Mount Kailash Kora Trail
The Mount Kailash Kora is a 52-kilometre sacred circumambulation around a solitary, snow-capped peak in the Trans-Himalaya, usually completed in three days. It pairs stark high-altitude desert scenery with ritual stops, mani walls and a challenging high pass at about 5,600 metres.
Mount Kailash Kora Trail
The Mount Kailash Kora is a 52 km sacred circumambulation around a remote Trans-Himalayan peak, usually completed in three days. Walkers cross a high, windswept pass, pass ancient monasteries and lakes, and join a pilgrimage route revered by Buddhists, Hindus and Jains.
Mount Kailash Kora at a Glance#
Quick facts for planning the kora.
Time to Hike: Typically 3 days covering about 52 km around Mount Kailash; the route climbs to the Dolma La pass at roughly 5,600 m and then descends to lower plateau trails. Most people spread the distance over three physically demanding days.
Best Time to Go: Late spring to early autumn - May to September offers the most reliable access, with July and August the warmest and busiest months. Shoulder months can still have snow at the pass.
Getting there: The trailhead is Darchen; reach it by road from Ngari Gunsa Airport or by multi-day overland drive from Lhasa. Most itineraries start and finish in Darchen, and the approach roads are long and sometimes rough.
Costs: Travel to Tibet requires a Tibet travel permit that must be arranged through a registered operator and usually a compulsory guide and vehicle are included. Accommodation is basic - guesthouses in Darchen and simple pilgrim shelters on route - expect extra charges for yak or pony hire.
Difficulty: High altitude trekking on rocky paths, scree and gravel plateaux with a high pass around 5,600 m; main hazards are altitude sickness, strong winds, cold nights and sudden weather changes. Good acclimatisation, warm gear and a conservative pace are essential.
About Mount Kailash Kora#
Mount Kailash Kora is a tightly routed pilgrimage that traverses stark Trans-Himalayan landscapes - windswept gravel flats, moraine ridges and exposed scree slopes. The scenery is austere but dramatic, with uninterrupted views of the mountain’s faces and the wide, empty plateau that frames the circuit.
Highlights include the steep climb to the Dolma La pass, the north-face monastery at Dirapuk and the sheltered cave shrines at Zuthulpuk, plus proximity to the sacred Lake Manasarovar. There are no serviced mountain huts on the kora; pilgrims rely on basic guesthouses in Darchen, monastery shelters, or campsite arrangements for overnight stops. The route is notable for its religious significance and the intense, immediate exposure to high-altitude terrain.
Getting There#
The nearest major international gateway is Lhasa; from there you can take a domestic flight to Ngari Gunsa Airport or travel overland. From Ngari Gunsa Airport it is a drive of several hours to the trailhead at Darchen.
Most walkers assemble in Darchen for the start and walk the kora clockwise, keeping the mountain to their right. Road travel in this region can be long and rough, so many visitors plan extra time for transfers and acclimatisation.
Best Time to Hike#
The walkable season runs mainly from May to September, with the warmest and busiest window in July and August. Outside this window Dolma La and higher sections may be snowbound and exposed to severe winds.
Permit arrangements and any group tour bookings should be made well in advance of travel, especially in high season. Allow at least one or two days for acclimatisation in Darchen or at Lake Manasarovar or Lhasa before attempting the high pass, and expect cold nights even in summer.