Trek to: Hilsa & cross the Nepalese border into Tibet
Internal Transfer: Landcruiser to Purang (aka Taklakot)
Visa required: Yes if British plus an Aliens' Travel Permit
Currency:Chinese Renminbi (RMB)
Time Zone:+8hrs GMT
Journal:Click here
Journal - Pilgrimage to Mt Kailash, Tibet
Day 1- 21/06/10
After navigating the ancient salt route, crossing high passes, deep valleys, glacial rivers and meeting numerous tribes we had now arrived at Hilsa, where Nepal meets Tibet.
Day 2- 22/06/10
Left Purang early this morning and drove to Lake Manasarovar (Mapam Tso) passing close to Lake Rakas Tal. These two Lakes form a significant part of the pilgrimage and have been a recognised place of worship for millennia.
Day 3- 23/06/10
Hmm I'd like to revise some of the words used in my last entry. The shore of Manasarovar is the most peaceful place I've encountered... that is until night falls!
Day 4- 24/06/10
Packed up camp and drove to Darchen this morning, visiting two monasteries en route. Darchen looks a bit like a run down ex-soviet style town with square concrete buildings & smashed windows panes.
Day 5- 25/06/10
This morning's journey took us from Darchen to Tarboche at the foot of the Lha Chu Valley & the start of the Kailash Kora (or parikrama). It would seem that by absolute chance we had timed the crossing of the Drolma La pass to coincide with the Tibetan Full moon.
Day 6- 26/06/10
It was a long trudge up to the Drolma La pass (5,630m) this morning, the weather stayed overcast with a few snow showers. It was an emotionally charged day, seeing how many pilgrims were out here.
Day 7- 27/06/10
After an exceptionally windy night we awoke this morning to complete stillness. The skies had cleared revealing the expansive Valley and our route ahead.
Day 8- 28/06/10
Drove for about 9hrs across the plateau today, in places the scenery looked very similar to that of the English Lake District. It would seem that Humla (Western Nepal) exists as the only place where I have experienced tradional nomadic people.
Day 9- 29/06/10
It was a long overland journey to Old Tingri today, enroute our driver had to do a inventive repair job on our Landcruiser as the brake fluid unit was badly ruptured.
Day 10- 30/06/10
Up early this morning to drive cross-country to the Rungbuk monastery which is situated at the foot of the mighty North Face of Mt Everest.
Day 11- 1/07/10
When dawn broke this morning I was already waiting in anticipation; as the rain fell we drove making our way to the Friendship bridge, where Tibet borders Nepal.
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