Mount Kailash Mountain

Mount Kailash is a solitary peak in Tibet revered as a sacred mountain in several religions and rising to 6,638 metres. It is a major pilgrimage destination rather than a mountaineering objective.

Pilgrims and trekkers typically undertake the 52 kilometre kora - a clockwise circumambulation around the mountain - which is usually done on foot over three days and crosses a high pass near 5,600 metres. Nearby high-altitude lakes such as Lake Manasarovar are included in many visits and provide notable views of the peak and surrounding steppe.

The mountain has been an object of religious veneration for centuries in Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Bon traditions and is associated with multiple sacred narratives. Its religious status has meant the summit has no confirmed ascents and the site has long been a focus of ritual travel rather than alpine climbing.

Located in western Tibet, the peak sits near the sources of several major rivers and is set above a high-altitude plateau; access is typically from the Tibetan side via Lhasa or by road from western Tibet. The nearest significant settlement is in the Ngari prefecture of Tibet.

• Elevation and sacred status: Summit elevation is 6,638 metres and the mountain is revered as sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon, so it has no documented successful ascents.
• Pilgrimage and timing: The full pilgrimage circuit is about 52 km and normally takes three days to complete; the best months for trekking are May to October when passes are least likely to be blocked by snow.

What to See#

• Kora route: The traditional circumambulation route around the mountain is about 52 kilometres and is typically completed on foot over three days.
• Nearby lakes: Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal sit close to the mountain and are commonly visited together by pilgrims and tourists.

Mount Kailash lies in western Tibet near the pilgrimage town of Darchen. Common access is by road from Tibetan transport hubs: visitors travel overland from Lhasa or fly to Ngari (Ali/Gunsa) Airport and then continue by road to Darchen. Overland routes use western Tibet highways such as China National Highway 219; the journey from Lhasa is a multi‑day drive while flights into Ngari reduce road time to several hours. Note that travel in this region requires the appropriate Tibet travel permits and that routes may be seasonally closed.

• Travel during the main season (roughly May-September) when the weather is most stable for trekking and pilgrimage; peak pilgrimage months (July-August) are busiest.
• You must obtain the required Tibet permits in advance (Tibet Travel Permit and any additional permits for Ngari/Darchen) and most overland routes to Mount Kailash are organized through registered tour operators.
• Start the kora (circumambulation) from Darchen early in the morning to avoid the day's stronger winds and the larger groups that form later; allow time for acclimatization in the Ngari region before attempting the high pass.