Isolated for centuries behind the Himalayas in Tibet is a mysterious and mythical mountain, Mount Kailash, standing 6714m (22,028ft) high. The mountain has for more than a thousand years been a central pilgrimage site for some of the world's major religions. This trek leads around the sacred peak in 3 to 4 days, following the pilgrims' route. Though short, this high-altitude trek is not to be undertaken lightly - Mount Kailash remains isolated and remote, and getting there is an epic journey in itself. Also included in the guide is a visit to the lost kingdom of Guge, still almost unknown in the west. The ethereal ruined fortress of Tsaparang, Guge's former capital, is Tibet's greatest Buddhist treasure-house of art and paintings - a stunning location not to be missed. The Kailash trek, and other treks in the region are described in detail.This title provides extensive practical information for planning and preparation. It covers the key approach routes (by foot and road) and return route to Kathmandu or LhasaHistorical, and, cultural and religious background information. For adventure-seeking trekkers this comprehensive guide opens a door into the enchanting world of Kailash and western Tibet.

Table of Contents

Contents; Preface; Introduction; Geography; Tibetan landscapes; Flora and fauna; Plants; Bird; Animals; Climate; Typical temperature; Tibetan culture; Brief history of the Tibet region; Early foreign visitors to Kailash; Religious aspects of Kailash; Tibetan religion; Bonpo; Buddhis; Principal Tibetan Buddhist sects; Nyingma-pa; Kadam-p; Kagyu-pa; Sakya-pa; Gelug-pa; Festivals; Official holidays; A few cultural considerations; Pre-departure preparation; Trekking seasons; Style of tre; Fully supported group treks; Independently organised trips with a local trek operato; Completely independent travel; Accommodation and food; Washing; Toilets; Food; Visas and permits; Chinese visa; Chinese embassies; Nepalese visas; Nepalese embassies; Money matters; Banks and ATMs; Health matters; Water sterilisation; Vaccination suggestions; Malaria prophylaxi; Other nasty bugs; Common ailments; Dental care; Clinics; First aid kit; Mountain sickness/altitude; What is altitude sickness? Altitude problems specific to Tibet; Options from the pharmacist; Hyperbaric bag and oxygen cylinders; Mountain safety; Equipment and supplies; Food; Maps; Photography; Getting there; Routes into Tibet (via China and Nepal); Flights from China to Tibet; Overland from China; Flights to Nepal; Kathmandu - Gateway to Tibet; What to see; Accommodation; Eating out; Lhasa; What to see; Accommodation; Using this guide; Notes on trekking and road routes; Altitudes, distances and timings; Alternative names; Milestones; Prices; Approach routes to Kailash; 1 From Simikot: the trekking route; Stage 1 Simikot to Tuling (Masigaon); Stage 2 Tuling to Kermi; Stage 3 Kermi to Yangar; Stage 4 Yangar to Muchu; Stage 5 Muchu to Yari; Stage 6 Yari to Sher; Drive to Purang; Stage 7 Purang to Lake Manasarovar/Darchen; Alternative return trek route from Sher to Simikot; 2 From Kathmandu to Kailash (Darchen) (by road); Kathmandu to Kodari; Kodari/Zhangmu to Nyalam; Xixapangma trekking routes; Xixapangma south approach; Nyalam to Tara Tso day hike; Nyalam to Saga; Saga to Paryang; Paryang to Lake Manasarovar/Chui Gompa; Lake Manasarovar to Darchen; 3 From Lhasa to Kailash (by road); The Kailash Kora trek; Darchen; Stage 1 Darchen to Chuku monastery; Stage 2 Chuku monastery to Driraphuk monastery; Day hike to Kangyam Glacier; Stage 3 Driraphuk to Shabje Draktok, via Drolma La; Stage 4 Shabje Draktok to Zutrulphuk monastery; Stage 5 Zutrulphuk to Darchen; Other treks in the Kailash region; 1 Darchen Day Walks; Darchen ridge walk; Gyangdrak monastery; Serlung monastery; 2 Inner Kora; 3 Lake Manasarovar; Lake Manasarovar Circuit Trek; Stage 1 Chui monastery to Hor; Stage 2 Hor to Seralung monastery; Stage 3 Seralung to Trugo monastery; Stage 4 Trugo monastery to Gossul monastery; Stage 5 Gossul monastery to Chui monastery; Chui village ridge walk; 4 Lake Rakhas Tal; 5 Tirthapuri; The Guge kingdom; Brief history and cultural aspects; The southern route to Guge; Lake Manasarovar to Toling; Toling monastery; Toling to Tsaparang; Tsaparang; A walk from Tsaparang; Other hikes; The northern route from Guge to Darchen; Toling to Darchen; Return to Kathmandu or Lhasa; Darchen to Paryang; Paryang to Saga; Saga to Sangsang; Sangsang to Zhangmu; Xegar (Shagar); Qomolungma National Park; The last word; Appendix 1 Bibliography; Appendix 2 Glossary of Bon and Buddhist deities; Significant Tibetan Bon deities; Significant Tibetan Buddhist deities; Other definitions; Appendix 3 Route summaries; Trekking routes; Road routes; Appendix 4 Language hints (Tibetan and Chinese phrases); General phrases; Other useful words; Food; Numbers; Appendix 5 Films and music; Films; Music; Appendix 6 Useful addresses/websites; Tour operators in the UK; Tour operators in Nepal; Tour operators in Lhasa and Chengdu; Other websites; Other Chinese embassies

About the Author

Sian Pritchard-Jones and Bob Gibbons met in 1983, on a trek from Kashmir to Ladakh. By then Bob had already driven an ancient Land Rover from England to Kathmandu in 1974 and led overland trips across Asia, Africa and South America as well as decrepit old tourist buses around India. He had also lived in Kathmandu as a trekking company manager. Before they met, Sian had worked in computer programming and systems analysis, but her heart had always been in the Himalayas, after a trip there on her way back from working in New Zealand.Since they met they have been leading and organising treks in the Alps, Nepal, Algeria and Niger; they have hitched across Tibet, driven a busload of over-50s overland to Nepal, explored the Sahara and driven across Africa to Gabon. Some of this was real work, but luckily that 'proper job' has not materialised. A journey by slightly less ancient (only 21 years old) Land Rover from England to Cape Town, provided the basis for the fourth edition of the Bradt guide Africa Overland. In complete contrast Sian and Bob have since updated the Bradt guides to the Maldives and the Cape Verde islands.However, they regularly return to their first love, Kathmandu and the Himalayas, where they work with Pilgrims Publishing in Kathmandu. For Pilgrims they have produced a cultural guide to the valley - Kathmandu: Valley of the Green-Eyed Yellow Idol - as well as new books on the monasteries of Ladakh (Ladakh - Land of Magical Monasteries) and a cultural, historical overview of the Guge kingdom (Kailash and Guge - Land of the Tantric Mountain).