Mount Kailash Travel Guide
Peaking at just over 6,700 meters, this pyramid shaped mountain is the highest in the Kailas range, thought to be sacred by Tibetans. In fact, Mount Kailash is considered by Buddhists and Hindus to be the center of the universe.
Due to its religious status, the mountain has never been scaled though it is a major center for pilgrims, who come to trek around it and bathe in the holy water of neighboring Lake Manasarowar to relieve themselves of their sins.
The 33-mile clockwise trek around the mountain, known as the kora, attracts Hindus, Buddhist, Bonpos and Jains alike. This holy trek is believed to cleanse one of his or her sins and sees pilgrims in their thousands, some of whom complete the journey on their knees over two or three weeks, prostrating frequently.
Non religious trekkers are welcome to enjoy the trek, with many hiring pilgrims to carry their stuff. The route takes just over two days to complete and offers amazing vistas of the mountain and shrines covered in prayer flags. Monastery guest houses and mud brick shelters are dotted along the route.
Darchen is the base camp for expeditions and features basic guest houses and tents in the pilgrim season.