KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA | HELICOPTER – LUCKNOW

We take an hour-long early-morning flight to the Simikot village. After that, we begin our journey in a specially-chartered helicopter that will take us to the neighboring village of Hilsa, where the Karnali enters the mountain ranges on its way down to the Ganges after leaving the Tibetan Plateau. We will complete the immigration process there before traveling 56 kilometers up the Karnali to the town of Taklakot. Overnight in Taklakot. Altitude: 3900m Meals: B, L, D Distance: 1 hour (Nepalgunj – Simikot Flight) 20 minutes (Helicopter Flight (Simikot – Hilsa) 2 hours (Hilsa – Taklakot)

Spend the day at Taklakot acclimatizing to the high altitude and surroundings. There are options for short hikes around the place. Altitude: 3900m Meals: B, L, D Distance: Around Taklakot

After breakfast, we will drive to Mansarovar, one of the most sacred and beautiful lakes in the world, which is still at a height of 4560 meters above sea level. We will pause at the Rakshas Tal to take in its serene beauty before traveling to the lake of Mansarovar. The lake is also known as the "lake of the demon" and "Ravana Tal," as it is said that Ravana built it in order to gain abilities by turning to Lord Shiva and meditating on him. Locals believe the lake, which contains salt water, to be poisonous. We will then proceed in the direction of the'sun'-shaped lake of Mansarovar. The lake is said to overflow the salty water of Lake Rakshas. We will drive around the Mansarovar Kora while the lunch is being prepared. The Kora is said to be a pilgrimage route around a sacred temple, a mountain or a lake. Overnight in Mansarovar. Altitude: 4558m Meals: B, L, D Distance: 277km – 6 hours

We will get into our spiritual selves, and perform some rituals (puja) at the bank of the holy lake mansarovar. Our staff will provide a bucket of hot holy water for each yatri from the lake Mansarovar for bathing. After our puja and prayers, we will complete the Parikrama of the Mansarovar Lake on a Jeep, and continue to the base camp of Kailash, Darchen. It is a village town right in front of the sacred Mt. Kailash. Overnight at hotel. Altitude: 4575m Meals: B, L, D Distance: 110km – 2 hours (Mansarovar Parikrama) 40km – 1 hour (Mansarovar to Darchen)

We will embark on a three – day parikrama. We will first drive to the small settlement of Tarboche, also called Darboche. It is the starting point of the Kailash Kora, and is also known as the Valley of Gods. Yamadwar, the gateway of the God of Death, is located here in Tarboche. We will walk for a few hours to arrive at the settlement of Derapuk, settling right in front of the North Face of Mt. Kailash. Overnight and rest at a guest house. Altitude: 4900m Meals: B, L, D Distance: 13km – 0.5 hours (Darchen to Tarboche Valley) 7km – 5 hours (Tarboche to Drirapuk)

Among the three days of Kora, today is the longest and the most difficult day. We will be heading towards the village of Jarok Donkhang first, and hike towards the Shiva-stal. We will rest for some time, and take a steep downhill and get to the banks of Lham-chu Khir river. We catch sight of the Holy Pond of ‘Gaurikunda’. We reach the village of Juthulpuk, this place is named after. The famous cave of Juthulpuk, Zruthulpuk cave, also known as ‘the miracle cave’. We will also catch sight of the Buddha’s Footprints along the way. Overnight at a guest house. Altitude: 5650m Meals: B, L, D Distance: 19km – 8/9 hours (Dirapuk to Juthulpuk)

We will spend the morning touring the nearby Milarepa cave's caves and temples. After breakfast, we will climb for three to four hours to finish our Kora and return to the Darchen settlement. We'll eat there for lunch before heading back to Hilsa. Hotel overnight stay. Altitude: 3640m Meals: B, L, D Distance: 120km – 4 hours

We will fly to the village of Simikot after an early-morning breakfast. Once more, after reaching Simikot, we will fly towards Nepalgunj, one of the largest cities in the country, and either drive to Lucknow for our final departure or take a flight to Kathmandu for an overnight stay.

Altitude:1400m Meals: B, L, D