Will the trek run?    
Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 3 persons.
In the rare event that we cancel a trek we will refund you in full and give you at least 6 weeks warning. During 2009 many treks were full, therefore if you want to secure a place(s) on the dates of your choice we do advise you to book early.

Trek Leader: Local Leader – Tashi Tenzing

HOTELS: KATHMANDU: We use the five star Annapurna, Yak & Yeti & Shangrila Hotel; They are all very comfortable and very close to the city . They do have a swimming pool .

MEAL PLAN: Bed and breakfast in Kathmandu, all meals on trek.   

FLIGHTS: Please check this with your own travel agent at home.

SATELLITE PHONE: Tenzing Asian Holidays will be carrying a Sat phone for use in the rare case of a medical emergency. If you want to make a call home to your love ones then it will cost you USD 8 per minute.

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IMPORTANT NOTE:
Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it!  On treks such as this there will doubtless be changes to the itinerary above, in terms of anything from the on-the-spot choice of tea house to when a rest day is taken.  Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns, availability of porters and the health of trekkers can all contribute to changes.  The Trek Sirdar will ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy-going nature is an asset!
Timings given are approximate.

TENZING ASIAN HOLIDAYS aims to offer the best value for money.  We do not charge extra for meal packages or local charges and try to ensure that all the key elements of your holiday are included - you won't get any nasty shocks!

AIRLINE FUEL SURCHARGES AND SUPPLEMENTS  
Wherever possible we try to absorb these, however from time to time it may be necessary to pass on these additional costs.  All trip prices therefore may be subject to change due to such external factors and the prices for each individual departure may vary slightly from those published in the current brochure.  Any changes to the price of an individual trip will be advised before a booking is confirmed.

Lake Mansarovar

Sacred Lake Manasarovar (14,954ft/4,558m) is located in West Tibet between Mt. Kailash (22,028ft/6,714m) and the Gurla Mandhata Range (Memo Nani, 25,242ft/7,694m).  For Hindus, Manasarovar floats beneath the shadow of holy Kailash as the lake formed in the mind of God.  It was created to show the omnipotence of Brahma's mind, manas.  Tibetans know it as Mapham Tso, 'the Unconquerable Lake'.  In any language, this is the holiest, most famous lake in Asia.  

The Hindu poet, Kalidasa, wrote in the 3rd century:

"When the earth of Manasarovar touches anyone's body or when anyone bathes therein, he shall go to the paradise of Brahma and who drinks its water shall go to the heaven of Shiva and shall be released from the sins of 100 births.  Even the beast that bears the name of Manasarovar shall go to the paradise of Brahma.  Its waters are like pearls."

West of Manasarovar is Lake Raksas Tal (Langak Tso), named after the -eating demons of Hindu mythology believed to lurk within its waters.  A representation of dark, malevolent forces, this lake is generally shunned by pilgrims.  In contrast to the eight monasteries that dotted the shores of Manasarovar, Raksas has only one temple, Tsegye.  According to legend, the water of this smaller lake was poisonous.  This condition changed when a gold fish from Manasarovar tunnelled through a narrow isthmus to let sacred water flow into Lake Raksas Tal, thus neutralising the poison.  The channel created is known as Ganga Chu, and Tibetans carefully watch its level to divine the state of the country.  High water augurs well for Tibet and its citizens.  During much of this century, the salt-encrusted channel was virtually dry and led explorers like Sven Hedin to doubt its existence.  Only in the last few years has water flowed between the two lakes again; some say this coincides with the resurgence of religious practice in Tibet.

The eight monasteries of Manasarovar were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution but recently most have been rebuilt.  With snow mountains and turquoise lakes as a backdrop, the setting of these shrines is other-worldly.  The monastery of Gossul was visited by Hedin in 1907-8 and he wrote.  'Did fate compel me to pass my life in a monastery in Tibet, I would without hesitation choose Gossul Gompa.'  The monasteries once again provide spiritual and physical refuges for pilgrims who perform the 90-km circumambulation of the lake.  Most Tibetans, however, simply opt for an offering by the lake's north-western shore and forego the full circuit.

The best time to circle Manasarovar is in late autumn and early spring when the streams and rivers flowing into the lake are low (some Tibetans actually prefer to come in winter when everything is frozen, including the lake).  It is then possible to walk very near the shoreline.  

The spectacular environment of Manasarovar, sandwiched between two high snow ranges, is one of the most dramatic in Tibet.  To the north is Kang Tise, the crescent-shaped mountain range that sweeps from West to central Tibet.  Within Mt. Kailash (22,028ft/6,714m), its crowning jewel, is the mythical palace of Demchok, the powerful tutelary deity, and his consort, Dorje Phagmo.  The two together symbolise compassion and wisdom, making Kailash and Manasarovar the prefect complement; father and mother of the earth.  To the south is the Gurla Mandhata Range and Memo Nani (25,242ft/7,694m), the third highest mountain entirely within Tibet's borders (after Shishapangma, 26,286ft/8,012m, and Namche Barwa, 25,446ft/7,756m).  Known also as Memo Namgyal ('Son of Victory'), it is considered the abode of Lhamo Yangchen, a female divinity particularly propitiated by the area's farmers.