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Mount Kailash

This article is an itinerary.

Mount Kailash (冈仁波齐峰; Gāngrénbōqí Fēng. Tibetan: Kang Rinpoche) is a sacred mountain in the far west of Tibet.

Culture and History

This Mountain is considered holy by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. In ancient texts, it is referred to as the center of the world. The reason can be understood from the geographical significance of it's place: within 30 miles radius, are the sources of mighty rivers Indus (north called "Sindhu" in India), Sutlej (in west), Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsang-po in east), and Karnali (largest tributary to the Ganges in south).

History

Hindus regard the peak as Shiva's symbolic Lingam or Phallus and worship Mt Kailash, which is the Sanskrit name for the mountain. Bonpos believe the sacred mountain to be the place where the founder of the Bon religion landed when he descended from the sky. Tibetan Buddhists believe Kang Rinpoche, which means Precious Snow Mountain, is a natural mandala representing the Buddhist cosmology on the earth and the Jains believe this is the place where their religion's founder was spiritually awakened.

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

Prepare

Travel to Mount Kailash & Visa Requirements

There are only four land routes to reach Mt. Kailash.

  • From Xigatse (accessible from Lhasa or Kathmandu) - Saga - Manasarovar (4 days on a hired jeep, longer by a combination of public transportation and hitch-hiking) or Xigatse - Ali - Darchen (6 days on a jeep)
  • From Indian border near Uttarkashi (very limited number of Indian citizens every year by lottery system).
  • from Kashgar via Ali
  • from Simikot in Nepal via Purang (only open to people on a costly group tour)

The entry point for Mt. Kailash is Darchen. Located right in front of Mt Kailash, this is the starting point for pilgrims going on the Khora.

Fees/Permits

Y50 per person no matter how many times they circumambulate the mountain on one visit. Porters or yaks will cost about Y65 per day.

Tours & Getting around Mount Kailash

The main attraction of the mountain is the pilgrimage circuit around the mountain. It normally takes 3 days and should only be undertaken by the well-prepared and fit.

Itinerary

  • Mt Kailash Khora (Pilgrimage Circuit) - A pilgrimage to Mt Kailash involves nothing more or less than making circuits around the sacred mountain. The Outer Pilgrimage Circuit (Chikhor) is about 52km, and Tibetans can complete a circuit in a day. The majority of pilgrims try for 13 circuits, if they can. Some pilgrims do a circuit performing Kyangcha (Prostration). While the average circuit takes about 14 hours to complete, those doing prostration can take a couple of weeks. Those seeking to secure their path to enlightenment try for 108 circuits. Buddhists and Hindus travel clockwise around the mountain while Bonpos travel counter-clockwise. Most travelers take three days to complete a circuit.
  • Day 1 - Darchen - Drirapuk Gompa
Darchen - Chogu (Chuku) Gompa (3-4 hrs), Chogu (Chuku) Gompa - Drirapuk Gompa (3-4 hrs)
  • Day 2 - Drirapuk Gompa - Dolma La - Zutrulpuk Gompa
Drirapuk Gompa - Zutrulpuk Gompa (7-8 hrs)
  • Day 3 - Zutrulpuk Gompa - Darchen
Zutrulpuk Gompa - Darchen (3 hrs)
  • Lake Manasarovar Khora (Pilgrimage Cicuit) - Together with Mt Kailash, Lake Manasarovar is a pilgrimage site. There is a pilgrimage path around the lake and a circuit is a little over 100km, taking 4-5 days to complete. Chiu Gompa, 30 km south of Darchen, is a good starting point for a circuit around the lake.
  • Day 1 - Chiu Gompa - Langbona Gompa
  • Day 2 - Langbona Gompa - Seralung Gompa
  • Day 3 - Seralung Gompa - Trugo Gompa
  • Day 4 - Trugo Gompa - Chiu Gompa

Mount Kailash attractions and sightseeing

Mount Kailash city tours

  • Mt. Kailash Khora - the pilgrimage circuit
  • Lake Manasarovar Khora - another pilgrimage circuit

Mount Kailash souvenirs & shopping

Mount Kailash Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Mount Kailash nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Mount Kailash cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

Lodging

Camping

Backcountry

Stay safe

Weather conditions can change rapidly here and you should be prepared for the worst.

It's unlikely you will have problems with the altitude other than shortness of breath, and less energy than you are used to as you will have been at altitude for quite some time just to get here, however altitude sickness is unpredictable, and you should always keep your plans flexible enough to give your self a rest day if needed.

Respect

  • Do not sit or climb on sacred sites.
  • Pass mani stones to the right.
  • Turn prayer wheels in a clockwise direction.

This page was last edited at 05:00, on 21 August 2008 by Wikitravel user Cacahuate. Based on work by Evan Prodromou, M. Hogue, David, keithonearth and Ravikiran Rao, Wikitravel user(s) WindHorse, Ae-a and Pashley and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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