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For the latest Kailash Saga Dawa & Limi Valley trek in 2011 ...

Humla Simikot Trek

Kailash Saga Dawa Simikot Trek

Project Himalaya

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In the far west of Tibet, in the province of Ngari and the land of the ‘drokpas’ or nomads of the high plateaus, sits the legendary Mount Kailash, or Kang Rimpoche (‘precious snow-peak’, as known by the Tibetans). Kailash, on 'the roof of the world', is the most sacred mountain in Asia, venerated by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and followers of the ancient Bon religion. Tibetan and Hindu pilgrims have been making the 53km kora, or circuit, of Kailash for centuries. This circumambulation, clockwise for Buddhists and Hindus, and anti-clockwise followers of the ancient Bon religion, is said to erase the sins of a lifetime. To complete the Kailash pilgrimage one should bath in the sacred Lake Manasarovar, stunningly set on the Tibetan plateau bordered by the majestic Gurla Mandata. Mount Kailash itself is 6714m high, and with its four sheer walls, distinctive snow-capped peak, and valleys peppered with brightly-clad Tibetan pilgrims, is an awe-inspiring sight. From it flow four great rivers of Asia: the Karnali, the Indus, the Sutlej and the Brahmaputra, all of which drain the vast Tibetan Plateau.

The journey to Kailash begins with a seven-day trek to the Tibetan border from Simikot, in the fabled region of Humla in far west Nepal, where the people are Bhotias of Tibetan descent. This wild trek through Humla takes us deep into the most remote region of Nepal where the culture is still distinct and traditional (we will see old men with weathered, Central Asian faces, sitting smoking a hooka), the scenery spectacular, and the ancient trade routes still in use. And the flight out to Simikot, just meters above soaring snow peaks laid out as far as the eye can see, is one of the most exciting flights in the Himalaya.

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The Saga Dawa Festival, Kailash Trek & Tibetan Pilgrims

The Saga Dawa Festival, Kailash Kora Trek & Tibetan Pilgrims

Project Himalaya Treks

www.project-himalaya.com

Next, a highlight of the trip, the once yearly Saga Dawa festival at Tarboche, held during the full moon (of the fourth lunar month), the most important festival in western Tibet. Tibetans from all over the country flock to sacred Mount Kailash for the ritual raising of the prayer-flag pole, which foretell the yearly fortunes of the country. Saga Dawa is a carnival of Tibetan music, chants and Tibetan products brought to sell, an event not to be missed. We will spend the day camped at Tarboche, where all the festivities are held, and hike up to Chuku Gompa for some koras and a blessing from the local lama with the other Tibetan pilgrims.
The Kailash Kora itself is one of the best short treks in the Himalaya, crossing a pass of 5,600 meters, with campsites under the north face of Kailash and in other spectacular sites, all done with the Tibetan pilgrims, who have come as far as east Tibet for this once-in-a-lifetime trip to erase their sins, and acquire merit for humanity ...

Ki ki so so lha gyalo! (May the Gods be victorious) ...

Tashi Delek!