Lake Manasarovar Pilgrimage

On the first day, you will trek 30 kilometers, 6 to 8 hours, from Chiu Monastery to Hor; the admission fee is ￥30.00. The admission fee for Holy Lake Mansarovar is ￥80.00 per person. According to Buddhist tradition, you should head in a clockwise direction from Chiu, traveling eastwards along the north shore; this circular route is regarded as a consecrate pilgrimage. There are many Mani stones nearly 2 meters high. The trail soon leaves the waterline and ascends over the top of a red escarpment for a 2-hour walk.

The cliffs below are sprinkled with caves that have been used by religious practitioners for centuries. Some of these caves have been converted into permanent homes. From the grass-capped, rolling top of the escarpment, the route descends into a small vale where you can see the ruins of Cherkip Monastery; at this point you will be a little over two hours from Chiu Monastery.

From Cherkip, it is faster to follow the trail east over the headlands to Langbona Monastery, a 90-minute walk. There is also a lakeshore route past more caves and cliffs. When the escarpment ends, look for the trail going north along the Gyuma valley to Langbona on the west bank of the Gyuma-chu.

On the second day, the trekking objective is Seralung Monastery (the admission fee is ￥15.00). It will take approximately 3 to 5 hours for the 13 kilometers. The trail from Hor leaves the settlement in a southwesterly direction, avoiding the extensive swamps abutting the lake. A little south of Hor, you cross a bridge over the Samui-chu. The main road east initially follows this valley. South of the swampy tracts, the trail rejoins the lakeshore along a stone beach. Look out for white-and-black polished stones, sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. The route squeezes between the water and a cliff, before a side valley where Seralung Monastery appears. The temple is still under reconstruction. Although you can find some local people's houses scattered there, due to the language differences it is suggested that you camp in your own tent.
Important Tip: Don't walk directly to the bank of the lake, as the lake you see is accumulated water swag instead of the water in Holy Lake Manasarovar. But you will have a chance to see the unique black-neck cranes, which only exist in Tibet, jumping on this damp spot.

You will reach Trugo Monastery after another hour. Trugo Monastery is a perfect location from which to view the Holy Lake and Holy Mountain (Kailash). The two rows of simple buildings in front of the monastery provide lodging for Y10/bed. Water will have to be fetched from the lake. Rotten weeds float on the water surface around the monastery.

The fourth day will be tedious, as you will trek 40 kilometers to reach the last stop, as well as the initial point - Chiu Monastery. Generally, it will take 10 hours of walking. It will also be a day to test your boots for waterproof capability, as numerous water pits are scattered like a net on the band of the lake. As you will have to walk over a soft sand path for the whole day, it will not be easy, but the limpid water is in sight along the whole path, which might comfort you a bit.

From Trugo a motorable track shoots over the range of hills southwest of the lake to join the Purang-Darchen road. Eventually, swampy ground gives way to sandy expanses near the southwest corner of Manasarovar. The trail passes between the lake and the much smaller Shushup-tso along a narrow sand and gravel bridge. You'll walk along the west side of the lake two hours from Trugo; continue walking along the beach for two more hours to Gotsmk Monastery.