Karnali Excursions experience the journey of a lifetime

Aum Namah Shivaya! Holy Mt. Kailash is considered an important pilgrimage destination as well as a power point where it is possible to gain inspiration and energy to transform oneself from this physical to a higher spiritual level. The custom of circumambulating mount Kailash is believed to purify the soul and cultivate in each pilgrim the ability to perceive the divinity. The experience is elevating and inspiring, and many pilgrims return to their homes with feelings of exaltation and spiritual inspiration. Karnali Excursions was one of the first tour agencies in to offer pilgrimages to Shree Kailash in 1993, when China opened its doors to tourism. Ever since, we have been providing a strong, well-organized and spiritually fulfilling experience for those who join with us for this holy Yatra of a lifetime.

Here are some of the things we offer that make our Yatra special, meaningful and different than other tour companies: • We teach and pranayam, which help to acclimatize in high altitude • We offer regular support during the yatra to help you to cope with Acute Mountain Sickness • We provide personal escort to senior citizens and those who need extra support • We demonstrate walking, trekking, eating and sleeping techniques during the entire journey • Karnali Excursions’s senior leaders join as facilitators and yatra leaders • We perform morning and evening prayers followed by and • We serve North Indian, Chinese, Gujrati and South Indian pure vegetarian meals experience the journey of a lifetime Karnali Excursions

Please view our Yatra plan with different options below Karnali Excursions experience the journey of a lifetime

1. Shree Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra (15 nights/16 days) Brief itinerary: Day 01: Arrive in and Yatra briefing in the evening Departure dates: Day 02: Pashupatinath Darshan, Rudrabishek, and yatra preparations S.N. Batch Arrival in ktm Dep to Lhasa Back to Ktm Depart to home Day 03: Fly to Gonggar Airport and drive to Lhasa 1 May 22 May 2017 24 May 2017 05 June 2017 06 June 2017 Day 04: A day in Lhasa for sightseeing and acclimatization Day 05: Drive to Shigatse 2 June I 07 June 2017 09 June 2017 21 June 2017 22 June 2017 Day 06: Drive to Saga Day 07: Drive to holy Mansarovar Lake 3 June II 19 June 2017 21 June 2017 03 July 2017 04 July 2017 Day 08: Holy bath, Hawan and Rest day 4 July I 05 July 2017 07 July 2017 19 July 2017 20 July 2017 Day 09: Drive to Tirthapuri, explore around and return to Darchen 5 July II 19 July 2017 21 July 2017 02 Aug 2017 03 Aug 2017 Day 10: Kora starts, trek to Driraphuk Day 11: Trek to Zutulphuk via crossing Dolma La and having 6 Aug I 07 Aug 2017 09 Aug 2017 21 Aug 2017 22 Aug 2017 darshan of Gauri Kunda 7 Aug II 21 Aug 2017 23 Aug 2017 04 Sept 2017 05 Sept 2017 Day 12: Trek to Tangsar and drive to Saga via Mansarovar Lake 8 Sept 04 Sept 2017 06 Sept 2017 18 Sept 2017 19 Sept 2017 Day 13: Drive to Shigatse Day 14: Drive to Lhasa Day 15: Fly to Kathmandu Day 16: Trip concludes and departure for further journey

Trip highlights: • Darshan of highly revered and Rudrabishek • Darshan of Doleshwor Mahadev (head part of Kedarnath Temple) • A journey from holy city to the holiest mountain (explore the best of Lhasa) • Pilgrimage to sacred Lake Mansarovar, holy Mt. Kailash and Tirthapuri • Nandi and Asthapada Darshan • Travel by tourist vehicles to Lake Mansarovar and base camp of Kailash (no walking involved) experience the journey of a lifetime Karnali Excursions

2. Shree Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra with & Damodar Kunda Darshan (19 nights/20 days) Muktinath, the place of salvation and liberation, is one of the 108 Divya Bishnu Dhams in the world. It is situated at DEPARTURE DATES: the elevation of 3800 meter on the lap of Thorang peak in Annapurna Mountain range. Mukti Kshetra and Thiru S.No. Batch Arrival in Ktm Dep to Lhasa Back to Ktm Depart to home Saligrama etc are the other names of Muktinath. As mention 1 May 18 May 2017 24 May 2017 05 June 2017 06 June 2017 in Gandaki Mahatmya of Puran, Lord Vishnu is considered reclining in the Himalayas putting his head 2 June I 03 June 2017 09 June 2017 21 June 2017 22 June 2017 towards the Damodar Kunda (the Saligram Lake) and the 3 June II 15 June 2017 21 June 2017 03 July 2017 04 July 2017 chest being located at Muktinath. So it is a very important pilgrimage site for the Hindu followers. 4 July I 01 July 2017 07 July 2017 19 July 2017 20 July 2017 There are 108 holy water spouts considered to be fed by 5 July II 15 July 2017 21 July 2017 02 Aug 2017 03 Aug 2017 different sources of holy sites dedicated to Lord Vishnu. 6 Aug I 07 Aug 2017 09 Aug 2017 21 Aug 2017 26 Aug 2017 The main sanctum of Muktinath Temple houses the idols of Vishnu, Sridevi, Bhu and Garuda. Buddhist believes the 7 Aug II 21 Aug 2017 23 Aug 2017 04 Sept 2017 09 Sept 2017 image of Vishnu placed in the Muktinath temple, is one of the 8 Sept 04 Sept 2017 06 Sept 2017 18 Sept 2017 23 Sept 2017 manifestations of Avalokiteshwara. Narsingh Gompa, Jwala Mai (perpetual natural eternal flame) and small shrine of Bhagwan Nilkantha Swamy are other not-to-miss attractions of the Muktinath. Narsingh Gompa is the sacred site for Buddhist followers. Jwala Mai is the melting point of the five super natural elements (Pancha Mahabhut: Prithvi, Jal, , Tej and Aakas). The founder of Swamynarayan sect, Bhagwan Nilkantha Swamy also visited this place and sanctified by meditating here. It is believed that Guru Rimpoche alias Padmashambhav, also meditated at Muktinath and sanctified this place while he was on his way to Tibet. Thus, Muktinath is considered a very important pilgrimage site for both, Hindu followers and Buddhist believers. Kagbeni, the confluence point of Kaligandaki and Muktinath Rivers, is believed to another important holy site for in and around Muktinath area. Hindu peoples perform ablution (Tarpan) in the name of departed souls). Karnali Excursions experience the journey of a lifetime

Brief itinerary: (For May, June I & II, July I & II batches) Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and briefing on immediate arrangements Day 02: Drive to Pokhara, en-route visit to Manakamna Temple Day 03: Fly to Jomsom and drive to Muktinath/ Damodar Kunda, holy bath and Puja Day 04: Fly to Pokhara and explore around Day 05: Return to Kathmandu and Kailash Yatra briefing in the evening Day 06-19: Kailash part is same as above in no. 1 ‘Shree Kailash- Manasarovar Yatra’ day 2 to 15 Day 20: Trip concludes and depart for onward journey

(for Aug I & II and Sept batches) Day 01-15: Kailash part is same as above in no. 1 ‘Shree Kailash- Manasarovar Yatra’ Day 16-19: Same as above day 2 to 5 Day 20: Trip concludes and depart for onward journey

Trip highlights: • Visit city of beauty, Pokhara and holy pilgrimage to Muktinath in the Himalayas • Breath taking views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain range experience the journey of a lifetime Karnali Excursions

3. Shree Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra with , Ashram/ Chitwan, Lumbini and Muktinath (22 nights /23 days) Janakpur Dham Devghat Devghat is the confluence of two holy rivers: - the (originated from Gosain Kunda) and the Trisuli River (originated from Damodar Kunda and Muktinath). The word Devghat means sacred bathing place of God and Goddesses. This is the place where God and Goddesses regularly take holy bath to increase their “Dewatto” or quality being God. It is said that, one can cleanse sins of a lifetime having a holy bath at Devghat. It has been mentioned as the most sacred religious place in different holy books like Barah Puran, , Bhagwat Geeta

Janakpur Dham was the capital of King Janak’s ancient Mithila Kingdom during the Treta Yug, (nearly 12,000 years ago). Janakpurdham is named after virtuous king Janak. The main Janaki Temple in Janakpur was constructed by the queen of Tikamghad, Brisha Bahnu Devi about 129 years ago. She spent Rs. Nine Lakhs for the construction of the temple, thus it is also called Naulakha Mandir. It is the biggest temple of Nepal. Bivaha Mandap is the marriage place of Ram and . Dhanus Sagar is one of the sacred lakes near Janaki Temple. It is believed that one of the pieces of Dhanus (bow) broken by Lord , fell in this lake where as the other piece fell at Dhanushadham, which is located 15 km away from Janaki Temple. Ancient Ram Mandir, Ram-Janaki Vivaha Mandap, Ganga Sagar, Janaki Temple, Sankat Mochan Mandir are the other highlights of Janakpur. Karnali Excursions experience the journey of a lifetime

Valmiki Ashram and Gajendra Mokshya Dham Lumbini Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. This is the place where the queen of Kapilvastu, Mayadevi gave birth to a baby boy who later became Lord Buddha, awaken one. Emperor Ashokan also visited this place in 250 BC and erected a pillar, which is known as Ashokan Pillar nowadays, to commemorate his visit. Sacred Pond, Puskarini, nativity marker stone to mark the exact birthplace of Buddha, eternal perpetual flame, sacred garden, World Peace Stupa and monasteries constructed by various nations, are the major attractions of the Lumbini.

Valmiki Ashram is the place where Rishi Valmiki wrote . It is located in of Nepal, close to Nepal- border. This is the place where Mata Sita gave birth to Lov and who were educated by Rish Valmiki. Mata Sita also spent later part of her life after being sent into the exile by her husband Rama. Eventually, she vanished herself into the earth at this place. There is another holy place nearby Valimiki Ashram called Gajendra Moskhya Dham. It is located on the bank of Narayani (Gandak) River nearby . According to the Vishnu Purana, Lord Vishnu saved the Gaja, an elephant from the Graha, a crocodile while they were wrestling for a life. experience the journey of a lifetime Karnali Excursions

Departure dates: Brief itinerary:

S.N. Batch Arrival in ktm Dep to Lhasa Back to Ktm Depart to home (For May, June I & II, July I & II batches) Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and briefing on immediate 1 May 15 May 2017 24 May 2017 05 June 2017 06 June 2017 arrangements 2 June I 31 May 2017 09 June 2017 21 June 2017 22 June 2017 Day 02: Fly to Janakpur, explore around and drive to Chitwan Day 03: Drive to Devghat for holy bath and jungle safari in 3 June II 12 June 2017 21 June 2017 03 July 2017 04 July 2017 Chitwan National Park Day 04: Drive to Lumbini, en-route visit Valmiki Ashram and 4 July I 28 June 2017 07 July 2017 19 July 2017 20 July 2017 Gajendra Mokshya Dham 5 July II 12 July 2017 21 July 2017 02 Aug 2017 03 Aug 2017 Day 05: Explore birthplace of Buddha and drive to Pokhara Day 06: Fly to Jomsom and drive to Muktinath/Damodar 6 Aug I 07 Aug 2017 09 Aug 2017 21 Aug 2017 29 Aug 2017 Kunda, holy bath and Puja Day 07: Fly to Pokhara and explore around 7 Aug II 21 Aug 2017 23 Aug 2017 04 Sept 2017 12 Sept 2017 Day 08: Return to Kathmandu and Kailash Yatra briefing in the 8 Sept 04 Sept 2017 06 Sept 2017 18 Sept 2017 26 Sept 2017 evening Day 09-22: Kailash part is same as above in no. 1 ‘Shree Kailash Manasarovar Yatra’ day 2 to 15 Day 23: Trip concludes and depart for onward journey

(For Aug I & II and Sept batches) Day 01-15: Kailash part is same as above no. 1 ‘Shree Kailash Manasarovar Yatra’ Day 16-22: Same as above Day 02 to 08 Day 23: Trip concludes and depart for onward journey

Notes: 1. Gasain Kunda (where Lord reclined under water to neutralize the effect of Kalkut Bisha) Darshan by helicopter Additional Trip highlights is also available as an optional program in all plans in • Pilgrimage to birthplace of Sita Mata, Janakpur, birthplace of Buddha, same period. Lumbini & Valmiki Ashram 2. Damodar Kunda and Kagbhusundi Lake by helicopter is also • Visit city of natural beauty- Pokhara and holy tour to Muktinath in the available as an optional program in Plan 2 & 3 in the same Himalaya period. See you in the Himalayas!

World-wide contact details of Karnali Excursions: Nepal Head Office United Kingdom (UK) Hira Dhamala Savi Meghani (UK) Vanita Hirani (UK) 5778, Durbar Marg, Ktm, Nepal +4420 8866 7984 +4420 8991 0692 +977 1 4233192/4233087 +44 7435 217216 (Mon-Fri, Call after 4:30 PM) +977 9851035496 [email protected] +44 7941 992907 [email protected] [email protected] www.karnaliexcursions.com, www.kailashtrekking.com North America (USA) Sarla Dave (USA) Harish Patel (USA) Rohini A Patel (USA) Ramesh Natarajan (Canada) 4440 E Hartford Avenue +1-734-741-8824 26W035 Mac Arthur ave +1-416-300-2460 Phoenix AZ 85032 +1-734-945-6179 Carol Stream, Il 60188, USA Sridevi Gayathri Ramesh +17088 956439 +1630-653-0457 +1 647-273-2100 +17086 897848 +1 630-414-3002, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]