Mount Kailash Travel Guide

The towering Mount Kailash lies 100 km northwards of the common border of China, Nepal, and Tibet. The mountain is considered sacred in four eastern religions; Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon. In Sanskrit, the meaning of the word Kailash is crystal. Several religious pilgrims believe circumambulation (Parikrama) of mount Kailash brings spiritual blessings like forgiveness of sins, merits, and good fortune. If exploring remote places and conquering challenging terrains is what you love, Mount Kailash travel will not disappoint you.

The Parikrama of mount Kailash is done clockwise by Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain pilgrims, whereas Bonpos pilgrims do it in the opposite direction. The interesting fact about mount Kailash is that no one is allowed to climb it. The Hindu religion forbids anyone to climb the mountain. Mount Kailash is also the Source of some of the largest rivers in Asia: Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Indus, and the Karnali.

Access Routes:

Most of the pilgrim’s access Mt. Kailash through Nepal. Many factors, such as Geopolitics, high expenses, remoteness of the place, and high altitude, may discourage people from traveling to Mt. Kailash. However, you can access this remote Mountain through India, Nepal, or Tibet.

From India:

The Government of India organizes annual pilgrimages to Kailash, but only Indian Citizens with a valid passport are eligible to take part in the tour. The Indian Government guides the pilgrims through either the Lipu Lekh pass or the Nathu La pass in Sikkim, and no private travel companies are permitted to bring tourists through these routes.

From Nepal:

The general route via Nepal has been through the Humla district in northwestern Nepal. If you are in Kathmandu, you must take three flights: Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, Nepalgunj to Simikot, and Simikot to Hilsa.

The Tatopani-Zangmu route was the most popular route until the 2015 Earthquake. The route was closed for four years due to the damage caused by the Earthquake.

From Tibet:

Another popular route to Kailash is via Lhasa. Most travelers arrive at Lhasa by road or flight and then take a journey to Lake Manasarovar, which requires four days.

The Major Attractions Of Mount Kailash:

1. Kora Around Mt. Kailash:

Parikrama also called Kora in the local language, is the act of circling by walking around something. As no one is allowed to climb Mount Kailash, this is the best way to experience the sacred mountain. The Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain Pilgrims circle the mountain in a clockwise direction, whereas Bon pilgrims do it in an anti-clockwise way.

These religions believe that the Parikrama bestows many spiritual blessings like forgiveness of sins, earning of merits, and good fortune. One complete Parikrama is about 56 km in the distance.

2. Lake Mansarovar:

Lake Mansarovar sits at the lap of the Kailash mountains. It is common among the pilgrims to take a bath on the lake after circling Mount Kailash. Lake Mansarovar is the highest freshwater lake in the world.

3. The Five Monasteries of Mount Kailash:

There are five monasteries with significant religious importance in mount Kailash: Choku Monastery, Gyanghaza Monastery, Selung Monastery, Drirapuk Monastery, and Zutulpuk Monastery. These monasteries are perfect to shelter in for respite after the trek. You will be privileged to observe antique murals, carvings, and statues at the site.

4. Rakshas Taal:

Rakshas taal sits west of Manasarovar Lake and south of Mount Kailash. The lake holds salty water and is devoid of aquatic plant and animal life. The word Rakshas means demon in Sanskrit. As the name suggests, it is believed that the demon Ravana created this lake while meditating on Mount Kailash to please Lord Shiva.

Weather Conditions in Mount Kailash:

Mount Kailash experiences snowfall even in June. The temperature in the region falls below the freezing temperature of -12 degree Celsius. However, the temperature can rise to 14 degrees Celsius during the day.

Best time to visit Mount Kailash:

Mount Kailash is open to tourists in the time window, April to Mid-October. The ideal time to visit would be between May to September, as the period encompasses the start of spring and the end of Autumn. The monsoon takes place from July to August. But because rainfalls are very light, they will not hamper your tour.

Documents Required For Kailash trip:

Whatever route you choose, you will need a Tibet Travel Permit. You must apply for the permit two months before the trip. Your travel agency will handle obtaining the travel permit on your behalf.

With Tibet Travel Permit, you will also need an Alien Travel Permit and a Military Permit. If you intend to cross over to the Chinese side of the border, you will need a Chinese Group Visa. It takes less than four working days and your original passports to get the Chinese Group Visa.

Interesting Legends Related to Mount Kailash:

1. The mountain is considered to be the home of a Hindu god, Lord Shiva.
2. Monasteries and caves around Mount Kailash give shelter to many holy sages.
3. If you climb Mount Kailash, you will disturb the divine energies.
4. Lake Mansarovar stays placid whether it is windy or not. Whereas the Rakshas Tal always stays more or less turbulent.
5. Mount Kailash is also called the world axis, world pillar, and cosmic axis.
6. The aging process speeds up due to the air surrounding the ancient peak.
7. Tibetan pilgrims at Kailash greet each other with the Buddhist blessing Chin lob chey rather than the more common Tibetan greetings.

Conclusion

The 6638 meters high Mount Kailash has already made it to the bucket list of many adventure lovers. If exploring remote places and conquering challenging terrains is what you love, Kailash will not disappoint. All who have been to Mount Kailash travel will tell you it was a unique experience. You will learn much about Eastern legends and religions along with the mountain. Moreover, once the trip is over, you also will be able to boast that you have been to the common border of Nepal, China, and India. You may even befriend many Tibetan pilgrims on your Mount Kailash travel journey.

In conclusion, Mount Kailash, a sacred peak in Tibet, is regarded as one of the most important locations for pilgrimage worldwide. Many Hindu and Buddhist deities are said to reside on the mountain. It can be difficult to get to Mount Kailash, and you must make a lot of mental and physical preparations in addition to getting the right permissions and permits.

Traveling with a certified guide, being careful of the weather, and taking altitude sickness medication is advised. The summer months between May and September are the best for visiting Mount Kailash because the weather is ideal for hiking. Overall, visiting Mount Kailash is a unique and spiritual experience that offers a glimpse into Tibet’s rich cultural and religious traditions and the Himalayan region.

Also Read : Kailash Mansarovar Tour

FAQ

Q: Why has no one climbed Mount Kailash?
According to cultural and religious beliefs, no one has ever scaled Mount Kailash. It is said that Lord Shiva’s sacred home is Mount Kailash. According to legend, he lives there alongside his wife, Parvati, and his cherished animal Nandi. As a result, Hindus consider climbing Mount Kailash to the top prohibited since doing so would violate the mountain’s holiness and upset the divine spirits that reside there.

Similarly, a long time ago, a monk named Milarepa once traveled far enough to ascend Mount Meru (Mount Kailash). But, when he returned, he cautioned everyone not to try to reach the summit that may trouble God.

Q: Where is Mount Kailash situated?
The towering mount Kailash lies 100 km northwards of the common border of China, Nepal, and Tibet.

Q: What are the major attractions of Mount Kailash travel?
The major attractions of Mount Kailash travel are Kora Around Mt. Kailash, Lake Mansarovar, Choku Monastery, Gyanghaza Monastery, Selung Monastery, Drirapuk Monastery, and Zutulpuk Monastery, and Rakshas Taal.

Q: What is the best time to visit Mount Kailash?
The ideal time to visit would be between May to September, as the period encompasses the start of spring and the end of Autumn.

Q: What does Mount Kailash’s satellite view show?
According to a satellite image of Mount Kailash, its shadow resembles the smiling face of Shiva.