Tibet – An IntroductionTibet is a land rich in culture and steeped in religion along the far-flung unique landscape, aptly called the roof of the world. The old tibetan myths and mysteries cast an enchanted spell on every visitor. Tibet is a beautiful land with an average altitude over 4000 metres above sea level. Possessing more than fifty peaks above 7000 metres, Tibet is home to eleven himalayan mountains above 8000 metres. Tibet borders with China, India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Burma and Kashmir. Over two million people live in Tibet. Spiritual traditions, temples and monasteries, lakes and rivers and mighty snow clad peaks are just a few of the intoxicating wonders to be experienced by adventurous travelers who get the opportunity to visit this land. Buddhism, with a history of some 1300 years is shaped into a unique form of "lamaism" here. Tibetan history, culture and religion are mixed together and infiltrate every aspect of the social life. Tibetan religious art has a distinctive style which is influenced by indian and chinese buddhism. The various people (Tibetans, Monpas, Lhopas and Moslems) who live on the tibetan plateau each have their own unique traditions of marriage, birth, burial and other ceremonies. There are numerous festivals in Tibet providing many opportunities for large and exciting celebrations. So come and visit this land rich in mountains, monks, mystery and adventure. Your memories of a holiday in Tibet is enriched by the lingering impression of the lavishly decorated huge monasteries and temples, saffron coloured monks, always smiling people and their typical lifestyle. Tibet has not only had an exerted magnetic spell on travellers for centuries but also on spies, missioners, scholars, geographers, mystics, soldiers and cranks. Yet only a few intrepid, those who have been serious and determined have been able to make it to this country. A trip to Tibet may be hard and unpredictable. Travellers with a history of heart or lung problems should consult a doctor before considering a trip to this land. Visitors should also understand before going on this trip that Tibet was opened to tourism not long ago. It does not offer the comfort you are used to from other countries. Mount Kailash Mount Kailash (6714 m) is the most sacred mountain of asia and the holiest mountain of Tibet. The grandeur of Mount Kailash can be rivalled by only a few mountains in the world. Situated in the far corner of the tibetan plateau, this legendary snow capped jewel is revered by different religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bonpo) as the most sacred and challenging mountain of the world. Four of the great asian rivers, the Brahmaputra, the Sutlej, the Indus and the Karnali, originate from and around Mount Kailash. At the base of the mountain, there are two vast lakes, Manasarowar and Rakshas Tal. For the Hindus, Mount Kailash is regarded as the earthly manifestation of Mount Meru, a spiritual centre of the universe. It is described in the Hindu mythology as a fantastic pillar of 84000 miles of height around which everything revolves. It roots down to hell and its summit touches heaven. Mount Kailash itself is an abode of lord Shiva, lord of the universe, who shares this magnificent mountain with his consort Parvati. At the base of the mountain is the sacred lake Manasarowar. A bath in there offers a pilgrim access to Brahms's (god of creation in the hinduistic mythology) paradise. A drink of its holy water wipes out the sins of a hundred lifetimes. Images of Mount Meru occur as far away as Angkor Watt in Cambodia or Borobadur in Indonesia. Mount Kailash is holy to followers of four religions. To Hindus, Kailash is the abode of Shiva and the nearby Manasarowar lake is the soul of Brahma. Tibetans call Kailash Kang Rimpoche. Bon-Po, the ancient pre-buddhist shamanistic religion of Tibet, reveres Kailash as the soul of Tibet. Milareppa, a patron saint of Tibet is believed to have spent several years meditating in a cave inside the holy Mount Kailash. Mount Kailash is equally sacred for the Bon religion: The mountain is the site where its founder Shranrab is believed to have descended from heaven. A journey to Mount Kailash and the Manasarowar lake has always been seen as one of the most difficult ones in the world, but still it is attracting more and more pilgrims and visitors every year. Because of its remote location in Tibet, you can either reach the region from Kathmandu by air via Lhasa or via Kodari and then go on by car (four wheel drive vehicles are required). Access to Mount Kailash is also possible from Kathmandu via Simikot. The holiest and difficult part of this journey is the circumvention (Kora in Tibetan) of Mount Kailash which takes a minimum of two days. It starts and finishes in Darchen (4550 metres), a small settlement serving as the base camp of the mountain. The highest point en route around Mount Kailash is Drolmala (5550 metres). The best season for visiting Mount Kailash is between May and October. During that time of the year, the weather is generally stable and visibility is at its best. You then have cool temperatures during the day falling down below freezing point at night. Make sure to be prepared with sufficient cold weather gear and equipment. As far as the high altitude sickness is concerned, besides observing the normal high altitude disciplines, one day of rest at Manasarowar lake and one day at Darchen is included into the trip. In short, Mount Kailash has been enchanting and inviting pilgrims and adventure lovers from different corners of the world. A trip to this holy place offers you a holiday that is more than a dream, a voyage of adventure, discovery and spiritual happiness. Manasarowar lake At an elevation of 4510 metres, Manasarowar lake is more important to Hindus than to Buddhists. Hindu pilgrims make an 85 kilometres circuit around Manasarowar that is long and difficult due to marshes and streams that have to be crossed. The Tibetans, being more pragmatic, often make the circuit of the lake during wintertime when the streams are frozen and the route is shorter. Near lake Manasarowar is another large lake: Rakshas Tal, the 'Demon Lake' that holds far less spiritual significance. Visa To provide your visa, I need the following information: full name, nationality, number of your passport, date of birth, profession. I apply for your visa for China and Tibet. Nowadays it is not difficult to get a visa for Tibet. If you want to go on the Nepal-Tibet-Tour I will provide further information. Customs There is no prohibition on cameras and video cameras, tape recorders or radios in China as long as they are for personal use only. If you are using such equipment on a commercial base it should be registered with a custom official. Printed matters considered unsuitable by the Chinese government are prohibited. Customs regulations forbid the export of art objects created prior to 1959 or souvenirs in amounts classified to be excessive. Clothing and equipment From October to March warm clothes are required to fight the frosty cold. From April to September light clothes are required to shun the scorching heat. However a jacket or sweater is always useful to bring throughout the whole year as the weather often may change unexpectedly. The following clothes and equipment are suggested for your own protection and safety.
Please do not bring unnecessary or too valuable things with you. Documents You are asked to bring the following documents with you:
Preparation If you are planning to go on the Nepal-Tibet-Tour, you should be aware that it is a rigorous and challenging trip where we spend all our time at high altitudes. The high altitude tibetan terrain is dry, cold, windy and dusty. Nights are colder than days. Torrential rains and strong icy winds are a common feature. Flooding rivers and landslides are frequent. The average altitude is above 3500 metres and the route contains many high altitude passes. Oxygen is less at higher altitudes. Very often cases of altitude sickness have been reported. It can happen to everybody irrespective of the age, sex or physical fitness. Gradual acclimatization is the best answer. Do not strain yourself, move slowly, breathe deeply and take regular rests. Deliberately slow down and follow these rules:
At least two months before leaving for Tibet regular practice is recommended. A 60 minutes exercise three times a week is highly recommended. In addition you should do some gymnastics. Consult your doctor to assess the state of your health. Service and accommodation en route As the facilities in Tibet are very basic, hotels, although they look gorgeous from the outside, do not have proper facilities even in Lhasa. It could happen that hotels may not have enough double rooms and therefore sometimes we may have to share triple, four or five bedded rooms. However, we always try to provide twin bedded rooms. The most overnight stays en route in Tibet will be spent in tents. Separate bathroom tents for women and men are provided. As soon as we are in Tibet a chinese guide will accompany us in addition to the nepalese guide who is staying with us all the time. There will be sherpas and chinese drivers serving you. The sherpas will look after your convenience and help you whereever they can. The drivers have good driving practice and drive safely. Deluxe non A/C or A/C land cruisers with comfortable seats will be used from Zangmu in China to Darchen (base camp for the circumvention of Mount Kailash) and return. Parikrama around Kailash may be covered partially by the land cruisers depending on weather, landslides or other reasons. Our official guide briefs you about the next day programme at the time of dinner. Liability
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