Simikot Kailash Zhangmu Tour or Simikot Kailash Trek is very exhausting and the distances traveled are much longer. Generally, we begin our trek from Simikot in Nepal to Mt. Kailash, the holy mountain of Tibet.

Our Simikot Kailash Zhangmu Tour begins in Nepal and takes you by foot into Tibet. This tour offers the breathtaking adventure that takes you through some of the most spectacular scenery you will ever see as you trek up on to the Tibetan plateau through the eastern Himalaya. You will be sure to witness scenes and scenery that will live in your head for your entire life time. Our trek begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu -Nepaljung - Simikot in the northwestern corner of Nepal. We then walk through forests, valleys, fields and villages to cross the border into Tibet at Sher.

Before opening Simikot - Hilsa route travelers used to travel to Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar either from Lhasa or via Zhangmu. The Tour to Mt. Kailash starts from Simikot which is situated at an elevation of 2910 meters and climbs up to Na-Lagna pass (4330 meters) sooner than accomplishment the parched Tibetan Plateau. From Simikot, it takes a 6 day’s journey to reach the Tibetan border town, which is plenty of time to be adapted in high altitude. There is no direct air service from Kathmandu to Simikot, so travelers generally have to fly Simikot via Nepalgunj, the regional hub of Western Nepal. Monsoon rains often make delay the Nepalgunj-Simikot flights and make it difficult to get tickets, so it is always better to book this trip as earlier as possible.

Itinerary in Details

Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu
You are welcomed by hospitable meeting and then you will be transferred to hotel. Our airport representative will explain briefly the program upon arrival. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 02: Obtain Chinese Visa and Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour
Sightseeing of world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley including, Kathmandu Darbar square, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa & Pasupatinath Temple. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj
Today we take a 90 minute flight to Nepalgunj in the far south-west of Nepal. It is a busy crowded city which lies close to the Indian border. Overnight at hotel. B.L.D

Day 04: Fly to Simikot (2960m) trek to Dhara Pokhari (2300m)
This morning we fly north for about 50 minutes to Simikot, the headquarters of Nepal's most remote district, Humla. After meeting our crew, we set off on our trek, climbing up from the airstrip on a rocky trail past fields of barley and wheat. We ascend a forested ridge above the town of Simikot, before making a long steep descent past Dandaphoya. The trail is then fairly level, through walnut and apricot trees, until we come to the scattered village of Dharapokhari which is divided by the Yakba Khola. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

Day 05: Trek to Salli Khola (2700m)
Leaving our campsite, we cross a long scree slope and follow the river to a waterfall near the shepherds' camp at Chachera. We then climb over a ridge and bypass the village of Kermi before entering a big valley with walled fields of potato and buckwheat. After walking through a sparse pine forest we descend from the ridge to the Salli Khola and camp by the river. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

Day 06: Trek to Muchu (2920m)
We cross the river and climb over a rocky ridge before descending to the grey waters of the Humla Karnali. After crossing another ridge we come to a sandy meadow where goat herders often camp by the river. Beyond the meadow the valley narrows and we cross several more ridges, passing the villages of Yalbang and Yangar. The trail then winds its way precariously above the river. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

Day 07: Rest day
Today is a rest day which we'll spend in and around Muchu, exploring the village. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

Day 08: Trek to Sipsip (4330m)
We follow the trail over a ridge to the Tumkot Khola and then walk along the rocky stream bed for a short distance before beginning a steep climb through a rock-filled gully. We pass through Palbang and its bright yellow mustard fields to the small settlement of Yari and beyond here the route climbs up the valley towards a pass, the Nara Lagna. We camp below the pass in a meadow known as Sipsip. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

Day 09: Trek to Hilsa (3720m)
From Sipsip we ascend steeply to a rock cairn marking the top of the Nara Lagna (4580m). Descending from the pass, we have views of the Tibetan Plateau before arriving at the village of Ranipauwa. Beyond here, we slip and slide on a surface of loose pebbles down to the Humla Karnali. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

Day 10: Trek to Taklakot (3930m), drive to Manasarovar (4560m)
Shortly after crossing the Nepal/Tibet border which is marked only by a stone pillar, we meet our transport and drive about 130km, via the large trading centre of Taklakot, to Manasarovar, the most venerated of Tibet's many lakes. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

Day 11: At Manasarovar
Today will be spent at Manasarovar, allowing our bodies time to acclimatize to the altitude and exploring this fascinating place. We will visit the picturesque Chiu Monastery on the north-west shore of the lake with the imposing sight of Mt Kailash in the background. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

Day 12: Drive to Tarboche (4750m)
We drive for about 35 km towards Mt Kailash and Tarboche which is marked by a tall pole adorned with prayer flags. This is the starting point for our Kora, the 53 km trek around the mountain. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

13: Trek to Dira-puk (4900m)
From Tarboche, we walk up the Lha Chu Valley through beautiful green meadows and streams with Mt Kailash towering above us. We follow the river which enters a narrow canyon with high, steep cliffs and spectacular waterfalls. Continuing up the valley, the north face of Kailash comes into view before we reach the ancient monastery at Dira-puk. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

14: Trek to Zutul-puk (4790m)
We now leave the Lha Chu Valley and enter the Drolma Chu Valley, heading up towards a high pass, the Drolma La (5630m). It's a tough climb to the summit which is festooned with prayer flags but from there it is all downhill or flat to Zutul-puk, with views of one of the highest lakes in the world, Thukpe Dzingbu Lake, known as the Lake of Compassion. At Zutul-puk, there is a monastery and several meditation caves and a cave containing an image of Milarepa. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

Day 15: Trek to Darchen (4560m)
On the final day of the Kora we cross several streams, and follow an impressive gorge. Along the way we are once again treated to magnificent views of Kailash. We then enter the Bharka plain and it's about an hour's walk through this desert-like landscape to Darchen. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

Day 16: Drive to Paryang (4750m)
Today is a long drive, about 300km, along the way, we cross the Mayun-la and make several river crossings. The scenery along this section is one of the most panoramic of the entire journey. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

Day 17: Drive to Saga (4600m)
We continue driving today along a 255km stretch of road to Saga, passing through the small, dusty town of Zhongba en route. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

Day 18: Drive to Zhangmu (2300m)
After we leave Tingri, crossing two high passes, Lalung La at altitude of 5124meters and the Shung La 5200meters. On the way, we are rewarded by the magnificent landscapes of the surrounding peaks including Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar. Our journey heads towards the arid Tibetan Plateau to Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. As we leave Tibet, it appears an incredibly lush and green. Overnight at hotel. B.L.D
Day 19: Drive to Kathmandu (1345m)
Leaving Zhangmu behind, we join the Friendship Bridge passing the Bhote Koshi River and mark the Chinese - Nepalese border. After that short drive, we say good-bye to our Tibetan guide. Then we drive and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari, there we have our Nepalese staff, completing the re-entry formalities we'll drive towards Kathmandu, which may take 5 hrs, it depends on road & weather conditions. Overnight at hotel. B.L.D

Day 20: Free day in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 21: Transfer to Airport for home departure. B. “Farewell!”

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DURING THE TRIP:

1. Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop by private car / van / bus
2. Four night’s accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
3. Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private vehicle inclusive of all entrance fees
4. Kathmandu-Nepaljung-Simikot domestic airfare including departure tax
5. All accommodation during Nepal/Tibet (Hotel/Tented on twin sharing basis)
6. All your standard meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with hot drinks link tea coffee, chocolate etc
7. A government licensed English speaking Nepalese guide during the trek and tour
8. Tibet Tourism Board (TTB) approved Tibetan guide
9. All supporting crew including our own kitchen staff
10. Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, medicine for all our staff
11. Special permits of Simikot/Humla, Mansarovar and Kailash Kora (Parikrama)
12. Yaks and Yak-men to carry baggage, food, fuel etc while making Parikrama of Mt. Kailash
13. Transportation by 4500 Land cruisers (4 people each) and support truck
14. Tibet entry permission, Chinese visa, monasteries entry fees
15. Trekking equipment (two men tent, dining tent, kitchen tent, Table with chairs, kitchen utensils, and all other necessary equipments.
16. Enough Oxygen cylinder entire of tour
17. Tibet border to Kathmandu (Friendship Bridge) pick up by tourist bus or jeep
18. All government taxes and official expense
    

OUR SERVICES EXCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DURING THE TRIP:

1. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
2. Travel insurance
3. Yak / pony charges (will cost approximately US$ 280- US$ 325 per yak/pony and driver for three days, irrespective of the number of days or hours used).
   Personal expenses like shopping, phone calls, cold drinks, laundry, yak etc.
4. Nepal Re entry visa fees.
5. Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities, flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, accidents etc.
   
6. Tips for guide and support crew (Tipping is appreciated but it is not mandatory)