This spectacular Gurla Mandata massif makes up part of the western section on the Himalayan Himal lying in the Burang Country of Tibet. It is a close neighbour to the sacred Mount Kailash, which lies to its north. The local inhabitants call it the Namo Nanyi meaning "Fairy's Peak". Gurla Mandhata is made up of six ridges. The west ridge is shaped like a fan and stretched across from north to south, while the eroded east ridge forms extremely steep cliffs. Also to the north lies the holy lake Manasorover and Langatso.

Gurla Mandhara was first climbed in 1985 by a Sino-Japanese expedition. This 7000er has been climbed only five times since the first ascent up until now. This is rather amazing given the fact that the mountain was attempted as early as 1902.

The ascent takes place on the northern slope through the Zalompa glacier. The scenery is magnificent; down below stretches the arid Tibetan plateau enhanced in beauty by the sparkling lakes Manasorovar and Rakyas with Mount Kailash as the backdrop. The climbing is relatively safe with the route crossing the left side of the glacier to reach a plateau under the summit's ridge. Base camp is at the foot of the glacier at 5600m.

Route: Groups meet in Kathmandu initially where a few days are spent in preparation before commencing the journey along the Kathmandu Lhasa highway to Nyalam the first major settlement in Tibet situated at 3750 meters. We spend 2 nights under canvass for acclimatization (day hikes to higher altitude). On our third day in Tibet we proceed along the friendship highway for further 2 hours or so crossing the high pass of Lablung-La 5070 m. and drive further to Paiko Tso Lake and camp there.

It takes another two more days to get Darchen and team will do Kora of Mt. Kailash which is excellent way to acclimatization before you start climbing.

As a option of driving, it is also interesting to fly kathmandu to Simikot and trek 6 days Nepal to China border and you can start the expeditions after 2 days drive to Darchen from Hilsa. Contact us about alternative itineary.