Introduction

Mount Kailash is a mystical site located in Western Tibet and although it is not nearly the highest peak it has a major presence within the region. Standing at almost 22,000 feet high, this snow-covered peak is considered sacred to four religions: Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, Jainism, and Bön.

Each religion holds this mountain in its own regard with varying tales that build the spirituality around it. For Hinduism, the peak of Mount Kailash is home to their Lord Shiva accompanied by his consort, Parvati. For Tibetan Buddhists, they call this site Kangri Rinpoche which means precious snow mountain. The religion also believes their tantric meditation deity, Demchog resides on the peak. For Jainism, Kailash is the location where Rishabhanatha, the founder of Jainism reached enlightenment or liberation. For Bön, which was founded in Tibet, Mount Kailash serves as a ladder to and from the heavens.

The mysticism around this region seems to be endless. Many believe the mountain to be the Axis Mundi or the center of the world we know. At this point, the heavens and Earth collide bringing divine energy to a peak. The base of Mount Kailash also holds two distinct lakes, Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal. Although they are separated by a slip of land they could not be more different; some even compare it to Yin and Yang. Lake Manasarovar is a rounded freshwater lake which represents the sun and light. On the other hand, Lake Rakshastal is a crescent shaped saltwater lake which is said to represent the moon and darkness. Many will brave the chilling water of Manasarovar as a spiritual cleanse while Rakshastal is unswimmable. 

The Journey

Getting to this remote location may seem daunting but it is not as bad as it seems. Especially when in order to travel through Tibet one must book through a Tibetan travel agency. The reasons for this are both political and economical but it will take some stress off you during the trip. The permits needed to travel through the country will be handled by the agency; transport and guides who pass along their knowledge of the region will be provided as well. 

There are many ways to get to Mount Kailash but the two most common would be starting in the Chinese city of Lhasa or the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. Either can be used as a pick up location by the many tours. It is very important to mention, you will need to take time to acclimatize before heading to Mount Kailash. This region is well known for its high elevation and your body will need time to adjust to the change. Traveling from Kathmandu is the shortest but it is recommended to travel from Lhasa as it will provide you a better opportunity to acclimatize. Tibet Vista has their own details on this trip and is even a resource to book your trip here. 

Lhasa

This city is the capital of Tibet and considered a holy site for Tibetan monks so you can guarantee this city will be a spiritual journey in itself. One can enter this city by plane, train, or car. A flight may be more direct but once again acclimatization must be considered and one might fall sick. Train would take about a day but provides gorgeous views and eases your body into the elevation (trains from Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, and more). A car would be similar to the train and would be through a travel guide. This city is teaming with culture and history which can be seen throughout. Be sure to have your tour guide add the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple to the Lhasa itinerary.

Potala Palace is a Tibetan staple with years of history behind it and has even served as the Dalai Lama’s winter palace since the 7th century. Take in this Tibetan masterpiece and feel the presence of rich cultural history fill its halls and grounds. Not far is the Jokhang Temple which also dates to the 7th century. This Buddhist temple holds many significant relics and art dedicated to the Buddhist religion. This temple is the spiritual heart of the city and considered the most sacred temple in Tibet.

Mount Kailash

Once your body has acclimated it is time to make the journey to Mount Kailash. Most tours will feature stops and sites along the way. This breaks up the journey and allows travelers to experience more. The pilgrimage at this holy mountain is a ~35 mile circuit around the mountain called a kora. This trek will certainly test you mentally, physically, and spiritually but will leave you with a newfound confidence in yourself and a closer connection to the world around you. The length of this trip varies as it is up to the pilgrim to manage their pace but most visitors will do this spiritual hike in three days.

Travelers will be required to journey the circuit clockwise with Buddhist and Hindus. While the Jains and Bön followers journey around the mountain counterclockwise as this is their custom. It is said that one full trip around the mountain will erase all of the sins in the pilgrim’s current lifetime. Along the way you will see some monasteries and other sacred sites. Please be advised that climbing the mountain is strictly prohibited as this would disturb the sacrality of Mount Kailash. In fact, it remains as one of the few mountains that have not been summited. 

This itinerary provides travelers with an opportunity to visit one of the most remote and spiritual regions in the world. After your circuit around Mount Kailash you may begin to notice some changes. There are some noted phenomena that while in this area it enhances the growth of hair and nails at an increased rate. Besides this, one will certainly come away from this journey accomplished and that much wiser about the world they inhabit. If you are serious about taking on this expedition visit Tibet Vista as they have a complete 15 day pilgrimage tour.