DAY14: TAKLAKOT TO DARCHEN
Google map showing the tarred road from Taklakot to darchen (light yellow) and the International border with Nepal (bright yellow)
Taklakot: 3863 mtrs
Darchen: 4874mtrs
Distance: 100kms
Time Taken: 4hrs by bus (with stops)
With our bags packed and yatries hving breakfast done, WE were ready to board the bus to Darchen. Since WE were coming back to the same hotel after both the parikrama’s, here yatries could leave whatever luggage was not required for the next 7 days. With all this done WE were on our way.
The road to Darchen is a proper tarred road. In fact WE would say it’s as good as a runway at an airport, super smooth!! Once WE crossed Taklakot town WE were on barren Tibetan plateau. There was a pass to be climbed and as WE descended on the other side of the pass, WE saw a deep blue water body ahead and that was Raavan Taal (Rakshas Taal). WE reached Raavan Taal in no time and everyone got busy taking photographs. Its a clear day and WE are lucky to see Mt. Kailash from here on the horizon.
We moved ahead and next was Lake Mansarovar. Everyone was thrilled to see the Lake and different emotions rolled out as WE approached it. After a brief stop at Lake Mansarovar, where some yatri’s even managed to take a dip in that time WE were on our way to Darchen.
Darchen is the base camp for starting the Kailash Parikrama. It’s a fairly big town and most of the people live here on taking care of the yatris. There are lots of souvenir shops available here and the town also provides ponies and porters for those who require them during the parikrama.
After lunch some of the yatris went out for souvenir shopping while few slept. Evening time the sky got clear and this is when we had full Darshan of Mt. Kailash. It was indeed an amazing and a magical sight.
The clear weather was a good sign as tomorrow WE have to start our parikrama around the Holy Mt. Kailash, and WE required good weather for it!!
Pics from Day 15
The Tibetan Plateau
You could land a Mig 29 Here
Rakshas Tal
Rakshas Tal had a deep blue colour
Yatris Going towrds the Lake
A panoramic view of the lake
We did notice a wild donkey, Like in Ladakh they are called Kiangs here too
Next was a brief stop at the Holy Lake Mansarovar
Yatris in different moods!!
A panormaic view of Mansarovar
Passing the Barkha/ Parkha plains to reach Darchen.
By dusk the clouds had disappeared and this is as my camera saw Gurla Mandhata
Mt. Kailash
End of Day 15
Google map showing the tarred road from Taklakot to darchen (light yellow) and the International border with Nepal (bright yellow)
Taklakot: 3863 mtrs
Darchen: 4874mtrs
Distance: 100kms
Time Taken: 4hrs by bus (with stops)
With our bags packed and yatries hving breakfast done, WE were ready to board the bus to Darchen. Since WE were coming back to the same hotel after both the parikrama’s, here yatries could leave whatever luggage was not required for the next 7 days. With all this done WE were on our way.
The road to Darchen is a proper tarred road. In fact WE would say it’s as good as a runway at an airport, super smooth!! Once WE crossed Taklakot town WE were on barren Tibetan plateau. There was a pass to be climbed and as WE descended on the other side of the pass, WE saw a deep blue water body ahead and that was Raavan Taal (Rakshas Taal). WE reached Raavan Taal in no time and everyone got busy taking photographs. Its a clear day and WE are lucky to see Mt. Kailash from here on the horizon.
We moved ahead and next was Lake Mansarovar. Everyone was thrilled to see the Lake and different emotions rolled out as WE approached it. After a brief stop at Lake Mansarovar, where some yatri’s even managed to take a dip in that time WE were on our way to Darchen.
Darchen is the base camp for starting the Kailash Parikrama. It’s a fairly big town and most of the people live here on taking care of the yatris. There are lots of souvenir shops available here and the town also provides ponies and porters for those who require them during the parikrama.
After lunch some of the yatris went out for souvenir shopping while few slept. Evening time the sky got clear and this is when we had full Darshan of Mt. Kailash. It was indeed an amazing and a magical sight.
The clear weather was a good sign as tomorrow WE have to start our parikrama around the Holy Mt. Kailash, and WE required good weather for it!!
Pics from Day 15
The Tibetan Plateau
You could land a Mig 29 Here
Rakshas Tal
Rakshas Tal had a deep blue colour
Yatris Going towrds the Lake
A panoramic view of the lake
We did notice a wild donkey, Like in Ladakh they are called Kiangs here too
Next was a brief stop at the Holy Lake Mansarovar
Yatris in different moods!!
A panormaic view of Mansarovar
Passing the Barkha/ Parkha plains to reach Darchen.
By dusk the clouds had disappeared and this is as my camera saw Gurla Mandhata
Mt. Kailash
End of Day 15
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