Plane Heli

Plane Heli

KAILASH MANSAROVAR HELI TOUR (13 days)

A spiritual journey to some of the important Hindu pilgrimage sites, coupled with an exciting helicopter flight.

The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra holds immense religious values for the Hindus. Believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, Mt. Kailash is claimed to be the apex of the Hindu religious axis. Lord Shiva or Bhola Baba is the most beloved among the thousands of Hindu deities. Hence, there are uncountable devotees who take on this tour to receive the blessings of Lord Shiva and attain spiritual contentment.

Completing a Kora (Parikrama) around Mt. Kailash is believed to erase the sins of a lifetime. To complete the Kailash pilgrimage, one should bathe in the sacred Lake Manasarovar, which lies only 30km from Mt Kailash. According to Hindu Mythology, it was formed in the mind of Brahma, and the Goddess Parvati is believed to have taken the form of the lake Manasarovar. Even drinking the waters of the lake frees a human being from sins of all kind as well as illness. Myth has it that the Gods come to bathe every morning in this lake between 3 to 5 am and this time is called 'Brahmamuhurta'. Another legend has it that Parashuram's ashram is situated on a hill, on the banks of Manasarovar.

Kailash Yatra begins with an hour flight from Kathmandu, Nepalgunj and Simikot, followed by an exciting Helicopter ride to Tibet Nepal Border. A 4WD landcruiser or tourist coach transfers you to Lake Manasarovar, where your spiritual journey begins.

While in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, you will enjoy a tour to the city's attractions and later visit the holiest of Hindu shrine "Pashupatinath".  Pashupatinath is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the trinity and the guardian (patron) deity of the Hindus. A spiritual atmosphere is maintained throughout this trip.

OUTLINE ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu (1250m) / Transfer to Grand Hotel
Day 02: Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu / Puja at Lord Pashupatinath Temple
Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj (450m) / Overnight at Sneha Hotel
Day 04: Fly to Simikot (2950m) / Overnight at Sun Valley Resort
Day 05: Fly to Hilsa (3750m) on Fishtail Air's Helicopter / Drive to Purang (4200m) and overnight at Kailash Hotel
Day 06: Drive to Manasarovar (4560m ) / Overnight at Manasarovar Guesthouse
Day 07: Manasarovar Parikrama/ Drive to Darchen (4560m) and overnight at Kailash Hotel
Day 08: Parikrama- Drive  to Tarboche (4750m) and begin Parikrama/overnight at Dira-puk Guesthouse
Day 09: Parikrama - Trek  to Zutul-Puk (4790m) and overnight at Tented Camp
Day 10: Parikrama ends / Drive back to Purang (4200m)
Day 11: Fly to Simikot on Fishtail Air's Helicopter - Rest day at Simikot (2950m) / Overnight at Sun Valley Resort
Day 12: Fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj / Overnight at Grand Hotel
Day 13: Depart Kathmandu

TRIP FACTS

Trip duration: 13 Days
Grade: Fairly Challenging
Activity: Kailash Parikrama (on foot), Mansarovar by vehicle and drive across the Tibet
Starts in: Kathmandu
Ends in: Kathmandu
Accommodation: Hotel, Guest House and Tented Camp
Transportation: Airplane, Helicopter & Bus or Landcruiser.
Meals: Indian, Vegetarian
Maximum altitude: 5630m

COST

INR 1,25,000 per person on twin sharing
Single Supplement: INR 5,000 (Compulsory if no one to share room with)
Note: There will be a supplement of USD 250 Per Pax for Non-Resident Indians

Cost Includes:

• Two nights accommodation in Kathmandu at Grand Hotel on full board basis
• Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with English speaking local guide and entry fees (Pashupatinath Darshan and Puja)
• One night accommodation in Nepalgunj on full board basis at Sneha Hotel
• All surface transfers in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj
• Kathmandu- Nepalgunj- Simikot-Kathmandu flight by Fixed Wing aircraft
• Simikot to Hilsa-Simikot by Helicopter
• Domestic airport taxes
• Tibet group visa and travel permits
• One night accommodation in Purang on full board basis at Kailash Hotel
• One night accommodation in Manasarovar on full board at Manasarovar Guesthouse
• One night accommodation in Darchen on full board basis at Kailash Hotel
• One night accommodation in Tarboche on full board basis at Dira-puk Guesthouse
• One night accommodation in Zutul-Puk in Camp on full board basis at Camp
• Transportation in Tibet in 4WD Land Cruiser or Bus.
• English speaking Tibetan local guide
• Necessary supporting crew (Cook, Sherpa, Tour Manager from Kathmandu)
• Yaks & Yak men for luggage during the Parikrama (circumambulation) around Mt. Kailash
• Medical Oxygen & Compressed Bag for emergencies
• Medical kit bag
• All applicable taxes & service charges
• Simikot trek permit
• Arrival and departure transfers

Cost Excludes:

• International Air fare, Airport tax
• Riding Horse or Yak during the Parikrama (upon your request, we can provide this facilities with extra cost).
• Any expenses due to natural calamities such as landslide, snowfall. Route may be altered due to that.
• Any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation due to any reason
• Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry, hot shower, tip to staff
• Your Insurance
• Bottled drink
• Nepal visa fee for NRI

DATES

Members of the 2011 fixed departure groups will get to meet Pilot Baba.

About Pilot Baba
Pilot Baba is a Mahayogi, a revered Hindu spiritual leader. Before turning to spiritualism he was known as Kapil Singh. Working as a pilot for the Indian Air Force during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, he flew several sorties over Pakistani territory. Reports say his bombings killed many. But he decided to leave that life after he had a near death experience while flying a MiG aircraft in 1966. According to him when the controls failed, he had a vision of his guru Hari Baba. He appeared in the cockpit of the plane and helped him land safely. After that experience he decided to become a Mahayogi and travel the world spreading the message of Love, Samadhi and Self Realization
Many of his followers say Pilot Baba has special healing powers. He is famous for performing Samadhi, or death by interment. He claims to have buried himself in the Samadhi ceremony more than 100 times, the longest one for 33 days.

Fixed Departure Dates for 2011:
1st Group: 18 June - 29 June (Meeting with Pilot Baba on 26th June at Manasarovar)
2nd Group: 19 June - 30 June (Meeting with Pilot Baba on 27th June at Darchen)
3rd Group: (Pilot Baba's Group) 22 June- 1 July
4th Group: 26 June - 7 July (Meeting with Pilot Baba on 30th at Manasarovar)

COSTS
For Indian Nationals INR 1,25,000/- per person on twin sharing
Single Supplement: INR 5000 per pax (Compulsory if no one to share room with)

For Others: USD 3000/- per person on twin sharing
Single supplement - USD 250 per pax(Compulsory if no one to share room with)

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu (1250m)
It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. Our tour officer and driver will meet you at the airport and escort you to hotel Grand. At the hotel, you will be briefed about your daily activities.

Day 02 Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence. There will be a guided tour to Pashupatinath, the most revered Hindu shrine and the holiest pilgrimage destinations for Hindus all over the world. Pashupatinath is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the trinity and the guardian (patron) deity of the Hindus. After paying homage to Lord Pashupatinath we continue to enjoy cultural and historical sights of Kathmandu valley, including Budhanilkantha, where lies the large idol of Narayan laying on a bed of snakes in water. We also make a short visit to the largest Buddhist Stupa in town Boudhanath.

Day 03 Fly to Nepalgunj (450m)
Today after breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight for Nepalgunj. Approximately, it takes 45 minutes to reach Nepalgunj. Our airport representative will transfer you to Hotel Sneha. You can spend the rest of the day as you like.

Day 04 Fly to Simikot (2950m)
After breakfast, you will catch early morning flight to Simikot. It will take approximately 50 minutes to reach Simikot airport. Upon your arrival, our representative will escort you to Sun Valley Resort. You can spend the rest of the day as you like.

Day 05 Fly to Hilsa (3750m) and drive to Purang (4200m)
Today you will be flown from Simikot to Hilsa via Fishtail Air's helicopter. The flight takes 22 minutes. From Hilsa you have to trek for 45 minutes to reach Sher Trek. After completing border formalities, you will be driven towards Purang, Tibet on 4WD landcruiser or Bus along with English speaking Tibetan local guide. After driving for 1 hour and 30 minutes, you will reach Taklakot.

Day 06 Drive to Manasarovar (4560m)
Your Kailash Parikrama begins today. We drive for about 75 km to Manasarovar via Rakshash Tal. This route takes us to the beautiful and sacred Manasarovar Lake set amidst extraordinary landscape. After taking a holy bath and performing Puja, we perform Parikrama at the sacred Manasarovar. From this vantage point, we can even get a glimpse of the majestic Mount Kailash. This journey leaves us spiritually fulfilled.

Day 07 Drive to Darchen (4560m)
After performing Puja and taking a holy dip in the Lake, we drive for about 30 km towards Darchen, the Base Camp of Kailash. Rest of the free time, you can relax with friends and family.

Day 08 Drive to Tarboche (4750m)
Drive about 8 km, approx 45 minutes to Tarboche; this is the starting point for our Parikrama, the 53km trek around the mountain. This is the most easy and accessible point from where you get the closest view of Mt. Kailash.
From Tarboche, we walk today for 6 hours+ up the Lha Chu Valley, past beautiful green meadows and streams with Mt. Kailash towering above us.
Those who do want wish to trek around Kailash can go back to Manasarovar or Darchen and wait for the Parikrama group to return. Overnight stay at Dira-puk guest house.

Day 09 Trek to Zutul-Puk (4790m) We leave the Lha Chu Valley and enter the Drolma Chu Valley, heading up towards a high pass, the Drolma La (5630m). It is a tough climb to the summit, which is festooned with prayer flags, but from there it is downhill or flat to Zutul-Puk. Today we walk for 9 hours+.
Those who are not performing Parikrama can rest at Lake Manasarovar or take optional tour to Astapath, Thirthapur, etc. at their own expense. You will be accommodated in Tented Camps.

Day10 Parikrama ends - drive towards Purang (4200m)
Today is the final day for Parikrama. After completing the trek, you will be driven back to Purang (Taklakot). Refresh and drive to Sher. After completing immigration formalities, walk down to Hilsa.

Day 11 Day at Simikot (2950m)
After breakfast, you will be flown to Simikot by Fishtail Air's helicopter.

Day 12 Fly to Nepalgunj (450m) and Fly back to Kathmandu (1250m)
Morning flight to Nepalgunj and later catch connecting flight to Kathmandu. Our tour officer will escort you to Grand hotel. You can spend the free time shopping for souvenirs or as you like  in Kathmandu.

Day 13 Depart Kathmandu
Our Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home.

About the Author

for more detail please contact us at info@explorehimalaya.com or visit us at www.explorehimalaya.com/kailash-mansarovar-heli-tour.php

Whats better, Helicopter or Plane?

I was thinking about getting a pilots license, But i don't know what one I would want. Can someone tell me the pros and cons of both a plane and helicopter? I would only want to fly for fun and in spare time, Nothing serious.

Some stuff I wanna know: What's harder to learn? What's harder to fly? What's funner to fly? What are the rules of landing A heli? Like, where can you land it, etc. thanks!

Neither is better in any absolute sense, and anyone who tells you otherwise is only showing their own bias and/or just stroking their own egos. Most flight schools offer demo lessons, and I highly recommend taking one or two in each and then using your own judgment to decide what will be best for you. Maybe you'll find that traveling is more important and choose airplanes, or maybe you'll enjoy helicopters enough to justify the additional cost. It's up to you, not us.

Cost - Helicopter dual instruction rates generally about 2x fixed-wing rates in the same area and the total cost for a private cert. will also be about 2x.

"What's harder to fly?"

Helicopters are harder at first just because it takes some time to get a feel for hovering. But I wouldn't recommend making a decision based on perceived aircraft difficulty, because flying the machine itself is only a small part of it. Exercising good judgment at all times and learning from your experiences are the real and ongoing challenges of flying.

"What are the rules of landing A heli?"

There are three basic requirements. You must have permission of the property owner. You must comply with any local ordinances regarding helicopters, or possibly indirect local rules such as noise. And you must be able to land without creating an unnecessary hazard to persons or property on the ground. So generally you will be landing at airports, heliports, or on rural properties of people you know.

"60-120 dollars per flight hour"

Let us know where that $60 flight is, will you.

"[airplanes] are heavier, so the wind doesn't push them as much"

I have never suffered even the slightest motion sickness in my life except for the time I went on a flight in a Cessna. But in any event, maybe you should see for yourself how each feels.

"if you suffer an engine failure, it is alot harder to land then a plane. plus it can land pretty hard, and might even injure some bones"

I strongly disagree with this. Helicopters have the ability to land in a smaller clear area at a much lower forward speed. And airplane accidents that cause serious injuries occur all the time. Fatality rates are comparable.

Below are some links to flight school listings. Shop around, and again, it's your life and money so take a couple of lessons in each before deciding for yourself. Good luck!

http://www.sacusa.com/1directory/states.asp?category=FS

http://www.helicopterschoolinfo.com/

http://www.bestaviation.net/

http://www.aopa.org/learntofly/school/index.cfm

X-plane Helicopter