site where its founder Shanrab is said to have descended from heaven. It was formerly the spiritual centre of Zhang Zung, the ancient Bon Empire that once included all of western Tibet. Bon people walk around the mountain in a counter clockwise manner, unlike the other religions.

Over the centuries pilgrims have constantly journeyed immense distances to achieve enlightenment or cleanse themselves of sin, braving enormous distances, particularly harsh weather and bandit attacks.

Day 01 : Arrival Kathmandu. You would be met at the airport and transfered to Hotel Gangjong (3* Category - pure vegetarian) or similar. Overnight at Hotel Gangjong.

Day 02 : After breakfast, sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath & Boudhnath. PM: A pre-departure Group meeting will be held to provide the Group with all the necessary information regarding the Tour. Overnight at Hotel Gangjong.

Day 03 : Drive Kathmandu to Nyalam (3750m) 150 Kms./8-9 Hrs. Overnight at Hotel/guest house in Nyalam.

Day 04 : Drive Nyalam to Yak Kharkha (4675m) 240 Kms/8-9 Hrs. Overnight in Camp.

Day 05 : Drive Yak Kharkha to New Dongba (4500m) 160 Kms/6-7 Hrs. Overnight in Camp.

Day 06 : Drive New Dongba to Mayumla Phedi (4500m) 210 Kms. Overnight in Camp.

Day 07 : Drive Mayumla Phedi to Manasarovar (4560m) 120 Kms. Overnight in Camp.

Day 08 : AM Manasarovar Parikarma by Jeep. Time permitting visit Chui Gompa. PM Drive to Darchen (4560m). Overnight at Guest House in Darchen.

Day 09 : Drive approx 8 Kms from Darchen Tarboche, the trek starting point of Kailash Parikarma. Trek to Dira Puk (4775m) 12 Kms/6-7 Hrs. Overnight in Camp.

Day 10 : Continue Parikarma over Dolma La Pass (5650m) to Zuthul Puk (4700m) 22 Kms/10-11 Hrs. Overnight in Camp.

Day 11 : The Kailash Kora ends today after an easy trek 14 Kms. Proceed to Hor Qu (4560m) at Lake Manasarovar. Overnight in Camp.

Day 12 : Drive Hor Qu to Mayumla Phedi (4500m) 120 Kms/6-7 Hrs. Overnight in Camp.

Day 13 : Drive Mayumla Phedi to New Dongba (4500m) 210 Kms/7-8 Hrs. Overnight in Camp.

Day 14 : Drive New Dongba to Yak Kharka (4675m) 160 Kms/5-6 Hrs. Overnight in Camp.

Day 15 : Drive Yak Kharkha to Nyalam (3750m) 240 Kms/6-7 Hrs. Overnight in Camp.

Day 16 : Drive downhill to Friendship Bridge where transportation awaits for the Groups final leg of journey to Kathmandu (1300m) 150 Kms / 8-9 Hrs. Overnight at Hotel Gangjong.

Day 17 : Transfer to airport for your onward journey Or extend your stay in Nepal.

Year 2003 Departure Dates - Tentative Dates

Travel Tips for Mt. Kailash - Mansarovar YatraAccommodation:
Accommodation will be very simple with a cozy room with common bathrooms and toilets. However, hot water will be provided in every room for refreshing and for drinking.

Food:
The food will be supplied from our side while camping breakfast, lunch & dinner with occasional tea break. While staying in lodges enroute the meal will be provided from the best available Chinese or Tibetan restaurants. The food will be very simple as per the clients taste. All meals provided will be vegetarian.

Clothing & Accessories:
Depending upon the season, during June, July, August till September, day time will be pleasant and quite warm with about 15-20 degrees celcius. During afternoon time 1-4 pm can be windy. The morning and evening will be chilly between minus 2 to 0 degree celcius.
We recommend one down jacket, one warm thick pull-over, one thin pull-over, two warm pants, two light loose cotton pants, one warm windproof cotton jacket, four cotton sleeve T-shirts, two thermal under pants, two thermal vests, one rain coat, one pair each of light tennis shoes & light rubber sandal, six pairs of warm woolen socks, one light cotton or silk scarf, one large cotton or silk scarf, one pair of warm gloves, soft paper tissues, monkey cap & sun hat, two towels, Wind - Rain Jacket, sun hat, sun glass, sun cream, chap stick.

Transportation:
During the drive we will be providing a 4 wheel drive (Land cruiser or similar), truck as a backup with all camping gear and crew. Maximun 4-5 person will be accommodated in a land cruiser.
While on trek, during the Kora, we will provide Yaks to carry the camping & your personal heavy gears.

Guide/ Escort:
A Tibetan/ English speaking guide will escort the group throughout the trip including few Nepali staffs for the camping.

Photography:
As Tibet get very bright sunlight due to thin air, so taking photographs can be quite glare. We recommend you to take the advise from the photographic shop while purchasing the film rolls for Tibet. Taking photographs inside monastery will be charged as per Monastery rule. Please ask your guide before taking photographs inside the monastery or Army Camps.

Medicine:
We suggest you to bring your own first aid kit with adequate medication regarding altitude sickness, naussea, dehydration and some pain killers.

Insurance:
We highly recommend all clients to be insured against Medical, accidents & necessary emergency evacuation, if needed.

Physical Fitness:
Before booking for this trip with us, clients should be in sound good health preparation for this trip. We advise bit of excersise like morning or evening walk or jogging.

Visa & Documentation:
Clients must be in possession of a valid passport to obtain visa. We will require the following details from your passport at the time of booking the trip - Full Name as in Passport, Nationality, Date of issue & expiry of Passport, Passport No, Date of Birth & Occupation

Altitude Sickness:
Acute mountain sickness is a frequent problem in the Himalayan region. The altitude of the peaks and trails between them are among highest on earth. Acclimatization to altitude above 3000 meters takes time. The body undergoes a number of physiological changes some of which are immediate like increased pulse rate & respiratory rate. Others appear more slowly over a period of weeks like the change in acid base balance and production of extra red blood cells. These changes plus the effect of intense sunlight, walking hard & dehydration may cause a number or mild vague symptoms such as Loss of appetite, fatigue, headache, nausea, dizziness, palpiatations, sleeplessness, mild shortness of breath with exercise.
The best treatment is prevention! Avoid rapid ascends, take acclimatization symptoms seriously using rest days or diamox. If symptoms are severe and the patient is ill DESCEND IMMEDIATELY, 300 Meters of descent or more should be sought. This usually give rapid improvement.

Payment:
A 50% deposit must be sent in advance to our company or its associates. Balance 50% should be paid at least 30 days before the trip departure.

Cancellation Policy:
If the booking is cancelled 30 days prior to departure, INR 2000 would be charged as cancellation amount.
If the booking is cancelled 15 days prior to departure, INR 5000 would be charged as cancellation amount
If the booking is cancelled 07 days prior to departure, there will be no refund.

Equipment on Trip:
We provide 2 men roomy tents to sleep in. We also provide Dining Tent, Kitchen Tent, Toilet Tents, Dining Tables, Folding Chairs and full kitchen utensils. We will provide Sleeping Bag and Foam Mattress for bed. Personal Equipment Check-List:
You need atleast 3 pair of change of your clothing for this trip. Shorts, skirt or lightweight trousers are ideal in the heat of the day along with T-shirt, long sleeved cotton shirts and sun hat. During the evening and the higher altitudes warmers clothing will be needed, breeches, track.

Well fitting, comfortable boots are to be preferred over training shoes for the actual trekking and clothing will be required for both extremes of climate, for hot sun when trekking through the lower foothills to freezing temperatures at night when camping in the high valleys.

FIBRE PILE JACKET: [1]
SHORTS OR SKIRT: [1]
LIGHT COTTON TROUSERS: [1]
BREECHES /TRACK SUIT BOTTOMS /ULTRA FLEECE TROUSERS: [1]
DUVET JACKET: Down or synthetic
WOOL BALACLAVA, WOOL MITTS:
WATERPROOFS : Jacket and trousers
SUN HAT
SCARF : Silk/Nylon, useful for keeping the sun off the back of your neck
SUNGLASSES / GOGGLES: Essential to get a pair which cuts out 100% UV rays
SUN CREAM : High protection factor [15 or higher] or high altitude glacier cream
LIP SLAVE/LABISAN: Protection for the lips. Get one with a sunscreen
WATER BOTTLE: 1 litre metal
IODINE : 2% SOLUTION [TINCTURE OF IODINE] obtained from most chemists put into a small glass dropper bottle. 8 drops of iodine will sterlise 1 litre of water in 20 minutes.

TOILET ITEMS :
Soap, Towel, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Shampoo, Comb, Sanitary protection, Toilet rolls [2], etc. Toilet paper is provided on Trek.
HEAD TORCH: [Petzl recommended] -spare batteries and bulbs
SEWING KIT
SMALL KNIFE : Swiss army style - has many uses NOTEBOOK/DIARY/PENS
SMALL PADLOCK : Useful for locking your kit bag
4 PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS
A COPY OF YOUR INSURANCE CERTIFICATE
MONEY BELT
READING MATERIAL : [1BOOK]
WALKMAN and 2 tapes - for those early nights. Spare batteries
CHOCOLATE BARS, SWEETS!
PERSONAL MEDICAL KIT.
SMALL PLASTIC BAGS /STUFF SACS OR PILLOW CASES: To separate and keep the gear in your kit bag in order
CIGARETTE LIGHTER: for burning toilet paper and rubbish.

OPTIONAL: SKI STICK:
Telescopic for easy carrying THERMAREST: Or similar self-inflating mattress, gives decadent luxury
CAMERA GEAR
GAMES: Cards, chess etc. for the evenings
UMBRELLA: Not only for rain, makes a great
sunshade
WET WIPES: Or similar.

Insurance & Emergency Expenses: We suggest that clients insure themselves against a comprehensive claim policy. Which should also include Helicopter Evacuation if necessary. Please note that our Kailash Tour Package does not include any rescue or evacuation expenses in emergencies. Any Emergency arrangement other than regular straight forward tour itinerary service should be borne by the client themselves.

Camera & Films: A 35 mm system with interchangeable lens will allow you to get the best shots in most situations. A wide angle [28-35mm] and a telephoto [80-200mm] are very useful. Skyling filters protect your lens [skylight IB] and a polarizing filter is useful for snow scenes. A brush for cleaning your lens is important and your camera and lens need to be in protective cases. Kodachrome 64 is excellent for slides and for prints 100 ASA film is suitable. Faster films may be needed if using zoom lenses and 200 ASA film would be required if you plan to visit Chitwan National Park. 12 rolls of film per trek is not too many for the enthusiast.

General Considerations when Packing: Keep the weight and bulk down to a minimum. Baggage allowance on most international flights is 20 Kg's/44 lbs.. Most people tend to bring more clothes than they do actually need. You will only need one change of clothes for Kathmandu. On trek it is important to dress in layers. When it is hot you will only be wearing a base layer, when it gets colder you can add to this until you are wearing most of your clothes!

Personal Medical Kit: We suggest that you bring the following:
Elastoplast, Adhesive tape, 4" crepe bandage, Elasticated knee and /or ankle support if you experience strain these joints, Blister dressings, e.g. moleskin, compead, spenco dressings, Nasal Decongestant, Throat lozenges/ glucose sweets, * Wide spectrum antibiotic [Ciproxin recommended], Anti -diarrhoea - Immodium or Lomotil, * A course of Flagyll [treatment of giardia], * Codeine Phosphate - constipator, cough suppressant and pain killer, Cold and flu suppressant, Aspirin / paracetamol., Rehydrate powder - useful for adding to your water bottle and for fluid replacing purposes.' Small pair of scissors, Any special medicines you require

Liability: Connecting Horizons acts as an intermediary between the concerned airlines, hotels, transport/tour- operators and local tourist offices providing the services. Connecting Horizons or its PSA or its sub agent, is therefore not responsible for any loss, injury sustained by the tourists, including those occurring outside the touring programs. Additional expenses incurred due to delay, accidents, natural disaster, political actions and unrest must be borne by the tourists. Program, prices, services and conditions are based on those valid at the time of printing and are therefore subject to change without advance notice before or during the tour.

"Any part of unutilized services is non - refundable"
Participation in our tour implies the tourist's agreement to the above conditions.