Mount Kailash Mansarovar Trek

Mount Kailash(6,656m) is located in Burang County of far southwestern Tibet. It is one of the most legendary mountains in the world as the ultimate spiritual destination of Bön, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. Every year, a large number of devouted pilgrims come a long way from all over the wolrd to undertake the isolated, timeless, breathtaking and fascinating spiritual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Mount Kailash trekking tour is one of the most demanding and challenging of treks for pilgrims in the world. This trek route in Tibet is widely known as the kora around the Mt. Kailash which is sacred to four religions and a deeply numinous place. Pilgrims throng to the mountain: not just Tibetans, but Hindus and Buddhists from India to Japan, joined by Western and Chinese travelers who travel to Tibet to visit this holy mountain and the nearby sacred Lake Manasarovar.

Every year, thousands make a pilgrimage to Kailash, following a tradition going back thousands of years. Pilgrims of several religions believe that circumambulating Mount Kailash on foot is a holy ritual that will bring good fortune. The peregrination is made in a clockwise direction by Hindus and Buddhists.

The Mt. Kailash kora starts at the charm-free village of Darchen, opens up unending stretches of barren land, lush green valleys, snow capped peaks and pristine blue lakes, winding past mani walls and skirting the base of the Kailash massif. The average altitude of this trekking in Tibet is nearly 5,000m, so it is very a great challenge and requires strong perseverance. It is a true test of the mind and spirit. But simple accommodation and food are available on the trail, so hikers can enjoy the trek to their heart’s content.. Geographically, the Mount Kailash area is massively significant, with four major rivers of Asia having their sources in this area. It is a common misperception among Tibetans and Indians alike that Lake Manasarovar is the actual mother of these four rivers,Yarlung Tsanpo – Brahmaputra River,Mapcha Tsangpo – arnali/Ganges River,Langchen Tsangpo – Sutlej River,Senge Tsangpo – Indus River.

The Mount Kailash is surrounded by five monasteries, namely Nyari Monastery, Drirapuk Monastery, Songchu Monastery, Gyangzha Monastery and Thailong Monastery. Nyari is the first site on the Kailash Kora and the last two are located on the inner kora. Each monastery is endowed with different legendary stories and decorated by distinctive sculptures, statues, murals, thangkas and other Tibetan cultural objects. Unfortunately, all are destroyed to different degrees. But the monasteries can offer simple accommodation to pilgrims and trekkers.

The best time for the Kailash tour is from May to October when it is warmer. At other time of the year, the areas around the Mt. Kailash are covered by heavy snow and ice. It is very dangerous to trek through these places during winter.

The most exciting and interesting period at this mount is around the 15th day of April in the Tibetan calendar. The most important annual festival of Tibet, Saga Dawa falls on that day which is also the birthday of Buddha Sakyamuni. During this festival, Tibetans from all over Tibet pour into this area of Mt. Kailash, two or even three weeks before this date. During this time, the giant flagpole at Tarpoche is ritually taken down and the prayer flags along its length replaced. It is also a great time to do a Tibet tour.

The 56km kora around the holy mountain has an average elevation about 5,000m. The highest point is as high as 5,630m. Altitude sickness can be the biggest concern you should take into consideration.

The Itinerary

Day 01: KTM Arrival pick up from Airport and welcoming by garland and transfer to Hotel, trek Briefing and welcome dinner.

O/ N Hotel -BDB

Day 02: Sightseeing world heritage sights Hindus & Buddhist shrines / Trek preparation

O/N Hotel B/B

Day 03: Day 03: Flight or Drive from Kathmandu to Lhasa (3650m), explore around Lhasa.

O/N Hotel B/B

Day 4: Lhasa-Shigatse (3900m ,7hrs)

Day 5: Shigatse-Lhatse (4000m, 4hrs)

Day 6: Lhatse-Saga (4600m,6/5hrs)

Day 7: Saga-Manasarovar Lake (4560 m 8hrs)

Day 8: Manasarovar lake-Darchen (4560m, 1hr)

Day 9: Trek from Darchen-Dirakpuk (4700m, 4hrs)

Day 10: Trek from Dirakpuk-Zuktulpuk (4790m, 6hrs)

Day 11: Trek from Zuktulpuk-Darchen (4560m, 3hrs)

Day 12: Darchen-Guge (4500m, 5hrs)

Day 13: Guge-Darchen (4560m, 5hrs)

Day 14: Darchen-Saga (4600m, 9hrs)

Day 15: Saga-Lhatse (4000m, 7hrs)

Day 16: Lhatse-Lhasa (3680m, 9hrs)

Day 17: Fly back to Kathmandu and rest of time free for either relaxation or shopping

Day 18:  Final Departure to airport by privet vehicle and back to home share experiences with family and friends unforgettable memory of Mount Kailash Mansarovar Trek.