PILGRIMAGE TO MOUNT KAILASH & SACRED SITES IN TIBET

The Journey in a Nutshell

Discover Tibet, the rooftop of the world. A sacred land of nomads and endless space where mantras of compassion have been recited for centuries.

Mount Kailash is the epicenter of Tibetan Buddhist cosmology, so this truly is the-pinnacle-pilgrimage-of-a-lifetime with a three day circumambulation, or kora, around this sacred mountain in far-west Tibet, starting on the auspicious time of the full moon!

All inclusive 18 day / 17 night itinerary of; healthy vegetarian meals, accommodation, and transportation.

Facilitators

Himalayan Hermitage founders Sisse & Alex d’Artois will be guiding this journey. 

Alex - co-founder of Himalayan Hermitage

Alex d'Artois

Co-Founder & Facilitator
Sisse - co-founder of Himalayan Hermitage

Sisse d'Artois

Co-Founder, Facilitator & Photographer

Itinerary

Explore Lhasa, the city of the Gods in Tibetan, with scents of butter-lamp offerings and juniper incense wafting out of  its temples, monasteries, and houses, while visiting some of the most sacred sites in the city.

We make the journey out to west Tibet where, on the full moon, we will start a three day kora around Mount Kailash, believed to be the centre of the universe in Tibetan cosmology. This is an epic pilgrimage journey of a lifetime.

Please make sure to arrive in Kathmandu no later than Monday, May 22nd to hand in your passport for us to prepare the Chinese group visa for Tibet. 

How to Prepare for this Journey?

Physically:

This journey is designed for experienced and active travellers in good physical condition. The itinerary includes full day hikes, especially around Mount Kailash and sometimes at high altitude. Trails around the mountain will include steep descents/ascents on mountainous terrain. Once we reach Lhasa and travel across the Tibetan plateau we will be up in high altitude, ranging from 3,650meters (11,995′) in Lhasa, up to 5,000meters (16,400′) on the highest pass around the Mount Kailash kora. Here is a rough outline of our 2 nights, 3 days’ Kora around Mount Kailash. Overall, we can expect to walk an estimated 52-53 km for our entire circumambulation around the mountain. We walk at a comfortable pace and take breaks whenever it is needed:

Accommodation

We will be staying in the best possible locations throughout the journey, ranging from high-end to more basic guesthouses and lodges with all basic facilities.

Previous
Next

Famous Farm House in Nuwakot, Nepal. 

This beautifully located Newari heritage Manor House is nestled in the Himalayan foothills in the ancient kingdom of Nuwakot. 

Covid-19 Travel Protocol

As we prepare to welcome back travellers onto our journeys throughout the Himalayas, please review our new Covid-19 Travel Protocol carefully, to help us ensure safety for all travellers.  

Pricing & What is Included

Pricing

  • The Early Bird Special of $5,700 USD ends six months before the journey’s starting date
  • The Normal Price is $6,000 USD
  • The Single Room Supplement is an added $800 USD*

 * Please note that in the event that there is no other solo traveller of the same gender with whom to share a double room, participants will be liable to cover 50% of the single room. During the two nights when we do Kora around Mount Kailash, a single room will not be an option as dormitory is the only possibility. 

 

 

What is included

  • 17 night / 18 day itinerary
  • Transfers upon arrival & departure 
  • All accommodation as per itinerary 
  • All vegetarian meals (vegan possible too) 
  • Daily Dharma talks & introduction to meditation 
  • Notebook for journaling during the journey 

 

What is not included

  • International airfare to and from Nepal 
  • Personal Travel Insurance during the journey 
  • Visa for Nepal 
  • Any alcoholic beverages during the journey
  • Any tip to local guides & porters 

Dates

2023

May 24th - June 10th, 2023

Sisse - co-founder of Himalayan Hermitage
Alex - co-founder of Himalayan Hermitage

Sisse d'Artois

Alex d'Artois

2024

May 12th - 29th, 2024

Sisse - co-founder of Himalayan Hermitage
Alex - co-founder of Himalayan Hermitage

Sisse d'Artois

Alex d'Artois

Meditation & Buddhist Philosophy

Throughout the journey, group meditation sessions and discussions on Buddhist philosophy are interwoven into the daily schedule. This is what makes this journey truly immersive. As we discover a whole new outer environment, we will also look within ourselves to cultivate the hallmarks of the native tradition of  the land; mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom. Note: on days of extensive travel we will not always have time for meditation and philosophy sessions.

Inspirational Reading

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Sisse d'Artois

Sisse - co-founder of Himalayan Hermitage
Sisse d’Artois is the co-founder of Himalayan Hermitage, together with her husband, Alex. Sisse has been based in Kathmandu, Nepal for years and has traveled extensively throughout the Himalayas. Throughout the journey, Sisse will be leading the sessions on introduction to Buddhist philosophy and meditation practice, according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. For more information on Sisse click here.  
 

Dates of departure: 

  • ‘Meditation Journey in Nepal’: October 20th – November 3rd, 2022
  • ‘Pilgrimage Journey to Tibet & Mount Kailash’: May 26th – June 10th, 2023
  • ‘Yoga & Meditation Journey in Nepal’ with Alix Northup: October 19th – November 1st, 2023

Alex d'Artois

Alex - co-founder of Himalayan Hermitage
Alex d’Artois is the co-founder of Himalayan Hermitage, together with his wife, Sisse. Alex has been based in Kathmandu, Nepal for years and has been a practitioner of Buddhist philosophy and meditation practice for more than 15 years. Throughout the journey, Alex will be leading the sessions on introduction to Buddhist philosophy and meditation practice, according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. For more information on Alex click here.

Dates of departure:

  • ‘Yoga & Meditation Journey in Nepal’ with Nathalie Royer: April 3rd – 16th, 2023
  • ‘Pilgrimage Journey to Tibet & Mount Kailash’: May 26th – June 10th, 2023