Mount Kailash tour is one of the most popular destinations in Tibet. Every year thousands of tourist and pilgrims visit Mt. Kailash. This holy mountain is remarkable in that four of the largest rivers in Asia have their sources within 100km of it: the Indus flowing to the north, the Brahmaputra to the east, the Karnali, one of the main tributaries of the Ganga, to the south and the Sutlej to the west.
Like a mountain in this part of the world, it is not particularly high, a mere 6,714m, yet it is striking in the way it rises high above the surrounding range and always remains snow-capped (thus its name in Tibetan ‘Gang Rinpoche’, which means ‘Jewel of Snow’).Â
Traditional Buddhist cosmology has often connected Kailash with Mount Meru, the great mythological mountain that forms the axis of this world system. The power of this strange, domed peak has gripped the imagination of the pilgrims from India and Tibet since time immemorial.
There are thousands of people who join the Kailash tour every year. Being the central watershed of Asia, it has always been the most sacred mountain for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bönpos. Although Kailash tour has been popular for pilgrimage for Indians, Tibetans, and Nepalis for many centuries…..Â
Every year, thousands make a pilgrimage to Kailash and Kailash tour. 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. Followers of the Jain and Bön religions circumambulate the mountain in an anticlockwise direction. We have many tourists from Russia who practices the Bon religion join our Kailash tour every year.Â
Lhasa Gongkar Airport (Google Map)
Upon arrival at the Lhasa Gongkar airport / Lhasa train station, our client will warmly welcome our Tibetan local tour guide and the driver with the traditional Tibetan white scarf.
We were driving about an hour from the airport to Lhasa. Suppose you take the train to Lhasa, it’s only 20 minutes to the hotel from the train station.
After check-in at the hotel, the guide will brief the tour itineraries for the next day. It’s advisable to relax in the hotel to acclimatise the high altitude for the rest of the day.
We will begin our Kailash tour by visiting the Jokhang Temple, one of the most sacred temples in Tibet built in the 7th century by the 33rd king of Tibet – Songtsen Gampo. “Jokhang” means the temple of the Buddha. The temple was constructed for the enshrinement of the Shakyamuni image, which is believed to be nonexistent before the lifetime of Shakyamuni.
After visiting the temple, you can explore the surrounding Barkhor Street and spend time walking around the Temple following pilgrims from all over the Tibetan plateau.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Sera Monastery, one of three great monasteries of Gelugpa school will attend the monks’ debating session, which is quite popular in Sera.
Today we visit the stunning Potala Palace – the landmark of Lhasa and the Norbulingka Palaces. The Potala is the winter palace that was built in the 17th century by the fifth Dalai Lama. Provides amazing views of the entire city and houses the private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Norbulingka Palace, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. The palace was built in the 18th century by the seventh Dalai Lama.
Today is the scenic drive with breathtaking high passes and the holy lake. Driving along the Lhasa River to the Lhasa Airport we cross Kampa-la Pass [4797m] and then Karo-la Pass [5050m], where Mt. Nyanchen Khangsar [7206m] glacier lies near the road.
In the middle, we enjoy the unreal turquoise waters of the holy lake Yamdrok-Yumtso. Finally, we arrive at Gyantse town to visit the considered best Tibetan art paintings in Kumbum Stupa inside Pelkor Choede Monastery.
Also, we admire the majestic Gyantse Dzong (fortress) overlooking the valley and the old streets of Gyantse.Â
After breakfast, we visit the Gyantse Dzong, and then we drive northwest to reach the second largest city in Tibet Autonomous Region – Shigatse. There, we visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in the 15th century by the first Dalai Lama.
Nowadays is the spiritual seat for the successive Panchen Lamas. We recommend doing Kora around Tashilhunpo Monastery if times allow having an incredible panorama view of the valley and impressive Dzong (fortress).
It’s a whole day drive from Shigatse to Saga crossing 9passes at an elevation of around 5000m. Most of the roads we drive through nomad areas because we are gaining altitude and wonderful great natural mountains and rivers from western Tibet along the way.
Driving along the Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra) and the Himalayan chain continues over the 5100m high pass Mayum La to the holy lake Manasarovar.
Manasarovar is one of the sacred lakes where the Hindu pilgrims usually take depth in the water before the Kailash kora because it is said that would purify the sins after depth in the lake.
Crossing Mayum La pass, you will see for the first time – The summit pyramid of Mt. Kailash after the long drive from Lhasa. This day is the first day of our Kailash tour to see the view of holy Mount Kailash.
Today we have almost half a day of free time at Lake Manasarovar to explore the Chiu Monastery and enjoy the view of Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash. Just 30 30-minute hike up to the Chiu monastery, where the master Padmasambhava meditated for 7 days and 7nights in the 8th century is impossible to miss because this hike is ideal preparation for the strenuous Kailash Kora exceeding the 5627m high Dolma La pass. After Lunch, we drive about an hour to Darchen and start to prepare for the big day.
The trip’s Highlight is three days of conversion (52km) of the sacred Mt. Kailash. The trek starts today, and 8 km after leaving the Darchen, we reach the spot Tarpoche, the large flag pole in honour of Buddha at the entrance to Kora where the potters and Yaks waiting for the guests too.
The walk for today is easy as it ascends to the altitude of 4800m – Dirapuk Monastery. From there, we have the best and most beautiful stunning view of the north face of Mt. Kailash.
Today we set out from Dirapuk monastery early morning to reach the top of the Dolma La pass before sunrise, 6km ascending to the Dolma La pass and a decent 4km is the toughest part of the whole trek.
After that, the trek route is more or less flat and down for 10km to reach Zutrulpuk Monastery, the cave where the Milarepa reside.
After breakfast, we visit the Zutrulpuk monastery – the cave of wonders where the Yogi Milarepa once meditated.
The distance is only 12km to Darchen and is the easiest part of the trek. Having lunch in Darchen we drive back to Saga.
Drive the same route back to Shigatse.
Today, we drive back to Lhasa through the G318 Friendship Highway along the Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra) for 4hrs.
After arrival in Lhasa, you will have half-day free time for shopping and exploring around.
Our Lhasa and Kailash tour officially ends today. Have a safe journey after that.
Amazing Tibet
Norbu was our exceptional tour guide for a tour he led from Lhasa to Mt Kailash. The journey to Mt Kailash was without doubt the greatest journey of my life, and I regard Norbu’s leadership of our group as key to our success. He is extremely knowledgeable, professional, and hard working. He is a kind and thoughtful man who also has a lovely sense of humour. He is clearly highly respected by his peers for his knowledge and experience. With Norbu we were safe, looked after, and had an incredible experience. In our group we had people from several nationalities with a range of interests and motivations for the tour. He is both intelligent and emotionally intelligent and was able to understand our group and ensure we all had an exceptional experience. I regard Tenzin as a friend and hope one day to return to take another tour with him.
Mt.Kailash Pilgrimage Tour
A dream came true! It was the most wonderful trip I ever did. Thank you for the wonderful, friendly and experience service!!! If you are a spiritual human or not – be sure: this you will never forget…
