7 Reasons to Visit Tibet

Are you dreaming of discovering the “Roof of the World” Tibet? Tibet has everything that you’re seeking for other worldly experience. Throughout Tibet and especially in the Himalayan region, life is surrounded by the mysterious landscapes and legends. Imagine a caravan of yaks that progresses slowly in landscapes where snowy peaks, plateaus and mountain lakes are bathed in an extraordinary light, that of the high mountains. From Lhasa’s streets, to medieval towns of Tibet to ancient monasteries, Tibet has long been a mysterious land of lakes and rivers, mighty snow peaks, and temples and monasteries – with its spiritual air, an unearthly mystical land of Buddhist culture and philosophy. Immerse yourself in the world of ancient monasteries, mountains, lakes, springs, and a totally back-to-history lifestyle.

1. Lhasa: Lhasa, the Tibet Capital, is perhaps the most exotic destination in the world. Some of the important landmarks in Lhasa are:

Potala: Perhaps, Potala is the most famous landmark in Tibet. The Potala Palace used to be the winter palace of the Dalai Lama.

Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street: Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to Barkhor Market can be quite a change from other visits as you roam around the city.

2. Everest Base Camp in Tibet
Everest – ‘The roof of the world’, the highest peak in the world. Interestingly, from Tibet Side, you can drive right up to the Base Camp of the Everest. Most of Tibet’s territory being high mountains above 4,000 meters, the region has rightly earned the nickname of “The Roof of the World.”

3. Mount Kailash & Lake Mansarovar
Mount Kailash (6714 meters) is perhaps the most sacred mountain in the world. For the Hindus, Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva and the region of Mount Meru. Mount Kailash is also origin of many Himalayan rivers including the four greatest rivers of Asia. Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar hold an important place among the followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, Bön and Jainism.

4. Monasteries in Tibet:
The 14th century Drepung Monastery, which lies on the Gambo Utse Mountain about 8km west of central Lhasa, used to be one of world’s largest monasteries.
Yambulakhang was the summer palace of Songtsen Gompa and his wife before Norbulingkha was completed
The Samye Monastery or Samye Gompa is considered to be the first Buddhist monastery built in Tibet.

5. Dzongsar Valley & Horse Racing Festival:
The Dzongsar region is an isolated and exotic place to visit in Tibet. Visit the 13th century Dzongsar Monastery which is perched on a steep cliff. During the Litang Horse Festival celebrated in August, people from the whole region come here to trade, celebrate, ride, and compete with each other.

6. Kham & Derge:
Derge, also called Dege, is the cultural center of Kham area as well as Tibetan Printing Center. Derge is the birthplace of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, the founder and guide of the Dzogchen Community in the West. At an early age, he was recognized as the reincarnation of Adzam Drugpa, another great teacher of Dzogchen.

7. Garuda Valley:
The legendary Garuda Valley, lying southwest of Mt Kailash, is one of the center points of the ancient Zhang Zhung Kingdom. The Garuda Valley still contains mysterious caves some of which have never been explored. For those interested in the archeological and historical sites, Garuda Valley offers a magnificent exploration.

Check out some of the best Tibet Tours Packages

EXPERIENCE KAILASH – MANSAROVAR YATRA 2011

Our Journey continues in 2011 with several departure dates. Please join us in celebrating life at the “roof of the world” where the solitude, clean air, and spiritually is at its peak. We will truly appreciate the life of peace and meditation in the Himalayas! Visit our website for more details: www.kailash.himalayanglacier.com

Lina Patel
Cell: 513-257-6700
Email: linapatel@fuse.net

What is a Journey to Mount Kailash?

To some it is adventure. To some it is to get away from the crowded world to escape. To some it is a religious site to visit. The journey to Kailash-Mansarovar is not only a trekker’s dream, but the place where one can converse with their inner self. In a single journey to Kailash, one can experience the sense of travelling several years ahead, experiencing the feeling of pain, struggle, and triumph. One can experience a complete life!

Where does the Journey to Kailash Start?

Preparing your mind is so important before you choose to take the journey to Mt. Kailash. Ask yourself these questions: Could you use a little more beauty in your life? Do you long for a little peace – some tranquility? In today’s busy lifestyle of obligations towards work, children, and family events, a few weeks of commitment for Kailash Yatra is a lot to ask for. Commit yourself two weeks of your life toward the journey in order to gain the experience and challenge you dreamed of. The Journey is difficult physically and mentally. Therefore, commit to do it while you are physically fit. Out with the old, in with the new…It used to be that Hindus waited until they retired to undertake this journey. Now, the young and the adventurous want to take this journey while they can. (Read the article by Nisha Patel) . Mount Kailash can only be visited each year from May through September.

While you prepare your mind, I prepare your logistics! Along with a Nepal Based Company, Himalayan Glacier Trekking, we will obtain VISA for you, give you step by step instruction to book flights from anywhere in the world, assist you with Travel insurance, packing list, an exercise routine, and all other necessary travel plans while on Yatra (Lodging, camping, meals, and guides) Our goal is to strive for 100% success in completing the Parikrama by have smaller groups. Our service is exceptional! Our guides are fully trained with High Altitude Sickness signs and precautions. They are fully trained in climbing and hiking and have lead climbers up to Mt. Everest!

Why take the Journey to Kailash?

According to Hinduism, Lord Shiva Resides on top of Mount Kailash, where he sits in a state of meditation along with his wife Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya. The Kailash Parvat is believed to be the ultimate destination of souls and the spiritual center of the world. Like Mount Kailash, Lake Mansarovar is the abode of purity. It is a place of pilgrimage, attracting Hindus from all over the world. Taking a bath in Mansarovar and drinking its water is believed to cleanse all sins committed over a hundred lifetimes.

Those who have visited the holy spots of Lake Mansarovar and Kailash Parvat carry with them a memory of a lifetime which remind them of the presence of Lord Shiva in their lives and gives them a feeling of peace and tranquility. The pristine beauty and serenity of these religious sites is truly awe inspiring and instills in people the feeling of being one with Shiva. Hindus who walk around the 32 mile circumference of Mount Kailash use the term Parikrama. Tibetans refer to the clockwise circumambulation as a Kora. Both words mean the same thing: pilgrimage. The parikrama of Kailash Parvat is an essential part of your overall journey to Mount Kailash. Trekking through this long path is difficult and physically taxing. However, with proper preparation devout pilgrims are able to complete this Parikrama.

Himalayan Glacier Trekking, LTD and Lina Patel

Lina Patel was born and raised in Gujarat, India and migrated to the United States with her family. She currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio. Growing up, Lina always had a passion for the mountains, particularly the Himalayas. Her experience in mountaineering comes from past 13 years of hiking through out USA. Over the past several years, Lina has traveled through Nepal, trekking to the base camp of Mt. Everest, and climbing through the Khumbu valley. Lina has also successfully leaded a group of travelers to Mount Kailash – Lake Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet.

Her passion for the mountains and the culture has given her the opportunity to partner with the Nepal-based, family-owned company, Himalayan Glacier Trekking. Their team of local guides, combined with the knowledge of Mt. Kailash and the religious Hindu background has made Himalayan Glacier Trekking, LTD, one of the top companies in Nepal today. She assists in North American Travelers journey to the Himalayas!

“Mountains are where I sense my religion, where I find Peace. In the Mountains, I think about the past and dream of the future. In the Mountains, I celebrate Life” Lina Patel

For 2011 Travel Dates, Contact:
Lina Patel
Cell: 513-257-6700
Email: linapatel@fuse.net
Website: www.kailash.himalayanglacier.com

Experiencing Journey to Mt. Kailash

Trip to Mansarovar and Mt Kailash was on our mind for last several years. This year, all stars were in line and we were able to make this trip with a great success. We were lucky that we had very good company of fellow Yatris for this trip. We were also lucky regarding selection of Himalayan Glacier Trekking Company. They did a fabulous job managing our trip and Lina Patel did a great job organizing our group.

Our trip began in Kathmandu. Kathmandu valley has three major cities. Kathmandu Bhaktapur and Patan. They all have very beautiful temples and durbar square. Great Stupa at Budhnath is worth mentioning. We had a chance to do Puja at holy temple of Pashupatinath .

It took us about 5 days to reach Mansarovar. This was a very difficult journey due to poor road condition and numerous land slides. Walking over landslides, some of them active land slide and traveling in trucks between land slides was in itself experience of a life time. We think Mansarovar is really out of this world. It is difficult to describe the beauty. It is surrounded by snow covered peaks. You can see Mt Kailash clearly from here. We had very quick bath (dubki) in freezing water of Mansarovar. Staying in tents at the edge of water had its own charm.
Next we started Mt Kailash Parikrama..In Buddhist religion also this is considered very important. They call it Cora. We were lucky enough to be able to walk about 32 miles in 3 days. Second day of Parikrama is the most difficult part. We started about 6AM and reached Dolma La Pass at 19500 ft around noon. We think being so close to Mt Kailash is worth all the hardships of this journey. Immediately after Dolma La Pass beautiful Gauri Kund is visible. Sheer ruggedness of this area is amazing. Going down from Dolma La Pass we walked through falling snow initially and rain later. We were very happy to see our SUVs at the end of our 3 days grueling journey.

This has been an experience of a lifetime. We were lucky that we were able to complete this journey. We met another group of Yatris on our way, who had to turn back from middle of Parikrama due to poor weather condition. For us this was a Pilgrimage and a trekking adventure, which we are very glad that we undertook.

Rakshika and Kashyap Thakor
Santa Rosa, California
Email: krtrkt@msn.com

Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarowar Journey

Mansarovar A divine journey

Om Namah Shivaya

With the blessings of our family, friends, and community from Cincinnati, Ohio, destiny came our way as we started our divine journey to Mount Kailash in Tibet. We were amongst the fortunate few who trekked to the abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Heartfelt congratulations to All Yatris and Team Himalayan Glacier Trekking Company for a successful completion of the spiritual journey to Mt. Kailash – Lake Mansarovar. It is an honor to have your presence to Celebrate Life at Mt. Kailash!

Our journey began on August 28th from Kathmandu, Nepal. 19 Yatris, along with a crew of experienced guides from Himalayan Glacier Trekking Company, took off in a luxury bus with our packed luggage, tent equipment, and cooking logistics. Several hours into driving through curvy Himalayan roads, we arrived at the border of Nepal-Tibet, in a small village called, Tato-Pani (hot springs). Upon arrival, we discovered the Tibet immigration has closed for the day. We checked into a small hotel and headed for the Hot Springs bath that evening.

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Lhasa to Kathmandu overland Tour

Overland Tour in Tibet via Everest Base Camp

We, that is myself, the author of this piece, Dr Frank from Belgium, and my gotson from Venezuela, Wilmer, went on the Himalaya glacier trip in October 2009 (October 16 till October 30).
Seen the fact that I live and work in Malaysia, the trip was booked from Kuala Lumpur via a local agent. Bookings as such went fine, but it was a bit unfortunate that we were not aware of a certain flexibility in the accomodation provided to us during the trip. Agent in Kuala Lumpur had only sent us a standard type of tour. The standard type is more apt for young or-for that matter- budget trekkers, but appeals less to the more sophisticated travellers as were are.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we encountered some difficulties as to the choice of accomodation, we equally did so along the way in Tibet. Mister Naba, during our first meeting just a few hours into our journey, made us aware of the possibility to upgrade our accomodation, for which we were grateful. We did so in Kathmandu and on a few occasions also in Tibet by paying an extra, though reasonable. Only the more luxury type of accomodation in Kathmandu was a bit pricy, compared to Malaysia in the first place and compared to the standard of living in Nepal in the second place.
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