Manasarovar Lake

Lake Manasarovar is one of the holiest lakes in our world, also known as Mapham Yutso in the Tibetan language, meaning invincible turquoise lake.

Located at the western Tibet Ngari with an altitude of 4,590 m which is around 15,060 ft

Lake Manasarovar is round in shape with a circumference of 88 km, around 54 miles

Like Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar is also one of the important pilgrim destinations for Hindus, Buddhists, Bon, and Jain Religions.

Lake Manasarovar, located around 1100 km from Lhasa, around 30 km from Mount Kailash, around 150 km from Purang town, and around 270 km from Ngari city ( Sing ge Ka pap) 

Sing ge Ka pap is named after one of the 4 important rivers coming from western Tibet and going towards the Indian ocean.

Macha Ka pap  - River coming from Peacock's Mouth

Sing ge Ka pap - River coming from Lion's Mouth

Lang chen Ka pap - River coming from Elephant's Mouth

Ta chok Ka pap - River coming from Horse Mouth

These are the 4 important rivers coming from western Tibet Ngari and going towards the oceans of our world. 

Lake Manasarovar lies in the middle of these 4 important rivers.

They are 4 monasteries in each direction of Lake Manasarovar.  One of the important and best spots for the night is the Bird monastery, known as the Chiu monastery in the Tibetan language. 

The first Buddhist and Hindu Gurus at Lake Manasarovar was Buddha and Shiva as listed in one of the Buddhist text.

Later they were so many great Yogis from Buddhist, Bon, and Hindu, who choose to live a spiritual life near the lake via meditating and renouncing the Samsaric life. 

One of the most popular Buddhists and Bon Yogi were Jetsun Milarepa and Jetsun Naro Bonchung.

Jetsun Milarepa took the Lake Manasarovar in his hand, without the lake becoming smaller and without hand becoming bigger, this was written in the biography of Jetsun Milarepa. This teaching is based on the highest teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni known as Emptiness.

Photo: Beauties of Mount Kailash, located about 30 km from Lake Manasarovar

14 years ago, when I was a Tour Guide, I used to stay near Lake Manasarovar in a small local family guest house.  

During the night I can hear the sound of the wind and meantime I will be writing my songs using candlelight since during that time, there was no electricity and there was no paved road. It would take us 5 Days from Lhasa to Lake Manasarovar. 

Now in the year 2018, there is a paved road until the foot of Lake Manasarovar.

From Lhasa, it will take 3 days to reach Lake Manasarovar. Travelers will stay a night in Shigatse city, Saga town, and Lake Manasarovar.

There is also electricity and 3G internet.

Still, those were one of the best memories of life when you recall after many years. 

A small town near Lake Manasarovar, known as Hor qu. This is the entrance gate of Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash. From Hor qu is around 30 km to Darchin town and the town before Mount Kailash.

For travelers who are planning to travel to Lake Manasarovar, we highly recommend including Mount Kailash since there is only a 30 km distance.

Tibet Travelers recommend Travelers to read our another article on Mount Kailash is the most Desired Destination

Conclusion

As a suggestion to all the Travelers, the best way to visit Lake Manasarovar is after visiting Mount Kailash. 

Lake Manasarovar is a great place to relax after finishing the 52 km trek around Mount Kailash. 

From Lake Manasarovar, Travelers can enjoy a beautiful view of Mount Kailash.

There was a hot spring near the Lake, which is a great option to wash and clean for Travelers after the trek. 

Since Lake Manasarovar is a holy lake, local Tibetans believe that it is the Palace of the lord of Naga. Even a fish of the Yamdrok Lake is holy so we request Travelers to not wash or swim to protect the beauties of Lake Manasarovar.

The best months for travel to Lake Manasarovar are from May to the beginning of October, similar to Mount Kailash. 

If Travelers are planning to travel to Lake Manasarovar, it is best to include Mount Kailash. 

16 days Private Tour to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar 

16 days Group Tour to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar

They are a few Travelers who also choose to travel to Lake Manasarovar from Purang and Simikot from the Nepal side. This tour is quite expensive and also needs to trek many days from Nepal side so Tibet Travelers recommend the trip from Nepal border to Kyirong town and towards Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash as a Customized Tour with a duration of 10 days excluding Lhasa and including the 3 days trek.

If including Lhasa and 3 days trek, it will be around 15 days. Travelers can send us Email to inquire more about these tour options.

These are the few pieces of information regarding Lake Manasarovar. For Tibet Travel free information or booking a tour to Tibet.  info@tibettravelers.com