Hi,
A friend wants to hike around Mt. Kailash. On one hand, it sounds like it could be amazing. On the other hand, the drive there and back takes several days. Is this destination worth it?
Also, what is the ideal Tibet itinerary for July?
Thanks!
Stephanie
First, there is no any official news about the situation in Tibet on July, some hearsay is Tibet will be closed to foreign visitors on July, but no one can confirm that before next month.
Yes, you have to drive several days to visit Mt. Kailash, then you can take few days hiking tour around it, it's not a easy trip but it is definitely worth. Mt.Kailash and Lake Manasarovar are two of the most remote and legendary travel destinations in the world. With a rough road, long journey, simple accommodations... Kailash tours have a taste for adventurers, a real challenge.
Murphy from Chengdu Windhorse Tour.
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With a rough road, long journey, simple accommodations... Kailash tours have a taste for adventurers, a real challenge.
Not so much now that the road is paved all the way from Lhasa... You can be there in 2 days (from Lhasa).
It is amazing, the friend is right. You can combine it with a trip to Guge and a day or two at Chiu Gompa on Lake Manasarovar if you wish.
The area is a deep cultural and spiritual experience and a phenomenon of nature, all in one. Galen Rowell rated it the most authentic adventure experience in the world some years back, and it is still well-preserved courtesy of distance, altitude, permit restrictions and lack of accessibility.
And, with the new airport at Ali and good roads in all directions, it will change fast in the next decade - now is the time before the Darchen Sheraton goes up ;-)
But Saramaca..........when you're sitting in an office in Chengdu pretending to look like a reputable Lhasa based tour operator..........Kailash probably seems like a real challenging adventure.........
Lets not let reality get in the way here......!?
I wonder if "Murphy" has even been to Kailash?
:)
Steph....... it all depends on your travel and trekking experience. As far as adventurous Himalayan treks are concerned its relatively straightforward - just one gnarly rocky high pass to cross. The days driving out are spectacular and you need them for acclimitisation anyways.... If you do a short Kailash itinerary (like lots of the less reputable agencies like to sell you) its likely you will struggle with altitude and find it rather hard. So......my recommendation is to allow plenty of days for acclimitisation (2/3 days in Lhasa and enjoy time in Gyantse etc etc on the way out) - visit Manasarovar (and stay the night there) before you head up to Darchen and start the Kora trek.
West Tibet is a incredible place and worth the commitment to go experience.......
Edited by: mrcjonesy
"But Saramaca..........when you're sitting in an office in Chengdu pretending to look like a reputable Lhasa based tour operator..........Kailash probably seems like a real challenging adventure........."
Haha!
I was there at Darchen the night before 27 April. The police personnel informed my guide/driver that Mt Kailash has a heavy snow falls the night before and asked us to be careful. At the hostel, the kind old lady incharge implored us to exercise better judgement and do not complete the kora trek as the snow at the high pass is knee deap. I decided to do the trek to the top and decide there and then. The trek to the top was tough for me as I was totally unfit but the experience/scenery was well worth the effort. I did not stay the night at the top and thump a lift on road building truck back to Darchen. The Chinese authority is planning to build a road up to the top. The trip down is dangerously exciting as the truck crissed cross frozen rivers. Anyway, I was told 2 days later, there was 2 casualties the day after I left. The Hostel owner was told to hire 4 horses for the police to bring 2 bodies from the mountain pass.
Agree with you mrcjonesy, driving straight to Mt Kailash in two days is calling for trouble and is bound to lead quite a few people straight to hospital (which won't have gamow bags anyway...). And it would definitely be a pity to miss all the sightseings on the way (Gyantse, Shigatse etc).
The adventure thing is of course a commercial argument for agencies. Has to be ! That's how Tibet is sold by agencies. Now the Chinese are building roads everywhere, they want to develop mass tourism. Adventure travel for the masses ? Hum, sounds a bit contradictory to me, but I'm pretty sure it'll work. People like the concept of adventure, it is exiting yet most aren't ready to put up with the downsides (like delayed or uncomfortable transports, rundown accomodation, lack of a shower etc).
However the Chinese spoil the area with roads and hotels, the scenery will remain awesome. But it may not be so enjoyable... Wonder what the Tibetans will think/say when they start building a gondola to the top of the mountain as they were planning for Chenresig (Yading) !
@ Stephanie : one thing to keep in mind is that July isn't the best time to visit Mount Kailash as the monsoon affects the border area with Nepal so expect clouds and maybe some rain.
@ batucitrine : listening to what locals say is usually sound. I live in the mountain and every year people die because they embark unprepared in an environment they don't know anything about. Don't know about avalanche risks in the area, but that's usually the biggest risk after heavy snowfalls. There's nothing even an experienced mountain person can do against that except stay away ! By the way, did your guide let you walk up the pass on your own or did he accompany you up there ?