1. What are the pilgrimage dates and itinerary?

2. What are the costs of the yatra? What does it include?

Kathmandu to Kailash to Kathmandu:

The total cost of trip from Kathmandu to Kailash to Kathmandu is US $ 3600 per person.  For Indian passport holders the cost is US $ 3800 / Rs 2,70,000, per person. This include extra days of lodging in Delhi to acquire Chinese visa.

You book and pay for round trip travel from your home town to Kathmandu .

Cost Includes:

         Arrival and Departure Transport

         Pashupati/ Baudhanath/Doloshower Mahadeva visit

         Gokarna Forest Resort or Similar hotel in  AP(full Board) plan

         Kathmandu  - Lhasa – Kathmandu flight

         Potala Palace and Jokhang Monastery Visit in Lhasa

         Tashiling Monastry visit in Sigatse

         Tibet travel visa, Permit fees + other necessary documents

         Tourist Bus + one Jeep escort for in case of emergency / supporting truck in Tibet.

         Nepali expert supporting team / Tibetan guide

         All the Veg meal in Nepal /Tibet side

         Best available Hotel/ Guest House / Tents in Tibet.

         Yak and Yak man for the Parikrama.

         First Aid box with Oxigen / Gamow Bag

         Down vest / Kit Bag

Cost Excludes:

         International  Flight to Kathmandu / Nepal Visa fees

         Travel Insurance, Compulsory

         Personal nature expenses

         Horse and Porter for the Parikrama

         Tipping for the Nepali / Tibetan staffs

         Rescue evacuation / Medical treatments

         Extra cost of transportations/porter etc involved due to Natural and political disturbances and any other unforeseen conditions.

Porter & Horse Rental:

Extra charges if you want to rent a porter and/or a horse during parikrama at Mount Kailash. The price range is approx $500 - $1000 per person, depending on demand and supply of porters and horses. It is recommended to keep $1000. You will be paying the cash directly to the porter/horse owner.

3. How much is the deposit and by when should it be paid?

Deposit per person is US$ 1,100. Only residents of India can pay in INR 78,000. In other words, deposits in INR will not be accepted from Non Resident Indians (INR). Details below on where deposits should be sent to.

Deposit should be made preferably by Dec 14th, but no later than Dec 20th.

If you are sending a check/cheque please take a picture of the check, before mailing, and email it to saikailashyatra@gmail.com. If you send Wire or deposit money into the bank account directly, please email wire confirmation to the above email ID.

1. USA Residents:

Deposit Amount US$1100. Please mail check/cheque or send money via Wire Transfer.

Mailing check/cheque: This is cheapest option. Please take a picture of the check, before mailing, and email it to saikailashyatra@gmail.com. Then mail the check by express mail to the below address (normal mail takes 10 days, please send via express mail):

Check payable to: M. Thirukesan

7 Eastvale Drive Suite #1

Markham Ontario

L3S4N8, Canada

Phone: 416-629-2319

Wire Transfer: Please send wire transfer to the following USA account number and send email to saikailashyatra@gmail.com.

SERANDIBTRAVEL1(1602672 ONTARIO INC.)

USD ACCOUNT NUMBER.

Branch No:10952

Institution No.004

Bank Account Number:7301564

.Bank Name: Td Canada Trust

Bank Address: 220 Commerce Vally Drive west #300

Markham,Ontario, Canada, L3T0A8

Swift Code:TDOMCATTTOR

Phone Number:416-629-2319

Contact Name:M. Thirukesan

Tip: You may combine the deposits of several people to potentially save the wire transfer or express postage charges. If you are sending money for multiple people (friends and/or family), please make sure you indicate all names in the memo of the check and or wire transfer.

2. Canada Residents:

Please deposit USD $1,100 to the bank account:

M.THIRUKESAN

TD CANADA TRUST

Address: 3060 Danforth Ave, East York,

ON M4C 1N2

Province: Ontario

Phone: (416) 698-2871

BRANCH NUMBER – 032

US ACCOUNT NUMBER – 754563

INSTITUTION NUMBER - 004

3. India Residents:

Deposit amount: Rs78000.

Please send via Wire Transfer or deposit money into,

Bank Name: ICICI BANK

Bank Address: 110 NUNGHAMBHAKAM HIGH ROAD,     NUNGHAMBHAKAM,TAMILNADU

Account Number: 000901624525

Bank CODE:ICICI0000009

Account Name: MAHESAN THIRUKESAN

Address of Account Holder: 27 THIRDMAIN ROAD,ABIANAGAR

      THIRUVANMIUOOR, TAMILNADU.

4. Rest of the countries:

Please send wire transfer of USD $1100 to

SERANDIBTRAVEL1(1602672 ONTARIO INC.)

USD ACCOUNT NUMBER.

Branch No:10952

Institution No.004

Bank Account Number:7301564

Bank Name: Td Canada Trust

Bank Address: 220 Commerce Vally Drive west #300

Markham,Ontario.Canada.L3T0A8

Swift Code:TDOMCATTTOR

Phone Number:(416) 698-2871

Contact Name:M. Thirukesan

Tip: You may combine the deposits of several people to potentially save the wire transfer or express postage. If you are sending money for multiple people (friends and/or family), please make sure you indicate that in the memo of the check and or wire transfer.

4. What is the trip cancellation policy?

All notice of cancellation must be sent to saikailashyatra@gmail.com. Verbal / Text / Whatsapp cancellations will not be accepted.

100% ($1,100) refund if cancellation is received by Mar 4, 2019. In case of any cancellation after Mar 4, 2019, the deposit amount will be completely forfeited. In addition, we should receive your itinerary for Arrival and departure to Kathmandu by no later than May 4, 2019.

5. How is the rest of the payment for trip collected?

The rest of the payment for Yatra in US$ 2,500 from NRIs and Non-Indian Passport Holders will be collected in cash upon arrival in Kathmandu. Indian residents should deposit the balance of INR 1,92,000 by June 30, 2019 into the same account into which they made the deposit as above.

6. What other documentation is required and by when?

Along with the deposit receipt, please email the following preferably by Dec 14 but no later than Dec 20th:

1. Scanned copy of passport

2. Name as in passport

3. Date of Birth as in passport

3. Current residence address

4. Phone number, preferably Cell or Home

5. Occupation, including title and company name

6. For age above 50 - Medical Clearance certificate from your doctor. If you have any medical conditions, please check with your doctor and advise to take the trip or not.

7. Scan of passport size photograph

7. What are the risks associated with the Yatra?

We will make every effort to ensure that your journey is smooth and as pleasant as possible. We are also exploring visa clearances before pilgrims arrive in Kathmandu. However, please be reminded that all programs in Tibet are strictly conducted under the rules and regulations of the Tibet Tourism Bureau. Therefore, neither We ( Sai Kailash Yatra / Serandib Travel / Rajendra) nor its Tibetan Agent shall be responsible for any changes in the itinerary due to unavoidable circumstances, including, but not limited to: Government restrictions, landslides, road blockages, flooding, snowfall, un availability of horse/Yak for Parikrama, political disturbances, flight cancellations, illnesses or accidents. Any additional costs that are a result of such circumstances will be born by the traveler/s.

8. What if I can not do parikrama and decide to stay back?

We will bring you back to darchen after visiting North Face Dirapuk. There will be additional charge of one night stay at Darchen hotel.

9. What are the conditions during Yatra and what should I come prepared with?

We will communicate all the details about clothing, potential weather, and other details in due course. Stay tuned!!

10. Is there a limit to the number of people? Are there any other restrictions for joining? What are the age limits for the pilgrimage?

We are limiting the total count to 200. Age limit for Non-Indian Passport holder is 70 years and for Indian Passport holders is 60 years. Minimum: 14yrs. In addition, all those that are joining MUST adhere to Sadhana / Spiritual Practice as outlined below.

11. What is the Sadhana ? Why are we doing it ? When does it begin?

To be heading to Kailash and Manasarovar is pure divine grace. Such opportunity is something we get once in a lifetime. Out of His infinite compassion and love, Swami has extended this opportunity to all of us. We have to be prepared in our body, mind, and spirit to be a part of the SKY Pilgrimage and Ati Rudra Parayanam (ARP) for world peace and receive this divine grace with full efficacy. This Sadhana helps us keep all our faculties focused and be prepared to be eligible to participate and receive the blessings of a lifetime.

SADHANA FOR SKY 2019 BEGINS FROM MAHASIVARATRI MAR 4, 2019

12. What Am I supposed do for Sadhana ?

Daily prayers; 108 Gayatri mantra chanting, Rudram, Durga Suktam, and Samputita Sri Suktam. Links for chantings and learnings available at: http://atirudram.us/#learn.html#namakam

Also, we request you learn the inner meaning and signficance of rudram by viewing the Sai Atirudram Channel and watch the Rudram 2017 playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzeHXOz7mSyFr-kyFpdXxsfAbC8Sshx3M 

Diet and lifestyle; no alcohol, meat, eggs, and smoking.

Ceiling on Desires; observe celibacy, No Movies (and preferably no TV)

Spiritual Silence to the extent possible.

13. Are there opportunities to come together as a group for sadhana?

We will create the local groups along with the local leads by Feb 15, 2019. We will plan on group chantings, service, yoga, and other endurance exercises by groups. Yes. Please work with your local leads (To be announced) and it would be great to have collective chanting, etc. depending on distance and other logistic considerations. We will update all the groups for possible collective sadhana periodically.

14. I am not completely fluent in Rudram. Can I use book for ARP?

We request you to be committed to learn Rudram by heart, however you can use a book and chant as well.

15. Can ladies do sadhana during the menstrual cycle ?

There is no specific instruction about this. Prayers are powerful and help the individual independent of time, place, and state of their body. Each individual can use their conscience and judgement.

16. Is it ok to eat garlic and onions ?

Satvik food is preferred during sadhana. Please use your judgement.

17. Are there any guidelines specific to use of smartphones, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc, what are the specific guidelines regarding this ?

The intent of the sadhana is to have a focused mind and intellect; ceiling on desires. Everyone is advised to use their judgement about using any gadgets or watching programs. To the extent they do not cause distraction from the focus and purity of body and mind, there is no issue.

18. My work requires travel and interaction with colleagues in meetings and eat out with others who may be consuming meat or alcohol, etc.  How do I deal with this ?

Everyone is advised to use their judgement. To the extent they do not cause distraction from the focus and purity of body and mind, there is no issue.

19. Should my family members who are not doing SKY, also practice the sadhana ?

Extended families are not required to do sadhana. However, they are encouraged to undertake Sadhana to foster an environment in the family and support the pilgrim.